Waveform generator is used to derive low-voltage staircase waveform that feeds relatively long response time power supply. Power supply has high output voltage that is predetermined multiple of the input voltage

Acuna, M. H.

Doong, H.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

ne 
-V
September 1975	 B75-10191 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
High-Voltage Stepping Supply With Fast Settling Time 
A high-voltage dc stepping power supply (see 
figure) has been developed for driving an electrostatic 
analyzer. The supply has a relatively-fast settling time 
for the voltage steps. A waveform generator is used to 
derive a low-voltage staircase waveform that feeds a 
relatively-long response-time power supply. The
power supply has a high output voltage that is a 
predetermined multiple of the input voltage. 
The inputs to the power supply are a constant dc 
bias and the signal from the staircase waveform 
generator. The clock frequency of the waveform 
generator is approximately 50 Hz to provide 20-ms 
DC
Source 
EilModulator 11	 y Output I Stack 
I( "i( '(	 IAr- 
Rectifying, Voltage-Multiplying Stack LLL
POWER-SUPPLY
F_ F FI 
I Icounterl i 
I	 I 
Clock 1 I 
L_J 
Staircase 
Waveform 
Generator
Eout to 
Electrostatic 
Analyzer 
-	 1 
R'2 
R'1
SHUNT REGULATOR
-	 + 
DC
Source 
High-Voltage Stepping Supply
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neitherthe United States	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19750000191 2020-03-19T20:28:26+00:00Z
spaced steps. In the power supply, these signals are 
modulated and pass through a step-up transformer 
and a rectifying, voltage-multiplying stack. 
Without the bias from the dc source, the supply 
output would range from zero to 1,500 V. Biasing 
raises the stack output, an additional 100 V above 
ground for a range of 100 to 1,600 V. The stack 
output does not quite follow the staircase waveform, 
and a fast shunt regulator is resistor coupled to the 
output to achieve a more faithful high-voltage 
reproduction of the generator signal. The 100-V bias 
provides freedom for the shunt regulator to operate 
for positive and negative dc voltage variations. 
The shunt regulator comprises a series string of six 
transistors, each having a collector-to-emitter break-
down voltage of 400 V. The transistors are shunted by 
250-V to 300-V zener diodes to limit the maximum 
voltage across each transistor. A 5-V dc source at the 
emitter of the bottom transistor provides bias to 
compensate for the combined transistor-saturation 
voltages. 
The descending-staircase final-output waveshape 
closely follows the input, with a settling time of 200 ps 
between steps. The power supply charges rapidly and 
provides a rising flyback from zero to 1,500 V in about 
2ms.
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
Code 704.1 
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 
Reference: TSP75-10191 
Patent status: 
This invention has been patented by NASA (U.S. 
Patent No. 3,869,659). Inquiries concerning non-
exclusive or exclusive license for its commercial 
development should be addressed to: 
Patent Counsel 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
Code 204 
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 
Source: Henry Doong and Mario H. Acuna 
(GSC-1 1844) 
Categories: 02 (Electronics Systems) 
B75-10191	 03 (Physical Sciences)


High-voltage stepping supply with fast settling time

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server