Power supply considerations for pulsed solid-state radar

It is pointed out that high-power, pulsed, solid-state radar transmitters require special considerations for the power supplies. Unlike their vacuum tube predecessors, the solid-state transmitter amplifier operates from a low voltage (LV) power supply. High power at low voltage implies very high peak currents. The state of art is such that these high peak currents must be provided by energy storage capacitors located in close proximity to the RF power amplifiers. The power supply, then, must serve the function of a precision capacitor recharging circuit. The power supply is an integral part of the transmitter design and its design requirements are driven by the RF output power and transmitter stability requirements. The stability of the power supply is one of the most important factors in achieving the specified performance criteria for the radar system.<>