Ultra-Fast Transient Recorder

Q-DOT proposes to develop a compact, solid-state, low-cost, ultra-fast transient recorder. The recorder will combine an array of high bandwidth (20GHz), high dynamic range (56 dB) charge-coupled device (CCD)-based samplers on a single chip with monolithic tapped delay line transmission lines. Program goals include acquiring 1024 samples of 10 GHz bandwidth data at 200 Gs/s to within 8-bit resolution. It appears feasible to house the entire recorder in a single multi-chip module (MCM) which is smaller than a cigarette package. Given sufficient production volume, the recorder may be manufactured for as little as $200. Q-DOT has been developing a family of high-speed, CCD-based recorders over the past 19 years. This ultra-fast recorder development will build directly on this foundation. Besides designing/analyzing all key elements in Phase I, a prototype sampler will be fabricated and demonstrated. Full-scale recorder development will commence in Phase II.