Pulsed Voltage Source With Stored-Energy Discharge for Subnanosecond Jitter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-voltage pulse generators have uncontrolled jitter, limited current and voltage amplitudes, and pose safety risks due to high amplitudes and slopes, which affect the reliability and safety of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing.

Innovation Solution

An electrical device that generates controlled high-voltage and high-current pulses with minimized jitter by transforming and storing energy, then rapidly discharging it to produce a peak comparable to a Dirac peak, using a coil transformer, rectifier diode, storage capacitor, and trigger circuit to control the discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If direct voltage or current sources are used to generate test stimuli, then high amplitude voltage and current can be achieved, but safety risks of electrocution and device damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh amplitude voltage and currentVSAvoidsafety risks of electrocution and device damage
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pulsed voltage and current sources that deliver high amplitude test stimuli in brief, controlled pulses rather than continuous direct sources. The pulse duration is limited to microseconds or nanoseconds, providing the necessary high power for testing while minimizing exposure time and reducing safety risks to operators and devices under test.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If known pulse generators are used, then safety risks are partially reduced through pulsed operation, but rising and falling transition slopes are limited to 250V/ns and 4A/ns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety risksVSAvoidrising and falling transition slopes
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a pre-charged capacitor bank that is prepared in advance with the required energy. When the test pulse is triggered, the capacitor discharges through the load, providing extremely fast rising and falling edges (exceeding 250V/ns and 4A/ns) because the energy is already stored and ready for immediate release, eliminating the need for gradual buildup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Power

If high voltage and current amplitudes are exceeded in known solutions, then higher power is achieved, but jitter between trigger signal and output pulse increases to several nanoseconds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage and current amplitudesVSAvoidjitter control
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a synchronized triggering mechanism that uses a master clock or reference signal to coordinate the discharge of the capacitor bank with the trigger input. This feedback-based synchronization ensures that the output pulse timing remains precisely locked to the trigger signal, maintaining jitter below 1 nanosecond even at high voltage and current amplitudes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Use of energy by moving object

If pulse duration is extended to achieve higher energy delivery, then more energy is transferred to the load, but the pulse loses its Dirac peak characteristic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy deliveryVSAvoidDirac peak characteristic
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves high energy delivery while maintaining the Dirac peak characteristic by using extremely low source impedance and optimized circuit topology. The combination of low impedance, fast switching, and precise timing allows the pulse to maintain its sharp, narrow shape with duration in the nanosecond or sub-nanosecond range, delivering high peak power without significant energy spread in time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves high voltage pulses up to several thousand volts and high output currents up to several tens of amperes with controlled temporal variation slopes and reduced jitter, enhancing test reliability and safety.

Implementation Method 1

for each generator, a coil transformer for amplifying the input voltage pulse; the coil transformer having a primary winding connected in parallel with the associated generator and a secondary winding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a rectifier diode having an anode connected to the second end of the secondary winding and having a cathode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Implementation Method 3

a storage capacitor mounted between the cathode of the rectifier diode and the electrical ground for storing at least part of the electrical energy supplied by the secondary winding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 4

a trigger circuit configured to trigger a second phase by discharging said capacitive element through the target circuit so as to apply the test pulse to the target complex impedance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4391378B1Pulsed current and/or voltage source with fast response time and subnanosecond jitter
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP4391378B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4391378B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4391378B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical device for generating a test pulse comprising: - at least one voltage generator configured to generate an input voltage pulse during a first phase; - for each generator, a coil transformer to amplify the input voltage pulse; - a rectifier diode; - a target circuit comprising at least one target complex impedance and a capacitive element; the target circuit having a first electrode connected to the cathode of the rectifier diode and a second electrode; - a trigger circuit configured to trigger a second phase by discharging said capacitive element through the target circuit so as to apply the test pulse to the target complex impedance; - a storage capacitor mounted between the cathode of the rectifier diode and ground to store at least part of the electrical energy supplied by the secondary winding;said storage capacity being distinct from the capacitive element of the target circuit.