Pulse peak detector

A pulse peak detector for generating a DC signal proportional to the peak amplitude of applied short duration input pulses of a repetitive train, includes a signal input circuit to which the pulses are applied, a first storage capacitor, a differential comparator connected to the input circuit and to the pulse storage capacitor for producing a saturation output signal having a time duration equal to the time during which the input pulse exceeds the amplitude of the level stored on the capacitor. The output pulse thus generated is coupled to an error amplifier and a second storage capacitor at the output of that amplifier, the second capacitor being DC coupled to the first. The time constants of the capacitors and their associated resistive charging circuits are selected so that the coupling circuit and the second storage capacitor has a time constant which is long relative to the repetition rate of the applied signals. The first storage capacitor and its charging circuit has a significantly shorter time constant so that the second capacitor tends to replenish the charge on the first and also produces a DC output level which is representative of the peak amplitude of applied input signals.