Characterizing transient measurements by use of the step response and the convolution integral

A method of determining the suitability of a divider system for making measurements of high-voltage transients is described. This method involves the convolution of the experimentally determined step response of the divider with various analytic waveforms which represent ideal waveforms expected in the experimental arrangement. The result of the convolution is compared, both graphically and in terms of relevant parameters such as peak amplitude and front time, with the original waveform. This procedure allows the distortion introduced by the convolution calculation to be seen clearly. The numerical implementation of the method is easily run on a personal computer