An implementation of step recovery diode-based UWB pulse generator

Ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communications and carrierless UWB radar technology use narrow nanosecond or sub-nanosecond pulse as the transmission medium. This paper presents an implementation of sub-nanosecond level pulse generator. The main principle is using the rapid step recovery characteristics of step recovery diode (SRD) to shape the driving pulse, shorten the rise time, narrow the pulse width, then gain the required UWB pulse. The final actual measured pulse width is about 600 ps, amplitude is about 5 V. It is enough for practical applications, but the ringing is a little too big, the amplitude is relatively low. The paper provides a simple method to design UWB pulse generator. Although there is some room for improvement, it has important reference value for the use of SRD in UWB pulse generating in the future.