Multipactor in Multicarrier Systems. Theory and Prediction

This work presents a new theoretical framework and prediction tool for multipactor in multi-carrier systems. This is of capital importance for satellite communication applications, which demand for higher number of channels operating at high power levels. Such a tool may help to reduce, or completely avoid, the risk of having an RF breakdown in operation, with the subsequent loss of signal quality or even completely damage of the device. Currently not much is known about multipactor for multi-carrier signals. This Thesis throws light on some basic multipactor mechanisms such as the electronic discharge build-up or its connection with signal distortion. A new non-stationary multi-carrier theory, based on current statistical multipactor studies, is presented. Unlike existing ones, this theory is able, for the first time, to model both electron creation and absorption processes. It constitutes the first multipactor theory for multi-carrier signals which is able to fully characterize the electron dynamics, such as the time evolution of the electronic density, as well as creation and absorption rates. A prediction method, the quasi-stationary method, is proposed for the automatic searching of the combination of carrier phases which yields the lowest breakdown level. It is based on the non-stationary theory for singlecarrier signals together with a genetic global optimizer. The quasi-stationary prediction method returns the worst-case phase combination plus a breakdown level for arbitrary multi-carrier signals with any number of carriers. The quasi-statinary method has been assessed with experimental tests on ad-hoc Ku-band rectangular waveguide samples with different multi-carrier signals. Additionally, the results have been contrasted with the popular 20-gap-crossing rule. The quasi-stationary method yields much better prediction accuracy than the 20-gap-crossing rule. Prediction errors for both techniques have been found to be 1 dB and 4 dB, respectively. The non-stationary theory is formulated for one-dimensional parallelplate case, but in principle can be adapted to other geometries and signals, which opens a future research line for extending it to more complex applications.Anza Hormigo, S. (2014). Multipactor in Multicarrier Systems. Theory and Prediction [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/38761TESI

Long-term multipactor discharge in multicarrier systems

[EN] A new mechanism of long-term multipactor in multicarrier systems is studied employing both analytical and numerical methods. In particular, the investigation is focused on the impact that a realistic secondary emission yield at low energies produces on the development of long term multipactor. A novel analytical model for this interperiod charge accumulation is presented using the traditional multipactor theory for parallel plates, and approximating the multicarrier signal as a single-carrier signal modulated by a pulsed signal envelope. The analytical predictions are verified by numerical simulations for a typical rectangular waveguide. The analytical and numerical results demonstrate that the susceptibility of the system to develop a long-term multipactor discharge increases with higher values of low-energy secondary emission yield.The authors would like to thank ESA/ESTEC for having funded this research activity through the Contract “RF Breakdown in Multicarrier Systems” (19918/06/NL/GLC).Anza Hormigo, S.; Vicente Quiles, CP.; Gimeno Martinez, B.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Armendariz, J. (2007). Long-term multipactor discharge in multicarrier systems. Physics of Plasmas. 14(8):1-8. doi:10.1063/1.2768019S1814

Multipactor susceptibility charts for ridge and multiridge waveguides

“© 2012 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.”The aim of this paper is to study the multipactor radio-frequency breakdown voltage in several ridge and multiridge waveguide configurations. First, multipactor susceptibility charts for several types of ridged waveguides have been computed using the commercial software FEST3D. Next, these charts have been used to predict multipactor threshold values for a bandpass filter and a quasi-low-pass filter both containing ridge waveguide sections. Furthermore, multipactor simulations using FEST3D are carried out to calculate the multipactor threshold of the aforementioned structures. A good agreement between predictions and simulations has been found for both filter examples.Gonzalez Iglesias, D.; Soto Pacheco, P.; Anza Hormigo, S.; Gimeno Martinez, B.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Vicente Quiles, CP.; Gil Raga, J. (2012). Multipactor susceptibility charts for ridge and multiridge waveguides. IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices. 59(12):3601-3607. doi:10.1109/TED.2012.2215611S36013607591

Multipactor radiation analysis within a waveguide region based on a frequency-domain representation of the dynamics of charged particles

A technique for the accurate computation of the electromagnetic fields radiated by a charged particle moving within a parallel-plate waveguide is presented. Based on a transformation of the time-varying current density of the particle into a time-harmonic current density, this technique allows the evaluation of the radiated electromagnetic fields both in the frequency and time domains, as well as in the near- and far-field regions. For this purpose, several accelerated versions of the parallel-plate Green’s function in the frequency domain have been considered. The theory has been successfully applied to the multipactor discharge occurring within a two metal-plates region. The proposed formulation has been tested with a particle-in-cell code based on the finite- difference time-domain method, obtaining good agreement.The authors would like to thank ESA/ESTEC for having funded this research activity through the Contract “RF Breakdown in Multicarrier Systems” ͑Contract No. 19918/06/NL/GLC͒

Prediction of multipactor breakdown for multicarrier applications: the quasi-stationary method

© 2012 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.A new prediction algorithm for multipactor breakdown determination in multicarrier signals is presented. This new algorithm assumes a quasi-stationary (QS) model based on the nonstationary theory for single-carrier signals. It determines the worst case, i.e., the combination of signal phases that yields the lowest breakdown level per carrier, using multipactor electron growth models. It considers the secondary emission yield properties of the material and the time-varying value of the multicarrier signal envelope. Several test samples have been designed and manufactured in order to assess the precision of the proposed method. The experimental results show excellent agreement with the predicted results. The QS prediction technique yields, in general, better accuracy and more relaxed breakdown levels than the existing methods.Manuscript received December 23, 2011; revised April 12, 2012; accepted April 16, 2012. Date of publication May 30, 2012; date of current version June 26, 2012. This work was supported by the European Space Agency (ESA)/European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) under RF Breakdown in Multicarrier Systems Contract 1-9918/06/NL/GLC, by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion under Programa Torres Quevedo PTQ06-2-0693, and under Research Project TEC2010-21520-C04-01.Anza Hormigo, S.; Vicente Quiles, CP.; Gil Raga, J.; Mattes, M.; Wolk, D.; Wochner, U.; Boria Esbert, VE.... (2012). Prediction of multipactor breakdown for multicarrier applications: the quasi-stationary method. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. 60(7):2093-2105. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMTT.2012.2197021S2093210560

An analytical model to evaluate the radiated power spectrum of a multipactor discharge in a parallel-plate region

This paper is aimed at studying the electromagnetic radiation pattern of a multipactor discharge occurring in a parallel-plate waveguide. The proposed method is based on the Fourier expansion of the multipactor current in terms of timeharmonic currents radiating in the parallel-plate region. Classical radiation theory combined with the frequency domain Green’s function of the problem allows the calculation of both the electric and the magnetic radiated fields. A novel analytical formula for the total radiated power of each multipactor harmonic has been derived. This formula is suitable for predicting multipactor with the third-harmonic technique. The proposed formulation has been successfully tested with a particle-in-cell code

Multipactor mitigation in coaxial lines by means of permanent magnets

The main aim of this paper is the analysis of the feasibility of employing permanent magnets for the multipactor mitigation in a coaxial waveguide. First, the study of a coaxial line immersed in a uniform axial magnetic field shows that multipactor can be suppressed at any RF if the external magnetic field is strong enough. Both theoretical simulations and experimental tests validate this statement. Next, multipactor breakdown of a coaxial line immersed in a hollow cylindrical permanent magnet is analyzed. Numerical simulations show that multipactor can be suppressed in a certain RF range. The performed experimental test campaign demonstrates the capability of the magnet to avoid the multipactor electron multiplication process.This work was supported by the European Regional Development Fund-A Way of Making Europe. The review of this paper was arranged by Editor R. Carter.Gonzalez Iglesias, D.; Pérez Pastor, AM.; Anza Hormigo, S.; Vague Cardona, JJ.; Gimeno Martinez, B.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Raboso García-Baquero, D.... (2014). Multipactor mitigation in coaxial lines by means of permanent magnets. IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices. 61(12):4224-4231. doi:10.1109/TED.2014.2361172S42244231611

Multipactor Effect Characterization of Dielectric Materials for Space Applications

[EN] The objective of this paper is to advance the state of the art in the characterization of the multipactor effect in dielectric materials. The materials studied are the most commonly used dielectrics in space applications, namely, Alumina, Rexolite, Rogers RT5870, Rohacell, Teflon, and Ultem 1000. In this paper, a new family of coaxial waveguide components, covering the L- and S-bands, with a wideband, low-pass response has been designed, and six different prototypes have been specifically optimized and manufactured. The six prototypes have then been used to simulate and measure the multipactor breakdown susceptibility charts for the six dielectric materials investigated. Finally, the simulation results are compared with the results of the measurement campaign indicating good agreement.This work was supported in part by the European Space Agency through Research Project "Novel Investigation in Multipactor Effect in Ferrite and Other Dielectrics Used in High Power RF Space Hardware" under Grant AO 1-7551/13/NL/GLC and in part by MINECO (Spanish Government) through Research and Development Project under Grant TEC2016-75934-C4-1-R. This paper is an expanded version from the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Workshop Series on Advanced Materials and Processes IMWS-AMP 2017, Pavia, Italy, September 20-22, 2017.Vague Cardona, JJ.; Melgarejo-Lermas, JC.; Guglielmi, M.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Anza Hormigo, S.; Vicente Quiles, CP.; Moreno Cambroreno, MDR.... (2018). Multipactor Effect Characterization of Dielectric Materials for Space Applications. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. 66(8):3644-3655. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMTT.2018.2845869S3644365566

Analysis of multipactor RF breakdown in a waveguide containing a transversely magnetized ferrite

In this paper, the multipactor RF breakdown in a parallel-plate waveguide partially filled with a ferrite slab magnetized normal to the metallic plates is studied. An external magnetic field is applied along the vertical direction between the plates in order to magnetize the ferrite. Numerical simulations using an in-house 3D code are carried out to obtain the multipactor RF voltage threshold in this kind of structures. The presented results show that the multipactor RF voltage threshold at certain frequencies becomes considerably lower than for the corresponding classical metallic parallel-plate waveguide with the same vacuum gap.This work was supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) under Novel Investigation in Multipactor Effect in Ferrite and other Dielectrics used in high power RF Space Hardware Contract AO 1-7551/13/NL/GLC, and partially by the Spanish Government (under coordinated R&D projects TEC2013-47037-C5-R and TEC2014-55463-C3-3-P)

Novel multipactor studies in RF satellite payloads: Single-carrier digital modulated signals and ferrite materials

In this work it is reviewed the most novel advances in the multipactor RF breakdown risk assessment devoted to RF satellite microwave passive devices employed in space telecommunication systems. On one side, it is studied the effect of transmitting a single-carrier digital modulated signal in the multipactor RF voltage threshold in a coaxial line. On the other hand, an analysis of the multipactor phenomenon in a parallel-plate waveguide containing a magnetized ferrite slab it is presented