Development of a 50 Watt Q-band mini TWT

Summary form only given. L-3 Communications Electron Devices has demonstrated a 50 W PPM-focused mini TWT for use in a Q-band mm-wave power module (MMPM). The ultra-miniature size of the mini TWT, 1.4"/spl times/0.9"/spl times/6.5" is a result of the low voltage design of the TWT. This paper discusses the tube performance characteristics over a 2 GHz band at 44 GHz. The mm-wave mini-TWT is capable of delivering 50 W of CW power from 43 GHz to 46 GHz. The small signal gain at mid-band is 40 dB with the tube operated at a cathode voltage of 7.6 kV and a cathode current of 97 mA. A conduction-cooled two-stage collector provided a total efficiency of 22%.