Abstract: A method processes an optical image. The method includes providing a measured magnitude of the Fourier transform of a two-dimensional complex transmission function. The method further includes providing an estimated phase term of the Fourier transform of the two-dimensional complex transmission function. The method further includes multiplying the measured magnitude and the estimated phase term to generate an estimated Fourier transform of the two-dimensional complex transmission function. The method further includes calculating an inverse Fourier transform of the estimated Fourier transform, wherein the inverse Fourier transform is a spatial function. The method further includes calculating an estimated two-dimensional complex transmission function by applying at least one constraint to the inverse Fourier transform.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus used to the measure duty cycle of a clocking waveform utilizing minimal hardware and achieving high accuracy. This invention utilizes digital sampling of the signal to be measured at a rate that can be significantly lower then the clocking frequency of the signal to be measured. It accomplishes broad-band, multi-frequency use by using a time-varying frequency for the sampling clock to make sure that the sampling clock is asynchronous with the frequency of the clocking signal to be measured. The average ratio of the sampled ones (or zeros) as compared to the total number of samples is then computed to derive the measurement of duty cycle.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for checking a network synchronization clock signal in a communication system, the apparatus generates a divided clock signal which is the same as an externally inputted network synchronization clock signal, compares the value of one period of the network synchronization clock signal to the value of one period of the divided clock signal, and determines whether the network synchronization clock signal is normal or not. Thus, the reliability of an operation of checking the network synchronization clock signal is enhanced.

Abstract: A motor control system and method are provided for detecting current ripple in a commutated DC motor and further determining position and speed of the motor based on the detected ripple current. Ripples in the motor current are detected and a ripple frequency is calculated based on the time between successive ripples. A ripple count between successive frequencies is determined and the ripple count is compared to a threshold value, and an estimated ripple frequency is determined from a motor model when the ripple count exceeds the threshold value. A corrected ripple count is calculated from a ratio of the calculated ripple frequency and the estimated ripple frequency, and motor position and motor speed are determined based on the corrected ripple count.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a processor capable of alerting its life expectancy and its method. The processor is installed in an electronic device having a control circuit, a frequency divider circuit and a time counter. The control circuit is connected to the frequency divider circuit and the time counter. The frequency divider circuit receives a plurality of high frequencies from the control circuit and converts the high frequencies into a time unit. The time counter adds the time units one by one to obtain a use time. If the use time has reached a predetermined use time, the control circuit will issue a warning to indicate that the life expectancy of the processor is reached, so as to reflect the actual use time of the processor, prevent a change of use time by software, and allow users to timely take proper preventive measures before the processor exceeds its life cycle.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a method comprising obtaining a first frequency and a second frequency. The method also comprises creating a table of values comprising a plurality of target frequencies intermediate to the first and second frequencies, the table of values also comprising a pulse width, a pulse count and a differential pulse width corresponding to each of the target frequencies from the plurality of target frequencies. The method further comprises outputting at least a portion of the values to a motion device.

Abstract: A method automatically sets initially-estimated rotational frequency for a motor frequency measuring system based on pulse signals output from an encoder. Initially, a counter is reset to zero, and a count threshold and an initially-estimated rotational frequency are set. The possible motor frequencies are divided into multiple frequency ranges with specific starting frequencies. A pulse width threshold is set according to the initially-estimated rotational frequency. A new motor frequency is calculated by the count threshold and a corresponding elapsed time. The initially-estimated rotational frequency is set to be a frequency in a frequency range higher than the new motor frequency. Therefore, the initially-estimated rotational frequency can be adaptively set according to an updated frequency measurement. Moreover, the count threshold can be monotonously increased with the updated frequency measurement to enhance measurement accuracy.

Abstract: A method and device detect a position of a pulsed mechanical effect on a plant component. An operating noise in the plant component is continuously recorded by sensors which are arranged on the plant component and converted by the above into a measured signal. The measured signals of the sensors undergo a transformation in a first time window. A first evaluation function is derived from a plurality of first transformations determined in this manner, the evaluation functions display an appearance of the pulsed mechanical effect. Accordingly, when detecting an effect following the second shorter time window having the same algorithms, second transformed and respectively, second evaluation functions are derived, from which, respectively, one time point is determined. Wherein the sound signal produced by the effect impacts upon the sensor. From there, running time differences produced between the sensors can be exactly reconstructed on the position of the effect.

