A major trend in the broadcast amplifier market is the shift from the old traveling wave tube antennae (TWTA) to the solid state power amplifiers (SSPA). Some major areas of application of audio, video, and RF amplifiers include satcom industries, DSNG flyaways, teleports, military communications, disaster recovery platforms, and DTH. Most players believe that innovation and development would be the buzzwords and that innovative and new products would be developed as per user requirements.

MAJOR PLAYERS

AMPLUS COMMUNICATIONS

Amplus Communications manufactures and supplies RF amplifiers in India. Amplus is targeting around USD 2 million (Rs. 10 crore) that includes the antennae and RF. It is targeting around USD 1 million (Rs. 5 crore) for the RF amplifiers segment. Most of the service providers buy from them and supply to the end customers. The company provides various amplifiers. The power range starts from 1 watt and goes upto 250 watt in all the frequency bands (C, Ku, INSAT C, and Ka) for any application. The power output includes 1 watt, 2 watt, 4/5 watt, 10 watt, 20 watt, 40 watt, 60 watt, 80 watt, 100 watt, 125 watt, 150 watt, 200 watt, and 250 watt.

Major customers include Tatanet and ISRO for their Master Control Facility (MCF), NTPC, Hughes Network Systems, Essel Shyam, HCL Comnet, Infinium India Limited, Indiasign, Bharti Comtel Limited, Prodelin India Limited, NDTV, Wire & Wireless India Ltd (Zee), ORG Telecom, and Bharat Electronics Limited. Amplus basically provides RF amplifiers and antennae to these customers.

According to the company, the market is enormous for RF amplifiers since everywhere amplifiers are being used, especially in the satellite communications systems. The company expects that more than 100 channels are under planning to come up as broadcasters. Around 4-5 DTH operators are also expected to come, which will boost the RF amplifiers market. Even in communications sector, the major sectors that are going to come include retail, e-governance, e-banking, communication on the move, and defense market. VSAT connectivity will also grow because the price has come down. The availability of satellites is high and it is cost effective. There is also availability of bandwidth. This also helps in reducing the latency and delays and provides a faster response. Wherever there is a VSAT, there is a need for an amplifier. The anticipated growth of VSAT is going to be three to four times a year. The VSAT deployment presently is 100,000 and the company anticipates around 1 million VSATs in the next three years.

Earlier amplifiers were on traveling wave tube antenna (TWTA) technology and now with the advancement over the last few years, solid state power amplifiers (SSPA) have emerged as the best technology and as a better replacement of the TWTA technology. Although price-wise, SSPA is costlier than TWTA, but over a period of time, operation cost of SSPA will reduce the power consumption compared to the TWTA technology. The initial investment in buying the SSPA equipment is slightly higher than TWTA. The advantages of SSPA technology include easy installation, easy deployment, easy operation, and easy repair.

ANACOM

Anacom Inc. is one of the leading manufacturers and designers of high performance C and Ku band satellite transceivers, block upconverters, solid state power amplifiers (SSPA), and satellite IP networking products, and offers a complete satellite networking solution.

The range of products of the company includes:

Ku-band VSAT transceiver series The company's series of Ku band VSAT transceivers are available in transmitter output levels of 0 dBm, 2, 4, 8, 16, 20, 25, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100 and 125 watt, in single or redundant configurations. Higher powers are available with external HPAs. These transceivers are ruggedly built for continuous outdoor duty in all types of environment. They are especially suitable for SCPC, MCPC, and DAMA applications. The upconverter, down converter, power amplifier, monitor, control, and power supply are included in a single enclosure. The only cabling required to the indoor equipment are IF cables. The LNC connects to the transceiver with a single coaxial cable.

A high stability crystal oscillator is used to lock the TX and RX synthesizers. The onboard microprocessor is used to give additional temperature and aging compensation. The features include easy installation, no indoor equipment needed, built in test facilities for improved maintainability and reduced dependence on external test equipment, compliant with Intelsat and Eutelsat specifications, frequency agile radio equipment, completely independent TX and RX frequency selection, superior phase noise, IESS 308 /309, and auto ranging power supply.

AUDIONICS

Audionics is represented in India by Setron India Private Limited. Audionics supplies a wide variety of high quality professional amplifiers for the professional audio industry. Audionics amplifiers are used in a wide range in both broadcasting and non-broadcasting industry.

DA210D: The DA210D is an AES/EBU digital distribution amplifier matrix housed in a 1U, 19", rack-mount case with integral mains power supply. The unit offers multiple operating configurations to enable sample rate conversions, reframing to an external reference signal, and has a convenient analog audio monitoring output.

