Function generator

Claim 2

Apparatus for generating functions of an input signal comprising sequencing means responsive to said input signal for sequentially providing a plurality of pulse signals, the total of the pulse durations thereof being proportional to said input signal, variable gain means responsive to said plurality of pulse signals for selectively providing a plurality of predetermined gains corresponding thereto, respectively, means included in said variable gain means for rendering said predetermined gains effective during the durations of the corresponding pulse signals, and averaging means coupled to said variable gain means for providing an output signal representative of the average of said selectively provided gains thereby providing said functions of said input signal.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said sequencing means comprises a plurality of control leads, and means for sequentially energizing a number of said control leads, all but the last thereof being energized for equal time durations, the last thereof being energized for a time duration linearly proportional to said input signal, thereby generating said plurality of pulse signals.

Claim 4

Apparatus for generating functions of an input signal comprising sequencing means responsive to said input signal for providing a sequence of signals the number thereof being proportional to said input signal, variable gain means responsive to said sequence of signals for selectively providing predetermined gains corresponding to said sequence of signals, respectively, and averaging means coupled to said variable gain means for providing an output signal representative of the average of said selectively provided gains thereby providing said functions of said input signal, said sequencing means comprising pulse width converter means for providing enabling pulses of widths proportional to said input signal and digital counting means adapted to count clock pulses and having a plurality of control leads for sequential energization in response to said clock pulses, said digital counting means being responsive to said enabling pulses for enabling energization of said control leads only during the presence thereof thereby providing said sequence of signals.

Claim 5

Apparatus for generating functions of an input signal comprising sequencing means responsive to said input signal for providing a sequence of signals the number thereof being proportional to said input signal, variable gain means responsive to said sequence of signals for selectively providing predetermined gains corresponding to said sequence of signals, respectively, and averaging means coupled to said variable gain means for providing an output signal representative of the average of said selectively provided gains thereby providing said functions of said input signal, said sequencing means comprising pulse width converter means for providing enabling pulses of widths proportional to said input signal and digital counting means adapted to count clock pulses and having a plurality of control leads for sequential energization in response to said clock pulses, said digital counting means being responsive to said enabling pulses for enabling energization of said control leads only during the presence thereof thereby providing said sequence of signals.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said variable gain means comprises, a plurality of gain controlling elements, And switching means responsive to said plurality of pulse signals, said gain controlling elements and said switching means being so arranged with respect to each other to provide said predetermined gains.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said variable gain means comprises a first terminal, a second terminal, a plurality of resistor means, and switching means responsive to said plurality of pulse signals for selectively coupling said resistor means between said first and second terminals thereby providing said predetermined gains.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 in which said variable gain means further includes inverting means coupled in series circuit with respect to certain of said resistor means between said first and second terminals for providing inverse polarity predetermined gains.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said averaging means comprises lag circuit means.

Claim 10

Apparatus for generating functions of an input signal comprising pulse width converter means for providing enabling pulses of widths proportional to said input signal, digital counting means adapted to count clock pulses and having a plurality of control leads for sequential energization in response to said clock pulses, said digital counting means being responsive to said enabling pulses for enabling energization of said control leads only during the presence thereof, a first terminal, a second terminal, a plurality of resistor means, a plurality of switching means coupled to said plurality of control leads for selectively coupling said resistor means between said first and second terminals thereby selectively providing predetermined gains with respect to signals applied to said first terminal, and averaging means coupled to said second terminal for providing an output signal representative of the average of said selectively provided gains thereby providing said functions of said input signal.

Claim 11

Apparatus for generating functions of an input signal comprising pulse width converter means for providing enabling pulses of widths proportional to said input signal, digital counting means adapted to count clock pulses and having a plurality of control leads for sequential energization in response to said clock pulses, said digital counting means being responsive to said enabling pulses for enabling energization of said control leads only during the presence thereof, a first terminal, a second terminal, a plurality of resistor means, a plurality of switching means coupled to said plurality of control leads for selectively coupling said resistor means between said first and second terminals thereby selectively providing predetermined gains with respect to signals applied to said first terminal, and averaging means coupled to said second terminal for providing an output signal representative of the average of said selectively provided gains thereby providing said functions of said input signal.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 in which said pulse width converter means comprises ramp generator means coupled to said digital counting means for providing a ramp signal synchronized to a predetermined count thereof, and comparator means responsive to said ramp signal and said input signal for providing said enabling pulses to said digital counting means in accordance with said ramp signal equalling said input signal.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said sequencing means comprises pulse width converter means for providing enabling pulses of widths proportional to said input signal, and digital counting means adapted to count clock pulses and having a plurality of control leads for sequential energization in response to said clock pulses, said digital counting means being responsive to said enabling pulses for enabling energization of said control leads only during the presence thereof thereby providing said plurality of pulse signals.

Claim 14

Apparatus for generating a function of an input signal, a point of said function being generated during a predetermined time period, the combination comprising sequencing means responsive to said input signal adapted for sequentially providing a predetermined number of equal duration pulse signals, the total of the pulse durations thereof being equal to said predetermined time period, means included in said sequencing means for sequentially enabling said pulse signals until the total pulse durations thereof are proportional to said input signal, the duration of the last enabled pulse signal being linearly proportional to said input signal, variable gain means coupled to said sequencing means adapted for providing a predetermined number of predetermined gains corresponding to said predetermined number of pulse signals, respectively, means included in said variable gain means for rendering effective those predetermined gains corresponding to said enabled pulse signals during the durations thereof, and averaging means coupled to said variAble gain means for providing an output signal representative of the average over said predetermined time period of said predetermined gains rendered effective during said time period, thereby providing said point of said function of said input signal.

Claim 15

Apparatus for generating a function of an input signal, a point of said function being generated during a predetermined time period, the combination comprising sequencing means responsive to said input signal adapted for sequentially providing a predetermined number of equal duration pulse signals, the total of the pulse durations thereof being equal to said predetermined time period, means included in said sequencing means for sequentially enabling said pulse signals until the total pulse durations thereof are proportional to said input signal, the duration of the last enabled pulse signal being linearly proportional to said input signal, variable gain means coupled to said sequencing means adapted for providing a predetermined number of predetermined gains corresponding to said predetermined number of pulse signals, respectively, means included in said variable gain means for rendering effective those predetermined gains corresponding to said enabled pulse signals during the durations thereof, and averaging means coupled to said variAble gain means for providing an output signal representative of the average over said predetermined time period of said predetermined gains rendered effective during said time period, thereby providing said point of said function of said input signal.