Intellian Teledyne Ku-band 250W BUC VCM-1516
The Intellian VCM-1516 is a Teledyne Paradise Datacom 250W extended Ku-band Block Upconverter for professionally integrated maritime VSAT systems. It converts the modem’s L-band transmit signal to Ku-band and amplifies it directly near the antenna feed.
The unit is designed for large maritime antenna systems that require high transmit power for commercial shipping, cruise, offshore, research, and other high-capacity satellite applications. Its outdoor solid-state design places the amplifier close to the feed, helping limit losses between the amplifier and antenna.
Satellite Phone Store can help confirm the antenna system, Ku-band frequency plan, modem, power supply, waveguide arrangement, reference source, and control connections before ordering.
Description
High-Power Ku-Band Transmission
The VCM-1516 handles the transmit side of a Ku-band satellite connection. It receives an L-band signal from the satellite modem, converts it to the required Ku-band uplink frequency, and amplifies it before the signal enters the antenna feed.
The BUC is not a complete satellite terminal. It must be integrated with the correct antenna, modem, feed assembly, control equipment, power source, cabling, and active satellite service.
250W Solid-State Output
The unit provides 250W of Ku-band RF output using Teledyne Paradise Datacom’s Compact Outdoor solid-state amplifier platform. The high-power design supports larger antennas and link budgets that require more transmit capability than lower-power maritime BUCs.
Actual usable output and network performance depend on the satellite frequency plan, modem waveform, antenna gain, service configuration, environmental conditions, and system link budget.
Extended Ku-Band Configuration
The associated Teledyne model is identified as HPAK2250BCMXXXXG. Comparable units in this model family operate across the extended Ku-band uplink range of 13.75 to 14.5 GHz with a 12.8 GHz local oscillator.
The exact configuration must be verified before installation because units with the same 250W output can differ in frequency range, reference source, input interface, waveguide arrangement, power connection, and monitoring options.
Outdoor Feed-Mounted Design
Teledyne’s Compact Outdoor platform places the high-power amplifier close to the antenna feed. This reduces the length of the high-frequency output path and helps avoid the losses associated with longer waveguide runs.
The outdoor enclosure is intended for demanding satellite installations. Proper mounting, cooling clearance, weather sealing, grounding, surge protection, and electrical supply must be addressed during system integration.
Monitoring and System Control
Related HPAK2250 configurations support Ethernet monitoring and control, internal reference options, and remote access to operational status. These functions help technicians configure the amplifier, monitor performance, and review fault conditions during commissioning or troubleshooting.
Available interfaces should be confirmed against the complete VCM-1516 configuration before ordering.
Professional Maritime Applications
The VCM-1516 is intended for engineered high-power satellite systems used aboard:
- Cruise and passenger vessels
- Commercial and cargo ships
- Offshore energy platforms
- Research and seismic vessels
- Government maritime platforms
- Other large Ku-band VSAT installations
Installation and commissioning should be completed by technicians experienced with high-power RF equipment and Intellian maritime antenna systems.
Technical Specifications
Power
- Rated RF output class: 250W
- Input power: 90–265V AC
- Power-supply type: Universal AC input with power-factor correction
- Auxiliary power output: 15V DC, up to 1A for compatible external equipment
- Power consumption: Configuration-dependent
Dimensions
- 49.5 × 25.4 × 16.5 cm / 19.5 × 10.0 × 6.5 in.
Durability
- Construction: Ruggedized outdoor enclosure
- Amplifier technology: GaN solid-state
- Operating temperature: -40–60°C / -40–140°F
- Environmental qualification: MIL-STD-810F
- Electromagnetic compliance: MIL-STD-461
- Certification: CE
- Quality-management standard: ISO 9001:2015
- Cooling: Removable forced-air fan assembly
Included
- Intellian VCM-1516 Teledyne Paradise Datacom 250W Ku-Band BUC
Additional
- Product type: Outdoor block upconverter and solid-state power amplifier
- Manufacturer: Teledyne Paradise Datacom
- Intellian part number: VCM-1516
- Product platform: Compact Outdoor
- Output class: 250W
- Redundancy support: Built-in support for compatible 1:1 systems
Data Network
- Frequency band: Ku-band
- Standard RF output range: 14.0–14.5 GHz
- Standard IF input range: 950–1,450 MHz
- Standard local oscillator frequency: 13.05 GHz
- Extended RF output range: 13.75–14.5 GHz
- Extended IF input range: 950–1,700 MHz
- Extended local oscillator frequency: 12.8 GHz
- Gain adjustment range: 20 dB
- Gain adjustment resolution: 0.1 dB
- Full-band gain flatness: ±1.0 dB typical
- Input VSWR: 1.3:1 typical
- Output VSWR: 1.3:1 typical
- Output RF sample: -40 dBc
Interfaces
- IF input: N-type female
- RF output: Grooved Ku-band waveguide
- Network management: Ethernet
- Serial management: RS-232 and RS-485
- Additional management: FSK through the IF cable
- Management protocols: UDP, SNMP, and embedded web interface
- RF sample output: Dedicated sample port
- Redundancy interfaces: Link and switch-control ports
