A 2MV, <300ps risetime, 100Hz pulser for generation of microwaves

HPM WBTS (High Power Microwave, Wide-Band Threat Systems) is a high power, repetitively pulsed, wide-band microwave generator. HPM WBTS microwave capability covers the range of 0.2 to 6GHz in nine frequency bands. E-Field specification at target is 30-110 V/m/MHz depending on frequency. The system is transportable, capable of being set up at remote sites and operating on generator power. The HPM WBTS pulser produces a short (<;2ns, full width half maximum) >;2MV negative pulse with a rise-time of <;300ps (10-90%) into the antenna load. HPM WBTS is capable of operation at 100Hz with burst lengths of up to 500 pulses**. Rep-rate and burst length are fully programmable. Voltage can be adjusted down to <;50% of maximum using a combination of hardware changes and charge voltage adjustment. To accommodate nine different antennas with unique sizes and voltage requirements, four swappable PFL (pulse forming line) assemblies are utilized. Each PFL is tuned for its corresponding antenna set. The PFLs are oil switched using an innovative geometry capable of generating the ~6.7×10¹⁵ volts per second slew rate into the antenna. The PFLs are charged through a unique self-breaking, SF₆ insulated edge-plane transfer switch (TS). The TS discharges an oil insulated transfer capacitor which is in turn charged by a low-inductance, compact folded geometry Marx generator. This paper will focus on the design and performance of the Marx, TS, PFLs, oil switching and antenna feed features of the HPM WBTS. An accompanying paper at this conference will describe the overall HPM WBTS system. [1] A detailed description of the pulse power design and electrical waveforms data taken from both computer simulation and field testing will be presented. Radiated E-field measured data are not included.