US4475210A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data eye monitor
Assignee: ITT Inc
•
Filing: 1982-02-26
•
Granted: 1984-10-02
•
Expires: 2002-02-26
Abstract
Abstract The data eye monitor includes a pair of comparators which compare the data input signal with a fixed reference voltage and a variable reference voltage with the resultant output of these two comparators being clocked into a digital comparator providing negative pulses representing the difference between the outputs of the two comparators. The negative pulses are coupled to an integrator to which a positive current source is coupled with the integrator providing the variable reference voltage for one of the comparators and also the output voltage of the monitor since the variable reference voltage is proportional to the opening of the data eye.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip R. Couch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:02
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L1/00; H04L1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A data eye monitor for a data input signal comprising: first means for comparing said input signal to a fixed reference voltage; second means for comparing said input signal to a variable reference voltage that is always higher than the fixed reference voltage, said first and second comparing means issuing different output signal levels when the comparison results are the same, and the same output signal levels when the comparison results are different; and third means coupled to the output of said first and second means and operative for providing said variable reference voltage for said second means, said variable reference voltage being proportional to the opening of said data eye and constituting the output voltage of said monitor, said third means including an OR-gate having inputs coupled to the outputs of said first and second comparing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A data eye monitor for a data input signal comprising: first means for comparing said input signal to a fixed reference voltage; second means for comparing said input signal to a variable reference voltage that is always higher than the fixed reference voltage, said first and second comparing means issuing different output signal levels when the comparison results are the same, and the same output signal levels when the comparison results are different; and third means coupled to the output of said first and second means and operative for providing said variable reference voltage for said second means, said variable reference voltage being proportional to the opening of said data eye and constituting the output voltage of said monitor, said third means including an OR-gate having inputs coupled to the outputs of said first and second comparing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A monitor according to claim 1, wherein said first means includes a first comparator having an output, a first input receiving said input signal and a second input coupled to said fixed reference voltage, and a first D-type flip-flop coupled to said output of said first comparator and a clock input to clock a first output signal at said output of said first comparator into said third means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A monitor according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said fixed reference voltage is equivalent to an optimum decision level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A monitor according to claim 3, wherein said optimum decision level is where the least amount of errors in said input signal are expected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A monitor according to claim 3, wherein said optimum decision level is ground.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
A monitor according to claim 3, wherein said second means includes a second comparator having an output, a first input receiving said input signal and a second input coupled to said third means to receive said variable reference voltage, and a second D-type flip-flop having an inverting output and coupled to said output of said second comparator and said clock input, to clock a second output signal at said output of said second comparator through said inverting output into said third means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A monitor according to claim 6, wherein said third means includes a digital comparator coupled to said first and second D-type flip-flops to provide negative pulses representing differences between said first and second output signals, said digital comparator including said OR-gate as a component thereof, and an integrator coupled to a positive current source and said digital comparator responsive to said positive current and said negative pulses to provide said variable reference voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A monitor according to claim 7, further including fourth means coupled between said integrator and said second comparator responsive to said input signal to inhibit said variable reference voltage when said input signal is not present.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A monitor according to claim 8, wherein said digital comparator further includes an inverter coupled to the output of said OR gate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A monitor according to claim 7, wherein said digital comparator further includes an inverter coupled to the output of said OR gate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
A monitor according to claim 2, wherein said second means includes a second comparator having an output, a first input receiving said input signal and a second input coupled to said third means to receive said variable reference voltage, and a second D-type flip-flop having an inverting output and coupled to said output of said second comparator and said clock input, to clock a second output signal at said output of said second comparator through said inverting output into said third means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
A monitor according to claim 11, wherein said third means includes a digital comparator coupled to said first and second D-type flip-flops to provide negative pulses representing differences between said first and second output signals, said digital comparator including said OR-gate as a component thereof, and an integrator coupled to a positive current source and said digital comparator responsive to said positive current and said negative pulses to provide said variable reference voltage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A monitor according to claim 12 further including fourth means coupled between said integrator and said second comparator responsive to said input signal to inhibit said variable reference voltage when said input signal is not present.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A monitor according to claim 13, wherein said digital comparator further includes an inverter coupled to the output of said OR gate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A monitor according to claim 12, wherein said digital comparator further includes an inverter coupled to the output of said OR gate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
77 words
A monitor according to claim 1, wherein said second means includes a comparator having an output, a first input receiving said input signal and a second input coupled to said third means to receive said variable reference voltage, and a D-type flip-flop having an inverting output and coupled to said output of said comparator and a clock input, to clock an output signal at said output of said comparator through said inverting output into said third means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
A monitor according to claim 16, wherein said third means includes a digital comparator coupled to said first means and said D-type flip-flop to provide negative pulses representing differences between the output signals of said first means and said D-type flip-flop, said digital comparator including said OR-gate as a component thereof, and an integrator coupled to a positive current source and the output of said digital comparator responsive to said positive current and said negative pulses to provide said variable reference voltage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A monitor according to claim 17, further including fourth means coupled between said integrator and said comparator responsive to said input signal to inhibit said variable reference voltage when said input signal is not present.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A monitor according to claim 18, wherein said digital comparator further includes to the output of said OR gate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A monitor according to claim 17, wherein said digital comparator further includes to the output of said OR gate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
83 words
A monitor according to claim 2, wherein said third means includes a digital comparator coupled to said first flip-flop and said second means to provide negative pulses representing differences between said first output signal and the output signal of said second means, said digital comparator including said OR-gate as a component thereof, and an integrator coupled to a positive current source and the output of said digital comparator responsive to said positive current and said negative pulses to provide said variable reference voltage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
A monitor according to claim 21, further including fourth means coupled between said integrator and said comparator responsive to said input signal to inhibit said variable reference voltage when said input signal is not present.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A monitor according to claim 22, wherein said digital comparator further includes an inverter coupled to the output of said OR gate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A monitor according to claim 21, wherein said digital comparator further includes an inverter coupled to the output of said OR gate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2582018A
Cited
US4034340A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-02 | 1988-04-02 | 1988-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-02 | 1992-04-02 | 1992-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-02 | 1996-04-02 | 1996-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |