A term that once left old technology behind to introduce a new one in electronics is ‘solid-state’, which was used intensively to promote the equipment using this technology, then became kind of ordinary for a while because it is in almost every aparatus, and here it is, refreshed as a characteristic that again shows novelty. New technology is not by itself better as can be noticed if instead of separating old from the new one, we separate well known and lasting from replaced shortly after its presentation despite advertisements and promotion. ‘Solid-state’ is one of those that, promoted or not, has been relevant for a long time.
Physics of the solid-state is the science that explains and supports the technology of semiconductor-based electronic devices. It was revolutionary since the first calculating machine based on transistors was built in 1954 followed by thousands of electronic products. ‘Solid-state’ was more than a couple of words stamped on TV sets and radios, among others, about 60 years ago for marketing, rather it was stating their operation structure.
This description was sometimes misunderstood by the public who related it to resistance to shock and shaking of the devices instead of their operation principles. New products can either fulfill known functions differently or perform new ones, developing both the technology and application as in the case of game consoles. The first solid-state devices were supposed to perform the same functions as those with vacuum tubes, but with less energy since semiconductors do not need to be warmed up because they do not use the principle of thermionic emission. Then they could be battery-operated, while they were smaller and lighter so that such devices became easily portable.
Many other applications of solid-state became ‘full transistorized’, even the TV sets despite they had CRT screens, although there was some hesitation at first due to the lack of serviceable parts that were supposed to be a problem when repairment was necessary. It took some time to realize how reliable these items are.
Even when the market was shared by the two kinds of devices, it is evident that solid-state is an advanced kind of technology whose products perform better the same functions as the vacuum tubes as well as new ones. However, there are hybrid solid state-vacuum tube devices that pretend to take the best of both technologies, electronic for controlling and a vacuum tube for the function as CRTs in TVs, discontinued but still exist, and magnetrons.
Often solid-state technology is not mentioned as it happens with other developments such as ‘fuel injection’ or ‘electronic ignition’ or ‘with computer controls’ in the automotive industry because any car has them. The importance of this industry has been also evidenced by a chips shortage, due to the restructuring of semiconductors production that has lasted about two years and is supposed to last one more. This shortage is affecting the automotive industry, computer cards, and gaming consoles.
Power electronics replacing vacuum tubes and even heavy-duty devices as the motor-generator is an important part of the expansion of solid-state technology, which is not back, indeed it never left. The reason for distinguishing the products with it is the same as before, emphasizing the difference with ‘updated standard technology’, and that is the case of the solid-state microwave generator. These generators are more efficient and can be controlled in ways that would be very complicated for magnetrons, besides, they are quite reliable. The issue leads to the applications that might need the features of this kind of generator and if the price is acceptable.
Maintenance and serviceable parts do not seem to be a problem since these devices last longer than vacuum tube ones, even longer than their time to obsolescence. Many devices, cellular phones, gaming consoles, and computers are a few examples of items that are discarded when they are still operable due to this factor.
It is expected that solid-state microwave ovens are less affected by obsolescence aspects, there are many old kitchen ovens running at many homes because according to their users they still do the work. They are replaced as they fail despite that their repair components are cheap, but the new ovens, with a magnetron, are not expensive and often have updated designs and controls. However, it is only a matter of price and advantage perception, not a discomfort with a new kind of generator, while the industry will get more of the solid-state technology in the short term because in special applications the performance is measured objectively.
The price of the old technology in terms of acquisition is a factor that keeps its coexistence with the new one that seems more expensive regardless of the new features. Another factor is the confidence of the customers and users on the devices and the people in charge of their maintenance.
It is not the idea to get into the details of prices, features, and confidence that have been discussed many times in other forums. However, as in other technologies, the prices will drop, the confidence will increase and the features that could be redundant for some applications will be essential for others, certainly, some of them will be the subject of papers and conferences, as the solid-state technology continues.
Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León