An Improved Trapatt Pulse Generator with Applications

The development and application of a gigahertz repetition rate pulse generator using the anti-parallel Trapatt circuit is described. The pulse generator produces 100 psec risetime pulses at 1 GHz repetition rates with over 200 volts amplitude into a 50 ohm load or open circuit and up to 4 amps into a short circuit. This represents a considerable improvement over circuits using a single diode, in terms of both output and external circuit interaction. A pulse generator of this type is currently being used in a novel technique for detailed examination of the avalanche characteristics of microwave devices, and some initial results are presented for X-band Trapatt devices.