US2878326A - Amplitude selective translation circuit - Google Patents

Amplitude selective translation circuit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2878326A
US2878326A US534699A US53469955A US2878326A US 2878326 A US2878326 A US 2878326A US 534699 A US534699 A US 534699A US 53469955 A US53469955 A US 53469955A US 2878326 A US2878326 A US 2878326A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tube
voltage
circuit
resistor
source
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US534699A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Parker R Cope
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bendix Aviation Corp
Original Assignee
Bendix Aviation Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bendix Aviation Corp filed Critical Bendix Aviation Corp
Priority to US534699A priority Critical patent/US2878326A/en
Priority to GB27943/56A priority patent/GB817058A/en
Priority to DEB41768A priority patent/DE1098040B/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2878326A publication Critical patent/US2878326A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03G—CONTROL OF AMPLIFICATION
    • H03G11/00—Limiting amplitude; Limiting rate of change of amplitude ; Clipping in general
    • H03G11/004—Limiting amplitude; Limiting rate of change of amplitude ; Clipping in general using discharge tubes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/95—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for meteorological use
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A90/00—Technologies having an indirect contribution to adaptation to climate change
    • Y02A90/10—Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Definitions

  • Thisinvention relates to signal translation circuits and more particularly to the type of circuit which is sensitive to the amplitude of the applied signal to provide a gain of one sign to inputs lying within a certain range and to apply a gain of the opposite sign to inputs lying outside of that range.
  • Such circuits have various uses, one important field being that of the Iso-echo contour indicating apparatus of weather radar systems. position indication (P. P. I.) of storm clouds, with regions of great density being given a contoured configuration for easy identification. I
  • a circuit comprising two cathodecoupled vacuum tubes, the first preferably being connected as a cathode follower and being normally biased to or below cut 01f.
  • the tubes are fed in parallel with the input circuit of the second incorporating a voltage divider.
  • the output is taken from the anode circuit of the second tube.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a circuit embodying the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a graph illustrating the relationship between input and output voltages for the circuit of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a circuit similar to Fig. 1, but incorporating clamping arrangements for clamping the output of the circuit to a reference voltage level.
  • a circuit comprising a pair of triode vacuum tubes and 11 having their cathodes directly coupled by way of a connection 12.
  • the anode of tube 10 is directly connected to the positive terminal 13 of a source of supply voltage and the anode of tube 11 is connected to the same terminal by way of a resistor 14.
  • the cathode connection 12 is connected to ground by way of a resistor 15 and to the terminal 13 through a resistor 16.
  • the control grid of tube 10 is connected to ground through a resistor 17 and a battery 18 in series, the battery 18 representing any source of negative bias voltage for the grid.
  • Input voltage E is applied to the circuit across a pair of terminals 19 and 20, the latter being connected to the control grid of tube 10 and also to the control grid of tube 11 by way of a serial arrangement of a condenser 21 and a resistor 22.
  • the control grid of tube 11 is connected to ground by way of a resistor 23.
  • the output voltage E is taken from the circuit across the 2,878,326 Patented Mar. 17, 1959 ice 1 2 terminals 24 and 25, the latter being connected to the junction of the anode of tube 11 with the resistor 14.
  • the tube 10 is normally cut off by reason of the negative bias voltage applied by the source 18 and the positive voltage across resistor 15.
  • the input voltage E will normally be a video voltage comprising a train of positive pulses which inthe case of a weather radar system will constitute reflections from cloud formations.
  • the tube 11 will amplify the voltage E between its control grid and ground and will yield an output E E will diifer from the input voltage E by a factor determined by the values of resistors 22 and 23.
  • the voltage E becomes positive enough to raise tube 10 above cut off the current through that tube will flow through resistor 15 and cause a voltage opposing E and will, therefore, reduce the output of tube 11.
  • the rate of the outputreduction is a function of the voltage gain of tube10 and the ratio of E to E.
  • the ratio of the values of resistor 16 to resistor 15 determines the amount of fixed
  • Such systems provide a plan increases in the value of input voltage E the output voltbias on tube 11 and so determines the maximum positivegoing amplitude of the output voltage E
  • the output signal is considered to be composed only of deviations from the quiescent value of the anode to ground potential of tube 11.
  • the characteristic observed in Fig. 2 will provide a contoured indication on a P. P. I. presentation of a storm cloud formation where the density of the cloud and the associated reflected signal exceedsa certain value represented by the line A on the graph of Fig. 2. This will provide the observer with an indication of the rainfall gradient snfiicient to permit flying a course around the dangerous areas of high turbulence known to be associated with a high gradient.
  • the circuit of Fig. 3 reproduces that of Fig. l with certain additions.
  • a tube 30 representing the last video amplifier stage which feeds the circuit of Fig. 1.
  • the bias source 18 of Fig. 1 has been replaced by a voltage divider comprising a series string of resistors 31, 32 and 33 connected between ground and a source of -250 volts.
