{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":93587,"title":"Ka-Band Klystron Amplifier for CUBESATs","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10744,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10740,"level":3,"code":"TX08.1.4","title":"Microwave, Millimeter-, and Submillimeter-Waves","definition":"Microwave and radio transmitter and receiver component technologies for the 30 kHz to 10 THz range include integrated radar transmitter/ receiver (T/R) modules and integrated radiometer receivers, active microwave instruments (radar), passive radiometers (microwave and infrared), and crosscutting technologies such as radiation-hardened electronics.","exampleTechnologies":"Laser heterodyne and gas correlation radiometers, low noise receivers, transmit/receive modules, couplers/combiners, isolators, amplifiers, filters, antennas, waveguide components","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":4,"currentTrl":7,"endTrl":7,"benefits":"A major objective of NASA's Science Mission Directorate is to use smaller, more affordable spacecraft. Another goal is multiple experiments on the same launch. This lowers cost and risk. The rapid deployment of small, low-cost remote sensing instruments is essential in meeting these objectives. It has an explicit mission to reduce the risk, cost, size and development time of SMD observing instruments. This invention meets all those requirements and will find a ready market in NASA earth satellite missions.
CubeSats are the enabling technology for space research by universities. This device will provide them with remote sensing capability of clouds, the ionosphere, other satellites, and earth features. The larger commercial application is its potential for communications. Not only klystrons but broadband TWTs can be fabricated at a fraction of the cost of standard TWTs using this construction technology. There is an important market between 100 and 1000 watts not adequately addressed. These are powers too high for solid state to address efficiently. The power is too low for standard ceramic-metal tube construction to address cost effectively. The dollars/watt is too high. Glass electrostatically focused TWTs and klystrons with glass rod fastening can be manufactured at one-fifth the cost of ceramic-metal tubes. There are 300,000 cell towers in the U.S. Frequency and power need to go up. This technology provides a way forward.","description":"We offer an ultra-compact klystron amplifier for remote sensing on CubeSats. It will operate at 35.7 GHz, have 400 MHz bandwidth, and output greater than 32 watts with 35 dB gain. It employs a two-stage depressed collector, allowing prime efficiency of 50%. Comparable solid state power amplifiers have 15% efficiency and output only 7 W. klystrons are the only amplifier technology that can be miniaturized to this degree. Volume with power conditioner and driver is less than 0.500 cm3, half the allowed space. It uses a breakthrough ultra-miniature scandate cathode capable of 100A/cm2 at 1000 degrees C and 5A/cm2 at less than 800 degrees C. At this temperature, life is more than 100,000 hours. The klystron uses cathode ray tube construction, which lowers weight, size and cost (two to five times less than standard brazed ceramic-metal construction). Parts are fastened via glass rods or mechanical capture or by spot welding. Most parts are standard off-the-shelf, which further lowers cost. It uses a glass vacuum envelope, glass feedthroughs, combination RF window-coupler and barium getters to maintain vacuum. In Phase I we successfully built two beam testers. In Phase II we construct an entire amplifier package in CubeSat volume. E beam, inc. is a leader in innovative miniature cathodes, electron guns and vacuum electron devices generally. It has long promoted cathode ray tube construction as a way to mass produce medium power microwave tubes.","startYear":2017,"startMonth":4,"endYear":2019,"endMonth":7,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":42177,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Bernard","lastName":"Vancil","fullName":"Bernard K Vancil","fullNameInverted":"Vancil, Bernard K","middleInitial":"K","primaryEmail":"bernie@ebeaminc.com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":3163995,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Robert","lastName":"Jones","fullName":"Robert Jones","fullNameInverted":"Jones, Robert","primaryEmail":"Robert.A.Jones@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":297288,"fileName":"SBIR_2016_2_BC_S1.02-8137","fileSize":716844,"objectId":293819,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"700.0 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":297288,"fileName":"SBIR_2016_2_BC_S1.02-8137","fileSize":716844,"objectId":293819,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"700.0 KB"}],"id":293819,"title":"Briefing Chart","description":"Ka-Band Klystron Amplifier for CUBESATs, Phase II Briefing 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Another goal is multiple experiments on the same launch. This lowers cost and risk. The rapid deployment of small, low-cost remote sensing instruments is essential in meeting these objectives. It has an explicit mission to \"reduce the risk, cost, size and development time of SMD observing instruments.\" This invention meets all those requirements and will find a ready market in NASA earth satellite missions.
CubeSats are the enabling technology for space research by universities. This device will provide them with remote sensing capability of clouds, the ioniasphere, other satellites, and earth features. The larger commercial application is its potential for communications. Not only klystrons but broadband TWTs can be fabricated at a fraction of the cost of standard TWTs using this construction technology. There is an important market between 100 and 1000 watts not adequately addressed at this time. These are powers too high for solid state to address efficiently. The power is too low for standard ceramic-metal tube construction to address efficiently, the dollars/watt ratio being too high. Glass electrostatically focused TWTs and klystrons with glass rod construction can be manufactured at one-fifth the cost of ceramic-metal tubes. There are 250,000 cell towers in the U.S. Frequency and power need to go up. This technology provides a way forward.","description":"We propose a Ka-Band klystron amplifier for use in CubeSats. It will operate at 35.7 GHz, have 400 MHz of bandwidth, and output at least 32 watts of saturated power. Small signal gain will exceed 35 dB. In its final form, it will occupy a space 0.4-inch diameter and less than 0.5-inch in length. The combination of small size, high power, and high frequency obviate the use of solid state power amplifiers. Klystrons are the only technology that can be miniaturized to this degree. We propose an innovative construction technology that involves electrostatic focusing, glass insulator fastening of tube elements, a telescoping collector, and a highly loaded scandate cathode with integral focus electrode capable of 50 A/cm2. In Phase I we will build full performance prototypes. e beam inc. is the world's leader in innovative miniature cathode assemblies, electron guns, and vacuum electron devices generally. It has long promoted the transfer of cathode ray tube construction technology to other devices as a way to reduce size, mass, and cost. It has successfully done this with microwave amplifiers, terahertz mass spectrometers, and x-ray tubes. Some of these designs have been deployed in space.","startYear":2016,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2016,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","website":"","program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":183,"endDateString":"Dec 2016","startDateString":"Jun 2016"},"infoText":"Advanced from another project within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (Ka-Band Klystron Amplifier for CUBESATs)","dateText":"April 2017"},{"transitionId":69734,"projectId":93587,"transitionDate":"2019-07-01","path":"Closed Out","closeoutDocuments":[{"title":"Final Summary Chart","file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":308093,"fileName":"1567097177126","fileSize":457841,"objectId":69734,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":1841,"code":"TRANSITION_FILES","description":"Transition Files","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"fileSizeString":"447.1 KB"},"transitionId":69734,"fileId":308093}],"infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"July 2019"}],"primaryImage":{"file":{"fileExtension":"JPG","fileId":304142,"fileSizeString":"0 Byte"},"id":300693,"description":"Final Summary Chart Image","projectId":93587,"publishedDateString":""},"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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