NPP Almaz: microwave devices for space communication

2023

Traveling wave lamps with 2x increased operating frequency band

Holding "Roselectronics" State Corporation Rostec has developed the next generation traveling wave lamps for use in spacecraft. The presented products are more compact and energy efficient, but at the same time have a working frequency band 2 times wider than previous modifications of such products, Roselectronics reported on August 16, 2023.

Traveling wave lamps (LBV), developed by the Almaz NPP, which is part of Roselectronics, with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, are designed to increase the power of microwave signals in the on-board radio transmission paths of communication spacecraft.

LBVs have dual-anode electronic guns, which allows you to more flexibly adjust the product and adjust its power modes over a wider range. Thanks to the applied circuitry solutions, the power consumption of new microwave devices was reduced by 10-20%, and the weight and size characteristics - by 15%, noted in Roselectronics.

"The new LBVs meet all the requirements for the electronic component base of radio transmitting equipment communications satellites and other spacecraft. We managed to significantly increase the level of technical characteristics compared to previous modifications. LBVs do not contain imported components, production is carried out only using domestic technology, which contains know-how and is. intellectual property Russia The design of these products is basic for the development of the next generations of devices with improved parameters, "said the general director of NPP Almaz. Mikhail Apin

Also, NPP Almaz presented the first serial LBVs with reservoir cooling by radiating heat into open outer space. This type of device reduces the thermal load on the spacecraft thermoregulation system by more than 2 times, which, in turn, increases the stability of the satellite in information reception and transmission modes. Cooling the LBV by infrared radiation into open space, helps to reduce heat generation inside the spacecraft and saves energy on the functioning of the cooling and thermal control system.

Start of supply of microwave devices for installation on 30 spacecraft

Holding "Roselectronics" State Corporation Rostec began the supply of microwave devices for installation on 30 spacecraft. Within three years, customers will be given traveling wave lamps of various types and microwave switches. The products allow hundreds of times to increase the power of the radio signal and provide energy transmission with minimal losses. Rostec announced this on July 20, 2023.

Within the framework of the federal program "Cosmos," the Almaz NPP, which is part of Roselectronics, performs work on equipping traveling wave lamps (LBV) and microwave switches of spacecraft in the interests of the enterprises of the State Corporation Roscosmos and Gazprom. Deliveries of switches have already begun.

Microwave switches interconnect microwave equipment on board satellite telecommunication platforms and provide energy transfer with minimal losses. Traveling wave lamps act as power amplifiers of the microwave radio wave, which make it possible to ensure reliable delivery of the radio signal to consumers.

The use of a domestic electronic component base ensures the national technological independence of critical industries. Our products are highly reliable and have a long life in space. In addition to the contracts already concluded, negotiations are underway on promising work until 2035. This will form a technological groundwork for the further development of microwave devices, - said Mikhail Apin, General Director of NPP Almaz.

Product Announcement

Roselectronics has developed powerful traveling wave lamps to organize space communications throughout Russia. This was told in the press service of Rostec (this state corporation includes the holding) on January 17, 2023.

Traveling wave lamps are reportedly among the key elements of satellite communications ground stations. They act as power amplifiers of the microwave radio wave, which make it possible to increase the delivery distance of the radio signal. These devices are capable of amplifying the signal power hundreds of thousands of times and have a long service life.

Roselectronics has developed powerful traveling wave lamps

Within the framework of the project, two types of traveling wave lamps are being developed - C- and Ku- bands with an output power in saturation mode up to 700 W and air cooling of the device. On the basis of these devices in the future it will be possible to create devices with even higher power levels, as well as in adjacent ranges.

The development is carried out by the enterprise of the holding "Roselectronics" - NPP "Almaz." The project is implemented with assistance of Minpromtorg of Russia.

According to Mikhail Apin, Director General of the Almaz NPP, within the framework of the Digital Russia project, it is planned to create a high-tech infrastructure for the digitalization of the country. To ensure high-quality communication, it will be necessary to launch a large number of communication satellites and create ground-based space communication stations. Traveling wave lamps with increased power will solve the current problems, as well as form a technological groundwork for the further development of microwave devices of this type, he said, adding that mass production of devices is planned to be launched in 2025 after passing the entire test cycle.

NPP Almaz develops and mass-produces microwave devices and other products for telecommunication equipment, which is part of aircraft and spacecraft, as well as land and sea-based systems.