A Tunable Ultra-Wideband Pulse Generator Using a Variable Edge-Rate Signal

This paper presents a pulse-duration tunable ultra-wideband (UWB) generator that is developed using a variable edge-rate signal. Edge-rate variability is introduced by applying a step recovery diode (SRD) to compress the edges of the source and then employing a simple RC network to adjust the edge-rate. Afterwards, the compressed signal is differentiated using microstrip transmission lines in a short circuit stub configuration. The tunable generator resulting from this approach demonstrates Gaussian and monocycle pulses with: good symmetry and low distortion over the tunable range; pulse width variation from 800 to 1150ps over a 1-20pF capacitance range; and good agreement between simulated and measured results