13th week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 20 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120074929 | Inductive Current Sensor - A power meter is disclosed. The power meter may be used to determine the electric power being delivered by a conductor. In one such power meter there is a substrate, an inductive pickup coil attached to the substrate, a conductor, and a detector. The pickup coil may be printed on the substrate. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074930 | MOVING MAGNETIC FIELD GENERATING APPARATUS - A moving magnetic field generating apparatus includes a magnet array including magnets disposed at a first pitch such that N and S poles of adjacent magnets in the magnet array are alternated, and first and second magnetic pole piece arrays extending along the magnet array to interpose the magnet array therebetween with a gap from the magnet array. The first and second magnetic pole piece arrays are disposed with a predetermined phase difference therebetween. The first magnetic pole piece array includes first magnetic pole pieces disposed at a second pitch in an array and each having a length enough to face at least two adjacent magnets in the magnet array. The second magnetic pole piece array is configured similarly to the first magnetic pole piece array. One of the first and second magnetic pole piece arrays and the magnet array is relatively moved to the other at a predetermined speed. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074931 | FLOW TRACKING IN BLOCK CAVING MINING - The invention provides a method and system for monitoring the flow of ore in block cave mining operations by inserting an active magnetic beacon | 2012-03-29 |
20120074932 | NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION OF A STRUCTURE IN AN AIRCRAFT - The invention relates to a non-destructive inspection method using eddy currents for detecting flaws in a metal structure ( | 2012-03-29 |
20120074933 | MAGNETOELASTIC TORQUE SENSOR WITH AMBIENT FIELD REJECTION - The present invention involves a method and apparatus for canceling the effects of magnetic field noise in a torque sensor by placing three sets of magnetic field sensors around a shaft, the first set of field sensors being placed in the central region of the shaft and the second and third sets of field sensors being placed on the right side and left side of the field sensors placed at the central region, respectively. A torque-induced magnetic field is not cancelled with this arrangement of field sensors but a magnetic near field from a near field source is cancelled. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074934 | NMR MEASUREMENTS AND METHODS OF ANALYZING NMR DATA - NMR measurements and methods of analyzing those measurements are disclosed. A single NMR measurement is performed then that data is analyzed. Additional NMR measurements are performed and analyzed sequentially then the array of NMR analyzed data is analyzed again to get information about the system under study. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074935 | MRI Coil Design - A coil for a magnetic resonance imaging device consists of multiple coil elements arranged about an imaging space. Each coil element comprise radiating structures oriented at an angle to a tangent of the imaging space. Angling the radiating structures reduces mutual coupling between coil elements and enhances the penetration of the radio frequency field to the imaging space. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074936 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE MEASURING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance measuring apparatus includes a signal source, a transmitter, a receiver, a bandpass filter, a receiving circuit and a magnetic field generator. The signal generator is configured to generate a microwave signal. The transmitter is configured to transmit the signal from the signal source to a test sample. The receiver is opposed to the transmitter and configured to receive the signal from the transmitter via the sample. The bandpass filter has a bandwidth and is configured to extract the signal. The receiving circuit is configured to amplify the extracted signal through the bandpass filter and process the amplified signal. The magnetic field generator is configured to apply a magnetic field to the sample. The bandwidth satisfies a condition, P+Gtx+Grx−(Γtx+Γd | 2012-03-29 |
20120074937 | Increasing spoil efficiency - A method for operating a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device, wherein a continuous sequence of radio-frequency (=RF) pulses are radiated onto a sample, Ψ being the constant phase value for all magnetization vectors, and all magnetization vectors undergo a phase progression F | 2012-03-29 |
20120074938 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM TO GENERATE AN IMAGE DATA SET - In a magnetic resonance system and method the imaging area is readout by: (a) switching at least two phase coding gradients in respective spatial directions, (b) at the full strength of the phase coding gradients, radiating a non-slice-selective RF excitation pulse, (c) after a time t | 2012-03-29 |
20120074939 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM TO GENERATE AN OPTIMIZED MR IMAGE OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - A magnetic resonance method and system for generation of an optimized MR image of an examination subject operate as follows. A pulse sequence including a series of at least two RF pulses is radiated into the examination subject to generate at least one optimized signal, wherein the second and possibly every additional RF pulse is radiated before the effect of the first or a preceding RF pulse on the spin system in the examination subject has decayed. The radiated RF pulses are generated by parallel transmission coils. At least the signal resulting after the last radiated RF pulse of the pulse sequence is acquired. The pulse sequence is repeated with modified spatial coding until signals have been generated and acquired in a desired positional space. The optimized MR image per pulse sequence is calculated from at least one of the acquired signals. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074940 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit and data processing condition setting unit. The imaging unit is configured to acquire magnetic resonance data corresponding to a sampling region asymmetric in a wave number direction in k-space from an object to generate image data based on the magnetic resonance data by data processing including phase correction and filter processing for obtaining a complex conjugate. The data processing condition setting unit is configured to set a condition for the data processing according to an imaging condition influencing a phase distribution used for the phase correction or the phase distribution. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074941 | METHOD FOR SUPPRESSING AND/OR ELIMINATING NOISE SIGNALS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND A MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS THEREFOR - A method is disclosed for suppressing and/or eliminating noise signals during magnetic resonance imaging by way of a magnetic resonance sequence including an ultra-short echo time. In at least one embodiment, the method includes a recording step for recording magnetic resonance signals of an object to be examined, especially a partial region of a patient, by way of the magnetic resonance sequence, wherein in a noise signal determination step at least one item of information about at least one noise signal of a noise element, especially of a magnetic resonance antenna element, is made available. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074942 | MULTI-FIELD-OF-VIEW GRADIENT COIL - A coil assembly for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system includes a primary gradient coil, and a corrector coil, at least a portion of the corrector coil being interwoven with a portion of the primary gradient coil such that the portion of the primary gradient coil is concentric with the portion of the corrector coil. An MRI imaging system and a method of fabricating the coil assembly are also provided. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074943 | Apparatus and Method for Ferromagnetic Object Detector - An apparatus is provided for compensating for the effect of a moving door on a nearby ferromagnetic object detector. The ferromagnetic object detector is of a type to produce a main sensor signal indicative of the presence of a ferromagnetic object in the vicinity of the ferromagnetic object detector. Furthermore, the door is arranged relative to the ferromagnetic object detector such that movement of the door is liable to introduce an undesirable interference signal into the main sensor signal. The apparatus comprises an input ( | 2012-03-29 |
20120074944 | DEVICES AND CABLING FOR USE IN A MULTI-RESONANT MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - An apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance system, the apparatus comprising: an operative component ( | 2012-03-29 |
