Conception and fabrication of a real time automatic correlator (multi-correlator)

The purpose of this work is to elaborate a specific computer able to display the real.time correlation function of two variables represented by two electrical signals. The various functions to be done are dealt with the best suited technology: delays from numerical method, hybrid multiplication, analog integration. This method proved very versatile so that it has been possible to modify the circuits with more performing components without changing the general conception of the whole system. In particular, the bandwidth, which was originally 125 kHz (1966) is now 1 MHz and will be 5 MHz, January 1968. Many results are obtained from the correlator such as: - determination of pulse responses of linear systems (1. and 2. order filters, oscillating circuits); - extraction of signals from noise; - measurement of time and space correlation in a turbulent plasma; - treatment of electro-biological signals. (author)