Current Pulse Generation for Transient Electromagnetic Applications

Abstract

In this article, a novel circuit topology of near rectangular current pulse generation suitable for the transient electromagnetic (TEM) applications is proposed. Satisfactory TEM applications, in general, rely upon a TEM transmitter circuit acting as a current excitation source to produce a high-quality primary magnetic field. This requires that the generated current pulse be of short turn-off delay time, with highly linear falling edge, and fast rising edge. The generation of near rectangular bipolar current pulses is very challenging for high-current high-power applications. The proposed TEM transmitter circuit can be considered as a voltage stabilizing clamp current pulse shaper. Its operation principles are described and guidelines for optimal component selection are also provided. Simulation results show that the proposed circuit demonstrates superior performance compared to other TEM transmitter circuit topologies, such as the improved RCD snubber, IEDD, and the quasi-resonant rectifying circuit.