BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation is indigenouslydeveloping Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier (TWTA) for spaceborne payloads. 

TWTA is commonly used in satellite communicationlinks, earth observation payloads, scientific missions orprobes and inter-spacecraft communications links. It consistsof Electronic Power Conditioner (EPC) and Traveling Wave Tube (TWT). 

TWT is a complex multidisciplinary technologyinvolving controlled interaction of microwave with electronbeam under ultra high vacuum. 

ISRO said its Space Applications Centre has developed space qualified C-BandTWTA for space borne applications, jointly with the CentralElectronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), Pilani. 

It said qualification involves testing of fragile TWTA for severe vibration withstanding capability, which is critical during rocket launch and also satisfactory stable performance during thermal vacuum condition. 

After completion of development of space qualified C-Band TWTA, the initiative to develop the Ku-Band Short Length TWT (Traveling Wave Tube) was undertaken jointly with CEERI. 

ISRO said this will pave the way for spacequalification and indigenous realisation of Ku-Band TWTA. 

Further, it will be integrated with indigenously developed High Voltage EPC and Solid-state amplifier to complete it as Microwave Power Module (MPM). 

Due to the requirement of large number of suchdevices, indigenous development can significantly reduce the dependency on foreign sources, ISRO said. 

TWTA is one of the integral parts of all communication payloads. 

Hence, their dimensions, mass and efficiency aremajor contributors to the satellite's power budget and require special attention.

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