Abstract:
A high voltage start circuit includes a high voltage start module and high voltage pulse generator apparatus. The high voltage pulse generator amplifies a five volt pulse at 60 KHz duty cycle to an output of 280 volts pulses at approximately 50% duty cycle. A PN junction high voltage diode with a high forward voltage drop and a resistor divider drives and holds a first transistor out of saturation. A low voltage diode creates a dead band such that two high voltage start module transistors are never on at the same time. The high voltage module contains two high voltage blocking diodes which protect the laser gyro active current control circuitry during start up. Two small ballast resistors and a parallel 10 times voltage multiplier generate at least a 2500 VDC output. The high voltage start circuit is contained within a laser gyro housing and is configured to have a volume less than the volume of the ring laser gyro block.
Abstract:
A dither stripper for laser gyro dither including a digital microcomputer which controls the stripping of the dither signal from the inertial navigation signal of the laser gyro. The dither stripper schedules internal A/D conversions using an A/D conversion arbitration scheme as well as calculates the expected system sample clock. Accurate dither stripping is achieved using a phase locked loop feedback system which compensates for real time changes in dither pickoff components while incorporating an accurate gain control mechanism.
Abstract:
A direct digital dither drive for a laser gyro dither motor including a digital microcomputer which controls the dithering of a laser gyro to prevent lock in of the laser beams. The digital drive senses a dither position and schedules internal A/D conversions using an A/D conversion arbitration scheme. The period frequency and location of the minimum and maximum drive are determined using the microcontroller. Accurate dither drive is accomplished using a digital analog feedback system which compensates for real time changes in dither pickoff and dither drive components.
Abstract:
A precision voltage reference incorporating at least one superlattice resonant tunneling diode and support electronics. The precision voltage reference is stable as to temperature and radiation.
Abstract:
A circuit of 24 transistors and 16 resistors forming an interconnected constant current source, two differential current switches, and level shifter receives scan/set test data, clock, and enablement signals for, when connected to each of the set Q and clear Q output signals of a differential feedback latch, enabling scan/set testability of such latch. Both the latch and the connected circuit, forming in aggregate a scan/set testable latch, are implementable in Emitter Coupled Logic or current Mode Logic from standard cells of gate array technology using two levels of series gating and two current sources, which standard cells are otherwise useful for the generation of other logic macros. The differential feedback latch, experiencing but a small added capacitance from the connected circuit, continues to operate fast during normal operation, but is slow in operation for scan/set test wherein the connected circuit needs overcome differential feedback loops within the latch which are still active.
Abstract:
A magnetoresistive sensor system having resistive elements changing in ohmic value in the presence of a magnetic field of a current being measured. The variant values of the elements are amplified by some electronics that inherently add offset to the resultant values. The elements themselves also add an offset. The output of the electronics is modulated and then buffered as an output. This output is demodulated and integrated. The resultant signal is fed back to the input of the electronics to null out the offsets. The output of the buffer also goes to an inductive coil that is magnetically coupled to the resistive elements to null out the magnetic field from the current being measured. The buffer output indicates the magnitude of the current being measured. An oscillator outputs a signal to actuate the modulator and the demodulator. The oscillator signal also goes to a set/reset circuit for setting and resetting the resistive elements of the magnetoresistive sensor.
Abstract:
A magnetoresistive sensor system having resistive elements changing in ohmic value in the presence of a magnetic field of a current being measured. The variant values of the elements are amplified by some electronics that inherently add offset to the resultant values. The elements themselves also add an offset. The output of the electronics is modulated and then buffered as an output. This output is demodulated integrated. The resultant signal is fed back to the input of the electronics to null out the offsets. The output of the buffer also goes to an inductive coil that is magnetically coupled to the resistive elements to null out the magnetic field from the current being measured. The buffer output indicates the magnitude of the current being measured. An oscillator outputs a signal to actuate the modulator and the demodulator. The oscillator signal also goes to a set/reset circuit for setting and resetting the resistive elements of the magnetoresistive sensor.
Abstract:
A laser gyro start up apparatus and method that safely and quickly starts a laser gyro. A microprocessor sequences the mechanical and electrical systems of the laser gyro such that the gyro is started up quickly in the proper sequence. The microprocessor also executes tests on the gyro and provides a health signal in the timing sequence. The start up apparatus starts the laser block dither, laser discharge and acquires the path length controllers. Optical start up operations may be performed including the calibration of volts per mode.
Abstract:
A current sensor includes a transformer comprising a primary and a secondary, wherein the current sensor is operable to measure current in the primary. A sensing circuit is operable to detect an impedance of the secondary, where the impedance of the secondary changes with an amount of current in the primary and is used to indicate the current in the primary.
Abstract:
A laser digital path length control method and apparatus for precisely controlling a laser path length to obtain a laser mode and change a laser mode. The invention uses a microprocessor to control a path length control circuit that continuously adjusts the position of path length control mirrors. The mirrors may be positioned in response to the microprocessor to acquire a particular mode of the laser or change the mode of the laser. While the gyro mode is changed the microprocessor increases the gyro run current to prevent loss of gyro function returning the current to its normal value following the mode change. The microprocessor adjusts the position of the two path length control mirrors such that total path length follows a predetermined or dynamic range. The invention allows the calculation of volts per mode of the laser by providing a means to monitor laser intensity as a function of voltage supplied to the laser path length controllers. The method and apparatus of the invention may be used in a laser gyro to improve system path length control and to help compensate for changes in system component parameters.