TWT replacement: What is the alternative?

By Stephen Richards


Travelling Wave Tube (TWT) amplifiers uncover application in satellite applications to supply amplification of sign power at really high frequencies. They may be appropriate for offering high sign power amplification at microwave signal frequencies which can be quite higher. As a lot as they provide these advantages, the TWT amplifiers come with some negatives.

Satellites that use TWT amplifiers experience inadequate harmonic signatures, intermodulation and high sounds floor. Additionally they consider a lot of time to hot up and stabilize. They are also left on usually, producing it a safety issue. These tubes certainly are a major cause of electromagnetic interference.

Maintenance comes into focus when we compare SSPAs and TWTs. With TWT, tubes need to be replaced time and again and other maintenance costs also apply. This is eliminated when you use SSPAs. This new technology has also eliminated the use of high-voltage power supplies, which have been seen to be unreliable and very lethal. These have become obsolete and are not used in latest models.

SSPAs are safe when operated at full power in highly reflective loads. TWTs frequently failed when operated at full power. The latest SSPAs have benefited greatly from advances that have made them immune to vibration and shock making them more efficient than TWTs.

One feature that is unique for the SSPAs is the ability to use the feature of power standby. This ensures that the amplifier can be put on standby to reduce power consumption. TWTs use vacuum tubes and take very long to warm up and they typically operate on an always-on mode. This makes them to draw power at a full rate, increasing their power consumption. SSPAs can be muted and this will shut off the power amplifiers and drivers. This will take the power consumption to zero.

The usage of the SSPAs in TWT replacement provides the aptitude of ultra-fast standby that brings new gives for protecting energy and minimizing heat. The amplifier could be muted in amongst bursts. It's unimaginable to mute a TWT amplifier in between bursts especially in among a TDMA signal.

As compared to the time for warming up vacuum tubes seen in TWT amplifiers, SSPAs can be called up from a standby mode and stabilized to normal operations in a very short time. The amplifier can be maintained on an on state until the last bit is transmitted then shut down. This means the SSPA may be in standby mode for 80% of the time. This saves a lot on the power consumption.

When not actively transmitting information, the SSPAs could be place in standby mode. This may be instantly reactivated when needed in service. The usage of the SSPA in this kind of a means makes them a greener answer as a result of its power preserving resolution. This manner of operation reduces the lifetime running fees from the SSPAs and for huge teleport installations in companies, it minimizes electrical usage.




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