Considerations for choosing microwave transistors in high power shipboard search radars

Critical technical considerations for choosing microwave transistors for search radar transmitters are addressed along with review of some basic design and purchasing problems. Some guidelines for achieving reliable designs are given along with a procedure called Thermal Rieke diagrams for presenting impedance, power and temperature dependencies. AN/TPS-59 experience is outlined along with observations concerning expected transistor costs as a fraction of total transmitter costs.