Vane loaded planar helix slow-wave structure for broadband travelling-wave tubes

The Travelling-Wave Tube (TWT) acts as the heart of many microwave communication systems. The Slow-Wave Structures (SWS) are one of the major components residing in the TWT. The project focused and aimed to study the broadband operation of the SWS in a TWT. This could be achieved by the addition of metallic vanes on the SWS to minimize the effect of dispersion and obtain, as broad–band characteristics as possible. The Planar Helix with Straight-Edge Connections (PHSEC) was considered for its advantages in fabrication using printed circuit technology. Systematic analysis was made on deciding the appropriate design of the metallic vanes as well as the overall structure. The project involved designing and simulation using the software platform provided by the CST Microwave Studio. Testing of the fabricated structure was also conducted and the measured results were investigated and compared with the simulation results to meet the objectives of the project.Bachelor of Engineerin