Patent US2523363A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3609312A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Data conversion and control system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-03-11
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1988-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A data conversion and control system comprising an input and an output section, which function to establish compatibility between an inherently analog missile fire control system or the like and a general purpose digital computer and thereby form a closedloop, digital type fire control system. More specifically, means are provided at the input to the digital computer for converting all of the input data signals from the fire control system, regardless of their form, into a digital format acceptable by the computer and, moreover, such conversion operations are performed accurately, in reduced data conversion time. Also, means are provided at the input to the computer for making, where necessary, determinations of the algebraic sign of the input analog data signals and of the angle of input synchro data signals, for later use in the digital computer. At the output of the computer, means are provided to accept the digital outputs therefrom and convert them, where appropriate, into the various types of control signals normally associated with the missile fire control system. The present invention also provides for connecting the computer in a novel end-around test mode for the purpose of checking that both the input and output sections of the proposed data conversion and control system are operating properly. The proposed data conversion and control system of the present invention is particularly adapted for use with the fire control system for the Talos missile and provides a more accurate control of the doppler frequency guidance control signal communicated, by the fire control system, to the missile, in such a manner that there is a quicker acquisition of the target, by the missile.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert K Higgins
- 👤 Andrew T Sheets
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:56
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/30; F41G7/301; F41G7/306; F41G7/22; F41G7/226; F41G7/2266; F41G7/2273; F41G7/2286
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
In a data conversion and control system, the combination of, a source of reference phase AC voltage, means connected to said reference voltage source for demarcating successive half-cycles of said reference voltage, input means for receiving input analog signals each comprising an AC voltage of reference phase whose amplitude represents the analog of a data source condition, integration means connected to said input means for integrating each of said input analog signals, analog to digital conversion means connected to said integration means for converting each of said analog signals into a digital signal subsequent to said integration, and control means connected to said integration means and said analog to digital conversion means and responsive to the successive half-cycles of said reference voltage demarcated by said demarcating means for rendering said integration means and said analog to digital conversion means selectively effective in succession, to first integrate and then perform an analog to digital conversion of each of said input Analog signals on successive half-cycles of said AC reference voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a data conversion and control system, the combination of, a source of reference phase AC voltage, means connected to said reference voltage source for demarcating successive half-cycles of said reference voltage, input means for receiving input analog signals each comprising an AC voltage of reference phase whose amplitude represents the analog of a data source condition, integration means connected to said input means for integrating each of said input analog signals, analog to digital conversion means connected to said integration means for converting each of said analog signals into a digital signal subsequent to said integration, and control means connected to said integration means and said analog to digital conversion means and responsive to the successive half-cycles of said reference voltage demarcated by said demarcating means for rendering said integration means and said analog to digital conversion means selectively effective in succession, to first integrate and then perform an analog to digital conversion of each of said input Analog signals on successive half-cycles of said AC reference voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
The combination specified in claim 1 further including, means operably connected to receive said AC reference voltage and generate a signal output demarcating a 120* period during each half-cycle of said reference voltage, and means connected to said 120* demarcating means and said integration means and responsive to the 120* demarcating signal output generated by said 120* demarcating means for rendering said integration means only effective to integrate an input analog signal for the 120* of said AC reference voltage signal demarcated by said signal output from said 120* demarcating means, whereby third harmonic noise distortion is minimized during integration of said input analog data signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination specified in claim 2 wherein said 120* demarcating means generates a signal output demarcating a 120* period occurring at the center of a half-cycle of said AC reference signal to thereby minimize quadrature distortion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
117 words
The combination specified in claim 1 wherein, said input analog signals are divided into a plurality of data blocks, each containing a plurality of data words, said integration means includes a plurality of integrating circuits corresponding with the number of data words in each data block and each of said integrating circuits being connected to receive and integrate a different data word, and said control means is a switching circuit connected to said half-cycle demarcating means and responsive to the successive half-cycle of said AC reference voltage signal for selectively applying the data words contained in one after another of said input data blocks to said integrator circuits on successive half-cycles of said AC reference voltage signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination specified in claim 4 wherein said switching circuit includes, counter means connected to said half-cycle demarcating means for registering a count of the half-cycles of said AC reference voltage signal, and means responsive to the count registered by said counting means for selectively connecting a different one of said input signal data blocks to said integrating circuits each time said count advances.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
The combination specified in claim 5 further including, second switching means connected between said integrator circuits and said analog to digital conversion means and responsive to the half-cycle count provided by said counter means for selectively connecting one after another of said integrating circuits to said analog to digital conversion means, each integrating circuit being connected to said analog to digital conversion means during the half-cycle of said reference signal immediately following the half-cycle during which said integrating circuit was connected to receive and integrate said input data signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination specified in claim 1 wherein said input analog signal may represent either synchro or data type information and further including, means controlled in accordance with the type of input analog signal received, for determining the octant of synchro type information and the algebraic sign of data type information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
The data conversion control system specified in claim 7 wherein said sign determining means comprises, first means operably connected to receive said input analog and reference signals for generating first and second output signals indicative respectively of the instantaneous polarity of said input analog and reference signals during each half-cycle of said reference signal, and second means operably connected to said first means to receive said first and second output signals for producing a signal indicative of the algebraic sign of said input analog signal, dependent upon the instantaneous phase relationship which exists between said input analog signal and said reference signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The data conversion and control system specified in claim 8 wherein said second means comprises an exclusive OR circuit adapted to receive said first and second output signals and adapted to generate an output signal only when said first and second signals are 180* out of phase.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a data conversion and control system, the combination of, a digital computer, an input section connected to said digital computer and adapted to receive input data and convert said input data to a digital format usable by said digital computer, said input section being further effective to convert input data received in analog form into a digital form acceptable to said digital computer, an output section connected to said digital computer and adapted to receive digital control information from said digital computer and convert to analog signal form, said digital computer being programmed to generate a digital test signal and apply it to said output section for conversion to a corresponding analog signal, feedback means including a switch means in a first switching condition for interconnecting said output section and said input section for applying said test signal, after analog conversion by said output section, to said input section, said computer being programmed to compare the digital test signal generated by said computer with the input digitized signal furnished to said computer by said input section upon application of said converted test signal to said input section by said feedback means, and means operably connected to said comparing means for providing an error readout.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a data conversion and control system, the combination of, a digital computer, an input section connected to said digital computer and adapted to receive input data and convert said input data to a digital format usable by said digital computer, said input section being further effective to convert input data received in analog form into a digital form acceptable to said digital computer, an output section connected to said digital computer and adapted to receive digital control information from said digital computer and convert to analog signal form, said digital computer being programmed to generate a digital test signal and apply it to said output section for conversion to a corresponding analog signal, feedback means including a switch means in a first switching condition for interconnecting said output section and said input section for applying said test signal, after analog conversion by said output section, to said input section, said computer being programmed to compare the digital test signal generated by said computer with the input digitized signal furnished to said computer by said input section upon application of said converted test signal to said input section by said feedback means, and means operably connected to said comparing means for providing an error readout.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
149 words
The data conversion and control system specified in claim 10 and further including, a missile fire control system, said switch means being effective when in a second switching condition to connect said output and input sections to said fire control system and being effective when in said first switching condition to disconnect said output and input sections from said missile fire control system and render said feedback means effective to connect said output section directly to said input section, said input section means receiving analog and digital data from said missile fire control system when said switch means is in its second switching condition and being effective to convert them to a digital format acceptable to said digital computer, and said output section means receiving digital output words from said digital computer and being effective to convert them to analog and digital formats acceptable to said fire control system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The data conversion control system specified in claim 11 wherein said output section is provided with means permitting the manual insertion of selected data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
196 words
The data conversion and control system specified in claim 11 wherein said missile fire control system includes a radar unit for transmitting a variable frequency missile guidance control signal to a missile to be controlled and further including, a voltage controlled oscillator connected to said radar unit for generating said variable frequency missile guidance control signal, and interface apparatus for interconnecting said digital computer in a closed control loop to said voltage controlled oscillator, said interface apparatus comprising, digital-to-analog conversion means connected to receive an output digital control word from said digital computer indicative of any necessary adjustment in the output frequency of said voltage controlled oscillator for converting said digital control word into an analog voltage signal, means connecting said digital-to-analog conversion means to said voltage controlled oscillator for adjusting the frequency output of said voltage controlled oscillator in accordance with said analog voltage signal, means connected to the output of said voltage controlled oscillator for producing a digital word indicative of the output frequency being generated by said voltage controlleD oscillator, and means for applying the digital word indicative of the output frequency of said voltage controlled oscillator to the input of said computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus specified in claim 13 wherein said digital word producing means includes a resettable, multibit counter means for storing a digital count representative of the output frequency of said voltage controlled oscillator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |