[time-nuts] High rate, high precision/accuracy time interval counter methods

[Magnus Danielson]

On 05/04/2016 10:38 AM, Attila Kinali wrote:
> On Tue, 3 May 2016 22:31:14 +0200
> Magnus Danielson <magnus at rubidium.dyndns.org> wrote:
>
>> An alternative to the edge estimator method is to continuously sample,
>> mix with a reference frequency, decimate and then do arc-tangent of the
>> I/Q samples. This is what is used for phase-noise measurement such as
>> the Symmetricom/Microsemi test-kits, TimePod, and also the new R&S
>> phase-noise system.
>
> The "signal" is not a sinusoid, but discrete events. Think of it
> as incomming pulses and you want to measure their arrival time.

Which cuts away that option, yes. Naturally. The mixdown variant assumes 
a repeating pulse patter, but it does not assume sine.

Cheers,
Magnus