Frequency-to-voltage converter

• US 4,816,704 A
• Filed: 04/21/1987
• Issued: 03/28/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Measurement Specialties, Inc. (France) (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: David Fiori Jr
• Inventors: Fiori, David Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Heyman, John S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUBIN, MARGARET R
• Application Number:
  US07/040,878
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 307/519, 307/529, 328/133, 328/140
• US Class Current: 327/102
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 9/06 of frequency- or rate-modulated pulses

Abstract

A frequency-to-voltage converter which responds either to frequency variations or to time period variations of a varying frequency input signal. When arranged to respond to frequency variations, the input signal is mixed with two fixed frequency framing signals having known frequency relationships to the frequency of a fixed frequency reference signal. One framing signal has a frequency greater than the maximum frequency of the input signal and the other framing signal has a frequency less than the minimum frequency of the input signal. By mixing the input signal with the framing signals and then measuring the relative times required to count a prescribed number of cycles of each of the difference signals produced by the mixing, an indication of changes in the input signal frequency relative to the reference signal frequency is developed. When arranged to respond to time period variations, the reference signal is mixed with two variable frequency framing signals having known frequency relationships to the range of frequency variations of the input signal. One framing signal has a frequency range greater than the reference signal frequency and the other framing signal has a frequency range less than the reference signal frequency. By mixing the reference signal with the framing signals and then measuring the relative times required to count a prescribed number of cycles of each of the difference signals produced by the mixing, an indication of changes in the input signal frequency relative to the reference signal frequency is developed.

Claims

1. A frequency-to-voltage converter comprising:

means for supplying an input signal having a repetition rate which varies within a predetermined range;

means for supplying a repetitive reference signal having a fixed repetition rate;

developing and mixing means responsive to said input signal and said reference signal for;

(a) developing from one of said signals a first framing signal having a repetition rate which is greater than the repetition rate of the other of said signals and a second framing signal having a repetition rate which is less than the repetition rate of said other signal, and

(b) mixing said other signal with said first framing signal to develop a first difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said other signal and said first framing signal and mixing said other signal with said second framing signal to develop a second difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said other signal and said second framing signal;

means responsive to said first and said second difference signals for counting a prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal to develop a first count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal and for counting the same number of pulses of said second difference signal to develop a second count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second difference signal;

and means for controlling said developing and mixing means to develop said first and said second framing signals in timed alternating sequence.

2. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 1 wherein said developing and mixing means are responsive to said count pulses to develop said first framing signal and said first difference signal for the duration of said first count pulse and said second framing signal and said second difference signal for the duration of said second count pulse.

3. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 2 further including indicating means responsive to said count pulses for developing an output indication of the relative time durations required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal and said prescribed number of pulses of said second difference signal.

4. A frequency-to-voltage converter comprising:

means for supplying an input signal having a repetition rate which varies within a predetermined range;

means for supplying a repetitive reference signal having a fixed repetition rate;

developing means responsive to said reference signal for developing a first framing signal having a fixed repetition rate which is greater than the maximum repetition rate of said input signal and a second framing signal having a fixed repetition rate which is less than the minimum repetition rate of said input signal;

means for mixing said input signal and said first framing signal to develop a first difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said first framing signal and said input signal and a second difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said second framing signal and said input signal;

means responsive to said first and said second difference signals for counting a prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal to develop a first count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal and for counting the same number of pulses of said second difference signal to develop a second count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second difference signal;

and means for controlling said developing means to develop said first and said second framing signals in timed alternating sequence.

5. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 4 wherein said developing means are responsive to said count pulses to develop said first framing signal and said first difference signal for the duration of said first count pulse and said second framing signal and said second difference signal for the duration of said second count pulse.

6. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 5 further including indicating means responsive to said count pulses for developing an output indication of the relative time durations required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal and said prescribed number of pulses of said second difference signal.

7. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 6 wherein said developing means include means for dividing said reference signal by a first number to develop said first framing signal and by a second number to develop said second framing signal.

8. A frequency-to-voltage converter comprising:

means for supplying an input signal having a repetition rate which varies within a predetermined range;

means for supplying a repetitive reference signal having a fixed repetition rate;

developing means responsive to said input signal for developing a first framing signal having a varying repetition rate which is greater than the repetition rate of said reference signal and a second framing signal having a varying repetition rate which is less than the repetition rate of said reference signal;

means for mixing said reference signal and said first framing signal to develop a first difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said first framing signal and said reference signal and a second difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said second framing signal and said reference signal;

means responsive to said first and said second difference signals for counting a prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal to develop a first count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal and for counting the same number of pulses of said second difference signal to develop a second count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second difference signal;

and means for controlling said developing means to develop said first and said second framing signals in timed alternating sequence.

9. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 8 wherein said developing means are responsive to said count pulses to develop said first framing signal and said first difference signal for the duration of said first count pulse and said second framing signal and said second difference signal for the duration of said second count pulse.

10. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 9 further including indicating means responsive to said count pulses for developing an output indication of the relative time durations required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal and said prescribed number of pulses of said second difference signal.

11. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 10 wherein said developing means include means for dividing said input signal by a first number to develop said first framing signal and by a second number to develop said second framing signal.

12. A frequency-to-voltage converter for developing an analog output representative of the difference between two digital inputs, said converter comprising:

input signal means for supplying an input signal composed of a first series of input pulses having a varying repetition rate representative of a first digital input and a second series of input pulses having a varying repetition rate representative of a second digital input;

means for supplying a repetitive reference signal having a fixed repetition rate;

developing means responsive to said input signal and said reference signal for;

(a) developing from one of said signals;

(1) a first framing signal while said first series of input pulses is being supplied which has a repetition rate greater than the repetition rate of the other of said signals,

(2) a second framing signal while said first series of input pulses is being supplied which has a repetition rate less than the repetition rate of said other signal,

(3) a third framing signal while said second series of input pulses is being supplied which has a repetition rate greater than the repetition rate of said other signal, and

(4) a fourth framing signal while said second series of input pulses is being supplied which has a repetition rate less than the repetition rate of said other signal, and

(b) mixing said other signal with;

(1) said first framing signal to develop a first difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said other signal and said first framing signal,

(2) said second framing signal to develop a second difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said other signal and said second framing signal,

(3) said third framing signal to develop a third difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said other signal and said third framing signal, and

(4) said fourth framing signal to develop a fourth difference signal having a repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said other signal and said fourth framing signal;

means responsive to said difference signals for;

(a) counting a prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal to develop a first count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal,

(b) counting the same number of pulses of said second difference signal to develop a second count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second difference signal,

(c) counting the same number of pulses of said third difference signal to develop a third count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said third difference signal, and

(d) counting the same number of pulses of said fourth difference signal to develop a fourth count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth difference signal;

means for controlling said developing and mixing means to develop said first and said second framing signals while said first series of input pulses is being supplied and to develop said third and said fourth framing signals while said second series of input pulses is being supplied;

and indicating means responsive to said count pulses for developing an output indication of relative time durations required to count;

(a) said prescribed number of pulses of said second and said third difference signals, and

(b) said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth and said first difference signals.

13. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 12 wherein said developing and mixing means are responsive to said count pulses to develop:

(a) said first framing signal and said first difference signal for the duration of said first count pulse,

(b) said second framing signal and said second difference signal for the duration of said second count pulse,

(c) said third framing signal and said third difference signal for the duration of said third count pulse, and

(d) said fourth framing signal and said fourth difference signal for the duration of said fourth count pulse.

14. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 13 wherein said indicating means include:

(a) means for developing a first indication of the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second and said third difference signals and a second indication of the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth and said first difference signals, and

(b) means responsive to said first and said second indications for developing said output indication.

