Abstract: The invention relates to high-security time bases. A time base comprises three synchronized generators which each deliver a clock signal 2h or a synchronizing signal Sy used for synchronizing frames. Each generator includes an oscillator driven by a phase comparator which receives the three clock signals and by an internal locking circuit which receives a signal connected to the external synchronizing signal and/or a signal connected to the synchronizing signal Sy inherent to the generator, the synchronizing signal Sy being synchronized by a majority circuit which receives the synchronizing signals Sy from the three generators. Application to data processing installations and in particular to telephone exchanges.

Abstract: A logic system for charge-coupled device driver circuits includes a master oscillator for driving system logic circuits, which in turn generate signals for the non-bit-rate clock circuits. In addition, the system logic circuits generate a command which resets and synchronizes a separate resettable bit-rate oscillator to drive the bit-rate logic circuits which generate bit-rate clock waveforms. By maintaining separate oscillators for bit-rate and non-bit-rate functions, the logic system substantially reduces noise and therefore results in a clearer image from CCD area imaging array.

Abstract: An improved pulsed power supply for a solid state diode oscillator is shown. In the preferred embodiment a voltage equal to the threshold voltage of a negative resistance diode oscillator is applied continuously through an appropriately sized resistor and at least one normally nonconducting transistor is connected in parallel with such resistor, the transistor being arranged to be turned to its conducting state when a driver produces a control pulse, thereby to cause the negative resistance diode oscillator to oscillate.

Abstract: A fail-safe "OR" logic gate circuit which includes at least a first and a second level detector each of which has a voltage breakdown device and an oscillating circuit, a separate resonant tank circuit each of which is tuned to substantially the same frequency and being loosely coupled between each other, an amplifying circuit coupled to the output of each oscillating circuit, and a regulating-rectifying circuit coupled to the output of the amplifying circuit and producing a d.c. output signal when a d.c. input signal causes either or both of the voltage breakdown devices to break down and to exhibit a low impedance for causing the respective oscillating circuits to oscillate and supply a.c. signals to the amplifying circuit for rectification by the regulating-rectifying circuit.

Abstract: An electronic detection and identification system for use in the rapid identification of vehicles at a toll stop, and like uses, is provided which employs an electronic identification card that is carried by the vehicle to be identified and a fixed transmitter-receiver unit that transmits a signal to the card and receives a reflected signal therefrom. The card contains passive resonant circuitry for producing an output signal having a frequency which is a selected harmonic of the signal transmitted thereto. In operation, the card is radiated with a signal which has a freqency in the Gigahertz range and which is produced by frequency sweeping and multiplying a frequency stable RF signal. The signal reflected by the card is narrow band-filtered and RF amplitude (envelope) detected. The detection envelope, which is the "signature" of the received signals, is compared with a reference profile to determine whether a match exists.

Abstract: A human touch on an etched copper electrode produces a capacitive change to vary the time constant of an RC network as a part of an oscillator. The variation in the capacitance of the sensor changes the time constant of the RC network which results in a change in frequency of the output signal of the oscillator. This change in frequency thus varies with the human touch to the copper electrode. To develop a directional indication of the touch position, four electrodes are arranged in opposed pairs along orthogonal axes. Each electrode is part of an RC network connected to an oscillator with each of the four oscillators identified with one of the four positions along the orthogonal axes. The output signal from each of the oscillators is transmitted to timing and control circuitry that generates four separate pulse trains, one pulse train identified with each of four positions along the orthogonal axis.

Abstract: An improved solid state transmitter (and elements therefor) adapted particularly well to pulsed operation at radio frequencies is disclosed. Such transmitter includes the combination of: A crystal-controlled oscillator producing a continuous wave output signal which, ultimately, determines the frequency of each transmitted pulse; a first oscillatory circuit, including a resonant cavity and at least one normally quiescent coaxial oscillator incorporating an IMPATT diode; a second oscillatory circuit, including a resonant cavity and a plurality of normally quiescent coaxial oscillators, each one of such oscillators incorporating an IMPATT diode; and an improved modulator for periodically actuating all of the IMPATT diodes in such a manner that a pulsed output of the first oscillatory circuit is produced which remains locked to the then existing continuous wave signal out of the crystal-controlled oscillator and the pulsed outputs of the coaxial oscillators in the second oscillatory circuit similarly are locked.

Abstract: An ordered array of semiconductor integrated circuit feedback delay type of phase-locked recursive oscillators is arranged to furnish a correspondingly ordered discrete spectrum of mutually different resonant frequencies. The individual feedback path in each of the oscillators contains a semiconductor charge transfer device for providing most of the feedback delay. The total feedback delay in each of the oscillators is fine-tuned in the feedback path of each oscillator by a different incremental time delay element, such as an RC time delay element, which introduces an added delay that is less than that of a single transfer cycle in the charge transfer device. A phase-locking signal is fed to every oscillator, all the locking signals being derived from, and thus coherent with, a single master clock. All of the charge transfer devices are driven by a single clock pulse train whose timing can also be advantageously controlled by the master clock.

Abstract: The outputs of two like frequency oscillators are combined to form a single reliable clock signal, with one oscillator functioning as a slave under the control of the other to achieve phase coincidence when the master is operative and in a free-running mode when the master is inoperative so that failure of either oscillator produces no effect on the clock signal.

Abstract: A clock output signal is aligned in phase to conicide with the phase of signals derived from a master clock. In the event that there is a malfunction of the master, standby control circuitry modifies the phase of the clock output signal incremental quantities until it is in phase with the phase of signals from a standby clock. The clock output signal is thereafter maintained aligned in phase to coincide with the phase of the signals derived from the standby clock.

Abstract: A pulse-firing power oscillator has an iron core with a primary winding on the core and as many secondary windings as there are firing pulses to be sequentially produced in a series of pulses, with a half-wave rectifier in series with each secondary winding. A symmetrical circuit comprising back-to-back transistors is connected across the primary winding in such a manner that the base bias voltage of a transistor connected to one end of the primary winding is derived from the other end of the primary winding. A DC voltage is imposed between a center-tap on the primary winding and the common connection between the transistors which is furthest away from the center-tap -- i.e., further away from the center-tap than the base of each of the biased transistors. The oscillator is self starting, and when it is free running its frequency is voltage dependent, although broadly determined by the design of the pulse transformer including the cross-section of the core and the number of primary turns thereon.

Abstract: A digital oscillator with output frequency accurately changeable from one period to the next. A plurality of retriggerable monostable multivibrators having discretely different design pulse widths are OR'd to an output monostable multivibrator having the narrowest design pulse width. The plurality of monostable multivibrators are triggered in common by the OR'd outputs thereof such that the longest pulse width one thereof defines the period of the output monostable multivibrator. Logic enabling means permit selection of multivibrator outputs to be OR'd.

Abstract: Behavior modification method involving the use of a portable random interval signal generator. One disclosed embodiment has an increasing probability of obtaining a signal through a time interval. In another disclosed embodiment the probability of obtaining a signal remains constant with time. The method involves analyzing behavior at randomly occurring intervals and in a preferred form recording instances of predefined behavioral classes on a pair of counters associated with the interval generator. Another method involves providing feedback to the subject in the form of reinforcing or punishing events.

Abstract: The invention utilizes a four-port hybrid junction in which a signal to be amplified or a low level stable reference signal is coupled to a first port in which a pair of similar or matched amplifiers or oscillators are coupled to the respective second and third ports of the hybrid, and in which the resulting amplified or coherent stabilized power of the two amplifiers or oscillators is provided at the fourth port of the hybrid junction.