With the proliferation of wireless technology and growth of the broadcast and DTH industry, the audio, video, and RF amplifier market is predicting huge growth.

India is currently one of the most exciting countries in the world for the introduction and rollout of new technologies. The expansion of broadcasting by way of new radio licenses is a major key driver for growth in the Indian amplifier market. Audio, video, and RF are the three major categories into which the broadcast amplifier market may be classified. The highly reliable solid state power amplifiers (SSPA) based on leading edge technologies like GaAs, LDMOS, and GaN are specialized for traveling wave tube amplifier (TWTA) replacements. Custom designed and based on eutectic hybrid technology, the state-of-the-art power amplifier modules enable longer lift-time and less maintenance compared to classical TWTA solution.

Audio power amplifiers are electronic amplifiers that improve the strength of very low-power audio signals to a level suitable for driving speakers or headphones. It does this by taking energy from a power supply and controlling the output to match the input signal shape but with larger amplitude. Audio power amplifiers may be segmented into class AB and class D products. Power amplifier circuits are classified as A, B, AB, and C for analog designs, and class D and E for switching designs based upon their conduction angle. Class AB and class D designs are the most prevalent classes in audio power. Class D amplifiers have efficiencies of the order of 90-95 percent. Amplifier output quality is also determined by power supply rejection ratio (PSRR), which specifies the ability of the amplifier to reject noise from the power supply. The video amplifier amplifies a signal containing high-frequency components without introducing distortion.

Handling all of the analog and digital video, high-definition television (HDTV), and video-on-demand (VoD) signals, the RF video amplifier interfaces with the photodiode in the transceiver to provide the transition to a coaxial connector. As the second component in the RF video receiver, the RF amplifier must have low noise and low distortion in order to maintain exceptional signal integrity. The amplifier also should provide gain control for all video channels, including analog TV, digital TV, and VoD.

Radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers are commonly used in wireless communication devices to amplify and transmit radio frequency (RF) signals. Radio frequency transmission of an electrical signal requires corresponding power amplification for the intended transmission range. RF signals typically have a broad frequency spectrum from several megahertz (MHZ) to tens of gigahertz (GHZ), and higher. A power amplifier amplifies a radio frequency signal at the output of a transmitter prior to transmission in a small-size communication device. A typical radio transmitter uses a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier to amplify outbound signals for transmission by an antenna. RF power amplifiers are generally designed to provide maximum efficiency at the maximal output power. Some of the major players in India include Amplus Communications, Anacom, Audionics, CPI, Codan, EAW, Kramer, Nautel, Richardson, and Xicom.

Amplus Communications

Amplus Communications is a leading manufacturer and supplier of RF amplifiers in India. They offer amplifiers in the power range from 1 to 250 W in almost all frequency bands, i.e., C, Ku, INSAT C, and Ka.

Some of the major customers in 2009 were NTPC, Tata Net and ISRO for their Master Control Facility (MCF), Essel Shyam, Hughes Network Systems, Infinium India Limited, HCL Comnet, Indiasign, Prodelin India Limited, Bharti Comtel Limited, NDTV, ORG Telecom, Wire & Wireless India Ltd (Zee), and Bharat Electronics Limited. The service providers/integrators purchase the RF amplifiers and utilize them for the project for the end user.

Different types of RF amplifiers need to be offered to the growing satellite communications systems industry. With better VSAT connectivity, a growth in the RF amplifier market is expected.

As more and more TV channels are launched, the need for RF amplifiers in the area of broadcasting is also increasing. There are many new developments in the field of communication, viz., e-governance, e-banking, retail sector, to name a few.

Audionics

Audionics is marketed in India by Setron India Private Ltd. Some of the popular models are DA210E and DA210T Distribution Amplifiers, DA210D Digital Distribution Amplifier, DA116R and DA216R Distribution Amplifiers, 1683 Digital Distribution Amplifier, and 1133, 1485, and 1622 Distribution Amplifiers.

AnaCom

AnaCom designs and manufactures satellite communications equipment. Its solid state power amplifiers (AnaSat SSPAs) are highly integrated outdoor units, with full-featured monitor and controls, designed to give extremely reliable service in a wide range of environments. They are available in single or redundant configurations.

CPI

Communications & Power Industries' crossed-field amplifiers (CFAs) are broadband, phase-stable microwave amplifiers used in coherent radar chains to efficiently generate very high peak output powers from relatively low input voltages which can be either applied to the cathode or an electrode similar to a TWTs cathode or grid pulsing, and in relatively small, lightweight packages. These characteristics make CFAs particularly well-suited for applications in which the transmitter must be airborne, transportable, mobile, or portable.

CFAs are most often used as high-power stages in master oscillator power-amplifier systems in which either frequency or phase information must be processed. They can also be used as simple power boosters, increasing the output of systems using magnetron oscillators. CPI's range of CFA products covers 1 GHz to 17 GHz at peak powers from 60 kW to 1 MW.

EAW

Aditya Infotech Limited represents EAW in India. The products offered by the company include EAW CAZ800, EAW CAZ2500, EAW CAZ1400, EAW CAM80, and EAW CAM160.

