DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR MICROWAVE RADIATING POWER SOURCE FOR SPACE VEHICLE TELEMETRY TRANSMITTER
Abstract
Research concerned the development of a voltagetunable microwave oscillator for use as a sp ce ve icle radiating power source. This device is built around an electros atically-focused traveling-wave tube amplifer which can be designed to meet the various requirements of light weight, high efficiency, and long life required for space vehicle operation. It is made to function as a voltage-tuned oscillator by feeding-back a small fraction of its output power to its input through a microwave cavity. By using the phase shifting properties of the amplifier as a function of its beam voltage, the system exhibits a linear tuning curve. A discussion of various characteristics of electrostatic focusing is given and then it is compared to permanent magnet focusing. Measured operating performance of several tubes used as both amplifiers and oscillators is described and curves of power output, gain and efficiency are shown. A discussion of the problem of vacuum arcing associated with electrostatic focusing is given. Observations of various unexpected side effects to this focusing system are described. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0278713
Entities
People
- L.a. Roberts
Organizations
- Watkins-Johnson Company