Highly Repetitive Power Modulators for Mobile Applications

ABSTRACT: Recent experimental data from a number of DoD supported research programs have indicated that highly repetitive bursts of high peak power pulses are likely to enable or enhance important physical processes, such as combustion, boundary layer flow, and the generation of high power EM waves. Since many of these applications are mobile, the pulsed power source needs to be sufficiently compact and reliable. Overall system efficiency is a major bench mark in order to increase average power (i.e. repetition rate) while minimizing overall size and weight. For this reason, a major component of this proposed effort is to use existing and improved models, as well as experimentally measured data, to maximize overall system efficiency. This approach will be applied in Phase I of this program to develop a prototype system capable of produce 20 kV, 100 A pulses with a pulse width of 25 ns at a repetition rate of 20 kHz. This prototype will serve as a proof of concept from which we will learn and report important design constraints that will inform the design approach for the Phase II system, which will operate at significantly higher peak power and average power. BENEFIT: Nanosecond pulsed power technology is the core of products addressing a spectrum of markets in both the military and commercial sectors. The compact nanosecond pulsed power systems developed during this effort will be designed with the intention of retrofitting different airborne and ground-based systems to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions and IR signatures, to reduce drag using plasma assisted flow control. It is anticipated that this STTR program will bring the technology from TRL 4 to TRL 5. TPS will work with strategic partners to bring the technology to TRL 9. Effort will be focused on validation testing in airborne and ground-based platforms with a strategic partner. The goal of this stage is to establish generality for a different range of platforms and applications. TPS has developed relationships with aerospace companies such as Northrop Grumman and General Atomic for this type of testing. One of the target markets is the Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) market. The UAV market is exploding, with a worldwide estimated market of $5B and compounded growth projections of>12%/year for the next decade. One of the near term needs is to extend the range, loiter time, and payload; an urgent, high-priority objective of the Department of Defense. Nanosecond pulsed power technology provides an avenue for realizing that objective through retrofits of existing vehicles.