A Modular Unipolar/Bipolar High-Voltage Pulse Generator Suitable for High Resistive Load

This article presents two novel high-voltage pulse generator (HVPG) structures. These modular topologies are based on the buck-boost converter (BBC) operated in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). The proposed generators produce unipolar and bipolar bell-shaped pulses, which can be applied for applications with high resistive loads. In these structures, the capacitors can be charged up to several times the dc input voltage, simultaneously. Accordingly, they have a high voltage (HV) gain even with a low-voltage dc (LVDC) source. This allows for a compact structure with a low number of modules (switches, diodes, capacitors, etc.). By reducing the number of modules, the total cost and power losses are reduced and the reliability is increased and its maintenance and fault detection would become easier. The other significant advantage of the proposed topologies is the voltage rating reduction of switches and diodes. Also, the series connection of switches and diodes is not required in this structure, which decreases the complexity and costs. Furthermore, due to the simultaneous charging of the capacitors, high-frequency pulses can be generated. Moreover, pulsewidth and pulse rise time are designed arbitrary parameters in nanosecond to microsecond ranges and they are completely independent of the gate driver and switch speed. In the design section, the parameters of the structure are determined based on the pulse specifications. The structures are simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. The experimental results for 1 kV output voltage confirm the performance of the proposed structures.