A Programmable Precision Voltage-Step Generator for Testing Waveform Recorders

A pulse generator for testing the approximate step-response of waveform recorders is described. The initial and final levels of voltage steps are each programmable within the range of ±1 V for a 50-Ω termination and within ±5 V for a high-impedance load. Voltage steps within these ranges settle to within ±0.02 percent of full-scale range (FSR) in less than 30 and 40 ns, respectively, for a load capacitance ⩽30 pF. The corresponding 10-90-percent transition durations are approximately 7 and 12 ns.