15. A frequency-to-voltage converter for developing an analog output representative of the difference between two digital inputs, said converter comprising:

input signal means for supplying an input signal composed of a first series of input pulses having a varying repetition rate representative of a first digital input and a second series of input pulses having a varying repetition rate representative of a second digital input;

means for supplying a repetitive reference signal having a fixed repetition rate;

developing means responsive to said input signal for developing;

(a) a first framing signal while said first series of input pulses is being supplied which has a varying repetition rate greater than the repetition rate of said reference signal,

(b) a second framing signal while said first series of input pulses is being supplied which has a varying repetition rate less than the repetition rate of said reference signal,

(c) a third framing signal while said second series of input pulses is being supplied which has a varying repetition rate greater than the repetition rate of said reference signal, and

(d) a fourth framing signal while said second series of input pulses is being supplied which has a varying repetition rate less than the repetition rate of said reference signal;

means for mixing said reference signal with;

(a) said first framing signal to develop a first difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said reference signal and said first framing signal,

(b) said second framing signal to develop a second difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said reference signal and said second framing signal,

(c) said third framing signal to develop a third difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said reference signal and said third framing signal, and

(d) said fourth framing signal to develop a fourth difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said reference signal and said fourth framing signal;

means responsive to said difference signals for;

(a) counting a prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal to develop a first count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal,

(b) counting the same number of pulses of said second difference signal to develop a second count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second difference signal,

(c) counting the same number of pulses of said third difference signal to develop a third count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said third difference signal, and

(d) counting the same number of pulses of said fourth difference signal to develop a fourth count pulse having a durtion proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth difference signal;

means for controlling said developing means to develop said first and said second framing signals while said first series of input pulses is being supplied and to develop said third and said fourth framing signals while said second series of input pulses is being supplied;

and indicating means responsive to said count pulses for developing an output indication of the relative time durations required to count;

(a) said prescribed number of pulses of said second and said third difference signals, and

(b) said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth and said first difference signals.

16. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 15 wherein said developing means are responsive to said count pulses to develop:

(a) said first framing signal and said first difference signal for the duration of said first count pulse,

(b) said second framing signal and said second difference signal for the duration of said second count pulse,

(c) said third framing signal and said third difference signal for the duration of said third count pulse, and

(d) said fourth framing signal and said fourth difference signal for the duration of said fourth count pulse.

17. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 16 wherein said indicating means include:

(a) means for developing a first indication of the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second and said third difference signals and a second indication of the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth and said first difference signals, and

(b) means responsive to said first and said second indications for developing said output indication.

18. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 17 wherein said developing means include means for dividing:

(a) said first series of input pulses by a first number to develop said first framing signal,

(b) said first series of input pulses by a second number to develop said second framing signal,

(c) said second series of input pulses by said first number to develop said third framing signal, and

(d) said second series of input pulses by said second number to develop said fourth framing signal.

19. Sensor apparatus comprising:

a pulse generator;

a differential sensor having a movable component and first and second sensing means for controlling said pulse generator to supply an input signal composed of first and second series of input pulses having repetition rates which change in opposite directions in response to movement of said movable component relative to said first and said second sensing means, said first series of pulses having a varying repetition rate representative of the position of said movable component relative to said first sensing means and said second series of pulses having a varying repetition rate representative of the postiion of said movable component relative to said second sensing means;

means for moving said movable component in accordance with a parameter being monitored;

means for supplying a repetitive reference signal having a fixed repetition rate;

developing and mixing means responsive to said input signal and said reference signal for;

(a) developing from one of said signals;

(1) a first framing signal while said first series of input pulses is being supplied which has a repetition rate greater than the repetition rate of the other of said signals,

(2) a second framing signal while said first series of input pulses is being supplied which has a repetition rate less than the repetition rate of said other signal,

(3) a third framing signal while said second series of input pulses is being supplied which has a repetition rate greater than the repetition rate of said other signal, and

