US 4,380,746 AGranted

Pulse modulator using capacitor charging and discharging circuits

AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.

InventorsShan C. Sun, Larry L. Church

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Abstract

A self-starting, non-latching, pulse modulator which will function as an analog divider of first and second input quantities, or as a linear pulse period modulator responsive to one of the quantities, or as a linear pulse frequency modulator responsive to the other of the quantities, depending upon how the first and second input quantities are controlled. The first input quantity is connected to charge a capacitor. The second input quantity is compared in a first comparator with the voltage across the capacitor. A second comparator compares the voltage across the capacitor with a reference voltage. The outputs of the first and second comparators are connected, respectively, to the first and second inputs of a flip-flop which has its first output connected to a monostable multivibrator. The second output of the flip-flop and the output of the monostable multivibrator are both connected so that either one can momentarily activate a discharge circuit for discharging the capacitor.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A pulse modulator for providing pulses having a predetermined parameter proportional to at least one input quantity, comprising:

a first input quantity,
energy storage means,
said energy storage means being charged by said first input quantity to provide a changing quantity,
a second input quantity,
first means comparing said second input quantity and said changing quantity, said first means providing a predetermined signal when the compared quantities have a predetermined relationship,
second means responsive to the predetermined signal being provided by said first means for providing a first discharge signal,
third means responsive to the predetermined signal being provided by said first means for providing a second discharge signal,
fourth means for discharging said energy storage means in response to either of the discharge signals, and for immediately enabling said energy storage means to be charged by said first input quantity,
and output means providing a pulse in response to each occurrence of the predetermined relationship between the compared quantities.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.