Fundamental frequency and period detector

• US 5,321,350 A
• Filed: 08/20/1992
• Issued: 06/14/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Haas, Peter
• Original Assignee: Haas, Peter
• Inventors: Haas, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): ARANA, LOUIS M
• Application Number:
  US07/932,928
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 324/77 R, 324/77 B, 324/77 E, 324/79 R, 364/569, 364/484, 364/485, 364/486, 364/487
• US Class Current: 324/76.11
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 23/02 Arrangements for measuring frequency, e.g. pulse repetition rate; Arrangements for measuring period of current or voltage

Abstract

Fundamental frequency and period detector processes and systems which determine the end of a cycle of an ac waveform by using the characteristic of the integral of a single cycle of an ac waveform that the value of the integral at the end of the cycle is the same as at the cycle start despite cycle noise, multiple zero crossings and other cycle obscuration. These processes and systems use the cycle integral to self-synchronize with each cycle of an ac waveform. Formation of the cycle integral of each processed cycle is a useful by-product of the frequency and period detection processes and systems.

Claims

1. A process for detecting the fundamental frequency of each cycle of a series of contiguous cycles of an alternating current input wave from an alternating current source, wherein each sequential cycle in the series is treated as the current cycle, and the following contiguous cycle is treated as the succeeding cycle, comprising the steps of:

(A) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity;

(B) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected wave period being detected and during said first period of time ignoring the value of the integral;

(C) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a second period of time until the value of the integral reaches a threshold voltage set above the highest expected end of cycle value of the integral;

(D) resetting and maintaining the value of the integral at said starting value prior to the input wave again reaching said given amplitude in said given polarity; and

(E) again starting to integrate the amplitudes of the input wave when the amplitude of the succeeding cycle of the input wave exceeds said given amplitude in said given polarity;

(F) measuring the time between any given event in the steps (A) through (D) for the current cycle and the corresponding event in the steps (A) through (D) for the succeeding cycle, whereby said measured time represents the period of the fundamental frequency; and

(G) dividing one by the period of the fundamental frequency to obtain the fundamental frequency.

65. The process of claim 1, wherein the measurement of time between an event in the current cycle and the corresponding event in the succeeding cycle is performed by counting the number of oscillations of an oscillator between corresponding events, with the oscillator frequency substantially higher than the highest expected fundamental frequency, and multiplying such count by the oscillator period to obtain the period of the fundamental frequency of the input wave.

66. A process for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 1 further comprising the step of terminating the process when the source of the alternating current input wave has no signal present with an amplitude in excess of noise inherent in said alternating current source for a given minimum period of time.

67. A process for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 1 wherein said given amplitude in a given polarity is greater than any noise of said given polarity inherent in said alternating current source.

2. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of each cycle of a series of cycles of an alternating current input wave from an alternating current source, wherein each sequential cycle in the series is treated in what follows as the current cycle, and the following contiguous cycle is treated as the succeeding cycle, comprising:

(A) threshold sensing means responsive to the beginning of a current cycle of the input wave for sensing when the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity;

(B) integrator means responsive to said threshold sensing means during said current cycle of the input wave for

(1) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds said given amplitude in a given polarity, said integration thereby starting from a predetermined integrator means reset value, and

(2) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected input wave period and during said first period of time ignoring the value of the integral until at least it departs from said predetermined integrator means reset value;

(C) comparator means for comparing the value of the integral with a reference value above the highest expected end of cycle value of the integral;

(D) said integrator means continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave during said current cycle of the input wave for a second period of time until said comparator means determines that the value of the integral is insubstantially different from said reference value;

(E) reset means responsive to said comparator means during the current cycle of the input wave for resetting said integrator means to said predetermined integrator means reset value prior to the input wave again reaching said given amplitude in said given polarity;

(F) measuring means for measuring the time between a given event in the system during a current cycle of the input wave and the corresponding event in the system during the succeeding cycle to determine the period of the fundamental frequency of a cycle of the input wave; and

(G) dividing means for dividing one by the period of the fundamental frequency to obtain the fundamental frequency.

3. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of each cycle of a series of cycles of an alternating current input wave from an alternating current source, wherein each sequential cycle in the series is treated as the current cycle, and the following contiguous cycle is treated as the succeeding cycle, comprising:

(A) threshold sensing means responsive to the beginning of a current cycle of the input wave for sensing when the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity;

(B) integrator means responsive to said threshold sensing means during said current cycle of the input wave for

(1) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds said given amplitude in a given polarity, said integration thereby starting from a predetermined integrator means reset value, and

(2) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected input wave period and during said first period of time ignoring the value of the integral until at least it departs from said predetermined integrator means reset value;

(C) comparator means for comparing the value of the integral with said predetermined integrator means reset value during said current cycle of the input wave;

(D) said integrator means continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave during said current cycle of the input wave for a second period of time until said comparator means determines that the value of the integral is insubstantially different from said predetermined integrator means reset value;

(E) reset means responsive to said comparator means during the current cycle of the input wave for resetting said integrator means to said predetermined integrator means reset value prior to the input wave again reaching said given amplitude in said given polarity;

(F) measuring means for measuring the time between a given event in the system during a current cycle of the input wave and the corresponding event in the system during the succeeding cycle to determine the period of the fundamental frequency of a cycle of the input wave; and

(G) dividing means for dividing one by the period of the fundamental frequency to obtain the fundamental frequency.

4. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 wherein said given event during the current cycle and the corresponding event during the succeeding cycle is the start of integration by the integration means.

5. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 wherein said given event during the current cycle and the corresponding event during the succeeding cycle is detection by the threshold sensing means, at such time as said integrator means is reset, that the input has exceeded said given amplitude in a given polarity.

6. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 wherein said given event in the current cycle and the corresponding event in the succeeding cycle is the end of the integration period as determined by said comparator means.

7. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising voltage addition means for adding to the input wave a small but sufficient amount of voltage of a polarity opposite that of said given polarity such that the integral accumulated by said integrator means will always return to said value which is insubstantially different from the value it had when integration started prior to the end of the current cycle being detected.

8. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 wherein said given amplitude in a given polarity is greater than the noise of said given polarity inherent in said alternating current source.

9. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising signal sensing means for sensing if the source of the alternating current input wave has no signal present with an amplitude in excess of said given amplitude in a given polarity for a given minimum period of time.

10. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising signal sensing means for terminating the detection of the fundamental frequency when the source of the alternating current input wave has no signal present with an amplitude in excess of said given amplitude in a given polarity for a given minimum period of time.

11. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising peak storage means for storing the peak value of the integral of the input wave for each cycle.

12. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 wherein said time measurement means comprises oscillator means having a frequency substantially higher than the highest expected fundamental frequency, counting means responsive to said oscillator means for counting the number of oscillations between a given event in a current cycle and the corresponding given event in the succeeding cycle, and multiplying means responsive to said counting means for multiplying such count by the oscillator period to obtain the period of the fundamental frequency of the input wave.

13. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 12 further comprising:

(A) storage means responsive to said counting means for storing a count at each said given event;

(B) counter reset means coupled to said counting means for resetting said counting means immediately subsequent to storing a count;

(C) whereby said stored count is proportional to the period of the current cycle of the input wave.

14. The system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave of claim 13 wherein said counter reset means also generates a new count pulse which indicates that a new count proportional to the period of the current cycle is stored.

15. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 14 further comprising computer means, responsive to said storage means storing said count corresponding to said period of the input wave and to said new count pulse, for converting said stored count into the corresponding fundamental frequency, and display means responsive to said computer means for displaying the fundamental frequency of the input wave.

16. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 15 wherein said display means displays the fundamental frequency in digital representation.

17. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 15 wherein said display means displays the fundamental frequency in analog representation.

18. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 15 wherein said computer means calculates and said display means displays the difference between the fundamental frequency and a predetermined expected fundamental frequency.

19. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 18 wherein said display means displays said difference frequency in digital representation.

20. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 18 wherein said display means displays sad difference frequency in analog representation.

21. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 15 wherein said computer means calculates and said display means displays a scaled fundamental frequency.

22. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 21 wherein said fundamental frequency display means displays said scaled frequency in digital representation. PG,84

23. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising a microphone in contact with a person for the purpose of sensing sounds generated by that person for generating said input wave.

24. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 23 wherein said contact with the person for the purpose of sensing sounds generated by that person is by a microphone in contact with that person, wherein any vocal cord originated sounds sensed thereby are inverted by amplifying means so that the fixed polarity peak which is always at the start of a vocal cord cycle is of the same polarity as that of the given threshold for starting integration.

25. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 23 wherein said contact with the person for the purpose of sensing sounds generated by that person is by the microphone touching the lips of the person to sense vocal cord sounds for generating said input wave.

26. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 23 wherein said contact with the person for the purpose of sensing sounds generated by that person is by the microphone touching the throat of the person to sense vocal cord sounds for generating said input wave.

27. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 23 wherein said contact with the person for the purpose of sensing sounds generated by that person is by the microphone touching the head of the person to sense vocal cord sounds for generating said input wave.

28. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising a signal source for generating said input wave.

29. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 28 wherein said signal source is an audio waveform generating means.

30. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 28 wherein said signal source is an electronic waveform generating means.

31. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 28 wherein said signal source is a musical instrument.

32. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising converting means for converting the fundamental frequency to a note on the musical scale by a given algorithm.

33. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising table lookup means for converting the fundamental frequency to a note on the musical scale.

34. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising display means for displaying the fundamental frequency in cycles/second.

35. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising display means for displaying the fundamental frequency in musical notation.

36. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising difference display means for displaying the difference between the measured note and the nearest note on the musical scale.

37. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 wherein the displayed difference between the measured note and the nearest note on the musical scale is a number.

38. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 wherein the displayed difference between the measured note and the nearest note on the musical scale is an analog representation.

39. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising a microphone in contact with a person'"'"'s skin as the source of the alternating current input wave for determining the fundamental frequency.

40. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 3 further comprising peak detection means responsive to said integrator means for detecting and storing the peak amplitude of the value of the integral.

41. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 40 further comprising pulse generating means responsive to said integrator means for generating an end pulse when the value of the integral is insubstantially different from said predetermined integrator means reset value.

42. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 41 further comprising reset means responsive to said end pulse and coupled to said peak detection means for generating a reset pulse for resetting said peak detection means to a given reset value after a predetermined delay and prior to the next peak amplitude of the value of the integral.

43. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 42 further comprising analog to digital conversion means responsive to said peak detection means for converting the stored peak amplitude to a corresponding digital representation.

44. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 43 wherein the analog to digital conversion occurs subsequent to said end pulse and prior to said reset pulse.

45. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of an alternating current input wave according to claim 43 further comprising indicating means responsive to said analog to digital conversion means for indicating the converted peak value of the integral in digital form.

46. A process for detecting the period of the fundamental frequency of a single cycle of an alternating current waveform from an alternating current source comprising the steps of:

(A) changing the value of an output variable upon detection of a departure from a zero value of the alternating current waveform, and thereafter ignoring further departures from subsequent zero values of the alternating current waveform;

(B) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the alternating current waveform cycle when the amplitude of the alternating current waveform exceeds a given amplitude;

(C) continuing thereafter to integrate the amplitudes of the alternating current waveform for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected alternating current waveform cycle and during said first given period of time ignoring the value of the integral;

(D) continuing thereafter to integrate the amplitudes of the alternating current waveform cycle until the value of the integral is insubstantially different from its value when the integration started;

(E) waiting thereafter until occurrence of a zero value of the alternating current waveform, and thereupon changing the value of an output variable;

(F) whereby the period of the output variable changes represents the detected period of the input cycle of an alternating current waveform from an alternating current source.

47. A process for detecting the period of the fundamental frequency of a single cycle of an alternating current waveform from an alternating current source according to claim 46 further comprising determining the period of the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current waveform by measuring the time between output variable changes which measured time is the period of the cycle.

