All solid state, ultra-fast turn-on time, compact Marx generator

Abstract

This paper presents a High Power Microwave (HPM) modulator. In general, HPM driver based on PFL or capacitor source coupled to the HPM device by high voltage transformer. In current application, due to requirement on ultra-fast rise time, these concepts are unacceptable. The proposed directly coupled HPM driver generates 30kV, 10A pulses with pulse width of 1µs and rise time under 100ns. In order to keep the design compact (portable application) solid-state switches and ceramic capacitors where used. Each stage draw power for the gate driver circuitry from the hold off voltage of the n-stage switch itself, reducing the need for additional floating power supplies. All power stage components were chosen through optimization procedure for further size and complexity reduction. To achieve the ultra-fast turn on and simultaneous operation of all stages a high voltage fast switching MOSFETs were used with a unique gate drive scheme. The design robustness made sure that even in the event of not fully simultaneous switching, the reliability would not be compromised.