In a data processing system and method, particularly for processing data derived from a gauge which is measuring the thickness of continuous metal strip issuing from a metal processing plant, the value of the measurement data is sampled at successive time instants and the sampled values are processed such as to derive their mean and standard deviations. The successive time instants are randomly or psuedo-randomly distributed in time so as to avoid the possibility of the values of the data samples being affected by, or failing to record, any cyclical variations in the measurement data. The processed data may be used to exert a control function on the processing plant.
Digital data acquisition apparatus for periodically sampling a waveform. Periodic data acquisition signals are provided at predetermined intervals with the waveform being sampled at the predetermined intervals in response to the data acquisition signals. The apparatus has at least a first operation mode wherein waveform sampling is initiated on the occurrence of a trigger event. In this operation mode, the apparatus includes an improvement for increasing its effective sample rate by providing a first data acquisition signal, following a trigger event, at an interval after the trigger event that is shorter than the interval between subsequent data acquisition signals. A second mode of operation may also be provided wherein sampling is manually initiated. In either operation mode, a phase locked loop may be employed to regulate, or tune, the interval between data acquisition signals.
A method for processing data received by a receiving device which outputs present location data for a movable vehicle based on the Global Positioning System and is positioned in the vehicle, including the steps of calculating an average of a predetermined number of data output from the receiving device while the vehicle stops, determining the average to be an effective data if the standard deviation of the data is within a predetermined range, and processing the averaged data as the present location data for the vehicle.
A system is described for automatically monitoring lengths and thicknesses of strip metal stock being fed to a metal processing machine, e.g. a power press. The system comprises: (a) measuring wheel and transducer adapted to generate electrical signals proportional to the actual length of advancement of the stock, (b) a linear vertical differential transformer probe adapted to generate electrical signals proportional to the actual thickness of the strip stock fed, and (c) a programmable memory bank adapted to count electric pulses received from said length measuring means thereby measuring the length of feed stock actually fed, to convert electric pulses received from said thickness measuring means to measurements of the thickness of feedstock actually fed and also being adapted to store data based on the predetermined width and density of the stock and determine the weight of stock fed as computed from the width and density data stored and the determined length and thickness of the actual stock fed.
A voltage-to-frequency and analog-to-digital conversion circuit using a microprocessor-controlled capacitor charge-discharge scheme provides high resolution and low component count and is particularly suitable for use with resistance bridge transducers.
A voltage hold circuit which holds an input signal voltage includes a voltage comparator unit configured to output a result of comparison between a voltage of an externally inputted control signal and a voltage of an outputted analog hold signal, a digital value hold unit configured to increase or decrease a hold value which is a digital value it holds, based on the comparison result, and to output a digital hold signal which is a digital value generated based on the hold value, and a D/A converter unit configured to convert the digital hold signal to an analog value for output as the analog hold signal.
