US3710386A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Time-shared frequency tracking loop
Assignee: Singer Co
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Filing: 1971-07-06
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1991-07-06
Abstract
Abstract In a frequency tracking loop, a single voltage-controlled local oscillator produces a sequence of output signals representing the respective peak power frequencies in a recycling sequence of input signals. The oscillator output is compared to the input signals to produce a DC error signal passed to a single operational amplifier. Integrating capacitors are alternately coupled between the amplifier''s input and output in a synchronized sequence corresponding to the input signals. The amplifier output, which controls the oscillator frequency, is thus repeatedly switched from one value to the next representing the last corresponding voltage in the previous cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 E Darboven
- 👤 L Solomon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:50
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03L; H03L7/00; H03L7/06; H03L7/08; H03L7/14; H03L7/143; G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/50; G01S13/58; G01S13/585; G01S13/586; G01S13/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A multi-beam doppler radar system of the type comprising transmit-receive antenna array means for producing separate beams, a timing unit connected to the array providing a timing signal causing the array to generate a repeating sequence of beams, a transmitting oscillator producing a CW signal transmitted by the array to produce a repeating sequence of doppler signals corresponding to the separate beams, wherein the improvement comprises; a time-shared frequency tracking loop including a single variable frequency local oscillator for producing a sequential output indicative of the peak power frequency in each doppler signal; discriminator means operatively receiving said sequence of doppler signals and said local oscillator output for providing an error output signal indicative of a frequency difference between said doppler signals and said local oscillator output; and time-shared integrator means for producing a sequential control signal output to said local oscillator having a single operational amplifier with an input connected to receive said discriminator means output, a plurality of capacitive elements corresponding respectively to said beams, and switching means responsive to the timing signal for connecting respective consecutive ones of said capacitive elements in a corresponding repeating sequence between the input and output of said amplifier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A multi-beam doppler radar system of the type comprising transmit-receive antenna array means for producing separate beams, a timing unit connected to the array providing a timing signal causing the array to generate a repeating sequence of beams, a transmitting oscillator producing a CW signal transmitted by the array to produce a repeating sequence of doppler signals corresponding to the separate beams, wherein the improvement comprises; a time-shared frequency tracking loop including a single variable frequency local oscillator for producing a sequential output indicative of the peak power frequency in each doppler signal; discriminator means operatively receiving said sequence of doppler signals and said local oscillator output for providing an error output signal indicative of a frequency difference between said doppler signals and said local oscillator output; and time-shared integrator means for producing a sequential control signal output to said local oscillator having a single operational amplifier with an input connected to receive said discriminator means output, a plurality of capacitive elements corresponding respectively to said beams, and switching means responsive to the timing signal for connecting respective consecutive ones of said capacitive elements in a corresponding repeating sequence between the input and output of said amplifier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The doppler radar system of claim 1 wherein; said switching means includes a set of parallel feedback lines between the input and output of said amplifier having respective gate means responsive to the timing signal for closing and opening consecutive ones of said feedback lines in said corresponding repeating sequence, said capacitive elements being operatively disposed in respective ones of said lines in series with said gate means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The doppler radar system of claim 2 wherein; said switching means further includes inhibit means responsive to the timing signal and connected to said gate means for simultaneously opening all of said lines to prevent transfer of charge between said capacitive elements while the array is switching from one beam to another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3150365A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |