VBA1000 Series — 80 to 1000 MHz Class-A RF Power Amplifiers

Broadband, mismatch-tolerant RF power for radiated immunity and transducer drive
Vectawave’s VBA1000 Series covers 80–1000 MHz with true Class-A linearity using push-pull FET output stages (Silicon LDMOS or GaAs, model-dependent). The result is low distortion, high reliability, and tolerance of severe load mismatch—ideal for IEC/EN 61000-4-3 radiated immunity (stripline/small antennas), VHF/UHF fixture drive, and demanding chamber applications.

* some Models exstend the lower frequency to 10kHz and 1MHz

Key Technical Advantages

• Class-A architecture for lowest distortion in immunity testing and stable operation into difficult loads; no fold-back during high reflection on series models. 

• Push-pull FET output stages (LDMOS or GaAs) reduce even-order harmonics for cleaner spectra and robust linearity. 

• Wideband 80–1000 MHz coverage across the series for stripline/antenna drive and chamber use at VHF/UHF. 

• High VSWR tolerance & unconditional stability appropriate for variable fixtures and antennas in EMC labs. 

• Remote interfaces on select models (USB/GPIB) for control/monitoring and interlocks.

Models & Core Specifications 

Specification	VBA1000-30	VBA1000-35	VBA1000-45	VBA1000-80	VBA1000-125S	VBA1000-250S	VBA1000-350S	VBA1000-450S	VBA1000-600S	VBA1000-1000s	VBA1000-1700/1200S
Picture
Typ. Performance Curve
Frequency Range	80–1000 MHz	1–1000 MHz	10kHz–1000 MHz	80–1000 MHz	80–1000 MHz	80–1000 MHz	80–1000 MHz	80–1000 MHz	80–1000 MHz	80–1000 MHz	80–1000 MHz
Type	Class-A; rugged push-pull MOSFET	Class-A; rugged push-pull MOSFET	Class-A; rugged push-pull MOSFET	Class-A; rugged push-pull Silicon LDMOS	Class-A; rugged push-pull Silicon LDMOS	Class-A; rugged push-pull Silicon LDMOS	Class-A; rugged push-pull Silicon LDMOS	Class-A; rugged push-pull Silicon LDMOS	Class-A; rugged push-pull Silicon LDMOS	Class-A; rugged push-pull Silicon LDMOS	Class-A; rugged push-pull Silicon LDMOS
Output VSWR Tolerance	∞:1, 100 % mismatch tolerant	∞:1, 100 % mismatch tolerant	∞:1, 100 % mismatch tolerant	∞:1, 100 % mismatch tolerant	∞:1, 100 % mismatch tolerant	∞:1, 100 % mismatch tolerant	∞:1, 100 % mismatch tolerant	∞:1, 100 % mismatch tolerant	∞:1, 100 % mismatch tolerant	∞:1, 100 % mismatch tolerant	∞:1, 100 % mismatch tolerant
Rated / Typical Power	CW ≥30 W (40 W typ), P1dB ≥20 W (25 W typ)	CW ≥35 W (45 W typ), P1dB ≥20 W (25 W typ)	CW ≥45 W (0.01-400MHz) ≥35 W (400-1000MHz), P1dB ≥35 W (0.01-400MHz) ≥20 W (400-1000MHz)		CW ≥125 W, P1dB ≥100W	CW ≥250W(80 to 700MHz) ≥230W(700 to 900MHz), P1dB≥200W(80 to 700MHz) ≥150W(700 to 900MHz)	CW ≥350W, P1dB ≥300WCW	CW ≥450W(80 to 700MHz) ≥300W(700 to 1000MHz), P1dB ≥300W(80 to 700MHz) ≥230W(700 to 900MHz) ≥200W(900 to 1000MHz)	CW ≥600W 80-950MHz, ≥500W 950-1000MHz, P1dB ≥500W 80-1000MHz	CW ≥1500W (80-400MHz) ≥1000W (400-1000MHz), P1dB ≥1000W (80-400MHz) ≥800W (400-1000MHz)	CW ≥1700W (80-300MHz) 1200W (300-1000MHz), P1dB ≥1200W (80-300MHz) 1000W (300-1000MHz)
Gain (min)	50 dB	50 dB	50 dB		51 dB	56 dB	56 dB	58 dB	58 dB	61 dB	61 dB
Gain Flatness	±3 dB	±3 dB	±3 dB	±2 dB	±2 dB	±3 dB	±3 dB	±3 dB	±3 dB	±3 dB	±2 dB
TOI (typ)	57 dBm	57 dBm	57 dBm		60 dBm	64 dBm	64 dBm	66 dBm	66 dBm	70 dBm	70 dBm
Harmonics @ Linear Power	< –20 dBc	< –20 dBc	< –20 dBc	< –20 dBc	< –20 dBc	< –20 dBc	< –20 dBc	< –20 dBc	< –20 dBc	< –20 dBc	< –20 dBc
RF Input / Output Connectors	Type N (f)	Type N (f)	Type N (f)	Type N (f)	Type N (f)	Type N (f)	Type N (f)	Type N (f)	Type N (f) input, DIN7/16 (f) output	Type N (f) input, DIN7/16 (f) output	Type N (f) input, DIN7/16 (f) output
Input Power (Mains)	85-264V ac 47-63Hz, 300VA  IEC320	85-264V ac 47-63Hz, 300VA  IEC320	85-264V ac 47-63Hz, 300VA  IEC320	100-240V ac 47-63Hz, <1kVA  IEC320	100-240V ac 47-63Hz, <1kVA  IEC320	100-240V ac 47-63Hz, <1kVA  IEC320	240V ac 45-63Hz, <2kVA  IEC320	100-240V ac 45-63Hz, <2kVA  IEC320	200-240V ac 45-63Hz, <3kVA IEC60309 plug	3 phase 200-240V or 350-415V ac 47-63Hz, <11kVA IEC60309 plug	3 phase 200-240V or 350-415V ac 47-63Hz, <11kVA IEC60309 plug
Size & Weight	19-inch, 3U Case, 440mm Deep, 13kg	19-inch, 3U Case, 440mm Deep, 13kg	19-inch, 3U Case, 440mm Deep, 13kg	19-inch, 3U Case, 500mm Deep, 18kg	19-inch, 4U Case, 500mm Deep, 18kg	19-inch, 4U Case, 500mm Deep, 18kg	19-inch, 6U Case, 550mm Deep, 25kg	19-inch, 6U Case, 500mm Deep, 23kg	19-inch, 16U rack, 800mm Deep, 98kg	19-inch, 25U Rack, 800mm Deep, 160kg	19-inch, 25U Rack, 800mm Deep, 160kg
Interface	none, Opt. USB/GPIB Interface	none, Opt. USB/GPIB Interface	none, Opt. USB/GPIB Interface	none, Opt. USB/GPIB Interface	USB/GPIB control; front panel display	USB/GPIB control; front panel display	USB/GPIB control; front panel display	USB/GPIB control; front panel display	USB/GPIB control; front panel display	USB/GPIB control; front panel display	USB/GPIB control; front panel display
Notes	Front or Rear connectors	Front or Rear connectors	Front or Rear connectors	Front or Rear connectors	Front or Rear connectors	Front or Rear connectors	Front or Rear connectors	Front or Rear connectors	Rear connectors	Rear connectors	Rear connectors

EMC Applications & Standards Coverage

• Radiated RF Immunity: IEC/EN 61000-4-3 field generation (stripline/small antennas, chamber drive).

• Automotive/Avionics Conducted Susceptibility via BCI: ISO 11452-4, SAE J1113-4, RTCA DO-160 §20 (BCI—clamp drive at higher bands).

• Military Conducted Susceptibility: MIL-STD-461 CS114 (upper-band drive and fixtures).

• Fixture/Transducer Drive: Striplines, small broadband antennas, injection clamps, and specialized VHF/UHF radiators. (Model applicability depends on fixture loss/field targets.)

Control, Monitoring & Protection (Model-Dependent)

• Local front-panel metering/interlocks; USB/GPIB remote control/monitoring on higher-power units (e.g., 600-class, 1000-class). 

• Designed for continuous duty without fold-back, enabling repeatable field/immunity levels even with high reflection.

Why Absolute EMC

Absolute EMC sizes amplifiers to your field or clamp targets, integrating directional couplers/power meters, antennas/striplines, BCI clamps, and safety interlocks to IEC, ISO, DO-160, and MIL methods—so your system meets levels with margin on day one.

What to Specify (Selection Guide)

1. Test method & level (e.g., IEC 61000-4-3 10 V/m, 20 V/m; DO-160 §20; ISO 11452-4 forward-power target).

2. Fixture/antenna & insertion loss (stripline, log-periodic/biconical, BCI clamp).

3. Required linear output (P1dB) at the highest frequency of interest.

4. Mains power & interface requirements (USB/GPIB).

5. Rack space and RF connectorization preferences.

Typical System Block

Signal source / RF generator → leveling & power meter/coupler → VBA 1000 amplifier → stripline / antenna / BCI clamp → EUT. Reverse-power/VSWR monitoring and interlocks route to the amplifier; Class-A + high-VSWR tolerance simplifies integration in chambers and fixtures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Will the amplifier tolerate severe mismatch from my antenna or stripline?
Yes. VBA 1000 models are designed for EMC use with 100 % mismatch tolerance and Class-A operation; fold-back protection is not required. 

Q2. How do I size by rated (P3 dB) versus linear (P1 dB) power?
For immunity targets, size to P1 dB at the top frequency, with margin for fixture/antenna loss. For stripline/field work, ensure the amplifier can deliver the field with margin at 1 GHz. 

Q3. Can I remote-control the amplifier?
Yes—higher-power models include USB/GPIB for enable, metering, and interlocks.

Ordering Information

• Models: VBA1000-30, -100, -250S, -450S, -600S, -1000s (80–1000 MHz). See datasheets for exact start/stop, gain, and power profiles. 

• Included: Amplifier, mains cable, user manual; interface kit where applicable.

• Options/Accessories: RF directional couplers & power meters, stripline/antennas, BCI clamps, control/monitoring packages.

• Warranty & Support: Absolute EMC commissioning assistance and application support.