Design And Implementation Of Automatic Test System For TWT Based On LabVIEW

Traveling-wave tube is a high-power microwave amplifier device,widely used in radar system,satellite communication system and electronic warfare system,et al.When testing the characteristics of a TWT,the engineer not only need to master the use-method of high-end microwave test equipment,but also need to have a solid theoretical knowledge of microwave technology.Moreover,because of many parameters should be tested,the test process is complex and time-consuming.How to quickly and efficiently complete the traveling-wave tube characteristics test has always been one of the problems in the development of the TWT.In this paper,combined with the virtual instrument technology and the theory of traveling-wave tube test technology,We have designed an automatic test system for TWT based on LabVIEW.Automatic test system can quickly realize the test for the input/output characteristic,the frequency response characteristic under the condition of the same incentive or the same output power,the gain linearity characteristic and the harmonic ratio characteristic of a traveling-wave tube.Automatic test system has a friendly interface,the tester only need do a simple parameter setting on the computer software panel,and the automatic test system will be able to quickly and efficiently complete the TWT characteristic test.In the test,the computer software panel will be in tabular and graphical form to show the test data to the tester.Once test completed,the test system automatically saves the test data.Main tasks are as follows:1、Study on microwave test technology and theory: Study the microwave test theory and understand the meaning of the parameters of microwave.Study the microwave test equipment knowledge and able to use microwave test equipment.Study the virtual instrument technology and understand the history of virtual instrument.Analysis the advantage of virtual instrument compared to the traditional instrument.Grasp the creation method of virtual instrument system.2、Research on test method for characteristic parameters of the TWT: Analyze the significance of the characteristic parameters of the TWT.Study the test theory of the TWT.Compare the pros and cons of TWT parameters test scheme.Study on the automatic control algorithm of the TWT input and output power.Design the automatic test steps of the TWT characteristics.3、Design the hardware and software platform of the automatic test system for the TWT: Use the pre-amplifier,signal generator,double channel power meter,spectrum analyzer,and so on,to build a TWT automatic test system hardware platform.Based on LabVIEW of NI Company,develop a software platform of the TWT automatic test system,including software algorithm and user interface.4、The practical effect of the automatic test system for the TWT: To verify the actual performance of the TWT automatic test system,we use the automatic test platform to test a broadband helix traveling wave tube,which operating frequency is 6 GHz to 18 GHz.