Time-of-Flight Measurement Based on Transfer Function and Simulated Exponential Stimulus

A method comprising:

• transmitting an input pulse into a transmission medium;
• capturing the input signal that is transmitted into the transmission medium;
• capturing an output signal from the transmission medium;
• determining a transfer function for the transmission medium using the captured input signal and the captured output signal;
• computing a simulated response signal using the transfer function and a simulated input signal, wherein the simulated input signal includes a positive exponential waveform in its leading edge;
• determining a time delay between the simulated input signal and the simulated response signal.

A system comprising:

• a signal generator configured to generate an input pulse for stimulating a transmission medium;
• and
• a receiver configured to:
• capture the input signal that stimulates the transmission medium;
• capture an output signal from the transmission medium;
• determine a transfer function for the transmission medium using the captured input signal and the captured output signal;
• compute a simulated response signal using the transfer function and a simulated input signal, wherein the simulated input signal includes a positive exponential waveform in its leading edge;
• and
• determine a time delay between the simulated input signal and the simulated response signal.

A computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions, wherein the program instructions, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method comprising:

• transmitting an input pulse into a transmission medium;
• capturing the input signal that is transmitted into the transmission medium;
• capturing an output signal from the transmission medium;
• determining a transfer function for the transmission medium using the captured input signal and the captured output signal;
• computing a simulated response signal using the transfer function and a simulated input signal, wherein the simulated input signal includes a positive exponential waveform in its leading edge;
• determining a time delay between the simulated input signal and the simulated response signal.