Abstract: A signal of frequency value F.sub.IN is coupled to a discriminator and to one terminal of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) tuned to operate at a range of frequencies about F.sub.IN .div.N where N is a nonunity positive integer. The discriminator produces a voltage proportional to frequency F.sub.IN which is scaled and applied to a control terminal of the VCO to cause it to be tuned to approximately F.sub.IN .div.N. The signal of frequency F.sub.IN applied to the VCO causes it to be injection locked to frequency F.sub.IN .div.N.

Abstract: The power producing potential of a turbocharged engine is determined by measuring the acceleration at time T.sub.1 of the turbocharger at a given turbocharger speed as the engine is accelerated, and measuring the deceleration at time T.sub.2 of the turbocharger, at the same turbocharger speed, as the engine is decelerated. The power is a constant K.sub.1 times the acceleration figure minus the deceleration figure. A more accurate result is obtained by adding a constant K.sub.2 times the engine speed at time T.sub.1 minus the engine speed at time T.sub.2.

Abstract: A vehicle identification system includes apparatus located on the vehicle for transmitting a continuous wave RF probe signal, a remote interrogator unit responsive to the probe signal for transmitting back thereto an interrogation signal. The apparatus on the vehicle transmits in response to the interrogation signal an identifying code. The probe signal may be further utilized in determining the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A serrodyne includes a phase shifting circuit adapted to receive a sawtooth modulating signal for providing frequency translation of a radio frequency signal which can be at any of a range of input frequencies. The serrodyne also includes a discriminator which produces in response to the input RF signal a voltage of amplitude proportional thereto. The serrodyne further includes a circuit producing a sawtooth voltage waveform of period 1.div.m, where m is the amount of frequency shift desired in the serrodyne. The sawtooth waveform is applied to the phase shifting circuit. The sawtooth waveform is amplified by an amplifier to which is applied the sawtooth voltage waveform and the signal from the frequency discriminator. The amplification is such that the peak-to-peak magnitude of the amplified waveform is dependent on the amplitude value of the voltage from the frequency discriminator and causes the serrodyne frequency to be shifted by 360.degree. at any of the range of input frequencies.

Abstract: An electronically adjustable capacitor (varactor), an active element such as a Field Effect Transistor arranged to exhibit negative resistance, and an inductor are arranged as a frequency tunable resonator suitable for use at microwave frequencies. The negative resistance of the active element may be adjusted to compensate for the resistance of the other resonator components such that the resonator exhibits very high Q and therefore high selectivity and low loss. The resonator may be used as a filter element in a tunable filter. Alternatively the negative resistance of the active element may be adjusted such that the resonator exhibits net negative resistance and may be incorporated in a tunable reflection type amplifier.

Abstract: The method of testing the condition of a turbocharger in a turbocharged internal combustion engine by the steps of allowing the engine to decelerate from a high idle speed to a low idle speed, measuring the speed of the turbocharger shaft as the engine decelerates, determining the slope of the D/N vs. N characteristic, where N is the turbocharger shaft speed and D/N is the absolute value of the turbocharger acceleration divided by turbocharger shaft speed, and comparing the computed slope with a predetermined nearly zero slope of a normal turbocharger to see whether the turbocharger is bad due to excessive sliding friction.

Abstract: A sequencer for two power supply voltages includes a master on-off switch, and two transistor switches which operate in response to the closing and then the opening of the master switch to turn on one voltage before the other is turned on, and to turn the one voltage off after the other is turned off. The sequencer is useful, for example, in connection with charge-coupled device apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and displaying a high, normal, or low condition of battery voltage or engine temperature in an automobile by energizing an H, a dash, or an L, respectively, on a 7-segment display device. A voltage representing the condition is compared with upper and lower threshold voltages in comparators. Outputs of the comparators are applied through inverting and noninverting transistors to specific segments of the display unit. An input voltage above the lower threshold energizes the middle horizontal segment which displays a dash representing a normal condition. An input voltage above the upper threshold energizes the vertical segments to complete the display of an H representing a high condition.

Abstract: A doppler type speed sensor produces a doppler signal having a spectrum of frequencies including a frequency of peak amplitude corresponding to the actual speed of an object. The frequencies are supplied to a narrowband voltage tunable filter, the frequency bandwidth of which is continuously adjusted by a periodically reoccurring sweep signal applied thereto. The output of the filter is coupled to a peak detecting circuit which produces a pulse when the maximum amplitude signal is received thereat. The sweep signal and pulse are applied to the inputs of a sample-and-hold circuit to cause the sample-and-hold circuit to hold and produce a signal corresponding to the value of the peak frequency and therefore the speed of the object.

Abstract: A ranging radar of the radio frequency (RF) frequency modulated-continuous wave (FM-CW) type transmits an RF FM-CW signal to a reflecting surface at an unknown range R from the radar. The reflecting surface reflects the signal to a modulating device. The modulating device further modulates the signal at a frequency F which is high in comparison to the modulating frequency of the FM-CW signal. The further modulated signal is transmitted by the device to the reflecting surface and back to the ranging radar where it is subtractively mixed with a sample of a transmitted signal. The mixed signal is at frequency F amplitude modulated by a beat frequency, the period of which corresponds to range R. The frequency F is removed from the mixed signal leaving the beat frequency signal from which is determined range R.

