EMC: INSTRUMENTATION M


icrowave and RF test instrumentation specialist TMD attended the EMC + SIPI (signal & power integrity) symposium this summer to


showcase the latest advances it has made in high-power intelligent amplification for EMC testing laboratories. At the heart of the company’s display


was the PTCM Series of intelligent, modular TWT (travelling wave tube) RF instrumentation amplifiers, which have an operating frequency range from DC through to 40GHz, with a power output up to 50kW. Speaking at the event, sales engineer for


TDM USA Bryan Herndon says: “This amplifier offers top performance and a wealth of innovative operational benefits in a compact package. We are experiencing broad-based interest in the USA, where we see great potential not only for EMC/EMI but for many scientific, military and other applications.”


OFF-THE-SHELF POWER The standard PTCM Series amplifier is available in a rugged, customisable 6U high rack-mounting construction and provides an excellent user interface as well as good maintainability combined with a number of operational benefits that include modular design, self-diagnostics, graphical user interface, remote


management and VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) reflected power protection. It is also designed to meet exacting military standards with what TMD claims to be the EMC industry’s highest mean time between failures (MTBF). However, it wasn’t the standard PTCM


that was the pride of TMD at the show but rather its doubled-up dual combined version. “We now offer a new ultra high-power,


dual combined version of the PTCM amplifier for HIRF (high intensity RF) testing and other demanding applications across multiple industry sectors,” continues Herndon.


HIGH-POWER FOR DEMANDING TESTS The newly developed ultra high-power dual combined version of its PTCM Series intelligent modular TWT instrumentation amplifier delivers more than 10kW pulsed and greater than 4kW continuous wave, mainly covering the 2-18GHz range. This high performance is achieved by


combining two TWTs and high voltage power supplies within one rack mountable amplifier thus maintaining a single input and output. The inherent high level of amplifier


intelligence is provided by a state of the art system, which controls and synchronises all power conversion circuitry in real time, and all the


New amplifier cranks up the power


36 /// Environmental Engineering /// September 2018


❱❱ The rack mountable PTCM pulsed travelling wave tube amplifier is now available as paired sets offering boosted power output


monitoring, control, data logging and user interface functionality. As it is based on the standard PTCM


amplifier, the dual combined version shares the same build quality, thermal management and outstanding MTBF as well as VSWR reflected power protection. In addition to the HIRF EMC/EMI


application, the PTCM dual can be used in scientific, medical and other fields. According to TMD’s sales manager for


instrumentation amplifiers, Imad Gharib, the experience the company has in power combining techniques used in previous designs helped achieve the higher powers required for the more challenging EMC HIRF testing applications. “This has now enabled us to offer power


combined amplifiers in our newest PTCM range – with all the built-in user benefits, including rugged modular design, advanced self-diagnosis, graphical user interface, and remote management,” he explains. As for availability, Gharib says the


project teams working on the dual combined units are on schedule and development of the PTCM high-power dual version is now advanced enough for the company to be taking orders. The company is also able to work on


bespoke projects using customised products to meet the challenges being faced by EMC validation laboratories. EE


Dual rack-mounted TWT amplifier doubles the pulsed power delivery to 10kW for EMC testing applications


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