General Information

Serial #

FETA 14

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Metal casing and screws; synthetic inserts in connection ports

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

12.6 cm

Width

5.2 cm

Height

5.5 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Space Technology

Category

Communications

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Communications CA

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Ottawa

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

c. 1973-74

Canada

In October 1973, CRC and RCA agree to build a 12GHz field effect transistor amplifier for use on the transponder of Hermes, the first Direct Broadcast TV satellite in the world, launched in 1976. (Taken from worksheet)

Function

The development of an amplifier using Fairchild and Plessey GaAs FET technology for use in the transponder of Hermes. FETA powers the main amplifier which broadcasts the signal on Hermes. (Taken from worksheet)

Technical

Designed and built at CRC, FETA technology represents the first GaAs FETs ever flown in space. Invented in the late 1960's, gallium arsenide (GaAs) FETs are high performance field effect transistors mainly used for high performance microwave applications. Relatively new in 1973, this new and cutting edge GaAs GET Amplifier technology was chosen for its benefits in areas of weight, efficiency, linearality, and reliability over the current tunnel-diode, travelling-wave, or transferred-electron amps available at the time. The FETA design team at CRC moved forward to develop two FET Amps, one of each from the only two manufacturers of FETs of the period. Series "0" used Fairchild GETs while series "1" used Plessey FETs. Four of each amplifier models were built (prototype, engineering, flight, and spare). Together with FETA 04-Fairchild (CSTM 1985.0408), the acquisition of FETA 14-Plessey completes the FETA development used on Hermes. According to Douville, Hermes was used to define the transponder for the Anik-C series of satellites for Telesat Canada. (Taken from worksheet)

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

On top: on a connector: "ENDIX/ 043530/ 031-44/ 86-545"/ On gold part of casing: "OUT/ SHF GET AMP/ SER. NO. FETA 14/ CRC-CTS SS01-12/ IN"

Missing

Appears complete

Finish

Black and gold-coloured finish on metal body

Decoration

N/A