High Speed High Dynamic Range A/D Converter.

Abstract

This report describes the results of a program to evaluate the feasibility of the concept of an EBS A/D converter as outlined in U.S. Patent No. 4,034,363, 'Real Time Data Quantizer and Analog-to-Digital Converter System', assigned to the U.S. Air Force. John McNamara and Paul Van Etten of the Rome Air Development Center are the co-inventors. The design consisted of circularly scanned electron beam striking coded semiconductor target wedges. The program goal was to design and fabricate a breadboard EBS A/D converter using a single target wedge operating at a 200 MHz scan frequency and evaluate its technical feasibility. Major components of the EBS A/D converter are an electron gun, orthogonal deflection structures, semiconductor target, and output interface circuitry. A substantial portion of the program effort was devoted to the design and testing of a high impedance lumped element meanderline deflection system capable of generating the large beam displacements required in the target plane. Successful operation of these meanderlines was achieved. The unique semiconductor target sectors were designed and fabricated with good yield. Complete output circuitry was designed, built and tested satisfactorily. A complete A/D converter tube was built in which the diode response under actual operating conditions was successfully demonstrated. Funding and time constraints prevented the full demonstration of A/D conversion. However, all the major components of the tube and output interface circuitry were shown to operate as required.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1978
Accession Number
ADA062536

Entities

People

  • S. K. Brierley

Organizations

  • Watkins-Johnson Company

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Amplifiers
  • Analog Signals
  • Circuit Boards
  • Coding
  • Conversion
  • Converters
  • Electron Beams
  • Electron Guns
  • Frequency
  • High Resolution
  • Impedance
  • Logic Gates
  • Semiconductors
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Equipment
  • Transmission Lines

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion Dynamics and Shock Wave Physics.
  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems