Measurement of recurring electronic signal sequences

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for measuring a sequence of recurring electronic signals (10), the sequence to be measured consisting of n recurring electronic signals, wherein a time-to-digital converter (2) and a memory (5) are provided. It is important here that, in order to measure the sequence, a voltage U i is preset for the i-th signal of the sequence i and that the time t i at which the i-th signal (10) has the preset voltage U i is measured, the method having the following steps, which are preferably carried out in this order: i) reading the i-th signal of the sequence into a first channel of the time-to-digital converter (2); ii) presetting the i-th voltage U i and presetting a start time t start_i for starting the measurement; iii) measuring the time t i at which the i-th signal has the preset voltage U i ; iv) storing the preset voltage U i and the measured time t i ; v) repeating steps i) and iv) for the i+1-th signal (10) and the voltage U i+1 ; vi) reconstructing the recurring electronic signals (10) from the stored measurement values.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for measuring a repeating sequence of electronic signals and an apparatus for measuring a repeating sequence of electronic signals. Background Technology

[0002] Accurate measurement of electrical signals is a fundamental task in physics, electrical engineering, and communication technologies, for which digital oscilloscopes (DSOs) are used. A digital oscilloscope samples the electrical signal to be measured via an analog-to-digital converter (A / D or A / D converter or ADC). Sampling, i.e., voltage measurement, is performed at time intervals that are preset according to a so-called sampling rate. Using the resolution preset by the sampling rate, the analog-to-digital converter converts the analog electrical signal, which has continuous time and continuous amplitude (voltage), into a digital signal with discrete time (preset by the sampling rate) and discrete amplitude (the measured voltage).

[0003] Digital oscilloscopes can be divided into two categories: real-time oscilloscopes and sampling oscilloscopes.

[0004] In a real-time oscilloscope, the signal is sampled and digitized over mostly equidistant time intervals. The sampling rate is relatively high among known oscilloscopes. Necessary here is that the sampling rate is significantly shorter than the signal period, thus requiring a very fast analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for high-frequency signals. Real-time oscilloscopes have the advantage of being able to reconstruct a signal from a single pulse.

[0005] In a sampling oscilloscope, typically only one voltage value is digitized per trigger cycle, i.e., per signal. Therefore, the sampling time point is shifted one time unit (its preset sampling rate) from the trigger signal in each signal cycle. Consequently, it may take several cycles to reconstruct the signal of a repeating pulse. However, sampling oscilloscopes cannot detect rapid pulse fluctuations.

[0006] The resolution of an oscilloscope is determined by its bandwidth f bw This indicates that, for accurate time measurements, the oscilloscope's resolution should be at least twice that of the highest frequency component of the signal (Nyquist-Shannon).

[0007] (Sampling Theorem). Here, bandwidth describes the frequency range of a signal that can pass through an analog input with minimal amplitude attenuation, that is, from the probe tip or probe of the testing device to the input of the A / D converter. Bandwidth is defined as the frequency at which a sinusoidal input signal attenuates to 70.7% of its original magnitude, also known as the -3dB limit. Bandwidth can also be defined by the rise time t from 10% to 90% of the signal amplitude. rise To define, by t rise =k / fbw This is determined by the factor k. Here, the factor k is typically a value between 0.3 and 0.45, where the factor k is chosen towards a value of 0.5 for bandwidths in the GHz range. Standard oscilloscopes have bandwidths from 100 MHz to 500 MHz. To resolve signals with rise times in the picosecond range, a bandwidth greater than 100 GHz is required. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of this invention is to provide an improved, and particularly more accurate and inexpensive, method and apparatus for measuring recurring sequences of electronic signals. In particular, it is desirable to also be able to measure high-frequency signals and / or signals with short rise times.

[0009] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by a method for measuring a repeating sequence of electronic signals.

[0010] According to the present invention, a method for measuring identical or similar electronic signal sequences is proposed.

