Abstract: This improves the digitizing of analog signals over a wide dynamic range for a floating point decimal conversion. The widely fluctuating input analog voltages are converted to currents to prevent saturation of circuit elements and are, first, compared with a derived reference signal to produce positive voltages or negative voltages if the input signal exceeds or is less than the derived reference current. The positive and negative voltages are fed to a combined floating point processing unit and microprocessor which generates two groups of digital signals. The first group is representative of m mantissa increments and the second group of n signals is indicative of the order of magnitude of the mantissa components. A mantissa digital-to-analog current generator and an order of magnitude digital-to-analog current generator are coupled in series with respect to each other to provide the derived reference current which is to be compared with the next sample of the input analog signal.

Abstract: An optical beam steering system is provided by a reflective surface mounted n a baseplate which is electromagnetically driven by applied signals to control its angular disposition to a degree of accuracy within fractions of a microradian. Resilient means such as coil springs are attached in pairs to the baseplate to define two orthogonally related axes of movement intersecting at the geometric center of the baseplate. A pivotal support (preferably a jewel bearing) is positioned at the geometric center of the baseplate; first and second pairs of permanent magnets extend from thebaseplate at opposite equidistant points from the pivotal support to define first and second axes of movement which are also orthogonally related.