PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
Design, development and qualification of the third generation of the Thales Alenia Space ETCA’s Electronic Power Conditioner (EPC) dedicated to supply and control the Travelling Wave Tube (TWT) that constitute the Travelling Wave Tube Amplifier (TWTA) for Repeaters involved in large quantity in the Telecommunication Payloads.
This new generation has to answer to the evolution of the market in terms of new features, high performances and improvement in competitiveness.
It also must be designed in a way that it will be compatible with the large range of TWT and Payload interfaces proposed on the telecom market.
More and more TWTA are involved in the repeater chain of the telecom payloads thanks to their very good performances at high power regarding to the standard Steady State Products.
The TWT products have followed the constant growth of the requested power and channel bandwidth especially for multimedia applications.
A major drawback of this product is its need to be supplied with very high voltage in addition to specific controls and sequencing according to its operating modes.
The EPC answers this challenge by providing power from the Payload Power Bus (PPB) to the TWT electrodes up to 7 000 volts with level of protection and safety required for space vacuum operation over 15 years.
Consequently to these specific features the TWTA significantly contributes in the payload cost and the competitiveness of this product is continuously addressed.
The EPC 3G MP product developed in the frame of this contract also offers the opportunity of significant improvement of the payload power management through the new feature in Power Flexibility. Managed on ground for the optimisation of the Power budget or in flight for rearrangement according to the actual power demand, this new feature is a key element of the future payloads competitiveness.
TWT + CAmp (optional Channel Amplifier) + EPC
Challenges
A major issue is the definition of a “standard” EPC product compatible with the very large range of TWT and Satellite Interfaces, from 20 to 150Wrf TWT in various frequency bands from L to Ka and supplied by 28V to 100V Primary Power Buses.
Specific features also addressed:
- An extension of the A0 control range for improvement of the regulation and implementation of the Power Flexibility,.
- Increase High Voltage generation up to 7500V,
- Improve dynamic performances,
- EPC maximum mass 1 250 gr.
Special attention is given to the product competitiveness by optimisation of the production process, part selection and standardisations.
Plan
The EPC 3G MP takes heritage from previous generations that have demonstrated a strong in-flight experience.
Technologies involved into the HV generation have demonstrated their ability to sustain the space environments over the requested life through a rigorous evaluation plan based on ESA-PSS-02-303 rules.
Design & developments are proposed on approval over classic reviews.
3 EQM are manufactured and tested at the limits of the product variants:
- EQM 1 : 100V PPB – 165Wrf Ku band TWT, 6500V,
- EQM 2 : 100V PPB – 240Wdc dummy load @ 7500V,
- EQM 3 : 28V PPB – 240Wdc dummy load @ 7500V.
Campaigns end by 10.000hrs life test.
Current Status
The activities engaged in the frame of this contract have been completed by the successful review of the 3 qualification campaigns. EQM1 10 000hrs life test has been successfully completed.
EQM2 & 3 life test campaigns are in progress and are expected to be completed in early 2012.