Abstract: A method for extracting time information from a received, amplitude-modulated time signal is provided. The method provides that the time signal is demodulated, the analog signal thus obtained is digitized by a comparator, and the digital signal thus obtained is analyzed to extract the time information. In addition, a characteristic value of the time duration of at least one signal phase of a specific signal level of the digital signal is compared to a target value, and a comparator threshold of the comparator is altered as a function of a result of the comparison such that the time duration of at least the applicable signal phase of the digital signal approaches the target value. In this way, an improved system sensitivity is achieved according to the invention in a receiver for receiving time signals.

Abstract: A method for extracting time information from a received, amplitude-modulated time signal is provided. The method provides that the time signal is demodulated, the analog signal thus obtained is digitized by a comparator, and the digital signal thus obtained is analyzed to extract the time information. In addition, a characteristic value of the time duration of at least one signal phase of a specific signal level of the digital signal is compared to a target value, and a comparator threshold of the comparator is altered as a function of a result of the comparison such that the time duration of at least the applicable signal phase of the digital signal approaches the target value. In this way, an improved system sensitivity is achieved according to the invention in a receiver for receiving time signals.

Abstract: Time signals transmitted by a time signal transmitter and received by a receiver are processed for gaining time information and for reducing demodulation errors to increase the demodulation certainty. For this purpose the following steps are performed in a time signal receiver: a) scanning of received time signals, b) storing of scanned values of the time signal, c) detecting from the scanned and stored values an amplitude change in said time signal, d) measuring the duration of any detected amplitude changes, e) evaluating the measured time durations relative to a predetermined time duration (?t) and f) excluding from further processing amplitude changes that have a measured duration that is shorter than the predetermined duration. Amplitude changes of longer duration than (?t) are demodulated and further processed. The receiver circuit is equipped to perform the foregoing steps, particularly in a radio-controlled clock.

Abstract: Time signals for controlling a radio clock are transmitted by a transmitter and received by a receiver as amplitude modulated time signals, formed of a multitude of time frames. Each time frame has a constant duration. These time signals are first automatically amplified. A so-called telegram of at least one received time signal is stored in a memory. At least one change of an amplitude of a time signal is determined in advance or predetermined and such amplitude change has a duration that is longer than a given or determined duration (?t). When a predetermined amplitude change begins the automatic amplification is locked-in. The present circuit arrangement for operating a radio-controlled clock is equipped with components for performing the foregoing operations.

Abstract: A d.c. signal controlled oscillator includes a frequency-determining network having a control input and a modulation input. A phase regulating loop includes the oscillator and components that provide a control signal to the control input. A circuit apparatus for driving the oscillator includes a modulation generator that provides a modulation signal to the modulation input, and a circuit arrangement that autonomously generates a signal depending on and representing a slope of the modulation and provides this slope signal to the modulation generator, which generates the modulation signal dependent on the slope signal.

Abstract: Time signals transmitted by a time signal transmitter and received by a receiver are processed for gaining time information and for reducing demodulation errors to increase the demodulation certainty. For this purpose the following steps are performed in a time signal receiver: a) scanning of received time signals, b) storing of scanned values of the time signal, c) detecting from the scanned and stored values an amplitude change in said time signal, d) measuring the duration of any detected amplitude changes, e) evaluating the measured time durations relative to a predetermined time duration (?t) and f) excluding from further processing amplitude changes that have a measured duration that is shorter than the predetermined duration. Amplitude changes of longer duration than (?t) are demodulated and further processed. The receiver circuit is equipped to perform the foregoing steps, particularly in a radio-controlled clock.

Abstract: Time signals for controlling a radio clock are transmitted by a transmitter and received by a receiver as amplitude modulated time signals, formed of a multitude of time frames. Each time frame has a constant duration. These time signals are first automatically amplified. A so-called telegram of at least one received time signal is stored in a memory. At least one change of an amplitude of a time signal is determined in advance or predetermined and such amplitude change has a duration that is longer than a given or determined duration (?t). When a predetermined amplitude change begins the automatic amplification is locked-in. The present circuit arrangement for operating a radio-controlled clock is equipped with components for performing the foregoing operations.

