Antal Csicsatka

Jan 18, 1911 - July 6, 1976

Biography

(Érsekújvár, 1911 – Utica NY, July 9th, 1976)

His name is known first of all for his activity in the field of stereo transmission, besides other things, he developed the principle of subcarrier dual channel stereo radio applied all over the world today.

In 1938, after finishing his studies at Technical University he joined the Hungarian Post and became developing engineer at the Post's Experimental Station. He played an important role in the propagation of carrier frequency technology in Hungary. His first significant result was the conversion of the AEG carrier frequency systems.

Csicsátka designed filters for carrier frequency equipment. On the basis of his wide expertise during the war he directed the installation and regrouping of carrier frequency equipment.

In 1945, he established a workshop for instrument construction and repair, from which he later formed the Antal Csicsátka Telecommunications Company. The products of his company helped the Hungarian Post solve its transmission technology tasks. His small company was nationalized in 1949.

The development and production of the first Hungarian tape recorder is linked to his name. He began to deal with the problems of stereo transmission and recording and in the course of tape recorder production he tried it out. He developed the basic principle of the subcarrier system.

In 1956, he emigrated to the United States, where he became a research worker at the Electronic Division of General Electric in 1957. Here his main responsibility was the development of audio products. He developed the principle of the subcarrier dual-channel stereo radio, which is applied all over the world today. His patent of this principle was accepted in 1961 and then broadcasting equipment and receiver sets were produced in accordance with this all over the world. He applied for 13 additional patents on the details of the technological solutions. All of these were accepted and numerous circuits and operation principles of stereo broadcasting are based on them, even today.

In 1970, he established his own company. He developed equipment for the then new cable television and outlined its system technology. The first radio set realised on one chip is also linked with his name.