US3742489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sample amplifiers having automatic regulation of the amplification factor by discrete values
Assignee: RECH CONST ELECTRONIQUES SOC E
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Filing: 1971-10-27
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-10-27
Abstract
Abstract In a sample amplifier having gain variable by discrete value, in which it is desired to bring the samples into a range of specific voltages by means of a suitable amplification factor, two comparators are fed respectively by two reference voltages, and the amplified samples taken successively at different points of the amplification chain are compared to these two reference voltages. A logical decision circuit, associated with a bidirectional counter, allows the ''''addressed'''' command of analogue gates connected respectively to the various points of the amplification chain, so as to effect these two comparisons at points determined by the cabled programme of the counterdeducter.
Inventors
- 👤 G Lefevre
- 👤 P Angelle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:02
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
An automatic gain ranging amplifier system comprising: an input terminal; a plurality of equal gain amplifier stages connected in series, with the input of the first amplifier stage in said series coupled to said input terminal; a plurality of gates, the input of one of said gates being coupled to the input of the first amplifier stage and each of the other of said gates having an input connected to the output of a respective one of said amplifier stages; a common output circuit coupled to the outputs of all of said gates; a pair of sources for providing two reference voltages, the magnitude of the voltages being different and their ratio being substantially equal to said gain; a pair of comparators each having a first input coupled to a respective one of said reference voltage sources and a second input coupled to said common output circuit; first means coupled to the other inputs of said gates for opening only one of said gates at a time, thereby defining an output gain on said common output circuit with respect to said input terminal; and second means, coupled between said comparators and said first means, responsive to both outputs of said comparators for controlling said first means so that said gates are opened one at a time until, in the last state of said gates, a signal applied to the input terminal is amplified and coupled to the common output circuit with a value lying between the values of the reference voltages.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
An automatic gain ranging amplifier system comprising: an input terminal; a plurality of equal gain amplifier stages connected in series, with the input of the first amplifier stage in said series coupled to said input terminal; a plurality of gates, the input of one of said gates being coupled to the input of the first amplifier stage and each of the other of said gates having an input connected to the output of a respective one of said amplifier stages; a common output circuit coupled to the outputs of all of said gates; a pair of sources for providing two reference voltages, the magnitude of the voltages being different and their ratio being substantially equal to said gain; a pair of comparators each having a first input coupled to a respective one of said reference voltage sources and a second input coupled to said common output circuit; first means coupled to the other inputs of said gates for opening only one of said gates at a time, thereby defining an output gain on said common output circuit with respect to said input terminal; and second means, coupled between said comparators and said first means, responsive to both outputs of said comparators for controlling said first means so that said gates are opened one at a time until, in the last state of said gates, a signal applied to the input terminal is amplified and coupled to the common output circuit with a value lying between the values of the reference voltages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
An amplifier system as defined in claim 1, comprising timing means for sequencing the operation of said second means into at least a first decision step and a last decision step which includes all of the last states of the gates; and wherein both outputs of said comparators represent that the signal at said common output, in magnitude is less than, between, or greater than said two reference voltages, and said second means responds at least at said first decision step to both outputs of said comparators for controlling said first means to increase, to maintain or to decrease said output gain, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An amplifier system as defined in claim 2, wherein said second means comprises means for presetting said first means to open the gate connected to the output of an amplifier stage substantially in the middle of said series-connected plurality of amplifiers before said first decision step, the possible gain change at that first decision step being at least one fourth the overall gain of said series-connected plurality of amplifier stages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
An amplifier system as defined in claiM 3, wherein said second means comprises a bi-directional counter circuit and a logical decision means responsive to both outputs of said comparators for supplying said counter with count commands at said decision steps, the possible count change at each decision step being at least one half the one at the preceding decision step, and wherein said first means comprises a decoder circuit for said counter circuit, each decoded state of the counter having a respective gate opened.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An amplifier system as defined in claim 5, wherein said logical decision means is also responsive to outputs of said decoder circuit for providing gain changes equal to said equal gain at the last decision step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An amplifier system as defined in claim 5, comprising a gain storage circuit connected to the output of the counter for storing the count thereof after said last decision step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An amplifier system as defined in claim 6, comprising a sampler connected to said common output circuit, and responsive to said timing means for storing the signal on said common output circuit after said last decision step.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An amplifier system as defined in claim 7, comprising an analogue to digital converter coupled to the output of the sampler.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An amplifier system as defined in claim 8, comprising a recorder coupled to the analogue to digital converter and the gain storage circuit for recording output signals therefrom.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |