Design concepts for an exploding bridge-wire electronic ignition system

An exploding bridge wire (EBW) is a fine wire conductor that is fused and vaporized by the discharge of a discrete package of electric energy in an extremely short time period. It can be used as a localized source of heat. Electrical and mechanical design features of the electronic firing unit used to actuate the various EBW devices on space vehicles are described and advantages of this ignition system over low-voltage squib iginition are pointed out