[0011] A method for measuring a recurring sequence of electronic signals, wherein the sequence to be measured consists of n recurring electronic signals, where i = 1 to n, wherein a time-to-digital converter and a memory are provided, and preferably a microprocessor is provided, wherein a preset voltage U is provided for the i-th signal of the sequence in order to measure the sequence. i According to the preset voltage U i The measured voltage U of the i-th signal is preset. i Time t i The method has the following steps performed in a preferred order: i) Read the i-th signal of the sequence into the first channel of the time-to-digital converter; ii) Preset the i-th voltage U i And preset start time t start_i To begin measuring the i-th signal; iii) Measure the voltage U of the i-th signal as preset. i Time t i ; iv) Store the preset voltage U i and the measured time t i and / or start time t start_i and the measured time t i and / or start time t start_i With the measured time t i Time difference; v) For the (i+1)th signal and voltage U i+1 Repeat steps i) and iv), preferably until i+1=n, or until the preset voltage U.i Greater than the maximum voltage U of the signal max ; vi) Based on the stored voltage U i Start time t start_i and time t i The measured values ​​are used to reconstruct the recurring electronic signals; Furthermore, this objective is achieved by means of a device for measuring repeating sequences of electronic signals.

[0012] According to the present invention, an apparatus for measuring a recurring sequence of electronic signals is provided, wherein the apparatus comprises a time-to-digital converter (TDC), a microprocessor connected to the TDC, a memory writable by the microprocessor and / or the TDC, a comparator, and an output unit, wherein the comparator is arranged in or connected to the TDC, and wherein the comparator measures whether the signal sequence composed of recurring electronic signals has a preset voltage U. i The time-to-digital converter determines that the signal sequence has a preset voltage U. i Time t i Among them, the preset voltage U is stored in the memory. i and a fixed time t i and / or start time t start_i The microprocessor reconstructs the recurring sequence of electronic signals based on the values ​​in the memory and sends it to the output unit and / or there to display it visually.

[0013] By means of the method and apparatus according to the invention, the time resolution of the measurement is no longer limited by the preset time discrete interval of the analog-to-digital converter, i.e., no longer limited by the sampling rate in time. In the method and apparatus according to the invention, the voltage U to be measured is preset. i Furthermore, unlike known oscilloscopes, the measurement time is not preset. Advantageously, compared to time-discrete sampling, it allows for determining the presence of a voltage U. i It can usually be achieved faster and with higher precision.

[0014] By means of the method and apparatus according to the invention, improved time resolution for recurring electronic signals can be achieved using less expensive components. Simultaneously, by using a preset voltage U... i This can improve the temporal resolution of the measurement by several times, which allows the reconstructed signal to have an improved signal-to-noise ratio (S / N ratio).

[0015] Repeating electronic signals should be understood as signals that, at least within the measurement interval, exhibit no or significant deviation in terms of their configuration over time and voltage profile. This preferably means that the deviation between signals is less than the time or voltage resolution of the method or apparatus; or that the deviation in the time configuration and voltage profile between the individual signals allows for measurement with the accuracy of the time or voltage resolution of the method or apparatus. The accuracy of the time and voltage resolution is related to the electronic components used. Due to the deviation, an average value is obtained from the measurements of the biased signals.

[0016] It can be specified that the electronic signal sequence is formed as a periodic signal sequence, preferably as electronic signals or pulses that appear sequentially in time, wherein preferably, the time intervals between the signals or pulses can be the same or different. It can be specified that the electronic signal has a time-dependent voltage curve U(t).

[0017] It can be specified that the repetition frequency of the repeating electronic signal is less than or equal to the higher frequency of the time-to-digital converter. For example, the frequency limit of the time-to-digital converter can be 20MHz or 50MHz, and the repeating electronic signal can be repeated at a maximum frequency of 20MHz, preferably 50MHz, preferably at a frequency whose period duration is greater than the dead time of the time-to-digital converter. The dead time refers to the period of time during which further measurement cannot be performed by electronic components, preferably a comparator.

[0018] Alternatively, the recurring electronic signal may have a frequency greater than 50 MHz, preferably greater than 500 MHz, and preferably up to 1 GHz, wherein at such frequencies, a divider is arranged in front of the time-to-digital converter. Preferably, the divider's division ratio is selected such that it reduces the frequency of the recurring electronic signal to the input frequency of the time-to-digital converter, preferably to a maximum of 20 MHz, preferably 50 MHz.

