Low frequency signal period or ratio (period)-to-voltage converter
US4215315A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 1978 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R23/005
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A converter that provides an analog (voltage) output signal that denotes either the period of an unknown low frequency signal or the ratio between the periods of two unknown low frequency signals is disclosed. The converter includes a ramp generator having a capacitor that is alternately charged in accordance with the periods of two low frequency signals. Between charging cycles the capacitor is discharged. When the period of an unknown low frequency signal is to be converted to analog form, one of the charge controlling signals is the unknown signal and the other signal is a known low frequency signal. When the ratio of the periods of two unknown low frequency signals is to be converted to analog form, the two unknown signals control the charging of the capacitor of the ramp generator. The ramp generator charge controlled by the period of the known signal (in the period conversion case) or one of the unknown signals (in the ratio conversion case) is used to control the level of a signal stored by a feedback sample and hold circuit, which circuit controls the output of the current source that charges the capacitor of the ramp generator. The ramp generator charge controlled by the o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.