Abstract: An interpolator testing system comprises an interpolator that generates M clock signals having phase shifts in increments of 360/M degrees relative to a reference clock signal and that outputs one of the M clock signals as a recovered clock signal. A recovered clock counter counts an attribute of the recovered clock signal, wherein the interpolator sequentially selects the M clock signals N times, wherein M and N are integers greater than one.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring a frequency or a phase of a measuring signal, wherein the frequency (fg) or the phase (?g) are estimated by approximating the relationship between a collecting clock (c) and a gating clock (g) based on a non-linear step-shaped function. Thereby, the estimation error can be improved with almost negligible complexity increase in signal processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for sampling a power supply current value for performing frequency analysis of the power supply current flowing in an integrated circuit with a test signal applied to the integrated circuit has a power supply generating a prescribed supply of power for the integrated circuit (DUT: device under test), a current detection means for observing the power supply current value supplied from the power supply to the DUT, a test signal generation means for generating a prescribed test signal to be applied to an input/output terminal other than a power supply terminal of the DUT and for generating a test signal application signal during application of the test signal to the DUT, a sampling means for sampling the power supply current value signal, a sampling time determining means for instructing the sampling means with regard to the start and end timing for sampling, based on the test signal application signal, a sampling data storage means for storing data sampled by the sampling means, a Fourier transform

Abstract: A processing apparatus uses dynamic scaling of voltage (DVS) and includes a controller. This is particularly applicable to software defined radio (SDR), but may also be for other reconfigurable electronic systems. The controller includes a plurality of processing resources at least some of which have controllable supply voltage and/or frequency. The controller schedules operations on the resources, at least some of which have a predetermined deadline by which the operation must be performed, determines a voltage and/or frequency profile for an operation having a deadline, and instructs the resources to perform operations according to the schedule and the profile. The profile is determined by a voltage frequency profile calculator, for a processing resource for a predetermined task. The calculator determines metrics characterizing a probability distribution of cycle counts for completing the task using the resource, and determines a voltage profile for the next task depending on the metrics.

Abstract: A method determining a transient response includes providing a measured magnitude of the Fourier transform of a complex electric field temporal profile of a pulse sequence comprising a probe pulse and a dummy pulse, wherein the probe pulse is indicative of the transient response of a sample. The method further includes providing an estimated phase term of the Fourier transform of the complex electric field temporal profile of the pulse sequence and multiplying the measured magnitude and the estimated phase term to generate an estimated Fourier transform of the complex electric field temporal profile of the pulse sequence. The method further includes calculating an inverse Fourier transform of the estimated Fourier transform, wherein the inverse Fourier transform is a function of time, and calculating an estimated complex electric field temporal profile of the pulse sequence by applying at least one constraint to the inverse Fourier transform.

Abstract: A method determines a complex electric field temporal profile of an optical pulse. The method includes providing a measured magnitude of the Fourier transform of a complex electric field temporal profile of a pulse sequence comprising the optical pulse and a dummy pulse. The method further includes providing an estimated phase term of the Fourier transform of the complex electric field temporal profile of the pulse sequence. The method further includes multiplying the measured magnitude and the estimated phase term to generate an estimated Fourier transform of the complex electric field temporal profile of the pulse sequence. The method further includes calculating an inverse Fourier transform of the estimated Fourier transform, wherein the inverse Fourier transform is a function of time. The method further includes calculating an estimated complex electric field temporal profile of the pulse sequence by applying at least one constraint to the inverse Fourier transform.

Abstract: Various computer-implemented methods and systems are provided. One computer-implemented method includes determining a ratio between output signals generated by detecting spectra for a single event in two or more detection windows. The spectra are characteristic of different materials. At least a portion of the spectra overlap in at least one of the two or more detection windows. The method also includes determining which of the different materials are associated with the ratio. One embodiment of a system includes one or more detectors configured to detect spectra for a single event in two or more detection windows. The spectra may include spectra as described above. The one or more detectors are also configured to generate output signals in response to the detected spectra. The system also includes a processor configured to determine a ratio between the output signals and to determine which of the different materials are associated with the ratio.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that facilitates measurement of timing variations (e.g., timing delays) in a semiconductor chip. The timing variations are measured and presented as digital values without extensive off chip measurement and analysis equipment. The timing variation measurements provides insight into timing variations (e.g., delays) inside a semiconductor chip and across different chips, including timing impacts experienced in end use after manufacturing. A timing variation measurement system includes a variation test signal generator for passing a signal through a portion of a circuit and generating a variation test signal. A variation test signal tracking component digitally counts cycles in a variation test signal and a control component controls the counting (e.g., the length of time the cycles are counted). Timing variation information, including a digital value associated with the variation test signal cycle count, can be communicated via pins and/or a processor interface.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a method comprising obtaining a first frequency and a second frequency. The method also comprises creating a table of values comprising a plurality of target frequencies intermediate to the first and second frequencies, the table of values also comprising a pulse width, a pulse count, and a differential pulse width corresponding to each of the target frequencies from the plurality of target frequencies. The method further comprises outputting at least a portion of the values to a motion device.

