Design Study of a C-Band Crestatron

A design study of a crestatron that would operate in the frequency range from 3 to 6 GHz (which overlaps with the C band) has been performed. The basic crestatron concept was developed during the 1950s. The present interest in crestatrons is spurred by the prospect of realizing compact, efficient, high-power, high-gain microwave transmitters in which crestatrons would be combined with low-noise, solid-state drivers into microwave power modules (MPMs). Such transmitters and MPMs could be attractive for applications in which there are severe constraints on volume and weight.