Transmission Line Delay Network for High-Speed Pulse Waveform Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for creating custom high-speed wave shape pulses require complex and expensive equipment, such as fast arbitrary waveform generators, which are limited by the speed of their components like memory and D/A converters.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a square pulse generator and a series of transmission lines with varying lengths and impedance components to create time delays and reflections, which are combined using trapezoidal summation techniques to generate wave shaped pulses efficiently and cost-effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional fast arbitrary waveform generators are used to create custom high-speed wave shape pulses, then waveform generation capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The waveform generation function is segmented into multiple transmission lines of different lengths, each contributing a delayed version of the input pulse. By combining these segmented delay paths with specific amplitude weights, complex waveforms are constructed from simpler components, reducing the need for expensive arbitrary waveform generators.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates multiple copies of the input pulse through parallel transmission lines, each copy delayed by a different amount. These copied and delayed signals are then combined to synthesize the desired waveform shape, avoiding the need for complex programmable waveform generation equipment.
2Speed
If conventional arbitrary waveform generators are used, then waveform generation is possible, but speed is limited by memory and D/A converter components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical/electronic components of conventional waveform generators (memory devices, D/A converters) with a passive transmission line-based delay network. This substitution eliminates the speed limitations imposed by active components while maintaining waveform generation capability through signal propagation and superposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission lines are pre-configured with specific lengths and characteristic impedances to create predetermined delay times. This preliminary design of the delay structure allows high-speed pulse generation without requiring real-time processing, as the delays are physically embedded in the transmission line geometry.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple transmission line sections are used to approximate waveforms, then waveform accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a scalable architecture where transmission line sections can be added or removed depending on the required waveform accuracy. The dynamic configuration allows optimization between complexity and precision - more sections provide better approximation while fewer sections reduce device complexity for less demanding applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the generation of high-speed wave shaped pulses with desired waveform shapes, such as raised cosine signals, in a small, lightweight, and low-cost manner, suitable for applications like test verification of MIL-STD-1760E requirements, while achieving accurate waveform approximation with multiple transmission line sections.
Implementation Method 1
Each transmission line having a certain length creating a certain signal time delay and signal reflection for a signal applied to the circuitry from the square pulse generator so as to create a delay pulse from each transmission line
Implementation Method 2
Each transmission line having a certain length creating a certain signal time delay and signal reflection for a signal applied to the circuitry
Implementation Method 3
each of the impedance components includes a resistive component whereby the delay signals of the transmission line sections are restively combined preferably using trapezoidal summation techniques
Implementation Method 4
Yet additional aspects of the invention include a low band filter for smoothing the shape of the generated output waveform signal of the predefined form
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for generating a wave shaped pulse electronic signal of a predetermined format from a square pulse signal generator. A signal is applied from the square pulse generator to circuitry having a plurality of transmission lines. Each transmission line having a certain length creating a certain signal time delay and signal reflection for a signal applied to the circuitry from the square pulse generator so as to create a delay pulse from each transmission line. Each delay pulse is combined from each transmission line to generate the wave shaped pulse electronic signal of a desired predetermined format.