20120074945 | PROXIMITY DETECTION METHOD AND SYSTEM - The invention concerns a proximity detection of buried conductive structures before or while digging in areas being excavated. By means of the enclosed methods, devices, and setups, the ability and accuracy of the detection of underground structures, such as conduits, pipes, etc. is improved by conductively applying a current into the structure through the soil. The thereby emitted electromagnetic field is detected by a movable detection- unit over ground. According to this electromagnetic field the detection-unit can determine the proximity of the structure and issue a warning signal. This warning signal helps an operator of an earth moving machine to avoid a collision with the structure. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074946 | Active Standoff Compensation in Measurements with Oil-Based Mud Resistivity Imaging Devices - Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole having a substantially non-conducting liquid. The apparatus includes: a downhole tool having a transmitter electrode configured to convey an electric current into the earth formation. A measurement electrode is configured to receive the electric current from the earth formation, wherein the electric current bridges as least one of a first gap between the transmitter electrode and the formation and a second gap between the measurement electrode and the formation. A compensating circuit coupling the transmitter electrode to the measurement electrode is configured to reduce a reactive component of a total current received by the measurement electrode. A receiver coupled to the measurement electrode is configured to measure the total current to estimate the property. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074947 | Failure Detection for Series of Electrical Loads - A device can be used for detecting failures in an illumination device having a plurality of light emitting diodes connected in series. A first circuit node, a second circuit node, and a third circuit node interface the illumination device such that a voltage supplying the plurality of light emitting diodes is applied between the first and the second circuit node and a first fraction of the supply voltage drop is provided between the third and the second circuit node. An evaluation unit is coupled to the first circuit node, the second circuit node, and the third circuit node and configured to assess whether a voltage present at the third circuit node is within a pre-defined range of tolerance about a nominal value that is defined as a second fraction of the supply voltage present between the first and the second circuit node. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074948 | METHOD FOR TESTING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC TRIPPING OF A SWITCH, IN PARTICULAR OF A CIRCUITBREAKER FOR LOW VOLTAGES - A method is disclosed for testing the functionality of the electromagnetic tripping of a switch, in particular of a circuit breaker for low voltages, which has switching contacts which are opened with the aid of a tripping shaft, which is held prestressed by a switching mechanism and is unlatched by a tripping magnet which for this purpose has a winding through which a current is sent for tripping. In order to test the functionality with relatively little effort, it is proposed in at least one embodiment that the winding is connected as an inductance in a resonant circuit, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit is detected, and the functionality of the tripping magnet is assessed on the basis of the detected resonant frequency. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074949 | BI-DIRECTIONAL DC/DC CONVERTER - A bi-directional DC/DC converter includes at least one module having a module input for providing a bi-directional module input current, and a module output with an output inductor for providing a bi-directional module output current. A transformer has a primary winding wound around a transformer core and connected to the module input, and a secondary winding wound around the core and connected to the module output. A primary set of switches is connected in an H-bridge configuration between the module input and the primary winding. And, a secondary set of switches is connected in an H-bridge configuration between the module output and the secondary winding. A current sensing component senses the module output current. A hysteretic control drives the primary set of switches to control flux. The hysteretic control drives the secondary set of switches to control the module output current as a function of the sensed module output current. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074950 | METHOD OF ESTIMATING TEMPERATURE OF BATTERY - The present invention relates to a temperature estimating method of a battery. A predetermined module of a battery is equipped with a temperature sensor and a current/voltage sensor(s). Whether the battery deteriorates can be determined by using the measured temperature, current, and voltage. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074951 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CURRENT-BASED PLASMA EXCURSION DETECTION - A system and method for the detection of plasma excursions, such as arcs, micro-arcs, or other plasma instability, during plasma processing by directly monitoring RF current just prior to reaching an RF power electrode of a plasma processing chamber is provided. The monitored RF current may be converted to an RF voltage and then passed through a succession of analog filters and amplifiers to provide a plasma excursion signal. The plasma excursion signal is compared to a preset value, and at points where the plasma excursion signal exceeds the preset value, an alarm signal is generated. The alarm signal is then fed back into a system controller so that an operator can be alerted and/or the processing system can be shut down. In one embodiment, the RF current amplified and converted to a digital signal for digital filtering and processing. In certain embodiments, multiple processing regions can be monitored by a single detection control unit. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074952 | HOME NETWORK CHARACTERIZATION METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method of characterizing a wiring network is implemented in a system which includes a test controller and at least two probes. On commands from the test controller, at least one of the probes changes its impedance between the nominal impedance of the wiring network and a mismatch impedance. Reflectometry measurements are performed before and after of switching the impedance of the second probe. At the first probe, an RF signal is generated and a reflected signal is measured. Then, the impedance of the second probe is changed, and again an RF signal is generated and a reflected signal is measured at the first probe. Additionally, a frequency response may be measured at the second probe. The results of the measurements are used for characterization of a transmission line between the first and second probes | 2012-03-29 |
20120074953 | WIRING TESTING DEVICE - A wiring testing device configured to test the wiring correctness of an inverter is disclosed. The inverter is configured to be connected to a low-voltage three-phase system with a neutral conductor serving as a reference point for grid-side conductor voltages. The wiring testing device includes a test circuit configured to measure the grid-side conductor voltages and determine an average value from the sum of the instantaneous values of the grid-side conductor voltages, and a display unit configured to display an error message if the average value exceeds a threshold voltage for a defined time period. The wiring testing device further includes a capacitor connected between a phase of the three-phase system and the neutral conductor configured to generate a voltage imbalance if the neutral conductor connection is missing, wherein the test circuit is configured to measure the conductor voltages and determine the voltage imbalance. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074954 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH CORROSION PREVENTION - The present invention relates to an electrical connector with at least one electrical contact for electrically contacting a corresponding mating connector. In particular, the present invention deals with connectors having a plug detecting unit for detecting a mated state of the connector and the mating connector. The present invention further relates to a corresponding method for detecting a mated state. Said connector comprises a plug detecting unit for detecting a mated state of the connector and the mating connector, wherein said plug detecting unit is operable to check the mated state by means of an intermittent test signal. Alternatively or additionally, the surfaces of first and second electrical contacts are covered with materials having a different oxidation potential, wherein a positive voltage of the test signal is applied to the electrical contact having the higher oxidation potential compared to the other electrical contact. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074955 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR QUANTIFYING DEGRADATION OF WIRING INSULATION - A system for the measurement of degradation of electrical wire insulation quality is described. The system includes a clamping device for engaging the electrical wire to be tested for insulation degradation, the clamping device comprising a channel formed therein for placement of the electrical wire, a plurality of plates placed proximate the channel, the plates electrically connected to generate a capacitance and placed proximate the channel such that the wire insulation provides a portion of a dielectric for the generated capacitance, and a measurement device operatively attached to the plurality of plates such that the measurement device is configured to indicate an amount of degradation associated with the wire insulation based on at least one of the measured capacitance and dissipation factor. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074956 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DELTA DOUBLE SAMPLING - An array of sensors arranged in matched pairs of transistors with an output formed on a first transistor and a sensor formed on the second transistor of the matched pair. The matched pairs are arranged such that the second transistor in the matched pair is read through the output of the first transistor in the matched pair. The first transistor in the matched pair is forced into the saturation (active) region to prevent interference from the second transistor on the output of the first transistor. A sample is taken of the output. The first transistor is then placed into the linear region allowing the sensor formed on the second transistor to be read through the output of the first transistor. A sample is taken from the output of the sensor reading of the second transistor. A difference is formed of the two samples. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074957 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING AND MEASURING PROPERTIES OF A MOVING ROD OF MATERIAL - Device and method for processing and measuring properties of a moving rod of tobacco processing industry. Device includes a microwave measurement device in which endless rod is conveyable through microwave resonator from input side to output side. Microwave generator is included to generate a measurement signal having output frequency f | 2012-03-29 |
