US 4,015,208 A · Frequency generator compensated as a function of at least one physical parameter of the environment

Abstract

A frequency generator comprises a quartz crystal controlled oscillator subjected to at least one variable physical parameter such as temperature and has an arrangement for calibrating the frequency with respect to a standard signal with simultaneous compensation for variations of the physical parameter(s). This arrangement comprises a first set of selectable memories storing values to control the division ratio in a dividing chain. These memories are inscribed in a learning period for a few values of the physical parameter(s); simultaneously, digital values supplied by at least one probe, each value corresponding to a range of values of the parameter, are stored in a second set of memories associated with the probe(s). During operation of the generator, a comparator compares the actual digital value supplied by the probe(s) with the values stored in the second set of memories, to select the corresponding memory of the first set for controlling the division ratio, at least one probe sensitive to a physical parameter of the environment, and means associated with each said probe to form selection signals each selection signal representing various possible values of the parameter considered in one of several ranges of values of said parameter, said electrically-alterable memory being arranged in groups to be selected by said selection signals and each corresponding to one of said ranges to memorize values determining the division ratio to be adopted as a function of said signals, the generator further comprising calibration selecting means for connecting the output of the frequency comparator to the inscription input of the selected memory group.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A compensated frequency generator, comprising:

time-base oscillator means;
divider means coupled to said oscillator means for dividing the
output frequency of said oscillator means;
a first plurality of memory means coupled to said divider means for storing a plurality of predetermined division ratios to selectively control the division ratio of said divider means;
physical parameter sensing means for detecting a predetermined physical parameter which affects the oscillation frequency of said oscillator means and for generating signals representative of said detected physical parameter;
Converter means coupled to said sensing means for converting said signals representative of said detected physical parameter to coded signals;
a second plurality of memory means coupled to said converter means for storing the signals generated by said sensing means as coded signals, each of said second plurality of memory means storing a coded signal representing one of said detected physical parameter values;
comparing means for comparing the signals generated by said sensing means with the coded signals stored in said second plurality of memory means and for generating output signals representing coincidence between the output of said sensing means and said second memory means;
control means coupled to said comparing means and to said first plurality of memory means for selectively coupling one of first said memory means to said divider means as a function of the output of said comparing means;
and
calibration means coupled to said control means, said divider means and said first and second memory means for controlling inscription into said first memory means of said predetermined division ratios and for controlling inscription into said second memory means of coded signals representing predetermined values of said physical parameter detected by said sensing means.

8 more elements

A compensated frequency generator, comprising:

time-base oscillator means;
divider means coupled to said oscillator means for dividing the output frequency of said oscillator means;
a plurality of memory means coupled to said divider means for storing a plurality of predetermined division ratios to selectively control the division ratio of said divider means;
physical parameter sensing means including a compatible-digital-output probe for detecting a predetermined physical parameter which affects the oscillation frequency of said oscillator means and for generating coded digital output signals representative of detected values of said physical parameter;
control means coupled to said sensing means and to said plurality of memory means for selectively coupling one of said memory means to said divider means as a function of the output of said sensing means;
and
calibration means coupled to said control means, said divider means and said memory means for controlling inscription into said memory means of said predetermined division ratios upon detection by said sensing means of predetermined values of said physical parameter.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Frequency generator compensated as a function of at least one physical parameter of the environment

Life of this patent

Frequency generator compensated as a function of at least one physical parameter of the environment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13