Abstract: A transmitted time signal carries time information encoded bit-wise by signal variations in a succession of constant duration time frames, with at least one bit in each time frame. A signal quality is determined and allocated to a respective bit, e.g. depending on the extent of deviation of an actual duration from prescribed durations of a signal variation representing the bit. Thus, a respective signal quality may be allocated to a respective decoded data bit per time frame. Successive data bits can be categorized as interference-free or interference-burdened, and a signal quality of the received time signal can alternatively be determined from the number or ratio of the interference-free bits and the interference-burdened bits. A radio-controlled clock circuit includes a receiving circuit, a bit value decoding arrangement and a signal quality evaluating arrangement.

Abstract: A transmitted time signal carries time information encoded bit-wise by signal amplitude variations in a succession of time frames. A method involves receiving and evaluating the time signal in a receiver to acquire the time information, and then outputting from the receiver an individual data bit respectively allocated to a respective time frame during or at the end of or immediately after the respective time frame. It is not necessary to store all the data bits of a complete minute telegram in the receiver before the evaluation. The successive data bits are used by a microprocessor downstream from the receiver to produce a time signal. A circuit arrangement for a radio-controlled clock includes a receiving antenna connected to a receiver circuit that incorporates a time information decoder for decoding the time information contained in the time signal.

Abstract: A transmitted time signal carries encoded time information in a succession of time frames of constant duration. An amplitude variation of the time signal indicates the beginning of a second within a time frame, but may be obscured by interference. Once an actual second beginning is known, e.g. unambiguously detected without interference, then a counter counts up a prescribed number of timing pulses of a reference clock signal to calculate the next expected second beginning of the next time frame. If the next actual second beginning is obscured by interference, then the calculated second beginning is used, otherwise the next actual second beginning can be used, in the decoding and evaluation of the time information. The counter is reset and counts up to calculate the successive next expected second beginning. A circuit for performing this method includes a signal form evaluating unit, a counter, a regulating unit and a reference clock signal generator.

Abstract: Transmitters respectively transmit time signals providing time information in a succession of time frames having constant duration but different encoding parameters and frequencies. A received time signal is evaluated to determine the particular transmitter that transmitted the signal. For example, the frequency, the duration and number of signal pulses representing second markers, the arrangement and sequence of signal pulses, and/or the inversion state of the signal are evaluated to identify the pertinent transmitter based on these characteristic features. The time information can be properly decoded and evaluated according to the correct protocol, which has been automatically selected.

Abstract: A time signal provides time and/or date information in a succession of time code telegrams that each include successive time frames having at least one data bit each. The time signal is received, decoded and evaluated to acquire the time information, for which only some of the data bits of a respective time code telegram are evaluated. Particularly, only those bits representing necessary time and/or date information are evaluated, while other bits containing other unneeded information are ignored or replaced by filler bits. A radio-controlled clock includes a bit decoder and an evaluating unit for decoding and evaluating only the pertinent bits, a counter that keeps track of the bit location in the telegram, and a controller that controls the decoder and/or evaluating unit to decode and evaluate only some particular ones of the received data bits in the telegram.

Abstract: A d.c. signal controlled oscillator includes a frequency-determining network having a control input and a modulation input. A phase regulating loop includes the oscillator and components that provide a control signal to the control input. A circuit apparatus for driving the oscillator includes a modulation generator that provides a modulation signal to the modulation input, and a circuit arrangement that autonomously generates a signal depending on and representing a slope of the modulation and provides this slope signal to the modulation generator, which generates the modulation signal dependent on the slope signal.

Abstract: A dust cover for cylindrical elements, in particular for a pin guide arrange of a spot-type disc brake is described and includes an elastic folded sleeve having a first end section fixable at the circumference of a first cylindrical element provided in the brake housing and a second section mounted at the circumference of a second cylindrical element with a ring which is seated on the second cylindrical element. The ring has a substantially U-shaped configuration in longitudinal section and is firmly positioned on the second cylindrical element and partly surrounds the second end section of the folded sleeve. The second end section of the sleeve is turnable inside the ring.