48. A process for detecting the period of the fundamental frequency of a single cycle of an alternating current waveform from an alternating current source according to claim 47 further comprising the step of determining the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current waveform by dividing one by the period.

49. A process for detecting the fundamental frequency of each cycle of a series of contiguous cycles of an alternating current input wave from an alternating current source, wherein each sequential cycle in the series is treated as the current cycle, and the following contiguous cycle is treated as the succeeding cycle, comprising the steps of:

(A) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity;

(B) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected wave period being detected and during said first period of time ignoring the value of the integral;

(C) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a second period of time until the value of the integral is insubstantially different from its value when the integration started in step (A);

(D) maintaining the value of the integral at said starting value prior to the input wave again reaching said given amplitude in said given polarity; and

(E) repeating steps (A) through (D) for the succeeding cycle of the input wave;

(F) measuring the time between any given event in the steps (A) through (D) for the current cycle and the corresponding event in the step (A) through (D) for the succeeding cycle, whereby said measured time represents the period of the fundamental frequency; and

(G) dividing one by the period of the fundamental frequency to obtain the fundamental frequency.

50. A process for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49, whereby the time between the start of integration on the current cycle and the corresponding event for the succeeding cycle represents the period of the fundamental frequency.

51. A process for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49, whereby the time between when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity in the current cycle and the corresponding event for the succeeding cycle represents the detected period of the fundamental frequency.

52. A process for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49, whereby the time between the end of integration in the current cycle and the corresponding event for the succeeding cycle represents the detected period of the fundamental frequency.

53. A process for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49, wherein the integral always returns to said value which is insubstantially different from the value it had when integration started prior to the end of the current cycle because of the addition to the input wave of a voltage of a polarity opposite that of said given polarity which added voltage is set to a magnitude in excess of the worst case sum of all integrator error voltages of said given polarity.

54. A process for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49 further comprising the step of changing a binary process indicator from a binary state representing signal to a binary state representing no signal when the source of the alternating current input wave has no signal present with an amplitude in excess of noise inherent in said alternating current source for a given minimum period of time.

55. A process for detecting the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49 further comprising the step of storing the peak value of the integral of the input wave for each cycle.

56. A process for determining the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49 wherein the fundamental frequency is converted to a musical note representation by a given algorithm.

57. A process for determining the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49 wherein the fundamental frequency is converted to a musical note by a table lookup.

58. A process for determining the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49 further comprising the step of displaying the fundamental frequency in cycles/second.

59. A process for determining the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49 further comprising the step of displaying the fundamental frequency in musical notation.

60. A process for determining the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49 further comprising the step of displaying the difference between said fundamental frequency and the nearest musical scale note value.

61. A process for determining the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49 further comprising the step of displaying the difference between said fundamental frequency and the nearest musical scale note as a number.

62. A process for determining the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49 further comprising the step of displaying the difference between said fundamental frequency and the nearest note on the musical scale by analog representation.

63. A process for determining the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49 further comprising the step of displaying the difference between the detected frequency and a reference frequency.

64. A process for determining the fundamental frequency of a cycle of an alternating current input wave according to claim 49 wherein the source of the alternating current input wave is a microphone in contact with a person'"'"'s skin.

68. A process for determining the period of the fundamental frequency of a signal having an amplitude variation with respect to a predetermined variable for a portion of the signal having a waveform for which the integral of the amplitude of the waveform relative a predetermined reference level is substantially zero, said process comprising the steps of:

(A) integrating the amplitude of said waveform with respect to said predetermined variable to produce a related integration value, said integration starting from a first value of said predetermined variable at which said waveform has an amplitude substantially equal to a predetermined amplitude;

(B) selecting a second value of said predetermined variable using said first value, said second value functioning as a reference value for establishing a full cycle of the fundamental frequency;

(C) comparing said related integration value of the integral obtained in step (A) to a predetermined integration value; and

(D) using the information in step (C) to obtain a third value of said variable corresponding to a point on said waveform spaced apart from said second value by an amount approximately equal to the full cycle of the fundamental frequency;

whereby the period of the fundamental frequency of said waveform is determined.