[0019] In step i), the i-th signal of the sequence is understood as reading the i-th signal of the sequence to be measured from the sequence of electronic signals with n repeated occurrences, preferably transferring it to the first channel of the time-to-digital converter.

[0020] It can be specified that an adjustable or programmable divider is preferably positioned upstream of the time-to-digital converter (TD-SCDMA). Specifically, the divider has a division factor k, and the TD-SCDMA measures only every k-th signal. Preferably, the division factor k of the divider is preset or adjusted such that every k-th signal is no longer within the TD-SCDMA's dead time. This allows the measurement of recurring electronic signals with a repetition frequency whose period duration is less than or significantly less than the TD-SCDMA's dead time. Thus, a relatively inexpensive TD-SCDMA can be used even at high frequencies, and high-frequency signals can be resolved.

[0021] It can be specified that in step iii), the measurement is performed on the rising edge and / or falling edge of the i-th signal.

[0022] It can be stipulated that, for the same preset voltage U i For the i-th signal, steps i) to iv) are repeated for the rising edge, and for the (i+1)-th signal, steps i) to iv) are repeated for the falling edge. Preferably, then for step v), it applies to the (i+2)-th signal and voltage U. i+1 Repeat steps i) and iv), preferably until 2. i=n, or until the preset voltage U i Greater than the maximum voltage U of the signal max ; It can be specified that for each subsequent i-th measurement, the preset voltage U i The increments are gradual, where the step size can be constant or non-constant. Preferably, U... i+1 =U i +ΔU, where ΔU represents the increase in voltage. Preferably, ΔU is constant or variable for different i.

[0023] It can be specified that the time-to-digital converter is preferably configured in step iii) for each U i Measure a time period or time interval, where the time is the start time t. start_i and / or the measured time t i And the time interval is the start time t start_i With the measured time t i difference.

[0024] It can be specified that, in step iii), time t is performed in the time-to-digital converter. i Measurement.

[0025] It can be stipulated that, in step iii), in order to measure time t i The preset voltage U iThe comparison is performed with the i-th signal, preferably in a time-to-digital converter or comparator.

[0026] It can be specified that the time-to-digital converter communicates with a preset voltage U. i The time t is determined by the corresponding preset voltage threshold. i Alternatively, the time-to-digital converter determines the time t using the comparator's trigger signal. i .

[0027] It can be specified that the preset voltage U i Preset via a time-to-digital converter, or the preset voltage U i The reference source is preferably adjustable and / or programmable, or preset via a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and transmitted to a time-to-digital converter (TD-to-digital converter) or comparator. It can be specified that the DAC is located within or upstream of the time-to-digital converter.

[0028] It can be specified that the time-to-digital converter has a comparator and / or a digital-to-analog converter, or that the comparator and / or digital-to-analog converter is arranged upstream of the time-to-digital converter. Here, the comparator is used to compare a preset voltage with a signal; the digital-to-analog converter is used to convert the preset voltage U... i Preset to a digital-to-analog converter or comparator.

[0029] It can be specified that each i-th signal in the sequence is fed into the first channel of the time-to-digital converter, and steps i) to vi) are executed, or

[0030] The method uses and / or arranges x time-to-digital converters or a time-to-digital converter with x channels in the apparatus, wherein each or each channel of the x time-to-digital converters performs steps i) to vi), wherein preferably x ≤ i, and wherein for x < i, the x time-to-digital converters perform steps i) to vi) i / x times respectively.

[0031] It can be specified that the comparator and / or time-to-digital converter has a resolution of at least 1mV, preferably 1µV, and most preferably 10nV.

[0032] It can be stipulated that recurring electronic signals are directly read into the time-to-digital converter, or that filters and / or amplifiers and / or signal distributors and / or power distributors and / or attenuators are arranged upstream of the time-to-digital converter.

[0033] It can be specified that the signal distributor and / or power distributor divides the electronic signal into two electronic signals or two signal paths, preferably into a first electronic signal and a second electronic signal.

[0034] It can be specified that the signal distributor and / or power distributor divides the electronic signal such that the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal have the same voltage ratio or the divided signals have different voltage ratios. For example, the voltage ratio is between 1:1 and 1:2, preferably between 1:2 and 1:3, and most preferably between 1:3 and 1:5.

