Comtech Bobcat-64Ku 64W Ku-Band GaN SATCOM BUC UpConverter
The Comtech Bobcat-64Ku is a 64W Ku-band GaN Block Upconverter (BUC) designed for satellite communication systems. It provides RF output from 13.75 to 14.5 GHz and accepts an IF input from 950 to 1700 MHz, supporting high-power satellite uplink applications.
The unit uses an external 10 MHz LO reference with a reference level of 0 dBm ±5 dB. Its IF and reference inputs have a 50-ohm impedance, while the maximum input level without damage is +10 dBm.
The Bobcat-64Ku provides 48 dBm equivalent saturated power, equal to 64W, with a maximum CW power of 47 dBm (50W). Its minimum linear power is 45 dBm (32W), with spectral regrowth of 30 dBc maximum and intermodulation products of -25 dBc maximum at linear power.
The BUC offers typical small-signal gain of 55 dB ±5 dB and a 25 dB gain attenuation range adjustable in 0.1 dB steps. Gain variation is limited to 1.0 dB peak-to-peak over 40 MHz and 3.0 dB peak-to-peak over the full band, with gain stability of 0.5 dB peak-to-peak over 24 hours.
The Comtech Bobcat-64Ku operates from 22 to 56 VDC and consumes 180W at linear power. It supports temperatures from -40°C to +60°C during operation and -50°C to +70°C when non-operating. The compact unit weighs 2.2 kg and measures 11.2 × 10.2 × 17.3 cm, with Ethernet or RS-232 management interfaces.
Key Features
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64W equivalent saturated RF output power
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Ku-band RF output from 13.75 to 14.5 GHz
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950 to 1700 MHz IF input frequency
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GaN power amplifier technology
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32W minimum linear power
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55 dB ±5 dB typical small-signal gain
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25 dB gain attenuation range in 0.1 dB steps
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External 10 MHz LO reference
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Ethernet or RS-232 M&C interface
Specifications
| RF Output Frequency |
13.75 to 14.5 GHz |
| IF Input Frequency |
950 to 1700 MHz |
| Input Level, No Damage |
+10 dBm max |
| LO Reference Frequency |
External 10 MHz |
| LO Reference Level |
0 dBm ± 5 dB |
| IF/REF Input Impedance |
50 ohms |
| Equivalent Saturated Power, PSAT |
48 dBm (64W) |
| Maximum CW Power, PMAX |
47 dBm (50W) |
| Linear Power, PLIN (min) |
45 dBm (32W) |
| Spectral Regrowth @ PLIN |
30 dBc max @ QPSK, OQPSK, 5.0 SR, alpha=0.2, >1 SR offset |
| Intermodulation Products @ PLIN |
-25 dBc max wrt sum of 2 equal carriers |
| AM to PM Conversion @ PLIN |
2.0°/dB max |
| Small Signal Gain |
55 dB ±5 dB typ. |
| Gain Attenuation Range |
25 dB in 0.1 dB steps |
| Gain Variation (over 40 MHz) |
1.0 dB p-p max |
| Gain Variation (over full band) |
3.0 dB p-p max |
| Gain Slope (max) |
0.04 dB/MHz |
| Gain Stability, over 24 hours |
0.5 dB p-p max |
| Gain Variation over Temp |
4.0 dB p-p max |
| Input VSWR |
1.5:1 |
| Output VSWR |
1.3:1 |
| Noise Power Transmit Band |
-76 dBW/4 kHz |
| Noise Power Receive Band |
-150 dBW/4 kHz |
| AC Line Spurious |
Sum of all spurs: -30 dBc; single sideband sum: -36 dBc |
| Harmonics |
-60 dBc |
| Output Spurious @ PLIN |
-60 dBc (excludes 1 MHz band) |
| Phase Noise (max) |
100 Hz: -63 dBc/Hz; 1 kHz: -73 dBc/Hz; 10 kHz: -83 dBc/Hz;
100 kHz: -93 dBc/Hz; 1 MHz: -103 dBc/Hz
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| Reference Phase Noise (max) |
10 Hz: -125 dBc/Hz; 100 Hz: -155 dBc/Hz; 1 kHz: -165 dBc/Hz |
| Prime Power |
22-56 VDC |
| Power Consumption |
180W @ PLIN |
| Operating Temperature |
-40° to +60°C |
| Non-Operating Temperature |
-50° to +70°C |
| Altitude (max) |
12,000 ft. MSL |
| Humidity |
100% condensing |
| Shock/Vibration |
Normal transportation |
| M&C Interface |
Ethernet or Serial RS-232 (SNMP with v3 Option) |
| Weight |
5.0 lb (2.2 kg) |
| Dimensions |
4.4” × 4.0” × 6.8” (11.2 × 10.2 × 17.3 cm) |