69. The process of claim 68, wherein said step (B) comprises setting said second value substantially equal to said first value.

70. The process of claim 69, wherein said signal comprises a plurality of contiguous waveforms and said steps (A), (B), (C), and (D) are applied successively to each waveform independently of the other waveforms.

71. The process of claim 68, wherein said step (B) comprises the steps of determining the closest signal zero relative said reference level preceding said first value and using the value of the predetermined variable corresponding to said signal zero for said second value.

72. The process of claim 71, wherein said signal comprises a plurality of contiguous waveforms and said steps (A), (B), (C), and (D) are applied successively to each waveform independently of the other waveforms.

73. The process of claim 68, wherein said step (D) comprises the step of setting said third value substantially equal to the value of said predetermined variable corresponding to the related integration value substantially equalling the value of said predetermined integration value.

74. The process of claim 73, wherein said signal comprises a plurality of contiguous waveforms and said steps (A), (B), (C), and (D) are applied successively to each waveform independently of the other waveforms.

75. The process of claim 68, wherein said step (D) comprises the steps of determining the closest signal zero relative said reference level following the occurrence of said related integration value being substantially equal to said predetermined integration value and using the value of the predetermined variable corresponding substantially to said signal zero for said third value.

76. The process of claim 75, wherein said signal comprises a plurality of contiguous waveforms and said steps (A), (B), (C), and (D) are applied successively to each waveform independently of the other waveforms.

77. The process of claim 68, wherein said signal comprises a plurality of contiguous waveforms and said steps (A), (B), (C), and (D) are applied successively to each waveform independently of the other waveforms.

78. A system for determining the period of the fundamental frequency of a signal having an amplitude variation with respect to a predetermined variable for a portion of the signal having a waveform for which the integral of the amplitude of the waveform relative a predetermined reference level is substantially zero, said system comprising:

(A) integrating means operable for integrating the amplitude of said waveform with respect to said predetermined variable to produce a related integration value, said integration starting from a first value of said predetermined variable at which said waveform has an amplitude substantially equal to a predetermined amplitude;

(B) selecting means operable for selecting a second value of said predetermined variable using said first value, said second value functioning as a reference value for establishing a full cycle of the fundamental frequency;

(C) comparing means operable for comparing said related integration value of the integral obtained with said integrating means to a predetermined integration value; and

(D) processing means operable for using the information obtained from said comparing means to obtain a third value of said variable corresponding to a point on said waveform spaced apart from said second value by an amount approximately equal to the full cycle of the fundamental frequency;

whereby the period of the fundamental frequency of said waveform is determined.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein said selecting means comprises setting said second value substantially equal to said first value.

80. The system of claim 79, wherein said signal comprises a plurality of contiguous waveforms and all of said means are applied successively to each waveform independently of the other waveforms.

81. The system of claim 78, wherein said selecting means comprises determining the closest signal zero relative said reference level preceding said first value and using the value of the predetermined variable corresponding to said signal zero for said second value.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein said signal comprises a plurality of contiguous waveforms and all of said means are applied successively to each waveform independently of the other waveforms.

83. The system of claim 78, wherein said processing means comprises setting said third value substantially equal to the value of said predetermined variable corresponding to the related integration value substantially equalling the value of said predetermined integration value.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein said signal comprises a plurality of contiguous waveforms and all of said means are applied successively to each waveform independently of the other waveforms.

85. The system of claim 78, wherein said processing means comprises determining the closest signal zero relative said reference level following the occurrence of said related integration value being substantially equal to said predetermined integration value and using the value of the predetermined variable corresponding substantially to said zero crossing for said third value.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein said signal comprises a plurality of contiguous waveforms and all of said means are applied successively to each waveform independently of the other waveforms.

87. The system of claims 78, wherein said signal comprises a plurality of contiguous waveforms and all of said means are applied successively to each waveform independently of the other waveforms.

