Amplifier Research 800A3 – A Powerful Solution for High-Gain Applications
The Amplifier Research 800A3 is an advanced, self-contained, air-cooled, broadband solid-state amplifier, meticulously engineered for applications demanding instantaneous bandwidth and significant gain. Capable of delivering a minimum of 800 watts of swept power when paired with an RF sweep generator, the 800A3 stands out in the competitive landscape of RF amplifiers.
Equipped with an intuitive digital control panel, the 800A3 allows seamless local and remote operation. The display not only showcases operational metrics such as forward and reflected power but also provides essential control status and internal amplifier health reports. Noteworthy features include:
- Gain Control: Precise adjustment of amplification levels for tailored performance.
- RF Output Level Protection: Ensures the amplifier operates safely within specified parameters.
- Selectable Impedance Transformation: Built-in transformer enables matching to various load impedances.
The amplifier's internal impedance transformer offers selectable output impedance values of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ohms, making it ideal for non-standard RF requirements. This design addresses the increasing demand for flexibility in load impedance, ensuring excellent impedance matching and outstanding mismatch tolerance—crucial for R&D applications and general lab use.
The 800A3 is versatile, supporting a wide array of applications, including:
- Plasma Generation and Testing
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
In terms of communication capabilities, all amplifier control functions and status indications are accessible remotely via GPIB/IEEE-488, RS-232, and USB interfaces. The rear panel hosts the bus interface connectors, while the front panel features a keylock ensuring secure local or remote operation.
The selectable output impedance capability is particularly valuable for driving diverse loads, preventing issues with high Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) that could limit power delivery. With its vacuum relays designed for high voltage and current, users can effortlessly "hot switch" between different impedance settings without causing potential damage to the amplifier.
The Amplifier Research 800A3 is housed in a robust cabinet, designed for streamlined standalone operation in RF testing or to function as a sub-amplifier within higher power systems (such as 1500 watt or 5000 watt configurations), delivering flexibility and scalability in power amplification.
Key Specifications:
- Rated Power Output: Minimum 800 watts
- Input for Rated Output: 1.0 milliwatt maximum
- Power Output @ 3 dB Compression: Nominal: 800 watts; Minimum: 700 watts
- Power Output @ 1 dB Compression: Nominal: 500 watts; Minimum: 400 watts
- Flatness: +1.0 dB maximum
- Frequency Response: 10 kHz – 3 MHz instantaneously
- Gain (Maximum Setting): 60 dB minimum
- Gain Adjustment: Continuous range: 23 dB minimum
- Input Impedance: 50 ohms nominal
- Output Impedance: Switch select; manual: 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 ohms nominal (10 kHz-3 MHz)
- Mismatch Tolerance: Up to 6.0:1 mismatch without damage, rated power without foldback.
- Harmonic Distortion: Maximum -20 dBc at 400 watts output
- Modulation Capability: AM, FM, or pulse modulation capable at input signal
- RF Power Display: 0 – 1000 Watts full scale, with separate displays for forward and reflected power
- Cooling: Forced-air (self-contained fans)
- Primary Power: Universal, 85–137/180–264VAC, 47–63 Hz, 2500 watts maximum
- Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.4 x 21.7 inches
