Abstract:
A data acquisition system for use in an aircraft flight data recorder receives multiple analog and discrete signals representative of various aircraft parameters. A single address command from the flight data recorder central processing unit (CPU) causes a first multiplexer to select a set of analog signals. Each selected analog signal is amplified by a gain factor under CPU control and passed to track-and-hold circuitry which holds a level of the amplified analog signal upon receipt of a suitable command. The held analog signal levels are passed to a second multiplexer which also receives a set of discrete signals selected by a third multiplexer in response to a CPU address command. A control sequencer sequentially passes each signal at the input of the second multiplexer through an analog-to-digital converter, with the resultant digital signal being loaded into memory. After either all the selected and processed analog signals or the selected discrete signals have been analog-to-digital converted and stored in memory, the control sequencer issues an interrupt signal to the CPU.
Abstract:
A portable electrocardiogram storing apparatus has an electrocardiogram amplifier, an A/D converter for sampling the amplifier output and converting it into a digital signal, a patient actuatable switch, a plurality of electrocardiogram memories, and means for selecting one of the memories for storing the digital signal when the switch is actuated. A time memory is also provided for storing a time when the apparatus is set, and a timer measures a lapse time after the setting. A selected electrocardiogram memory also stores the content of the timer at the time a respective digital signal is stored therein.
Abstract:
Herein disclosed is a digital semiconductor integrated circuit which is equipped with: a digital signal input circuit; an analog signal input circuit made receptive of an analog signal for feeding out a digital signal corresponding to said analog signal; and a common external terminal connected commonly with the input terminals of said digital signal input circuit and said analog signal input circuit. By the operation with the use of a suitable switch circuit, the aforementioned common external terminal can be used as either an analog signal input terminal or a digital signal input terminal. As a result, the number of the external output terminals required for the aforementioned semiconductor integrated circuit can be reduced.
Abstract:
Digital signals are processed by a first accumulator to generate most significant bits which represent the signal to be converted but with truncation noise. The error signals from the first accumulator are processed by a second accumulator to generate a second set of most significant bits which are used to remove the truncation noise. The most significant bits from the second accumulator are converted to analog form, differentiated and then combined with the most significant bits from the first accumulator after being converted from digital to analog form. The combined signal is then amplified and filtered.
Abstract:
A recorder including an A/D converter for converting analog measured input signals into digital input sampling data for a predetermined sampling period, for processing the converted data by a microprocessor, and for subsequently driving a recording head to make a recording on a recording paper. A paper end detecting sensor is carried on the head, and the microprocessor is caused to compute a recording position signal according to the measured input signals on the basis of the sampling data; to correct the recording position signal on the basis of both a reference width for the recording paper and the paper width, which is measured as a result of detecting the 0% and 100% ends of the recording paper by the sensor, thereby to produce a recording position correcting signal according to the extension or contraction of the recording paper; to control the position of the recording head in accordance with the recording position correcting signal; and to make a recording on the recording paper by the recording head.
Abstract:
An A/D converter used with an A/D conversion system in which each of input analog signals applied thereto is amplified at a gain selected depending or the level of said each signal and subjected to A/D conversion. The A/D converter is arranged to select a desired one of predetermined gain select modes concerned with the selection of gain of the amplifier. Further, the A/D converter produces a reference analog signal of a level corresponding to the selected gain select mode and compares the input analog signal with the reference analog signal, thereby determining whether or not the gain of the amplifier is to be changed.
Abstract:
Recording apparatus includes a plurality of analog signal generating circuits for generating various analog signals in response to which a control circuit of the recording apparatus controls various operations of the apparatus, and a plurality of switching circuits connected to the respective analog signal generating circuits in such a way that only one analog signal is transmitted at one time to a common analog-digital converter which coverts the received analog signal into a corresponding digital signal which in turn is transmitted to the control circuit.
Abstract:
A data processing system for receiving sampled analog data and automatica converting, processing, compacting, expanding and storing the data in digital format and also displaying the data in alphanumeric format. The analog data signal may be from a temperature probe, for example, that is launched from a ship and transmits sampled temperature data as it free-falls in the ocean. The system has the capability of providing all of the general information, data and control signals, all in proper digital format, for permanent storage or for operating a teletype machine in total run real time to provide a real time output chart. The system includes compaction and expansion capabilities so that data that is being sampled at a rate that is faster than the readout rate of the teletype machine may be internally compacted and then expanded into the teletype machine when the data sampling rate is slower than the readout rate of the teletype machine. For radio teletype transmission communication a punched paper tape may be provided to eliminate the need for the teletype operator to cut the message. The system also provides a technique for converting one binary format into another binary format.
Abstract:
An improved interface circuit for use between variable voltage analog sensors which are measuring physical parameters and a microprocessor which is processing the data relating to such parameters. The interface unit is of the type employing an analog multiplexer, an analog to digital converter, a voltage to frequency converter, a counter for converting frequency to digital data, and a bus adapter for connection to the microprocessor. The inventive improvement relates to providing the multiplexer as a differential multiplexer having two differential voltage outputs and having a sign detector connected thereto. A switching block is connected between the differential voltage outputs and the voltage to frequency converter and also to the sign detector thereby acting as a selector circuit. The selector circuit passes each voltage output signal of the multiplexer which has a constant sign to the voltage to frequency converter, wherein the counter is an up/down counter whose counting input is connected to the sign detector output.
Abstract:
A data acquisition system utilizing a microcomputer and incorporating a plurality of monitors each adapted to produce an electrical signal indicative of a physical condition of apparatus to be monitored. The electrical signals are fed via multiplexing equipment and analog-to-digital converters into the microcomputer which is equipped with print-out means. The system is such that the level of any one or all of the signals from the respective monitors can be printed out as well as a change in the condition of any signal. Means are incorporated into the computer for calculating and printing the trend (i.e., the slope of a plot of signal amplitude versus time) of a succession of stored signals from any monitor which would indicate a probable malfunction of a device being monitored and the probable time to failure. In the case where the signals from the monitors comprise vibration signals, the system performs an automatic frequency spectrum analysis whenever a probable or actual malfunction is detected.