20120074958 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING AND MEASURING PROPERTIES OF A MOVING ROD OF MATERIAL - Device for processing and measuring properties of a moving rod of material of the tobacco processing industry includes a microwave resonator structured and arranged so that the rod of material is conveyable through the microwave resonator. Includes microwave generator with output frequency f | 2012-03-29 |
20120074959 | COIN DETECTOR - A coin detector includes an oscillator circuit using an oscillator for generating a magnetizing signal of a predetermined oscillation frequency and an eddy current sensor for producing an AC magnetic field for sensing the variation of the inductance of an eddy current produced upon passing of a coin, a FM demodulator and an AM demodulator respectively electrically coupled to the oscillator circuit by a respective buffer for demodulating the voltage frequency and voltage amplitude of the oscillation signal outputted by the oscillator circuit, and a recognition logic unit for computing the demodulated FM signal outputted by the FM demodulator and the demodulated AM signal outputted by the AM demodulator by means of using time as a parameter to recognize the authenticity and value of the sensed coin. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074960 | ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM ENERGY CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY MONITOR - A method and device for reporting the characteristics of an energy storage system. The method comprises acquiring the open circuit voltage. The method also comprises providing a coulomb capability and a coulomb capacity of the energy storage system based on the open circuit voltage, and determining at least one of an energy capability or an energy capacity of the energy storage system based on at least one of the coulomb capacity, coulomb capability, or combinations thereof. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074961 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR WITH ACTIVE SHIELD ELECTRODE - A capacitive sensor having an active shield electrode driven by a unity gain amplifier. Various arrangements using multiplexors or switch arrays may allow single shield with multiple sense electrodes. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074962 | VARIABLE CAPACITOR, POSITION INDICATOR, AND INPUT DEVICE - A variable capacitor is provided for use with an electronic circuit board including a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, to be built in a position indicator. The variable capacitor includes a dielectric having a first surface portion and a second surface portion opposite to the first surface portion, and a conductive elastic member having a board coupling portion and a dielectric contacting portion. The first terminal portion is coupled to the first surface portion, the second terminal portion is coupled to the board coupling portion, and the dielectric contacting portion is disposed separately from the second surface portion so as to face the second surface portion and is configured to be deformed to come in contact with the second surface portion of the dielectric. The variable capacitor is configured such that a contact area between the second surface portion and the dielectric contacting portion is changed in correspondence to a depressing force, which is applied against the dielectric contacting portion in a direction toward the dielectric, thereby changing an electrostatic capacitance of the variable capacitor. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074963 | CAPACITANCE DETECTION APPARATUS - Provided is a capacitance detection apparatus capable of effectively discriminating between an external factor due to e.g. water drops and a human-induced operation and allowing detection of occurrence of the human-induced operation with a simple arrangement. The apparatus alternately executes a first switching control process and a second switching control process, the first and second switching control processes executing a second switch operation with different charging periods from each other. In each of the first and second switching control processes, the number of repetition times of the second switch operation is counted until the potential of a terminal of a reference capacitance changes to a set potential. Based on the number of repetition times in at least one of the two switching control processes, presence/absence of change in determined capacitance (i.e. capacitance to be determined) is determined and based on the numbers of repetition times in the two control processes, it is determined whether the change in the determined capacitance is due to an event of detection interest or not. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074964 | DIFFERENTIAL SAND COMPACTION SENSOR - A device for monitoring the effectiveness of sand compaction on a production line comprising one or more sensors. The sensor's response measures the changes in sand compaction, which is affected by the mechanics of the vibration system, changes in the sand properties, and environmental changes. A sensor comprises multiple chambers where the sand is compacted, with each of these chambers having a different difficulty in resisting sand filling and compaction. The difficulty of filling and compacting the sand in these chambers can be controlled using factors such as geometry of each of the chambers and direction of the fill and compaction of sand. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074965 | AREA-VARYING CAPACITIVE SENSOR, AND SELF COMPENSATION AND SIGNAL LINEARIZATION METHOD THEREOF - An area varying capacitive sensor for substantially reducing a drift and an offset without performing a complicated process by linearizing a signal while automatically compensating the offset and the drift by additionally disposing an electrode and performing a simple signal process without applying complicated signal processing to an area varying capacitive sensor having a periodic electrode, a self compensation and signal linearization method of the area varying capacitive sensor are provided. A self compensation and signal linearization method of the sensor having four electrode sets that are disposed to generate a phase difference signal of 90 degrees comprises: controlling the four electrode sets to respectively output a signal with a phase difference of 90 degrees; acquiring two signals from which common signal components including a drift and an offset are eliminated by subtracting the signals that have opposite phases from among the signals that are output by the four electrode sets; controlling peak values of the two signals from which the common signal components are eliminated to have the same size, and acquiring two signals from which absolute values are taken; and comparing sizes of the two signals from which the absolute values are taken, taking a lesser value, and acquiring a linearized triangular wave. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074966 | Detector Responsive to Interactions of Varying Intensity - A detector comprising control circuitry and a sensor, responsive to interactions of varying intensities, comprising three layers. The first layer includes a first set of mutually connected electrically conducting elements and a second set of mutually connected electrically conducting elements. The third layer comprises an electrically conducting plane, and the second layer extends between the first and third layers. The electrical conductivity of the second layer varies in accordance with variations in the intensity of the interactions. In a first mode, the control circuit applies voltage between the first and third layers to generate a first current through the second layer, and provides a measurement of the first current. In a second mode, the control circuit applies voltage between the first and second sets of electrically conducting elements to generate a second current through the second layer, and provides a measurement of the second current. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074967 | MOISTURE DETECTION SENSORS FOR BUILDING STRUCTURES - A moisture detection sensor is used in a building structure to detect moisture penetration is a flat self-adhesive tape. It includes a substrate of dielectric, hydrophobic material. Two elongate, parallel, conductors are secured to the top surface and a protective layer of non-hygroscopic, water pervious material secured over the conductors. A pressure sensitive adhesive on a bottom surface of the substrate is covered with a release sheet. The sensor may include moisture probes which penetrate the protective layer, the respective conductors and the substrate and to extend into a building component to which the substrate has been adhered. Each probe is made from a conductive, corrosion resistant material. This is particularly useful with water absorbent building materials, such as wood, where the surface may appear dry, but the body is impregnated with water. The preferred moisture probe is a U-shaped metal staple driven by a power stapler. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074968 | METHOD FOR SULFUR-BASED CORROSION TESTING - A method for performing corrosion testing is provided. The method includes applying a thin film of silicone to an electrical device to be tested, positioning the device in a chamber, connecting the device to electrical testing equipment for determining any change in electrical resistance of the device, and disposing a gaseous compound of sulfur in the chamber. The method also comprises monitoring the device for any change in electrical resistance for indicating failure of the device. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074969 | COUPON HOLDER FOR CORROSION MEASUREMENT - A non-metallic coupon holder assembly comprising a non-metallic support structure and a plurality of coupon holders. The pluralities of coupon holders are disposed throughout the non-metallic support structure wherein the pluralities of coupon holders are designed to secure a metal coupon on at least two edges. