Programmable, four-channel, 128-sample, 40-Ms/s analog-ternary correlator

A four-channel, analog-ternary, charge-coupled device (CCD) correlator that extends the state of the art in several important areas is discussed. Surface acoustic wave, acoustic charge transport, and CCD implementation technologies are compared, and the architecture of the CCD device is described. It is shown that in addition to a sampling rate up to 40 megasamples/second (Ms/s), a dynamic range of 66 dB, and nonlinearity below -50 dB, the device exhibits a level of integration and user-friendliness not previously available. The correlator is intended for use in communications and radar systems where pseudonoise codes are employed.