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Compact Nanotube-Driven X-band Amplifier

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Missile Defense Agency
Contract: HQ0006-04-C-7097
Agency Tracking Number: 031-1342
Amount: $750,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: MDA03-052
Solicitation Number: 2003.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2003
Award Year: 2004
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2004-08-26
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2006-08-26
Small Business Information
5799L Burke Centre Parkway
Burke, VA 22015
United States
DUNS: 945454569
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: Yes
Principal Investigator
 Jose Velazco
 Research Scientist
 (703) 250-6485
 jvelazco@microwavetech.com
Business Contact
 Kathryn Dawson
Title: Vice-President
Phone: (703) 250-6485
Email: kldawson@microwavetech.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

We propose the prototype development of a very compact high-efficiency nanotube-driven X-band microwave amplifier (NDXA) for radar and rf communications applications in ballistic missile sensor systems. The NDXA is a compact vacuum tube that uses a rugged carbon-nanotube cold-cathode and a compact two-cavity system to produce X-band microwave radiation with very high-efficiency, making the NDXA ideal for airborne applications. Our successful Phase I studies showed that the NDXA is about 1-inch long and should be able to produce 500 watts of X-band radiation with an outstanding efficiency of 85%. We are now ready to proceed with the development of an NDXA prototype for operation at 8.4 GHz capable of delivering 500 watts of microwave power with a gain of 27 dB and 85% efficiency. The NDXA to be developed during Phase II will be very well-suited for Ground-Based Midcourse X-band Radar (XBR) applications. Once fully developed, the NDXA should be capable of replacing conventional traveling-wave tubes in future MDA radar and communication systems by offering substantial improvements in size, weight, and, especially efficiency over its counterparts.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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