A picosecond pulse generator apparatus and methodology is disclosed. A pulse generator is provided by forming a transmission line and a switching element on a common semiconductor substrate or semiconductor chip. The transmission line and the switching element can be provided on the common CMOS semiconductor substrate using standard CMOS technology. A voltage is applied to the transmission line to charge the transmission line. An input pulse is applied to the switching device to trigger the switching device to cause the transmission line to discharge an output pulse across a load resistor. The pulse width of the output pulse depends in major part on the length of the transmission line. Additional components can be provided on the common semiconductor substrate or chip to shape the input pulse to the switching device to ensure a fast rise time.