Clock circuit having a swept output frequency

Claim 2

Apparatus for generating a swept clock frequency having a linear rate of change, comprising: a counter; means for clocking said counter comprising: a first rate multiplier, said first rate multiplier, having an input from said counter; constant frequency generator means for clocking said first rate multiplier; a second rate multiplier, said second rate multiplier being clocked by the output of said first rate multiplier and having an input from said counter; and a frequency divider for dividing the output of said second rate multiplier, wherein the output of said frequency divider is utilized to clock said counter.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said constant frequency generator means for controlling the rate of change of said linearly changing swept clock frequency.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said controlling means includes means for providing one of a plurality of different constant frequency signals to clock said first rate multiplier.

Claim 5

Apparatus for generating a swept clock frequency which is proportional to a particular linearly changing time dependent variable, comprising: a presettable counter for storing an initial digital signal and said means for changing the value of digital signal which includes: a first rate multiplier having as its input the output of said counter; means for generating a constant frequency signal to the clock input of said first rate multiplier; a second rate multiplier having as its input the output of said counter, said second rate multiplier being clocked by the output of said first rate multiplier; a frequency divider having as its input the output of said second rate multiplier, and means for successively dividing said constant frequency signal by said changing digital signal, thereby obtaining a swept output frequency which is proportional to said variable.

Claim 6

Apparatus for generating a swept clock frequency which is proportional to a particular linearly changing time dependent variable, comprising: a presettable counter for storing an initial digital signal and said means for changing the value of digital signal which includes: a first rate multiplier having as its input the output of said counter; means for generating a constant frequency signal to the clock input of said first rate multiplier; a second rate multiplier having as its input the output of said counter, said second rate multiplier being clocked by the output of said first rate multiplier; a frequency divider having as its input the output of said second rate multiplier, and means for successively dividing said constant frequency signal by said changing digital signal, thereby obtaining a swept output frequency which is proportional to said variable.