Real-time Wigner distribution with a SAW-convolver

A new method for determining the Wigner distribution (WD) of a signal is presented. Using a surface acoustic wave convolver for fast computing and an oscilloscope as a display element, a unique way of computing the WD of a signal (e.g., the impulse response of a linear system) has been investigated. An experimental system has been built and used to calculate the WD of several different filters and signals. The mathematical background of the method, its limitations and dependency on the properties of the convolver, and possible implementations are investigated.