Method and system for adjusting electrical components using alternately applied signals

Claim 2

In a method of adjusting an electrical component so as to provide a predetermined differential insertion loss with respect to output signals corresponding to two input signals generated at two different frequencies of interest, the steps of: applying the two input signals sequentially to the electrical component with the signal levels of the two signals calibrated to differ by a quantity equal to the predetermined differential insertion loss; while treating the component so as to vary the response of the electrical component to at least one of the frequencies; and while detecting the differential signal level between output signals of the electrical component corresponding to the two frequencies; generating a control signal upon the detected differential signal level attaining a value of zero; and terminating the treating step upon generation of the control signal.

Claim 3

In a method as set forth in claim 1, said detecting and control signal generating steps comprising: generating an AC monitoring signal corresponding to the sequential signal levels transmitted by the electrical component as the two input signals are applied sequentially to the electrical component; detecting a phase reversal in the AC monitoring signals; and generating the control signal in response to the phase reversal detection.

Claim 4

In a method of utilizing a signal amplitude measuring device in adjusting an electrical component to provide a predetermined differential insertion loss between output signals corresponding to two input signals generated initially at like amplitude but at two different frequencies of interest, the steps of: a. coupling one of the input signals in series through the electrical component to the amplitude measuring device; then b. measuring the amplitude of said one signal; next c. decoupling said one input signal from the measuring device; thereupon d. coupling the other of the input signals in series through the electrical component to the amplitude measuring device through a signal attenuator selected to attenuate sAid other input signal by an amount equal to the predetermined differential insertion loss; then e. measuring the amplitude of said other signal; and then f. decoupling said other signal from the amplitude measuring devices; thereupon g. repeatingly performing steps (a) through (f) a number of times; while altering a characteristic of the electrical component affecting the differential insertion loss until equal output signal amplitudes are measured by the amplitude measuring device.

Claim 5

In a method of utilizing a signal amplitude measuring device in adjusting an electrical component to provide a predetermined differential insertion loss between output signals corresponding to two input signals generated initially at like amplitude but at two different frequencies of interest, the steps of: a. coupling one of the input signals in series through the electrical component to the amplitude measuring device; then b. measuring the amplitude of said one signal; next c. decoupling said one input signal from the measuring device; thereupon d. coupling the other of the input signals in series through the electrical component to the amplitude measuring device through a signal attenuator selected to attenuate sAid other input signal by an amount equal to the predetermined differential insertion loss; then e. measuring the amplitude of said other signal; and then f. decoupling said other signal from the amplitude measuring devices; thereupon g. repeatingly performing steps (a) through (f) a number of times; while altering a characteristic of the electrical component affecting the differential insertion loss until equal output signal amplitudes are measured by the amplitude measuring device.

Claim 6

In a method as set forth in claim 3, said altering step comprising: treating the electrical component in a manner selected to vary said characteristic of the electrical component; while generating an AC monitoring signal corresponding to the alternating amplitudes measured by the amplitude measuring device as the two input signals are applied alternatingly to the electrical component; generating a control signal in response to a phase reversal of the AC monitoring signal; and terminating the treatment of the electrical component in response to generation of the control signal.

Claim 7

In a method of utilizing a signal amplitude measuring device in adjusting an electrical component so as to provide a predetermined differential insertion loss between output signals corresponding to two input signals generated at two different frequencies of interest, the steps of: coupling the two input signals sequentially to the amplitude measuring device; adjusting the relative amplitudes of the input signals to provide equal output signal amplitudes as measured by the amplitude measuring device; thereupon coupling the two input signals sequentially to the electrical component with one of the input signals so coupled through a signal attenuator selected to attenuate said one input signal by an amount equal to the predetermined differential insertion loss; and coupling the electrical component to the amplitude measuring device; and thereupon altering a characteristic of the electrical component affecting the differential insertion loss until equal output signal amplitudes are measured by the amplitude measuring device.

