15 db gain. By contrast the current practical gain of the magnetron as used with external circuitry in the MDA is 30 db and 10 or even 20 db more can be achieved with additional refinement, particularly in the magnetron for the SPS application. Efficiency of the Microwave Oven Magnetron Because the microwave oven magnetron is the tube to be used in any near term Earth-based electronically steerable phased array application and is the analogue for the magnetron in space, it may be appropriate to discuss its efficiency. Figure 4 shows the efficiency that has been achieved with the microwave oven magnetron as the magnetic field has been increased. These efficiencies were very carefully measured and the probable error is within 1%. [4] It will be noted that the efficiencies are well below the theoretical efficiency. The author believes that there are Figure 8-3 Conversion of DC to Microwave Power several deficiencies in the design of the microwave oven magnetron that account for its failure to perform with theoretical efficiency. Interestingly, there has not been any concerted activity among the community Figure 8-4 Theoretical and Observed DC-RF Conversion Efficiencies for Conventional Microwave Oven Magnetrons
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