Patent ID: 9530604
Filing Date: 2016-12-27
CPC Classification: H01J,H03F

Claim Text:
1. A method for operating a traveling-wave tube module of a communication satellite configured to operate in at least an idle mode and an amplifying mode, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a high-frequency signal from an antenna of the satellite; determining that the high-frequency signal is to be amplified; increasing a cathode current of a traveling-wave tube to a predetermined operating value if the high-frequency signal is to be amplified; detecting and analyzing a measured value of the traveling-wave tube module; and switching, based on the measured value, the traveling-wave tube module from the idle mode to the amplifying mode such that the high-frequency signal is amplified using the traveling-wave tube, wherein the measured value is detected over a time period, and the analysis involves determining whether at least one peak value of the measured value lies above a threshold in order to determine that the high-frequency signal is to be amplified.