Abstract: Two adjustable level signal translating devices in separate signal paths are arranged to receive an input alternating frequency signal and to pass the signal at respective desired levels to a vector summing circuit. One of the signal paths undergoes an additional 90.degree. phase shift. The vector summing circuit produces an output signal shifted in phase by an amount between 0.degree. and 90.degree. relative to the input signal depending on the levels of signals from the two translating devices.

Abstract: A counter produces, as a function of time, an M bit count of cycles of a periodic signal. A storage device stores a changeable value represented by N bits comprising M higher order bits and N-M lower order bits. An adder produces M bits corresponding to the sum of M counter bits and M higher order bits. A digital-to-analog converter produces an alternating signal corresponding to the value of the M summed bits and N-M lower order bits where the phase of the alternating signal relative to an arbitrary reference signal corresponds to the value stored in the storage device.

Abstract: An interrogating station includes apparatus for transmitting a frequency modulated signal having a relatively low modulation rate to a plurality of uniquely tagged targets and for receiving therefrom a further modulated reply signal at a relatively high modulation rate, a mixer for mixing the transmitted and reply signals, to produce range modified tag modulation frequencies for all tagged targets, a voltage controlled filter for selectively passing the mixer output signal corresponding to any one of the tagged targets and a sweep and hold circuit for providing the frequency selecting voltage to the filter. The frequency selecting voltage is caused to change when no signal is passed by the filter and is fixed at the voltage corresponding to the signal frequency when a signal is passed by the filter.

Abstract: A power supply which incorporates a feedback network for maintaining an output parameter at a nominal value, includes apparatus, which, upon a change in an environmental parameter provides a signal to the feedback network to alter substantially the output parameter from its nominal value. Such a power supply is useful in a cathode ray tube type display system subject to damaging voltage breakdowns at high altitudes.

Abstract: An airborne weather radar system displays on a display screen a weather map in the form of a matrix of spots of intensity with N possible intensity levels ranging from a lowest level to a highest level where N>2 and where the intensity levels correspond to respective data signals provided by the radar system. The intensity control on the weather radar system is operator controllable to cause data signals corresponding to all intensity levels except the lowest to be converted to signals corresponding to the highest level. Therefore, only the highest and lowest intensity levels are displayed.

Abstract: A low cost airborne weather radar system suitable for mounting in the wing of a single engine aircraft. The radar antenna is a truncated parabolic dish. The receiver/transmitter, relative to parameters used in a conventional receiver/transmitter operates at relatively small peak transmitter power with a relatively long transmitter pulsewidth which, in turn, is matched to the receiver bandwidth. The relatively small peak power allows for acceptable range performance due to the relatively larger pulse width. Further, the receiver/transmitter assembly is significantly reduced in size so as to facilitate location in an aircraft wing and be thereby directly connected to the antenna to eliminate range reducing intercabling losses.

Abstract: A frequency memory system having a smart noise component is receptive of an RF burst signal of a given frequency and of relatively short duration for determining the frequency and storing a signal of amplitude indicative of the given frequency and for producing by means of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) a signal at the given frequency of relatively long duration. The stored signal and a signal for amplitude corresponding to the actual frequency produced by VCO are utilized to produce an error signal to correct any error in the frequency of the signal produced by the VCO relative to the given frequency. Since the VCO is not capable of immediately accurately tracking the input frequency, a smart noise generator produces a signal of random amplitude which is added to the error signal to cause the VCO to produce at least a frequency component of its output signal which is equal to that of the input RF burst signal.

Abstract: A method of designing a linear rf amplifier comprising an output load impedance and an active device including the steps of (a) applying DC bias to the device, (b) applying two different frequency signals of an amplitude C, and (c) changing the value of the load impedance and recording the impedance value and associated C/I ratio for each impedance value (C/I being the ratio of amplitude C and amplitude I--the amplitude of an intermodulation product frequency). The last step (c) is repeated for a plurality of output levels. The above is repeated for a plurality of input power levels. The next step is selecting from the recorded information the impedance values corresponding to the maximum C/I ratio and recording the impedance values and corresponding C/I ratios, input power levels and output power levels. Then, choosing a desired C/I ratio from those recorded in the previous step and selecting the impedance value corresponding to the maximum output power level.

Abstract: A frequency-modulated continuous wave (FM-CW) ranging system for determining the range of a target includes apparatus which utilizes a target simulating delay line and target illuminating antenna, alternately switched to a difference frequency determining circuit and a scaling device to compensate for undesired changes of the FM modulation waveform.

Abstract: An impatt diode in a radio frequency circuit is pulse modulated by a circuit comprising a constant current source providing threshold current and a pulsed current circuit providing drive current. The current applied to the impatt diode by the pulsed current source may be adjusted to increase or decrease as a function of time.