Pulsed ring-down source array

A pulsed ring-down source array (PRDS), also called a Resonant Antenna-Source System, is a robust high-power transient RF transmitter that provides substantial power in the far field region. In a typical PRDS, a high potential is stored in the device structure and discharged through a switch, generating a damped ringing radiated waveform. Using an array of PRDS antennas, the radiated far field power density can be increased far beyond that possible with a single source. The array's performance is dependent on the individual antenna elements, along with the main switch triggering jitter and the jitter of the trigger source. The array being tested is composed of four antennas spaced a quarter wavelength apart from one another in a straight line. The PRDS element is a half coaxial monopole antenna tuned for ~100MHz. The switch used is a custom made trigatron spark gap pressurized up to 100 PSI of N₂. The results presented from a working example of a PRDS array will enable future development of the system.