Abstract: An integrated oscillator and associated methods are provided for providing clock signals. The integrated oscillator preferably includes a micro-mechanical oscillating circuit for providing an oscillating clock signal. The micro-mechanical oscillating circuit preferably includes a support layer, a fixed layer positioned on a support layer, remaining portions of a sacrificial layer positioned only on portions of the fixed layer, and an oscillating layer positioned on the remaining portions of the sacrificial layer, overlying the fixed layer in spaced relation therefrom, and extending lengthwise generally transverse to a predetermined direction for defining a released beam for oscillating at a predetermined frequency. The spaced relation is preferably formed by removal of unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: An improvement to a phase controlled mechanical oscillator consists of a balancing network which generates a feedback signal from two different input signals with adjustable weights. One of these input signals is directly derived from the oscillator signal, the other is derived from a phase tracking loop. Using the balancing network, adjustments can be made to adapt the feedback to the mechanical properties, in particular to the Q factor, of the oscillator. In a preferred embodiment, all major components are working at an intermediate frequency level, generated by mixing the oscillator frequency with a reference frequency. As a major advantage of this (heterodyne) mixing, the bandwidth of any applied frequency detector can be narrowed, thus increasing the achievable signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A Q-controlled microresonator and devices including such resonators.

Abstract: An oscillation circuit comprises a surface acoustic wave resonance device of the single port type, an active circuit portion with which the surface acoustic wave resonance device is connected so that a signal feedback from the active circuit portion to the surface acoustic wave resonance device is carried out, an inductive element connected substantially in parallel with the surface acoustic wave resonance device, and a damping portion connected with one or both of the inductive element and the surface acoustic wave resonance device for suppressing parasitic oscillations caused by coaction between the inductive element and stray capacitance accompanying the surface acoustic wave resonance device.

Abstract: Micromachined, thermally insensitive silicon resonators are provided having accuracy equivalent or superior to that of quartz resonators, and are fabricated from a micromechanical, silicon-on-glass process. In one embodiment, such a resonator is realized using a tuning fork gyroscope. Radiation-hard precision voltage references (PVRs) are enabled using the silicon resonators. Thermal sensitivity is reduced relative to that of a silicon-on-silicon process oscillator, providing a thermal sensitivity comparable to that of a quartz oscillator. By employing a micromechanical device based upon a tuning fork gyroscope, resonators are made from either or both of the gyro drive and sense axes. A resonator constructed as an oscillator loop whose resonant frequency is compared to a frequency standard provides a bias voltage as a reference voltage.

Abstract: At least one microbeam situated on a substrate, having a resonant frequency dependent on the strain on the microbeam which may be affected by the bending of the substrate. The beam or beams have sense and drive electrodes proximate to the beam or beams and form capacitors with a beam being the other electrode. The capacitance varies as the beam moves in vibration. The sense electrode is connected to an input of a transistor, such as the gate or base, and the drive electrode is connected to an output of the transistor. The transistor has a load impedance with a capacitive component to aid in the sustaining of vibration of the beam at a resonant frequency. A high ohm resistor is connected between the gate and the drain of the transistor to appropriately bias the gate. The bending of the substrate may be caused by a magnitude of a physical stimulus being measured. However, the bending of the substrate is not utilized nor desired in the filter and temperature sensing configurations of the invention.

Abstract: Resonator systems with controlled quality factors including a resonator having a plurality of ports and a first quality factor greater than the system quality factor, and an amplifier providing negative feedback among the ports to render the system quality factor independent of the resonator quality factor.

Abstract: An FED, modified with an electrostatically deformable anode, has a control network attached to electrodes thereof to switch the FED off as the anode is deformed by electrostatic force and switch the FED on as the anode returns to a quiescent state. Frequency selectivity is realized by incorporating a variable frequency determining network within the control network.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and a method for connecting at least a pair of stages in DC series between a pair of power-supply potentials so as to provide economical utilization of the power supply. The stages are connected so as to maintain their AC independence.

Abstract: There is disclosed a drive regulation and control circuit for a tuning fork resonator also adaptable to other electrical devices wherein an approximately sine wave signal from a motion sensor is applied to an instantaneous level detector which causes a variable width pulse signal to be on during that portion of the sine wave signal where the instantaneous level exceeds an adjustable reference level; a control signal is generated with a magnitude varying as a moving average of the width of the variable width pulses; the control signal causes the reduction of current to the tuning fork drive to cause reduction of motion amplitude. An optional feature provides rapid response by activating a motion braking signal having a duration approximately equal to the variable width pulse "on" period.

