Solid state transmit/receive module for the PAVE PAWS phased array radar

The PAVE PAWS phased array radar, presently under construction at two sites in the USA, is capable of long range detection and tracking of SLBMs. The radars are meant to operate continuously and use 3584 active solid state modules per site to (1) develop the transmitted RF power with approximately 50,000 power transistors, (2) provide low-noise receiver preamplification, and (3) provide 4-bit phase shift capability for transmit and receive beam steering. The modules feature power transistor low junction temperatures, a 4 parallel transistor output stage in a 1-2-4 amplifier line-up, a die cast dual RCVR and transmitter chassis, conventional PCBs/Techniques, and interchangeable dual power transistor supplies. Based on the first 300 modules produced, power output is 330 W, output power tracking is 0.24 dB RMS, transmit insertion phase tracking is 6.7 deg RMS, phase shifter error is 2.52 and 2.3 deg RMS for transmit and receive respectively, efficiency is 37.88%, and receiver gain is 34 dB.