Antenna Configuration for Microwave Pulses Using Semiconductor Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-energy-density microwave pulse generators using spark gap switching suffer from inaccurate emission time reproducibility, increased mechanical load, and limited service life, and require fast rise time excitation signals, which restricts their compactness and operational range.
Innovation Solution
An antenna configuration utilizing flat electrodes, non-linear radiation elements connected by semiconductor diodes with avalanche breakdown characteristics, allowing for reproducible pulsed signal emission with lower losses and longer service life, enabling higher frequency emissions (>300 MHz) with slower rise times and eliminating the need for fast rise time generators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If spark gap switching is used in microwave pulse generators, then high power output is achieved, but emission time reproducibility deteriorates and service life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spark gap switching system with a solid-state semiconductor switching system. The semiconductor switch eliminates mechanical contact and spark discharge, providing electronic control of the microwave pulse emission. This substitution maintains high power output capability while dramatically improving emission time reproducibility and service life, as semiconductor devices have no mechanical wear and can be precisely controlled through electrical signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameters of the switching mechanism by transitioning from high-voltage spark discharge (kilovolt range) to low-voltage semiconductor switching (volt range). This parameter change allows for precise control of emission timing through electrical signal timing rather than relying on spark gap breakdown voltage consistency, thereby improving emission time reproducibility while maintaining system reliability.
2Power
If spark gap switching is used in microwave pulse generators, then high power output is achieved, but mechanical load increases and service life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spark gap switching system with a solid-state semiconductor switching system. The semiconductor switch eliminates mechanical contact and spark discharge, providing electronic control of the microwave pulse emission. This substitution maintains high power output capability while dramatically improving emission time reproducibility and service life, as semiconductor devices have no mechanical wear and can be precisely controlled through electrical signals.
3Power
If parallel-connected microwave generators are used to increase energy density, then pulse energy density is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple microwave radiation sources into a single integrated antenna structure with a common semiconductor switch and feed network. Instead of using separate parallel-connected microwave generators, the invention combines multiple radiating elements that are excited by a unified control system, achieving high pulse energy density while reducing overall system complexity and improving compactness.
4Speed
If fast rise time excitation signals are used for HPEM sources, then switching performance is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameters of the switching mechanism by transitioning from high-voltage spark discharge (kilovolt range) to low-voltage semiconductor switching (volt range). This parameter change allows for precise control of emission timing through electrical signal timing rather than relying on spark gap breakdown voltage consistency, thereby improving emission time reproducibility while maintaining system reliability.
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 antenna configuration achieves high reproducibility and efficiency in emitting high-energy-density microwave pulses with extended service life and increased operational flexibility, allowing for compact and versatile high-frequency pulse generation.
Implementation Method 1
semiconductor diodes which are provided in the region of the non-linear radiation elements and turn on as of a particular breakdown voltage
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna configuration for emitting high-energy microwave pulses has a first flat electrode and a second flat electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being able to be connected to a generator for producing an excitation pulse. The antenna configuration further has a multiplicity of radiation elements which connect the first electrode and the second electrode to one another, and semiconductor diodes which are provided in the region of the radiation elements and turn on as of a particular breakdown voltage and thus make it possible for the antenna to emit a pulsed overall pulse.