Alan D Macintyre

US Patent:

48797006, Nov 7, 1989

Filed:

May 4, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/045355

Inventors:

Alan D. MacIntyre - Irvine CA

Assignee:

Ball Corporation - Muncie IN

International Classification:

G04F 800

US Classification:

368117

Abstract:

A time interval counter permits the time interval between a first signal and one of a series of timing signals to be measured to less than. +-. 2 nanoseconds without using microwaves and high power-consuming devices. The time interval counter uses a first passive delay time operated from the first signal, which occurs at an unknown interval from the timing signals, to produce a plurality of binary outputs spaced from each other by known equal time intervals that are substantially less than the interval between the timing signals, and a second passive delay line operated by the timing signal, which occurs after the first signal, to produce a plurality of sequential outputs spaced from each other by a plurality of known sub-time intervals that are substantially less than the time interval between the plurality of binary outputs of the first delay line. The time interval counter also includes means to store the plurality of binary outputs of the first delay line at each of the sub-time intervals produced by the second delay line, and means to determine the time interval between the first signal and timing signal from the stored binary outputs of the first delay line by interpreting the earliest stored binary outputs and the stored binary outputs at each sub-time interval and combining the interpretation and comparison to calculate the time interval.