A Unipolar/Bipolar High-Voltage Pulse Generator Based on Positive and Negative Buck–Boost DC–DC Converters Operating in Discontinuous Conduction Mode

This paper presents a new high-voltage pulse generator, which is based on positive and negative buck-boost (BB) converters fed from a relatively low voltage dc supply. The proposed generator is able to generate unipolar or bipolar high-voltage pulses via operating the BB converters with series or parallel connected outputs respectively using a common input dc source. The components of each converter are rated at half of the pulsed voltage magnitude in the unipolar mode. The converters in the proposed pulse generator operate in discontinuous conduction mode. This enhances system efficiency, as the circuit only operates when it is desired to generate a pulsed output voltage, otherwise the circuit is switched to idle mode with zero current. Detailed illustration of the proposed approach is presented along with a full design of the system components for given output pulse specifications. Finally, simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the proposed concept.