[0035] It can be specified that the first electronic signal is fed into the first channel of the time-to-digital converter, and the second electronic signal is fed into the second channel of the time-to-digital converter, or the second electronic signal is fed into the second time-to-digital converter. Preferably, both the first and second electronic signals are used for the measurements in steps i) to vi).

[0036] It can be stipulated that, in step ii), the start time t is preset by a start signal. start .

[0037] It can be specified that the start signal is preset via a time-to-digital converter or an external clock. Here, the external clock can be derived from another signal, generated by a microprocessor, or generated by an external signal generator. Preferably, the start signal from the external clock is transmitted to the time-to-digital converter to preset the start time t. start .

[0038] It can be stipulated that the start signal

[0039] - is another signal that is preferably generated by an external clock or signal distributor and / or power divider to start the signal channel, or

[0040] - is a start signal that is preferably generated and / or defined within the device by a microprocessor, clock generator, or other electronic components.

[0041] The start time t of all signals in the sequence can be specified. start A fixed point in time that occurs before or during each signal, or, for different signals, a start time t. start The time point varies before or during the signal. A fixed time point has the advantage of simple reconstruction of recurring electronic signals. A varying time point has the advantage of allowing for the measurement and reconstruction of more complex signal sequences, especially those with multiple rising and / or falling edges.

[0042] It can be specified that a start signal or a second electronic signal is fed into the second channel of the time-to-digital converter. Preferably, the second electronic signal is transmitted to the time-to-digital converter as a start signal, or used in the time-to-digital converter. It can be specified that the time-to-digital converter for the second channel has a second comparator and / or a second digital-to-analog converter, or an external second comparator and / or an external second digital-to-analog converter is arranged for the second channel.

[0043] It can be stipulated that the second electronic signal represents the start signal, preferably, the start time t. start Preset by the second electronic signal. Preferably, the starting signal voltage U start It is freely selectable; the start time t is determined from the second electronic signal using the start signal voltage. start Most preferably, the initial signal voltage U start The voltage corresponding to half of the second electron signal. Preferably, the starting signal voltage U start Preset by an adjustable and / or programmable reference source or by a digital-to-analog converter.

[0044] It can be specified that the first electronic signal and / or the second electronic signal are delayed by a preset or adjustable time upstream of or within the time-to-digital converter. Preferredly, the delay is fixed, preferably preset via a cable guide with a specific cable length, or electronically, preferably preset via programming or a delay element.

[0045] It can be stipulated that the first and second electronic signals are fed into the first channel of the time-to-digital converter by delaying the second electronic signal. Preferably, the start time t of the stored signal... start and the measured time t i or time difference t i -t start .

[0046] It can be stipulated that for the same voltage U i Repeat steps i) to iv) times for multiple signals, preferably repeating steps i) to iv) before step v), preferably repeating them j times, to measure time t. ij In this context, j = 1 to m, where j is an integer. Therefore, a better time resolution can be achieved, lower than the jitter (fluctuations over time) of the time-to-digital converter.

[0047] It can be stipulated that, based on the same voltage U of multiple signals j i Multiple time periods t ij To calculate the average value U i_ mittel Preferably, the calculation is performed to determine the average value through averaging or to extract the average value from an estimate of the distribution of the measured values. Therefore, the resolution of the method and apparatus can be further improved.

[0048] It can be stipulated that, in order to reconstruct the recurring electronic signal, the stored time t is estimated using an interpolation algorithm. i The values ​​between the measured values. This is especially useful in cases of weak signals, allowing for better measurement or reconstruction of the signal.

[0049] It can be specified that the output unit is designed as a screen. It can be specified that the reconstructed, recurring electronic signals are visually displayed in the output unit.

[0050] It can be specified that the recurring electronic signal exists directly in an electronic manner, or is converted into an electronic signal by a converter. Preferably, a detector, antenna, amplifier, or device that converts the measured parameter into an electronic signal can be used as the converter. Preferably, the detector can be designed as a high-speed photodiode to measure optical signals. Alternatively, the detector can be designed as an antenna to measure magnetic or electromagnetic signals.

[0051] It can be specified that the time-to-digital converter is designed as a standalone component and / or a time-to-digital converter based on an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Here, FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array or Programmable (Logic) Gate Device) describes an integrated circuit in which logic circuitry can be loaded. Here, not only can the timing flow be programmed, but the desired circuit structure can also be defined.