Claim 8

In a method of utilizing a signal amplitude measuring device in adjusting an electrical component so as to provide a predetermined differential insertion loss between output signals corresponding to two input signals generated at two different frequencies of interest, the steps of: coupling the two input signals sequentially to the amplitude measuring device; adjusting the relative amplitudes of the input signals to provide equal output signal amplitudes as measured by the amplitude measuring device; thereupon coupling the two input signals sequentially to the electrical component with one of the input signals so coupled through a signal attenuator selected to attenuate said one input signal by an amount equal to the predetermined differential insertion loss; and coupling the electrical component to the amplitude measuring device; and thereupon altering a characteristic of the electrical component affecting the differential insertion loss until equal output signal amplitudes are measured by the amplitude measuring device.

Claim 9

In a method as set forth in claim 5, said altering step comprising: treating the electrical component in a manner selected to vary said characteristic of the electrical component; while generating an AC monitoring signal corresponding to the alternating amplitudes measured by the amplitude measuring device as the two input signals are applied alternatingly to the electrical component; and terminating the treating of the electrical component upon the occurrence of a phase reversal in the AC monitoring signal.

Claim 10

In a method as set forth in claim 6, said treating and terminating steps comprising: applying a characteristic adjusting medium to the electrical component; generating a control signal in response to a phase reversal in the AC monitoring signal; and discontinuing application of the characteristic adjusting medium to the electrical component in response to generation of the control signal.

Claim 11

In a system for adjusting an electrical component so as to provide a predetermined differential insertion loss between output signals corresponding to two input signals having two frequencies of interest: means for generating signals having both of said frequencies of interest and including calibrating adjustment means for varying the output level of at least one of the two signals; means for attenuating a selected on of said signals by a quantity equal to the predetermined differential insertion loss; means for detecting the amplitude of an output signal from the electrical component; coupling means for selectively coupling the two signals in an alternating manner to said amplitude detecting means externally of the electrical component during a calibrating phase of operation of the coupling means and for selectively coupling the two signals in an alternaTing manner through the electrical component to the amplitude detecting means during a treatment phase of operation of the coupling means, said coupling means, including switching means selectively operable between two conditions of operation for coupling the amplitude detecting means to receive said selected on signal bypassing the signal attenuating means in the calibrating phase of operation of the coupling means and for coupling the electrical component and the amplitude detecting means to receive said selected one signal through the attenuating means in the treatment phase of operation of the switching means; means, initiated into operation during said treatment phase of the coupling means, for treating the electrical component so as to alter a characteristic affecting the differential insertion loss; and means responsive to an equalization of the alternating amplitudes detected by the amplitude detecting means upon application to the electrical component of the two input signals alternatingly during said treatment phase of the coupling means for terminating the operation of the treating means.

Claim 12

In a system for adjusting an electrical component so as to provide a predetermined differential insertion loss between output signals corresponding to two input signals having two frequencies of interest: means for generating signals having both of said frequencies of interest and including calibrating adjustment means for varying the output level of at least one of the two signals; means for attenuating a selected on of said signals by a quantity equal to the predetermined differential insertion loss; means for detecting the amplitude of an output signal from the electrical component; coupling means for selectively coupling the two signals in an alternating manner to said amplitude detecting means externally of the electrical component during a calibrating phase of operation of the coupling means and for selectively coupling the two signals in an alternaTing manner through the electrical component to the amplitude detecting means during a treatment phase of operation of the coupling means, said coupling means, including switching means selectively operable between two conditions of operation for coupling the amplitude detecting means to receive said selected on signal bypassing the signal attenuating means in the calibrating phase of operation of the coupling means and for coupling the electrical component and the amplitude detecting means to receive said selected one signal through the attenuating means in the treatment phase of operation of the switching means; means, initiated into operation during said treatment phase of the coupling means, for treating the electrical component so as to alter a characteristic affecting the differential insertion loss; and means responsive to an equalization of the alternating amplitudes detected by the amplitude detecting means upon application to the electrical component of the two input signals alternatingly during said treatment phase of the coupling means for terminating the operation of the treating means.

Claim 13

In a system as set forth in claim 8, said terminating means comprising: means responsive to the alternating amplitudes detected by the amplitude detecting means as the two signals are applied alternatingly to the electrical component for generating an AC monitoring signal corresponding to said detected alternating amplitudes; and means responsive to a phase reversal in said AC signal for discontinuing the operation of the treating means.