Analysis of a modular generator for high-voltage, high-frequency pulsed applications, using low voltage semiconductors (<1kV) and series connected step-up (1:10) transformers

Abstract

This article discusses the operation of a modular generator topology, which has been developed for high-frequency (kHz), high-voltage (kV) pulsed applications. The proposed generator uses individual modules, each one consisting of a pulse circuit based on a modified forward converter, which takes advantage of the required low duty cycle to operate with a low voltage clamp reset circuit for the step-up transformer. This reduces the maximum voltage on the semiconductor devices of both primary and secondary transformer sides. The secondary winding of each step-up transformer is series connected, delivering a fraction of the total voltage. Each individual pulsed module is supplied via an isolation transformer. The assembled modular laboratorial prototype, with three 5 kV modules, 800 V semiconductor switches, and 1:10 step-up transformers, has 80% efficiency, and is capable of delivering, into resistive loads, -15 kV1 A pulses with 5 micros width, 10 kHz repetition rate, with less than 1 micros pulse rise time. Experimental results for resistive loads are presented and discussed.

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Repetitive High-Voltage Solid-State Marx Modulator Design for Various Load Conditions

“…Applications that use coils present an inductive behavior, like electromagnetic forming, or whenever a high-voltage transformer is associated to the modulator to further increase the output voltage [4], [5].…”