From $10,000 magee to $7 magee and $10 Transmitter and Receiver (T/R) on single chip

Abstract

The development of the high power magee by H. Boot and J. A. Randall in England in 1939 led to the development of the radar systems during WW II. The MIT Radiation Laboratory alone was responsible for the > 1 00 different radars valued at $30 billion (in 2010 $). Arguably some claim radar was more responsible for the Allies winning WWII than anything else including the atomic bomb. After WW II magnetrons and cross field amplifiers (CFAs) continued to play a major in military and commercial radars. Most radars built up until the early 60's used magnetrons. Key systems using cross field devices (CFD, magnetrons, CF As, stabilotrons and backward wave devices) are the Hawk [>380 produced], Patriot [>173], Sparrow, TARTAR, AEGIS SPY-l [>234], Nike systems. They are used in: air traffic control (ATC) radars like the Air Route Surveillance Radar ARSR-l, -2 [>40] which monitor and control traffic across the USA; Air Route Surveillance ASR-7 used to monitor air traffic approaching and arriving at airports; precision approach radars (PAR) like the TPN-25 [18] and GPN-22 [>60]; airport surface and close approach traffic monitoring radars (ASDE radars); ship borne AN/SPS-48; DEW line TPS-ID [1000's]; AN/APN-22 altimeter; MK-92, SPS-48, SG, SO, AASR, B-58 Hustler,HSB RlACR, SPS-55. SPS-5, FPS-19, BPS-2, CPS-9, MPS-34, WSR-57, TPS-31,SPN-6, RAMPART, TPN-19 ASR, FPS-36, ABAR; and until recently (2007) in all commercial S- and X-band maritime navigation radars for tankers, tugs, cruise ships, and pleasure craft. The cost of some pleasure craft navigation radars are as low as $600. The annual sales for military and commercial radars for 2009 is >$6 billion. When electronic warfare is included this becomes >$21 billion. ??2010 IEEE.