Patent ID: 8285503
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: G01N,G01R

Abstract:
1. A method of digitizing a waveform transmitted through a medium, which comprises: (a) launching a fast-transitioning differential waveform onto a proximal end of a two-conductor transmission line that passes through the medium to an open distal end of the transmission line; (b) receiving resultant waveforms from the two conductors using latching comparators at the proximal end of the transmission line, wherein the resultant waveforms contain signal components reflected from the open distal end of the transmission line; and (c) digitizing the resultant waveforms by generating timing strobes to latch the latching comparators at a programmed point in time and to measure an amplitude by a successive approximation process, wherein the digitizing comprises: wherein propagation time of the fast-transitioning differential waveform through the medium is calculated from the fast-transitioning differential waveform by a method that comprises: