DML’s CEO, Dr Richard Lang commented: “We are delighted to welcome TMD as an investor. This is a welcome step in enhancing our existing relationship and further developing our joint interests in world-class amplifier products. The Diamond Microwave DM-X200-04 and DM-X400-04 are compact pulsed X-band GaN SSPAs with minimum peak pulsed output power specified at 200W (+53dBm) and 400W (+56dBm) respectively over a 1300MHz bandwidth, operating with pulse widths up to 100µs and with duty cycles up to 15%. Saturated power gain is nominally 55dB. Both models feature built-in phase control to optimise power combining and are a compact alternative to vacuum tube amplifiers (TWT) in demanding defence, aerospace and communications applications. The amplifiers are slimline versions of the flagship DM-X200-02 and DM-X400-02 ‘smart’ high-power amplifiers (HPA), measuring only 150mm x 197mm x 30mm. The strategic investment cements their partnership in innovative, solid-state microwave products for aerospace and defence systems. Celebrating the partnership with a virtual meeting are (left to right): Howard Belk, Engineering Director, Diamond Microwave Limited; Richard Lang, CEO, Diamond Microwave Limited; Dave Brown, Group CEO, TMD Technologies Ltd; Nigel Hann, Sales Director, TMD Technologies Ltd. Diamond Microwave has been a pioneer in the development and manufacture of advanced compact GaN-based microwave high-power solid-state power amplifiers (SSPA) for the radar, electronic warfare (EW), communications and aerospace sectors. DML’s chip and wire GaN technology is particularly suited to these demanding applications, where their power-to-volume performance is a leading-edge capability differentiator.

Dave Brown, TMD’s Group CEO, said: “We have been collaborating with Diamond Microwave for several years and are very pleased with this latest development, which is a logical step forward in our business relationship. These amplifiers can be combined with an external Diamond Microwave two-way power combiner to realise a DM-X1K0-03 and to achieve in excess of 900W peak pulse power. The DM-X200-04 and DM-X400-04 incorporate an internal electronically-adjusted phase shifter, which is used to optimise the combining phase and can be applied if alternative combiners are used. The amplifiers based on our new slimline platform are ideal for applications that do not require the sophisticated Ethernet monitoring provided by the ‘smart’ amplifier platform,” said Richard Lang, Managing Director of Diamond Microwave. “Both common platforms feature standardised mechanical and electrical interfaces, and all our designs can readily be customised to meet individual requirements. For example, we have recently produced a high-linearity model, and also a design that can employ either gate-pulsing or drain-pulsing to suit the class of amplification required.”Like all Diamond Microwave HPAs, the designs are flexible in layout and architecture and can be tailored to meet individual specifications and enclosure requirements. N-type output connectors are fitted as standard, but waveguide can be offered as an option. As part of a strategic investment programme, West London based manufacturer of advanced equipment for the microwave industry, TMD Technologies Ltd (TMD), has taken a share in Diamond Microwave Ltd (DML), a specialist in high-power solid-state microwave amplifier products utilising gallium nitride (GaN) and GaAs technology. Their specialised technological expertise has proved particularly successful across the aerospace and defence industries and complements our current technologies targeted at this market sector. We are looking forward to increased involvement with this forward-looking company – to our mutual benefit.”