Applications Guide

Replacing TWTAs with Solid-State Amplifiers

The replacement of Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTA) with solid-state power amplifiers in the test equipment market has significantly impacted electromagnetic interference (EMI), safety, and measurement accuracy. Tubes characteristically have high noise floor and poor intermodulation and harmonic signatures. Since they typically take time to warm up and stabilize, tubes are often left on, making them a potential safety issue, as well as a potential cause of EMI. Solid-state amplifiers require no warm-up, so they can be turned on and off as needed, eliminating concerns about significant short and long term stability, safety, and EMI issues.

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