A Quarter-Square Multiplier Using a Segmented Parabolic Characteristic

A circuit for multiplying two varying voltages based on the ``quarter-square'' method has been developed. A segmented nonlinear element is used for squaring, and a time-sharing scheme permits the use of a single squaring element instead of duplicate elements as in previous designs. The circuit has a time delay of less than 40 microseconds (0–67 percent) and has an accuracy of better than ±1 percent. The original circuit was designed to operate only in the first quadrant. Various methods for including the four quadrants are discussed.