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074970 | Resistance Changing Sensor - A sensor configured to experience resistance changes in response to an external interaction is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first layer of a conductive material having a first electrode connected thereto; a second intermediate layer of a material having a resistance sensitive to said external interaction; and a third layer consisting of a first set of fingers interdigitated with a second set of fingers. The first set of fingers has a second electrode attached thereto whilst the second set of fingers has a third electrode attached thereto. The second layer comprises a layer formed of a quantum tunnelling composite. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074971 | MEASURING DEVICE FOR ELECTRICALLY MEASURING A FLAT MEASUREMENT STRUCTURE THAT CAN BE CONTACTED ON ONE SIDE - A measuring device for electrically measuring a measurement structure that can be electrically contacted at one measuring side, in particular an optoelectronic element, such as a solar cell, including at least two contacting units for electrically contacting the measurement structure and at least one support element for supporting the measurement structure with the measuring side on the support element. It is essential that the measuring device includes at least one suction line for the connection to the suction unit and at least one suction opening that is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the suction line, wherein the suction opening is arranged in and/or on the support element such that the measurement structure can be pressed against the support element by suctioning via the suction opening. When the measurement structure rests on the support element, the contacting unit can be pressed against the measuring side of the measurement structure for the electrical contacting thereof. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074972 | SENSOR SELF-DIAGNOSTICS USING MULTIPLE SIGNAL PATHS - Embodiments relate to systems and methods for sensor self-diagnostics using multiple signal paths. In an embodiment, the sensors are magnetic field sensors, and the systems and/or methods are configured to meet or exceed relevant safety or other industry standards, such as SIL standards. For example, a monolithic integrated circuit sensor system implemented on a single semiconductor ship can include a first sensor device having a first signal path for a first sensor signal on a semiconductor chip; and a second sensor device having a second signal path for a second sensor signal on the semiconductor chip, the second signal path distinct from the first signal path, wherein a comparison of the first signal path signal and the second signal path signal provides a sensor system self-test. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074973 | ON-DIE PARAMETRIC TEST MODULES FOR IN-LINE MONITORING OF CONTEXT DEPENDENT EFFECTS - An integrated circuit (IC) die has an on-die parametric test module. A semiconductor substrate has die area, and a functional IC formed on an IC portion of the die area including a plurality of circuit elements configured for performing a circuit function. The on-die parametric test module is formed on the semiconductor substrate in a portion of the die area different from the IC portion. The on-die parametric test module includes a reference layout that provides at least one active reference MOS transistor, wherein the active reference MOS transistor has a reference spacing value for each of a plurality of context dependent effect parameters. A plurality of different variant layouts are included on the on-die parametric test module. Each variant layout provides at least one active variant MOS transistor that provides a variation with respect to the reference spacing value for at least one of the context dependent effect parameters. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074974 | Test Unit and Test System - A test unit to be used with a tester that tests an electrical characteristic of a circuit formed in a wafer includes a tester a board electrically connected to the tester; a first wireless port mounted on a lower surface of the tester board and electrically connected to the tester; a probe board that includes a probe to be in contact with an electrode pad of the electronic circuit, and is configured so that the probe board may be transferred along with the wafer into the system box while the probe and the electrode pad are in contact with each other; a second wireless port that is mounted on an upper surface of the probe board and electrically connected to the probe, and carries out contactless transmission/reception with the first wireless port; a chuck plate that is away from the tester board, and holds the probe board and the wafer; and a flexible expandable chamber that may be inflated by introducing gas thereinto. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074975 | MICRO POSITIONING TEST SOCKET AND METHODS FOR ACTIVE PRECISION ALIGNMENT AND CO-PLANARITY FEEDBACK - Methods and structures for testing a microelectronic packaging structure/device are described. Those methods may include placing a device in a floating carrier, wherein the floating carrier is coupled to a socket housing by pin dowels disposed in four corners of the socket housing, and wherein at least two actuating motors are disposed within the socket housing, and micro adjusting the device by utilizing a capacitive coupled or a fiber optic alignment system wherein a maximum measured capacitance or maximum measured intensity between alignment structures disposed in the socket housing and alignment package balls disposed within the device indicate optimal alignment of the device. Methods further include methods for active co-planarity detection through the use of a capacitive-coupled techniques. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074976 | WAFER TESTING SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE - A wafer testing system and associated methods of use and manufacture are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the wafer testing system includes an assembly for releaseably attaching a wafer to a wafer translator and the wafer translator to an interposer by means of separately operable vacuums, or pressure differentials. The assembly includes a wafer translator support ring coupled to the wafer translator, wherein a first flexible material extends from the wafer translator support ring so as to enclose the space between the wafer translator and the interposer so that the space may be evacuated by a first vacuum through one or more first evacuation paths. The assembly can further include a wafer support ring coupled to the wafer and the chuck, wherein a second flexible material extends from wafer support ring so as to enclose the space between the wafer and the wafer translator so that the space may be evacuated by a second vacuum through one or more second evacuation pathways. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074977 | WAFER PROBE STATION CAPABLE OF ACTIVELY CONTROLLING TILT OF CHUCK AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF - The wafer probe station includes: a plurality of the pressure sensors; a tilt correction unit which is constructed with a plurality of actuators, a plurality of displacement sensors which are disposed at positions adjacent to the corresponding actuators and a microcomputer; and a control unit which allows the wafer to be come in contact with the probe card by lifting up a Z-axis stage by a predetermined overdriving amount, extracts the pressure values of the installation positions from the pressure sensors, calculates driving amounts of the actuators of the tilt correction unit by using the pressure values so that a uniform load is applied to the chuck, calculates X and Y directional displacement values w occurring according to a change in a tilt of the chuck, lifts down the Z-axis stage, and after that, corrects an eccentric load of the chuck by driving the actuators of the tilt correction unit according to the driving amounts, and controls movement of the XY-axis stage by using the X and Y directional displacement values w. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately sense an eccentric load occurring at the time of performing the overdriving, and it is possible to rapidly and accurately perform initial setting for the eccentric load by adjusting a tilt of the chuck, so that it is possible to reduce a read time of a testing process. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074978 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING ESD EVENTS IN CABLED DEVICES - An audit device according to one embodiment includes a substrate; at least one test element coupled to the substrate; a connector adapted for coupling the at least one test element to leads of a cable; and a probe for detecting at least one of: voltage across and current through the at least one test element. Additional systems and methods are also presented. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074979 | PROBE BLOCK - There is provided a probe block comprising a probe including first contact portions, second contact portions, and beams connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion and a guide where the probe is inserted and supported, wherein the probe block is installed in a probe card for inspecting a semiconductor chip. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074980 | SCRIBE LINE TEST MODULES FOR IN-LINE MONITORING OF CONTEXT DEPENDENT EFFECTS FOR ICs INCLUDING MOS DEVICES - An apparatus includes a plurality of die areas having integrated circuit (IC) die each having circuit elements for performing a circuit function, and scribe line areas between the die areas. At least one test module is formed in the scribe line areas. The test module includes a reference layout that includes at least one active reference MOS transistor that has a reference spacing value for each of a plurality of context dependent effect parameters, and a plurality of variant layouts. Each variant layout provides at least one active variant MOS transistor that provides a variation with respect to the reference spacing values for at least one of the plurality of context dependent effect parameters. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074981 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEVICE PARAMETER MEASUREMENT - A method of measuring a parameter of a device in a circuit includes providing a device under test (DUT). The DUT includes a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor having a gate, a source, and a drain coupled to a first voltage supply node. The method further includes coupling a constant current source to the source of the transistor, coupling an operational amplifier to the transistor, and measuring a parameter of the transistor. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074982 | DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE OPERATION OF A DIGITAL CIRCUIT - A digital electronic circuit includes: a plurality of sequential elements; at least one data-conducting path connecting an input sequential element to a destination sequential element; a clock outputting a clock signal on a clock tree for setting the speed of the sequential elements; a monitoring device receiving, as an input, at least one data signal traveling on a conducting path and arriving at a destination sequential element, the monitoring device including: a module for defining at least one detection window according to the clock tree; and a detector for detecting a transition of each data signal received during a detection window; and wherein each detection window is defined so as to enable the detection or anticipation of a fault corresponding to a violation of the rise time or the maintenance time of a data signal relative to a clock signal edge received by the destination sequential element receiving the data signal. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074983 | Integrated Circuit with Configurable On-Die Termination - Described are integrated-circuit die with differential receivers, the inputs of which are coupled to external signal pads. Termination legs coupled to the signal pads support multiple termination topologies. These termination legs can support adjustable impedances, capacitances, or both, which may be controlled using an integrated memory. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074984 | LOOK-UP TABLE CIRCUITS AND FIELD PROGRAMMABLE GATE ARRAY - A look-up table circuit according to an embodiment includes: a variable resistance circuit including variable resistance devices and selecting a variable resistance device from the variable resistance devices based on an input signal; a reference circuit having a resistance value between the largest resistance value and the smallest resistance value of the variable resistance circuit; a first n-channel MOSFET including a source connected to a terminal of the variable resistance circuit and a gate connected to a drain; a second n-channel MOSFET including a source connected to a terminal of the reference circuit and a gate connected to the gate of the first n-channel MOSFET; a first current supply circuit to supply a current to the variable resistance circuit; a second current supply circuit to supply a current to the reference circuit; and a comparator comparing voltages at a first input terminal and a second input terminal. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074985 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - In the case where data is rewritten in a delay period of a signal in a flip flop and a shift register which use an inverted clock signal, current inhibiting charging may flow, whereby data cannot written quickly, so that charging is not completed, which makes operation unstable. In view of the above, a flip flop and a shift register without using an inverted clock signal, which have high stability are provided. Current inhibiting charging of a node where that current inhibiting charging flows is cut off at the time of rewriting data so that data is rewritten quickly. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074986 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A high-accuracy clock signal is generated even when the settings of the clock frequency are changed or there is a variation in power supply, temperature, or the like. A frequency-voltage conversion circuit includes a switch portion including switches, electrostatic capacitive elements, and other switches. The electrostatic capacitive elements have different absolute capacitance values, and are provided so as to cover a frequency range intended by a designer. For example, based on 4-bit frequency adjustment control signals, the other switches select the electrostatic capacitive elements having the electrostatic capacitance values thereof each weighted with 2 to perform the switching of a frequency. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074987 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR BUFFERING - A buffer is provided. The buffer includes a first switch and a second switch coupled in series at a first output node, a third switch and a fourth switch coupled in series at a second output node, a first current source and a second current source. The first current source is coupled with one side to the first switch and the third switch and with another side to a first supply voltage, the second current source is coupled with one side to the second switch and the fourth switch and with a second side to a second supply voltage. The first current source is configured to adjust an output swing in a first operation mode and in a second operation. The second current source is configured to adjust a common mode voltage level of the output signal in the first operation mode and to provide maximum series resistance in the second operation mode. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074988 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH DYNAMIC DRIVE STRENGTH ADJUSTMENT TO MITIGATE IMPACT OF SYSTEM NOISE ON WIRELESS PERFORMANCE - Electronic devices such as portable computers may contain circuits that generate radio-frequency noise. The radio-frequency noise may interfere with the operation of sensitive circuitry such as wireless communications circuitry. The circuits that generate the radio-frequency noise may include differential signal drivers that drive signals onto communications lines such as lines in a bus or output interface. A control circuit may power the drivers at an adjustable driver voltage bias level. The amount of noise that is generated by the drivers may vary as a function of the voltage bias level and may produce different amounts of noise at different wireless frequencies. Computer lid position and other factors may also influence the amount of interference that is generated. The control circuit may determine the current operating state of the device and may make voltage bias level adjustments that minimize interference between the drivers and the wireless circuitry. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074989 | INDUCTIVE LOAD DRIVING DEVICE - An inductive load driving device includes a first switching element, a second switching element, a counter current regeneration circuit, and a circuit element protection circuit. The first switching element is coupled between an output terminal of the power circuit and one end of the inductive load. The second switching element is coupled between the other end of the inductive load and a ground terminal. The counter current regeneration circuit is configured to supply to the output terminal of the power circuit, a counter current output from the other end of the inductive load when the first and second switching elements are in off-state. The circuit element protection circuit is configured to turn on the second switching element when a value of the output voltage of the power circuit becomes equal to or more than a threshold value. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074990 | Injection-Locked Oscillator - A signal generator for generating an output signal with a frequency that is a multiple of a frequency of a reference signal, the signal generator including an oscillator configured to generate the output signal in dependence on the reference signal and a control signal and a control circuit configured to generate the control signal to comprise a series of pulses in which one or more of the pulses is offset in phase relative to the reference signal, the control circuit thereby being capable of controlling the frequency and/or phase of the output signal. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074991 | RESET SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION - Methods, circuits and systems may operate to generate a reset signal at an input reset block and synchronously distribute the reset signal, via a number of pipelined reset blocks, to multiple ports of a core circuit. The reset signal may be transmitted successively to each of the pipelined reset blocks to provide delayed reset signals having delay times. The delay times may be based on locations of the pipelined reset blocks in the reset circuit. On or more of the delayed reset signals may be programmably coupled to one or more ports of the core circuit. Additional methods, circuits, and systems are disclosed. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074992 | CIRCUIT MODULE - A circuit module includes: control object circuits which start operations when a power supply voltage reaches a target value; a current sink circuit which consumes a current supplied thereto; and a power supply activation control unit which increases the current flowing into the current sink circuit at a predetermined rate before starting the operations of the control object circuits and which starts the operations of the control object circuits and simultaneously blocks the supply of the current to the current sink circuit in a case where an amount of the current flowing into the current sink circuit is equivalent to an amount of current to be increased by starting the operations of the control object circuits when the power supply voltage reaches the target value. