DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to field of digital electronics. More particularly, the present disclosure provides an assembly and method to facilitate controlling and protecting a traveling wave tube (TWT) amplifier for space application.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier is a high power, high-frequency amplifier that is built using traveling wave tubes. A traveling-wave tube is a type of vacuum tube used to amplify high-frequency signals. The RF signal can be amplified by absorbing power from a beam of electrons as it goes through the tube. Controlling and protection of the TWT amplifier is required for high reliability for different applications such as space and the like.
[0004] Existing solutions can include a kind of high-performance grid-control travelling wave tube transmitter based on micro-controller unit (MCU) complex programmable logic devices (CPLD) control systems, suitable for the communications field. TWT transmitter is made of radio frequency amplification system, control detecting system, pulse-modulator, high voltage power supply and cooling system etc. The control detecting system of design is small, powerful and the operation is stable, and structure is relatively simple, and control accuracy is high, and stability is good, has good real-time and stronger anti-interference and reliability. However, the solution lacks high reliability for discrete components.
[0005] There is a need to overcome above mentioned problem of prior art by bringing a solution that can be based entirely on discrete components having advantage with respect to high reliability for space applications and the like. The solution also enables in implementing logic and control protection using analog circuitry for TWT.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier with transmitter using analog circuitry to implement logic and control protection.
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier where the sequential switching ON and OFF of transmitter including timing with required delays is achieved.
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier where the sequencing of solid-state power amplifier (SSPA), and radio frequency (RF) pulsing is achieved through analog circuitry.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier where design is based entirely on discrete components having advantage with respect to high reliability for space applications and the like.
[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier where reset command is used to clear fault generated within the TWTA.
[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier with flexibility built into the reset command to make transmitter work even under faulty conditions by just adjusting command pulse width.

SUMMARY
[0013] The present disclosure relates generally to field of digital electronics. More particularly, the present disclosure provides an assembly and method to facilitate controlling and protecting a traveling wave tube (TWT) amplifier for space application. The main objective of the present disclosure is to solve the technical problem as recited above by implementing logic and control protection mechanism of TWT based transmitter using space qualified analog circuitry with discrete components such as transistors, resistors, capacitors and the likes.
[0014] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting of a travelling wave amplifier (TWT). The assembly may include a sequential unit, and a transmitter operatively coupled to the sequential unit, where the sequential unit may be configured to perform sequential switching between a first pre-defined state and a second pre-defined state through analog means.
[0015] In an aspect, the first pre-defined state may pertain to on state of the transmitter, and where the second pre-defined state may pertain to off state of the transmitter associated with the TWT.
[0016] In an aspect, the assembly may include a delay unit operatively coupled to the transmitter, where the delay unit may facilitate turning on and turning off of the sequencing of the transmitter with required delay.
[0017] In an aspect, the assembly may include a masking unit operatively coupled to the transmitter, where during a transient condition, the masking unit may facilitate turning on the transmitter and to prevent abnormal turning off of the transmitter.
[0018] In an aspect, the assembly may include a resetting unit operatively coupled to the transmitter, where the resetting unit may be configured to generate a set of resetting signals through the analog means.
[0019] In an aspect, the set of resetting signals may facilitate clearing fault generated within the TWT and wherein the set of resetting signals enables the transmitter to operate even under faulty conditions by adjusting the pulse width of the set of resetting signals.
[0020] In an aspect, the assembly may facilitate sequencing of a solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) and a radio frequency (RF) pulsing through the analog means.
[0021] In an aspect, the sequential unit may include any or a combination of flip flop, register, counter, and clock.
[0022] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method to facilitate controlling and protecting of a travelling wave amplifier. The method may include step of performing sequential switching, at a transmitter, where the transmitter may be operatively coupled to a sequential unit. The sequential unit may be configured to perform sequential switching between a first pre-defined state and a second pre-defined state through an analog means, where the first pre-defined state may pertain to on state of the transmitter, and where the second pre-defined state may pertain to off state of the transmitter associated with the TWT.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0024] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0025] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of proposed assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting of a travelling wave tube amplifier (TWT), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 1B illustrates a functional component of proposed assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting of a travelling wave tube amplifier (TWT), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary view of turn on sequence of transmitter of TWT, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary view of turn off sequence of transmitter of TWT, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary view of latching of housekeeping during turn on sequence of transmitter of TWT, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary view of latching of housekeeping during turn off sequence of transmitter of TWT, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary view of MOD ON and solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) pulsing of the transmitter of the TWT, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of proposed method to facilitate controlling and protecting of a travelling wave amplifier in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION
[0033] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0034] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as described in the claim.
