Abstract: In the case of a multichannel monitoring device for monitoring system operating states, a test input (45a, 45b) is provided per channel (2, 3) on an evaluation and monitoring circuit for the purpose of testing the supply leads (7a, 7b) to the signalling units (1a, 1b) for freedom from damage. Either no filters or filters (47a, 47b) with a short settling time are provided in the supply lead to this test input (45a, 45b). As a result, testing requires only a very short time, so that the evaluation of the signalling units (1a, 1b) is interrupted only for a very short time. The time is so short that no dangerous system states can occur.

Abstract: A plurality of battery-operated transceivers encapsulated by lamination to form a sheet of independent transceivers is tested in a two piece fixture that forms an enclosure surrounding each in-sheet transceiver. Each enclosure has an antenna for transmitting a command signal to the transceiver at a known power level and for receiving a reply message from the transceiver containing a power level measurement made by the transceiver. Test methods using the fixture of the present invention are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting abnormal radio-frequency signals has an antenna responsive to a radio-frequency signal. The radio frequency signal has a plurality of signal components, each of which has an associated amplitude. A circuit attenuates each of the plurality of signal components having an amplitude not greater than a threshold value and generates a suspect signal comprising each of the plurality of signal components having an amplitude greater than the threshold value. A circuit then compares the suspect signal to a plurality of preselected signal types. When the suspect signal does not correspond to any of the preselected signal types, a circuit generates an alarm. In a method of detecting usage of a radio-frequency weapon, a signal having an amplitude, is received. A background signal amplitude of a plurality of components of the signal is determined.

Abstract: A calibration technique for a vector network analyzer (VNA) enabling calibration standards to be included internal to the VNA. To calibrate the VNA utilizing the internal calibration standards, error terms a, b and c of two two-port error boxes E are defined between the measurement ports and the reflectometer of the VNA wherein a=-det(E), b=e00 and c=e10. Error terms a, b and c are determined by measuring external calibration standards with known reflection coefficients connected directly to the measurement ports. Reflection coefficients for internal calibration standards are then determined using the error terms a, b and c to enable future automatic calibrations. To measure S-parameters of an arbitrary device under test (DUT), one embodiment of the present invention uses the Ferrero technique to measure a reciprocal thru with estimated S.sub.21 characteristics connected between ports A and B to determine an additional error term .alpha. for the error boxes E, where .alpha.=e01.sub.A /e.sub.01B.

Abstract: A processor controlled test set for testing special service circuits of a telecommunication system. A microprocessor controls the overall operation of the test set, while a digital signal processor provides high speed timing signals to the various test circuits for generating the wave forms used in testing, as well as analyzes the test result signals that are converted into digital signals. A calibration of the test generator signals as well as the signal measuring path is carried out prior to the test sequence. The digital signal processor also provides gain control over a talking path to maintain stability thereof. An I/O circuit of the test set provides plural communication paths between remote equipment and the test set to initiate and carry out various tests. Processors in the I/O module are effective to convert the various protocols of the serial data, by way of software, to digital bit streams usable by the test set.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and associated devices for minimizing the undesirable affects of interference signals in the upstream spectrum of an multiuser interactive system. The method comprises receiving an initial upstream signal at a multiuser interactive processor in a multiuser interactive system. The frequency of the initial upstream signal is at a frequency within the upstream spectrum. Next, the multiuser interactive processor determines a measure of interference associated with at least a portion of the upstream spectrum. Based upon the measure of interference, an upstream channel, from within the upstream spectrum, is selected. The upstream channel is within the upstream spectrum. Finally, the multiuser interactive processor transmits a second signal representative of the upstream channel.

Abstract: An RF device (12), such as an amplifier, is tested by applying a digitally-modulated RF stimulus signal, having a known magnitude and phase angle, to the device to cause it to generate a response signal. The response signal of the device is down-converted and digitized prior to establishing its magnitude and phase angle. The magnitude and phase angle of the digitized, down-converted response signal are compared to the magnitude and phase angle, respectively, of the digitally-modulated stimulus signal to yield transfer functions indicative of the operation of the device.

