LINEAR UNIPOLAR PULSE-SHAPING NETWORKS - CURRENT TECHNOLOGY

Current usage of linear pulse-shaping filters is reviewed. It is shown that pulse amplifiers with different shaping networks are best compared for spectral resolution and count-rate capability at a shaped-pulse width measured at a specific fraction of peak height, preferably 50% (t1/2). With this normalization, it is shown that the best tradeoff between noise and resolving time is obtained with the quasi-triangular waveform, the worst with the cusp. Noise, resolving time, and ballistic deficit are compared through graphs and tables for the cusp, true Gaussian, true triangle, CR-(RC)n, sinen, and quasi-triangular shapes for normalizations at tp, t1/2, and t.01. Rules are given for estimating the effect of pulse shape on noise performance. Copyright © 1990 by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.