A Method of Measuring the Peak Value of a Narrow Impulse by the Use of a Voltage-Forced Pulse-Lengthener Circuit

A method for measuring the peak voltage of a narrow impulse is described. The circuit uses a pulse-lengthener circuit with a preamplifier. The use of the amplifier reduces the charging time constant of the pulse-lengthener circuit to improve the speed capability of the circuit. An experimental circuit which employed a microwave transistor amplifier was capable of detecting an impulse as short as 14 ns in duration. The meter deflection was held constant for easy readout by A/D and D/A converters until the A/D converter was reset.