88. A process for detecting the period of the fundamental frequency of each cycle of a series of contiguous cycles of an alternating current input wave from an alternating current source, wherein each sequential cycle in the series is treated as the current cycle, and the following contiguous cycle is treated as the succeeding cycle, comprising the steps of:

(A) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity;

(B) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected wave period being detected and during said first period of time ignoring the value of the integral;

(C) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a second period of time until the value of the integral is insubstantially different from its value when the integration started in step (A);

(D) maintaining the value of the integral at said starting value prior to the input wave again reaching said given amplitude in said given polarity;

(E) repeating steps (A) through (D) for the succeeding cycle of the input wave; and

(F) measuring the time between any given event in the steps (A) through (D) for the current cycle and the corresponding event in the steps (A) through (D) for the succeeding cycle, whereby said measured time represents the period of the fundamental frequency.

89. A process for detecting the period of the fundamental frequency of each cycle of a series of contiguous cycles of an alternating current input wave from an alternating current source, wherein each sequential cycle in the series is treated as the current cycle, and the following contiguous cycle is treated as the succeeding cycle, comprising the steps of:

(A) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity;

(B) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected wave period being detected and during said first period of time ignoring the value of the integral;

(C) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a second period of time until the value of the integral reaches a threshold voltage set above the highest expected end of cycle value of the integral;

(D) resetting and maintaining the value of the integral at said starting value prior to the input wave again reaching said given amplitude in said given polarity; and

(E) again starting to integrate the amplitudes of the input wave when the amplitude of the succeeding cycle of the input wave exceeds said given amplitude in said given polarity; and

(F) measuring the time between any given event in the steps (A) through (D) for the current cycle and the corresponding event in the steps (A) through (D) for the succeeding cycle, whereby said measured time represents the period of the fundamental frequency.

90. A system for detecting the period of the fundamental frequency of each cycle of a series of cycles of an alternating current input wave from an alternating current source, wherein each sequential cycle in the series is treated as the current cycle, and the following contiguous cycle is treated as the succeeding cycle, comprising:

(A) threshold sensing means responsive to the beginning of a current cycle of the input wave for sensing when the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity;

(B) integrator means responsive to said threshold sensing means during said current cycle of the input wave for

(1) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds said given amplitude in a given polarity, said integration thereby starting from a predetermined integrator means reset value, and

(2) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected input wave period and during said first period of time ignoring the value of the integral until at least it departs from said predetermined integrator means reset value;

(C) comparator means for comparing the value of the integral with said predetermined integrator means reset value during said current cycle of the input wave;

(D) said integrator means continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave during said current cycle of the input wave for a second period of time until said comparator means determines that the value of the integral is insubstantially different from said predetermined integrator means reset value;

(E) reset means responsive to said comparator means during the current cycle of the input wave for resetting said integrator means to said predetermined integrator means reset value prior to the input wave again reaching said given amplitude in said given polarity; and

(F) measuring means for measuring the time between a given event in the system during a current cycle of the input wave and the corresponding event in the system during the succeeding cycle to determine the period of the fundamental frequency of a cycle of the input wave.

91. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of each cycle of a series of cycles of an alternating current input wave from an alternating current source, wherein each sequential cycle in the series is treated in what follows as the current cycle, and the following contiguous cycle is treated as the succeeding cycle, comprising:

(A) threshold sensing means responsive to the beginning of a current cycle of the input wave for sensing when the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity;

(B) integrator means responsive to said threshold sensing means during said current cycle of the input wave for

(1) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds said given amplitude in a given polarity, said integration thereby starting from a predetermined integrator means reset value, and

(2) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected input wave period and during said first period of time ignoring the value of the integral until at least it departs from said predetermined integrator means reset value;

(C) comparator means for comparing the value of the integral with a reference value above the highest expected end of cycle value of the integral;

(D) said integrator means continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave during said current cycle of the input wave for a second period of time until said comparator means determines that the value of the integral is insubstantially different from said reference value;

(E) reset means responsive to said comparator means during the current cycle of the input wave for resetting said integrator means to said predetermined integrator means reset value prior to the input wave again reaching said given amplitude in said given polarity; and

(F) measuring means for measuring the time between a given event in the system during a current cycle of the input wave and the corresponding event in the system during the succeeding cycle to determine the period of the fundamental frequency of a cycle of the input wave.

