A new, high voltage, arbitrary waveform generator for lightning protection research and other applications

In this paper, the authors describe the main features of a new prototype high-voltage arbitrary waveform generator (HVAWG). This generator was designed to produce a variable, programmable wavefront up to a 200 kV peak voltage. Hence, it is capable of precisely simulating the rapidly escalating electric field due to an approaching lightning downward leader, including the well-known steps or pauses as the leader progresses toward its point of attachment near the ground. It utilises a computer-controlled interface that drives a set of series-stacked flyback transformers. The resulting output is any desired, monotonically increasing waveform, downloaded from the computer.