Linear Pulse-Forming Circuits

The purpose of this paper is to present a generalized method for the design of linear pulse-forming circuits, i.e., circuits which have pulse-type responses to a step-function input, which would be applicable for a variety of pulse shapes. Although the problem has been treated previously by solving for the circuit impedance necessary to produce a specified pulse shape, practical difficulties are usually encountered when one tries to construct the required impedance from available components. These difficulties are avoided by a different method of setting up the circuit problem. This method, in essence, consists of regarding the circuit as composed of two parts, a pulse-forming network and a load or termination; and the desired pulse shape as the sum of two identically shaped waveforms displaced in time. As a result of this approach, a solution of the problem of determining the load or termination is obtained in terms of the impedance of the pulse-forming network which is easily recognizable. Design equations are given and experimental results are shown for the new method.