The Generation of Megawatt Peak Powers by Modern Spark-Transmitter Techniques
Abstract
The demand for greater peak power for pulse radars has prompted the application of modern technology to the spark-gap transmitters of many years ago; in addition, working models have been built and tested of a spark transmitter recently invented in Australia. Working models have been tested at 6, 12, 23, 90, and 100 MHz with peak powers of 1/2 to 5 MW. The initial phase of a spark transmitter has been controlled to within 3 to 5 ns, permitting pulse-to-pulse coherence for Doppler radar. A pulse radar has been built using a 6 MHz spark transmitter; the output power, spectrum, and efficiency have been determined, and multiple ionospheric echoes have been observed. Bandwidth is about what would be expected for a pulse typically 1 microns long at 20 MHz. The spectrum is reasonably free of noise and harmonics; efficiencies lie between 10 and 25 percent. We conclude that peak powers as large as several gigawatts are possible. High-power operation may be achieved at frequencies as high as 100 to 200 MHz, and initial phase can be controlled to within a few tenths of a nanosecond. A 1 to 5 MW radar system using spark transmitters at 6, 12, and 23 MHz is now under construction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0478552
Entities
People
- Arthur F. Wickersham Jr.
- Lambert T. Dolphin Jr.
Organizations
- SRI International