(4) a fourth framing signal while said second series of input pulses is being supplied which has a repetition rate less than the repetition rate of said other signal, and

(b) mixing said other signal with;

(1) said first framing signal to develop a first difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said other signal and said first framing signal,

(2) said second framing signal to develop a second difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said other signal and said second framing signal,

(3) said third framing signal to develop a third difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a repetition rate corresonding to the difference in repetition rates between said other signal and said third framing signal, and

(4) said fourth framing signal to develop a fourth difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said other signal and said fourth framing signal;

means responsive to said difference signals for;

(a) counting a prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal to develop a first count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal,

(b) counting the same number of pulses of said second difference signal to develop a second count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second difference signal,

(c) counting the same number of pulses of said third difference signal to develop a third count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said third difference signal, and

(d) counting the same number of pulses of said fourth difference signal to develop a fourth count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth difference signal;

means for connecting said first and said second sensing means to said pulse generator in timed alternating sequence and for controlling said developing and mixing means to develop said first and said second framing signals while said first series of input pulses is being supplied and to develop said third and said fourth framing signals while said second series of input pulses is being supplied;

and indicating means responsive to said count pulses for developing an output indication of relative time durations required to count;

(a) said prescribed number of pulses of said second and said third difference signals, and

(b) said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth and said first difference signals.

20. Sensor apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said developing and mixing means are responsive to said count pulses to develop:

(a) said first framing signal and said first difference signal for the duration of said first count pulse,

(b) said second framing signal and said second difference signal for the duration of said second count pulse,

(c) said third framing signal and said third difference signal for the duration of said third count pulse, and

(d) said fourth framing signal and said fourth difference signal for the duration of said fourth count pulse.

21. Sensor apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said indicating means include:

(a) means for developing a first indication of the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second and said third difference signals and a second indication of the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth and said first difference signals, and

(b) means responsive to said first and said second indications for developing said output indication.

22. Sensor apparatus comprising:

a pulse generator;

a differential sensor having a movable component and first and second sensing means for controlling said pulse generator to supply an input signal composed of first and second series of input pulses having repetition rates which change in opposite directions in response to movement of said movable component relative to said first and said second sensing means, said first series of pulses having a varying repetition rate representative of the position of said movable component relative to said first sensing means and said second series of pulses having a varying repetition rate representative of the position of said movable component relative to said second sensing means;

means for moving said movable component in accordance with a parameter being monitored;

means for supplying a repetitive reference signal having a fixed repetition rate;

means responsive to said input signal for developing;

(a) a first framing signal while said first series of input pulses is being supplied which has a varying repetition rate greater than the repetition rate of said reference signal,

(b) a second framing signal while said first series of input pulses is being supplied which has a varying repetition rate less than the repetition rate of said reference signal,

(c) a third framing signal while said second series of input pulses is being supplied which has a varying repetition rate greater than the repetition rate of said reference signal, and

(d) a fourth framing signal while said second series of input pulses is being supplied which has a varying repetition rate less than the repetition rate of said reference signal;

means for mixing said reference signal with;

(a) said first framing signal to develop a first difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said reference signal and said first framing signal,

(b) said second framing signal to develop a second difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said reference signal and said second framing signal,

(c) said third framing signal to develop a third difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said reference signal and said third framing signal, and

(d) said fourth framing signal to develop a fourth difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said reference signal and said fourth framing signal;

means responsive to said difference signals for;

(a) counting a prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal to develop a first count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal,

(b) counting the same number of pulses of said second difference signal to develop a second count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second difference signal,

(c) counting the same number of pulses of said third difference signal to develop a third count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said third difference signal, and

(d) counting the same number of pulses of said fourth difference signal to develop a fourth count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth difference signal;

means for connecting said first and said second sensing means to said pulse generator in timed alternating sequence and for controlling said developing means to develop said first and said second framing signals while said first series of input pulses is being supplied and to develop said third and said fourth framing signals while said second series of input pulses is being supplied;

and indicating means responsive to said count pulses for developing an output indication of the relative time durations required to count;

(a) said prescribed number of pulses of said second and said third difference signals, and

(b) said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth and said first difference signals.

