GB823231A - Improvements relating to ring counter circuit arrangements - Google Patents

Abstract

823,231. Electronic counting apparatus. METROPOLITAN-VICKERS ELECTRICAL CO. Ltd. March 1, 1956, No. 6469/56. Class 106 (1). [Also in Group XL (b)] A ring counter comprises transistors T1-T5, which are normally " on " (large current flow) but switched " off " one at a time sequentially and which may control gates G1-G5 so as to form a distributer, each transistor having a connection between its collector and the base electrodes of each of the other transistors so that when it is "off" it holds the others " on " and a coupling C9-C9 between its collector and the base of the next transistor so that when it goes " on," the next one is switched off ". If, say, the transistor T1 is " off," the consequent low potential of its collector applied over a resistance connected to the base of the transistor T2 and, via the point 1 and the resistance shown as connected to that point, to the base electrodes of the transistors T3- T5, maintains all of the other transistors " on ". However, a clamping voltage B1-applied over a rectifier D6 maintains the collector potential of the "off " transistor T1 at such a value that when this transistor is switched " on " by an advancing pulse (negative) from a common source, applied over a condenser C1 and a rectifier D1, to the base of the transistor, the resulting pulse passed by the condenser C6 due to the rise in the collector potential will be sufficient to switch the next transistor T2 " off ". Further advancing pulses step the counter on in a similar manner. The gates G1-G5 may pass serial signals read from a store into parallel channels. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 753,689.