Application Notes
Application Note #103: Care and Feeding of TWT Amplifiers
This application note outlines and describes the "IFI’s Care and Feeding of TWT Amplifiers".
Introduction:
A contributing cause of failures of Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTA's) is the improper care of the Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) by the end user. TWT’s are designed and aligned to operate at a maximum temperature range. It is, therefore, important that these parameters be considered in order to obtain maximum performance and a high MTBF of a Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier. These considerations are taken into account with the system amplifier design.
A major consideration in using TWTA's is to verify that the cooling system is operating as designed by the manufacturer. That is always allows a free flow of air at both the inlet and exhaust ports of the cooling system and for units with liquid cooled systems to verify that the coolant level flow rate and the inlet and outlet temperatures are within the manufacturer's recommended specifications. If these factors are considered, the first step has been taken to a long and trouble free life for your TWTA.