[0052] It can be specified that the first electronic signal and / or the second electronic signal are delayed in the FPGA-based time-to-digital converter. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily choose and also change the delay between the first and second electronic signals.

[0053] The method according to the invention can be applied, for example, in the operation of an oscilloscope, or integrated into an oscilloscope as a measurement method. The device according to the invention can be designed as an oscilloscope, an insert, or an additional structural assembly of an oscilloscope. The application of the method according to the invention can also be specified as the integration of the method according to the invention as an additional measurement method into a preferably already installed or existing TDC (Measurement Control Device). For example, as a measurement module and / or as a measurement program. Attached Figure Description

[0054] Further embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, and will be described subsequently. The drawings exemplify possible design schemes of the invention. These design schemes are intended to explain possible implementations of the invention and should not be construed as limiting. Herein: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a device with a frequency divider according to the present invention is shown; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a device with a signal distributor according to the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a repeating electronic signal with a preset voltage is shown. Figure 5 A schematic diagram of first and second electronic signals with preset voltages and start times is shown; Figure 6 It shows the voltage U relative to the preset voltage. i An improved plot of the time resolution Δt related to the method according to the present invention for repeated measurements. Detailed Implementation

[0055] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the present invention for measuring a repeating sequence of electronic signals is shown.

[0056] The sequence of recurring electronic signals 10 is read into the time-to-digital converter 2 via probe 7. This sequence consists of n recurring electronic signals 10, where n is an integer. Each signal in the sequence arrives at the time-to-digital converter 2 sequentially, where the i-th signal describes a single signal in the sequence, and i = 1, 2, ... up to n. Reading in the i-th signal of the sequence is understood as reading the i-th signal from the sequence of the n recurring electronic signals 10 to be measured, i.e., transferring it to the first channel of the time-to-digital converter 2.

[0057] exist Figure 1 In this embodiment, the time-to-digital converter 2 includes a comparator 3, which measures that the i-th signal has a preset voltage U. i Time t i .exist Figure 1 In one embodiment, a start signal is preset by the time-to-digital converter 2, and the start signal initiates the method according to the present invention, or a start time t is defined for each i-th signal. start This is to define a reference start time point accordingly for subsequent evaluation of measurement data from multiple signals. The preset voltage U... i exist Figure 1 In this embodiment, the preset voltage U is provided by the time-to-digital converter 2. The following implementation is also possible: the preset voltage U... i Preset by reference source 9 and transmitted to time-to-digital converter 2 or comparator 3 (see reference 9). Figure 2 In order to measure the signal with a preset voltage U i Time point t i Comparator 3 will use the preset voltage U i Compare with the i-th signal. When the recurring signal has a preset voltage U... i At that time, comparator 3 generates an electronic pulse and transmits it to time-to-digital converter 2, which determines the time t. i And forward it to memory 5.

[0058] Time ti and the corresponding preset voltage U i The signal is stored in memory 5 and subsequently evaluated by microprocessor 4. Furthermore, the start time t for each recurring signal can be stored. start and / or in t i With t start The time interval between these points. The evaluated data is shown on output unit 6, which can be designed as a monitor.

[0059] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the device 1 according to the present invention is shown. (Compared to...) Figure 1 In contrast, the preset voltage U i The data is transmitted from reference source 9 to comparator 3. In this embodiment, reference source 9 is formed as a separate component outside of time-to-digital converter 2. Figure 2 In this embodiment, reference source 9 is controlled by a microprocessor to preset a voltage U for each i-th signal. i .

[0060] In addition, with Figure 1 In different ways, Figure 2 In this configuration, frequency divider 8 is positioned upstream of time-to-digital converter 2. Frequency divider 8 enables the measurement of recurring signal sequences where the frequencies between each signal are greater than the dead time of time-to-digital converter 2. Frequency divider 8 decomposes the recurring signals and forwards only each k-th recurring signal to time-to-digital converter 2, where each k-th recurring signal is subsequently used for measurement. It is important to note that in... Figure 2 In this embodiment, the frequency divider 8 and the reference source 9 can be designed separately.

