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.
The FST-2 used a magnetic drum synchronized with the radar set to store target "Hits", when sufficient hits were recorded a target message was created and sent to the direction center over voice grade telephone lines. Once a target was identified, the direction center could return a request for height information and slew the radar site height-finder to the correct azimuth where an operator would identify the target and transmit the target altitude to the direction center.
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
Stock Number
5895-583-1140 5895-678-2621
FST-2A FST-2B
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 RO-65 Data Recorder
Sketch of OA-1163/FST Coordinate Data Monitor and RO-65/FST Data Recorder
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
