Passive (tritium) ignitors for X-band receiver protectors

Passive ignitors for use in gas-type waveguide receiver protectors have been built using tritium as the active electron source. This design eliminates the conventional dc keepalive discharge used in TR tubes and results in a TR device with no external connections or power sources. Consequently, the design provides receiver protection from interfering radars whether the system is on or off, eliminating the mechanical shutter. The wideband noise of the conventional dc ignitor is also eliminated.