How many amplifiers are in the Primary Surveillance Radar transmitter?

How many amplifiers are in the Primary Surveillance Radar transmitter?

• A. Eight
• B. Six
• C. Twelve
• D. Ten

Answer: (A)

In a Primary Surveillance Radar transmitter, delivering the needed high-power RF pulse requires using multiple amplifier modules instead of a single unit. Eight amplifier modules are combined to reach the required peak power while keeping each individual amplifier within safe operating limits. This modular approach also provides redundancy: if one amplifier has a fault, the remaining modules can continue to produce transmission, albeit at reduced power. Outputs from the eight amplifiers are combined through a power combiner network to form the final transmitted signal, balancing power, size, and maintainability. Fewer amplifiers would struggle to meet the peak power requirements, while more would add unnecessary complexity and cost. Therefore, eight amplifiers is the configuration used.

In a Primary Surveillance Radar transmitter, delivering the needed high-power RF pulse requires using multiple amplifier modules instead of a single unit. Eight amplifier modules are combined to reach the required peak power while keeping each individual amplifier within safe operating limits. This modular approach also provides redundancy: if one amplifier has a fault, the remaining modules can continue to produce transmission, albeit at reduced power. Outputs from the eight amplifiers are combined through a power combiner network to form the final transmitted signal, balancing power, size, and maintainability. Fewer amplifiers would struggle to meet the peak power requirements, while more would add unnecessary complexity and cost. Therefore, eight amplifiers is the configuration used.