Use of comparator for sampling repetitive waveforms

A comparator can replace ADC to capture only repetitive waveforms

Could anyone explain how does comparator serve this purpose ?

Hi,

I can´t find this statement in the attached document.

Please refer to the source of this statement.

But generally
* any comparator is an 1 bit ADC.
* You may modify the threshold_level to get the timing of this level..

Klaus

Someone explained me the following :

imagine the waveform as a bitmap image, one pixel per sample

a DAC driving the inverting input of the comparator sets your Y coordinate
adjusting the phase of your sampling clock relative to the waveform sets your X coordinate

take a few thousand samples at each pixel to get an intensity-graded image
this directly measured the cumulative distribution function of the waveform - the probability the voltage is <V at a given time


the partial derivative wrt dV is the probability density function,
the probability the voltage is =V at that time which is your final eye pattern

Click to expand...

Anyone got what he means ?

a DAC driving the inverting input of the comparator sets your Y coordinate

Click to expand...

The clue is in that line.

A DAC produces a voltage which is then compared to the sample using a simple comparator, the output tells you whether the sample is above or below the DAC output. You then repeat the process with a different DAC voltage (intelligently selecting higher or lower) and compare again. When the comparator output changes you know the voltage programmed into the DAC is the same as or very close to the sample voltage. You know what the DAC was programmed to produce. It's called successive approximation because each new trial brings you closer to knowing the sample voltage.

take a few thousand samples at each pixel to get an intensity-graded image
this directly measured the cumulative distribution function of the waveform - the probability the voltage is

Click to expand...

the implication being that if you do the above repeatedly and fast enough, you sample the shape of the waveform.

Brian.

if you do the above repeatedly and fast enough, you sample the shape of the waveform.

Click to expand...

But can 1-bit ADC (comparator) do this ? Why does comparator only works for sampling repetitive waveforms ?