Converter circuitry

Claim 2

A linearizing circuit energized by a supply voltage subject to fluctuation from a nominal value, for receiving signals which are sine and cosine functions of an unknown angle variable through a first function quadrant including the range of about 45* to +45*, said signals being herein respectively designated as an amplitude input signal and a timing input signal, and producing therefrom as a function signal segment an output signal virtually linear with said unknown angle, comprising: means for deriving, as said function signal segment, the average value of a rectangular waveform whose amplitude over a constant on-time is a function of said amplitude input signal and whose off-time comprises a period having a duration which is a function of said timing input signal; and means for compensating for such fluctuations.

Claim 3

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said compensating means includes the provision in the off-time of a second period having a duration which is a function of supply voltage fluctuations and is small relative to the first period duration.

Claim 4

a linking signal equal in value to tHe difference between the values of the function signal segment at the upper and lower limits of the first function quadrant; and means for summing said function signal segment and said linking signal to form a second output signal segment.

Claim 5

a linking signal equal in value to tHe difference between the values of the function signal segment at the upper and lower limits of the first function quadrant; and means for summing said function signal segment and said linking signal to form a second output signal segment.

Claim 6

The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said unknown angle is also variable through a second function quadrant comprising the range of about 45* to 135*, including means for receiving input signals which are sine and cosine functions of the unknown angle in the second function quadrant and generating therefrom, as said amplitude and timing input signals, trigonometrically equivalent signals for an angle which is 90* less than said unknown angle.

Claim 7

The invention as defined in claim 3 including means for generating, when the unknown angle lies in the second function quadrant, a linking signal having a value equal to the difference between the values of the function signal segment at the upper and lower limits of the first function quadrant, and means for summing said function signal segment and said linking signal to form an output signal segment.

Claim 8

In a circuit for deriving as an output signal the value of a fraction whose numerator and denominator each includes an input signal subject to fluctuation in accordance with fluctuation of supply voltage from a nominal value and whose denominator additionally includes a constant, the provision of means for averaging over a cycle including an on-time and an off-time a rectangular waveform having a constant on-time and an amplitude proportional to the numerator input signal, and an off-time comprising a first period having a duration proportional to the denominator input signal and a second period having a duration varying from a nominal value as a function of supply voltage fluctuations from nominal.

Claim 9

In a circuit for deriving as an output signal the value of a fraction whose numerator and denominator each includes an input signal subject to fluctuation in accordance with fluctuation of supply voltage from a nominal value and whose denominator additionally includes a constant, the provision of means for averaging over a cycle including an on-time and an off-time a rectangular waveform having a constant on-time and an amplitude proportional to the numerator input signal, and an off-time comprising a first period having a duration proportional to the denominator input signal and a second period having a duration varying from a nominal value as a function of supply voltage fluctuations from nominal.

Claim 10

A circuit for measuring the angular position of an element variably positionable throughout first and second adjacent function quadrants and for producing an output signal which is virtually linear with the angular displacement of the element from the lower limit of the first function quadrant comprising: means for generating, while the element lies in the first function quadrant, a first function signal segment virtually linear with said angular displacement, and constituting a first output signal segment; means for generating, while the element lies in the second function quadrant, two signals, including

Claim 11

A circuit for measuring the angular position of an element variably positionable throughout first and second adjacent function quadrants and for producing an output signal which is virtually linear with the angular displacement of the element from the lower limit of the first function quadrant comprising: means for generating, while the element lies in the first function quadrant, a first function signal segment virtually linear with said angular displacement, and constituting a first output signal segment; means for generating, while the element lies in the second function quadrant, two signals, including

Claim 12

The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein the circuit is energized by a supply voltage subject to fluctuation from a nominal value, and including means for compensating for such fluctuations.

Claim 13

A linearizing circuit for receiving signals which are sine and cosine functions of an unknown angle variable through first and second function quadrants including the range of about -45* to +135*, said signals being herein respectively designated as an amplitude input signal and a timing input signal, and producing therefrom as first and second function signal segments output signals virtually linear with said unknown angle through one of said quadrants, comprising: means for deriving, as said first function signal segment, the average value of a rectangular waveform whose amplitude over a constant on-time is a function of said amplitude input signal and whose off-time comprises a period having a duration which is a function of said timing input signal; and means for receiving input signals which are sine and cosine functions of the unknown angle in the second function quadrant and generating therefrom, as said amplitude and timing input signals, trigonometrically equivalent signals for an angle which is 90* less than said unknown angle.

Claim 14

A linearizing circuit for receiving signals which are sine and cosine functions of an unknown angle variable through first and second function quadrants including the range of about -45* to +135*, said signals being herein respectively designated as an amplitude input signal and a timing input signal, and producing therefrom as first and second function signal segments output signals virtually linear with said unknown angle through one of said quadrants, comprising: means for deriving, as said first function signal segment, the average value of a rectangular waveform whose amplitude over a constant on-time is a function of said amplitude input signal and whose off-time comprises a period having a duration which is a function of said timing input signal; and means for receiving input signals which are sine and cosine functions of the unknown angle in the second function quadrant and generating therefrom, as said amplitude and timing input signals, trigonometrically equivalent signals for an angle which is 90* less than said unknown angle.

Claim 15

The invention as defined in claim 8 including means for generating, when the unknown angle lies in the second function quadrant, a linking signal having a value equal to the difference between the values of the function signal segment at the upper and lower limits of the first function quadrant, and means for summing said function signal segment and said linking signal to form an output signal segment.