Patent GB-1088347-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for generating high frequency pulses having a predetermined frequency by means of a continuously tunable magnetron
IPC: H03K3/80
Filed: 1966-05-31
Abstract: 1,088,347. Pulse radar; transistor circuits. PHILIPS ELECTRONIC & ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES Ltd. May 31, 1966 [June 3. 1965], No. 24222/66. Headings H3T and H4D, The Specification describes a development of the radar system described in Specification 994,757 and is concerned with the generation of the magnetron triggering pulses in dependence on the local oscillator output, such that the magnetron pulses can be transmitted with frequencies and separation varying according to a desired programme. In one embodiment, Fig. 1, the arrangement, described in Specification 994,757 for causing the local oscillator 9 to track in frequency the frequency of the tunable magnetron 1 up to the time of triggering and remains constant thereafter for the echo time interval, is contained in follow unit 10. The frequency of the magnetron varies as shown at (a) Fig. 2, and the corresponding control voltage for the local oscillator 9 (to which the frequency of the local oscillator is proportional) is shown at (b). Triggering intervals and pulse transmissions occur at t 1 , t 4  and t 7 . Triggering pulses (M) are fed to the magnetron from a triggering unit 12. The control voltage (b) is fed to an adding circuit 13 in the triggering unit where it is added to a stepped reference voltage (C) produced by a programme unit. The programme unit comprises means for applying certain voltage levels in a programmed order. Each voltage level causes a triggering pulse to be produced at a certain time, which triggering pulse, as well as triggering the magnetron is fed to the programme unit to cause, after a slight delay, a change of the reference voltage to a different level. The programme unit thus forms part of a closed loop and repeats its programme continuously. The sum output of the adding circuit is shown as d 1  at (d) and is applied to a Schmitt trigger circuit 15 having a trigger level Vs1 and a return level Vs2. A voltage equal to (Vs1V- s2) is added to d 1  in adding circuit 16, to give output d 2 , which is applied to a second Schmitt trigger circuit 18 having the same trigger and return levels as circuit 15. Thus at time to the control voltage (b) is following the tuning frequency of the magnetron, and the output of programme unit 14 is at level V# 1 . Voltage d 2  reaches the triggering level of circuit 18 first at time t 1 , and a positive going rise is produced at the output thereof-curve (h). This is differentiated at 21 to give a positive spike-curve (k) at time t 1 -which is passed by positive passing only OR gate 22, to become a first triggering pulse-curve (m). This causes the output of programme unit 14 to rise to level V# 2 . A little time after t 1 , voltage d 1  reaches the triggering level of circuit 15 to produce output (e). This is inverted in 19, to give (g) before differentiation at 20, so that a negative pulse results-curve (i) which is not passed by OR gate 22. The first trigger pulse at t 1  causes the frequency control voltage and oscillator frequency to remain constant, until t 2 , (t 2 -t 1 ) = T, being the echo time interval. Between times t 2  and t 3 , the control voltage returns, via two jumps, to tracking the magnetron frequency curve. During this return timing unit 10 blocks the operation of OR gate 22. Voltage d 1  is the first to reach the return voltage Vs2 at time t 4 , such that output (e) goes negative, output (g) goes positive, and a positive pulse is produced by differentiation 20. This is passed by OR gate 22 and constitutes the second triggering pulse at time t 4 . To produce slight random variation of the transmitted frequency about that set by the output of unit 14, the output of noise generator 25 may be added in circuit 13. Programme unit 14 may comprise, Fig. 3, three transistors 34, 35 and 36 switching voltages V 1  2V and 4V respectively to a summing output transistor 37, whenever a respective bistable circuit 31, 32, 33 is in a 1 state. A signal on the left band stage of the circuits 31-33 puts them in a 1 state, a signal on the right band stage puts them into a 0 state, and a pulse at the middle input puts the circuits into 1 and 0 states alternately. The circuit inputs are interconnected by means of a replaceable programme card 39 also causing trigger pulses at input 38 to the middle input of circuit 32 and a zero setting pulse at input 42 to the shown stages of the three circuits. As shown the zero setting pulse sets the circuits into states 1, 0, and 0 respectively. A voltage of V is thus initially applied to transistor 37. At the next trigger pulse, circuit 32 changes state from 0 to 1. Voltages of V and 2V are thus summed at transistor 37 to give 3V. The change of state is also applied to the middle input of circuit 33, but only a 1 to 0 change of state constitutes a triggering pulse so that circuit 33 remains in a 0 state. At the second triggering pulse, circuit 32 changes state from 1 to 0, removing the 2V voltage from transistor 37, and switching circuit 33 to a 1 state. A voltage 4V is thus added to voltage V to give 5V at the transistor 37. The next trigger pulse switches all the circuits to 1 states to give a maximum output of 7V. The whole step sequence is 1V, 3V, 5V, 7V, 0, 2V, 4V, 6V and is then repeated. A different sequence is given by a different programme card. In a second embodiment trigger unit 12 is replaced by one comprising a plurality of tuned cavities, Fig. 4 (not shown), whereby when a waveguide fed with the output of oscillator 9 connects with the cavities in series, each cavity gives a pulse when the frequency of said output reaches its resonance frequency. Said pulses are applied via AND gates to an OR gate, the AND gates being opened in the desired sequence by the programme unit, such that the OR gate output constitutes the triggering pulses.