DSRD-Based High-Power Repetitive Short-Pulse Generator Containing GDT: Theory and Experiment

A high-power short-pulse generator based on the diode step recovery phenomenon and high repetition rate discharges in a two-electrode gas discharge tube is presented. The proposed circuit is simple and low cost and driven by a low-power source. A full analysis of this generator is presented which, considering the nonlinear behavior of the gas tube, predicts the waveform of the output pulse. The proposed method has been shown to work properly by implementation of a kW-range prototype. Experimental measurements of the output pulse characteristics showed a rise time of 3.5 ns, with pulse repetition rate of 2.3 kHz for a 47-Ω load. The input peak power was 2.4 W, which translated to about 0.65-kW output, showing more than 270 times increase in the pulse peak power. The efficiency of the prototype was 57%. The overall price of the employed components in the prototype was less than U.S. $2.0. An excellent agreement between the analytical and experimental test results was established. The analysis predicts that the proposed circuit can generate nanosecond pulses with more than 100-kW peak powers by using a subkW power supply.