Modular pulsed power supply for characterization of high-power microwave devices

Developing a robust and reliable high-voltage (HV) pulse power system (PPS) is essential for the characterization and testing of microwave tubes and industrial applications. This paper presents the design, simulation, and implementation of a modular and versatile high-voltage pulse power supply used in microwave device characterization and testing. A microcontroller-based digitally controlled pulse generation unit is also developed to generate the trigger pulses for high-voltage switching modules to control the turn-ON and turn-OFF of the switching devices. The digitally controlled pulse generation unit provides better resolution of pulse width, pulse repetition frequency, and system protection over the entire range of operations. The pulse generation and control circuit controls the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) and pulse wide (PW). The PRF and PW can be varied from 100 to 1000 Hz and 10 to 100 µs, respectively. The experimental prototype with ten series-connected high-voltage modules is connected to achieve a 25 kV pulsed output voltage. The experimental results of HV-PPS on a resistive dummy load and 5 GHz klystron tube are presented in this work.