  • the control grid of tube 10 is connected to this divider through the resistor 18 and a movable tap 34 on the resistor 32.
  • Across the resistor 18 is connected a diode 35 with its cathode connected to the grid of tube 10.
  • the anode of tube 30 is also connected to the resistor 22 by way of the condenser 21 as in Fig. l.
  • a diode 37 is connected between the junction of condenser 21 and resistor 22 and ground, with the ground connection being made to its anode.
  • the purpose of the diodes 35 and 37 is to clamp the output voltage E to a fixed reference level. This level is usually fixed as that of the negative excursions of the video voltage applied to the portion of the circuit represented by Fig. 1. While the circuit will operate in the form shown in Fig. l, the presence of serial capacitor couplings causes the output voltage to utilize, :as a reference voltage, the axis of the input voltage. The latter has the characteristic of an alternating voltage having an axis such that the area under the positive excursions equals that under the negative excursions of the pulse train. As the transmitted energy beam illuminates storm areas of differing complexities, so that the duty cycle of the resulting echo wave train changes, the reference level tends also to change. The diodes 35 and 37 thus act as D. C.
  • Adjustment of the tap 34 fixes the inflection level shown generally at A of Fig. 2 at any convenient value required, this level being subject to some operating variation according to the nature and range of the storm and the position of the area of immediate interest.
  • An amplitude selective translation circuit comprising a pair of amplifying stages each comprising a signal responsive variable resistance device, each of said devices comprising an input terminal, an output terminal and a third terminal common to said input and said output, means biasing the first of said devices to an extent such that it does not respond to signal voltages below a se lected level, means directly coupling said third terminals, a common impedance element connected to said third terminals, a source of amplitude varying signal voltage and means coupling signals from said source in'parallel to said input terminals, said coupling means to the input terminal of said second stage comprising an attenuator insensitive to frequency.
  • An amplitude selective translation circuit comprising a pair of amplifying stages each comprising a space discharge tube having at least an anode, a cathode and a control grid, a load impedance element connected to said anode of the second of said stages, means directly connecting said cathodes a common impedance element connected to said cathodes, means biasing said first stage to cut off, a source of amplitude varying signal voltage and means coupling signals from said source in parallel to said control grids, said coupling means providing a greater degree of attenuation to signals coupled to said second stage than to signals coupled to said first stage, said attenuation being substantially independent of frequency over the range of frequencies encompassed by said signals.
  • An amplitude selective translation circuit comprising a pair of space discharge tubes each having at least a cathode, an anode, and a control grid; said cathodes being directly coupled, means connecting said cathodes to a common impedance element, means biasing the first of said tubes to cut off, a source of amplitude varying signal voltage, means coupling said source in parallel to the control grids of said tubes; said coupling means between said source and said second tube providing a greater degree of attenuation than the coupling means bfitween said source and said first tube, and means deriving the output of said circuit from the anode of said second tube, said attenuation being substantially independent of frequency over the range of frequencies encompassed by said signals.
  • An amplitude selective translation circuit comprising a pair of amplifying stages each comprising a space discharge tube having at least an anode, a cathode and a control grid, a load impedance element connected to said anode of the second of said stages, means directly connecting said cathodes, a common impedance element connected to said cathodes, means biasing said first stage to cut off, a source of amplitude varying signal voltage, means coupling signals from said source in parallel to said control grids, and unilaterally conductive means clamping the control grid of said first tube to a reference potential, said coupling means providing a greater degree of attenuati'on to signals coupled to said second stage than to signals coupled to said first stage, said attenuation being substantially independent of frequency over the range of frequencies encompassed by said signals.
  • An amplitude selective translation circuit comprising a pair of amplifying stages each comprising a space discharge tube having at least an anode, a cathode and a control grid, a load impedance element connected to said anode of the second of said stages, means directly connect ing said cathodes, a common impedance element connected to said cathodes, means biasing said first stage to cut ofi, a source of amplitude varying signal voltage, means coupling signals from said source in parallel to said control grids, and unilaterally conductive means clamping the said control grids to a reference potential, said coupling means providing a greater degree of attenuation to signals coupled to said second stage than to signals coupled to said first stage, said attenuation being substantially independent of frequency over the range of frequencies encompassed by said signals.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
US534699A 1955-09-16 1955-09-16 Amplitude selective translation circuit Expired - Lifetime US2878326A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US534699A US2878326A (en) 1955-09-16 1955-09-16 Amplitude selective translation circuit
GB27943/56A GB817058A (en) 1955-09-16 1956-09-12 Amplitude selective translation circuit
DEB41768A DE1098040B (de) 1955-09-16 1956-09-14 Verstaerkerschaltanordnung fuer Gleichstromsignale, insbesondere fuer Zwecke der Iso-Echo-Anzeige in Wetterradargeraeten

