Single-Switch-Based High-Power Bipolar Pulse Generator With Inverted U-Shaped Parallel-Plate Transmission Line

This paper presents a single spark-gap switch (SGS)-based high-power bipolar pulse generator (BPG) for many applications, such as high-power electromagnetic (HPEM) effect tests. Here, we propose an inverted U-shaped parallel transmission line structure to implement the single-SGS-based BPG. Unlike the previously reported BPGs based on synchronized operation of two SGSs, the proposed BPG does not require simultaneous or synchronized closure of the two switches. Detailed dimension parameters obtained by electromagnetic simulation. The proposed BPG was manufactured and tested for validation. The experimental results demonstrated that the BPG produced a bipolar pulse with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 44.9 kV and a pulsewidth of 2.27 ns, where the SGS was filled with nitrogen gas of 16 atm and the turn-ON voltage was 56 kV. For applications of HPEM effect tests, we discuss methodologies to control the amplitude and pulsewidth of generated bipolar pulses in the proposed BPG.