Product · AIMN
Adaptive impedance matching for a load that will not hold still
The plasma load moves. A fixed match is right at one operating point and a compromise everywhere else. Ours retunes as the plasma changes.
- Closed-loop. Measures forward and reflected power continuously, retunes in real time through ignition, throttling and disturbances.
- Pairs with the RF PPU. Power is set in software, the AIMN holds the match, nothing in flight has to be hand-tuned.
- Status. Modelled and designed; the adaptive hardware is on the prototype roadmap, not built yet.
The problem it solves
In a helicon or RF thruster the matching network transforms a low plasma-antenna impedance up to the amplifier's standard 50 ohm output. Published sources describe that load moving non-monotonically with magnetic field, mass flow and geometry, and stepping at ignition. A network tuned once is matched at one operating point; away from it, power reflects and the amplifier works off its design load. Oversizing the generator to absorb that is fine on a bench and hard to carry into a flight design.
What exists today
We model the matching network, the harness and a time-varying plasma load together, which is how we design the network and its control before committing to hardware. The adaptive hardware is on the prototype roadmap, not built yet.
Background reading
Impedance matching networks for RF plasma thrusters and adaptive impedance matching networks (AIMN) in the technical guide.
Matching a plasma load on your bench?
Tell us how the impedance moves on your thruster and how you handle it today.
Talk to our engineering team