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US534699A US2878326A (en) 1955-09-16 1955-09-16 Amplitude selective translation circuit

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2878326A true US2878326A (en) 1959-03-17

Family

ID=24131155

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US534699A Expired - Lifetime US2878326A (en) 1955-09-16 1955-09-16 Amplitude selective translation circuit

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US2878326A (de)
DE (1) DE1098040B (de)
GB (1) GB817058A (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3151298A (en) * 1956-12-31 1964-09-29 Dresser Ind Circuit for generating pulses having steep wave fronts
US3161779A (en) * 1959-09-02 1964-12-15 Digitronics Corp Common base amplifier resistively stabilized
US3177485A (en) * 1960-03-02 1965-04-06 Jr John W Taylor Automatic radar target tracking system

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2227050A (en) * 1937-02-18 1940-12-31 Emi Ltd Television transmitting or receiving system
US2412279A (en) * 1944-06-28 1946-12-10 Philco Corp Variable gain amplifier
US2732440A (en) * 1956-01-24 newman
US2737628A (en) * 1951-07-27 1956-03-06 Du Mont Allen B Lab Inc Mixed highs filter circuit

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB702359A (en) * 1950-03-22 1954-01-13 Emi Ltd Improvements relating to non-linear electrical circuits
AT179319B (de) * 1951-09-14 1954-08-10 Int Standard Electric Corp Schaltungsanordnung zur Verstärkungsregelung

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2732440A (en) * 1956-01-24 newman
US2227050A (en) * 1937-02-18 1940-12-31 Emi Ltd Television transmitting or receiving system
US2412279A (en) * 1944-06-28 1946-12-10 Philco Corp Variable gain amplifier
US2737628A (en) * 1951-07-27 1956-03-06 Du Mont Allen B Lab Inc Mixed highs filter circuit

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3151298A (en) * 1956-12-31 1964-09-29 Dresser Ind Circuit for generating pulses having steep wave fronts
US3161779A (en) * 1959-09-02 1964-12-15 Digitronics Corp Common base amplifier resistively stabilized
US3177485A (en) * 1960-03-02 1965-04-06 Jr John W Taylor Automatic radar target tracking system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1098040B (de) 1961-01-26
GB817058A (en) 1959-07-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2480201A (en) Apparatus for compressing the amplitude range of signals
US2548913A (en) Radio receiver with logarithmic response circuit
US2519057A (en) Amplitude limiter circuits
US2878326A (en) Amplitude selective translation circuit
US2218642A (en) Frequency meter
US2982887A (en) Combined amplitude comparator and indicator
US2265883A (en) Signal amplitude limiting circuit
US2538772A (en) Automatic volume control system
US2252066A (en) Interference responsive circuit
US2935687A (en) Logarithmic video amplifier
US2535257A (en) Electrical circuit
US2629840A (en) Voltage control system
US3233177A (en) Radio frequency receiver gain control system with constant input impedance
US2732494A (en) Voltage limiter
US2507211A (en) Pulse receiver circuit
US2249181A (en) Automatic gain expander circuit
US2497691A (en) Limiting amplifier system
US2527441A (en) Automatic volume control circuit
US3134078A (en) Linear electrometer cathode follower
US2702854A (en) Null detector
US2859288A (en) Amplifier gain control circuit
US2173248A (en) Automatic volume control system
US3289088A (en) Automatic non-linear gain control circuit
US2597520A (en) Automatic volume control circuits
US2151773A (en) Reduction of noise