As the number of CubeSats and SmallSats deployed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) continues to grow, mission designers are constantly seeking compact, efficient, and flight-proven RF components that can reliably handle high-data-rate communications. Whether the goal is to downlink payload data or establish inter-satellite relay links, the amplifier at the heart of the RF chain plays a crucial role in link performance.

We've just launched the TA1165, a new solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) from Triad RF Systems, designed specifically to meet the demanding size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints of modern SmallSats.

Built for Orbit: What Is the TA1165?

The TA1165 is a Class AB GaN-based amplifier delivering up to 20W of RF output power across the 5.5 - 8.5 GHz frequency band. This range supports a wide variety of C-band and X-band satellite downlink and interlink use cases, including those leveraging DVB, DVB-S2, and other modern modulation schemes.

The TA1165 is flight-proven, with a history of success in operational LEO satellite missions. This makes it an ideal choice for integrators who need performance they can count on. Triad RF Systems has over 20 years of accumulated LEO flight heritage.

Key Features

• 20W Saturated Output
  Enables long-range downlinks and high-throughput data paths
• Wideband Frequency Range (5.5 - 8.5 GHz)
  Supports diverse mission profiles in the C-band and X-band frequencies
• Flight Heritage in LEO
  Proven performance in real-world CubeSat and SmallSat deployments
• SWaP-Optimized
  Compact 6" x 2.5" x 1.06" footprint, lightweight 482g construction
• Flexible Power Input (12 -30 VDC)
  Integrates easily with typical spacecraft power buses
• Modulation Agnostic
  Designed for linearity and compatibility with DVB-S2 and other high-order digital signals
• Built-In Protections
  Includes over/under/reverse voltage protection, thermal monitoring, and open load survivability

Applications: Supporting Critical Space Comms

The TA1165 is engineered for use in:

• LEO Downlink Chains - Push high-resolution payload data back to Earth
• Inter-Satellite Links - Enable SmallSat constellations and cooperative satellite behavior
• DVB-Based Systems - Amplify modulated signals with high fidelity and minimal distortion

Its high linearity and rugged design make it an excellent fit for missions where link integrity and signal clarity are paramount.

Trusted by Integrators and Engineers

Triad RF has shipped payloads for hundreds of missions bound for LEO, and the TA1165 is the latest evolution of that proven technology. Whether you're building a CubeSat or a larger SmallSat platform, this unit helps extend the performance of your RF comms system without compromising mission budget or mass limitations.

As system requirements evolve, so do our solutions. We're proud to support the next generation of agile space missions with hardware that's engineered, tested, and trusted.

Learn More

Explore full technical specs, drawings, and integration details on the TA1165 product page or reach out to our team to discuss how the TA1165 can power your mission.

Ready to integrate?

Contact Triad to start your build.