3965432 : High reliability pulse source
INVENTORS: Denenberg; Jeffrey Neil, Naperville, IL
May; Kenneth Peter, Aurora, IL
ASSIGNEES: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, Murray Hill, NJ
ISSUED:June 22, 1976 FILED: Apr. 14, 1975
SERIAL NUMBER: 567728 MAINT. STATUS:
INTL. CLASS (Ed. 2): H03K 1/12;
U.S. CLASS:328-061; 328-104; 307-269; 331-049; 331-056;
FIELD OF SEARCH: 307-219,204,269 ; 328-61,104,154 ; 331-49,55,56 ;
AGENTS: Albrecht; J. C.;

ABSTRACT:   A reliable pulse source circuit utilizing two independent but synchronized pulse generators is disclosed. The pulse source circuit maintains output pulses even though one pulse generator fails regardless of the failure mode, i.e., whether the output of the failed generator is stuck high or stuck low. A toggle flip-flop responsive to the presence and absence of pulses from the two generators and its own state outputs controls gating circuitry to generate a sequence of output pulses wherein alternate output pulses occur in response to pulses of one generator and the remaining output pulses occur in response to pulses of the other generator, and if either generator fails, all output pulses occur in response to the pulses of the other generator.

U.S. REFERENCES:   4 patents reference this one
Patent No. Inventor Issued Title
3116477 * Bradbury12 /1963  
3289097 * Martin11 /1966  
3319181 * Tarczy-Hornoch et al.5 /1967  
3751685 Jaeger8 /1973 REDUNDANT PULSE SUPPLY SYSTEM
  * some details unavailable

EXEMPLARY CLAIM(s): Show all 5 claims

    What is claimed is:
    • 1. A pulse source circuit for providing a sequence of output pulses wherein, in the absence of a failure in the pulse source circuit, alternate output pulses occur in response to signals of one generator and the remaining output pulses occur in response to signals of another generator and, in the presence of a failure of either one of the generators, all output pulses occur in response to signals of the remaining generator comprising:
      • two independent but synchronized generators of repetitive signals;
      • a pulse output terminal;
      • bistable means for generating control signals at first and second output terminals in response to control signals at a control input terminal;
      • first gating means having input terminals connected to said generators and to said first and second output terminals of said bistable means for providing at said pulse output terminal a sequence of pulses in response to output signals of said generators and to said control signals; and
      • second gating means having input terminals connected to said generators and to said first and second output terminals of said bistable means for generating signals at said control input terminal for controlling the states of said bistable means in response to output signals of said generators and to said control signals.

    RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS: none

    FOREIGN APPLICATION PRIORITY DATA: none
    FOREIGN REFERENCES: none
    OTHER REFERENCES: none
    PRIMARY/ASSISTANT EXAMINERS: Zazworsky; John; Rasco; Marcus S.
    ADDED TO DATABASE: Aug. 21, 1996