Supplied by NTD Shielding, Authorised UK Distributor for Vectawave
NTD Shielding supplies the full Vectawave range of solid-state broadband RF and microwave amplifiers for EMC immunity testing and related RF power applications. Designed and manufactured in the UK, Vectawave Class A amplifiers are used by test houses, defence contractors, automotive OEMs and research institutions around the world.
The range spans 10 kHz to 6 GHz at output powers from a few watts to over 3 kW CW, across 17 series groups, covering the full spectrum of immunity test requirements from IEC 61000-4-3 and IEC 61000-4-6 through to MIL-STD-461, DO-160 and ISO 11452.
Solid-state broadband RF amplifiers for professional test environments
Every amplifier in the Vectawave range is a fully solid-state design. There are no tubes, no thermionic devices and no warm-up time. From the moment power is applied, a Vectawave amplifier delivers consistent, repeatable RF output — an important characteristic in test environments where measurement accuracy depends on stable source power across the full frequency sweep. Whether the requirement is a bench-top unit for a single test standard or a rack-mounted system covering multiple decades of frequency, the Vectawave range offers a solid-state solution at every power level and frequency band.
The Vectawave amplifier range
All 17 series are available through NTD Shielding. Click any series to view full specifications and individual model datasheets on the Vectawave website, or contact us to discuss your application requirements.
| Series | Frequency Range | Output Power | Technology | Typical Applications | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VBA 100 | 10 kHz – 100 MHz | 30 W – 3 kW | Class A Si MOSFET | IEC 61000-4-6, MIL-STD-461 CS114, BCI testing | View series |
| VBA 230 | 150 kHz – 230 MHz | 22 W – 80 W | Class A Si MOSFET | General conducted immunity, BCI | View series |
| VBA 250 | 10 kHz – 250 MHz | 80 W – 2500 W | Class A Si MOSFET | IEC 61000-4-6, MIL-STD-461 CS114, high-power BCI | View series |
| VBA 200 | 12 MHz – 200 MHz | 3000 W | Class A Si LDMOS | High-power radiated and conducted immunity | View series |
| VBA 400 | 10 kHz – 400 MHz | 30 W – 260 W | Class A Si MOSFET | IEC 61000-4-6, ISO 11452-4, MIL-STD-461 CS116, DO-160 S20 | View series |
| VBA 400 (1 MHz start) | 1 MHz – 400 MHz | 100 W | Class A Si MOSFET | BCI, conducted immunity, general RF power | View series |
| VBA 1000 | 80 MHz – 1000 MHz | 65 W – 2000 W | Class A GaAs / Si | IEC 61000-4-3, ISO 11451-2, MIL-STD-461 RS103, DO-160 S20 | View series |
| VBA 1000 Extended | Up to 1000 MHz | 18 W – 70 W | Class A | Wide-band radiated immunity, general RF | View series |
| VBA 2000 | 1 GHz – 2 GHz | 50 W – 100 W | Class A GaAs | IEC 61000-4-3, MIL-STD-461 RS103, DO-160 S20 | View series |
| VBA 2000 Pulsed | 1 GHz – 2 GHz | 2000 W – 8000 W | Solid State GaN | RTCA DO-160 S20, high-power pulsed radar immunity | View series |
| VBA 1032 | 1000 MHz – 3200 MHz | 450 W | Class A GaN | IEC 61000-4-3, high-power microwave immunity | View series |
| VBA 0742 | 700 MHz – 4.2 GHz | 18 W – 250 W | Class A GaN | IEC 61000-4-3, MIL-STD-461 RS103, automotive EMC | View series |
| VBA 2060 | 2 GHz – 6 GHz | 15 W – 300 W | Class A GaN | IEC 61000-4-3, MIL-STD-461 RS103, DO-160 S20 | View series |
| VBA 1060 | 1 GHz – 6 GHz | 15 W – 500 W | Class A GaN | IEC 61000-4-3, MIL-STD-461 RS103, SAE J113/4, DO-160 S20 | View series |
| VBA 0860 | 800 MHz – 6 GHz | 15 W – 125 W | Class A GaN | IEC 61000-4-3, broadband microwave immunity | View series |
| VBA 0660 | 600 MHz – 6 GHz | 15 W – 200 W | Class A GaN | IEC 61000-4-3, broadband microwave immunity | View series |
| VBA 2700 | 700 MHz – 2700 MHz | 100 W – 200 W | Class AB GaN | PIM testing, general RF power applications | View series |
Why Class A for EMC testing?
EMC immunity testing places demands on RF power amplifiers that typical communications applications do not. Antennas, coupling networks and test fixtures present highly variable and often severely mismatched loads, conditions that can damage or shut down conventional Class AB amplifiers.
Vectawave’s Class A design operates with a 360-degree conduction angle and a regulated constant drain current, meaning dissipation under mismatch is no greater than when the amplifier is idle. The result is an amplifier that continues to deliver power into adverse loads, including short and open circuits, without foldback, shutdown or damage.
Key benefits for EMC applications include low harmonic distortion (minimum −20 dBc), high output power at the 1 dB gain compression point (P1dB), and unconditional tolerance of mismatched loads up to infinity:1 VSWR.
About Vectawave
Vectawave Technology Limited has been designing and manufacturing broadband solid-state RF power amplifiers since 1997, operating from a purpose-built factory on the Isle of Wight. Every component in the RF signal path; drivers, couplers, dividers, combiners and amplifier modules is Vectawave designed and manufactured, giving full control over system performance and reliability.
