Pulse Amplifiers

10 A Pulse amplifier embedded in system board. Power transistor is at top; capacitor supply is to right.

Power pulse amplifiers are used in pyrotechnic pulse generators, laser drivers, medical equipment, and other test and measurement instruments (such as curve tracers) requiring pulses of high power or a wide current or voltage range. 

This pulse amplifier offering includes a tutorial design tech report, with specific design explanations of how two power pulse amplifiers were designed. Sections include:

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Pulse amplifier system design

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Pulse amplifier efficiency

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4 A PG circuit design

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10 A PG circuit design

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Ground and load fault detection

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Output connector sense circuit 

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Dynamic response and load cable model; includes MathCAD root locus programs

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Power output stage design considerations

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Component selection

Power pulse-amplifier theory covers load characteristics, amplifier isolation, precision 4-wire techniques, safety issues, noise and grounding considerations, high power-pulse output transistors, frequency and transient response, feedback control theory, and other power-pulse-specific design concepts. These general principles are illustrated in concrete design examples of two basic designs, as described below.

4 A Dual Pulse Amplifier Description

10 A Pulse Amplifier Description

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Precision current- or voltage-source pulse amplifier

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Switched source mode and analog amplitude input

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10 A or 12 V full-scale pulse output, into 0.1 to 4 W load

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Capacitor-bank supply (not included) to 75 V

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4-wire (Kelvin-sensing) output drives 10 m (30 ft) cable

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Good step response

4 A into 1 ohm load, 10  ms/div

Pulse Amplifiers Technical Report: 

Ordering Information

4 A Dual Pulse Amplifier Designware License: Inquire.

10 A Pulse Amplifier Designware License:
Inquire.

Designware price is a one-time license fee (includes applicable deliverables).

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