Four-Channel Former of Bipolar Pulses of Various Durations in a Circuit with One Spark Gap

A four-channel bipolar pulse former with an amplitude of up to 80 kV, a duration of 1 ns (2 channels) and 2 ns (2 channels) and a repetition rate of 100 Hz at 50 Ohm loads is developed. The former is designed to excite ultra-wideband antennas with an extended frequency band. A distinctive feature of its circuit from similar former circuits, using two high-pressure spark gaps in each channel, is a single spark gap used to generate four synchronous pulses of different durations. This multi-channel spark gap switches four pulse-forming lines on one side to the ground, on the other side – to the loads. The proposed former has a high stability of pulses between the channels, both in duration and amplitude. The setup time of the former is significantly shorter compared to that of the analogues.