21 Apr
2005
21 Apr
'05
6:21 p.m.
The compactron type tubes designed specifically for TV
sets were
as close as successful "integration" got, combining common
adjacent stage active devices into one envelope,
Compactrons (at least none that I know of) are not integrated - each
function is pinned out individually. Something like the 6N6G is true
integration - one triode feeds another (they can not be used
individually).
In hindsight, it seems pretty obvious why "high
density" never
caught on -- cathodes and filaments die, tubes were expensive.
Packaging tubes is expensive.
Compactrons were cheaper to make. Less labor, better yields. In
TV production, Compactrons lowered costs due to less inventory and labor.
William Donzelli
aw288 at osfn.org