DA210E: The DA210E is a sophisticated, five output stereo distribution amplifier, housed in a 1U 19" rack-mount case with integral mains power supply. The unit is designed to enable any input or output to be connected to unbalanced equipment without affecting overall gain.

DA210T: The DA210T is a more advanced distribution amplifier with five stereo outputs, which are transformer isolated.

DA116R and DA216R: The DA116R and DA216R are respectively a sixteen output mono and an eight output stereo distribution amplifier housed in a 1U 19", rack-mount case with integral mains power supply. Audio connectors are via a Varicon connector to conveniently terminate all audio with one multi-core cable.

1683: The 1683 is a ten output AES/EBU digital distribution amplifier. It is based on an extended 220mm Eurocard to enable several distribution amplifiers to be mounted in a standard 3U 19" rack-mount card frame.

1133, 1485, and 1622: The 1133 and 1485 are resistively split, stereo distribution amplifiers. The 1133 has six stereo outputs and the 1485 is a ten stereo output version. The 1622 is a seven stereo output electronically balanced distribution amplifier. All of the amplifiers are based on a 220mm Eurocard to enable several distribution amplifiers to be mounted in a standard 3U, 19" rack-mount card frame.

CPI

Communications and Power Industries (CPI) provides high power amplifiers (HPA) for the satellite communication industries. The RF amplifiers of the company are used for a wide range of satellite communications uplinking activity such as:

• S band (typically 2.025 to 2.120 GHz) amplifiers are used in the ground segment of low earth orbit remote sensing satellites.
• C Band (typically 5.85 to 7.075 GHz) amplifiers are used for telecom, broadcasting, VSATs, TT&C of satellites, house keeping of satellites, DSNG vans and DSNG flyaways, and teleports.
• Hi C band (typically 7.145 to 7.235 GHz) amplifiers are used in deep space networks.
• X-band (typically 7.9 to 8.4 GHz) amplifiers are used primarily for military communications, both static and mobile.
• Ku band (typically 13.73 to 14.5 GHz) amplifiers are used for telecom, DTH, teleports, VSAT hubs, TT&C of satellites, housekeeping of satellites, DSNG vans, and DSNG flyaways.
• DBS band (typically 17.3 to 18.1 GHz) amplifiers are used for DTH and telecom in highly adaptable low cost satellites.
• Ka band (typically around 30 GHz) amplifiers are used for DTH, rural telephony; mobile military communications; disaster recovery platforms; airborne Internet and telephony

EAW

EAW is represented in India by Aditya Infotech Limited.

Some of the products offered by the company in professional audio/video amplifier segment include EAW CAZ800, EAW CAZ2500, EAW CAZ1400, EAW CAM80, and EAW CAM160.

EAW CAZ800: The CAZ800 power amplifier with 800 watt output power is easily switchable between mono/stereo/bridged mono operating modes. A 30 Hz subsonic filter and defeatable clip limiter offers loudspeaker protection. Handles are included for easy transport and protection of front panel controls.

EAW CAZ2500: The CAZ2500 power amplifier with 2500 watt output power is easily switchable between mono/stereo/bridged mono operating modes. Channels A and B offer separate outputs, and a third output is provided for mono bridged applications. Variable speed fans and large heat sinks facilitate excellent cooling.

EAW CAZ1400: The CAZ1400 power amplifier is easily switchable between mono/stereo/bridged mono operating modes. Variable speed fans and large heatsinks facilitate excellent cooling. Handles are included for easy transport and protection of front panel controls.

EAW CAM160: The EAW commercial CAM160 integrated audio mixer and power amplifier provides 160 watts of output power at 100-volt, 70.7-volt, 25-volt, and 4 ohms. It offers six actively balanced combination microphone/line inputs as well as individual adjustable potentiometers for line level input, microphone level input, and microphone level input with 24-volt DC phantom power. Input 1 also offers the flexibility of an integrated transformer for connection to telephone paging systems. Low and high EQ controls offer 12 dB of boost or cut at 100 Hz and 10 kHz, respectively.

KRAMER

Kramer Electronics in India is represented by Gigatronics. Some of the products offered by the company in the digital distribution amplifier category include:

SD-7108: The SD-7108 is a high performance distribution amplifier for multi-standard SDI (SMPTE 259M) video signals. It takes one input, provides re-clocking and equalization and distributes the signal to eight identical outputs and one parallel ECL output. Some of the features include: level (gain) control, resolution - 8 and 10-bits (automatic), parallel ECL output on a DB-25 connector, and video resolution: 10-bit or 8-bit, automatic according to input resolution. The model is mainly used in SDI production studios for signal distribution and equalization and broadcast studios for deserialization and on-air operation.

