60-GHz space TWT to address future market

The market situation of space traveling wave tubes (TWTs) over the last four years is reviewed. It is exemplified that space TWTs are not only the key components for the traditional frequency ranges in C- and Ku-band, but also for new satellite communication systems as digital audio broadcasting in the lower L- and S-band frequency range and the planned, new global multimedia systems. There, Thomson Tubes Electroniques GmbH (TTEG) has developed the new family of Ka band TWTs, which provide the large bandwidth and power requirements for high data rate transmission. TTEG is also developing 60-GHz TWTs as RF intersatellite-links for global satellite systems. The promising results of the 560 g lightweight, 25 W, broadband helix TWT are mainly reported and the requirements compared with those for a parallel 60 W 60-GHz interdigital line TWT development.