Operational results of the BEAR flight RF system

The Beam Experiments Aboard a Rocket (BEAR) flight RF control system has been completely designed and has been operated as a part of the flight accelerator system in the actual flight configuration. The accelerator has been vertically integrated onto the flight support structure (space frame) and has been operated in this configuration in preparation for the actual flight which is scheduled for late Spring, 1989. The RF control system consists of redundant voltage controlled oscillators, redundant amplitude controllers which maintain the proper fields in the RFQ (radio-frequency quadrupole), a frequency controller to maintain operation at the resonant frequency of the RFQ, and the necessary system monitors and interfaces required for the amplifiers, onboard system controller, and telemetry. The RF controller had to meet the electrical and environmental requirements while staying within its weight limit. The final design of the RF controller and results from operating the controller in its final flight configuration are described