Patent GB-1089995-A (GB)
Title: Periodically regenerative circuits with memory-dependent response
IPC: H03K17/16
Filed: 1964-12-22
Abstract: 1,089,995. Semi-conductor circuits; pulse modulation circuits. CARTER PRODUCTS Inc. Dec. 22, 1964 [Jan. 24, 1964], No. 52099/64. Headings H3T and H4L. [Also in Divisions G1 and G3] A bi-stable semi-conductor pair is periodically rendered ineffective or unregenerative so that its condition may be set by a signal during the sensitive switching-on period and external feedback is added which aids and/or opposes setting to the same condition as in the previous period. This feedback may be arranged to cause latching, to cause the circuit to oscillate with a mark-space ratio determined by the signal or to oscillate when the signal is within a predetermined range and may cause the circuit to act as a phase-sensitive or a linear amplifier. Fig. 2 shows a sunshine recorder. A Schmitttype bi-stable circuit Q3, Q4 is controlled by a push-pull amplifier Q1, Q2 in dependence upon the relative signals from two photo conductors PC1, PC2, one of which is shaded around the ecliptic and the other open to the sun. The bistable circuit is supplied with a half-wave rectified A.C. supply from D2, D3 which is substantially not smoothed by the interference bypassing capacitor C2 so that the bi-stable cirucit switches off after each half-cycle and is re-set during the sensitive switching-on period of each following half-cycle in accordance with the relative outputs of the photo-cells. When the sun is shining the circuit renders a transistor Q5 conducting to operate the recorder W. Successive cycles cause a capacitor Cl to be progressively charged in accordance with the sense of the output signal to produce a feedback voltage which biases the transistor Q1 to aid the input signal condition so that a latching effect is obtained, rendering the circuit less liable to being changed to its other state by interfering signals. A diode D1 provides a bias which builds up to a substantially steady value relatively quickly during the early part of the halfcycles. Fig. 6 (not shown) comprises another bistable pair (Q301, Q302) with similar external aiding feedback (through R316, R317) but in which the external feedback capacitor (C301) is substantially discharged (through a transistor Q303) during alternate half-cycles so that the circuit is sensitive during one half cycle and is substantially latched by the feedback during the second and therefore becomes a phase sense discriminator. The output from the circuit operates a reciprocally coupled complementary transistor pair (Q304, Q305) controlling a relay (L301), its input circuit including a diode (D303) which isolates the output circuit from the bistable circuit during transient periods. The Specification also describes a circuit (Fig. 1, not shown) which, so far as is illustrated, is identical with that described in Specification 1,059,852 and which comprises a bi-stable pair (Q100, Q101) with the external aiding feedback from a cross-coupled complementary output pair (Q102, Q103) through a delay and storage circuit (R121, C120). It suggests, however, that a resistor (R120) in this feedback circuit could be adjustable so as to vary the latching effect and that oppositely poled diodes could be placed in parallel so as to give different feedback for different polarities. It further describes how varying the time constants of the external feedback circuit may make the latching effect either instantaneous or slow to build up, in the latter case the circuit acquiring a " habit " of setting to one state. Both fast acting and slow acting feedback could be provided in which case having acquired a habit, only one large signal of a new polarity is required to break the habit. Potentiometers may be provided to adjust the habit acquiring and breaking characteristics. Fig. 3a shows a bi-stable circuit with both aiding and opposing feedback. The Schmidt bi-stable circuit Q21, Q22 is again fed with rectified unsmoothed supply so that its state is periodically set by a signal at E21 during the highly sensitive switching on period. The output is fed to a cross coupled complementary pair Q23, Q24 to control a relay K21. External aiding feedback is provided through a delay and storage circuit R34, C21, R33 and opposing feedback through a circuit R31, R32, C22 the latter having a slower but larger effect than the former. Accordingly the circuit quickly acquires a habit of switching to one state through the aiding feedback but this is reversed as the opposing feedback builds up, eventually causing the circuit to switch to the opposite state into which state it continues to switch until by a similar but reverse action switching is restored to the first state. Thus the circuit oscillates between the two states, the number of halfcycles it remains in each state depending upon the magnitude and polarity of the input signal (Figs. 3b-3f, not shown). If, however, the magnitude of the two feedback signals is made equal, as by adjusting a mixing circuit for the feedback signals, the latching or habit effect is progressively removed until the circuit is restored to its initial highly sensitive condition. If the time constant of the aiding and opposing feedbacks is reversed, that is, if the aiding has a long time constant and opposing a short time constant the circuit will oscillate for small signals since the aiding feedback will average to zero but for larger signals the circuit will latch into the corresponding output condition. The circuit is thus suitable for null or zero crossing detectors. Voltage limiting Zener diodes may be provided in the feedback circuit. Fig. 4 shows the circuit adapted to control a temperature and using the external aiding and opposing feedback together with a periodically interrupted internal feedback instead of interrupted supply. The bi-stable circuit Q44, Q45 is controlled via a balanced amplifier Q42, Q43 from a thermistor N41. The internal feedback of the bi-stable circuit is periodically shorted by a transistor Q49 during each half cycle of the A.C. supply under the control of a transistor Q41 connected through diodes D43, D44 to the A.C. supply transformer T41. Accordingly the bi-stable circuit is set in accordance with the output of the thermistor during the beginning of each supply half cycle while the bi-stable circuit is very sensitive. Aiding external feedback is applied relatively quickly through a storage circuit R80, C48, R81 to tend to relatch the circuit into the same condition as the signal but this is progressively overcome by an opposing feedback through R78, C47, R47 so that the circuit, after a period, switches its state and oscillation is produced in the manner previously described. Again the number of half cycles in which the circuit remains in one or other state depends upon the magnitude and sense of the input signal from the thermistor. The output from the bi-stable circuit is applied through transistors Q47, Q48 to control the heater, a transistor Q46 being provided to ensure that the output circuit is switched only when Q47 is conducting and not when the bistable circuit is in its balanced or other stable state. It is pointed out that the output pulses are synchronized with the mains supply so that switching is effected occurs during the lowvoltage periods. Fig. 5 (not shown) illustrates the circuit used to provide linear amplification. The bi-stable circuit (Q201, Q202) has external opposing feedback through a delay and storage circuit (including C202, R213, R209) so that (as previously described) the circuit is oscillatory. It is explained that the voltage across C202 takes up an equilibrium value linearly related to the input voltage (E202), the number of charging pulses also being linear related thereto. The smoothed output is used to control a further periodically regenerative bi-stable circuit. A diode (D203) is interposed between the bi-stable circuit and the capacitor (C202) to prevent the capacitor voltage influencing the bi-stable state during the setting period. It is also suggested that the circuit will operate as a null signal oscillator if the time constant is sufficiently reduced.