[0061] exist Figure 3 A third embodiment of the device 1 according to the present invention is shown. (Compared to...) Figure 1 Unlike other signal distributors, signal distributor 11 is positioned upstream of time-to-digital converter 2. The signal distributor divides each signal in the sequence into two signals: the i-th first electronic signal 12 and the i-th second electronic signal. Figure 3 In this embodiment, the i-th first electronic signal 12 is read into the first channel of the time-to-digital converter 2, and the i-th second electronic signal 13 is read into the second channel of the time-to-digital converter 2. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the i-th second electronic signal 13 is used to determine the start time t. start Therefore, a second comparator 3 is designed in the time-to-digital converter 2 (in... Figure 3 (Not shown in the image), the second comparator obtains the start voltage U from the time-to-digital converter 2. start And determine the start time t of the measurement from it.start Alternatively, a start time t can be defined for each i-th signal. start This is to define a corresponding reference start time point for subsequent evaluation of measurement data from multiple signals. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the i-th first electronic signal 12 is delayed in time relative to the i-th second electronic signal 13 (see [link]). Figure 5 A delay occurs, so in this embodiment, the time-to-digital converter 2 first determines the start time t. start Then, time t i The delay can be measured electronically in the time-to-digital converter 2, or via a corresponding cable guide upstream of or within the time-to-digital converter 2.

[0062] Figure 4 An example is shown showing a recurring signal, preset voltages U1, U2, and U3, and times t obtained by measurement for the rising and falling edges of the signal. i It is important to note here that time t i The multiple measurements are not performed at a single signal, but rather a separate i-th signal is used for each measurement.

[0063] Figure 5 The first electronic signal 12 and the second electronic signal 13 are shown for determining the start time t. start Furthermore, the rising and falling times t of the measurement signals for voltages U1, U2, and U3 are also measured. i The first electronic signal 12 and the second electronic signal 13 can be transmitted as follows: Figure 3 The device described herein obtains the signal. Here, the first electronic signal 12 has been read into the time-to-digital converter 2 with a time delay relative to the second electronic signal 13, or has been delayed in time within the time-to-digital converter 2. Therefore, the signal is obtained through the second electronic signal 13 and the start voltage U. start The preset time t is used to determine the start time t based on the recurring signal. start .

[0064] Figure 6 This illustrates the method of the present invention based on a preset voltage U. i The illustration shows the improvement in time resolution Δt achieved by repeated measurements, where, in Figure 6 On the logarithmic x-axis, m is the number of measurements. For example, in... Figure 6 It is assumed that the time-to-digital converter 2 has a jitter (time fluctuation) of 2.4 ps. For example... Figure 6 As shown, for each preset voltage U i When performing fewer than 50 measurements, the time resolution of the method and apparatus according to the invention can be improved to less than 1 ps.

[0065] List of reference numerals

[0066] 1 Measuring device

[0067] 2-Time Digital Converter

[0068] 3 comparators

[0069] 4 microprocessors

[0070] 5. Memory

[0071] 6 output units

[0072] 7 probes

[0073] 8-way divider

[0074] 9 Reference Sources

[0075] 10 Electronic Signals

[0076] 11 signal distributor

[0077] 12 First Electronic Signal

[0078] 13 Second electronic signal

Claims

1. A method for measuring a sequence of recurring electronic signals (10), wherein, The sequence to be measured consists of n recurring electronic signals, where i = 1 to n. A time-to-digital converter (2) and a memory (5) are provided, along with a microprocessor (4). The sequence is characterized by a preset voltage U for the i-th signal of the sequence in order to measure it. i According to the preset voltage U i The measured voltage U of the i-th signal is preset. i Time t i The method has the following steps: i) Read the i-th signal of the sequence into the first channel of the time-to-digital converter (2); ii) Preset the i-th voltage U i And preset the start time t for measuring the i-th signal. start_i ; iii) Measure the voltage U of the i-th signal as preset. i Time t i ; iv) Store the preset voltage U i and the measured time t i and / or start time t start_i and the measured time t i and / or start time t start_i With the measured time t i Time difference; v) For the (i+1)th signal and voltage U i+1 Repeat steps i) to iv), continuing until i+1=n, or until the preset voltage U is reached. i Greater than the maximum voltage U of the signal max ; vi) Based on the stored voltage U i Start time t start_i and time t i The measured values ​​are used to reconstruct the recurring electronic signal (10).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, For the same preset voltage U i Repeat steps i) to iv for the rising edge in the i-th signal, and repeat steps i) to iv for the falling edge in the (i+1)-th signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, For each subsequent i-th measurement, the preset voltage U i The steps increase incrementally, where the step size can be constant or non-constant.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The time-to-digital converter (2) in step iii) for each U i Measure a time period or time interval, where the time is the start time t. start_i and / or the measured time t i This time interval is the start time t. start_i With the measured time t i difference.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In step iii), in order to measure time t i The preset voltage U i The comparison is performed with the i-th signal in a time-to-digital converter (2) or a comparator (3).