[0035] The present disclosure relates generally to field of digital electronics. More particularly, the present disclosure provides an assembly and method to facilitate controlling and protecting a traveling wave tube (TWT) amplifier for space application.
[0036] The assembly of the present disclosure enable to overcome the limitations of the prior art by implementing of logic and control protection mechanism of TWT based transmitter using space qualified analog circuitry with discrete components. The turn on and turn off sequencing of the transmitter including timing with required delays is achieved. It enables the masking circuitry to prevent abnormal turning off of transmitter during power ON and high voltage (HV) turn on time. It processes the MOD IN signal and allows pulsing of SSPA and modulator with the required delay. It also allows the transmitter to operate in reset and in battle short mode, overrides all fault for compulsory operation of the transmitter. The description of terms and features related to the present disclosure shall be clear from the embodiments that are illustrated and described; however, the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents of the embodiments are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the invention can include other embodiments that are within the scope of the claims but are not described in detail with respect to the following description.
[0037] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of proposed assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting of a travelling wave tube amplifier (TWT), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the proposed logic and control protection mechanism 100 (also referred to as assembly or assembly 100, herein) to facilitate controlling and protecting of a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier for controlling the operation of TWT based transmitters in ground, airborne, space applications and the likes. The assembly 100 can include sequential unit 102 (also interchangeably referred to as sequential circuit 102), delay unit 104 (also interchangeably referred to as delay circuit 104), masking unit 106 (also interchangeably referred to as masking circuit 106), resetting unit 108 (also interchangeably referred to as resetting circuit 108), timing generation unit 110 (also interchangeably referred to as timing generation circuit 110) and latching unit 112 (also interchangeably referred to as latching circuit 112) shown in FIG. 1B.
[0039] In an illustrative embodiment, the transmitter can be operatively coupled to the sequential unit 102, where the sequential unit 102 can be configured to perform sequential switching between a first pre-defined state and a second pre-defined state through an analog means. In another illustrative embodiment, the first pre-defined state can pertain to on state of the transmitter, and where the second pre-defined state can pertain to off state of the transmitter associated with the TWT. The sequential unit 102 can include any or a combination of flip flop, register, counter, clock, and the like.
[0040] In an embodiment, assembly 100 can include the delay unit 104 operatively coupled to the transmitter, where the delay unit 104 may facilitate turning on and turning off of the sequencing of the transmitter with required delays. The masking unit 106 is operatively coupled to the transmitter, where during a transient condition, the masking unit 106 can facilitate turning on the transmitter and prevent abnormal turning off of the transmitter. The transient condition can include power ON/OFF and HV turn ON/OFF.
[0041] The resetting unit 108 is operatively coupled to the transmitter, where the resetting unit 108 can be configured to generate a set of resetting signals (also interchangeably referred to as reset command) through the analog means, where the analog means can include analog circuitry. The set of resetting signals can facilitate clearing faults generated within the TWT. The set of resetting signals enables the transmitter to operate even under faulty conditions by adjusting the pulse width of the set of resetting signals.
[0042] The assembly 100 can facilitate sequencing of a solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) and a radio frequency (RF) pulsing through the analog means.
[0043] In an illustrative embodiment, the assembly 100 can be a sequential logic and protection circuit for controlling the operation of the TWT based transmitter in the ground, airborne, space, and the like. In another illustrative embodiment, the turn on and turn off procedure for a beam forming electrode (BFE) based TWT can include TWT turn on sequence, where BFE bias voltage and BFE modulator in off state (TWT in beam off state). The turn on procedure can include a heater voltage, a cathode voltage, a collector, a BFE drive voltage and BFE modulator in pulsed mode (TWT in beam on state), RF input drive. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the turn off procedure for TWT can include RF drive, BFE drive voltage and BFE modulator in pulsed mode, collector voltage, cathode voltage, heater voltage, and BFE bias voltage and BFE modulator in off state.
