Sampling device

Claim 2

A sampling device comprising: an input terminal, means for coupling RF input signals to said input terminal, a first transmission line coupled to said input terminal and along which said RF signals propagate in a first direction away from said input terminal, a second transmission line including means for establishing electrostatic and electromagnetic coupling with said first transmission line for forming a backwards directional coupler therewith, and pulse applying means for providing a step wave to said second transmission line at a point thereon remote from the input-terminal-coupled end of the first transmission line for producing a pulse of predetermined length on said first transmission line propagating in the same direction as said RF signals for combining with said RF signals.

Claim 3

A sampling device comprising: a first transmission line having an input terminal and temporary storage means coupled thereto, a second transmission line including means for forming a directional coupler with the first transmission line, and pulse generation means for providing a step wave to said second transmission line in a direction for appearing at said temporary storage means through the directional coupling properties of said directional coupler to cause a portion of input applied to said input terminal to be stored on said temporary storage means wherein the portion of the input stored is a function of the transit time of said directional coupler.

Claim 4

A sampling device comprising: a first transmission line having an input terminal and temporary storage means coupled thereto, a second transmission line including means for forming a directional coupler with the first transmission line, and pulse generation means for providing a step wave to said second transmission line in a direction for appearing at said temporary storage means through the directional coupling properties of said directional coupler to cause a portion of input applied to said input terminal to be stored on said temporary storage means wherein the portion of the input stored is a function of the transit time of said directional coupler.

Claim 5

The device according to claim 2 further including an additional first transmission line, an additional second transmission line including means for forming a directional coupler with the additional first transmission line and also receiving a step wave from said pulse generation means, additional storage means coupled to said additional first transmission line, and means for coupling said first transmission lines in parallel to said input terminal to complete a symmetrical arrangement.

Claim 6

The device according to claim 3 wherein said additional first and second transmission lines are substantially identical to the first mentioned first and second transmission lines.

Claim 7

The device according to claim 2 wherein said transmission lines comprise micro-strip transmission line conductors disposed on an insulating substrate backed by common ground plane.

Claim 8

The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said pulse generation means includes a snap-off diode coupled to said second transmission line for providing a rapidly changing step wave function.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said temporary storage means is disposed on the remote side of said directional coupler from said input terminal and comprises a capacitor, and a diode serially disposed between said capacitor and said first line, the remaining terminal of the capacitor being coupled to a reference point.

Claim 10

The device according to claim 2 wherein said temporary storage means is disposed on the remote side of said input terminal from said directional coupler and comprises a capacitor and a diode, said capacitor coupling said diode to said line, the remaining terminal of the diode being coupled to a reference point.

Claim 11

A sampling device comprising: an input terminal, and a pair of first transmission lines coupled in parallel to said input terminal, wherein said first transmission lines are of substantially equal length and have substantially parallel portions to form a symmetrical arrangement, a pair of second transmission lines disposed in parallel relation to parallel portions of said first transmission lines to form directional couplers therewith, means for terminating said first transmission lines at symmetrical locations on the remote sides of said directional couplers from said input terminal, capacitor means and unidirectional coupling means in circuit with said first transmission lines wherein said capacitors are adapted to provide temporarily stored sampled values, means for providing symmetrical step wave drive to said second transmission lines for propagation therealong in a direction opposite to the prepagation of input signals coupled to said first transmission lines from the input terminal, and termination means for terminating said second transmission lines on the remote side of said directional couplers from said means for providing step wave drive.

Claim 12

A sampling device comprising: an input terminal, and a pair of first transmission lines coupled in parallel to said input terminal, wherein said first transmission lines are of substantially equal length and have substantially parallel portions to form a symmetrical arrangement, a pair of second transmission lines disposed in parallel relation to parallel portions of said first transmission lines to form directional couplers therewith, means for terminating said first transmission lines at symmetrical locations on the remote sides of said directional couplers from said input terminal, capacitor means and unidirectional coupling means in circuit with said first transmission lines wherein said capacitors are adapted to provide temporarily stored sampled values, means for providing symmetrical step wave drive to said second transmission lines for propagation therealong in a direction opposite to the prepagation of input signals coupled to said first transmission lines from the input terminal, and termination means for terminating said second transmission lines on the remote side of said directional couplers from said means for providing step wave drive.

Claim 13

The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for providing step wave drive comprises a snap off diode coupled between said second transmission lines, and a balancing transformer having first and second windings connected to either side of said snap-off diode and adapted to receive a step wave input for turning off said snap-off diode.

Claim 14

The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said transmission lines are micro-strip lines comprising metal strips disposed upon an insulating substrate having a ground plane on the remote side thereof.

Claim 15

A sampling device comprising: a first transmission line having an input terminal means, a second transmission line disposed in coupled relation to the first to form a backwards directional coupler therewith, means for applying a step signal to said second transmission line for establishing a pulsation in a given direction on said first transmission line, and capacitor means coupled to said first transmission line for receiving said pulsation together with the magnitude of an input applied to said input terminal means.

Claim 16

A sampling device comprising: a first transmission line having an input terminal means, a second transmission line disposed in coupled relation to the first to form a backwards directional coupler therewith, means for applying a step signal to said second transmission line for establishing a pulsation in a given direction on said first transmission line, and capacitor means coupled to said first transmission line for receiving said pulsation together with the magnitude of an input applied to said input terminal means.

Claim 17

The device according to claim 2 wherein said means for forming a directional coupler with the first transmission line comprises a portion of the second transmission line disposed in spaced relation with the first transmission line.