SBIR Phase I: High-efficiency, high-power, lightweight elliptic-beam traveling-wave-tube amplifier for satellite communications

SBIR第一期：用于卫星通信的高效率、大功率、轻型椭圆波束行波管放大器

• 批准号: 0944685
• 负责人: Thomas Bemis
• 金额: $ 14.66万
• 依托单位: Beam Power Technology, Inc.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-01-01 至 2010-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0944685&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; efficiency; power; lightweight

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to research and develop a novel, broadband, high-efficiency, high-power elliptic-beam helix traveling-wave-tube amplifier (TWTA). The proposed project addresses the problem and opportunity in satellite communication, i.e. the need of broadband amplifiers that are efficient, high-power, highly reliable, and above all small and lightweight. The Phase I research objective is to determine the scientific, mechanical and manufacturing feasibility of the proposed elliptic-beam helix TWTA. The Phase I research includes: 1. Optimization of the gain and efficiency of the proposed elliptic-beam helix TWTA; 2. Concept design of a suitable elliptic electron beam system; 3. Preliminary electrical design of an elliptic helix rf structure; and 4. Preliminary mechanical design of the proposed elliptic-beam helix TWTA. The proposed elliptic-beam helix TWTA is anticipated to significantly improve the efficiency, power output, reliability, size and weight over the conventional circular-beam helix traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) which are currently the technology of choice for satellite communications.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is as follows. First, the proposed project will enhance the scientific and technological understanding of the mechanism of vacuum electronic amplification in a novel elliptic-beam helix TWTA. Second, the vacuum electronic amplification mechanism supported by the interaction of radio-frequency signals with the elliptic electron beam via an elliptic helix is anticipated to be a significantly improvement over the conventional one, thereby representing a significant advance in vacuum electron device technology. Third, if successful, this project will lead to commercially deployable, space qualified elliptic-beam helix TWTAs that will perform at new levels beyond what has been achievable to date. The initial market focus will be the high margin, high priced, onboard satellite market including ground station deployments. The next market focus will be high-frequency, high-power broadband amplifiers for point-to-point wireless communications. The third market focus will be broadband amplifiers for military radar and communication systems.

本小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目提出研究和开发一种新型的，宽带，高效率，高功率椭圆波束螺旋行波管放大器（TWTA）。拟议的项目解决了卫星通信中的问题和机会，即需要高效、高功率、高可靠、最重要的是体积小、重量轻的宽带放大器。第一阶段的研究目标是确定所提出的椭圆束螺旋TWTA的科学，机械和制造的可行性。第一阶段的研究包括：1。椭圆光束螺旋线行波管放大器的增益和效率优化; 2.椭圆电子束系统的概念设计; 3.椭圆螺旋射频结构的初步电气设计;及4.椭圆束螺旋线行波管放大器的初步机械设计。与目前卫星通信的首选技术传统圆形波束螺旋行波管放大器（TWTA）相比，拟议的椭圆波束螺旋行波管放大器预计将显著改善效率、功率输出、可靠性、尺寸和重量。首先，本项目将加强对新型椭圆束螺旋线行波管真空电子放大机理的科学和技术理解。第二，由射频信号通过椭圆螺旋线与椭圆电子束的相互作用支持的真空电子放大机构预计将比传统的真空电子放大机构有显著的改进，从而代表真空电子器件技术的显著进步。第三，如果成功，该项目将导致商业部署，空间合格的椭圆波束螺旋TWTA，将在新的水平上超越迄今为止已经实现的。最初的市场重点将是高利润、高价格的星载卫星市场，包括地面站部署。下一个市场焦点将是用于点对点无线通信的高频、大功率宽带放大器。第三个市场重点将是军用雷达和通信系统的宽带放大器。