Time domain transmission line measurements with the speedy delivery signal

Abstract

The Speedy Delivery (SD) waveform does not undergo dispersion in transmission lines. The waveform was first introduced by Dr. Robert Flake in US Patent 6,441,695 B1 issued on August 27, 2002. Use of the SD waveform allows for high precision time domain measurements on transmission lines. High precision time domain reflectometry (TDR) and time domain transmission (TDT) measurements are described. An example measurement is presented. The design of the experimental apparatus is detailed. Voltage bias adjustments are made during measurements to increase the repeatability. Voltage bias adjustments are examined in detail. Efforts to produce short terminated measurements with high precision are included. A technique for performing TDR measurements with highly attenuated signals is presented with results.