Precision capacitor charging switching power supplies

Industrial and government applications of pulsed power are driving pulse repetition rates into the kilohertz range and at the same time require precision charge voltage control. Pulsed power systems in these applications must be robust, rugged and compact. We have developed power supplies that, for example, charge capacitors at 2 kHz repetition rate and deliver pulse-to-pulse repeatability of /spl plusmn/ 2 V when charging to 2500 V. Supplies of this type provide 20 KW average power and above. These systems incorporate both external and internal fiber optic data and control links to provide a robust and noise immune power supply system. This paper describes one of these systems and discusses the issues of power supply and pulsed power interaction, power supply design and future trends.