Innovative TWTs for VW Band Communications

We propose to investigate and implement novel designs to improve manufacturability of Traveling Wave Tubes (TWTs) for VW/E-band high data rate communications. High power amplification is needed with improved efficiency to reduce operation power and improve reliability.TWT design and development becomes difficult at V/W-bands due to very small circuit dimensions at these higher frequencies. Coupled cavity circuits become very attractive to handle high power at V/W-bands since they are designed with bulk metal and have higher tolerances to heat and power.We have made significant advances in coupled cavity design and manufacturing and developed innovative TWT architectures that achieve high powers with high efficiency while minimizing manufacturing complexity and cost. Our highly integrated design and microfabrication manufacturing will ensure affordability which is critical for high data rate communications and meeting performance requirements and military standards for environmental ruggedness. In Phase II we will implement prototype TWTs based on and using the innovative TWT architecture. We will develop these prototypes for demonstrating proof-of-performance and achievable high power, both for pulsed and CW operation. Performance will be verified through extensive testing of prototype in a relevant environment. We will characterize the prototypes for Phase-III transition for both military and commercial platforms.