Abstract: A triggerable spark gap, a switching circuit and a method for manufacturing a triggerable spark gap are disclosed. In an embodiment, a triggerable spark gap includes a trigger electrode, an adjacent electrode at the trigger electrode, a counter electrode and a gap between the counter electrode and the adjacent electrode, wherein a distance between the trigger electrode and the adjacent electrode is less than a distance between the trigger electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the distance between the trigger electrode and the counter electrode is less than a distance between the adjacent electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the counter electrode and/or the adjacent electrode includes a first phase including a first material and a second phase including a second material, and wherein the second material has a lower electron work function than the first material.

Abstract: A system includes baseband circuitry and a transmitter. The electrical behavior of the transmitter may cause distortion effects in the transmit output of the transmitter during transmissions based on input signals from the baseband circuitry. The baseband circuitry may reference a calibration evaluation function for multiple transmit variables to pre-distort the input signal to compensate for the distortion effect. Pre-distortion calibration logic may generate the evaluation function using a one-dimensional calibration technique. The evaluation function may facilitate the baseband accessing calibration data without necessarily relying on a look-up table. In some cases, a one-dimensional calibration for multiple transmit variables may use fewer calibration points than a similarly accurate multi-dimensional calibration.

Abstract: A microwave generator has a resonator with two mutually spaced resonator electrodes. The resonator electrodes provide a spark gap device which breaks down upon the application of a firing voltage between them. The spark gap device has at least two parallel-connected spark gaps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tuning the operational frequency of an electrical generator coupled to a time-varying load is described. One illustrative embodiment rapidly calculates an error (reflection coefficient magnitude) at the current operational frequency of the electrical generator; adjusts the frequency of the electrical generator by an initial step size so; rapidly calculates a second error; and if the magnitude of the second error is smaller than the magnitude of the first error, then the step size is increased and the frequency is adjusted by the increased step size.

Abstract: A system for and method of overcoming third order modulation distortion in which a baseband signal is predistorted using one or more parameters configured to reduce or eliminate the third order modulation distortion.

Abstract: A spark-gap cutting blade for an electrosurgical active electrode pencil which has a central electrode surrounded by an insulator and a series of alternating electrically conductive and insulative elements. The central electrode is electrically connected to one side of a high voltage source and the last electrically conductive element in the series is connected to the other side.

Abstract: A high-frequency, high-power generator of the type in which energy is stored in the capacitance of a transmission line and then discharged into a load by the action of a spark discharge device. The load is connected between one end of a transmission line conductor and ground and the other end of the same conductor is grounded. The line is folded and both ends of the other transmission line conductor are connected to the spark discharge device. A charging circuit applies a voltage to the latter conductor and when it reaches the discharge potential of the spark discharge device, the latter discharges to connect both ends of that conductor to ground. This provides relatively well-defined positive and negative pulses to the load.

Abstract: A high-repetition rate switch for delivering short duration, high-power electrical pulses from a pulsed-charged dc power supply. The present invention utilizes a microwave-generating device such as a magnetron that is capable of producing high-power pulses at high-pulse repetition rates and fast-pulse risetimes for long periods with high reliability. The rail-gap electrodes provide a large surface area that reduces induction effects and minimizes electrode erosion. Additionally, breakdown is initiated in a continuous geometric fashion that also increases operating lifetime of the device.

Abstract: A test instrument for generating controlled bursts of electrical noise for use in testing the response of electronic equipment to such noise. A high voltage induction coil has its primary winding connected in circuit with a semiconductor switching means across a source of DC potential whereby when the current flow through the primary winding is interrupted, a relatively high voltage is developed across spark electrodes connected in the secondary winding of the coil and a spark discharge results. The spark discharge is, of course, rich in high frequency noise components which radiate therefrom to the system under test. The test instrument includes controls for causing the spark discharge to be generated either when triggered by a signal from the system under test, or by the manual operation of a push button switch, or at rates which may be varied by the operator.

Abstract: A random noise generator for providing useful random noise power without amplification includes an anode and cathode element, disposed within a glass housing, with the electrical breakdown occurring therebetween along the inner surface of the housing is capable of generating broad band white noise.

Abstract: A liquid dielectric radio frequency pulse generator capable of providing high energy pulses having an in-line construction includes an annularly shaped spark gap immersed in an aprotic liquid such as molten sulfur, sulfur monochloride or mixtures thereof. The input voltage is connected to the resonant element through a central aperture provided in the spark gap rings for high efficiency operation.

Abstract: A tunable frequency pulse generator capable of providing high energy pulses having an in-line construction includes an annularly shaped spark gap and a movable insulator support which includes a conductive sleeve that varies the resonant frequency of the generator. The input voltage is connected to the resonant element through a central aperture provided in the spark gap rings for high efficiency operation.

Abstract: A radio frequency pulse generator capable of providing high energy pulses having an in-line construction includes an annularly shaped spark gap. The input voltage is connected to the resonant element through a central aperture provided in the spark gap rings for high efficiency operation.

Abstract: The high-power, short-pulse array is a self-contained radiating oscillator system which radiates a high peak-power pulse of radio frequency energy. The radiated pulses contain only a few cycles of RF and hence it is a short-pulse emitter. The device contains a chain or a series of loops which radiate in phase and each loop has a spark gap. The spark gaps are sequentially fired. The radiated waveform can be a single pulse of RF or a train of RF pulses. The device requires only a high voltage power supply for operation.