New generation low cost S band high power solid state transmitter for air traffic control and naval applications radars

This paper presents the development of a low cost 18 kW peak power solid state transmitter operating at 2.7-2.9 GHz for modern surveillance, air-traffic control and naval radar applications. The 18 kW peak power with a pulse width of 100 /spl mu/s and 10% duty cycle is achieved by combining sixteen 1400 W high power amplifier modules (HPAM) using a low loss combiner. Other key performance parameters are: a pulse to pulse stability >65 dBc, an instantaneous bandwidth of 200 MHz, the spectral requirement of MIL-STD-469A, a rise time of <150 ns, and an MTBCF >460000 hours. The design has following additional features: modular, front accessibility of high power amplifier modules, drivers, boards of TCC drawer, hot replacement of HPAM for easy maintenance, and a complete remote control and monitoring system.