Research on Circuit Modeling and Frequency Characteristics of High-Power RF Tetrode–Driven ICRH Heating Systems

As the power source for high-frequency transmitters in ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) systems, high-power radio-frequency (RF) tetrodes present significant challenges in circuit modeling due to their complex operational principles and inherently interdisciplinary nature. This study addresses this challenge by developing a PSpice circuit model for a high-power RF tetrode through the fitting of its output characteristics, transfer parameters, and distributed parameters. Furthermore, the circuit modeling of a 1.5-MW ICRH transmitter and its associated high-frequency Inductor-Capacitor (LC) resonant circuit was completed. The model’s functionality and frequency characteristics were subsequently verified via simulation against experimental data. Simulation results demonstrate that the numerical simulations of the proposed high-power RF tetrode model, the 1.5-MW ICRH transmitter circuit, and its high-frequency LC resonant circuit align well with the actual electrical characteristics of the 1.5 MW ICRH transmitter system. Consequently, this model can be effectively utilized for parameter optimization and performance analysis of ICRH systems.