Abstract: A calibration technique for a vector network analyzer (VNA) enabling calibration standards to be included internal to the VNA. To calibrate the VNA utilizing the internal calibration standards, error terms a, b and c of two two-port error boxes E are defined between the measurement ports and the reflectometer of the VNA wherein a=-det(E), b=e00 and c=e10. Error terms a, b and c are determined by measuring external calibration standards with known reflection coefficients connected directly to the measurement ports. Reflection coefficients for internal calibration standards are then determined using the error terms a, b and c to enable future automatic calibrations. To measure S-parameters of an arbitrary device under test (DUT), one embodiment of the present invention uses the Ferrero technique to measure a reciprocal thru with estimated S.sub.21 characteristics connected between ports A and B to determine an additional error term .alpha. for the error boxes E, where .alpha.=e01.sub.A /e.sub.01B.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining when transient responses of a signal have ended. A plurality of filters is provided. Operation of success of filters is cause to begin at successive times. The convergence of the outputs of the various filters is then tested. When convergence is detected, the signal provided by the first started filter of the successive filters that indicated convergence is used as an output signal. The signal is typically an electronic module test signal from an electronic module. Testing for convergence is performed by averaging outputs of each filter started to determine an average value; determining a deviation of each output of the filters from the average value; totaling the deviation to determine a total deviation; and comparing the total deviation to a reference level. Preferably, the total deviation is integrated over a period of time to provide an integrated total deviation; and the integrated total derivation is compared to the reference level.

Abstract: The invention concerns a diagnostic circuit for amperometrically determining the current passing through a sensor (41). The circuit comprises a current source (V+, 46) for passing a constant DC current through said sensor (41), switching means (45) for selectively operating said current source, comparing means (42) for comparing the potential difference (V.sub.BS) across said sensor to a reference voltage (V.sub.ref), and producing a control signal (D) control means (44) for controlling said switching means (45) in response to said control signal (D), and timing means (48,49) for measuring the cumulative time during which said switching signal (Q) has said first logic level during a selected time interval, so as to provide an output signal (50) indicative of a mean value of current (I.sub.bs ave) passing through said sensor (41).

Abstract: A method for improving accuracy of estimating natural frequency of a distribution system. The estimation is performed in order to identify a rectifier load that generates harmonics due to commutation oscillation. It includes the steps of measuring a charging current flowing into a power factor improving capacitor to obtain first data, removing fundamental frequency from the first data to obtain second data, determining, from the second data, a first time at which the amplitude of commutating oscillation components takes a maximum value, picking up third data in the interval beginning from the first time and ending at a second time later than the first time by T/N, where T is the period of the fundamental frequency, and N is the number of rectifier phases, performing frequency analysis on the third data to form fourth data by expanding the third data into a Fourier series, and determining a local peak frequency, that is, the natural frequency in the fourth data.

Abstract: A method for improving accuracy of estimating natural frequency of a distribution system. The estimation is performed in order to identify a rectifier load that generates harmonics due to commutation oscillation. It includes the steps of measuring a charging current flowing into a power factor improving capacitor to obtain first data, removing fundamental frequency from the first data to obtain second data, determining, from the second data, a first time at which the amplitude of commutating oscillation components takes a maximum value, picking up third data in the interval beginning from the first time and ending at a second time later than the first time by T/N, where T is the period of the fundamental frequency, and N is the number of rectifier phases, performing frequency analysis on the third data to form fourth data by expanding the third data into a Fourier series, and determining a local peak frequency, that is, the natural frequency in the fourth data.

Abstract: An impedance transformation circuit for transforming a two-pole electrical impedance (Z) includes a first controllable current source for producing a current (I.sub.1) flowing through the impedance during operation. An operational amplifier is coupled to the first current source for providing a control signal (V.sub.0) corresponding to the impedance current (I.sub.1). A second controllable current source is coupled to the operational amplifier for providing at an input terminal of the circuit a further current (I.sub.2) proportional to the impedance current (I.sub.1) as a function of the control signal (V.sub.0). As a result of using a first and second controllable current source and applying the control signal delivered by the operational amplifier to the control inputs of the two current sources, an impedance transformation is obtained which is dependent on similar parameter ratios. The circuit is suitable for use as an integrated semiconductor circuit.

