Amplifier Research 800A3B for Rent, RF Amplifier, 10 kHz - 3 MHz, 800W

Product Highlights

The Amplifier Research 800A3B is a self-contained, air-cooled, broadband, solid-state amplifier designed for applications where instantaneous bandwidth and high gain are required. The Amplifier Research 800A3B, when used with an RF sweep generator, will provide a minimum of 800 watts of swept power.

The Amplifier Research 800A3B is equipped with a digital control panel which provides both local and remote control of the amplifier. The DCP uses a color LCD touch screen and a single rotary knob to offer status reporting and control capability. The display provides operational presentation of forward power and reflected power, plus control status and reports of internal amplifier status. Special features include a gain control, RF output level protection, and a transformer with selectable taps for matching to different load impedances.

The 800A3B amplifier features an internal impedance transformer with selectable output impedance values of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 ohms.

The thought process behind the 800A3B is because most RF amplifiers have a nominal internal impedance of 50 ohms, which is fine for most RF applications. But since more and more low to mid-frequency RF applications are now characterized by impedances other than the usual 50 ohms, AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation has created a family of RF power amplifiers that can incorporate a variable output impedance.

The unique impedance-matching capabilities along with the excellent mismatch tolerance makes the A3 series amplifiers extremely well suited to the ever-changing requirements of research & development applications as well as general purpose lab use.

The 800A3B amplifier was designed to be used in applications for fluorescent lighting, ultrasound, plasma generation and testing, mass spectrometers, piezoelectric crystals, EMC, and a variety of low to mid-frequency RF applications. 

All amplifier control functions and status indications are available remotely in GPIB/IEEE-488, RS-232, RS-232 Fiber Optic, Ethernet and USB. The buss interface connectors are located on the back panel and positive control of local or remote operation is assured by a keylock on the front panel of the amplifier.

The 800A3B amplifier is intended for applications where the load impedance is not necessarily 50 ohms. The selectable output impedance provides the capability to drive loads that would otherwise cause a high SWR and limit the delivered power. The impedance matching transformer uses high-voltage/high-current vacuum relays so the user can “hot switch” between impedances without damage.

The Amplifier Research 800A3B is housed in a cabinet and designed to provide complete standalone performance for RF testing. It is also configured to be used as a sub-amplifier in a 1500 watt or 5000 watt higher power amplifier. It can be added in an incremental fashion to become a part of these higher power units yet still be used as a standalone 800 watt amplifier.

Functions and Specifications of Amplifier Research 800A3B (Call for availibility):

• RATED POWER OUTPUT: 800 watts minimum
• INPUT FOR RATED OUTPUT: 1.0 milliwatt maximum
• POWER OUTPUT @ 3 dB compression, Nominal: 800 watts, Minimum: 800 watts, 10 kHz-2 MHz700 watts, 2 MHz-3 MHz
• POWER OUTPUT @ 1 dB compression, Nominal: 500 watts: 400 watts
• FLATNESS: +1.0 dB maximum
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10 kHz-3 MHz instantaneously
• GAIN (at 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, 150, 200, 400 ohms nominaln (10kHz-3MHz) on front panel
• MISMATCH TOLERANCE: 100% rated power without foldback up to 6.0:1 mismatch above which may limit to 400 watts reflected power. Will operate without damage or oscillation with any magnitude and phase of source and load impedance.
• HARMONIC DISTORTION: Minus 20 dBc maximum at 400 watts power output.
• MODULATIONCAPABILITY: Will faithfully reproduce AM (within the linear power spec), FM, or pulse modulation appearing on the input signal.
• OUTPUT CONNECTOR: See Amplifier Research configurations
• INPUT CONNECTOR: See Amplifier Research configurations
• REMOTE CONTROL: GPIB-IEEE-488/RS-232/RS-232 Fiber Optic/Ethernet/USB, ability to remote control and power an external impedance transformer.
• RF POWER DISPLAY: 0-1000 Watts full scale. Directional power monitor allows separate display of forward and reflected power.
• POWER MONITOR.: BNC: 0-10V forward and reverse power
• COOLING: Forced-air (self-contained fans)
• PRIMARY POWER: Universal, 85-137/180-264VAC, 47-63 Hz, 2500 watts maximum.