Powerful ultrawideband rf emitters: status and challenges

Ultra-wideband emitters are of interest for a variety of potential applications that range from radar transmitters to communications applications. This technology is of current interest to the USAF Phillips Laboratory where theoretical and experimental efforts have been underway for a number of years. Research into the production of ultra-wideband sources at the Phillips Laboratory has been accomplished along several different technology lines. The approaches include three main thrusts: 1) very powerful hydrogen spark gap pulsers, 2) compact hydrogen gas switches in conjunction with high gain ultra-wideband antennas and, 3) solid state switched array antennas. This paper reviews the progress-to-date along these lines and identifies some pacing research obastacles that limit further improvements.