750-W TWTA Saves DTH Broadcasters

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March 18, 2010

Model XTD-750DBSP is an antenna-mountable high-power traveling-wave-tube amplifier (TWTA) from Comtech Xicom Technology designed to help reduce operating costs for direct-to-home (DTH) satellite broadcasters. The TWTA is designed for peak power operation across the direct-broadcast-satellite (DBS) uplink band from 17.3 to 18.4 GHz and is housed in a compact enclosure that measures 12.13 x 12.75 x 21.50 in. It is also available as model XTD-750DBS for linear power operation. The former provides 340 W rated output power from 17.3 to 18.4 GHz at the amplifier flange while the latter delivers 650 W rated output power at the amplifier flange over the same frequency range. In both cases, the large-signal gain is 65 dB and the small-signal gain is 70 dB.

According to John Branscum, President of Comtech Xicom Technology, "This high-power TWTA will enable DTH operators to economically expand service while maintaining performance and reliability. This is another example of Comtech Xicom listening to our customers' and developing product to address their needs." The amplifier weighs 70 lbs. Mounting the TWTA at the antenna eliminates the signal losses of long waveguide runs at Ka-band.

About the Author

Jack Browne

Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.