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Development of a Fast Marx Generator for High Power Ultra Wideband Pulse Radiation

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Cadilhon B., Pecastaing L., Reess T., de Ferron A., Pignolet P., Brasile J., Andrieu J., Vauchamp S., Bertrand V., Lalande M.

Acta Physica Polonica A

2009

vol. 115

issue 6

1084-1085

We present in this paper the design and realisation of two autonomous, ultra wideband radiation sources consisting of a high gain broadband antenna driven by two subnanosecond pulsed power sources. Each one is made of a Marx generator and a pulse forming device based on the use of gaseous spark gap. The main pulsed source is a ten stage subnanosecond Marx generator which delivers pulses in the range of 250 kV/1.5 J, with a 300 ps rise time, subnanosecond pulse duration at a pulse repetition frequency of 350 Hz. The antenna combined with the pulsed source is a travelling wave antenna called Valentine antenna. Some mechanical modifications were made to improve the dielectric strength of this radiation element. A 3D model of the antenna, on a time domain electromagnetic software, was first performed to study the influence of these modifications on the main radiating characteristics of the antenna. Its high gain and its capability to radiate short pulses without dispersion allow us to achieve a high measured figure of merit.

A Tesla Transformer and a Coaxial Peaking Switch as a UWB Pulse Source

100%

Amal Y., Pecastaing L., Rivaletto M., Reess T., Pignolet P., Cassany B., Ferron A., Courtois L., Merle E.

This paper presents a high voltage pulse source which is able to generate ultra wideband (UWB) pulses during about 1 ns through a 16 antennas array. This UWB source is composed of a 50 kV DC voltage supply, a Tesla transformer to amplify this voltage up to 400 kV, a gaseous pressurized peaking switch and an impedance transformer (50 Ω → 3.125 Ω). This output impedance value corresponds to the input impedance value of a sixteen 50 Ω antennas array. That is why a distributor is needed in order to feed the antenna array. In this paper, the peaking switch and the capacitive line divider used to characterise the generated pulses are particularly described. The peaking switch is based on the principle of a line discharge by means of a high pressure gas switch. It is loaded with a Tesla transformer to obtain a good pulse reproducibility. The main characteristics of the output pulse waveform (amplitude and rise time) are linked to the properties of the gas switch and particularly to the gap distance, the pressure and the nature of the gas used in the switch filling. The aim is to find a good compromise between various parameters as the output pulse amplitude, the rise time and the repetition rate in order to ensure a better efficiency of the UWB source. Classical voltage measurement techniques do not allow us an estimation of the main characteristics of such an output signal. Therefore a voltage probe was designed and realised to measure both the amplitude and the rise time of the pulses delivered by the generator. This device is based on the principle of a capacitive line divider. Calibration tests (transient and frequency tests) were performed and show that the high cut-off frequency, around 2.5 GHz, is consistent with the transient response of the output high voltage waveform. The design, realisation and calibration tests are also presented.

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2 Acta Physica Polonica A

2 2009

2 Pecastaing L.

2 Pignolet P.

2 Reess T.

1 Amal Y.

1 Andrieu J.

1 Bertrand V.

1 Brasile J.

1 Cadilhon B.

1 Cassany B.

1 Courtois L.

1 Ferron A.

1 Lalande M.

1 Merle E.

1 Rivaletto M.

1 Vauchamp S.

1 de Ferron A.

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Development of a Fast Marx Generator for High Power Ultra Wideband Pulse Radiation

A Tesla Transformer and a Coaxial Peaking Switch as a UWB Pulse Source