Analog waveform digitizer
First Claim
1. A waveform digitizer for digitizing analog signals comprising:
- reference voltage means for sequentially producing a series of digitallyderived reference voltages one-at-a-time, each reference voltage having a different voltage value;
comparison means coupled to said voltage reference means for sequentially comparing each of said series of digitally derived reference voltages with an analog signal whose waveform is to be digitized during a series of comparison sequences and producing a comparison pulse each time said reference voltage and the analog signal voltage cross during said comparison sequences;
timing means starting at the beginning of each comparison sequence for continuously producing a digital time signal during each comparison sequence; and
,combining means coupled to said comparison means and said timing means for receiving said comparison pulses and said digital time signal and developing a digital word each time a comparison pulse is received, said digital word having a portion related to the value of the digitally derived reference voltage produced by said reference voltage means and a position related to the digital time signal present when said comparison pulse is received.
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Abstract
A waveform digitizer particularly suitable for use in electronic test systems for analyzing and displaying analog signals is disclosed. A digitally derived reference voltage is compared with the analog signal to be digitized during a series of comparison sequences. Simultaneously with the start of each comparison sequence a digital clock is started. Each time the analog signal rises above, or drops below, the reference voltage a decision change detector produces an enable pulse. Each time an enable pulse occurs, a data word, having a portion related to the value of the digitally derived reference voltage and a portion related to the digital clock value, is stored and/or used to control a display. At the end of the first comparison sequence (determined when the digital clock value reaches a predetermined level) the reference voltage is incremented and a second comparison sequence started. These steps are repeated until the reference voltage reaches a predetermined level. The resulting set of digital words is digitized equivalent of the waveform of the analog signal.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A waveform digitizer for digitizing analog signals comprising:
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reference voltage means for sequentially producing a series of digitallyderived reference voltages one-at-a-time, each reference voltage having a different voltage value; comparison means coupled to said voltage reference means for sequentially comparing each of said series of digitally derived reference voltages with an analog signal whose waveform is to be digitized during a series of comparison sequences and producing a comparison pulse each time said reference voltage and the analog signal voltage cross during said comparison sequences; timing means starting at the beginning of each comparison sequence for continuously producing a digital time signal during each comparison sequence; and
,combining means coupled to said comparison means and said timing means for receiving said comparison pulses and said digital time signal and developing a digital word each time a comparison pulse is received, said digital word having a portion related to the value of the digitally derived reference voltage produced by said reference voltage means and a position related to the digital time signal present when said comparison pulse is received. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification