Methods and apparatus for enhancing resolution in pulse analysis
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorWilliam B. Nelligan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for selecting, among input signals, those which are time-spaced from each other by more than a predetermined time interval. Clock pulses are continuously applied to a pulse counter, and a predetermined count signal is produced each time the counter reaches a predetermined count. The counter is reset upon occurrence of either an input signal or a predetermined count signal. The order of occurrence of the input signals and of the predetermined count signals is memorized, and a validation signal is produced for each input signal which is directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal. Signals distorted by pile-up effect can thus be rejected.
Claims28
A method for selecting, among input signals, those which are spaced from each other by at least a predetermined time interval, comprising the steps of:
- driving a timing means from a reset condition toward a predetermined final condition;
- generating a minimum interval signal upon each occurrence of the predetermined final condition;
- resetting the timing means to its reset condition upon each occurrence of either an input signal or a minimum interval signal;
- and
- selecting only those input signals which are directly preceded and followed by minimum interval signals.
A method for selecting, among input signals, those which are spaced from each other by more than a predetermined time interval, comprising the steps of:
- applying clock pulses to a pulse counting means;
- producing a predetermined count signal each time said counting means reaches a predetermined count;
- resetting the counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal or a predetermined count signal;
- and
- selecting input signals which are directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal.
A method for selecting, among input signals, those which are spaced from each other by more than a predetermined time interval, comprising:
- continuously applying clock pulses to counting means;
- producing a predetermined count signal each time said counting means reaches a predetermined count;
- resetting the counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal or a predetermined count signal;
- detecting the occurrence of only one input signal directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal;
- and
- opening gate means for said one input signal.
A method for selecting, among input signals during predetermined time periods, delimited by gate signals, those input signals which are spaced from each other and form a gate signal by more than a predetermined time interval, comprising the steps of:
- applying clock pulses to pulse counting means;
- producing a predetermined count signal each time said counting means reaches a predetermined count;
- resetting the counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal, a predetermined count signal or a gate signal;
- and
- selecting input signals which are directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal.
A method for selecting, among input signals during predetermined time periods, those input signals which are spaced from each other and from the limits of said time periods by more than a predetermined time interval, comprising:
- continuously applying clock pulses to a pulse counting means;
- producing gate signals at the beginning and at the end, respectively, of said time periods;
- producing a predetermined count signal each time said counting means reaches a predetermined count;
- resetting the counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal, a predetermined count signal or a gate signal, said predetermined time interval being defined by the difference between said predetermined count and said reset count;
- detecting the occurrence of only one input signal directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal;
- and
- opening gate means for said one input signal during said predetermined time periods.
An apparatus for selecting, among input signals, those which are spaced from each other by more than a predetermined time interval, comprising:
- means for counting clock pulses;
- means for producing a predetermined count signal when said counting means reaches a predetermined count;
- means for resetting said counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal or a predetermined count signal, the difference between said predetermined count and said reset count defining said predetermined time interval;
- and
- means for selecting input signals which are directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal.
An apparatus for selecting, among input signals during predetermined time periods delimited by gate signals, those input signals which are spaced from each other and from a gate signal by more than a predetermined time interval comprising:
- means for counting clock pulses;
- means for producing a predetermined count signal when said counting means reaches a predetermined count;
- means for resetting said counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal or a predetermined count signal or a gate signal, said predetermined time interval being defined by the difference between said predetermined count and said reset count;
- and
- means for selecting input signals which are directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal.
An apparatus for selecting, among input signals during predetermined time periods, those input signals which are spaced from each other and from the limits of said time periods by more than a predetermined time interval, comprising
- means for counting clock pulses;
- means for producing a predetermined count signal when said counting means reaches a predetermined count;
- means for producing gate signals at the beginning and at the end, respectively, of said time periods;
- means for resetting said counting means to a reset count upon occurrence of either an input signal or a predetermined count signal or a gate signal, said predetermined time interval being defined by the difference between said predetermined count and said reset count;
- and
- means for selecting input signals which are directly preceded and followed by a predetermined count signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.