MPM applications: a forecast of near- and long-term applications

Applications for a family of microwave power modules (MPMs) in both military and civil systems are surveyed and analyzed. It is noted that important applications of these MPMs in military radar, electronic warfare, missiles, communications, and space systems will generate demand for quantities in excess of 10/sup 6/ units over the next 15 years, while civilian demands will be an order of magnitude higher for data services and ´smart highway´ applications. It is further pointed out that achieving commonality across these applications will provide an economy of scale that can drive MPM unit costs to perceived cost levels that have met success in related military and consumer product applications. If the MPM requirements are limited to the basics, i.e. a compact, highly efficient, high-power wide-bandwidth amplifier operating in the 6- to 18-GHz band (the MPM baseline definition), then commonality exists across a rather large basis when the applications are aggregated over 15 years in 5-year intervals.<>