BACKGROUND:  Digitizers are broadly categorized into two classes; equivalent-time digitizers (or sampling oscilloscopes) and real-time digitizers. Sampling oscilloscopes sample the incoming signal and then reconstruct it digitally, which requires a long time to obtain the original signal with high fidelity. They have high bandwidth, although not in real-time, and are also not capable of capturing non-repetitive waveforms. Real-time digitizers continually sample the signals as they change, and therefore have real time reporting capability, but have limited input bandwidths, currently only available up to 18-GHz.

INNOVATION:  Researchers at UCLA have identified a method for sampling entire segments of the incoming signal for reconstruction, which combines the high frequency capability of sampling oscilloscopes with the real time non-repetitive signal detection of real time digitizers. The Time Stretch Enhanced Recording (TiSER) Scope Method is based on time stretching of the incoming signal and subsequent pulse sampling.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• High bandwidth digitizers, for radar applications and EMP detection
• Oscilloscopes with high bandwidth and real-time capability

ADVANTAGES

• Improved acquisition times over current sampling oscilloscopes, by 3-4 orders of magnitude
• Ability to record ultra-fast non-repetitive dynamics that occur within the segment period

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2009-337