An Amplifier with Auto-Ranging Capabilities for Use in Airborne Trials.

In aircraft or missile trails where electronic amplifiers are used for instrumentation purposes it is not always possible to set the optimum signal gain prior to, or during the measurement period. This may result in either overloading of the amplifier and the need for a subsequent re-run or operation of the amplifier at a lower gain than necessary. An amplifier having autoranging capability is described which can assess the amplitude of the signal and set the optimum gain. The design is discussed with regard to amplifier performance particularly with respect to common mode rejection, methods of gain changing, peak detection and gain value transmission. A practical application is described together with some suggestions for future development.