C-Band Multipactor Breakdown Using a Ring Resonator and Peak Power Meters

Multipactor breakdown is a possible payload failure for communication satellites. The multipactor phenomena significantly increases noise levels interfering with signals relayed by a satellite; it can even damage or destroy RF components and transmission lines. In order to retire the risk of single point failure in a recent spacecraft C-band antenna suite, certain critical components were tested to determine the threshold of multipaction. The components tested were: waveguide isolators, a waveguide polarization switch, and a waveguide PIM filter. The need to test the components at higher power levels than had been attempted on previous spacecraft multipaction tests required the development of a new test system. The system utilized ring resonant multiplication to develop pulsed power levels of +77dBM. The multipaction global detection methods utilized a spectrum analyzer monitoring the notched noise level and, peak power meters monitoring the carrier pulse shape for distortion. This paper briefly describes the test system developed.