Ultra-wideband subnanosecond pulse generator

A new ultra-wideband (UWB) Gaussian pulse generator composed of a step recovery diode (SRD), a field-effect transistor (FET) and a Schottky diode was developed. A SRD and a short-circuited transmission line are used to generate Gaussian pulse directly, a FET is employed to amplify the pulse and isolate pulse generation and shaping network, a Schottky diode is used to suppress the pulse ringing. A SRD model, which is used to simulate the pulse generator, was established by an existing radiofrequency software ADS, and the pulse generator was designed and simulated by the model. The testing result shows that the generator can produce a 307 ps Gaussian pulse with 1.88 V peak-to-peak; the pulse has good symmetry and low ringing level. Good agreement between measured and simulated results was achieved.