Regulated DC Sources for Powering Magnetic Systems of Microwave Generators Based on Supercapacitor Storages

Abstract

The possibility of using modern energy-intensive storage devices based on supercapacitors in relation to the tasks of powering magnetic systems of high-power microwave generators based on a relativistic backward wave tube (BWT) is described. Magnetic systems of such generators consist of a two-section solenoid. During the operation of the generator, a current of up to 700 A flows through the windings of a solenoid for few seconds. The magnetic system is powered from a capacitive storage device based on supercapacitor modules through step-down current regulators. Current stabilization is carried out by increasing the duration of the open state of the switches as the storage device is discharged. The control system contains a microprocessor that controls the power switches of current regulators as well as the management of the drive charging processes and interaction with peripheral devices. The work presents all the necessary formulas for calculating the parameters of the current regulator and estimating the storage capacity and its energy characteristics. Also, two variations for the implementation of similar power supplies are presented: the maximum output power of the first one is 280 kW with an output current duration of up to 1.5 s, and the maximum output power of the second one is 90 kW with an output current duration of up to 2.5 s.