Multipactor control in microwave space systems
Abstract
The importance of multipactor as a serious failure mechanism is evident with the advent of medium- and high-power UHF and microwave space equipment. The discharge itself is rather weak, although producing effects resulting in full or partial failure of communications equipment. The paper describes the physical conditions that give rise to the multipactor failure mechanism, with special emphasis on power levels, frequency ranges, and gap widths likely to cause multipactor. Illustrative examples indicate that components having gap frequency products between 0.6 and about 40 GHz-mm and handling powers above 6 dBW equivalent to 50 ohms are a potential risk. Nonuniform or nonparallel geometries result in increased electron losses and higher breakdown powers for multipactor.
- Publication:
-
Microwave Journal
- Pub Date:
- March 1978
- Bibcode:
- 1978MiJo...21...77C
- Keywords:
-
- Circuit Protection;
- Microwave Equipment;
- Multipactor Discharges;
- Spacecraft Communication;
- Coaxial Cables;
- Electric Potential;
- Electrical Measurement;
- Electron Energy;
- Failure Modes;
- Microwave Antennas;
- Microwave Filters;
- Secondary Emission;
- Spacecraft Design;
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking