Pulse generation

Pulse generators are items of electronic test equipment that are used to generate
pulses - normally rectangular pulses. These pulse generators are used for a wide
variety of applications, but most commonly as bench test equipment when
developing logic circuits of various forms.
The pulse generators can be used to generate pulses that can stimulate logic circuit.
In order to be able to provide the right kinds of pulses a considerable degree of
adjustment is required for the pulses in terms of length, delay, repetition rate and
the like.

Pulse generator basics:

Pulse generators are used to provide pulses for use in a variety of electronic
applications. Typically pulse generators will provide a number of functions and
capabilities:

1. Rectangular wave generation: As the name implies a pulse generator is

designed to produce pulses that are rectangular in nature, often capable of driving
logic circuitry, although they are not necessarily confined to just this type of
application.
2. Pulse width: In order to produce a variety of waveforms, the pulse width can
be varied.
3. Repetition rate : The repetition rate is a key parameter. When used in a "free
run" mode, the repetition rate can be varied.
4. Pulse trigger: Using an external waveform, it is possible to trigger the pulse
generator. Pulse triggering can normally occur on either the negative or positive
edge via a selection switch.
5. Pulse delay: When a pulse is triggered it is normal to be able to select a delay
for the pulse from the pulse generator. This delay is adjustable.
6. Pulse amplitude: Although the pulse amplitude will normally be required to
drive logic circuits, the amplitude is normally adjustable. If nothing else this is
required because there are many standard logic levels in use today.
7. Pulse rise and fall times: For some applications it may be necessary to be able
to adjust the rise and fall times of the logic outputs. This facility is available on many
pulse generators.
Pulse generators may use either digital or analogue techniques, or a mixture of
both. Elements such as triggering and the pulse generation will almost certainly
utilise digital technology, but aspects such as the rise and fall time control on the
pulse generator are likely to use analogue techniques.
 Pulse Transformer
Definition: A transformer that is enhanced to produce electrical pulses with high
velocity, as well as stable amplitude, is known as a pulse transformer. These are
regularly employed while transmitting digital information as well as in transistors,
mainly in gate drive circuits.
A pulse transformer is also known as trigger transformer, gate drive transformer,
gate transformer, signal transformer in some applications. The main function of this
transformer is to transmit voltage pulses between windings and the load.

Types of Pulse Transformers

These transformers are classified into two types like the following-
1.Power pulse
transformer.
2.Signal pulse
transformer.
1.Power pulse transformer: These transformers change voltages from power-level
(one level/phase configuration) to another. The configurations of these
transformers are accessible in either 1-phase or 3-phase and vary with how the
winding is connected.

2.Signal pulse transformer: These transformers are one kind of pulse transformers,
uses electromagnetic induction for transmitting one circuit’s information to
another. They are regularly used to raise or reduce the voltage in a power
transformer from one surface to the other. By using signal transformers, the no. of
windings turn ratio decides to modify in voltage.

These transformers contain low-loss cores, designed to run at high frequencies.

Parasitic elements like winding capacitance & leakage inductance can be reduced
by designing the winding configuration so that coupling can be enhanced.
Construction:
The construction of a toroidal shaped transformer is shown below. The main
objective of this transformer is to produce a pulse for semiconductor devices as
well as give electrical isolation.

The below figure shows the transformer in a toroidal shape. It includes two
windings namely primary and secondary. Every winding includes an equal number
of revolves so any winding from these can work like primary otherwise secondary.

Fig.: Pulse transformer construction

The pulse to SCR can be given through 1:1 otherwise 1:1:1 pulse transformer and
pulse to the continuous SCR can be given through the 3-winding transformer. In
the above figure, the series resistor (R) is to stop the holding current of the silicon
controlled rectifier. The main function of the diode in the circuit is to avoid gate
current which is reversing. The pulse transformer of 1:1:1 is mainly used to produce
a pulse for continuous SCR.
This transformer design is discussed in the above. Once the design is done, the
transformer efficiency must be high. The primary winding’s inductance in the
transformer must be high for decreasing magnetizing current. The DC supplies
through the main winding of the transformer to avoid saturation of the core.
Insulation must be there among windings to defend winding from saturation. Fixed
coupling between two windings should be required. The stray signal gives lane
during interphase capacitance on a high frequency.

Pulse Transformer Advantages :

The advantages of this transformer include the following.

1.Small size
2.Less cost
3.Operates at high frequency
4.Isolation voltage is high
Pulse Transformer Disadvantages:
The disadvantages of this transformer include the following.
1. At low frequency, both the primary and secondary waveforms are different from
each other.
2. Saturation current of the core can be reduced because of DC through the primary
winding.

Pulse Transformer Uses:

The uses of this transformer include the following.
1.Signal pulse-transformers are used in telecommunication, digital circuits
2.Power pulse-transformers are used to isolate power circuits from the control
circuit.
3.High voltage pulse-transformers are used in radar application & pulsed power
applications.
4.Power electronics
5.Radars
6.Digital electronics
7.Communication
 Pulse transmission
A pulse transmission system to transmit data by using pulse signals, each having a
predetermined pulse width, comprising:

1. A transmitter outputting a transmission signal and

2. A receiver receiving the transmission signal.

wherein the transmitter includes:

1. A first defining portion defining a symbol time of at least N times the
predetermined pulse width, wherein N is at least 2.
2. A second defining portion defining a basic delay time calculated by dividing the
predetermined pulse width by a predetermined integer, wherein the
predetermined integer is at least 2.
3. A placing portion placing the pulse signals in the symbol time by delaying the
pulse signals by an integral multiple of the basic delay time from start of the symbol
time, the overall number of the pulse signals in the symbol time being k and 0≦k≦N
being satisfied.

Wherein the receiver includes:

1. A reproducing portion reproducing the data in accordance with the combination
of placing the pulse signals in the symbol time of the received transmission signal.

That means, The pulse transmission system according to above descriptions,

wherein the pulse signals represent a multilevel code by a combination of the
placing and the pulse signals are transmitted as radio signals.
 Switching Circuits

Switching circuits or gates are circuits that perform well-defined logic or arithmetic
operations on binary variables. Binary variables are two-valued variables expressed
as 1's or 0's in algebraic form, or true or false in syllogistic forms, or as high or low
voltage, positive or negative remanence etc., in circuit forms. The logic behavior of
a gate network is fully characterized by Boolean equations. The resulting gate
response is ideal in the sense that propagation time through the gates is not
included, nor are variations in circuit behavior covered. Arithmetic and control
functions are developed from the basic switching circuits.