TWT AMPLIFIER (T-SERIES) OVERVIEW

The TWT is one of two major categoriees of microwave devices known as linear-beam tubes. The second category is the klystron. Klystrons are narrow band, mechanically tuned devices, and thus, are of limited value in broad band amplication applications, such as immunity testing. Basically, TWT ampliers (TWTAs) are specialized microwave tube ampliers that amplify by means of VELOCITY MODULATION of an electron beam, as opposed to the DENSITY MODULATION scheme used by conventional electron tubes such as triodes, tetrodes, and pentodes. While conventional electron tubes are limited to a maximum frequency of hundreds of megahertz due to transit time limitations, the use of velocity modulation in microwave tubes extends the upper range of these devices to over 100 gigahertz. Harmonics While it is common for solid state ampliers to offer minus 20dBc harmonic suppression, a typical TWTA might offer anywhere from OdBc to 10dBc. Some TWTs have actually been known to have harmonic performance ABOVE zero, meaning the harmonic power coming from the amplier is actually higher than the fundamental power. Youll typically nd that the TWTs that operate over more than one octave tend to have the higher harmonics because the second harmonic will occur in band where there is considerable gain. Efciency TWTAs tend to be much more efcient than comparable SSAs. In general, to generate the same amount of RF power an SSA will require about twice as much prime power as a TWTA. When competing against competitors solid state solutions it is important to remember how this will benet a customer. Size and Weight TWTAs tend to be much lighter and smaller than comparable SSAs. The solid state circuitry required to generate a specic level of RF output power is typically much larger than a single TWT. For example, a 240S1G3 is approximately four times heavier and four times taller than a 250T1G3. Having touched on a few areas where TWTAs differ from our conventional solid state ampliers, lets consider what our major features are, and where applicable, contrast our features with those of our competitors.

Differences between TWT and Solid State Ampliers

For an example of some of the differences described below, please also refer to the spreadsheet Solid State versus Tube Approach at the end of this document. Bandwidth While one generally refers to a TWT as being a broad band microwave device, it pales by comparison to our typical solid state amplier (SSA) bandwidths. It is common for SSAs to offer many, many octaves of bandwidth, but when discussing TWTA bandwidths, one octave is typically the norm. Gain Flatness While a good solid state amplier can be expected to maintain a gain atness of +/- 1.5 dB over many octaves of bandwidth, most of our TWTAs are speced at +/10 dB or worse without the help of an equalizer. Dont make the mistake of assuming that our TWTAs are inferior to the competition. We actually excel in this area by building almost all of our TWTA ampliers with equalizers to improve the atness to closer to +/- 5 dB across the available bandwidth. The atness of many competitive models is so poor that they totally ignore gain atness in their specs.

Standard Features of our T Series TWT Ampliers

Power Rating We specify the power available at the output connector, not at the output of the traveling wave tube. The insertion loss normally encountered between the output of the tube and the output of the amplier have already been accounted for in our power rating. In competitive situations, insure that the customer understands this signicance, and insist that our competitors offer a product that guarantees power at the output connector (after all options have been installed), not merely at the output of the TWT.

Gain Control Most competitive TWTAs do not offer the convenience of variable gain. This is a standard feature on the T Series ampliers. Each TWTA includes a standard solid state pre amplier (SSPA) with a variable gain attenuator. This enables the user to adjust gain of the SSPA from 0-35 dB manually or remotely. Load Tolerant Our TWT ampliers have been designed with immunity testing in mind. Thus, they are load tolerant! With our rst line of defense of software protection, reected power is sensed and the gain of the SSPA continually adjusted to protect the TWT from damage resulting from excessive reverse power. We call this process our Foldback Feature. This scheme allows one to conduct immunity testing in worst case conditions without the inconvenience of repeated amplier shut downs, and with no risk of amplier damage. If a mismatch occurs during testing that is too fast for the software protection to respond against our second line of defense is a standard detect and trip circuit to shut the system off to protect the TWT from over reverse power. Most of our competitors only offer the detect-and trip style of protection, which means that with a high mismatch in a chamber their TWTAs are more likely to shut down in the middle of an important test. User Friendly A combination of microprocessor control and a bright vacuum uorescent, menu driven, front panel display accessed via soft keys provides an intuitive user interface. The digital display is used to view forward and reverse power, gain, critical TWT voltages and currents, fault protection settings, and operator warnings. Each menu has an associated HELP screen to aid the operator in proper setup. Remote Control Remote control via the IEEE 488 General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB) is standard on the T-Series, but is optional, or not available on some competitors ampliers. All functions available on the front panel are also controllable over the GPIB. RF Sample Port A sample of the RF forward power is provided at the back panel. One possible use of this output port is for monitoring the forward power with a spectrum analyzer to observe the total power spectrum, or possibly isolate and measure the power of the fundamental frequency via a low pass lter and power meter. A reverse sample port is also available as an option to monitor reverse power coming back into the system.

Single Phase Primary Power Unlike some competitive TWTAs, our ampliers do not require 3 phase primary power, and operate from a wide range of voltages (190-260 VAC, 50/60 Hz) Modular Switching Supply Our modular switching power supply is fully connectorized and facilitates easy access for maintenance and repair. In the event of a failure, only the defective module requires replacement, not the entire power supply. This modular design allows replacements to occur within minutes in the eld. Furthermore, use of a switching mode power supply results in signicant size and weight reduction. Pulse Capability Many of the TWTs used in the T-Series ampliers are gridded. Each TWTA that uses a gridded TWT also includes a grid modulator in the power supply. We take advantage of the gridded TWT by offering pulse capability as a standard feature on the 200T1G3, 200T2G8 and 200T8G18. These three TWTAs include a BNC pulse input connector mounted on the rear panel to allow the user to input a TTL signal to pulse the grid of the power supply and therefore the TWT. The advantage of pulsing the grid rather than the RF input signal is that pulsing the grid off will reduce the noise level of the amplier to an insignicant level. Safety Features A front panel key lock with removable key is provided as a safety measure to prevent operation in situations such as setting up the DUT, and when antenna repositioning is required. In addition, an external interlock interface is available at the rear panel. A typical use of this external interlock would be to connect it to the test chamber door. With this arrangement, if the door were to be opened during a test, the amplier RF output would be disabled. Warranty We provide a one year warranty for the TWT (with no restrictions on hours of operation) and three years on the rest of the HPA including power supply and control head. A two year warranty is standard on the TWTs used in the 200T1G3, 200T2G8 and 200T8G18. This is offered free of charge by Teledyne exclusively to Amplier Research.