Pulse detection systems

Claim 2

Apparatus for producing an output signal whenever the pulse with the largest amplitude level in a series of pulses separated successively by at least a predetermined time interval crosses a reference level, comprising in combination: a. detection means for producing a first signal whenever any pulse in the series crosses a predetermined reference level; b. reset means producing a second signal whenever a received pulse has a peak level exceeding that of the previously received pulses; c. logic means connected tO receive said first and second signals and responsive to simultaneous existence of the signals to generate a third signal; and d. counter means responsive to the third and second signals for producing an output signal whenever the third signal is not followed by the second signal within the predetermined time interval between successive pulses.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reset means further includes peak detection means for continuously generating a signal representative of the amplitude of the highest amplitude pulse received and a charge sensor associated with said peak detection means and operable to sense increases in magnitude of the signal stored by said peak detection means and to generate a reset pulse each time the signal so stored increases in magnitude.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said peak detection means includes a capacitor connected to be charged in response to the amplitude of pulses received and said charge sensor includes a monitored current source which supplies current for charging said capacitor and produces an output pulse each time current is supplied.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 further including data gate means responsive to said first signal to generate a gating pulse a predetermined time period after each occurence of said first signal, and wherein said logic means is also responsive to said gating pulses to provide a start signal for said counter only if said first and second signals and one of said gating signals simultaneously exist.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said logic means is further responsive to said output pulses from said monitored current source to provide a start signal for said counter only if one of said output pulses coexists with one of said first signals.

Claim 7

Apparatus for precisely measuring the transmission time of a signal between first and second points in a transmission medium, comprising: a. first means for producing at the first point a signal comprised of a series of pulses, one of which has an amplitude substantially greater than that of the others, and transmitting said pulsed signal through the medium; b. a receiver, positioned at the second point, for receiving said pulsed signal and generating an output signal representative thereof; c. a zero-crossing detector responsive to said receiver output signal to detect crossings of the magnitude of said received output signal through a predetermined reference level and to generate output pulses indicative of said crossings; d. a peak detector responsive to the amplitude of each of said series of pulses to detect whether a pulse received has an amplitude substantially greater than a previous pulse and to produce output pulses indicative of such detection; e. a counter, having start and reset inputs and an output, said counter producing a timing signal at a predetermined time after being started; f. a logic gate having first and second inputs at which said zero-crossing detector output pulses and peak detector output pulses are received, and an output at which a logic signal is produced in response to coexistent signals at said first and second inputs; g. means for supplying said logic signal to the start input of said counter for starting thereof; h. means for supplying said peak detector output pulses to the reset input of said counter; and i. a timer actuated by said first means to start timing at a predetermined time with respect to the production of said first means signal and responsive to said counter overflow pulse to stop timing, whereby a time period indicative of the transmission time for said first means signal between said first and second points is measured.

Claim 8

Apparatus for precisely measuring the transmission time of a signal between first and second points in a transmission medium, comprising: a. first means for producing at the first point a signal comprised of a series of pulses, one of which has an amplitude substantially greater than that of the others, and transmitting said pulsed signal through the medium; b. a receiver, positioned at the second point, for receiving said pulsed signal and generating an output signal representative thereof; c. a zero-crossing detector responsive to said receiver output signal to detect crossings of the magnitude of said received output signal through a predetermined reference level and to generate output pulses indicative of said crossings; d. a peak detector responsive to the amplitude of each of said series of pulses to detect whether a pulse received has an amplitude substantially greater than a previous pulse and to produce output pulses indicative of such detection; e. a counter, having start and reset inputs and an output, said counter producing a timing signal at a predetermined time after being started; f. a logic gate having first and second inputs at which said zero-crossing detector output pulses and peak detector output pulses are received, and an output at which a logic signal is produced in response to coexistent signals at said first and second inputs; g. means for supplying said logic signal to the start input of said counter for starting thereof; h. means for supplying said peak detector output pulses to the reset input of said counter; and i. a timer actuated by said first means to start timing at a predetermined time with respect to the production of said first means signal and responsive to said counter overflow pulse to stop timing, whereby a time period indicative of the transmission time for said first means signal between said first and second points is measured.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 further including data gate means associated with said zero-crossing detector and responsive to output pulses therefrom to generate a gating pulse a predetermined time after each of said zero-crossing detector output pulses are produced; and wherein said logic gate has a third inPut adapted to receive said gating pulses, and said logic signal is produced in response to coexistent signals at said first, second and third inputs.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said logic gate comprises a three input NAND gate.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said logic gate comprises a three input AND gate.