US3557347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digitally controlled analogue function generator
Assignee: Zeltex Inc
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Filing: 1968-09-18
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Granted: 1971-01-19
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Expires: 1988-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A function generator primarily adapted for use in hybrid computing systems, wherein method and apparatus are disclosed for producing an analogue output signal as a digitally selected segmental function of an independent variable analogue input signal. In particular, the system involves the generation of a fundamental or base signal having a digitally selected linear gain or slope relationship with the input signal and the concurrent generation of a plurality of modifier signals having individual digitally selected discontinuous breakpoint relationships with the same input signal. The base and modifier signals are thereupon electrically summed to produce an analogue output signal having the desired segmental function relationship with the input signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack Y Robertson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06G; G06G7/00; G06G7/12; G06G7/26; G06G7/28; G06J; G06J1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A function generator controlled by a digital signal for producing a segmental analogue output signal as a digitally selected function of an analogue input signal comprising: digitally controlled linear circuit means for receiving the input and digital signals and issuing a base signal having a digitally selected linear gain relationship with the input signal; digitally controlled nonlinear circuit means for receiving the input and digital signals and issuing a modifier signal having a digitally positioned breakpoint with the analogue input signal; and summing circuit means connected to said linear and nonlinear circuit means summing the base and modifier signals to produce the segmental analogue output signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A function generator controlled by a digital signal for producing a segmental analogue output signal as a digitally selected function of an analogue input signal comprising: digitally controlled linear circuit means for receiving the input and digital signals and issuing a base signal having a digitally selected linear gain relationship with the input signal; digitally controlled nonlinear circuit means for receiving the input and digital signals and issuing a modifier signal having a digitally positioned breakpoint with the analogue input signal; and summing circuit means connected to said linear and nonlinear circuit means summing the base and modifier signals to produce the segmental analogue output signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The function generator defined in claim 1 said linear circuit means further comprising, a digitally controlled bias generator means for receiving the digital signal and providing the base signal with a digitally selected offset bias with reference to the input signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The generator defined in claim 2, said bias generator means comprising, a direct current source, an operational amplifier having a variable impedance input connected to said source and an output selectively biasing the base signal in response to said variable impedance, and a digital to analogue conversion means for receiving the digital signal and selectively setting said variable impedance input.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The generator defined in claim 1, said linear circuit means comprising, an operational amplifier having a variable impedance input for receiving the input signal and an output issuing the base signal in response thereto, and digital to analogue conversion means for receiving the digital signal and selectively setting said variable impedance input to provide the aforesaid selective gain relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The generator defined in claim 1 said linear circuit means further comprising, a gain multiplier circuit means for receiving the digital signal and providing the base signal with a digitally selected gain multiplication factor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The function generator defined in claim 1 said nonlinear circuit means further comprising, a digitally controlled linear gain circuit means providing the modifier signal with a digitally selected linear gain.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
The generator defined in claim 1 said nonlinear circuit means comprising, an operational amplifier circuit having an input for receiving the analogue input signal and a diode feedback network and an output issuing the modifier signal as a rectified nonlinear of function of the input signal, and a digitally controlled bias generator means for receiving the digital signal and being conNected to said amplifier circuit input issuing a digitally selected bias signal thereto setting the aforesaid breakpoint position between the input and modifier signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The generator defined in claim 7 said bias generator means comprising, a direct current source, a variable impedance connected between said source and amplifier circuit input, and digital to analogue conversion means responsive to the digital signal selectively setting said impedance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The function generator defined in claim 1 comprising, a plurality of said nonlinear circuit means each for receiving the analogue input and digital signals and each issuing a separate digitally selected modifier signal and said summing circuit means being connected to said plurality of nonlinear circuit means summing all of the modifier signals with the base signal to provide the segmental analogue output signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The function generator defined in claim 9, said nonlinear circuit means each comprising, a digitally controlled gain multiplier circuit means for receiving the digital signal and providing individual digitally selected gain multiplication factors for each modifier signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The function generator defined in claim 1 further comprising, signal track and storage circuit means for receiving the digital signal and being connected to said summing circuit means tracking the analogue output signal and storing the instantaneous value thereof in response to the digital signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
