A new view of phase distortion in a traveling wave tube

Abstract

The paper deals about the phase distortion in a Traveling Wave Tube. It is based on unique insights afforded by the MUSE model of a TWT. The phase distortion on dc and harmonic frequencies is studied via MUSE simulations. An approximate analytic solution to the S-MUSE model reveals that phase distortion up to the 1 dB gain compression point is due to the fact that the fundamental frequency is an intermodulation product of itself. Simulations are also compared to the large signal code LATTE. The majority of the phase distortion prior to gain compression is not due to the average slowing down of electrons was been analysed.