Apparatus and method for recharging a string a avalanche transistors within a pulse generator

An apparatus for recharging a string of avalanche transistors within a pulse generator comprising:

• a first stage comprising,
• a first avalanche transistor having an output;
• and
• a first capacitor coupled to the output of the first transistor;
• a plurality of middle stages coupled in series with the first stage, each middle stage comprising,
• a middle avalanche transistor having an output;
• and
• a middle capacitor coupled to the output of the middle transistor;
• a last stage coupled in series with the middle stages comprising,
• a last avalanche transistor having an output;
• and
• a last capacitor coupled to the output of the last transistor;
• a predetermined subset of capacitors from a set comprising the first capacitor, the middle capacitors, and the last capacitor;
• and
• a plurality of charge resistors coupled to the predetermined subset of the capacitors.

A method for recharging a string of avalanche transistors within a pulse generator, comprising the steps of:

• supplying current to a first charge resistor from a power supply;
• charging a second capacitor, coupled to an output of a second avalanche transistor, from the current supplied to the second charge resistor;
• triggering the first avalanche transistor into discharging the first capacitor and thereby forming a first output pulse;
• and
• triggering the second avalanche transistor with the first output pulse into discharging the second capacitor and thereby forming a second output pulse.

An apparatus for recharging a string of avalanche transistors within a pulse generator, comprising:

• means for supplying current to a first charge resistor from a power supply;
• means for charging a first capacitor, coupled to an output of a first avalanche transistor, from the current supplied to the first charge resistor;
• means for supplying current to a second charge resistor from the power supply;
• means for charging a second capacitor, coupled to an output of a second avalanche transistor, from the current supplied to the second charge resistor;
• means for triggering the first avalanche transistor into discharging the first capacitor and thereby forming a first output pulse;
• and
• means for triggering the second avalanche transistor with the first output pulse into discharging the second capacitor and thereby forming a second output pulse.