Multipactor Effects on Signal Quality in Transmission Lines with Impedance Mismatches

摘要

Multipactor is a resonant AC discharge of secondary electrons driven by RF signals and has been a center point of current interest because of its detrimental effects in space satellite communications. Much effort has been placed in mitigating/suppressing or determining the onset of multipactor. However, not much attention has been directed to the effects of multipactor, should it occur, on the quality of the original signal. In this paper, we will look at different types of multipactor (single-surface and two-surface) and how they may affect a signal (single-tone and dual-tone) in planar and coaxial transmission line systems with impedance mismatches. I-Q plots that characterize the multipactor effects will also be presented.