Traveling-wave-tube amplifiers (TWTAs) are physically large, but still unmatched in terms of high output power at microwave frequencies. While acknowledged as a mature active-device technology, the model dB-3860-01 Ka-band TWTA from dB Control adds a bit of “modernization” with microprocessor-based control circuitry and a front-panel color-touchscreen interface to simplify operator control. The rugged high-power amplifier provides minimum pulsed output power of 700 W from 34.5 to 35.5 GHz with at least 60-dB gain across the 1-GHz output bandwidth.
