An all Solid State Pulsed Marx Type Modulator for Magnetrons and Klystrons

The conventional pulsed modulator for magnetrons and klystron make use of pulse transformers, thyratrons, and PFNs (pulse forming network) to develop the high voltage power pulses. The solid-state pulsed modulator developed by Stangenes Industries eliminates the use of a pulse transformer and its associated oil tank and replaces it with an air insulated all solid state Marx type pulsed modulator. The result is a small lightweight air insulated and cooled modulator capable driving pulsed magnetrons, klystrons or lasers. The design permit all the source power to be at low voltage and ground potential as well as providing control power at the high voltage end for heater or auxiliary power without the need for isolation transformers. The present modulator is build to operate a magnetron to 50 kV at 250 amps with an adjustable pulse width from 0.2 musec to >10 musec and average power of <25 kW. The design is expandable to 120 kV and higher average power with the replacement of the solid-state switches. The modulator can accommodate load arcing and has built in automatic redundancy to insure high availability. The paper delineates the unique design of the modulator and it performance into a magnetron load.