Title :
High power, high efficiency 32 GHz space traveling wave tube
Author :
Robbins, N.R. ; Limburg, H.C. ; Dibb, D.R. ; Benton, R.T. ; Burdette, J.T. ; Menninger, W.L. ; Zhai, X.
Author_Institution :
Boeing Electron Dynamic Devices, Inc., Torrance, CA, USA
Abstract :
Boeing Electron Dynamic Devices, Inc. in collaboration with NASA Glenn Research Center, has demonstrated 100 W CW and 60% overall efficiency at 32 GHz in a TWT designed for deep space communications applications. Additionally, the TWT is designed to allow for variable output power levels, from 50 to 150 W, depending on mission requirements. The Boeing 999H is a helix TWT with PPM focusing in a conduction-cooled package. The electron gun is a dual anode, isolated focus electrode design, and is designed for greater than 12 years of mission life. The helix circuit is designed to provide near constant efficiency and gain over the 31.8-32.3 GHz band, while maintaining high linearity performance. Improved beam focusing reduces the thermal load on the helix, and increases the BWO margin. The four- stage, depressed collector has been optimized for flexible power requirements and reduced backstreaming.
Keywords :
electron beam focusing; electron guns; space communication links; travelling wave tubes; 100 W; 12 y; 31.8 to 32.3 GHz; 32 GHz; 50 to 150 W; 60 percent; BWO margin; Boeing 999H helix TWT; PPM focusing; TWT variable output power levels; backstreaming reduction; beam focusing; conduction-cooled package; deep space communications; dual anode electron gun; four-stage depressed collector; helix thermal load reduction; high efficiency traveling wave tube; high power TWT; isolated focus electrode electron gun; Anodes; Circuits; Collaboration; Electrodes; Electrons; NASA; Packaging; Performance gain; Power generation; Space exploration;
Conference_Titel :
Vacuum Electronics Conference, 2004. IVEC 2004. Fifth IEEE International
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-8261-7
DOI :
10.1109/IVELEC.2004.1316305
