Development of a D-band Traveling Wave Tube for high data rate wireless links

Basu, Rupa and Mahadev Rao, Jeevan and Quang, Trung Le and Letizia, Rosa and Paoloni, Claudio (2021) Development of a D-band Traveling Wave Tube for high data rate wireless links. IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, 68 (9). pp. 4675-4680. ISSN 0018-9383

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Abstract

biquitous wireless distribution of multi- gigabit per second data rate for enabling new 5G and 6G paradigms can be only achieved by exploiting the wide fre- quency bands available in the sub-THz spectrum (90 - 305 GHz). The high total attenuation at sub-THz, in particular due to rain and humidity, poses a substantial challenge to achieve long links, not yet resolved due to the lack of sources with adequate transmission power. Sub-THz traveling wave tubes are emerging as key components to ensure high signal to noise ratio over a large coverage area or for long distance. This paper will describe the design and fabrication of a novel TWT for enabling point to multipoint wireless distribution at D-band (141 - 148.5 GHz). To be suitable for the wireless market, TWTs need to be low cost and of easy manufacture for large scale production. The proposed D-band TWT uses a double corrugated waveg- uide as slow wave structure and a new electron gun, both devised for easy assembly and low fabrication cost. The paper describes the design process, the development of the parts of the TWT and the first prototype assembly.