Feedback control of pulsed-power generator based on solid-state linear transformer driver

A pulsed-power generator based on the circuit scheme of a linear transformer driver (LTD) while using solid-state switches is referred to as a solid-state LTD (SSLTD). One of the advantages of the SSLTD compared with traditional pulsed-power generators is its flexibility in the output waveform. It has potential applications to atmospheric pressure gas discharge because this kind of discharge load usually exhibits a fast-changing impedance. In this paper, a feedback control system for SSLTDs is reported. It uses a system-on-chip analog-to-digital converter combined with a field programmable gate array. By using this system, our SSLTD has the ability to automatically adjust its output waveform based on the information obtained from the previous pulse. As a result, during repetitive operation, our SSLTD can figure out the right output waveform according to a user scenario and can respond to any variation that may occur on the load.