Measurement of klystron phase modulation due to ac-powered filaments

A technique for determining the intermodulation components in the RF spectrum of the S-band radar transmitter generated by having the klystron filaments heated by 400-Hz ac power is described. When the klystron is being operated with 400-Hz (ac) on the filament, the IPM is buried in the 400-Hz equipment interference noise. The modulation sidebands were separated and identified and found to be-67 db below the main carrier. This is well below the transmitter specifications, and operating the filaments on ac would not degrade the spectrum to where it would be detrimental to the radiated RF.