Design and Development of the Alinco Electronic Integrating System

The area beneath an analog curve (integral) is often a useful measurement in a host of different fields. However, resolution, inertia, response, and general performance of integrating devices has until now precluded their use in the study of transient and dynamic phenomena. The ALINCO Model 270 Integrating System is an all-electronic integrator invented by Mr. Charles M. Minke, ALINCO Production Manager. The heart of the system is a reactance tube oscillator tuned to 100 kc. Using suitable mixers, gates, and programming circuitry, the Model 270 displays elapsed time and total integral on decimal counter units with high resolution and linearity. Counting begins by preset signal level or by closing contacts, and stops by signal decay, preset time, or by closing contacts. For transient phenomeona, 100 milliseconds would provide 1000 counts for a readability of 0.1%. For long-term phenomena (over 100 seconds), provision has been made for hook-up of accessory counters to count beyond the capacity of the instrument. In data reduction where analog signals or records are integrated, the Model 270 represents a fast, direct, and more accurate solution, especially where short rise times and rapidly changing amplitudes exist.