Joel Holland
Developing smaller microwave power modules (MPMs)
Email: [email protected]
Supervisors
Project description
Over the past decade, the Microwave Power Module (MPM) has transformed. Nowadays, it adapts to a wider variety of emerging radar and communication system needs.
A renewed interest in MPM technology has emerged. This is due to significant size, weight, and efficiency improvements compared to traditional, standalone solid-state and travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifier systems.
MPMs are hybrid combinations of solid state and vacuum tube electronics which amplify RF signals to higher power levels. They are often mounted in airborne vehicles such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). They are used for electronic warfare (EW) applications where size and weight are key driving factors.
We are investigating reductions of up to one tenth of the volume and one sixth of the weight of typical military fielded electronic systems. We are developing advanced technologies to achieve miniaturisation while maintaining efficiency that is as high as possible.
The need to reduce both size and weight is in direct conflict with the specification of the MPM. It requires typical high voltages in the kV range and above with very low ripple to achieve good phase-noise performance on the system. Output voltage ripple values on the cathode are typically below 100mV for a 6kV output.
Interests
Team sports, travel, music.
Qualifications
- BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- HNC Instrumentation and Control Engineering