Abstract: Distributed amplifier systems and methods are disclosed. An example distributed amplifier system includes first stage traveling wave amplifier (TWA) circuitry that is controllable to provide one of a first set of discrete gain settings. The first stage TWA circuitry includes a first input transmission line, a first output transmission line, and a first plurality of amplifiers coupled antiparallel between the first input transmission line and the first output transmission line. The first set of discrete gain settings has approximately constant logarithmic spacing.

Abstract: Distributed amplifier systems and methods are disclosed. An example distributed amplifier system includes first stage traveling wave amplifier (TWA) circuitry that is controllable to provide one of a first set of discrete gain settings. The first stage TWA circuitry includes a first input transmission line, a first output transmission line, and a first plurality of amplifiers coupled antiparallel between the first input transmission line and the first output transmission line. The first set of discrete gain settings has approximately constant logarithmic spacing.

Abstract: Responses of voltage and current probes are characterized or corrected. A voltage probe method includes measuring output of the voltage probe and a first output of a through, in response to an input signal applied to the through, with the voltage probe connected, measuring a second output of the through with the voltage probe disconnected, and characterizing the response of the voltage probe using the output of the voltage probe and the first and/or second outputs. A current probe method includes measuring output current of the current probe and first output current of a through, in response to an input signal applied to the through with the current probe connected in series, measuring second output current of the through with the current probe disconnected, and characterizing the response of the current probe using the output current of the current probe and the first and/or second output currents of the through.

Abstract: Responses of voltage and current probes are characterized or corrected. A voltage probe method includes measuring output of the voltage probe and a first output of a through, in response to an input signal applied to the through, with the voltage probe connected, measuring a second output of the through with the voltage probe disconnected, and characterizing the response of the voltage probe using the output of the voltage probe and the first and/or second outputs. A current probe method includes measuring output current of the current probe and first output current of a through, in response to an input signal applied to the through with the current probe connected in series, measuring second output current of the through with the current probe disconnected, and characterizing the response of the current probe using the output current of the current probe and the first and/or second output currents of the through.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining if ringing in an output signal from a receiver that processes an input signal is the result of a bandwidth limitation in the receiver that processes an input signal rather than ringing in the input signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes the receiver and a ring suppression filter. The ring suppression filter receives the receiver output signal and generates a ring suppressed output signal therefrom. The receiver and the ring suppression filter provide a first aggregate system response such that the ring suppressed output signal does not include ringing introduced by the receiver. The first aggregate system response is linear in phase.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining if ringing in an output signal from a receiver that processes an input signal is the result of a bandwidth limitation in the receiver that processes an input signal rather than ringing in the input signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes the receiver and a ring suppression filter. The ring suppression filter receives the receiver output signal and generates a ring suppressed output signal therefrom. The receiver and the ring suppression filter provide a first aggregate system response such that the ring suppressed output signal does not include ringing introduced by the receiver. The first aggregate system response is linear in phase.

Abstract: A method and system acquires a set of samples of a periodic signal, and calculates a variance between the set of samples and an ideal set of samples to create a variance data set. The method and system further calculates an FFT of the variance data set, filters the calculated FFT of the variance data set, calculates an inverse FFT on the filtered data set, and measures the resulting time domain signal.

Abstract: An integrated step attenuator (“ISA”) monolithically integrated on a single chip for adjusting an input signal. The ISA may include a step attenuation network (“SAN”) that may include at least one switchable attenuation section, and at least one electronically switchable trimming network (“ESTN”). The SAN may be configured to adjust the input signal responsive to the state of a switch that bridges the attenuation sections of the SAN, and the ESTN may be configured to adjust the input signal responsive to the state of a switch in signal communication with one or more shunt resistors in the ESTN.

Abstract: A micro-browser has pair of rods each rod entering a corresponding bore in a sleeve that retains them, and that may itself be carried by a grip shaped to be rotated between a thumb and a finger. The edge of a small circuit board is soldered at the distal end of the rod. One of the rods is allowed to rotate within its bore in the sleeve, while the other is held stationary by a notch in the sleeve. The rotatable rod has a captive spring that resists the force of probe contact. Each board carries a coupling network connected to a short sharp probe tip bent downward away from the plane of its board, allowing the distance between the probe tips to be a function of the amount of rotation. The other end of each coupling network is coupled to a short length of a respective 50? coaxial cable that passes through an axial slot in the grip to enter an amplifier pod that drives a main cable leading to test equipment. The rods may be held within the bores by friction created by slight bends in the rods.

Abstract: A resistive pin for use in a voltage probe includes a pin-head that is configured to contact a test point in a device under test, and a resistor that is attached to the pinhead. Other systems are also provided for establishing electrical connections between testing instruments and devices under test.