NTD Shielding is proud to be Vectawave’s authorised UK distributor, providing local sales support, application advice and aftersales service for the full product range.
- 17 amplifier series from 10 kHz to 6 GHz
- 70+ models from a few watts to 3 kW+ CW
- 100% solid-state Class A design throughout
- ISO 9001 quality management certified
- 3-year manufacturer’s warranty as standard
Wideband RF amplifiers for multi-standard test programmes
Many modern test programmes require coverage of multiple frequency decades within a single test campaign. Rather than switching between several narrowband sources, a wideband Vectawave amplifier covers the full requirement in a single instrument. The VBA 1060 series, for example, covers 1 GHz to 6 GHz from a single chassis, meeting the upper frequency requirements of IEC 61000-4-3, MIL-STD-461 RS103, DO-160 Section 20 and SAE J1113 without a mid-test source change. For programmes spanning the full conducted and radiated immunity range, pairing a lower-frequency series such as the VBA 400 with a higher-frequency series gives seamless coverage from 10 kHz to 6 GHz.
Selecting the right amplifier
The key selection parameters are frequency range, required output power at P1dB, and the applicable test standard. For radiated immunity testing to IEC 61000-4-3 the 80 MHz–1 GHz and 1–6 GHz series are most commonly specified; for conducted immunity and BCI testing to IEC 61000-4-6 and MIL-STD-461 CS114/CS116, the lower-frequency VBA 100, VBA 250 and VBA 400 series are typically the right starting point.
Vectawave’s own amplifier selection tool allows filtering by frequency and power. NTD Shielding can also advise on model selection, system integration and compatibility with existing test equipment — contact us with your requirements.
Relevant standards
Vectawave amplifiers are used across a broad range of immunity test standards. Those most commonly associated with the range include:
- IEC 61000-4-3 — Radiated immunity
- IEC 61000-4-6 — Conducted immunity
- IEC 61000-6-1 — Generic immunity, residential
- IEC 61000-6-2 — Generic immunity, industrial
- MIL-STD-461 RS103, CS114, CS116
- ISO 11451-2 / ISO 11452-4 — Automotive radiated & BCI
- RTCA DO-160 Section 20
- SAE J1113 / SAE J113
Frequently asked questions about Vectawave RF power amplifiers
What RF power amplifier do I need for IEC 61000-4-3 radiated immunity testing?
IEC 61000-4-3 requires a broadband RF amplifier covering 80 MHz to 1 GHz as a minimum, with many test plans extending to 2.7 GHz or 6 GHz for modern wireless frequency bands. The required output power depends on the field strength level specified and the antenna gain across the test frequency range.
Vectawave’s VBA 1000 series covers 80 MHz to 1 GHz, with the VBA 2000, VBA 0742 and VBA 1060 series extending coverage to 2 GHz, 4.2 GHz and 6 GHz respectively. Contact NTD Shielding with your test level and frequency range and we can confirm the right model.
What is the difference between a Class A and Class AB RF amplifier for EMC testing?
Class AB amplifiers are efficient under matched load conditions but can suffer foldback, shutdown or damage when presented with the mismatched loads common in EMC test setups. Antennas, coupling networks and test fixtures rarely present a consistent 50-ohm impedance across frequency.
Class A amplifiers operate with a constant drain current regardless of the load, meaning dissipation under mismatch is no greater than at idle. For EMC immunity testing, this translates to reliable continuous operation under real test conditions, without the protection circuits that can cause a Class AB amplifier to reduce or cut output at a critical moment during a test.
Can Vectawave amplifiers be used with existing EMC test systems?
Yes. Vectawave amplifiers use standard N-type or SMA RF connectors and are compatible with the control and monitoring interfaces used by leading EMC test software platforms. NTD Shielding can advise on integration with your existing test system setup, including antenna combinations, cable assemblies and any compatibility considerations for your test frequency range. For a complete overview of RF and EMC shielded test system configurations available from NTD Shielding, see our RF/EMC shielded test systems page.
What amplifier is needed for IEC 61000-4-6 conducted immunity testing?
IEC 61000-4-6 covers conducted RF immunity from 150 kHz to 80 MHz. The Vectawave VBA 100, VBA 230 and VBA 250 series are the most commonly specified for this standard, with the right choice depending on the required output power and whether you are testing to standard levels or an elevated requirement from a product-specific or military standard such as MIL-STD-461 CS114.
Do Vectawave amplifiers come with a warranty?
All Vectawave amplifiers supplied through NTD Shielding carry a three-year manufacturer’s warranty as standard. Vectawave designs and manufactures every component in the RF signal path at their Isle of Wight facility, which supports a consistent standard of build quality and aftersales service across the range.
Are Vectawave amplifiers suitable for automotive EMC testing?
Yes. Several series within the Vectawave range are specified for automotive EMC test standards including ISO 11451-2 (vehicle-level radiated immunity) and ISO 11452-4 (component-level BCI testing). The VBA 0742 series, covering 700 MHz to 4.2 GHz in Class A GaN technology, is also used for automotive radiated immunity and MIL-STD-461 RS103 testing.
Need help selecting a Vectawave amplifier?
Whether you are specifying an amplifier for a new test capability, replacing an existing unit or building out a full immunity test system, NTD Shielding can help you identify the right model for your application and budget.