Abstract: A calibration unit and technique for calibrating A/D systems (e.g., data acquisition devices) using a pulse-width modulation (PWM) circuit to reduce nonlinearity. The calibration unit may be coupled to an analog-to-digital module (ADM) of the A/D system. The PWM circuit may generate a calibration signal with intentional ripple, which may exercise a region of a transfer curve of the ADM to reduce local nonlinearities in measurements associated with the calibration of the system. Pulse trains of varying frequency and duty cycle may be generated to sweep the PWM circuit through an ADM range and to calculate an ADM linearity correction function, which may be used to perform gain and offset correction with respect to a best-fit line through an ADM transfer curve to reduce large signal nonlinearities. The PWM circuit may include a resistor divider circuit including a plurality of taps to calibrate small input ranges.

Abstract: Circuitry adapted for carrying out associated techniques for: (a) calculating a damping factor, e.g., a damping ratio represented by ?, or a quality factor Q, where ??1/2Q, for a transient signal received, having been emitted from a resonator-type sensor element; (b) determining amplitude, A, of the transient signal; or (c) generating a frequency response dataset of interrelated points for the transient signal. A threshold comparison circuit is included for converting the transient signal received into a first and second digital waveform; the first digital waveform represents cycle crossings of the transient signal associated with a first threshold value, and the second digital waveform represents cycle crossings of the transient signal associated with a second threshold value. The transient signal may be converted, likewise, into third, and so on, digital waveforms, whereby the third digital waveform represents cycle crossings of the transient signal associated with a third threshold value.

Abstract: LSI test equipment can acquire output data of an LSI as a device under test by a clock signal output from the LSI to be measured and acquire measurement data synchronously with the output data having jitter. The LSI test equipment includes a clock side time interpolator for acquiring the clock output from the LSI to be measured by a plurality of strobes having a predetermined timing interval and outputting it as encoded level data of time series, a data side time interpolator for acquiring the output data from the LSI to be measured by a plurality of strobes having a predetermined timing interval and outputting it as level data of time series, and a selector for receiving the level data from both of the time interpolators, selecting output data at the clock edge timing, and outputting it as data to be measured.

Abstract: A time measurement circuit includes N time stamping units that each includes a dual sinusoid interpolator for achieving high timing resolution. The time measurement circuit is capable of time stamping input signals at a high re-trigger rate, and is thus well suited for quickly measuring the timing jitter of test signals in automatic test systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing anomalous trigger event conditions to provide anomalous trigger event rate measurements. The apparatus operates to identify one or more trigger events in at least one input signal IN, determine the number of events during a period of time (e.g. events per second) and provide a visual representation of this determination to a user via a display device. The visual representation may comprise an alphanumeric display, a waveform, a graphic image proximate a waveform and the like.

Abstract: A frequency error detection apparatus and method based on histogram information of an input signal. The apparatus includes an A/D converter for and converting an analog signal into digital values; a zero crossing point detector for detecting sign changes of the digital values, and detecting zero crossing points; a period information detector for detecting period information which is the number of the digital values corresponding to a periodic signal; a histogram information calculator for counting the number of detections for the respective period information based on the period information, and calculating error-detection-target histogram information; and a frequency error calculator for detecting a difference between the error-detection-target histogram information and a reference histogram information, and calculating a frequency error value based on the difference. This can shorten time for frequency error detections and improve accuracy of the detected frequency error value.

