Abstract: The most favorable clock signal among n available signals which present equal successive phase shifts is selected by comparison with a synchronization burst. For this, a logic phase comparison is effected between the signals obtained by division by 2 of each of the n clock phases with the bits of the synchronization burst by averaging the comparison signal obtained over several bits, and the most favorable clock phase is selected, corresponding to a phase shift close to .pi., as being the one represented by a voltage level located within a determined interval F.

Abstract: This process enables the average value of a voltage to be established during a burst formed by an alternation of 1s and 0s, this value being stored until the following burst appears.According to the invention, the value considered is brought to an initial level less than or equal to half the smallest foreseeable burst amplitude, before appearance of the burst, then this level is increased depending on the signal received, in a time interval preceding the earliest probable time of appearance of the burst, e.g. by detecting the peak value of the received signal. A threshold signal taking into account the level of the noise and the disturbances is thus fixed. The average value is then taken during a definite period, counted from the first 1 of the burst.

Abstract: A synchronous switch for alternating circuits or rectified alternating circuits, the operation of which is automatically synchronized on the passage to zero of the load voltage at its terminals. This synchronous switch contains essentially a semi-conductor element selected from thyristors of a particular type and possibly a diode. The semiconductor element comprises two main electrodes and a control electrode. This element can only be triggered at times when the polarity of the control voltage at the gate is the reverse of that of the first main electrode, and once triggered it then remains closed until the load current crossing it is reduced to zero. The main electrodes may be connected to a rectifier bridge to provide an alternating current switch. The main electrodes may also be connected across a diode, and the devices thus formed can be used to interrupt each phase of a polyphase load current.

Abstract: A power regulating device operating by suppressing full half cycles of power applied to a load from an alternating voltage source. The device includes a controllable semiconductor element of the type which is triggered by removal of current from its control electrode. The anode and the cathode of the controllable semiconductor element are connected across the terminals of a rectified alternating voltage source, and the control electrode receives a fraction of the rectified voltage through an RC circuit and a two terminal threshold device.

Abstract: A static switch controller synchronized with a passage to zero of the supply voltage, and which is insensitive to spurious firing currents is disclosed. A static switch is controlled by a control circuit having output terminals and input terminals. An alternating rectified voltage is applied across the output terminals and a closing signal is applied across the input terminals. The control circuit comprises a thyristor and a blocking circuit which blocks the cathode of the thyristor when the rectified voltage exceeds a threshold value.