PCM encoder with variable set-up intervals

Claim 1

Successive approximation apparatus for encoding an analog voice-frequency sample into an eight-bit pulse code format suitable for transmission over a PCM telephone system having a fixed master clock cycle, characterized thereby: that prior to the encoding of each voice-frequency sample, the sign bit and the most significant bit are preset to logic "1" while all other bits are preset to logic "0"; and that at least three different set-up interval lengths are provided for the setting up of the various reference signals used in the successive approximations, the interval length used for the setting up of any given reference signal being always an integral multiple of said master clock cycle, and being a relatively long set-up interval for setting up the reference signal used in determination of the sign bit, an equal set-up interval plus a short set-up interval for setting up the reference signal used in determination of the most significant bit, an intermediate length interval for setting up each of the reference signals from the next three most significant bits, and a short interval for setting up each of the reference signals for the last three significant bits.