Wide range frequency counter
First Claim
1. A frequency counter comprising, in combination, a display;
- frequency counting means connected to said display for counting the frequency of input signals applied to said frequency counter; and
control means coupled to said display and said frequency counting means for automatically blanking out said display when there is no input signal applied to said frequency counter and also for permitting said display to display the frequency of said input signal only when an input signal is actually applied to said frequency counter.
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Abstract
This disclosure relates to a wide range frequency counter which functions as a highly accurate four range portable frequency counter. Accurate timing intervals of the frequency counter are obtained from a crystal controlled clock oscillator preferably operating at 5.24288 Mhz installed in a temperature controlled oven operating preferably at 65 degrees C. A seven figure LED digital display is used as the visual readout. The first "on" position of a range selector switch consists of a basic 5 Mhz counter which can count from less than 20 hertz to 5 Mhz. The basic counter is used with several combinations of integrated circuit (IC) prescalers to provide three other full-scale counting ranges. The frequency counter uses rechargeable batteries and has current-saving features to allow a useful operation period of six hours in the portable internally powered mode. A self-contained rectifier/voltage regulator combination not only allows the batteries to be recharged but also permits the frequency counter to be operated as a bench unit from an external transformer which is plugged into an AC power outlet.
15 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A frequency counter comprising, in combination, a display;
- frequency counting means connected to said display for counting the frequency of input signals applied to said frequency counter; and
control means coupled to said display and said frequency counting means for automatically blanking out said display when there is no input signal applied to said frequency counter and also for permitting said display to display the frequency of said input signal only when an input signal is actually applied to said frequency counter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- frequency counting means connected to said display for counting the frequency of input signals applied to said frequency counter; and
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26. A microwave frequency counter comprising, in combination, a display;
- and frequency countdown dividing means connected to said display for counting the frequency of input signals applied to said frequency counter, said frequency counting means comprising means for dividing by at least 1,000 the frequency of said input signals, said dividing means comprising emitter coupled logic type integrated circuits.
- View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. In a frequency counter apparatus comprising, in combination, a frequency counter display;
- and control means coupled to said display for automatically blanking out said display in the absence of an input frequency signal having a sufficient amplitude and within a given frequency range applied to said frequency counter apparatus and also for automatically permitting said display to be visually displayed only when said input frequency signal is applied to said frequency counter apparatus.
- View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
Specification