Radio frequency characteristics of helix traveling wave tubes are analyzed with a one-dimensional numerical model that includes a new, more rigorous, self-consistent attenuator model. The nonlinear properties of the beam-wave interaction, including gain, phase distortion, and intermodulation distortion, are analyzed and compared with simulations using a conventional one-dimensional model of the attenuator. The comparative results show that the small signal gain is about 2-5 dB smaller with the new model than with the conventional and wave phase has a difference of 2 degrees-6 degrees between the new and conventional models in the intermediate and large signal regions. The amplitude modulation/phase modulation (AM/PM) conversion from the new model shows a slower reach to maximum than that from the conventional, and when the large input signal is applied, the conventional model's AM/PM conversion oscillates more quickly compared to the new. Under two-frequency excitation, the fundamental tones are about 5-7 dB smaller with the new model than the conventional, while the intermodulation products are approximately 10 dB smaller relative to the conventional model. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.
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