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074993 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE, ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD THEREFOR - An integrated circuit device includes at least one controllable oscillator including a first control port and at least one further control port, at least one frequency control module including an output arranged to provide a frequency control signal. The at least one controllable oscillator further includes at least one compensation module including an output arranged to provide at least one compensation signal. The at least one compensation module includes an integrator component arranged to receive at an input thereof a signal that is representative of a difference between the indication of the frequency control signal and a reference signal, and to output an integrated difference signal. The at least one compensation module is arranged to generate the at least one compensation signal based at least partly on the integrated difference signal output by the integrator component. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074994 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING PHASES OFA MASTER CLOCK AND A SLAVE CLOCK - The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for aligning the phases of a master clock and a slave clock; and the method comprises the following steps: A. locking a phase of a master clock; B. measuring phase difference between a slave clock and the master clock; and C. adjusting a phase output by the slave clock so as to align it with the phase of the master clock based on the phase difference measured in Step B. The present invention also discloses an apparatus for aligning the phases of a master clock and a slave clock. By measuring the phase difference between the master clock and the slave clock, and aligning the phases of the master clock and the slave clock according to the phase difference the present invention improves the precision of phase alignment without increasing costs. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074995 | Fractional-N PLL Using Multiple Phase Comparison Frequencies to Improve Spurious Signal Performance - SEARCHES A fractional spur compensation technique is implemented in a fractional-N PLL using multiple phase comparison frequencies F | 2012-03-29 |
20120074996 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING PHASE OFFSET ERRORS IN A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A frequency synthesizer that utilizes locked loop circuitry, for example delay locked loop and/or phase locked loop circuits is provided with a means for minimizing static phase/delay errors. An auto-tuning circuit and technique provide a measurement of static phase error by integrating the static phase error in the DLL/PLL circuit. A correction value is determined and applied as a current at the charge pump or as a time/phase offset at the phase detector to minimize static phase error. During normal operation the DLL/PLL is operated with the correction value resulting in substantially reduced spur levels and/or improved settling time. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074997 | PHASE-LOCKED LOOP BASED FREQUENCY SYNTHESIZER AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A phase-locked loop based frequency synthesizer generates a plurality of output reference signals by phase-delaying an input reference signal and generates a plurality of comparison signals by using a signal having a frequency divided by the fractional frequency divider. Here, the comparison signals are lower than the divided frequency. Further, the phase-locked loop based frequency synthesizer controls an output frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator through phase and frequency comparison between the plurality of output reference signals and the plurality of comparison signals. | 2012-03-29 |
20120074998 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE, ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COMPENSATING FREQUENCY DRIFT OF A CONTROLLABLE OSCILLATOR - An integrated circuit device for compensating frequency drift of a controllable oscillator is described. The integrated circuit device includes at least one compensation module including: an input for receiving at least an indication of a frequency control signal (vci) from at least one frequency control module; and an output for providing at least one compensation signal (vct) to the controllable oscillator. The at least one compensation module is arranged to compare the at least indication of the frequency control signal (vci) with a reference voltage signal (vref); and generate the at least one compensation signal (vct) based at least partly on the comparison of the indication of the frequency control signal (vci) to the reference voltage signal (vref). | 2012-03-29 |
20120074999 | SCHMITT TRIGGER CIRCUIT OPERATED BASED ON PULSE WIDTH - There are provided a Schmitt trigger circuit that has hysteresis characteristics in which a release point and an operating point are determined based on a width of an inputted pulse. The Schmitt trigger circuit may include a signal/pulse conversion unit that receives an analog signal to generate an input pulse having a width corresponding to a magnitude of the analog signal, a pulse width determination unit that compares the width of the input pulse generated in the signal/pulse conversion unit with a predetermined first threshold width and a second threshold width greater than the first threshold width to output state information indicating the compared result, and an output determination unit that outputs a high signal, when the width of the input pulse is changed from a state of being smaller than the second threshold width to a state of being greater than the second threshold width based on the state information, and outputs a low signal when the width of the input pulse is changed from a state of being greater than the first threshold width to a state of being smaller thali the first threshold width based on the state information. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075000 | DRIVER AND HIGH VOLTAGE DRIVE CIRCUIT INCLUDING THE SAME - A high voltage drive circuit includes an edge detector for generating an edge detection signal by detecting edges of a first high side input signal and a first low side input signal, the edge detector providing a high side delay signal and a low side delay signal by delaying the first high side input signal and the first low side input signal, a dead time generator for generating a dead time signal indicating a preset dead time in response to the edge detection signal, and a driver comprising a drive signal generator for providing a high side output signal and a low side output signal by inserting the preset dead time based on the dead time signal into the high side delay signal and the low side delay signal. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075001 | LEVEL SHIFT CIRCUIT AND SWITCHING REGULATOR USING THE SAME - A level shift circuit includes an input port to which an input signal is input, a first signal amplifying unit configured to amplify the input signal input to the input port, a node at the first signal amplifying unit to output the amplified signal, a level shift input port to which a level shift voltage for controlling a DC level of the node is input, a first supply voltage configured to drive the first signal amplifying unit, and a level shift voltage generation circuit configured to generate the first supply voltage and the level shift voltage. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075002 | HIGH-FREQUENCY SWITCH MODULE - A high-frequency switch module that significantly reduces deterioration of high-frequency characteristics and improves harmonic wave distortion characteristics includes a high-frequency switch and SAW filters mounted on a multilayer substrate. Low pass filters are provided within the multilayer substrate. The terminals of the high-frequency switch are located on the bottom surface of the semiconductor substrate. The high-frequency switch includes a high-frequency circuit ground terminal and a control circuit ground terminal, the multilayer substrate includes therein a ground electrode which is electrically connected to a top surface connection electrode to which the high-frequency circuit ground terminal is connected, and a wiring electrode electrically connected to a top surface connection electrode to which the control circuit ground terminal is connected is arranged so as to be insulated from the ground electrode. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075003 | ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT - An electronic circuit includes: first through third transistors having a control terminal, first and second terminals; a first direct current path supplying a direct current having passed through between the first terminal and the second terminal of at least one of the second transistor and the third transistor to the second terminal of the transistor at former position compared to the transistor through which the direct current passed; a second direct current path that is different from the first direct current path and supplies a direct current having passed through between the first terminal and the second terminal of at least one of the second transistor and the third transistor to the second terminal of the transistor at former position compared to the transistor through which the direct current passed; and a common coupling point coupling the first direct current path and the second direct current path in common. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075004 | SWITCH AND METHOD OF CONTROL THE SAME - A switch includes, a common terminal, a first terminal, a second terminal, a first FET having a first source, a first drain and a first gate, one of the first source and the first drain being coupled to the common terminal, the other of the first source and the first drain being coupled to the first terminal, and a second FET having a second source, a second drain and a second gate, one of the second source and the second drain being coupled to the common terminal, the other of the second source and the second drain being coupled to the second terminal. The first FET is controlled to a turn-off state by an absolute voltage of the first gate which is smaller than an absolute voltage of the second gate to control a turning-off state for the second transistor. