TMD Exhibits Latest Advanced TWT and Solid State MPMs for Radar, EW and Comms

At Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) this year, TMD Technologies Ltd. (TMD), specialising in professional microwave and RF products, is showing microwave power modules (MPM) and intelligent instrumentation amplifiers, as well as, for the first time, a selection of radar transponders from TMD’s newly acquired company, G2 Engineering Ltd.

TMD is showcasing its very latest MPMs, namely: the new travelling wave tube (TWT) based 30-40 Gigahertz (GHz) Ka band (usually in the 26.5-40GHz radio frequency spectrum) PTX8807, high-power 6-18GHz PTX8110 and high-power 34-36GHz Ka band PTX8815 – products that are ideal for high performance radar and EW systems. (see below).

PTX8807 is heralding a new line of TWT based, Ka band MPMs, says the company.  This new MPM features simplified integration for high performance electronic warfare (EW) and radar systems and provides an output power of up to 200 Watts (W) over a 30-40GHz range. Comprising a high-power Ka band helix TWT and switched mode power supply it forms a single ‘drop-in’ unit without the need for high voltage connections.

PTX8110 provides high power. The new PTX8110 operates from 6-18GHz at 200W and, with its compact design, is easily integrated into those high performance EW and radar systems requiring higher power. Comprising a high power helix TWT and switched mode power supply, the PTX8110 forms a single ‘drop-in’ microwave amplifier unit without the need for potentially unreliable high voltage TWT interconnections. It is designed to provide optimum noise performance.

PTX8815, Ka band MPM for high performance. The new PTX8815 TWTA is designed for Ka band radar applications such as naval fire control. Featuring broadband capability, covering 34–36GHz, it offers a peak power of over 1,100W in the mid-band, and 600 W at the band edges with a maximum duty of up to 12%. This top class TWTA is the answer to high fidelity radar requirements for low close-to-carrier phase noise and spurious performance.

PTS6900, solid state MPM optimised for EW/ECM. TMD’s solid state PTS6900 MPM employs advanced GaN MMIC technology, and offers high performance over a 2-6GHz range with an output power of 150 Watts. It is designed for fast integration into EW/ECM systems, and has a predicted 30,000 hours MTBF in an airborne uninhabited fighter environment.

PTXM Series, an ultra compact MPM. For airborne radar, EW and communications, the PTXM Series ultra-compact MPMs feature low volume and low weight and are ideal for UAVs. They operate over the frequency range 4.5-18GHz with output powers up to 140W, and offer probably the highest power density on the market.
                        
PTCM Series instrumentation amplifiers. Ideal for radar and EW threat simulation, the PTCM Series TWT intelligent instrumentation amplifiers operate over a frequency range from DC to 40GHz with a power output up to 50 kilowatts. They are designed to deliver the highest field strengths in the test environment. User benefits include self-test, fault diagnosis, modular plug and play replaceable printed circuit boards.

For the first time TMD is showing a selection of radar transponders from G2 Engineering Ltd, its recently acquired specialist microwave company. Applications for G2 transponders and support equipment include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), missiles and manned aircraft. Miniature transponders from G2 Engineering are now part of the TMD family of microwave and RF products.

Andy Crawford, TMD’s Head of After Sales, has overall responsibility for the sales and marketing of G2 Engineering products. He commented: “This acquisition broadens our portfolio and significantly increases our capacity in radar and comms transponder technology. It is really exciting to be working on a new product portfolio – introducing these well established and technically advanced G2 products to TMD’s customer base.”