Abstract: There is disclosed a driving and control circuit for a tuning fork resonator also adaptable to rotary motor control wherein an approximately sine wave signal from a motion sensor is applied to an instantaneous level detector which causes a control signal to be generated during that portion of the sine wave signal where the instantaneous level exceeds an adjustable reference level; the control signal causes the application of a current to the tuning fork drive which is in a direction to cause braking and reduction of motion amplitude. A distinctive feature of the instantaneous level detector is the fact that the sine wave signal is not rectified but is rather converted to a fluctuating direct current signal with a DC level accurately determined by an internal semiconductor voltage reference element.

Abstract: The present invention deals with an ultrasonic wave generating apparatus with voltage controlled filter, comprising a phase comparator which detects a shifted value from a predetermined phase difference between a driving voltage or a driving current of an ultrasonic transducer and a vibratory velocity signal, and a voltage-controlled band-pass filter which is controlled by the output of the phase comparator and which is provided in a feedback loop from the vibratory velocity signal to an input of a driving amplifier of the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the oscillating frequency is changed while following the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer, so that stable operation is materialized without developing abnormal oscillation in subresonant frequencies and permitting very small following error.

Abstract: Method and system for the constant amplitude control of an electromechanical oscillator utilizing a phase locked oscillator to generate a secondary a-c setpoint which is compared to the oscillator output to provide a difference signal which is passed as a fast-acting negative feedback signal to stabilize the amplitude.

Abstract: Communication units for hand-held use, combining a microphone for voice communication with means for generating at least two code frequencies for signaling, are made more compact and economical by dual capability of a single amplifying circuit in oscillating mode for tone generation and in substantially linear mode for amplifying the microphone output.

Abstract: A hybrid blocking oscillator for an electromagnetic fuel pump is disclosed herein. The blocking oscillator embodies a temperature regulated bias control and two current dissipators for controlled dissipation of the currents induced in the solenoid and detection coils when the oscillator is in a blocked state. The disclosed hybrid circuit is capable of 5,000 hours of operation with a 99 percent reliability.

Abstract: A blocking oscillator for driving the armature of a buzzer comprises a transistor which is stabilized against changes in ambient temperature and fluctuations of a supply voltage. A core is provided for magnetically driving the armature, and carries thereon a drive coil which induces a regularly varying electromagnetic field therein as well as a control coil which is connected in feedback relationship with the drive coil. The drive coil forms together with the collector emitter path of the transistor a series circuit, which is connected with a power supply and which is shunted by another series circuit comprising a resistor, the control coil and a diode and which is also connected across the power supply. The base of the transistor is connected with the junction between the resistor and the control coil. The control coil is shunted by a forwardly poled diode.

Abstract: A time-keeping apparatus uses a crystal oscillator and electronic frequency dividers, as well as an electronically regulated mechanical time-keeping system (balance wheel system) which is part of an indicating system. The indicating system is driven at at least two different rpm's; at least one of these rpm's is effectively controlled to be higher and at least one of these rpm's can be controlled to be lower than a nominal rpm corresponding to the frequency of oscillation of the crystal oscillator, which may be of quartz. A storage circuit, in the form of a bistable multivibrator, has one input coupled to an output of a frequency divider which, in turn, is controlled by the output from the crystal oscillator. The other input to the storage circuit is provided with input pulses derived from the indicating system or from the electronically controlled mechanical time-keeping system, which have very nearly the same frequency as the pulses of the output of the frequency divider fed from the crystal oscillator.

Abstract: The device comprises a balance having two magnets attached thereto, a coil combining pick-up and driving functions, two complementary transistors, an RC circuit formed of a speed-up first condenser and a first resistor, a biasing second resistor, a coupling second condenser a third resistor and a third condenser. This device is capable of operating over a wide temperature range, is less influenced by the deviation generally seen in the commercially available transistors, is simplified in construction, is inexpensive to manufacture and is adapted for mass production.

Abstract: A circuit for synchronizing an electrodynamic clockwork drive including two inductors and two permanent magnet assemblies which are moved relative to a clockwork drive by a mechanical oscillation system having the inherent frequency f and the first inductor is disposed in the operating circuit of a switching transistor and the second inductor is disposed in its control circuit so that current pulses induced in the second inductor trigger the switching transistor.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having an electronic circuit which comprises a monolithic integrated circuit including a multistage amplifier. The amplifier of the circuit is so designed that an amplitude control component, which has been considered indispensable in the existing art, is unnecessary in the circuit, whereby various types of electronic timepieces are obtainable in a simple and compact manner by applying the monolithic circuit to different types of oscillator means.

Abstract: An oscillator for generating non-sinusoidal, preferably triangular movements from a harmonic synthesis of individual sine oscillations. The oscillator comprises a plurality of mechanically intercalated resilient oscillator systems which each comprise an exciter drive means drivingly coupled to an oscillatable element. Each oscillator system has a natural frequency chosen in accordance with Fourier analysis of the oscillatory motion to be synthesized. From the total of the natural frequencies the desired motion is generated.