Abstract: A system for evaluating the performance of an electrical filter installed on an electrical power supply network passing through the screening of a Faraday enclosure, includes a transmit device for transmitting an inlet electrical pulse to the inlet of the filter. A receive and processing unit receives and processes the response electrical signal at the outlet of the filter corresponding to the pulse. A display displays the results obtained by processing the signal. The inlet electrical pulse is coupled to the power supply network and is conveyed thereby through the filter. The response is obtained from the outlet of the filter by decoupling.

Abstract: Aliasing and synchronization difficulties in determining transfer functions in mixed domain (analog and digital) systems are overcome by sampling the analog signal at a higher sampling frequency that the digital signal, and zero filling the set of sampled digital data (if necessary) so that the sampled digital data corresponds to the more densely sampled analog data. By so doing, a single fixed frequency anti-alias filter in the analog channel can be used to avoid aliasing problems in mixed domain measurements over any span of frequencies, up to the entire passband of the filter. The invention is particularly illustrated with reference to measurements both across digital-to-analog boundaries and across analog-to-digital boundaries.

Abstract: A method of changing the sensitivity of a transducer includes applying to the transducer a cyclic excitation signal. The excitation signal has a number of recurring phases of different amplitudes. The transducer's output signal has a like number of recurring phases, each of which corresponds to a phase of the excitation signal. One of the phases of the output signal is selected for data acquisition. Selection of a different phase changes the effective measuring range of the transducer. Preferably, the excitation signal is an a.c. signal, and the output signal is partially demodulated as part of the selection of a phase for data acquisition.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the electrical length of a signal flow path, such as a twisted-pair conductor, to create conductors of the same electrical length are disclosed. The term electrical length refers to a certain physical distance for a length of conductor for which an electrical signal travels, or propagates along the conductor, in a specified amount of time. The apparatus preferably includes a Time Domain Reflectometer 25 (including pulse generator means 30 and electrical response display means 20) which is cooperatively connected to a first end of a conductor pair 51 under test. The conductor pair 51 is inserted through a ground plane 60 or other impedance changing device. Means to mark or cut 62 the conductor 51 are located within the ground plane 60 or as close as possible to the point at which the impedance is changed. Processing means 40 are utilized to adjust the conductor 51 length relative to the ground plane 60.

Abstract: A differential capacitive pickoff detector circuit for measuring the difference in spacing of a pair of differential pickoff capacitor plates. Current sources are provided for each output terminal of each of the pair of differential capacitors so that for each capacitor output terminal a current signal alternates between a first current level and a second current level at a predetermined carrier clock switching rate. The capacitors are varied to provide DSB-LC voltage signals across each of the capacitors. The average value of each of the alternating voltages and their amplitudes are automatically adjusted to predetermined levels. The two DSB-LC voltage signals are combined to provide a DSB-SC signal. The DSB-SC signal is synchronously demodulated using a quadrature reference carrier clock signal to provide an output baseband signal which represents the difference between the spacing of the first and second differential capacitor plates.

Abstract: Aliasing and synchronization difficulties in determining transfer functions in mixed domain (analog and digital) systems are overcome by sampling the analog signal at an integer multiple of the digital signal, and zero filling the set of sampled digital data so that the sampled digital data corresponds to the more densely sampled analog data. By so doing, a single fixed frequency anti-alias filter in the analog channel can be used to avoid aliasing problems in mixed domain measurements over any span of frequencies, up to the entire passband of the filter.

Abstract: In a fuel composition sensor in which a fast step voltage is applied to a capacitive voltage divider comprising a sensor capacitance and a reference capacitance in series, a padding capacitor is connected in parallel with the sensor capacitor to produce a more linear output across the full range of fuel composition. The value of the padding capacitor is sufficient to produce a capacitance ratio of the voltage divider substantially less than one and, in particular, less than two thirds.

Abstract: The circuit element being measured is connected to a signal source, a volt meter, a zero detection amplifier and a voltage controlled current source for drawing an electric current through the device to be measured in accordance with the output of the zero detection amplifier. Means are provided for changing the operating point of the zero detection amplifier in response to a measuring condition of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of measuring capacitance employs a charge measuring system. While a capacitive element, which may be an unknown capacitor, is charged completely to a predetermined voltage, a charge proportional to the capacitance of the capacitive element is accumulated on the feedback capacitor of an integrating operational amplifier. Thereafter, the charge is measured by measuring the time required to completely remove the charge from the feedback capacitor using the same predetermined voltage as a reference. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is manifested as a capacitance measurement feature in a hand-held multimeter wherein a largely conventional dual-slope analog-to-digital converter is employed as the charge measuring system.

