Abstract: A cruise control system having means to provide a signal corresponding to a desired speed for use by a servo control to regulate the speed. This system uses a current source to ramp charge a first capacitor. A comparator compares magnitude of the voltage on the first capacitor against the signal representative of the desired speed. A first counter is used to accumulate counts from a first frequency generator. A latch counter capable of following the counts in the first counter is used to store the counts when the comparator indicates the voltage on the first capacitor is substantially equal to the magnitude of the signal representative of the speed. A digital comparator then compares the counts stored in the latch counter against counts being accumulated anew in the first counter while the first capacitor is being recharged. Means are provided to inhibit the first capacitor from being charged further after the digital comparator indicates equality between the quantity of the counts being compared.

Abstract: In an electronic ignition system for controlling engine spark and firing thereof, a circuit is provided for causing the current through the ignition coil to have a greater value during starting of the engine than the current therethrough when the engine is running normally. The circuit is operated in conjunction with control of a current interrupt circuit of the ignition system. Moreover, the start-to-run circuit prevents premature engine spark, which might otherwise occur if the ignition system is switched from a start mode to a run mode just prior to desired engine firing, by controlling the transition time of the current through the coil from the start value to run value.

Abstract: A bilateral zener diode is described having improved terminal characteristics including a low noise factor, a predictable breakdown voltage level in the reverse breakdown mode within plus or minus 3 percent, and providing a sharp reference voltage which is substantially independent of diode current. This bilateral conducting diode is achieved by utilizing a collector ring diffusion of the same conductivity type as the anode diffusion, but spaced from both the anode diffusion and the cathode diffusion. In the forward bias conduction mode, the flow of current from the anode to the cathode is collected by the collector ring and returned to the cathode providing a forward transfer efficiency which is typically 90 percent.