A broadband high power EBS amplifier for VHF/UHF

This paper describes an EBS amplifier for high power, broadband operation in the VHF/UHF frequency bands. The wideband EBS uses a deflected beam configuration with the semiconductor target internally interconnected to provide Class B operation. The electrical and mechanical design of this amplifier are described as well as representative performance data. To date, over 500W CW has been achieved at 50 MHz, and a bandwidth of 30-350 MHz has been achieved at 300 W CW. Further improvements in these performance levels are expected in the next few months leading to devices capable of 500W CW output over a 400 MHz band. Overall efficiencies in excess of 50% have been demonstrated, and typical power gain is in excess of 20dB. Linearity, intermodulation distortion, and harmonic content are described as well as life test data which predicts a life expectancy well in excess of 20,000 hours.