Abstract: A signal acquisition system using an ultra-wide time range digitizer with variable time interval data sampling and data storage includes signal conditioning and sampling stages, a digitizing stage for generating digital representations of a signal, and a memory for storing the digital representations. Timing circuitry controls sampling and digitizing which may be varied so as to acquire signals on linear, logarithmic, or other time bases. Signal compression may be obtained by digitizing information only when a desired change rate is observed. A display allows acquired signals to be displayed in linear, logarithmic or other manner.