Design criteria for a magnetic switch when used to discharge a pulse forming line

Much has been written concerning the design of magnetic switches in Melville line pulse compression networks. In these networks, magnetic switches are used to discharge one capacitor into another. Pulse compression is achieved by discharging each capacitor at a faster rate than it was charged. The relationship between the circuit parameters of the Melville line and the individual magnetic switches is fairly well understood. However, magnetic switches are sometimes cast in roles which depart from their traditional use in a Melville line network. One such application is that of a magnetic switch being used to discharge a pulse forming line (PFL) into a load. In this paper, the requirements of such an application are discussed. Relationships between the PFL discharge parameters (i.e., pulse energy, risetime, and pulsewidth) and the magnetic switch parameters are derived. A design example of a magnetic switch for use in a PFL discharge application is presented and the design trade-offs are also discussed.