Synchronized Switching and Active Clamping of IGBT Switches in a Simple Marx Generator

Inhalt:
For an experimental setup a simple Marx-type pulse generator for pulses in the microsecond range equipped with IGBT switches and a charging path with current-compensated inductors has been designed. To protect the switches against over-voltage active clamping based on combined capacitive and avalanche-diode coupling between collector and gate has been employed. Power supply for the gate driver circuitry and transmission of the trigger signal are inductively coupled to the stages. A current source based on inductors boosts the rise of the trigger signal and, hence, fosters synchronized switching of the stages. So far, a stack of three stages has been assembled and successfully tested.