[0044] In an embodiment, when the transmitter receives an ON command from an external interface, the control and protection assembly 100 can generate a latched housekeeping ON command. Housekeeping ON signal can turns on HK converter located in other subsystem, where the HK converter can facilitate generating auxiliary voltages for operation of the transmitter. In another illustrative embodiment, the BFE bias voltage and heater supply voltages can be generated after the generation of the auxiliary voltages. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the assembly 100 can include a multi vibrator, operatively coupled to the transmitter, where the multi vibrator can facilitate generating a pulse of a pre-defined frequency, set by a timing resistor and a capacitor. Output of the multi vibrator can be used as an input clock to the sequential unit 102 like ripple binary counter. State of the counter can advance one count on the negative transition of each input pulse.
[0045] In an illustrative embodiment, after completion of defined warm up time, the output of ripple counter can generate a pulse which can be used to reset the multi vibrator and also to latch output of the D flip flop for issuing HV on command. In another illustrative embodiment, when heater fault is generated, the ripple counter can be reset. Otherwise, the output of D- flip flop along with summary fault (Bus input under/over voltage fault or Helix current fault or cathode under/ over voltage fault or Heater fault) can be used to decide issuable of high voltage (HV) ON command, where the HV command can be required for generating cathode and collector voltages, that is, when the output of D flip flop is high and there is no summary fault then the HV ON command can be high.
[0046] In an illustrative embodiment, there is an interlock between the HV ON command, modulator ON command (used for BFE drive voltage and BFE modulator in Pulsed mode) and summary fault. That is, if the HV on command is high then only modulator ON command can be allowed for BFE drive. Also, there can be controlled delay between HV ON command and modulator ON command. Similarly, there can be interlock between SSPA ON command (used to switch on SSPA converter), modulator ON command and summary fault. In another illustrative embodiment, the required turn on sequence can be achieved by using analog circuitry.
[0047] In an illustrative embodiment, when a transmitter OFF command is issued, firstly SSPA ON command can be withdrawn. After a pre-set delay MOD ON command can be withdrawn (BFE bias voltage and BFE modulator in off state) followed by HV ON command (Cathode and collector voltages). In another illustrative embodiment, housekeeping command can be withdrawn resulting in shutdown of the transmitter. Also, during normal operation of the transmitter if summary fault comes then the same switching off sequence can be followed resulting in the shutdown of the transmitter.
[0048] In an illustrative embodiment, the logic and protection circuit or the assembly (100) can receive an external MOD IN signal with a high Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF). The received signal can be processed and used for deriving SSPA and MOD ON pulses with required delay. In another illustrative embodiment, a reset signal can be of a pre-determined voltage with transistor and transistor logic with compatible pulse of fixed duration, where a high signal of said duration can reset all latched faults allowing the transmitter operation to resume.
[0049] In an illustrative embodiment, the reset signals with the higher pulse width can allow the transmitter to operate in battle short mode (over rides all faults for transmitter operation). In battle short mode the transmitter can be allowed to operate without protections. In another illustrative embodiment, the logic and protection circuit can also ensure the transmitter to be in standby mode in which housekeeping command cannot be withdrawn. During standby mode the heater and bias voltages can be present.
[0050] In an illustrative embodiment, the control and protection circuit or assembly 100 can include the sequential circuits 102, delay circuits 104, timing generation circuits 110, latching circuits 112, and reset circuits 108. In another illustrative embodiment, implementation of logic and control protection mechanism of TWT based transmitter can be done using analog circuitry, where the assembly (100) can be based on discrete components having advantages with respect to quality and cost and intended for space applications, but not limited to the like. In another illustrative embodiment, the sequential switching ON and OFF of TWT based transmitters with necessary control, protection and timing can be done using only analog circuitry.
[0051] In an illustrative embodiment, the turn ON and turn OFF sequencing of transmitter including timing with required delays can be achieved. In another illustrative embodiment, during transient conditions like power ON/OFF and HV turn ON/ OFF, masking circuitry can be enabled to make the transmitter turn ON. In yet another illustrative embodiment, sequencing of the solid-state power amplifier (SSPA), and the Radio frequency (RF) pulsing can be achieved through the analog circuitry.
[0052] In an illustrative embodiment, a reset command can be issued and processed through the analog circuitry. In another illustrative embodiment, the reset command can be used to clear the fault generated within the TWTA and further flexibility can be built into the reset command to make the transmitter work even under faulty conditions by just adjusting command pulse width. In yet another illustrative embodiment, compared to complex programmable logic device/field programmable gate array, cost benefit can be achieved by using the analog circuitry for space application which can include screening and data pack documentation cost.
