Non-linear counting circuit
AssigneeAsulab S.A.
InventorJean-Pierre Wattenhofer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The counting circuit described issues a numerical information which is a non-linear function of the number of pulses applied to its input. The circuit comprises dividers which divide by integers K.sub.i the pulses applied to their inputs. A first selector connects the output of one of the dividers to the input of a counter in response to a first signal. The content of the counter is compared with numbers k.sub.i by comparators. The output of one of the comparators is connected to a control circuit by a second selector controlled by a second signal issued by the control circuit in response to a comparison signal.
Claims3
A non-linear counting circuit for a plurality of pulses, comprising:
- n dividers adapted each to receive said pulses on their input, to divide them by integers K.sub.1, K.sub.2, . . . , K.sub.n and to issue on their output a counting signal whenever K.sub.1, K.sub.2, . . . , K.sub.n pulses have been counted;
- a counter whose state at each instant is equal to the value of the non-linear counting function associated with the number of pulses counted;
- first controllable selection means for connecting the output of one of said dividers to the input of said counter in response to a first selection signal;
- n-1 decoding means for comparing the state of said counter with n-1 predetermined integers k.sub.1, k.sub.2, . . . , k.sub.n-1 and for each emitting a decoding signal whenever the state of said counter is equal to one of said n-1 integers;
- a control unit for issuing said first selection signal and a second selection signal in response to the application of a decoding signal;
- and
- second controllable selection means for connecting the output of one of said decoding means to the input of said control unit in response to said second selection signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.