Integrated programmable commutation and signal conditioning circuit

Claim 2

A functionally integrated commutation and conditioning circuit for deriving a commutated signal from a multiplicity of data inputs, comprising: a. timing means for providing cyclical timing signals; b. commutating means, driven by said timing signals, for successively gating signals from respective ones of said multiplicity of data inputs for respective predetermined channel intervals, to derive successive channels and thereby produce a multi-channel commutated signal; c. a conditioning path, having an input connected to the output of said commutating means and having a plurality of respective programmable conditioning stages; and d. programming means driven by said timing signals for successively and synchronously programming each of said stages in accordance with successive predetermined channel programs, each such channel program lasting for the interval of each respective channel.

Claim 3

The circuit as described in claim 1, wherein said timing means comprises a clock generator in combination with a counter, said counter being adjustable to define the number of channels per frame of said commutated signal.

Claim 4

The circuit as described in claim 1, wherein one of said conditioning stages comprises a switchable resistance network, and said programming means is connected to control said resistance network, whereby said stage is controlled to provide a switchable gain function in accordance with said programs.

Claim 5

The circuit as described in claim 1, wherein one of said stages comprises a switchable voltage reference in combination with a switchable resistance divider network, and said programming means is connected to control said divider network, whereby said stage is controlled to provide a switchable offset signal in accordance with said programs.

Claim 6

The circuit as described in claim 1, wherein said commutating means provides for each of said successive channels a pulse amplitude modulated signal representing respective ones of said multiple data inputs.

Claim 7

The circuit as described in claim 1, wherein each of said stages comprises an operational amplifier in combination with a switchable circuit having a plurality of circuit configurations providing a corresponding plurality of circuit characteristics, and said programming means is connected to control each of said switchable circuits, whereby each such stage is controlled to provide switchable characteristics in accordance with said programs.

Claim 8

The circuit as described in claim 6, wherein said programming means causes the switching of each of said stages to take place in time concurrence with said channel intervals.

Claim 9

The circuit as described in claim 6, wherein said programming means provides that the switching of each of said stages is synchronized with the gating of said commutating means.

Claim 10

The circuit as described in claim 8, wherein said programming means comprises at least one programmable circuit for receiving said timing signals and providing converted digital signals to each of said switchable circuits.

Claim 11

A functionally integrated commutation and conditioning circuit, for deriving a commutated signal from a multiplicity of data inputs, comprising: a. a commutating path having a plurality of inputs connected to multiple data channels, for successively gating sampled signals from respective ones of said data channels to derive a multi-channel commutated signal; b. a conditioning path connected to the output of said commutating means, and having means for providing a plurality of respective conditioning operations for each channel of said commutated signal; and c. means for synchronizing and programming the operation of said commutating means and said conditioning path, whereby said conditioning path operates with respective programmed characteristics for the time interval of each successive channel of said commutated signal.

Claim 12

A functionally integrated commutation and conditioning circuit, for deriving a commutated signal from a multiplicity of data inputs, comprising: a. a commutating path having a plurality of inputs connected to multiple data channels, for successively gating sampled signals from respective ones of said data channels to derive a multi-channel commutated signal; b. a conditioning path connected to the output of said commutating means, and having means for providing a plurality of respective conditioning operations for each channel of said commutated signal; and c. means for synchronizing and programming the operation of said commutating means and said conditioning path, whereby said conditioning path operates with respective programmed characteristics for the time interval of each successive channel of said commutated signal.

Claim 13

The circuit as described in claim 10, wherein said conditioning path comprises a plurality of active stages, each of said active stages having a switchable circuit controlled by said synchronizing means for adjusting said stage to condition a predetermined characteristic of said commutated signal.

Claim 14

The circuit as described in claim 11, wherein said synchronizing means comprises counter means for generating a predetermined cycle of multiple-bit signals, said signals occurring periodically at a predetermined interval, first programming means driven by said counter means and having an output connected to said commutating path for controlling the timing of said commutating path, and second programming means driven by said counter means and connected to said conditioning path for controlling the timing and operation of the switching of each stage of said conditioning paths.

Claim 15

The circuit as described in claim 12, wherein the outputs of said first and second programming means are time synchronized.

Claim 16

A functionally integrated commutation and conditioning circuit for deriving a commutated signal from a multiplicity of data inputs, comprising: a. first program signal means, for providing a cyclical program signal, and comprising a counter adapted to cycle through a predetermined count and a clock generator connected to drive said counter; b. a commutating gating circuit, having a first set of inputs connected to multiple data channels, a second set of inputs adapted to receive gating signals, and an output for providing a commutated multiple channel signal; c. first programming means, connected to receive said program signals from said program signal means, and having means to convert said program signals in a predetermined manner, and having an output comprising a plurality of concurrent timing signals, said output being connected to said second set of inputs of said gating circuit; d. a conditioning path, having an input connected to the output of said gating circuit, and having a plurality of stages, each stage comprising a switchable circuit portion and including a switch having an input to receive a multiple bit stage switching signal and an output connected to said switchable circuit portion; and e. second programming means, having an input connected to receive said program signals, and a plurality of outputs, respective ones of said outputs being connected to respective inputs of each of said stage switches.

Claim 17

A functionally integrated commutation and conditioning circuit for deriving a commutated signal from a multiplicity of data inputs, comprising: a. first program signal means, for providing a cyclical program signal, and comprising a counter adapted to cycle through a predetermined count and a clock generator connected to drive said counter; b. a commutating gating circuit, having a first set of inputs connected to multiple data channels, a second set of inputs adapted to receive gating signals, and an output for providing a commutated multiple channel signal; c. first programming means, connected to receive said program signals from said program signal means, and having means to convert said program signals in a predetermined manner, and having an output comprising a plurality of concurrent timing signals, said output being connected to said second set of inputs of said gating circuit; d. a conditioning path, having an input connected to the output of said gating circuit, and having a plurality of stages, each stage comprising a switchable circuit portion and including a switch having an input to receive a multiple bit stage switching signal and an output connected to said switchable circuit portion; and e. second programming means, having an input connected to receive said program signals, and a plurality of outputs, respective ones of said outputs being connected to respective inputs of each of said stage switches.