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At least 199 records · Page 11

Performance of the 12 GHz, 200 watt Transmitter Experiment Package for the Hermes Satellite

Performance characteristics from on-orbit tests of the Transmitter Experiment Package (TEP) for the Hermes Satellite are presented. The tests were conducted from February 8, 1976 through August 8, 1977. The TEP consists of a Power Processing System (PPS), an Output Stage Tube (OST) and a Variable Conductance Heat Pipe System (VCHPS), all of which are described. The OST is a coupled-cavity traveling wave tube with a multistage depressed collector and a stepped velocity-tapered slow wave structure for efficiency enhancement. It has an RF output power of 233 W and overall efficiency of 50.75% at a center band frequency of 12.080 GHz. The PPS provides the required operating voltages, regulation, control and protection for the OST. The VCHPS consists of a fin radiator and three dual-artery stainless steel heat pipes using methanol and a mixture of inert gases. Test results presented include efficiencies, RF output power and body current. A discussion of thermal anomalies which occurred is presented.

Alexovich, R. E.↗

On-orbit performance of the 12 GHz, 200 watt transmitter experiment package for CTS

Performance characteristics from on-orbit tests of the Transmitter Experiment Package (TEP) for the Communications Technology Satellite (CTS) are presented. The TEP consists of a Power Processing System (PPS), an Output Stage Tube (OST), and a Variable Conductance Heat Pipe System (VCHPS), all of which are described. The OST is a coupled-cavity traveling-wave tube with a multistage depressed collector and a stepped velocity-tapered slow-wave structure for efficiency enhancement. It has an RF output power of 240 W and an overall efficiency of 51.5% at a center band frequency of 12.080 GHz. The PPS provides the required operating voltages, regulation, control, and protection for the OST. It has a measured dc-dc conversion efficiency of 86.5% to 88.5%. The VCHPS consists of a fin radiator and three dual-artery stainless steel heat pipes using methanol and a mixture of inert gases. Test results presented include efficiencies, RF output power, frequency response, and performance with single and multiple (two) carriers frequency-modulated by video signals.

Alexovich, R. E.↗

Performance characteristics of the 12 GHz, 200 watt transmitter experiment package for CTS

The experiment package consists of a 200 W output stage tube (OST) powered by a power processing system (PPS). Descriptions of both the PPS and OST are given. The PPS provides the necessary voltages with a measured dc/dc conversion efficiency of 89 percent. The OST, a traveling wave tube with multiple collectors, has a saturated rf output power of 224 W and operates at an overall efficiency exceeding 40 percent over an 85 MHz bandwidth at 12 GHz. OST performance given includes frequency response, saturation characteristics, group delay, AM to PM conversion, inter-modulation distortion, and two channel gain suppression. Single and dual channel FM video performance is presented. It was determined that for 12 MHz peak to peak frequency deviation on each channel, dual channel FM television signals can be transmitted through the TEP at 60 W, each channel, with 40 MHz channel spacing (center to center).

Miller, E. F.↗

Performance characteristics of the 12 GHz, 200 watt Transmitter Experiment Package for CTS

Measured performance characteristics from ground test of the Transmitter Experiment Package (TEP) for the Communications Technology Satellite are presented. The experiment package consists of a 200 W Output Stage Tube (OST) powered by a Power Processing System (PPS). Descriptions of both the PPS and OST are given. The PPS provides the necessary voltages with a measured dc/dc conversion efficiency of 89 per cent. The OST, a traveling wave tube with multiple collectors, has a saturated rf output power of 224 W and operates at an overall efficiency exceeding 40 per cent over an 85 MHz bandwidth at 12 GHz. OST performance given includes frequency response, saturation characteristics, group delay, AM to PM conversion, intermodulation distortion, and two channel gain suppression. Single and dual channel FM video performance is presented. It was determined that for 12 MHz peak to peak frequency deviation on each channel, dual channel FM television signals can be transmitted through the TEP at 60 W, each channel, with 40 MHz channel spacing (center to center).

Miller, E. F.↗

Novel Low-Cost, Low-Power Miniature Thermionic Cathode Developed for Microwave/Millimeter Wave Tube and Cathode Ray Tube Applications

A low cost, small size and mass, low heater power, durable high-performance barium dispenser thermionic cathode has been developed that offers significant advancements in the design, manufacture, and performance of the electron sources used in vacuum electronic devices--such as microwave (and millimeter wave) traveling-wave tubes (TWT's)--and in display devices such as high-brightness, high-resolution cathode ray tubes (CRT's). The lower cathode heater power and the reduced size and mass of the new cathode are expected to be especially beneficial in TWT's for deep space communications, where future missions are requiring smaller spacecraft, higher data transfer rates (higher frequencies and radiofrequency output power), and greater electrical efficiency. Also expected to benefit are TWT's for commercial and government communication satellites, for both low and geosynchronous Earth orbit, with additional benefits offered by lower cost and potentially higher cathode current loading. A particularly important TWT application is in the microwave power module (MPM), which is a hybrid microwave (or millimeter wave) amplifier consisting of a low-noise solid state driver, a vacuum power booster (small TWT), and an electronic power conditioner integrated into a single compact package. The attributes of compactness and potentially high electrical efficiency make the MPM very attractive for many commercial and government (civilian and defense) applications in communication and radar systems. The MPM is already finding application in defense electronic systems and is under development by NASA for deep space communications. However, for the MPM to become competitive and commercially successful, a major reduction in cost must be achieved.

