Development of high power Ka/Q dual-band and communications/radar dual-function helix-TWT

Abstract

Future military communications systems on mobile satellite uplink platforms such as ground-based high-mobility vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and aircrafts have strict constraints in size, weight and power. Despite these constraints, these platforms also require higher-speed data rate and larger bandwidth for video / imagery transmissions from small aperture terminals. In addition to the communications requirements, more UAV platforms, as an important part of current and future military operations, desire radar capabilities for ground mapping and visibility through poor weather conditions. In 2007, as part of an on-going effort to meet these demands, L-3 ETI has successfully developed a Ka/Q dual-band helix-TWT, the 8923H, that can produce 315 W minimum output power at Ka-Band (30 – 31 GHz) and 200 W minimum output power at Q-Band (43.5 – 45.5 GHz). The device was primarily developed to satisfy the Ka/Q dual-band communications requirements with power goals of 300 W minimum power at Ka-Band and 175 W at Q-Band, but in addition, the device can also dual-function as a radar source in the Ka-Radar-Band (33 – 36 GHz) with peak power up to 400 W and duty up to CW, all from a single device.