The Ka-band high power klystron amplifier design program of INFN

Behtouei, Mostafa; Spataro, B.; Paolo, Franco Di; Leggieri, Alberto

doi:10.1016/j.vacuum.2021.110377

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…In China, research in this field is also gradually emerging, although the PAs developed using domestic gallium nitride (GaN) chips currently manifest low efficiency, low linearity, significant power drops, and poor reliability under continuous-wave high and low temperature conditions. Meanwhile, all pertinent indices evince more than 10% difference, and this cannot meet the demand associated with high-power amplifiers for high-performance satellite communication [41][42][43][44][45][46][47]. In the future, the requirements of RF PAs will continue to increase, as star technology further advances.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Catalyzing satellite communication: A 20W Ku-Band RF front-end power amplifier design and deployment

Chen,

Wang,

Zhang

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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This paper presents a groundbreaking Ku-band 20W RF front-end power amplifier (PA), designed to address numerous challenges encountered by satellite communication systems, including those pertaining to stability, linearity, cost, and size. The manuscript commences with an exhaustive discussion of system design and operational principles, emphasizing the intricacies of low-noise amplification, and incorporating key considerations such as noise factors, stability analysis, gain, and gain flatness. Subsequently, an in-depth study is conducted on various components of the RF chain, including the pre-amplification module, driver-amplification module, and final-stage amplification module. The holistic design extends to the inclusion of the display and control unit, featuring the power-control module, monitoring module, and overall layout design of the PA. It is meticulously tailored to meet the specific demands of satellite communication. Following this, a thorough exploration of electromagnetic simulation and measurement results ensues, providing validation for the precision and reliability of the proposed design. Finally, the feasibility of that design is substantiated through systematic system design, prototype production, and exhaustive experimental testing. It is noteworthy that, in the space-simulation environmental test, emphasis is placed on the excellent performance of the Star Ku-band PA within the 13.75GHz to 14.5GHz frequency range. Detailed power scan measurements reveal a P1dB of 43dBm, maintaining output power flatness < ± 0.5dBm across the entire frequency and temperature spectrum. Third-order intermodulation scan measurements indicate a third-order intermodulation of ≤ -23dBc. Detailed results of power monitoring demonstrate a range from +18dBm to +54dBm. Scans of spurious suppression and harmonic suppression, meanwhile, show that the PA evinces spurious suppression ≤ -65dBc and harmonic suppression ≤ -60dBc. Rigorous phase-scan measurements exhibit a phase-shift adjustment range of 0° to 360°, with a step of 5.625°, and a phase-shift accuracy of 0.5dB. Detailed data from gain-scan measurements show a gain-adjustment range of 0dB to 30dB, with a gain flatness of ± 0.5dB. Attenuation error is ≤ 1%. These test parameters perfectly align with the practical application requirements of the technical specifications. When compared to existing Ku-band PAs, our design reflects a deeper consideration of specific requirements in satellite communication, ensuring its outstanding performance and uniqueness. This PA features good stability, high linearity, low cost, and compact modularity, ensuring continuous and stable power output. These features position the proposed system as a leader within the market. Successful orbital deployment not only validates its operational stability; it also makes a significant contribution to the advancement of China’s satellite PA technology, generating positive socio-economic benefits.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Catalyzing satellite communication: A 20W Ku-Band RF front-end power amplifier design and deployment

Chen,

Wang,

Zhang

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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“…The proposed vacuum window is dedicated to the klystron solution for the "Compact Light XLS" project [4], where a short ultra-high gradient linearizer working on the third harmonic (36 GHz) with respect to the main linac frequency (11.988 GHz) operating with an accelerating gradient of 150 MV/m is requested. To provide the requested highpower signal, at Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN)-Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF), a 36GHz Klystron with a pulsed signal of 16MW of peak power with 200 ns pulse width and 10Hz of pulse repetition frequency was designed [5]. We assumed the characteristics of the INFN-LNF Klystron as the work specifications of the proposed vacuum window.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiphysics Design of High-Power Microwave Vacuum Window

Marrese

Valletti

Fantauzzi

et al. 2022

J. Microw. Optoelectron. Electromagn. Appl.

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This paper presents the Multiphysics Analysis of a High-Power Microwave Window for a Ka-Band Klystron providing 16MW of peak power. After the optimization of the electromagnetic performances, we analyze the effect of RF heating effect and the stress of the pressure on the window. We also analyze the multipactor effect, that is a common cause of window failure. Using such approach, it is possible to realize a virtual prototype capable to represent in a complete way the real prototype to be manufactured.

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“…In the framework of the Compact Light XLS project [4], a short ultra-high gradient linearizer working on the third harmonic (∼36 GHz) of the bunched electron beam and generated by a high-voltage DC gun (up to 480 kV) operating with an accelerating gradient of ∼150 MV/m (i.e., 15-20 MV integrated voltage range) is requested [6,7] . To meet these requirements, a 36-GHz pulsed Ka-band RF power source with a pulse length of 100 ns and a repetition frequency in the (1-10) Hz range with an output power of (50-60) MW is necessary [1][2][3][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relativistic versus Nonrelativistic Approaches to a Low Perveance High Quality Matched Beam for a High Efficiency Ka-Band Klystron

et al. 2021

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Advanced technical solution for the design of a low perveance electron gun with a high quality beam dedicated to high power Ka-band klystrons is presented in this paper. The proposed electron gun can be used to feed linear accelerating structures at 36 GHz with an estimated input power of 20 MW, thus achieving an effective accelerating electric field in the (100–150) MV/m range. Additionally, in the framework of the Compact Light XLS project, a short Ka-band accelerating structure providing an integrated voltage of at least 15 MV, has been proposed for bunch-phase linearization. For the klystron, a very small beam dimension is needed and the presented electron gun responds to this requirement. An estimate of the rotational velocity at beam edge indicates that the diamagnetic field due to rotational currents are small compared to the longitudinal volume. A detailed analysis of how this has been achieved, including compression of the beam, rotation in the magnetic field, and analysis of the subsequently generated diamagnetic field has been discussed.

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The Ka-band high power klystron amplifier design program of INFN

Cited by 9 publications

References 19 publications

Catalyzing satellite communication: A 20W Ku-Band RF front-end power amplifier design and deployment

Catalyzing satellite communication: A 20W Ku-Band RF front-end power amplifier design and deployment

Multiphysics Design of High-Power Microwave Vacuum Window

Relativistic versus Nonrelativistic Approaches to a Low Perveance High Quality Matched Beam for a High Efficiency Ka-Band Klystron

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