[Via Satellite 08-15-2016] Advantech Wireless reports that the company has increased its deliveries of Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs) and Block UpConverters (BUCs) for maritime customers over the past few months. The company shipped several hundred units for yachts, luxury cruise ships and military vessels, for GaN-based C-, Ku- and X-band satellite connectivity.

According to Advantech Wireless, bandwidth demand for maritime applications has grown well beyond initial expectations, where the high temperature in a radome challenges the reliability of high-power amplifiers and frequency converters. The company claims its new generation of GaN-based products boost Radio Frequency (RF) linear power performance, while reducing energy consumption, weight and overall size.

“The unit size in maritime applications is extremely important for perfect balancing on stabilized antenna systems. To survive within the stifling environment of a radome, the heat generation has to be minimized. Therefore, the improved reliability and smaller size of our new generation of GaN based SSPAs allow perfect integration into maritime stabilized antennas,” said Cristi Damian, VP of business development at Advantech Wireless.