Progress on a 71-76 GHz TWT

To address application requirements in satellite communications, a 71–76 GHz TWT has been designed based on a folded waveguide. Numerical simulations have predicted output power of up to 100 W with gain of 40 dB. An experiment is being prepared to test these predictions. The folded waveguide is micromachined in the copper alumium oxide composite material GLIDCOP and will be diffusion bonded and integrated with the electron gun, PPM focusing system, I/O windows and collector systems. The amplifier will operate with a single stage depressed collector to provide benchmarking of the simulations.