Self-timing regenerative repeaters

In self-timing regenerative repeaters, a timing wave for control in pulse regeneration is derived from the binary pulse train at each repeater with the aid of a resonant circuit tuned to the pulse repetition frequency. The timing wave can be made to exercise complete control in retiming of pulses independent of the received pulse train, or it can be combined with the received pulse train to provide partial retiming. The timing principles are discussed here for a particular type of self-timed regenerative repeater invented by Wrathall, in which a timing wave derived from either the received or the regenerated pulse train is combined in a particular way with the received pulse train. The regeneration characteristics of such repeaters as determined by various design parameters are investigated, together with the cumulation of timing deviations in repeater chains and the circuit requirements that must be met to insure satisfactory performance.