Cost Of Ownership Comparison: SSPA Vs. TWTA Systems

Solid state circuitry has been steadily replacing vacuum-tube technology since its invention in 1948. Beginning with the early transistor radio receiver, and continuing with the television receiver and the computer, solid state systems have become ubiquitous in our society. The following discussion examines some of the factors that are enabling the proliferation of solid state technology in the microwave amplifier field. The article serves to introduce the operational differences between solid state and tube technology.