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075005 | Closed Loop Adaptive Voltage Scaling - An integrated circuit is provided with a set of sensors for scaling voltage based on performance of the integrated circuit. The set of sensors are monitored, and sensor provides an output value indicative of a performance metric of the integrated circuit. The output values from the set of sensors are combined using a calibrated model to determine when a threshold value is reached. A change to an operating voltage for a portion of the integrated circuit is initiated in response to reaching the threshold. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075006 | ZERO PIN SERIAL INTERFACE - A method for controlling performance of an integrated circuit using a zero-pin serial interface is provided. The method comprises identifying a desired performance characteristic of the circuit, and transmitting a first change mode signal to the circuit on a first pin to cause the circuit to enter an instruction reception mode, with the first pin performing differently during a normal operation mode. The method also comprises transmitting a performance adjusting instruction to the circuit on a second pin when the circuit is in the instruction reception mode, with the second pin performing differently during the normal operation mode, and transmitting a second change mode signal to the circuit on the first pin to cause the circuit to enter the normal operation mode. An output performance of the circuit is compared to the desired performance characteristic, with the output performance being the performance of the circuit during the normal operation mode. The circuit is set to permanently provide the output performance when the output performance is within a desired tolerance of the desired performance characteristic. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075007 | REFERENCE CURRENT GENERATING CIRCUIT, REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATING CIRCUIT, AND TEMPERATURE DETECTION CIRCUIT - A reference current generating circuit with high current mirror accuracy is provided by low power supply voltage operation. The reference current generating circuit includes a cascode current mirror circuit | 2012-03-29 |
20120075008 | GRAPHENE DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - The graphene device may include an upper oxide layer on at least one embedded gate, and a graphene channel and a plurality of electrodes on the upper oxide layer. The at least one embedded gate may be formed on the substrate. The graphene channel may be formed on the plurality of electrodes, or the plurality of electrodes may be formed on the graphene channel. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075009 | Charge Pump - A charge pump for transmitting energy and data has a primary side, a secondary side and a first coupling capacitance by way of which the primary side is connected to the secondary side, wherein the primary side is designed to periodically transmit energy in the form of a charge packet to the secondary side with the first coupling capacitance during a charge pump interval, the primary side being designed to impress an item of data on the charge pump interval by modulation, wherein the secondary side is designed to receive the item of data by demodulating the charge pump interval, wherein the secondary side is designed to impress an item of data on the charge pump interval by modulation, and wherein the primary side is designed to receive the item of data by demodulation of the charge pump interval. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075010 | DISCHARGE CIRCUIT FOR VOLTAGE MULTIPLIERS - An embodiment of a discharge circuit for evacuating electric charge accumulated in circuit nodes of a charge pump during a discharge phase consequent to a shutdown of the charge pump is proposed. The charge pump is configured to bias each circuit node with a corresponding pump voltage during an operational phase of the charge pump. The discharge circuit includes a generator circuit configured to generate a discharge current during the discharge phase. The discharge circuit further includes means for evacuating the electric charge stored in each circuit node of the charge pump during a corresponding portion of the discharge phase; such means for evacuating include a respective discharge stage for each circuit node of the charge pump. Each discharge stage includes a first discharge circuit branch and a second discharge circuit branch coupled to the corresponding circuit node. The discharge stage is configured to cause the discharge current flowing through the first discharge circuit branch—during the portion of the discharge phase of the corresponding circuit node—when the pump voltage of the corresponding circuit node is higher than a respective threshold, and through the second discharge circuit branch when the pump voltage of the corresponding circuit node is lower than said respective threshold. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075011 | Tunable Biquad Filter Circuit Including Phase Shift Detection and Methods for Using Such - Various embodiments of the present invention provide tunable filter circuits and methods for using such. As an example, a tunable biquad filter is disclosed that includes a tunable biquad circuit, a mixer circuit and a low pass filter. The tunable biquad circuit exhibits a cutoff frequency corresponding to an adjustment value, and is operable to receive an filter input and to provide a filter output. The mixer circuit is operable to provide a product of the filter input and the filter output. The product includes a time dependent component and a static component. The low pass filter is operable to receive the product and to provide the static component. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075012 | Systems and Methods for Filter Initialization and Tuning - Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data filter tuning. As an example, a method for filter tuning is disclosed that includes: providing a tunable filter having an operation filter and a calibration filter; applying a low frequency test input to the operation filter in place of an input signal to yield a first filter output; calculating a low frequency magnitude value corresponding to the first filter output; applying a high frequency test input to the operation filter in place of an input signal to yield a second filter output; calculating a high frequency magnitude value corresponding to the second filter output; modifying a tuning factor of the calibration filter when a ratio of the high frequency magnitude value and the low frequency magnitude value is outside of a defined range; and storing the tuning factor of the calibration filter when the ratio of the high frequency magnitude value and the low frequency magnitude value is within the defined range. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075013 | Organic Zener Diode, Electronic Circuit, and Method for Operating an Organic Zener Diode - This disclosure relates to an organic zener diode having one electrode and one counter electrode, and an organic layer arrangement formed between the electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the organic layer arrangement includes the following organic layers: an electrically n-doped charge carrier injection layer on the electrode side, made from a mixture of an organic matrix material and an n-dopant, an electrically p-doped charge carrier injection layer on the counter electrode side, made from a mixture of another organic matrix material and a p-dopant, and an electrically undoped organic intermediate layer that is arranged between the electrically n-doped charge carrier injection layer on the electrode side and the electrically p-doped charge carrier injection layer on the counter electrode side. An electronic circuit arrangement with an organic zener diode and method for operating an organic zener diode are also provided. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075014 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HIGH-SENSITIVITY DETECTION OF INPUT BIAS CURRENT - The invention relates to systems and methods for high-sensitivity detection of input bias current. The invention more particularly relates to platforms and techniques for the calibration and measurement of input bias current in op amps or other devices. In embodiments, the platform can incorporate a servo loop connected to a high-sensitivity test amplifier, such as an instrumentation amplifier. The test amplifier can complete a switchable circuit with the servo loop and detect a calibration input bias current for the test platform, without a production device in place. The device under test can be switched into the servo loop, and the total bias current measured with both the device under test and test amplifier in-circuit. The difference between the measured current with the device inserted and the previously measured calibration current represents the bias current for the subject device, without attaching external meters or requiring reference parts of the production type. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075015 | Amplifier and method for linearizing same - An amplifier circuit and method are described for linearizing the gain of a voltage or current feedback amplifier that is non-linear. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075016 | CALIBRATE OUTPUT MATCHING FOR CORRECT OUTPUT POWER - A calibration unit calibrates a power amplifier load impedance to achieve a nominal amplifier load impedance after the connection of one or more external elements, e.g., antenna, to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of output power calibration. The calibration unit comprises an adaptive impedance unit and a controller. The adaptive impedance unit includes first and second variable impedance elements connected between the amplifier and the external load, e.g., antenna. The controller independently calibrates the imaginary and real parts of the load impedance by respectively selecting first and second calibration values for the first and second variable impedance elements based on a reference voltage. More particularly, the controller selects calibration values for the first and second variable impedance elements from a plurality of impedance values based on a comparison between a reference voltage and the calibrated voltages produced at the output of the power amplifier responsive to the impedance values. