dB Control Introduces New Power-Combined TWT Amplifier for Test & Measurement and Military Applications
Fremont, Calif. – dB Control, a designer and manufacturer of high-power microwave amplifiers, power supplies, radar transmitters and specialized contract manufacturing services, is introducing the dB-4507 traveling wave tube (TWT) amplifier. The dB-4507 TWT Amplifier uses four wideband, periodic permanent magnet (PPM)-focused, conduction-cooled TWTs to amplify CW, AM, FM or pulse-modulated signals. dB Control minimizes losses from power combining by carefully matching the TWTs and other RF components for amplitude and phase over the entire frequency range. In addition, the power supply section of the dB-4507 employs a modular architecture and low-noise power supply topology using high-efficiency solid state power-conversion circuits. An embedded microcontroller provides the interface, control and protection functions, as well as extensive fault diagnostics and status indication.
“Compared to a single-TWT approach, the dB-4507 provides higher saturated output power and improved harmonic performance,” said Meppalli Shandas, VP of marketing for dB Control. “Also, with only one RF input and one RF output, the dB-4507 is extremely easy to operate. Because its configuration is similar to single TWT configurations, there are no requirements for RF switches, phase adjustments or matching.”
Shandas adds that the dB-4507’s mil-spec extended temperature range electronic components “provides the highest reliability under extreme environmental conditions,” noting that the company utilizes the proprietary transformer fabrication, encapsulation and high-voltage component potting techniques it has developed specifically for demanding military applications.