Abstract: An improved swept frequency domain reflectometry instrument has an input/output terminal coupled to one end of a cable. A radio frequency at the input/output terminal is converted to an intermediate frequency using a swept local frequency. The radio frequency is derived from the swept local frequency and a variable offset frequency. A controller controls the variable offset frequency, monitoring the amplitude of the intermediate frequency. A period counter counts the intermediate frequency at a first maximum response of the intermediate frequency and further counts the offset frequency at a second maximum response of the intermediate frequency. The location of a discontinuity in the cable is calculated from the counted frequencies.

Abstract: A vector network analyzer comprising a circuit for measuring the real and imaginary components of the central spectral line in an RF pulse from a device-under-test is provided. The circuit comprises a modulator in response to a profiling pulse for modulating the amplitude of the RF pulse, mixers for down-converting the frequency of the amplitude modulated RF pulse, a narrow band filter for filtering the RF pulse having a bandwidth of 500 Hz and a synchronous detector responsive to the output of the crystal filter for providing a pair of dc outputs, which correspond to the real and imaginary components of the output of the device under test as the profiling pulse is shifted in time relative to the RF pulse.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring a transducer, or detector, which produces an analogue or digital output signal corresponding to a state sensed by the transducer. The invention is characterized in that the transducer includes activatable and deactivatable elements (RB 3, 23) which are intended to influence the transducer in a manner to cause the transducer to produce a signal which deviates from the actual state detected by the transducer, and in that there is provided a control circuit (10) which is intended to activate and/or deactivate the elements in a predetermined sequence, in response to the signal produced by the transducer. The arrangement also includes a control device for detecting the transducer output signal and comparing changes in the output signal in dependence on the activation and/or deactivation of the elements (RB 3, 23). The control device is constructed to detect whether or not the function of the transducer is correct, on the basis of this comparison.

Abstract: Method for determining qualities and/or frequencies of electrical tuned circuits. The method includes the steps of exciting the turned circuit with a switching pulse which has a short rise and fall time as compared with a period corresponding to the resonant frequency of the circuit, and evaluating the oscillation dying out after the switching impulse.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing the response of a stress wave sensor to confirm that the transducer and amplifier are functioning satisfactorily.A pulser is connected to the stress wave sensor at a point between the transducer and the amplifier. The pulser supplies a first and a second electrical pulse in series to the stress wave sensor. The first electrical pulse has a large amplitude such that it causes an operative transducer to oscillate and produce an additional electrical pulse. The first electrical pulse and the additional electrical pulse are supplied to the amplifier. An operative amplifier amplifies the first electrical pulse and any additional pulse to give an output signal, the output signal indicates if either the transducer or amplifier are not operating satisfactorily, the lack of an output signal indicates the amplifier is inoperative.

Abstract: For the reduction of noise signals, and particularly crosstalk signals, in measurement systems for analyzing emission or transmission processes and composed of a serial arrangement of a signal source (1), a measurement path (2) with or without a transmission test object (8), a detector (3), and a measurement and display circuit (5), an identification modulation is imparted to the signal component carried in the measurement path by means of repeated modulation (6, 9). The evaluation of the detector output signal may be performed with respect to a frequency which is free of the effects of the single modulation signals occurring in the detector output signal because of noise pick-up. Use of this method in homodyne systems for quadrupole parameter measurements further eliminates the effects of crosstalk reflections which typically occur in these systems.

Abstract: In a frequency response analyzer capable of testing a system under test at a higher frequency F derived from a signal generator providing a relatively higher frequency F/K. A reference signal of frequency F-C is supplied to a mixer where it is multiplied with the return signal of frequency F to provide a fixed frequency output C. An analyzing portion of the frequency response analyzer is therefore required to operate only at this fixed frequency C and may provide an output in any suitable form, for example displays of magnitude and phase against frequency as F/K is varied. The present invention overcomes the problem of providing a VCO based signal generator capable of operation at very low frequencies.