Title :
Ka band TWTA for space probes
Author :
André, Frédéric ; Gallien, Angéline ; Boone, Philippe
Author_Institution :
Thales Electron Devices, Velizy, France
Abstract :
Thales electron devices has many years of experience in the manufacture of traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTA) for space probes, which must send large quantities of data back to Earth. The application of TWTA have traditionally used the X band, around 8 GHz, with RF power ranging from 20 to 40 watts. However, the upcoming generation of spacecraft will also use the Ka band, around 32 GHz, at relatively high power levels of 60 watts or more. This paper presents the latest results at TWTA level and explores the different possibilities for higher power.
Keywords :
microwave power amplifiers; space vehicle electronics; space vehicle power plants; space vehicles; travelling wave amplifiers; 32 GHz; 60 W; 8 GHz; Ka band TWTA; RF power; Thales electron devices; microwave power links; space probes; spacecraft; traveling wave tube amplifier application; Aircraft manufacture; Earth; Electron devices; Electron tubes; Manufacturing; Power generation; Probes; Radio frequency; Radiofrequency amplifiers; Space exploration;
Conference_Titel :
Vacuum Electronics, 2003 4th IEEE International Conference on
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7699-4
DOI :
10.1109/IVEC.2003.1286073