CAZ800 power amplifier with 800 W output power is easily switchable between the operating modes mono, stereo, and bridged mono. Loudspeaker protection is achieved with the help of a 30-Hz subsonic filter and defeatable clip limiter.

CAZ2500 power amplifier with 2500 W output power is also switchable between operating modes mono, stereo, and bridged mono. Variable speed fans and large heat sinks are provided to facilitate excellent cooling.

CAZ1400 power amplifier is easily switchable between mono, stereo, and bridged mono operating modes. Variable speed fans and large heat sinks provided with this model facilitate excellent cooling. The EAW commercial CAM160 integrated audio mixer and power amplifier provides 160 W of output power at different voltages.

Kramer

Kramer Electronics is dedicated to developing creative, reliable and value oriented audio, video and computer signal processing solutions. Its product range includes:

6505 is a high-performance distribution amplifier for S/PDIF digital audio signals. The unit takes one S/PDIF input and distributes the signal to five identical S/PDIF output.

PT-102AN is a high-performance audio distribution amplifier for unbalanced stereo signals. The unit takes one stereo input and distributes the signal to two identical stereo outputs.

PT-102SN is a high-performance video distribution amplifier for s-Video (Y/C) video signals. The unit takes one input, provides correct buffering and isolation, and distributes the signal to two identical outputs.

VM-10HDxl is a high-performance distribution amplifier for HD-SDI signals. The unit takes one input, provides re-clocking and equalization, and distributes the signal to 10 identical outputs.

VM-22HDMI is a distribution amplifier for HDMI signals. The unit re-clocks and equalizes one of two selectable input signals and distributes it to two identical outputs.

VM-2HDCPxl is an HDCP compliant distribution amplifier for DVI-D signals with resolutions up to WUXGA and 1080p. It re-clocks and equalizes the signal and distributes it to two identical outputs.

VM-2HDMIxl is a distribution amplifier for HDMI signals. The unit re-clocks and equalizes the signal and distributes it to two identical outputs.

VM-3AN is a high-performance distribution amplifier for balanced stereo audio signals. The unit takes one stereo input and distributes the signal to three identical outputs.

VM-3SN is a high-performance distribution amplifier for s-Video (Y/C) signals. The unit takes one s-Video input and distributes the signal to three identical outputs.

VM-3VN is a distribution amplifier for composite video signals. The unit takes one input, provides correct buffering and isolation and distributes the signal to three identical outputs.

Nautel

Nautel is excited to be a participant in the expansion of broadcasting in India. The company has worked closely with local interests to ensure that its latest introductions address the specific needs of India's broadcasters. For example, Nautel's new VS Series with power output of 300-2500 W was designed to be extremely robust and reliable but at the same time very economical with class defining features such as direct internet audio I/O and Nautel's Advanced User Interface (AUI).

The company continues its tradition of designing solid state amplifiers that replace inefficient tube amplifiers. Using the expertise in matching networks, they have recently designed and manufactured high-power RF amplifier for dielectric heating and drying applications. The high-frequency (HF) amplifiers are available in various power levels on standard ISM (industrial, scientific, and medical) operating frequency of 6.78 MHz.

Richardson

Richardson Electronics has a rich and unique history of engineering solutions and distributing electronic components for the global RF and wireless communications markets. Its popular model is LD600-10.80 Res-Ingenium RF and MW Power Amplifier. It is a 600 W peak power pallet amplifier (when using pulsed signals), it is capable of 40 dB gain and 1 dB gain-flatness all across the HF-VHF band, between 10 to 80 MHz. The pallet is designed for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) applications operating with pulsed signals (600 W, 10 percent duty), as well as for military applications upto 200 W CW. The LD600-10.80 utilizes the latest generation of 50V LDMOS technology and incorporates a driver stage followed by four final power transistors working in parallel.

Xicom

Eltel Systems Private Limited represents Xicom Technology in India. The company offers the world's most extensive product line of tube-based amplifiers. The Xicom amplifiers are highly regarded for their reliable output power and efficiency. Xicom traveling wave tube amplifiers, klystron power amplifiers, solid state power amplifiers, and block up-converters (BUCs) are used in broadcast applications where customers need to increase power and bandwidth. Some popular models offered by the company include C-band outdoor solid state power amplifiers XTS-25C and 16 W Ku-band outdoor high-power SSPA block up-converter XTS-16K2-B1.

John Abdnour
Regional Sales Manager, Asia-Pacific,
Nautel

On market responses

Despite the challenging worldwide economic situation, Nautel products continue to gain strong customer acceptance allowing Nautel to grow both its volume of transmitters shipped and its worldwide market share. Given the industry's most modern product line and new introductions such as the groundbreaking VS Series, Nautel is expecting even greater success in 2010. Nautel is extremely pleased to be a participant in the exciting expansion of broadcasting in India.

On market driving factors and future outlook

India is currently one of the most exciting countries in the world for the introduction and roll out of new technologies. The expansion of broadcasting by way of new radio licenses is the biggest factor in the growth of the Indian market. Nautel has worked closely with local interests to ensure that its latest introductions address the specific needs of India's broadcasters. For example, Nautel's new VS Series with power outputs of 300-2500 watts was designed to be extremely robust and reliable but at the same time very economical with class defining features such as direct internet audio I/O and Nautel's advanced user interface (AUI).