23. Sensor apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said developing means are responsive to said count pulses to develop:

(a) said first framing signal and said first difference signal for the duration of said first count pulse,

(b) said second framing signal and said second difference signal for the duration of said second count pulse,

(c) said third framing signal and said third difference signal for the duration of said third count pulse, and

(d) said fourth framing signal and said fourth difference signal for the duration of said fourth count pulse.

24. Sensor apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said indicating means include:

(a) means for developing a first indication of the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second and said third difference signals and a second indication of the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth and said first difference signals, and

(b) means responsive to said first and said second indications for developing said output indication.

25. Sensor apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said developing means include means for dividing:

(a) said first series of input pulses by a first number to develop said first framing signal,

(b) said first series of input pulses by a second number to develop said second framing signal,

(c) said second series of input pulses by said first number to develop said third framing signal, and

(d) said second series of input pulses by said second number to develop said fourth framing signal.

26. Sensor apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said first and said second sensing means each include a reactance element which responds to movements of said movable component to develop said oppositely directed changes in the repetition rate of said pulse generator.

27. Sensor apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said reactance elements are inductance coils.

28. A frequency-to-voltage converter for developing an analog output representative of the difference between two digital inputs, said converter comprising:

input signal means for supplying an input signal composed of a first series of input pulses having a varying repetition rate representative of a first digital input and a second series of input pulses having a varying repetition rate representative of a second digital input;

means for supplying a repetitive reference signal having a fixed repetition rate;

developing means responsive to said reference signal for developing;

(a) a first framing signal while said first series of input pulses is being supplied which has a fixed repetition rate greater than the maximum repetition rate of said first series of input pulses,

(b) a second framing signal while said first series of input pulses is being supplied which has a fixed repetition rate less than the minimum repetition rate of said first series of input pulses,

(c) a third framing signal while said second series of input pulses is being supplied which has a fixed repetition rate greater than the maximum repetition rate of said second series of input pulses, and

(d) a fourth framing signal while said second series of input pulses is being supplied which has a fixed repetition rate less than the minimum repetition rate of said second series of input pulses;

means for mixing said input signal with;

(a) said first framing signal to develop a first difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said first series of input pulses and said first framing signal,

(b) said second framing signal to develop a second difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said first series of input pulses and said second framing signal,

(c) said third framing signal to develop a third difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said second series of input pulses and said third framing signal, and

(d) said fourth framing signal to develop a fourth difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said second series of input pulses and said fourth framing signal;

means responsive to said difference signals for;

(a) counting a prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal to develop a first count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal,

(b) counting the same number of pulses of said second difference signal to develop a second count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second difference signal,

(c) counting the same number of pulses of said third difference signal to develop a third count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said third difference signal, and

(d) counting the same number of pulses of said fourth difference signal to develop a fourth count pulse having a durtion proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth difference signal;

means for controlling said developing means to develop said first and said second framing signals while said first series of input pulses is being supplied and to develop said third and said fourth framing signals while said second series of input pulses is being supplied;

and indicating means responsive to said count pulses for developing an output indication of the relative time durations required to count;

(a) said prescribed number of pulses of said second and said third difference signals, and

(b) said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth and said first difference signals.

29. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 28 wherein said developing means are responsive to said count pulses to develop:

(a) said first framing signal and said first difference signal for the duration of said first count pulse,

(b) said second framing signal and said second difference signal for the duration of said second count pulse,

(c) said third framing signal and said third difference signal for the duration of said third count pulse, and

(d) said fourth framing signal and said fourth difference signal for the duration of said fourth count pulse.

30. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 29 wherein said indicating means include:

(a) means for developing a first indication of the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second and said third difference signals and a second indication of the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth and said first difference signals, and

(b) means responsive to said first and said second indications for developing said output indication.

31. A frequency-to-voltage converter according to claim 30 wherein said developing means include means for dividing:

(a) said reference signal by a first number to develop said first and said third framing signals, and

(b) said reference signal by a second number to develop said second and said fourth framing signals.

32. Sensor apparatus comprising:

a pulse generator;

a differential sensor having a movable component and first and second sensing means for controlling said pulse generator to supply an input signal composed of first and second series of input pulses having repetition rates which change in opposite directions in response to movement of said movable component relative to said first and said second sensing means, said first series of pulses having a varying repetition rate representative of the position of said movable component relative to said first sensing means and said second series of pulses having a varying repetition rate representative of the position of said movable component relative to said second sensing means;

means for moving said movable component in accordance with a parameter being monitored;

means for supplying a repetitive reference signal having a fixed repetition rate;

developing means to said reference signal for developing;

(a) a first framing signal while said first series of input pulses is being supplied which has a fixed repetition rate greater than the maximum repetition rate of said first series of input pulses,

(b) a second framing signal while said first series of input pulses is being supplied which has a fixed repetition rate less than the minimum repetition rate of said first series of input pulses,

(c) a third framing signal while said second series of input pulses is being supplied which has a fixed repetition rate greater than the maximum repetition rate of said second series of input pulses, and

(d) a fourth framing signal while said second series of input pulses is being supplied which has a fixed repetition rate less than the minimum repetition rate of said second series of input pulses;

means for mixing said input signal with;

(a) said first framing signal to develop a first difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said first series of input pulses and said first framing signal,

(b) said second framing signal to develop a second difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said first series of input pulses and said second framing signal,

(c) said third framing signal to develop a third difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said second series of input pulses and said third framing signal, and

(d) said fourth framing signal to develop a fourth difference signal composed of a series of pulses having a varying repetition rate, corresponding to the difference in repetition rates between said second series of input pulses and said fourth framing signal;

means responsive to said difference signals for;

(a) counting a prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal to develop a first count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said first difference signal,

(b) counting the same number of pulses of said second difference signal to develop a second count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second difference signal,

(c) counting the same number of pulses of said third difference signal to develop a third count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said third difference signal, and

(d) counting the same number of pulses of said fourth difference signal to develop a fourth count pulse having a duration proportional to the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth difference signal;

means for connecting said first and said second sensing means to said pulse generator in timed alternating sequence and for controlling said developing means to develop said first and said second framing signals while said first series of input pulses is being supplied and to develop said third and said fourth framing signals while said second series of input pulses is being supplied;

and indicating means responsive to said count pulses for developing an output indication of the relative time durations required to count;

(a) said prescribed number of pulses of said second and said third difference signals, and

(b) said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth and said first difference signals.

33. Sensor apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said developing means are responsive to said count pulses to develop:

(a) said first framing signal and said first difference signal for the duration of said first count pulse,

(b) said second framing signal and said second difference signal for the duration of said second count pulse,

(c) said third framing signal and said third difference signal for the duration of said third count pulse, and

(d) said fourth framing signal and said fourth difference signal for the duration of said fourth count pulse.

34. Sensor apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said indicating means include:

(a) means for developing a first indication of the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said second and said third difference signals and a second indication of the time required to count said prescribed number of pulses of said fourth and said first difference signals, and

(b) means responsive to said first and said second indications for developing said output indication.

35. Sensor apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said developing means include means for dividing:

(a) said reference signal by a first number to develop said first and said third framing signals, and

(b) said reference signal by a second number to develop said second and said fourth framing signals.

36. Sensor apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said first and said second sensing means each include a reactance element which responds to movements of said movable component to develop said oppositely directed changes in the repetition rate of said pulse generator.

37. Sensor apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said reactance elements are inductance coils.