Energy efficiency of High Power Microwave systems

High Power Microwave (HPM) system efficiency has typically been calculated by dividing the peak output power by the peak input power or the input power at the time of the peak output power. This method is typically chosen over energy based calculations because of the difficulties in obtaining an accurate power envelope for certain HPM sources. Power based efficiency calculations have also traditionally excluded any sub-systems which can be highly inefficient. As HPM systems begin moving from lab to field operation the power based efficiencies calculations fall well short of accurately characterizing the complete system. Efficiency calculations should instead be based on energy, typically in the form of fuel or batteries, as they are the major limiting components of any mobile system.