number of different procedures for sampling a signal of a given length all other parameters being the same the system allows more freedom in selecting the sample rate to correctly sub sample a repetitive signal application_number US 39226103 A description fig1 shows a conceptual diagram of one embodiment where repetitive signal 102 to be examined is input to sampler 103 operating at rate f s established by sample clock 104 the output of sampler 103 is the raw data sequence that unless modified would have to be reordered before it can be displayed on instrument 101 using the concepts of the invention the raw data sequence is decimated by circuit 107 by factor n resulting in a correctly ordered sample sequence that can be directly displayed on an ordinary oscilloscope such as oscilloscope 101 the decimation factor n is uniquely determined as a function of the signal repetition rate and the sample rate optionally the trigger signal as supplied to terminal 108 can be obtained by decimating the signal from pattern trigger 105 by decimating circuit 106 the pattern trigger may be provided by the signal source or may be derived from the signal itself the trigger decimation ratio m is also uniquely determined as a function of the signal repetition rate and the sample rate the system and method can be performed for example in processor control 111 and begins by adjusting f s such that n is always known it is the number of bits in the repetitive signal pattern being measured when f s has been adjusted then the sample sequence is.