The PTX8811 from TMD Technologies is a Microwave Power Module (MPM) that operates from 30 to 40 GHz. It integrates a high-power Ka-Band Helix mini Travelling Wave Tube (TWT) with a matched high density switch mode power supply to produce a drop-in microwave amplifier unit. The module delivers a saturated output power of over 150 W and has an efficiency of 25%. It has noise power densities of -20 dBm/MHz and -90 dBm/MHz at Beam ON and Beam OFF, respectively. The MPM has a pulse width of more than 1 µs with a pulse repetition frequency of up to 20 kHz and has a duty cycle of up to 100%.
The PTX8811 provides control and monitoring features for beam & body currents as well as for cathode voltage variations. It also provides protection against power supply faults, peak and average beam & helix trips, prime power faults, TWT and power supply thermal spikes, along with duty cycle and pulse width limiting protection for pulsed units. The MPM can be configured to incorporate a variety of TWT models, allowing the user to specify different duty, frequency and peak power parameters. A control interface is incorporated which allows remote operation and status monitoring. Internal diagnostic outputs and indicators are also available for BIT purposes.
The MPM is available in a conduction-cooled enclosure that measures 450 x 224 x 59.5 mm with 2.92 mm precision coaxial, and WR28 I/O interfaces. It is ideal for use in electronic warfare (EW) and radar systems. This microwave power amplifier requires a supply voltage of 270 V and consumes under 1000 W of power.
