An all solid-state high-power modulator for a ground-based radar transmitter

A highly stable, all-solid-state high-power pulse modulator has been developed for use in ground-based airport surveillance radar systems. This modulator offers modulator construction with significant improvements in performances reliability, and maintainability. Reverse-blocking diode resistors are used to switch 3.5 MW directly with a wide range of pulse widths and repetition rates. Improved performance of this modulator is achieved through the use of a shunt-inductive flyback charging system and a bleed-off-type post regulator to attain precise regulation of pulse-forming network (PFN) voltage on a pulse-to-pulse basis. This fine PFN voltage regulation, combined with other features, yields transmitter broadband stability residue greater that 55 dB below peak signal, integrated over one pulse repetition time and sampled over 128 pulses