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Thermoelectrically cooled low noise amplifier and method

  • US 6,052,559 A
  • Filed: 05/02/1997
  • Issued: 04/18/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of reducing the overall power consumption in a spaced-based microwave communication system, said method comprising the steps of:

  • providing in a first satellite a transmission terminal including a transmission antenna powered by a power amplifier, the power amplifier to generate a power output sufficient to generate an RF signal through the transmission antenna and sufficient to be directly received at a second satellite;

    providing in said second satellite a receive terminal including a receive antenna to receive the RF signal and a low noise amplifier to amplify the RF signal channeled through the receive antenna, said low noise amplifier being fabricated on an Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC);

    cooling the MMIC to a predetermined temperature thereby increasing sensitivity of the low noise amplifier; and

    responsive to said cooling step, reducing the power output generated by the power amplifier in the first satellite, thereby reducing the overall power requirements of the spaced-based microwave communication system.

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