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075017 | ATTENUATOR - An attenuator includes a first 3 dB bridge, a second 3 dB bridge and an amplifying tube group, where the amplifying tube group includes a first amplifying tube and a second amplifying tube, a drain of the first amplifying tube is connected to a first output port of the first 3 dB bridge, a source of the first amplifying tube is connected to a first input port of the second 3 dB bridge, a drain of the second amplifying tube is connected to a second output port of the first 3 dB bridge, and a source of the second amplifying tube is connected to a second input port of the second 3 dB bridge; where gates of the first amplifying tube and the second amplifying tube are respectively connected to the same voltage source or different voltage sources having the same voltage. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075018 | POWER AMPLIFIER AND TRANSMITTER - A power amplifier is provided, which includes a power dividing unit, a first power amplification tributary, a second power amplification tributary, and an impedance conversion unit. Input ends of the first power amplification tributary and the second power amplification tributary are coupled to two output ends of the power dividing unit respectively. An output end of the first power amplification tributary is coupled to an output end of the second power amplification tributary through the impedance conversion unit. Rated power of a peak power amplifier in the second power amplification tributary is greater than that of a main power amplifier in the first power amplification tributary. The beneficial effects of the present invention lie in that larger back-off exists at the peak of an efficiency curve of the power amplifier, and in the case that power is back-off, efficiency of the power amplifier is improved. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075019 | PA LOAD-LINE TUNING WITH CAPACITORS AROUND A BALUN - An on-chip power amplifier includes first and second variable capacitors connected in parallel with first and second windings, respectively, of an on-chip balun. The first balun winding connects between the differential outputs of an on-chip differential amplifier. Varying the first variable capacitor changes the imaginary part of the load impedance of the differential amplifier, while varying the second variable capacitor changes the real part of the load impedance of the differential amplifier. In one embodiment, the first and second variable capacitors are generally orthogonal, such that the first and second variable capacitors are less than 25% correlated. As a result, varying the first variable capacitor has little impact on the real part of the load impedance, and varying the second variable capacitor has little impact on the imaginary part of the load impedance. In this way the load impedance can be tuned to the optimum performance. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075020 | NETWORK COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ABNORMAL LOAD - A network communication device includes a processor, an amplifier circuit, a matching circuit including a transmitting route and a coupling route, a storage module, and a detection and control module. The network communication device generate electronic signals, and outputs the electronic signals to a load via the transmitting route after the electronic signals being amplified and matched. Then the network communication device detects output signals and reflection signals of the coupling route to calculate a safety parameter accordingly, compares the calculated safety parameter with one or more safety parameter thresholds, and generates control signals to control the amplifier circuit. The network communication device determines if the load is abnormal according to the control signals and generates load abnormal signals if the load is abnormal. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075021 | WIDEBAND LOW NOISE SENSOR AMPLIFIER CIRCUIT - A circuit having a sensor with a stray capacitance value. An output from the sensor is connected to the input of an amplifier while a negative capacitance circuit is electrically connected in parallel with the sensor output. The negative capacitance circuit reduces the effect of the sensor stray capacitance to provide an increased bandwidth and decreased noise on the amplifier output. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075022 | DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER - A differential amplifier includes a pair of input transistors, a pair of load transistors, a pair of impedance devices, a pair of auxiliary input transistors, and a pair of shield transistors is provided. The input transistors provide two input terminals. The load transistors provide two output terminals and two first terminals connected to first voltage. The impedance devices are coupled between the output terminals in series. The auxiliary input transistors have two control terminals respectively connected to the input terminals, two first terminals, and two second terminals. The input transistors and the auxiliary input transistors have reverse conductive type. The shield transistors has a pair of control terminals, a pair of first terminals respectively connected to the second terminals of the auxiliary input transistors and coupled to a second voltage through a pair of current sources, and a pair of second terminals respectively connected to the output terminals. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075023 | HYBRID RECONFIGURABLE MULTI-BANDS MULTI-MODES POWER AMPLIFIER MODULE - The present invention provides a single chain power amplifier for a multi-mode and/or multi band wireless communication. The power amplifier comprise switchable input, inter-stage and output matching networks as well as active periphery adjustable driver stage power device and power stage power device. Switches and bias are configured for each frequency band and/or wireless communication standard. A driver stage power device, switches, control and bias circuitry, input matching, inter-stage matching and a part of output matching is fabricated on CMOS Silicon On Insulator process (SOI), while a power stage power device maybe fabricated by Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) processing. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075024 | OSCILLATOR, OSCILLATOR IMPLEMENTATIONS AND METHOD OF GENERATING AN OSCIALLATING SIGNAL - One embodiment of the oscillator includes a first starved inverter and a second starved inverter. An inner inverter of the second starved inverter is cross-coupled to an inner inverter of the first starved inverter. The oscillator further includes a first inverter connected to output of the inner inverter of the first starved inverter, and a second inverter connected to output of the inner inverter of the second starved inverter. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075025 | OSCILLATING CIRCUIT - An oscillating circuit includes N nodes outputting oscillating signals, a main loop circuit including N inverting circuits, and a plurality of auxiliary loop circuits. Each inverting circuit in the auxiliary loop circuits is connected in parallel with even numbers of inverting circuits cascaded in the main loop circuit. The circuits for feeding back signals from outputs to inputs of the respective inverters of the main loop circuit have circuit configurations equivalent to each other. Each inverting circuit in the main loop circuit and the auxiliary loop circuits drives an output line such that a phase of an output signal is inverted with respect to a phase of an input signal and has driving power that becomes lower when the phases of the output signal and the input signal are inverted with respect to each other than when the output signal and the input signal are in phase with each other. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075026 | PACKAGED DEVICE WITH ACOUSTIC RESONATOR AND ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A device includes: a base substrate having a bonding pad and a peripheral pad, the peripheral pad encompassing the bonding pad; an acoustic resonator on the base substrate; a cap substrate having a bonding pad seal and a peripheral pad seal, the bonding pad seal bonding around the perimeter of the bonding pad and the peripheral pad seal bonding with the peripheral pad to define a hermetically sealed volume between the cap substrate and the base substrate, the cap substrate having a through hole therein over the bonding pad providing access for a connection to the bonding pad; a low-resistivity material layer region disposed on a portion of a surface of the cap substrate disposed inside the hermetically sealed volume, the material layer region being isolated from the bonding pad seal; and electronic circuitry disposed in the material layer region and electrical connected with the acoustic resonator. | 2012-03-29 |
20120075027 | MEMS RESONATOR - A MEMS resonator comprises a resonator body ( | 2012-03-29 |
20120075028 | LC Oscillator - An oscillator including a capacitive element and an inductive element for generating an output signal having a predetermined frequency, the capacitive element comprising two or more capacitive arrays, each array having one or more capacitors that are switchably connectable in parallel with the inductive element so as to control the frequency of the output signal, and at least one of those arrays being connected to only part of the inductive element such that, when a capacitor in said one array is connected to that part, the resulting change in the frequency of the output signal is smaller than it would have been if the capacitor had been connected to the whole of the inductive element. | 2012-03-29 |