K-Band Traveling-Wave Tube Amplifier

This amplifier can be used for high-data-rate transmission from communications satellites.

A new space-qualified, high-power, high-efficiency, K-band traveling-wave tube amplifier (TWTA), shown in the figure, will provide high-rate, high-capacity, direct-to-Earth communications for science data and video gathered by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) during its mission. The TWTA is designed for 20 years of operational life, well in excess of the expected 7 years of mission life. It is a vacuum electronics device that is used to amplify microwave communications signals. TWTs are needed for high-frequency and high-power applications, such as communications from the Moon, because they have significantly higher power capability and efficiency than solid-state devices. Amplification in a TWT is by a factor of about 100,000. The RF power and data rate values for the LRO TWTA, when compared with other space based K-band transmitters, are an order of magnitude higher and represent a new state of the art.

Several technological advances were responsible for the successful demonstration of the K-band TWTA. A numerical model enabled manufacturing a wideband TWT with high power output and efficiency leading to a first-pass design success. A dual-anode isolated-focus electrode electron gun enabled excellent focusing, which kept the power loss due to beam interception minimal over a wide range of voltage and current values. A WR-34 waveguide was used for the input/output couplers and larger, thicker RF quartz windows, allowing operation not only at LRO frequencies but also at future near-Earth mission frequencies. Furthermore, it is more robust against mechanical shock and vibrations, and lowers the total attenuation of the signal in the waveguide run between the TWT output and the antenna. An external filter was developed to suppress the unwanted conducted emissions from the EPC (electronic power conditioner) to the spacecraft bus by greater than 20 dB.

The TWTA has successfully completed a vigorous spaceflight qualification effort, including random vibration testing and cycling between temperature extremes that the hardware is expected to experience during mission operation. Other possible applications include high-data-rate transmission from geosynchronous communications satellites to Earth.

This work was done by Dale A. Force, Rainee N. Simons, and Todd T. Peterson of Glenn Research Center, and Paul C. Spitsen of L-3 Communications Electron Technologies, Inc. For more information, download the Technical Support Package (free white paper) at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Electronics/Computers category.

Inquiries concerning rights for the commercial use of this invention should be addressed to NASA Glenn Research Center, Innovative Partnerships Office, Attn: Steve Fedor, Mail Stop 4–8, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. Refer to LEW-18443-1.