Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system in a specific environment – Electrical signal parameter measurement system
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-19
2004-07-06
Assouad, Patrick (Department: 2857)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system in a specific environment
Electrical signal parameter measurement system
C327S178000, C327S291000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06760675
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a pulse generator, and more particularly to an adjustable, high current, high voltage pulse generator.
2. Description of the Background Art
Pulse generators are electronic devices that create electronic pulse train signals, such as a square wave signal. A pulse train may be used for a variety of things, such as feedback and control of motors, electronic displays, etc. In addition, a pulse train may be used in communication applications or for testing of devices, such as semi-conductor devices, wherein a load on the device may be varied by modifying the characteristics of a pulse train.
The pulse train may need to be provided with a variety of characteristics. Some of the characteristics that may need to be adjusted and controlled are the pulse rate/frequency, the pulse position, the pulse width, the pulse duty cycle, the voltage and current drive levels etc. Therefore, there is a large need for pulse generators that are controllable, flexible, and able to provide a high voltage and a high current output.
In the prior art, a pulse generator is typically a dedicated device, and may include an oscillator, amplifiers, and wave shaping circuitry. A pulse generator in the prior art generally provides a fixed voltage and current pulse train capability (such devices are relatively inexpensive and simple).
However, a pulse generator according to the prior art has several drawbacks. Because prior art pulse generators are usually designed for a specific purpose or application, they generally do not provide a flexible output timing, current, and/or voltage characteristics. The prior art devices that can provide a varying signal, such as a common lab-type pulse generator, have a limited accuracy and limited voltage and current drive capacities. For example, a prior art pulse generator typically must be amplified. Prior art pulse generators are therefore limited in the maximum amount of current they can supply under load during the switching or pulsing of the output supply. The prior art pulse generators are not able to adjust the regulated output voltage under pulse conditions.
There remains a need in the art, therefore, for a pulse generator having a high voltage output and high current output, but that can be accurately controlled and adjusted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A controllable pulse generator is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The pulse generator comprises a pulse generator device capable of generating to an external device under operation a pulse train output of a predetermined current level and of a predetermined voltage level according to one or more pulse train signals. The pulse generator further comprises a controller device communicating with the pulse generator device. The controller device is capable of accepting one or more pulse train requests and accepting one or more external signals and outputting the one or more pulse train signals in response. The controller device comprises a communication interface capable of communicating with one or more external devices and receiving the one or more pulse train requests. The controller device further comprises an oscillator that generates a precision reference waveform and a power supply that provides electrical power. The controller device further comprises a processor communicating with the communication interface. The processor executes a control routine, receives the precision reference waveform from the oscillator, receives the one or more pulse train requests from the communication interface, and generates one or more pulse train commands in response to the one or more pulse train requests. The controller device further comprises a trigger device capable of providing a trigger signal to the external device under operation. The controller device further comprises an output interface capable of relaying the one or more pulse train signals to the pulse generator device. The controller device further comprises a signal interface including at least one signal port for receiving one or more external signals. The controller device further comprises a signal processor that communicates with the processor and receiving the one or more pulse train commands. The signal processor also communicates with the signal interface and receives one or more external signals. The signal processor generates and transmits the one or more pulse train signals to the output interface. The output interface transmits the one or more pulse train signals to the pulse generator device.
A controllable pulse generator is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The pulse generator comprises a controller device capable of accepting one or more pulse train requests and accepting one or more external signals and outputting one or more pulse train signals in response. The pulse generator further comprises a pulse generator device communicating with the controller device and receiving the one or more pulse train signals. The pulse generator device is capable of generating a pulse train output of a predetermined current level and of a predetermined voltage level according to the one or more pulse train signals. The pulse generator device comprises a first load resistor that is connected to a DC supply node and to a first load resistor node. The pulse generator device further comprises a second load resistor that is connected to a first pass-through node and to a second load resistor node. The pulse generator device further comprises a third load resistor that is connected to an output node and to a voltage divider node. The pulse generator device further comprises a fourth load resistor that is connected to the voltage divider node and to a ground node. The pulse generator device further comprises a first pass-through MOSFET that includes an input that is connected to the first load resistor node, an output connected to the first pass-through node, and a bias input that is connected to a hot swap node. The first pass-through MOSFET buffers a current supplied at the first load resistor node. The pulse generator device further comprises a second pass-through MOSFET that includes an input that is connected to a nine volt regulator input node, an output connected to a fourth pass-through node, and a bias input that is connected to a third pass-through node. The second pass-through MOSFET used as a voltage interlock buffers a current supplied at the nine volt regulator input node. The pulse generator device further comprises a third pass-through MOSFET that includes an input that is connected to the second load resistor node, an output connected to a second pass-through node, and a bias input that is connected to an adjustable voltage output node. The third pass-through MOSFET buffering a current supplied at the second load resistor node. The pulse generator device further comprises a first voltage doubler that includes inputs connected to the DC supply node and the ground node. The first voltage doubler increases an input DC voltage level. The pulse generator device further comprises a second voltage doubler that includes inputs connected to the nine volt regulator input node and the ground node and an output that is connected to an eighteen volt output node. The second voltage doubler increases an input DC voltage level. The pulse generator device further comprises a third voltage doubler that includes inputs connected to the adjustable positive voltage output node and the ground node and an output that is connected to the nine volt regulator input node. The third voltage doubler increases an input DC voltage level. The pulse generator device further comprises a hot swap controller that includes inputs that are connected to the DC supply node, to the first load resistor node, and to the ground node, and an output that is connected to the hot swap node. The hot swap controller senses a current in the first load resistor and provides a zero voltage output if no load exists across the first load resistor. The pulse generator device fu
Kegley David R.
Szwec Richard J.
Assouad Patrick
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises Inc.
RatnerPrestia
LandOfFree
Adjustable high current and high voltage pulse generator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Adjustable high current and high voltage pulse generator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Adjustable high current and high voltage pulse generator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3253182