Best bits: Applications of microprocessors: Smart small-craft radar

Until now commercial srna tl-boat radar systems have disolayed targets as blips of light on a rotating-beam, monochromatic cathode-ray-tube screen, with the blips fading until the electron beam refreshed them on the next revolution. A new microprocessor-based X-band radar system developed by Western Marine Electronics Co. of Seattie, Wash., eliminate the fading problem; displays the targets and range circles in different colors; gives the coordinates of selected targets; warns when targets get too close; and permits additional display monitors to be located throghout the boat. The microorocessor (Zilog's Z80) also eliminates about half the circuitry usually found in comparable marine radar systems.