A strobed analog data digitizer with paper tape output

In a group doing research on communication techniques, a wide variety of analog signals are encountered which must be analyzed. The most effective general purpose tool available for carrying out the analysis is a high-speed digital computer. Thus the problem of converting large quantities of analog data to a digital form suitable for use on the computer arises frequently. A number of high resolution analog-to-digital converters which can handle data in the kilocycle range are commercially available, but the majority of signals to be analyzed are those with frequency components in the range from a few megacycles up to a gigacycle or more. For these, ordinary real time A-to-D conversion cannot presently be used.