Pulse Generator Switching Control for Flat Capacitor Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical pulse generating devices using capacitors often experience voltage droop during discharge, leading to non-flat pulse shapes, which are not suitable for applications like microwave amplifiers where flexibility in pulse shape and rise time is crucial.
Innovation Solution
An electrical pulse generating device with a controllable switching unit and a control module that modulates a digital drive signal to adjust the shape of the electrical pulses by controlling the charging and discharging of an energy storage module, allowing for customizable pulse shapes, including amplitude, rise time, and duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a capacitor is discharged to generate an electrical pulse, then the pulse is delivered to the load, but voltage droop occurs causing non-flat pulse shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a switching unit that can be dynamically controlled to switch between different operational states (series/parallel configurations) during the capacitor discharge process. This dynamic switching allows the system to maintain a substantially flat voltage pulse shape by adjusting the circuit configuration in real-time, resolving the contradiction between delivering the pulse and maintaining voltage flatness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the circuit by switching the capacitor bank configuration from series to parallel connections during discharge. This parameter change compensates for the voltage droop that would normally occur, maintaining a flat pulse shape while delivering the required energy to the load.
2Manufacturing precision
If the rise time of electrical pulses is reduced, then the pulse shape is improved, but the complexity of controlling the switching device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the capacitor bank into multiple units that can be independently switched. This segmentation allows for simplified control of the switching unit, as each capacitor unit can be controlled individually or in groups, reducing the overall complexity compared to controlling a single large capacitor while still achieving precise pulse shape control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the switching unit is made more controllable, then the flexibility in pulse shape is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can switch capacitor units in series/parallel configurations, control pulse shape, and adjust rise time. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby increasing pulse shape flexibility while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides high flexibility in generating electrical pulses with desired shapes, improving performance in applications such as microwave amplifiers by reducing voltage droop and allowing for adjustable rise times, enhancing spectral purity and enabling longer cable lengths.
Implementation Method 1
An electrical energy storage module such as a capacitor may be used to store electrical energy, which when discharged generates an electrical pulse
Implementation Method 2
Power modulators may employ a pulse transformer in order to obtain the required or desired voltage of the electrical pulses
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical pulse generating device is disclosed which comprises a switching unit configured such that the electrical conductivity of a current path through the switching unit is controllable by transmission of a modulated digital drive signal to the switching unit, whereby the switching unit is controllably switchable between different operational states thereof based on the digital drive signal. A shape of the electrical pulse created by the discharge of the electrical energy storage module is at least in part governed by the modulation of the digital drive signal. The modulated digital drive signal is generated based on a selected electrical pulse shape.