Microwave Tubes

Microwave
tubes

Average power

1 MW

Higher power
Limited life time
High vacuum

1 KW

High potential
Microwave
semiconductor
devices

1W

Lower weight
Smaller size
Longer life time

1mW
0.3

3
10
30
100
Frequency (GHz)

300

Two possible methods of achieving high output

power in microwave system

Low power
High power tube
semiconductor
amplifier
oscillator

High power
tube
oscillator

Important Parameters

Peak power
Efficiency
Bandwidth
Harmonic and spurious power
Manufacturability at low cost

Average power
Gain
Frequency
Intermodulation products

(%)

Gain
(dB)

Relative
spurious
level

Relative
operating
voltage

Relative
complexity
of operation

1-10

20-50

6-15

Low

Klystron

1-5

30-70

40-60

High

Helix tube

30-120

20-40

30-50

High

Coupled
cavity tube

5-40

20-40

30-50

High

Type

Relative
BW (%)

Gridded tube

Average power
10 MW

Peak power
1000 MW

Klystron
1 MW

100 MW

Coupled
cavity
TWT

100 KW

Gridded
tube

10 KW

Helix
TWT

1 KW

Klystron

10 MW
1 MW

Coupled
cavity
TWT

Gridded
tube
Helix
TWT

100 KW
10 K W

100 W

0.3 1

10

30

100 300

Frequency (GHz)

0.3 1

10

30

100 300

Frequency (GHz)

Klystron
Microwave
input

Electron
beam

Microwave
output

Beam
collector

Electron
Gun

Intermediate cavity

TWT

Major applications for TWTs include:

Amplifiers:

Space applications
Radar
Electron Counter Measure
Missile

Driver for other high power RF amplifiers

Missile TWTs for Active Seekers

Features that influence the design include:
Minimal size and weight;
Narrow-to-moderate bandwidths;.
Off-to-fully-operational turn-on times of one second or less;
High efficiency;
High reliability after long inactive storage periods.
Normally, these TWTs are of the periodic-permanent-magnet (PPM)
focused helix variety. They normally utilize unique cathode-heater
designs to provide the very fast warm-up required. They typically have
multiple stage depressed collectors with conduction cooling.