E-band (71 - 76 GHz, 81 - 86 GHz) front ends are commercially available for point to point links with a few gigabit per second (Gb/s) for range of about one kilometer at full capacity. The transmission power of E-band front ends is produced by solid state amplifiers, typically not higher than a few Watts. For this reason E-band front ends have to use large diameter antennas to ensure the required EIRP (Equivalent, Isotropically Radiated Power). The availability of power in the range of tens of Watts would enable long links with high signal to noise ratio for high modulation schemes and tens of Gb/s capacity.
An E-band (71 - 76 GHz) traveling wave amplifiers has been designed to enhance the capacity of future E-band links. This paper discuss the first version of the TWT based on a single section double corrugated waveguide slow wave structure. This first prototype of E-band TWT will be preparatory to the fabrication of a more complex 70 W two sections E-band TWT.