Multiple signal operation of a TWT

Due to their wide operating frequency band (almost an octave), traveling wave tubes have become very attractive for use in multiple-access communication satellites. Non-linear effects, however, prevent their operation at high efficiencies. Extensive experimental work attempting to evaluate and minimize the extent of these non-linear effects has been reported. Until now, most of the theoretical studies were concerned with the small signal analysis and, therefore, were applicable to tubes operating very inefficiently.