High power 94 GHz amplifier for EarthCARE mission Doppler radar

EarthCARE (Earth Clouds, Aerosols and Radiation Explorer) is the 6th Earth Explorer Core Mission of the European Space Agency and a joint undertaking with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It will study and analyze the interaction and impact of clouds and aerosols on the Earth's radiative budget. Along with other instruments, the satellite payload will include a 94 GHz Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) with Doppler capability. This paper presents the development of a High Power Amplifier for the EarthCARE CPR and reviews HPA requirements, design and performance.