New directions in solid-state compact, high voltage radar modulators

Abstract

Summary form only given, as follows. Solid state modulators can replace conventional radar modulators in a range of transmitters, including magnetron, klystron, and TWT-based systems. This paper will describe the benefits of solid state modulators in different transmitter designs, including: AN/SPG-60-DTI is delivering upgrades to the Navy PHD NSWC which include a switching power supply and solid state modulator. This system provides very high PRF (up to 35 kHz) pulses at 15 W to drive the X-band klystron. AN/SPS-49-DTI is building a solid state replacement for the existing switch tube based mod-anode modulator for NSWC Crane/ONR. This upgrade, which is applicable to over 200 fielded radars, will provide a significant increase in system reliability. MIR-MIR is a C-band, phased array radar. NAWCAD contracted with DTI in 1999 to build a replacement power supply/arc protection system for the TWT, with a solid state series switch to replace the crowbar. This supply provides 50 kV, 50 kW average power, with pulse to pulse regulation of better than 1 V. DTI is building a solid state modulator as part of a pre-planned product improvement effort. HADR-In 2000, DTI received a contract from NATO to analyze potential upgrades of the HADR transmitter system. DTI has examined two potential architectures. The first utilizes solid state hard switch at the full 80 kV cathode voltage, while the second is based on a solid state switch and pulse transformer.