Abstract: The use of two separate ensemble averagers for processing a detected waveform for use in calculating oxygen saturation and a pulse rate. The ensemble averager used for calculating oxygen saturation operates on a signal which has been normalized, while the ensemble averager for the pulse rate calculation operates on a signal which has not been normalized. The metrics chosen for the two paths through the two ensemble averagers can be varied to optimize the ensemble averaging for oxygen saturation or pulse rate calculations.

Abstract: A pulse width measuring device is disclosed that calculates the pulse width of a signal to be measured, based on a count value and a count clock signal. In the pulse width measuring device, the counter circuit has a plurality of bits that are divided into an exponent and a significand. The control unit of the pulse width measuring device includes: an exponent storing unit that stores an exponent setting value that represents the number of bits of the exponent of the counter circuit; and a decoder unit that generates a count value setting signal for rewriting the count value of the counter circuit, based on the exponent setting value stored in the exponent storing unit, when the count value overflows in the counter circuit, the decoder unit then outputting the count value setting signal to the counter circuit.

Abstract: A visual perception processor comprises histogram calculation units, which receive the data DATA(A), DATA(B), . . . DATA(E) via a single data bus and supplying classification information to a single time coincidences bus. In a preferred embodiment the histogram calculation units are organized into a matrix.

Abstract: Trial decimations are performed on an acquired waveform. Each trial produces a sequence of packets applied to a complexity detection circuit. Each packet contains a decimation value to be used in place of acquisition values to be suppressed along a decimation sample width. Each packet also includes the maximum and minimum values that occurred within the associated decimation sample. A plurality of counters record for a trial decimation the number of instances when the differences in waveform extremes exceed a corresponding plurality of selected thresholds. Complexity introduced by decimation will tend to produce waveforms having larger voltage excursions over the region of suppressed acquisition samples. The data in the counters is processed to produce a suite of histograms examined to select a decimation factor that does not introduce significant additional complexity.

Abstract: A method and device for detection of a pulsed mechanical effect on a plant component includes continuously recording an operating noise in the plant component with a sensor disposed on the plant component and converting the recorded noise into a measured signal with the sensor. Then, the measured signal is subjected to a Fourier transformation. An evaluation function is derived from a number of value spectra determined in the above manner, which gives the onset of a pulsed mechanical effect on the plant component.

Abstract: An unusual waveform detection circuit is a digital-type unusual waveform detection circuit that arbitrarily sets a threshold used for determining an unusual waveform and produces an unusual waveform determination signal by comparing an input signal with the threshold. In producing the unusual waveform determination signal, one of a configuration where a voltage at each of all sampling points is compared with a reference voltage and a configuration where a continuously changing gradient of signal waveform peaks is calculated and is compared with a reference gradient is selectively employed. The unusual waveform detection circuit can easily and accurately detect various unusual waveforms.

Abstract: An eye diagram analyzer equips each SUT data and clock signal input channel with individually variable delays in their respective paths. For a range of signal delay of n-many SUT clock cycles, the SUT clock signal delay might be set at about n/2. For each data channel there is specified a point in time relative to an instance of the delayed clock signal (data signal delay) and a voltage threshold. The specified combination (data signal delay, threshold and which channel) is a location on an eye diagram, although the trace may or may not ever go through that location. A counter counts the number of SUT clock cycles used as instances of the reference for the eye diagram, and another counter counts the number of times the specified combination of conditions was met (“hits”).

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a shaft of a commutated direct current (DC) motor based on the current ripples contained in an armature current signal includes digitally sampling the armature current signal to generate signal values at sampling points. The signal value corresponding to a current sampling point and selected signal values corresponding to previous sampling points in a time interval containing the sampling points are compared. Either a rising or falling slope detection signal is generated if the comparison is indicative of either an increasing or decreasing tendency in the magnitudes of the signal values. The rising and falling slope detection signals are respectively indicative of rising and falling current ripple slopes. A current ripple signal is generated if rising and falling slope detection signals are generated one after the other in a given period. The shaft position is determined based on the current ripple signal count.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing order components present in a physical signal X acquired from a physical system. Measurement information for the physical signal X may be received, where the measurement information includes information indicating a plurality of order components of the physical signal X. Time frequency plot information visually indicating order components of the physical signal X may be displayed. User input selecting one or more of the visually indicated order components may be received. A time domain signal may be created based on the one or more selected order components and may then be presented to a user on a presentation device. Presenting the time domain signal on the presentation device may enable the user to analyze the physical signal X or the physical system. Where the physical system includes one or more rotating elements, the method may enable order components of the signal to be analyzed even when no rotation speed information (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method are described for configuring and collecting performance counter information of a computer system. The method includes providing one or more performance objects, each object containing a predetermined set of events. A user is allowed to select the entire set or a subset of events to be monitored during a collection session from the predetermined set of events contained in the performance objects. The performance counters associated with the subset of events selected are programmed to increment in response to an occurrence of a respective event. The data stored in each of the performance counters associated with the subset of events selected is periodically read during the collection session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing anomalous trigger event conditions to provide anomalous trigger event rate measurements.