VM-10HD: The VM-10HD is a high performance distribution amplifier for SDI and HD-SDI signals. It will take one input, provide re-clocking and equalization, and distribute the signal to ten outputs. The product features include HDTV compatible, baud rate: 1.485Gbps, and power source: 100-240VAC. The model is used in SDI production studios for signal distribution and equalizations, broadcast studios for on-air operation, SDI field production, and with SDI video sources such as professional digital camera.

VM-2HDCP: The VM-2HDCP is an HDCP compliant distribution amplifier for DVI-D signals with resolutions up to 1080p or UXGA. It re-clocks and equalizes the signal and distributes it to two identical outputs. Some of the product features include enhanced extended display identification data (EDID), the unit can store and recall a default EDID setting in non-volatile memory from the output, allowing convenient and reliable connection to the source, active input and output LED indicators, and compact DigiTools where three units can be rack mounted side-by-side in a 1U rack space with the optional RK-3T rack adapter.

RICHARDSON

Richardson Electronics provides audio, video, and RF amplifiers in India. The company's IRT and the RES Ingenium are the most selling models in India. The sales for the RF amplifiers done by Richardson in 2008 were valued at USD 2, 00,000 (approx. Rs. 1 crore.) According to the company, sales were meager in 2008. Customers are interested in full system solutions and price still remains the key factor. The USP of the company's products are it custom-built solutions and reliable field success.

The company plans to launch UHF/FM digital power amplifiers for broadcast and MCPA new range of power amplifier solutions.

The models sold in India include:

AAA3131. The IRT AAA-3131 is a high performance audio distribution amplifier. Its features allow standardization on one ADA type to perform many functions with consequent overall cost savings. The AAA-3131 can be used for either mono or stereo signals. Inputs and outputs are balanced connector types, which can be wired for unbalanced operation, if needed, for duplicating applications.

VA700. The VA-700 is a video distribution amplifier of modular Eurocard construction having facilities for cable equalization, longitudinal hum reduction, and clamping. The VA-700 may also be fitted with an optional sub-board for mounting of delay lines or filters. The DL-700 sub board also provides delay adjustment trim and additional compensating gain for losses in long delay lines. The VA-700 may also be used as a pulse distribution amplifier. The VA-700 is manufactured on an extended Eurocard board for mounting in IRT Eurocard frames.

LDU601C. Designed for analog TV applications, this pallet amplifier incorporates microstrip technology and push-pull LDMOS to enhance ruggedness and reliability.

LDU671C. Designed for analog and digital TV transposers and transmitters, this amplifier incorporates microstrip technology and push-pull LDMOS to enhance ruggedness and reliability.?LDU400C. Designed for analog and digital TV transposers and transmitters, this amplifier incorporates microstrip technology and push-pull LDMOS to enhance ruggedness and reliability.

XICOM

Xicom Technology is represented by Eltel Systems Private Limited in India. The company offers the world's most extensive product line of tube-based amplifiers. Highly regarded for their reliable output power and efficiency, Xicom traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs), klystron power amplifiers (KPAs), solid state power amplifiers (SSPAs), and block upconverters (BUCs) are used in broadcast applications throughout the world where customers need to increase power and bandwidth. Some of the models offered by the company include:

XTS-25C (C-band outdoor solid state power amplifiers). The XTS-25C high power solid state power amplifiers are compact, fully integrated antenna-mount units designed for low cost operation and longevity. Intended for outdoor operation, the XTS-25C eliminates the need for a separate amplifier shelter. In addition, the distance between the amplifier and the antenna feed can be shorter, thus eliminating long waveguide runs and associated RF losses.

XTS-16K2-B1 (16 Watt Ku-band outdoor high power SSPA block up converter). The XTS-16K2-B1 high-power solid state block upconverters (BUC) are a series of compact fully integrated antenna mount units designed for low cost operation and longevity. The L-band input interfaces to standard modems operating in the 950--1700 MHz range. Intended for outdoor operation, the XTS-16K2-B1 eliminates the need for a separate shelter. The construction and light weight allows for direct mount to the antenna. This eliminates long waveguide runs and associated RF losses. Forced air cooling is implemented in the package to allow reliable operation over extended temperature ranges.