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The time-to-digital converter (2) connects to a preset voltage (U) i The time t is determined by the corresponding preset voltage threshold. i Alternatively, the time-to-digital converter (2) determines the time t using the trigger signal of the comparator (3). i .

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The preset voltage U i Preset via time-to-digital converter (2); or preset voltage U i The reference source (9) is preset by an adjustable and / or programmable reference source (9) or by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and transmitted to a time-to-digital converter (2) or a comparator (3), which is located in or upstream of the time-to-digital converter (2).

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each i-th signal in the sequence is fed into the first channel of the time-to-digital converter (2), and steps i) to vi) are executed. The method uses and / or arranges x time-to-digital converters (2) or a time-to-digital converter (2) with x channels in the apparatus, wherein each or each channel of the x time-to-digital converters (2) performs steps i) to vi), wherein x ≤ i, and wherein for x < i, the x time-to-digital converters (2) perform steps i) to vi) i / x times respectively.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The recurring electronic signal (10) is directly read into the time-to-digital converter (2); or Upstream of the time-to-digital converter (2) are arranged filters and / or amplifiers and / or signal distributors (11) and / or power distributors and / or attenuators. The signal distributors (11) and / or power distributors divide the electronic signal (10) into two electronic signals (10) or two signal paths, namely, into a first electronic signal (12) and a second electronic signal (13).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first electronic signal (12) is fed into the first channel of the time-to-digital converter (2), and the second electronic signal (13) is fed into the second channel of the time-to-digital converter (2); or The second electronic signal (13) is fed into the second time-to-digital converter (2). Both the first and second electronic signals (13) are used for measurements in steps i) to vi), or one of the first electronic signal (12) and the second electronic signal (13) is used to measure the start time t. start .

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first and second electronic signals are fed into the first channel of the time-to-digital converter (2) in the following manner: the second electronic signal (13) is delayed, and the start time t of the stored signal is... start and the measured time t i Or storage time difference t i -t start .

12. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In step ii), the start time t is preset by a start signal. start The start signal is preset by a time-to-digital converter (2) or an external clock, or the start signal is another input signal generated by an external clock or by a signal distributor (11) and / or a power distributor of the start signal channel, or the start signal is a start signal generated and / or defined within the device by a microprocessor (4) or a clock generator or other electronic components.

13. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, For the same voltage U i Repeat steps i) to iv) for multiple signals, repeating them before step v), for a total of j times, to measure time t. ij , where j = 1 to m, and j is an integer.

14. An apparatus (1) for measuring a repeating sequence of electronic signals, wherein, The device comprises a time-to-digital converter (2), a microprocessor (4) connected to the time-to-digital converter, a memory (5) writable by the microprocessor (4) and / or the time-to-digital converter (2), a comparator (3), and an output unit (6). The comparator is arranged in or connected to the time-to-digital converter (2). The comparator (3) measures whether a signal sequence consisting of recurring electronic signals (10) has a preset voltage U. i The time-to-digital converter (2) determines that the signal sequence has a preset voltage U. i Time t i The preset voltage U is stored in memory (5). i and a fixed time t i and / or start time t start_i The microprocessor (4) reconstructs the sequence of recurring electronic signals (10) based on the values ​​in the memory (5) and sends it to the output unit (6) and / or displays it visually at the output unit.

15. The apparatus (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The time-to-digital converter (2) is designed as a separate component and / or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) based time-to-digital converter (2).

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