"Fexibility" means faster equipment delivery reducing
lead times for critical equipment, such as TWT`s, is critical for
the satellite industry. But the manufacture of a TWT takes many months.
One possible solution for higher availability is a flexible TWT, that
cuold be adjusted during the production process to a specific RF output
power within a predifined range. This means that the TWTs can be ordered
before the satellite specifications are finalized.
At THALES, we already offer a flexible TWT design. Tuning can be done
at the final stages of the production process:
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All nominal performance characteristics are satisfied
wthin a given output power range, by adjusting the set of voltages
accordingly (for the anode, helix, collector stages). This is
the last step prior to delivery.
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If the Electronic Power Conditionner (EPC) is
equipped with a controlled anode voltage, RF power setting can
even be regulated in the orbit.
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This feature is feasible because the electron beam inside the TWT
has been made stable over a wide range of operating parameters by
special electron optics and magnetic beam focusing.
Another promising way to shoerten TWT lead times is to participiate
in the "Pool of Parts" programm. More complex TWT parts
- such as cathodes or barrels - will be produced in advance (on request).
Due to the modular concept of our TWT`s, we can therefor deliver productsin
less time than normally required.
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