Abstract: An energy supply unit for a traveling wave tube is configured to transform a first voltage present at a low voltage interface into a second voltage providable at a high voltage interface. The second voltage is greater than the first voltage and corresponds to a required operating voltage of the traveling wave tube. The energy supply unit is configured to receive a signal pattern via a signal input interface and to output a control signal via a control interface to the traveling wave tube for operating the traveling wave tube based on the signal pattern and to gradually and/or iteratively align or adapt the control signal to the signal pattern being present at the signal input interface when changing an operating mode of the traveling wave tube. A power draw at the beginning of the switched-on state may increase slowly and voltage drops at the high voltage supply may be minimized.

Abstract: An energy supply unit for a traveling wave tube is configured to transform a first voltage present at a low voltage interface into a second voltage providable at a high voltage interface. The second voltage is greater than the first voltage and corresponds to a required operating voltage of the traveling wave tube. The energy supply unit is configured to receive a signal pattern via a signal input interface and to output a control signal via a control interface to the traveling wave tube for operating the traveling wave tube based on the signal pattern and to gradually and/or iteratively align or adapt the control signal to the signal pattern being present at the signal input interface when changing an operating mode of the traveling wave tube. A power draw at the beginning of the switched-on state may increase slowly and voltage drops at the high voltage supply may be minimized.

Abstract: A method for operating a traveling-wave tube module of a communication satellite involves receiving of a high-frequency signal from an antenna of the satellite and determining that the high-frequency signal is to be amplified. The cathode current of a traveling-wave tube is increased to a predetermined operating value if the high-frequency signal is to be amplified and the high-frequency signal is amplified by the traveling-wave tube.

Abstract: A method for operating an amplifier module of a communication satellite involves establishing an undesired state of the amplifier module, storing state data, which indicate the undesired state, in a nonvolatile memory of the amplifier module, after the undesired state has been established, and deactivating the amplifier module after the storage of the state data.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an earth-distant-platform includes a control unit, which includes with a control input and a control output, and a memory element. The memory element contains a plurality of operating value parameter sets for an RF transmit amplifier unit. The control input receives a control signal and, dependent on the control signal, the control unit selects an operating value parameter set from the memory element. The control output controls an energy supply unit and/or a preamplifier/linearization element using the selected operating value parameter set such that the RF transmit amplifier unit is operable in a defined operating state.

Abstract: A method for operating an amplifier module of a communication satellite involves saving at least one configuration parameter of the amplifier module in a non-volatile memory designed to store the configuration parameter when the amplifier module is not energized. The configuration parameter can be loaded from the non-volatile memory and used to configure the amplifier module.

Abstract: A method for operating an amplifier module of a communication satellite involves establishing an undesired state of the amplifier module, storing state data, which indicate the undesired state, in a nonvolatile memory of the amplifier module, after the undesired state has been established, and deactivating the amplifier module after the storage of the state data.

Abstract: A method for operating an amplifier module of a communication satellite involves saving at least one configuration parameter of the amplifier module in a non-volatile memory designed to store the configuration parameter when the amplifier module is not energized. The configuration parameter can be loaded from the non-volatile memory and used to configure the amplifier module.

Abstract: A method for operating a traveling-wave tube module of a communication satellite involves receiving of a high-frequency signal from an antenna of the satellite and determining that the high-frequency signal is to be amplified. The cathode current of a traveling-wave tube is increased to a predetermined operating value if the high-frequency signal is to be amplified and the high-frequency signal is amplified by the traveling-wave tube.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an earth-distant-platform includes a control unit, which includes with a control input and a control output, and a memory element. The memory element contains a plurality of operating value parameter sets for an RF transmit amplifier unit. The control input receives a control signal and, dependent on the control signal, the control unit selects an operating value parameter set from the memory element. The control output controls an energy supply unit and/or a preamplifier/linearization element using the selected operating value parameter set such that the RF transmit amplifier unit is operable in a defined operating state.

Abstract: A power-supply device and amplifier are joined by way of a mechanical/thermal interface to form a unit. Electrical connections between the power-supply device and the amplifier chamber are run within this shared unit. A shared electrical interface is provided for external control- and supply signals, respectively.