Abstract: An eye diagram analyzer equips each SUT data and clock signal input channel with individually variable delays in their respective paths. For a range of signal delay of n-many SUT clock cycles, the SUT clock signal delay might be set at about n/2. For each data channel there is specified a point in time relative to an instance of the delayed clock signal (data signal delay) and a voltage threshold. The specified combination (data signal delay, threshold and which channel) is a location on an eye diagram, although the trace may or may not ever go through that location. A counter counts the number of SUT clock cycles used as instances of the reference for the eye diagram, and another counter counts the number of times the specified combination of conditions was met (“hits”).

Abstract: A controllable pulse generator apparatus and method are provided according to the invention. The pulse generator generates an adjustable, high current, high voltage pulse train output that may be transmitted to an external device under operation. The pulse generator includes a controller device and a pulse generator device. The controller device accepts one or more pulse train requests, may accept one or more external signals, and may accept feedback from the device under operation. The controller device generates one or more pulse train signals in response to the pulse train requests, the external signals, and the feedback. The controller device transmits the one or more pulse train signals to the pulse generator device. The pulse generator device receives the one or more pulse train signals and in response generates a pulse train output of a predetermined current level and of a predetermined voltage level according to the one or more pulse train signals.

Abstract: To report the time distribution of a succession of specified events such as occurrences of particular data elements in telecommunications equipment, the method comprises an initialization of a sampling quantity consisting of a positive integer and several successive iterations of a scheme comprising the following steps: detection of a number of events equal to the sampling quantity and metering of a sampling time taken to detect said number of events; quantization of the sampling time metered in the previous step so as to output coding data representing a quantized value of the metered sampling time; and updating of the sampling quantity as a function of parameters including the quantized value of this sampling time.

Abstract: A system for measuring density of material which can be embodied to measuring bulk density of material penetrated by a borehole. The probe component of the system comprises a source of neutron radiation and preferably two gamma ray spectrometers. The neutron source induces gamma radiation with energies up to about 10 MeV within the material being measured. Formation bulk density is determined by combining spectra of the induced gamma radiation with preferably two gamma ray spectrometers at differing axial spacings from the source. The high energy and dispersed nature of the induced gamma radiation yields greater radial depth of investigation than that obtainable with prior art backscatter density systems, which typically use gamma ray sources local to a probe and of energy about 1.3 MeV or less. The system can alternately be embodied to measure other material properties and to measure density of materials not penetrated by a borehole.

Abstract: A method and counter for reducing the background counting rate in gas-filled alpha particle counters wherein the counter is constructed in such a manner as to exaggerate the differences in the features in preamplifier pulses generated by collecting the charges in ionization tracks produced by alpha particles emanating from different regions within the counter and then using pulse feature analysis to recognize these differences and so discriminate between different regions of emanation. Thus alpha particles emitted from the sample can then be counted while those emitted from the counter components can be rejected, resulting in very low background counting rates even from large samples. In one embodiment, a multi-wire ionization chamber, different electric fields are created in different regions of the counter and the resultant difference in electron velocities during charge collection allow alpha particles from the sample and counter backwall to be distinguished.

Abstract: A system for measuring density of material which can be embodied to measuring bulk density of material penetrated by a borehole. The probe component of the system comprises a source of neutron radiation and preferably two gamma ray spectrometers. The neutron source induces gamma radiation with energies up to about 10 MeV within the material being measured. Formation bulk density is determined by combining spectra of the induced gamma radiation with preferably two gamma ray spectrometers at differing axial spacings from the source. The high energy and dispersed nature of the induced gamma radiation yields greater radial depth of investigation than that obtainable with prior art backscatter density systems, which typically use gamma ray sources local to a probe and of energy about 1.3 MeV or less. The system can alternately be embodied to measure other material properties and to measure density of materials not penetrated by a borehole.

