Calibration and error analysis of a picosecond pulse waveform measurement system at NBS

The primary system used at NBS, Boulder, CO, to measure fast (picosecond-nanosecond range), repetitive, electrical pulse parameters consists essentially of a wide-band (dc-18 GHz) sampling oscilloscope interfaced to a minicomputer. This paper describes the major calibration and analysis techniques used to reduce the effects of errors inherent in this system, both deterministic and random in nature.