Patents Examined by Jean Breener JeanGlaude
  • Patent number: 6191721
    Abstract: A time based digital to analog converter is presented in which known reference voltages are used to create variable period waveforms which, when combined according to a desired computation, can convert digital words into a sinusoidal signal of a precision variable. To illustrate the application of the present invention, a hemispherical resonator gyroscope (HRG) operating in force rebalance is presented wherein a time based digital to analog converter with a variable period output controls the HRG electronics in nulling the standing wave. A rate of the standing wave is calculated, and a software component calculates the fraction of the maximum rate needed to oppose and null the initial rate of the standing wave. The fraction of the maximum rate is converted to digital words corresponding to the number of periods of a clock connected to the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Johnson, John C. Baker, Daniel T. Zaida, Patrick A. Toole