Abstract: The delay between a first signal and a second signal is evaluated by deriving from the first signal substantially aperiodic events, possibly by using a zero-crossing detector on a random signal, and using these events to define respective segments of the second signal. The segments are combined, e.g., by averaging, to derive a waveform which includes a feature representing coincidences of parts of the second signal associated with the derived events. The delay is determined from the position within the waveform of this feature.

Abstract: A method and counter for reducing the background counting rate in gas-filled alpha particle counters wherein the counter is constructed in such a manner as to exaggerate the differences in the features in preamplifier pulses generated by collecting the charges in ionization tracks produced by alpha particles emanating from different regions within the counter and then using pulse feature analysis to recognize these differences and so discriminate between different regions of emanation. Thus alpha particles emitted from the sample can then be counted while those emitted from the counter components can be rejected, resulting in very low background counting rates even from large samples. In one embodiment, a multi-wire ionization chamber, different electric fields are created in different regions of the counter and the resultant difference in electron velocities during charge collection allow alpha particles from the sample and counter backwall to be distinguished.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an input signal is provided to an oscillator, which creates a count signal with a greater frequency than the input signal. The input signal triggers the oscillator to oscillate depending on the value of the input signal. The oscillator output is provided to a counter, which counts the number of oscillations undergone by the oscillator during a single period of the input signal or a number of periods of the input signal, whichever is desired. Since the oscillator frequency is greater than the frequency of the input signal, the oscillator effectively acts like a clock to time the input signal; the counter effectively acts to record the ‘time’ measured by the oscillator (clock). More formally, the counter generates a count value based upon the width of the input signal pulses. The counter output is provided to a decoder, which interprets the count generated by the counter.

Abstract: A spectroscopy system is provided having an automatic pole-zero error correction circuit. A gated integrator of the system integrates a shaped pulse and trailing edge of the shaped pulse for sampling by an analog-to-digital converter. A pair of samples are converted along the slope of each integrated shaped pulse passing through the system. The two samples are compared on a pulse by pulse basis. An algorithm generates a control word for affecting a change in a pole-zero network coupled along a shaping amplifier of the system. In response to the control word, an MDAC of the pole-zero network affects a change in the system to correct the pole-zero error. When the pole-zero error is eliminated or reaches an acceptable user level, the correction circuitry automatically shuts off.

Abstract: A circuit breaker trip unit with user-adjustable sensitivity to current spikes (22) includes a user-adjustable switch (30), a current sensor (32), an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter (34), a microprocessor (36), and a power supply (37). The current sensor (32) is electrically connected to the distribution circuit (10) and provides analog signals indicative of current measurements in the distribution circuit (10) to the A/D converter (34). The A/D converter (34) converts the analog signal to a digital line signal and presents the digital line signal, via a bus (38), to the microprocessor (36). The user-adjustable switch (30) is arranged to provide a signal indicative of a limit value, via a bus (40), to the microprocessor (36). The microprocessor (36) comprises a plurality of registers (42-48) and ROM (50) internal thereto. The ROM (50) includes trip unit application code, e.g., main functionality firmware, including initializing parameters, boot code, and a short circuit protection algorithm.

Abstract: A method simulating the filtering of a current pulse in a series of pulses. The method includes receiving a series of n+1 consecutive pulse addresses, including a pulse address for the current pulse as the last in the series of n+1, each pulse address being in a range of m values; storing the n pulses addresses prior to the current pulse address; building a composite address from the current pulse address and the prior n pulse addresses and applying the composite address to read a pulse shape from a memory of at least m.sup.n+1 pulse shapes. Also, apparatus issuing high speed pulses of programmable length.

Abstract: The present invention is based on a digital pulse sampling and detection technique which samples a nuclear pulse train at a constant frequency asynchronously with the actual pulses, which occur at random times. The shape of pulses representative of the interaction of nuclear particles or gamma-rays with a nuclear detector is analyzed to determine the pulse length. Nuclear particles or gamma-rays are detected. A signal is formed containing pulses representative of the particles or gamma-rays. The pulses are sampled at a constant frequency to form a digital image of the pulse train. The pulse length is determined by counting the number of pulses with a first number of consecutive samples above a threshold and by counting the number of pulses with a second number of consecutive samples above the threshold. A ratio of the first and second number of consecutive samples is obtained. The ratio is used to adjust the pulse length.