High resolution time interval counter

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869415

Condreva, Kenneth J ^[1]

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1. Livermore, CA

A high resolution counter circuit measures the time interval between the occurrence of an initial and a subsequent electrical pulse to two nanoseconds resolution using an eight megahertz clock. The circuit includes a main counter for receiving electrical pulses and generating a binary word--a measure of the number of eight megahertz clock pulses occurring between the signals. A pair of first and second pulse stretchers receive the signal and generate a pair of output signals whose widths are approximately sixty-four times the time between the receipt of the signals by the respective pulse stretchers and the receipt by the respective pulse stretchers of a second subsequent clock pulse. Output signals are thereafter supplied to a pair of start and stop counters operable to generate a pair of binary output words representative of the measure of the width of the pulses to a resolution of two nanoseconds. Errors associated with the pulse stretchers are corrected by providing calibration data to both stretcher circuits, and recording start and stop counter values. Stretched initial and subsequent signals are combined with autocalibration data and supplied to an arithmetic logic unit to determine the time interval in nanoseconds between the pair of electrical pulses being measured.

• Research Organization: AT&T
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5333162
• OSTI ID: 869415
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

resolution
time
interval
counter
circuit
measures
occurrence
initial
subsequent
electrical
pulse
nanoseconds
eight
megahertz
clock
main
receiving
pulses
generating
binary
word-a
measure
occurring
signals
pair
stretchers
receive
signal
generate
output
widths
approximately
sixty-four
times
receipt
respective
thereafter
supplied
start
stop
counters
operable
words
representative
width
errors
associated
corrected
providing
calibration
data
stretcher
circuits
recording
values
stretched
combined
autocalibration
arithmetic
logic
unit
determine
measured
clock pulse
pulse stretcher
output signals
output signal
time interval
electrical pulses
clock pulses
resolution time
electrical pulse
receiving electrical
circuit measures
interval counter
counter circuit
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