Colorado Power Electronics offers computer controlled TWTA test stations with precision HV supplies, cathode switch and fully integrated data acquisition instrumentation. The TWTA test system (modulator) and rack mountable computer (controller) together form a powerful tool for manufacturing and operating TWT amplifiers. TWTA test systems can be configured for your specific application needs. Please contact CPE for expert application engineering support.

Cathode Supply

• Cathode voltage supply ranges up to 24kV
• 0.2μF output capacitance for superior power initiation and pulse stability

Collector Supplies

• Collector supplies are designed as series stackable modules that allow system expandability.
• Each supply is floatable to 25kV with an operating range up to 4kV differential.
• Wide load range capability
• 0.1% voltage and current regulation

Heater Supply

• 4-wire Kelvin connection for accurate load point regulation
• Timer removes heater power when no high voltage is present for a preset time
• Current limit for thermal shock reduction

Pulsing Capability

• Cathode and Grid (IFE) voltage pulsing capability - Available in the same rack!
• Cathode voltage can be pulsed to full operating voltage for a varying duty cycle and period
• Grid ( IFE ) potential can be modulated from the bias level to the pulse top level

Fast Protection

• Typical rise and fall times of 400nS to 15kV
• Low 1mJ tube fault energy
• Internal crowbar for collector and cathode supplies
• High-speed hardware fault protection - no firmware intervention required to detect fault conditions

Control System

• Integrated data acquisition instrumentation with 10us resolution
• Optically isolated rack mount controller with GPIB interface for full automation capability
• Isolated sync output for external cathode switch synchronization
• User interlock
• Smoke detector
• External HV warning lamp with lamp failure detection
• Selectable automatic reset function to automatically clear faults and reapply power to TWT
• Fault history log
• Selectable cathode tracking automatically adjusts collector voltage to track cathode voltage changes
• Preset tube families allow quick configuration for TWT types