Midvalue signal selector

TLDR: In this paper, a mid-value signal selector contains a channel for each of the signals to be compared, and each signal is applied to its respective channel through a comparator which produces a high or low-level signal depending upon the comparative instantaneous values of the input signal and a feedback signal developed in that channel.

Abstract: A midvalue signal selector contains a channel for each of the signals to be compared. Each signal is applied to its respective channel through a comparator which produces a high- or low-level signal depending upon the comparative instantaneous values of the input signal and a feedback signal developed in that channel. Each channel contains a logic voter connected to receive the outputs of all comparators. The logic voter actuates a bipolar weighting switch in accordance with the high or low value of the majority of the signals applied to that logic voter. The output of the weighting switch in each channel is applied to a combination filter and operational amplifier which produces the output and feedback signals for that channel. The hysteresis inherent in a comparator, together with the filter circuit associated with the corresponding operational amplifier, produces an oscillatory signal at the output of the operational amplifier. The comparator receiving the midvalue signal produces a rectangular wave having a duty cycle dependent upon the magnitude of the midvalue signal. The output signal from the corresponding operational amplifier includes a DC component dependent upon the amount that this duty cycle deviates from 50 percent. The comparators of the remaining channels produce steady output signals so that the corresponding logic voters respond only to the midvalue signal.