92. A process for detecting the period of the fundamental frequency of each cycle of a series of contiguous cycles of an alternating current input wave from an alternating current source, wherein each sequential cycle in the series is treated as the current cycle, and the following contiguous cycle is treated as the succeeding cycle, comprising the steps of:

(A) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity;

(B) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected wave period being detected and during said first period of time ignoring the value of the integral;

(C) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a second period of time until the value of the integral is insubstantially different from its value when the integration started in step (A);

(D) repeating steps (A) through (C) for the succeeding cycle of the input wave;

(E) whereby the period of repetition of the process (A) through (C) is synchronized with the period of the fundamental frequency of the current cycle of the input wave, said period of repetition being the detected period of the fundamental frequency of the input wave.

93. A process for detecting the period of the fundamental frequency of each cycle of a series of contiguous cycles of an alternating current input wave from an alternating current source, wherein each sequential cycle in the series is treated as the current cycle, and the following contiguous cycle is treated as the succeeding cycle, comprising the steps of:

(A) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity;

(B) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected wave period being detected and during said first period of time ignoring the value of the integral;

(C) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a second period of time until the value of the integral reaches a threshold voltage set above the highest expected end of cycle value of the integral;

(D) again starting to integrate the amplitudes of the input wave when the amplitude of the succeeding cycle of the input wave exceeds said given amplitude in said given polarity;

(E) whereby the period of repetition of the process (A) through (C) is synchronized with the period of the fundamental frequency of the current cycle of the input wave, said period of repetition being the detected period of the fundamental frequency of the input wave.

94. A system for detecting the period of the fundamental frequency of each cycle of a series of cycles of an alternating current input wave from an alternating current source, wherein each sequential cycle in the series is treated as the current cycle, and the following contiguous cycle is treated as the succeeding cycle, comprising:

(A) threshold sensing means responsive to the beginning of a current cycle of the input wave for sensing when the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity;

(B) integrator means responsive to said threshold sensing means during said current cycle of the input wave for

(1) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds said given amplitude in a given polarity, said integration thereby starting from a predetermined integrator means reset value, and

(2) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected input wave period and during said first period of time ignoring the value of the integral until at least it departs from said predetermined integrator means reset value;

(C) comparator means for comparing the value of the integral with said predetermined integrator means reset value during said current cycle of the input wave;

(D) said integrator means continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave during said current cycle of the input wave for a second period of time until said comparator means determines that the value of the integral is insubstantially different from said predetermined integrator means reset value;

(E) whereby the period of repetition of system actions (A) through (D) is synchronized with the period of the fundamental frequency of the current cycle of the input wave, said period of repetition being the detected period of the fundamental frequency of the input wave.

95. A system for detecting the fundamental frequency of each cycle of a series of cycles of an alternating current input wave from an alternating current source, wherein each sequential cycle in the series is treated in what follows as the current cycle, and the following contiguous cycle is treated as the succeeding cycle, comprising:

(A) threshold sensing means responsive to the beginning of a current cycle of the input wave for sensing when the input wave exceeds a given amplitude in a given polarity;

(B) integrator means responsive to said threshold sensing means during said current cycle of the input wave for

(1) starting to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave when the amplitude of the input wave exceeds said given amplitude in a given polarity, said integration thereby starting from a predetermined integrator means reset value, and

(2) continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave for a first given period of time which is less than the shortest expected input wave period and during said first period of time ignoring the value of the integral until at least it departs from said predetermined integrator means reset value;

(C) comparator means for comparing the value of the integral with a reference value above the highest expected end of cycle value of the integral;

(D) said integrator means continuing to integrate the amplitudes of the current cycle of the input wave during said current cycle of the input wave for a second period of time until said comparator means determines that the value of the integral is substantially different from said reference value;

(E) whereby the period of repetition of system actions (A) through (D) is synchronized with the period of the fundamental frequency of the current cycle of the input wave, said period of repetition being the detected period of the fundamental frequency of the input wave.