Novel Ka-band TWT design and development

The project will take forward innovative development of a Travelling Wave Tube operating over the mm wave region of the Electromagnetic spectrum, ultimately aimed at significantly enhancing sensor system performance. High power and wideband microwave amplifiers are critical for a range of applications, including communications, radar, and environmental sensing. At the highest power levels demanded by these applications, the amplifiers are based on accelerating an electron beam to high energy and converting the kinetic energy of the beam into an enhanced microwave signal. UK companies, especially TMD, have established a position of world leadership in this area. Many microwave applications benefit from a move to significantly higher frequencies as bandwidth demands can be more easily met. Other applications explicitly require high-frequency signals. To provide the power levels demanded by end applications, a step change is required in the design of and manufacturing methods of the region of interaction between the electron beam and the RF signal. Traditional assemblies are approaching their limit of miniaturisation and thermal management. These would be replaced with a monolithic all-metal structure exploiting new manufacturing methods. These structures benefit from better thermal performance and improved ease of manufacture at the required dimensions.

By employing an updated design and novel manufacturing techniques and materials, initial modelling shows it is possible to reduce the operating voltage of Ka-band Travelling Wave Tubes with corresponding reductions in associated power supplies size, weight and power consumption. This has a significant impact on the environmental impact of the devices throughout their operating lives. The reduction in size and weight also allows them to be applied in a wide range of novel applications.

Preliminary design work for novel Ka-band TWTs has been undertaken in partnership between TMD and the University of Strathclyde, with positive initial modelling results. This project aims to advance the design from theoretical design and modelling of components to prototypes of the new amplifier for experimental verification of the final electrical design. This will feed directly into a new line of highly scalable products able to address a range of markets. Mention ROK investment and partnership, beating and capturing the market to secure UK sovereign capability and British jobs in post-Brexit world