Characteristics of electronic system for high speed readout, control, and recording of data are discussed. Operation of system is described to show rate of data processing and accuracy obtainable. Primary advantage of system is providing direct recording of parameter value several times per second

Turner, J. W.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

July 1972	 .	 B72-10442 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce now technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Very High Speed Direct-Readout, Control

and Recording System 
A system has been designed that will provide a very 
high speed readout, control, and recording capability. It 
is applicable to numerous situations involving any para-
meter wherein the dynamic value can be converted to 
usable frequency. Previous electronic and/or mechanical 
systems used for readout and control have displayed a 
limited accuracy under dynamic conditions because of 
low data conversion speed. Although the present elec-
tronic systems have been the best available, the manner 
in which they operate makes time a very important 
factor in their accuracy. In such systems, accuracy 
deteriorates if a continuous record of parameter variations 
is necessary. 
During operation, a transducer output (an ac signal 
whose frequency is proportional to parametric value) 
is divided with an electronic digital counter by an 
appropriate number to establish a time period. During 
this time period, the output of the oscillator, which is 
used as a frequency standard, is gated into the digital 
counter. With the proper selection of the oscillator output 
frequency, the output of the counter becomes a direct 
readout of the parameter applied to the transducer. The 
gating arrangement used to shift the output of the digital 
counter feeds this output to the storage register which, 
in turn, passes the information to a high speed printer. The 
printer records the information upon command generated 
by a digital counter; this counter generates data shift, 
print, and reset commands. 
Because the measuring system is capable of generating 
data at four to eight times the rate of the printer, only 
every fifth to eighth readout is recorded. The maximum 
recording speed is limited to an ultimate of 200 recordings 
per second. When the printer completes a printout, it
generates a signal which resets the storage register in 
preparation for the reception of the next readout to be 
printed. The primary advantage of the system is its ability 
to give a direct recording of parameter value several times 
(20 to 40) each second. The measurement can be made 
every four to six milliseconds and used for control 
functions, but the printed record is limited due to the 
limitations of the printer speed. The system is unique in 
its high speed capability at which the information is 
generated and recorded and in the method of translating 
the information to a direct printout value. The system 
also has an extremely fast reset time. 
Note: 
No additional information is available. Specific 
questions, however, may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Code A&TS-TU 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B72-10442 
Patent status: 
This is the invention of a NASA employee and a 
patent application has been filed. Inquiries concerning 
license rights may be made directly to the inventor: 
Mr. John W. Turner 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Source: J. W. Turner
Marshall Space Flight Center 
(MFS.20658) 
Category 02 
This documentwas prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
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Very high speed direct-readout, control and recording system

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