About Us

Technology

CPI Electron Device Business (EDB) has an extensive portfolio of several thousand products that is comprised of a wide range of Vacuum Electron Devices (VEDs) and solid-state power devices. CPI EDB’s products are used to:

  • generate or amplify (multiply) various forms of electromagnetic energy (these products are generally referred to as VEDs, electron devices, solid-state devices or simply as devices);
  • transmit, direct, measure and control electromagnetic energy;
  • provide the voltages and currents to power and control devices that generate electromagnetic energy; or
  • provide some combination of the above functions.

VEDs were initially developed for defense applications but their use has been extended to many commercial markets. CPI EDB uses tailored variations of this key technology to address the various frequency and power requirements in each of CPI EDB’s target markets. CPI EDB’s VED products derive from, or are enhancements to, the original VED technology on which the company was founded. Most of CPI EDB's other products were natural offshoots of the original VED technology and were developed in response to the opportunities and requirements in the market for more fully integrated products and services. The type of device selected for a specific application is based on the operating parameters required by the system.

CPI EDB sells several categories of VEDs, including:

  • Coupled cavity traveling wave tubes: Coupled cavity traveling wave tubes are VEDs that combine some of the power generating capability of a cavity amplifier with some of the increased bandwidth (wider frequency range) properties of a traveling wave amplifier. These are medium bandwidth, high-power devices, with power output levels that can be as high as one megawatt. These devices are used primarily for high-power and multi-function radars, including frontline radar systems.
  • Magnetrons: Magnetron oscillators are VEDs capable of generating high-power output at high efficiency and relatively low cost. Magnetrons generate power levels as high as 20 megawatts and cover frequencies up to the 40 GHz range. CPI EDB designs and manufactures magnetrons for radar, electronic warfare and missile programs within the defense market. Shipboard platforms include search and air traffic control radar on most aircraft carriers, cruisers and destroyers of NATO-country naval fleets. Ground-based installations include various military and civil search and air traffic control radar systems. CPI EDB is also a supplier of magnetrons for use in commercial weather radar. Other potential uses for magnetrons include high-power microwave systems for disruption of enemy electronic equipment and the disabling or destruction of roadside bombs and other IEDs.
  • Crossed-field amplifiers: Crossed-field amplifiers are VEDs used for high-power radar applications because they have power output capability as high as 10 megawatts. CPI EDB’s crossed-field amplifiers are primarily used to support radar systems on the Aegis weapons systems used by the U.S. Navy and select foreign naval vessels. CPI EDB supplies units both for new ships and for replacements on existing ships.

In addition to VEDs, CPI EDB also sell:

  • Microwave transmitter subsystems: CPI EDB’s microwave transmitter subsystems are integrated assemblies built primarily around CPI EDB’s VED products. These subsystems incorporate specialized high-voltage power supplies to power the VED, plus cooling and control systems that are uniquely designed to work in conjunction with CPI EDB’s devices to maximize life, performance and reliability. Microwave transmitter subsystems are used in a variety of defense and commercial applications. CPI EDB’s transmitter subsystems are available at frequencies ranging from one to 100 GHz and beyond.
  • Receiver protectors and control components: Receiver protectors are used in the defense market in radar systems to protect sensitive receivers from high-power signals, thereby preventing damage to the receiver. CPI EDB has been designing and manufacturing receiver protector products for more than 65 years. CPI EDB believes that it is the world’s largest manufacturer of receiver protectors and the only manufacturer offering the full range of available technologies. CPI EDB also manufactures a wide range of other components used to control the RF energy in the customer’s system. CPI EDB’s receiver protectors and control components are integrated into prominent fielded military programs. As radar systems have evolved to improve performance and reduce size and weight, CPI EDB has invested in the latest solid-state technology to develop and manufacture the microwave control components to allow us to offer more fully integrated products, referred to as multifunction assemblies, including receivers, upconverters pulse compression assemblies, low noise amplifiers, switches and oscillators, as required by modern radar systems.
  • Solid-state products: CPI EDB designs and manufactures a wide variety of solid-state products for a number of applications, including defense and scientific applications. These products include, but are not limited to, power amplifiers, upconverters, pulse compression assemblies, voltage controlled oscillators, high power solid-state switches, phase shifters, PIN diode attenuators, limiters and low noise amplifiers. CPI EDB’s solid-state amplifier products are based on leading-edge gallium nitride technology so that customers may employ the optimal solution for these applications.