Modeling and simulation of simple flux-trapping FCGs utilizing PSpice software

A novel modeling and simulation method for flux-trapping flux-compression generators (FT-FCGs) is presented, which utilizes PSpice circuit-simulation software to solve complex differential equations derived from circuit analysis. The primary motivation for the model development is the desire for a technique to rapidly design and prototype FT-FCGs for use as drivers in high-power microwave sources. The derivation of FT-FCG equations will be given, both in the ideal (lossless) and nonideal cases. For the nonideal case, three flux conservation coefficients are added to the equations to account for intrinsic flux loss in the circuit. Time-varying inductance curves are calculated using zero-dimensional models found in literature and adapted to fit this model. A simple FT-FCG design is used as an example to show the steps taken to complete a simulation. The same design was also fabricated and tested for comparison with predicted results from the model. A comparison of the waveforms acquired through simulation and experiment was found to result in good agreement for a given set of values for the flux conservation coefficients. A discussion of the derived equations, both lossless and nonideal, is given, as well as a discussion on the investigation of the impact of the three flux constants on the circuit. Analysis is offered on the results of this investigation, and conclusions are given on the effectiveness of this model to predict FT-FCG behavior.