[0053] In an illustrative embodiment, the assembly 100 design can be based on discrete components having advantage with respect to high reliability for space applications and the like.
[0054] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary view of turn on sequence of transmitter of TWT, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The graphical view of turn on sequence 200 of transmitter of TWT shown in FIG. 2. The housekeeping ON command is generated followed by HV ON command and MOD ON command.
[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary view of turn off sequence of transmitter of TWT, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The graphical view of turn off sequence 300 of transmitter of TWT shown in FIG. 3. After a pre-set delay MOD ON command can be withdrawn followed by HV OFF command and housekeeping OFF command.
[0056] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary view of latching of housekeeping during turn on sequence of transmitter of TWT, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 depicts the graphical view of the latching 400 of housekeeping during turn on sequence of transmitter of TWT.
[0057] FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary view of latching of housekeeping during turn off sequence of transmitter of TWT, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 depicts latching 500 of housekeeping during turn off sequence of transmitter of TWT.
[0058] FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary view of MOD ON and solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) pulsing of the transmitter of the TWT, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 depicts modulator ON and solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) pulsing 600 of the transmitters of the TWT.
[0059] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of proposed method to facilitate controlling and protecting of a travelling wave tube amplifier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0060] In an embodiment, FIG. 7 illustrates a method to facilitate controlling and protecting of a travelling wave amplifier. The method 700 can include a step 702 of performing sequential switching, at a transmitter, where the transmitter can be operatively coupled to a sequential unit, where the sequential unit can be configured to perform sequential switching between a first pre-defined state and a second pre-defined state through analog means, where the first pre-defined state can pertain to on state, and where the second pre-defined state can pertain to off state of the transmitter associated with the TWT.
[0061] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0062] The present disclosure provides an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier with transmitter using analog circuitry to implement logic and control protection.
[0063] The present disclosure provides an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier where sequential switching ON and OFF of transmitter including timing with required delays is achieved.
[0064] The present disclosure provides an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier where sequencing of solid-state power amplifier (SSPA), and radio frequency (RF) pulsing is achieved through analog circuitry.
[0065] The present disclosure provides an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier where design is based entirely on discrete components having advantage with respect to high reliability for space applications, but not limited to the like.
[0066] The present disclosure provides an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier where reset command is used to clear fault generated within the TWTA.
[0067] The present disclosure provides an assembly to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier with flexibility built into the reset command to make transmitter work even under faulty conditions by just adjusting command pulse width.
,CLAIMS:1. An assembly (100) to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier, the assembly (100) comprising:
a sequential unit (102) coupled to a transmitter, wherein the sequential unit is configured to perform sequential switching between a first pre-defined state and a second pre-defined state through analog means.
2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first pre-defined state pertains to on state of the transmitter, and wherein the second pre-defined state pertains to off state of the transmitter associated with the TWT.
3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly includes a delay unit (104) operatively coupled to the transmitter, wherein the delay unit facilitates turning on and turning off of the sequencing of the transmitter with required delays.
4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the assembly includes a masking unit (106) operatively coupled to the transmitter, wherein during a transient condition, the masking unit facilitates turning on the transmitter and to prevent abnormal turning off of the transmitter.
5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly includes a resetting unit (108) operatively coupled to the transmitter, wherein the resetting unit is configured to generate a set of resetting signals through the analog means.
6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the set of resetting signals facilitate clearing fault generated within the TWT and wherein the set of resetting signals enables the transmitter to operate even under faulty conditions by adjusting the pulse width of the set of resetting signals.
7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly facilitates sequencing of a solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) and a radio frequency (RF) pulsing through the analog means.
8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sequential unit includes any or a combination of flip flop, register, counter, and clock.
9. A method (700) to facilitate controlling and protecting a travelling wave amplifier, the method comprising:
performing sequential switching, at a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is operatively coupled to a sequential unit, wherein the sequential unit is configured to perform sequential switching between a first pre-defined state and a second pre-defined state through analog means, wherein the first pre-defined state pertains to on state, and wherein the second pre-defined state pertains to off state of the transmitter associated with the TWT.