High-performance V-band Folded Waveguide TWT for satellite communication systems

In this paper, the design of a V-band high-performance folded-waveguide Traveling Wave Tube amplifier for next-generation high data-rate satellite communication systems is presented. The folded waveguide shows a flat dispersion diagram and a high interaction impedance of about 5.95 Ω at the 49 GHz central frequency under a cathode voltage and a beam current of 20.6 kV and 300 mA, respectively. Good performance in terms of output gain with a maximal value of 45 dB at the lower frequency of 47 GHz is obtained. COSMIC 1D large-signal analysis results are in good agreement with the simulated 3D PIC results. The TWT reaching a 5 GHz bandwidth with an almost constant maximum output power of about 600 W represents the best candidate for future uplink applications.