FST-2

FST-2 - A Radar Data Coordinate Data Transmitter built by Burroughs Corporation for use in the SAGE System. The FST-2 took the analog radar data, processed and digitized it and created digital target words that were transmitted to the SAGE Direction Center. FST-2 Radar Data Coordinate Data Transmitter The FST-2 was a very large duplex digital system using vacuum tube technology. Over 6900 vacuum tubes were used in each FST-2 requiring 21 air conditioned cabinets, 40 tons of airconditioning, 43.5 kva of prime power and usually a large new addition to the operations building. The FST-2B modification added two more cabinets but with newer solid state (transistor) technology to process coded responses from aircraft transponders. FST-2 Radar Data Coordinate Data Transmitter Element Value Notes Nomenclature FST-2 Variants FST-2A FST-2B Manufacturer Burroughs Corporation Type Radar Data Processor Inputs Radar Video Beacon Video SAH/F Requests From Radar receivers From Beacon receiver From SAGE DC Outputs 1300 bps Target Messages To SAGE DC Number Made 134 Introduced 1959 FST-2B Aboard Texas Tower II circa 1961. Picture shows the solid state SIFF Cabinet opened for troubleshooting using a Tektronic 545 Oscilloscope and the Lewyt target printer See Also: US Computer Systems Sources: Ogletree, Taylor, Veitch and Wylen, AN/FST-2 Radar-Processing Equipment for SAGE, Proceedings of the Eastern Computer Conference, December 1957, page 156-160. Pdf Links: Radomes - FST-2 Radar Data Processing System Wikipedia - FST-2