High speed sampling head
AssigneeRCA Corporation
InventorRobert J. Bosselaers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high-speed sampling head is disclosed which provides a transformer to isolate the sampling pulse source from the RF signal line to be sampled. The pulse width limitation of the transformer is overcome by propagating balanced forms of the pulse along a length of transmission line which enable unbalanced components of the sampled waveform to be propagated back along the transmission line, where the unbalanced components are detected and measured. The trailing edge of the sampling pulse passing through the transformer terminates the signal detection.
Claims9
An apparatus for sampling the instantaneous level of a radio frequency (RF) signal conducted by a transmission line, said apparatus comprising:
- source means for providing an input signal having a pulse of predetermined width;
- means coupled to said source means for transforming said input signal into two balanced signals;
- a pair of conductors coupled at their first ends to said transforming means to conduct said balanced signals, respectively, in forward and reverse directions at a predetermined velocity;
- first and second diodes individually coupled at their first ends to the second ends of said pair of conductors, said first and second diodes configured to conduct forward current in conformity with said balanced signals;
- first and second resistors coupled at their first ends to the second ends of said first and second diodes, respectively, said first and second resistors coupled at their second ends to said transmission line conducting said RF signal;
- means for coupling a source of constant current to said first and second resistors to thereby provide constant biasing potentials at said first and second diodes referenced to the instantaneous amplitude of said RF signal;
- means coupled to said transforming means for sensing the signals on said pair of conductors and thereby provide a measure of the instantaneous amplitude of said RF signal;
- and
- means for blocking the signal on said pair of conductors from said sensing means in the absence of said input signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.