Multistage staircase waveform generator - has switching stage which controls increment changes in voltage for selected waveform steps

摘要

A 'staircase' voltage waveform generator uses a number of stages that are controlled in sequence and operate without time variations. The voltage supply is coupled to the first stage across a divider (14a) with a capacitor (10a) coupled to ground. The common point connects over a compensating stage (16a) with a variable resistor (20a) to the anode of a thyristor (22a). Between cathode and control electrode is the secondary winding of a pulse transformer (28a). A trigger pulse from an external source (30a) is applied to the primary winding. - A diode (32a) is coupled to a series of Zener diodes (36) and a second diode (38a) connects with the output (44) over an impedance (4z). Individual switching stages (22) connect with the Zener diode series (36).