Amplitude and Decay Rate Analysis of Low Level Exponentially Decaying Radio-Frequency Signals

Abstract

A method is described which allows routine measurements of the relative amplitudes and absolute decay rates of low level exponentially decaying radio-frequency signals to be made to within an accuracy of 1%. The signals are converted to audio frequency, narrow banded, rectified, and integrated over two successive periods of time. The theory of measurement, which is given in detail, shows how the analysis can be made in the presence of noise which is white over a frequency bandwidth large compared to the inverse decay times. The general features of the circuits are described, and a schematic is given for a nearly ideal full-wave linear rectifier.