Configurable fast transition pulse power supply unit

A pulse switch circuit comprising:

• a first voltage input comprising a first input terminal configured to receive energy from a first power supply unit (PSU);
• a second voltage input comprising an input terminal configured to receive energy from a second PSU;
• a voltage output;
• a first switch assembly coupled in series between the first input terminal of the first voltage input and the voltage output;
• a second switch assembly coupled in series between the input terminal of the second voltage input and the voltage output;
• a clamp circuit coupled to the voltage output;
• and
• a controller configured to control the first switch assembly, the second switch assembly, and the clamp circuit to generate an energy pulse to a load.

A method of controlling a pulse switch circuit to generate an energy pulse for a load, the pulse switch circuit comprising a base voltage input, an extender voltage input, a voltage output, a base switch assembly coupled in series between the base voltage input and the voltage output, an extender switch assembly coupled in series between the extender voltage input and the voltage output, a base capacitor, an extender capacitor, a clamp circuit coupled in parallel across the voltage output, and a controller, the method comprising:

• controlling the base switch assembly into a non-conducting mode and the extender switch assembly into a conducting mode during a first portion of a pulse cycle to cause energy stored in the base capacitor and in the extender capacitor to be supplied to the voltage output in series;
• in response to a first operating condition, controlling the base switch assembly into the conducting mode and the extender switch assembly into the non-conducting mode during a second portion of the pulse cycle to cause energy supplied to the base voltage input via a base power supply unit (base PSU) to be supplied to the voltage output and to prevent energy supplied to the extender voltage input via an extender PSU from being supplied to the voltage output;
• in response to a second operating condition, controlling the base switch assembly and the extender switch assembly into the non-conducting mode during a third portion of the pulse cycle;
• and
• storing energy supplied to the voltage output in the clamp circuit during the third portion of the pulse cycle.