Patent GB-696213-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to means for indicating the logarithmic value of a magnitude
Inventor: VANDERLYN PHILIP BARNET
IPC: G01R15/00
Filed: 1950-01-25
Abstract: 696,213. Electric analogue calculating systems; transmission level measuring. ELECTRIC & MUSICAL INDUSTRIES, Ltd. Jan. 9, 1951' [Jan. 25, 1950], No. 1906/50. Class 37. [Also in Group XL (c)] A device for indicating the logarithmic value of a magnitude comprises means for generating a periodic exponentially varying voltage waveform and comparing it with a voltage proportional to the magnitude whereby the current flowing through a current meter changes abruptly in level when the periodic voltage becomes equal to the measurement voltage, and abruptly reverts to its original value at the end of each exponential cycle, so that the mean current indicated by the meter is proportional to the logarithm of the magnitude. Fig. 1 shows apparatus for logarithmically indicating the peak level of transmitted sound in a radio programme monitor wherein a double triode 1,2 whose cathodes are interconnected through a capacitor 3 and whose first anode is coupled to the second grid through a resistor 5 in parallel with a capacitor 4, operates as a multivibrator generating positive going pulses of e.g. 50V amplitude at 1 millisecond intervals coupled through a capacitor 16 to the control grid of a pentode 18 and clamped to 30V. amplitude referred to the lower end of the cathode resistor 19 by a biased diode 20 shunting the input. Pentode 18 is normally non-conducting, until pulsed by the multivibrator when it conducts to rapidly charge the capacitor 25 across the cathode resistor 19, through which it subsequently discharges until recharged by the succeeding pulse, to produce a periodic exponential voltage saw-tooth waveform on the first grid of a double triode 27, 28, whose cathodes are earthed through a constant current pentode 29 biased from a negative source through a potentiometer 31, 32, and whose first and second anodes are respectively connected to the H.T. line through a resistor 36 and directly. A signal voltage proportional to the peak level is applied between the grid and cathode of the second triode, and during each cycle the exponential voltage is initially greater than the signal so that the anode current of pentode 29 passes through the first triode 27. When the exponential voltage falls to and below the signal, this current is transferred to the second triode 28 so that the anode voltage of the first triode 27 suddenly rises, and pulses the grid of the normally non-conducting first section of a double triode 33, 34, having a meter 41 in its anode circuit, biased from the potentiometer 36, 37 and connected as a multivibrator. At the instant of equality the multivibrator switches over the triode 33 conducts until the end of the cycle, when it is restored to its original non-conducting condition. The mean value of the successive current pulses indicated by the meter 41 is proportional to the logarithm of the signal voltage and therefore of the peak value to be measured. The repetition frequency is adjustable by resistor 14, the asymptotic value of the exponential waveform by a variable tap on resistor 19 to correct for the contact potential of any rectifier from which the signal voltage is derived, and the maximum current reading of meter 41 by resistor 39. The device is applicable to analogue computation, e.g. for multiplication and division by adding or subtracting the logarithmic outputs of two such circuits.