A high efficiency traveling-wave tube for L-band aeronautical, maritime, and mobile satellite communication systems

Abstract

An L-band space communications tube (8537H) has been developed that provides 80 to 100 W power with about 60% efficiency, while maintaining excellent phase-linearity characteristics. At saturation the differential phase shift is 35 degrees , while the AM/PM (amplitude modulation/pulse modulation) conversion factor is 3.5 degrees /dB at the 80-W power level. The third-order intermodulation distortion provides a C/I (carrier/intermodulation) value of 23 dB at 7-dB output power backoff level. The tube is relatively small in size and weight, with a tube length of 23.6 in, and a weight of only 5.75 lb. (2.6 kg). The tube has a very long life expectancy, estimated to 120000 hours (14 y).<>