Infinite electronic integrator

Abstract

An electronic integrator includes a compensation circuit which maintains an output of the integrator within a desired range. The compensation circuit includes a comparator which continuously compares the integrator output to a reference value, and a correction circuit which inputs a correction signal into the integrator when the reference value has been met or exceeded. The correction signal is preferably a fixed charge which lowers the voltage in an integrating capacitor by a predetermined amount, thereby ensuring that subsequent output of the integrator is less than the reference value. Through this compensation circuit, the integrator continuously operates without interruption, including without ever having to be reset. Further, the integrator is able to integrate both positive and negative input signals regardless of their magnitude. The integrator may also be used to regulate input signals into an analog-to-digital converter to ensure that those signals never exceed the operational limits of the converter.