Patent ID: 6014093
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: H03M

Abstract:
A pulse coding system comprising:an encoder for encoding a received analog signal as a series of output pulses, said encoder including:a first decaying signal source for generating a decaying reference signal; anda pulse-generating comparator circuit coupled to an input of said encoder for receiving the analog signal to be encoded and coupled to said first decaying signal source for receiving the decaying reference signal, said pulse-generating comparator circuit compares the amplitude of the received analog signal to the amplitude of said reference signal and generates and outputs a pulse whenever the amplitude of the decaying reference signal falls below that of the received analog signal,wherein said first decaying signal source is coupled to said pulse-generating comparator circuit for receiving the generated pulses, and wherein said first decaying signal source responds to the pulses by increasing the amplitude of the decaying reference signal a predetermined amount each time a pulse is received; anda decoder for receiving the pulses output from said encoder and for generating an output signal corresponding to the analog signal received by said encoder, said decoder including a second decaying signal source for generating the output signal by increasing the amplitude of the output signal by a predetermined amount each time a pulse is received and subsequently allowing the amplitude to decay after each increase in amplitude.