The function generator defined in claim 11 said track and storage means comprising, an operational amplifier circuit having an input and an output and a capacitive feedback impedance connected therebetween, a resistor connected between said amplifier output and said summing circuit means and a switching device for receiving the digital signal and being connected between said summing circuit and amplifier input and having closed and open circuit conditions responsive to the digital signal respectively providing optional signal tracking or storing at said amplifier output.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
The function generator defined in claim 1 further comprising, phase splitting circuit means for receiving the analogue input signal and being connected to said linear and nonlinear circuit means providing opposing phases of the input signal thereto, and said linear and nonlinear circuit means each selecting one of the opposing phase signals in response to the digital signal providing selective slope phase and breakpoint position phase relationships between the base and modifier signals and the analogue input signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
91 words
A nonlinear function generator responsive to a digital signal for issuing an analogue output signal as a digitally selected nonlinear function of an analogue input signal comprising, an operational amplifier circuit having a nonlinearly conductive feedback network and an input for receiving the analogue input signal and an output for issuing the analogue output signal, and a digitally controlled bias generator for receiving the digital signal and being connected to said circuit input issuing a digitally selected bias signal thereto positioning the nonlinear relationship between the input and output analogue signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
91 words
A nonlinear function generator responsive to a digital signal for issuing an analogue output signal as a digitally selected nonlinear function of an analogue input signal comprising, an operational amplifier circuit having a nonlinearly conductive feedback network and an input for receiving the analogue input signal and an output for issuing the analogue output signal, and a digitally controlled bias generator for receiving the digital signal and being connected to said circuit input issuing a digitally selected bias signal thereto positioning the nonlinear relationship between the input and output analogue signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
77 words
The function generator defined in claim 14, said operational amplifier circuit further comprising, phase splitting circuit means for receiving the analogue input signal and providing opposing phases thereof, switching means for receiving the digital signal and being connected between said phase splitting circuit means and said amplifier circuit input connecting a selected one of the input signal phases thereto in response to the digital signal providing a selective phase relationship between the analogue input and output signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
116 words
The function generator defined in claim 14 wherein said operational amplifier circuit includes a base amplifier having an input providing said amplifier circuit input and an output and said feedback network comprising, a pair of oppositely poled blocking diode networks connecTed in parallel between said base amplifier output and said amplifier circuit output, a resistor connected between said amplifier circuit output and said base amplifier input, a pair of oppositely poled diodes, and switching means for receiving the digital signal and responsive thereto connecting a selected one of said last named diodes between said base amplifier input and output to clamp a selected signal polarity appearing at said base amplifier output to said base amplifier input.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of generating an analogue output signal as a segmental function of an analogue input signal wherein such function is selected by a digital signal comprising, converting the input and digital signals into a base signal having a digitally selected linear gain relationship with the input signal, concurrently converting the input and digital signals into a modifier signal having a digitally selected breakpoint discontinuity with the input signal, and summing the base and modifier signals to provide the selected segmental function analogue output signal.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of generating an analogue output signal as a segmental function of an analogue input signal wherein such function is selected by a digital signal comprising, converting the input and digital signals into a base signal having a digitally selected linear gain relationship with the input signal, concurrently converting the input and digital signals into a modifier signal having a digitally selected breakpoint discontinuity with the input signal, and summing the base and modifier signals to provide the selected segmental function analogue output signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method defined in claim 17 said first-named converting step further comprising, converting the digital signal into a digitally selected bias signal and adding the bias signal to the base signal to provide a digitally selected amplitude offset therefor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method defined in claim 17 said second converting step further comprising, converting the digital signal and modifier signal to provide the modifier signal with a digitally selected linear gain relative to the input analogue signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method defined in claim 17 comprising, a plurality of said second-named converting steps each concurrently performed on said analogue input signal with said first named converting step to provide a plurality of separate modifier signals each having individual digitally selected breakpoint discontinuities with respect to the input signal and wherein said summing step consists in summing all of the modifier signals with the base signal to provide the analogue output signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising, tracking the analogue output signal as the input signal varies and storing the instantaneous value of the output signal during transitions in the digital signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-18 | 1974-07-20 | 1975-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-18 | 1978-07-20 | 1979-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-18 | 1982-07-20 | 1983-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |