Amplifier Research 800A3B: High-Power RF Amplifier
The Amplifier Research 800A3B is an innovative, self-contained, air-cooled, broadband solid-state amplifier, meticulously crafted for applications demanding instantaneous bandwidth and exceptional gain performance. When paired with an RF sweep generator, it delivers a robust minimum output of 800 watts of swept power, ensuring high efficiency and reliability in various settings.
Digital Control Panel: The 800A3B amplifier is designed with a sophisticated digital control panel that offers both local and remote operation capabilities. Featuring a color LCD touch screen and a user-friendly rotary knob, it allows operators to easily monitor operational status, including forward and reflected power levels, control status, and internal amplifier diagnostics. Noteworthy features include gain control, RF output level protection, and a transformer with selectable taps for accommodating different load impedances.
Impedance Matching: This model stands out with its internal impedance transformer, providing selectable output impedance values of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ohms. As many RF amplifiers typically operate at a 50-ohm nominal impedance, the 800A3B expands functionality by supporting varying impedances, catering to the evolving needs of low to mid-frequency RF applications.
Application Suitability: The exceptional impedance matching capabilities along with unmatched mismatch tolerance make the Amplifier Research 800A3B ideal for diverse applications in research and development, including fluorescent lighting, ultrasound, plasma generation, mass spectrometry, piezoelectric crystal testing, EMC, and various laboratory uses.
Remote Control Features: All control functions and status indications can be accessed remotely through GPIB/IEEE-488, RS-232, RS-232 Fiber Optic, Ethernet, and USB. The rear panel houses all bus interface connectors, while a front panel keylock ensures secure operation during either local or remote use.
Key Specifications:
- Rated Power Output: Minimum 800 watts
- Input for Rated Output: 1.0 milliwatt maximum
- Power Output @ 3 dB Compression:
- Minimum: 700 watts (2 MHz–3 MHz)
- Power Output @ 1 dB Compression:
- Flatness: +1.0 dB maximum
- Frequency Response: 10 kHz–3 MHz instantaneously
- Gain (Maximum Setting): 60 dB minimum
- Gain Adjustment: Continuous range of 23 dB minimum
- Input Impedance: 50 ohms nominal
- Output Impedance: Selectable (manual): 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 ohms
- Mismatch Tolerance: 100% rated power without foldback, up to 6.0:1 mismatch
- Harmonic Distortion: -20 dBc maximum at 400 watts power output
- Modulation Capability: Supports AM, FM, and pulse modulation
- Cooling: Forced-air with self-contained fans
- Primary Power: Universal, 85–137/180–264VAC, 47–63 Hz, 2500 watts maximum
- Output Connector: Amplifier Research configurations
- Input Connector: Amplifier Research configurations
With its myriad features, exceptional performance, and versatility, the Amplifier Research 800A3B is a leading solution for RF amplification needs in both research and practical applications.
