Delay-Line Analog Sampling for High-Precision Time Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time measurement devices face limitations in precision due to reaction time dependence on signal shape and amplitude, and limited resolution caused by microelectronic technology constraints, along with complex calibration and increased physical implementation requirements.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a sampler and analog memory with multiple storage cells, where each delay line element is connected to a storage cell for sequential sampling and storage of the input signal, allowing for improved precision through analog sampling and digital processing, reducing the reliance on discriminator precision and increasing resolution beyond traditional delay line limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a discriminator is used to convert the input signal into binary pulses, then the signal can be processed by counter and delay line means, but the reaction time of the discriminator depends on the shape and amplitude of the input signal, limiting measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional discriminator-based binary conversion with a direct analog sampling approach. Instead of converting the signal to binary pulses through a discriminator, the input signal is sampled directly in the analog domain at precise time intervals determined by the delay line, avoiding the reaction time limitations of discriminators entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter domain from binary digital representation to analog amplitude representation. By preserving the analog nature of the signal throughout the measurement process and only converting to digital at the final readout stage, the system achieves higher precision by avoiding the quantization and reaction time constraints of early binary conversion.
2Device complexity
If traditional delay line means are used for time measurement, then the device structure is simple, but the time measurement pitch is limited by microelectronic technology to a few tens of picoseconds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an analog memory as an intermediary between the delay line and the readout system. The analog memory stores the sampled signal values, allowing for post-processing and interpolation that can achieve sub-picosecond precision without requiring correspondingly finer physical delay elements. This intermediary enables super-resolution beyond the physical limits of the delay line pitch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional time measurement using delay line pitch to a two-dimensional approach combining coarse delay line measurement with fine analog interpolation. By adding the analog amplitude dimension, the system can achieve precision much finer than the physical delay element spacing would suggest.
3Measurement precision
If interpolation among several delay lines is used to improve precision, then significant gain in precision is achieved, but the complexity of operation and practical execution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fine time measurement function from the delay line structure itself and relocates it to the analog memory readout stage. Instead of using multiple delay lines with interpolated tap points, the system uses a single delay line with analog sampling and storage, moving the precision enhancement to the signal processing domain rather than the structural domain.
4Measurement precision
If additional delay lines are added to improve precision, then measurement resolution increases, but the surface area required for physical implementation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical expansion approach (adding more delay lines and tap points) with a computational approach (analog sampling and digital processing). This substitution allows high-resolution time measurement to be achieved through signal processing rather than through physical expansion of the delay line structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a device including a binary pulse input signal converter, the output of which is connected to a counter and to a delay line that includes a plurality of delay elements. The counter and the delay line also receive a clock signal as an input. The delay line is combined with a sampler and analog memory that includes a plurality of storage cells that receive the input signal as input. Each element of the a delay line includes an output connected to a corresponding storage cell of the analog so as to sequentially control the sampling and storage of the input signal in the storage cells.