Wintucky, Edwin G.↗

Bakeable UHV gate valve for microwave tube experimentation

The performance characteristics and design of an ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) gate valve intended for experiments on high-power microwave tubes are described. Tests run on the valve indicate open/close cycles can run into the hundreds or thousands without trouble. The valve was baked at 450 C or higher for at least 4 h. Applications of the valve include evaluation of NASA-design multistage depressed collectors for high-power PPM focused helix-type traveling-wave tubes.

Gilmour, A. S., Jr.↗

Refocusing of the spent axisymmetric beam in klystron tubes

Analytic methods were developed and employed to optimize the magnetic field transition region between the output interaction gap of a klystron and a multi-stage depressed potential electrostatic beam collector, in order to enhance the power conversion efficiency of satellite-borne broadcast transmitters. Permanent magnet structures were designed to provide the magnetic field distributions required to expand and recollimate the spent electron beam of the power amplifier klystron for proper entry into the beam collector. These design criteria for magnetic field distributions for expanding and recollimating spent-beam electrons for optimal entry into a multi-stage depressed potential collector are generally applicable to traveling-wave tubes as well as klystrons.

Branch, G. M.↗

The spacecraft communications repeater

This paper describes the electrical characteristics of the waveguide components, the solid-state circuits and the traveling-wave tube used in the microwave communications repeater. The reflex-circuit method of obtaining local oscillator signals for the modulators and certain circuit stability problems are discussed.

MICROWAVE APPARATUS↗

The satellite ferrimagnetic power limiter

To limit the 4080-mc local oscillator signal power input to the beat oscillator modulator of the Telstar satellite communications repeater, a subsidiary absorption limiter was used which consisted of an optically polished sphere of single-crystal yttrium iron garnet (YIG), placed in a resonant transmission cavity between the amplified 4080-mc output of the traveling-wave tube and the BO modulator input. The limiter holds the output power nearly constant above a given input threshold; below this threshold the YIG is linear and introduces only a small loss. The threshold is determined, for a given sample at a given frequency, by the external magnetic bias field. Temperature compensation over the desired range was obtained by orienting the crystal with the dc magnetic field along a [100] or “hard” axis. The total weight of the limiter package, including the bias magnet and cavity, is 13 ounces.

YTTRIUM-IRON GARNET /YIG/ CRYSTAL↗

Syllabus on low-noise microwave devices.

Low noise microwave devices performance and price, discussing transistor and tunnel diode amplifiers, traveling wave tubes and price reductions via manufacturing methods

Feldman, N. E.↗

The effect of system nonlinearities on system noise statistics

The effects are studied of nonlinearities in a baseline communications system on the system noise amplitude statistics. So that a meaningful identification of system nonlinearities can be made, the baseline system is assumed to transmit a single biphase-modulated signal through a relay satellite to the receiving equipment. The significant nonlinearities thus identified include square-law or product devices (e.g., in the carrier reference recovery loops in the receivers), bandpass limiters, and traveling wave tube amplifiers.

Robinson, L. H., Jr.↗

Development of a 20-W solid-state S-band power amplifier

As an alternative to the use of traveling wave tube amplifiers in spacecraft with long life mission requirements, a solid state S band amplifier was developed. A solid state amplifier with an output of 20 W at 2295 MHz, a dc/RF efficiency of 38%, and a gain of 27 dB was developed. The physical and electrical performance of the solid state amplifier are described.

Vandercapellen, A. G.↗

The 200 watt SHF transmitter experiment package

A 200 watt SHF transmitter experiment package is discussed that incorporates a traveling wave tube utilizing a multistage depressed collector for efficiency enhancement. This experiment is being developed for flight testing on the CTS (Communications Technology Satellite).

Alexovich, R.↗

Power conditioning equipment for a thermoelectric outer planet spacecraft, volume 1, book 2

The design and development of power conditioning equipment for the thermoelectric outer planet spacecraft program are considered. One major aspect of the program included the design, assembly and test of various breadboard power conditioning elements. Among others these included a quad-redundant shunt regulator, a high voltage traveling wave tube dc-to-dc converter, two-phase gyro inverters and numerous solid state switching circuits. Many of these elements were arranged in a typical subsystem configuration and tests were conducted which demonstrated basic element compatibility. In parallel with the development of the basic power conditioning elements, system studies were continued. The salient features of the selected power subsystem configuration are presented.

Andrews, R. E.↗