Time/analog converter for a magnetostrictive position sensor

A time/analog converter for adjusting a zero point and amplifying an output characteristic of a sensor, comprising:

• an integrator having an input and an output,
• first and second switches each having an input, an output and a switching connection,
• means connecting the outputs of the switches to the input of the integrator,
• a holding member having an input and an output,
• a third switch having an input, an output and a switching connection,
• means connecting the output of the integrator to the input of the third switch,
• means connecting the output of the third switch to the input of the holding member,
• means for feeding an output voltage of the holding member to the input of one of said first and second switches,
• means for providing a reference voltage to the input of the other of said first and second switches,
• a control means adapted to actuate the first and second switches so that the reference voltage is passed to the input of the integrator for a first time interval and the output voltage of the holding member is passed to the input of the integrator for a second time interval, and also adapted to actuate the third witch to pass an output voltage of the integrator to the holding member for a third time interval, and
• a controllable pulse shaper connected to the switching connection of one of the first and second switches and operable to close said one of the first and second switches for a desired time interval.