The effects of multipactor on the quality of a complex signal propagating in a transmission line

Abstract

Multipactor is a much studied resonant AC discharge that is harmful to microwave components and circuits. There is substantial current interest in this topic because of its threat to satellite communications. In this paper, an analytical transmission line model is presented to assess the effects of multipactor, should it happen, on the distortion of a signal. The model is applicable to any input signal (analog or digital) once the electron multipactor current it causes is specified. Examples using planar and coaxial transmission lines are given on a simple dynamical model of the multipactor current. Single and multitone signals are treated, with some results presented in the In-phase and Quadrature plots.