Design and characterization of a programmable step generator with very fast settling performance

A pulse generator for testing the step response of waveform recorders is described. The initial and final levels of voltage steps are each programmable within the range of ± 1 V for a 50-Ω termination. Voltage steps within this range settle to within ±0.2 and ±0.1 percent of full-scale range (FSR) in approximately 4 and 6 ns, respectively. The 10–90 percent transition duration (TR) is approximately 1.7 ns.