Abstract: A suspended micromachined structure including a proof mass and multiple support arms configured to suspend the mass above a substrate. At least one support arm may include two spring elements, each attached to the substrate as well as to a rigid lateral element. Thus, there may be three points of attachment along each lateral element. These points of attachment create three effective flexure points along each rigid lateral element that allow the proof mass to move with a great deal of freedom axially, parallel to the substrate. The linearity of the spring constant that acts on the proof mass may be improved.

Abstract: A latch and flip-flop are disclosed that have a reduced clock-to-q delay and/or a reduced setup time. This is preferably accomplished by providing both a data input signal and a complement data input signal to the latch or flip-flop. The data input signal and the complement data input signal are selectively connected to opposite sides of a pair of cross-coupled gates via a switch or the like. The switch is preferably controlled by an enable signal, such as a clock. With the switch elements enabled, the data input signal is passed directly to a data output terminal, and the complement data input signal is passed directly to a complement data output signal. Because the data input signal is passed directly to a data output terminal, and the complement data input signal is passed directly to a complement data output signal, the clock-to-q time may be reduced.

Abstract: A microbeam interconnection method is provided to connect integrated circuit bond pads to substrate contacts. Conductive leads (microbeams) are releasably formed, by a process such as electroplating or vacuum deposition, over a release layer deposited on a ceramic, glass or similar carrier. The microbeam material adheres only very weakly to the release layer. After the inner ends of the microbeams have been bonded to IC bond pads, such as by flip chip bump bonding, and the integrated circuit has been fully tested, the IC is lifted away from the carrier, causing the microbeams to peel away from the release layer. After straightening the microbeams against a flat surface, the outer ends of the microbeams may then be bonded to contacts on an MCM or other substrate. The method permits full electrical testing at speed and high speed bonding. The method significantly reduces mechanical stresses in interconnect bonds and thereby improves integrated circuit reliability.

Abstract: A radar altimeter for determining altitude of an air vehicle with respect to ground comprises a digital sequencer for digitally modulating a first signal. A transmitter coupled to the digital sequencer transmits a radar signal including the modulated first signal toward the ground. A receiver receives a reflected radar signal from the ground. The received radar signal includes the modulated first signal. A digitizer coupled to the receiver generates digital samples of the modulated first signal. A digital signal processor coupled to the digitizer receives digital samples of the modulated first signal from the digitizer, demodulates the received digital samples, processes the demodulated digital samples and outputs altitude data based on the demodulated digital samples.

Abstract: Affixing together two articles includes placing a frit preform with an adhesive material on the surface of either article. The preform and the articles are heated to cause the frit material to liquify and then cooled to affix together the two articles at the junction of the two articles.

Abstract: The inventive radar rangefinder has a transmitting/receiving antenna (22) for surveying a danger area. Said antenna is located in a radome housing (12), on a rotatable platform (18). A reflector is placed at a known distance in order to calibrate the device. This reflector is formed by an auxiliary antenna (24) with a connected delay line (26) inside the randome housing (12). The length of the virtual distance of the reflector produced then corresponds to the velocity factor of the delay line used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving the planarization of a top layer deposited over a patterned layer on a semiconductor wafer. The patterned layer may include both small and large features. Openings, grooves, or trenches are etched partially or completely through certain larger target features in the patterned layer in an effort to mimic the topography of areas where the patterned layer includes smaller features. Subsequent deposition of the top layer may result in a more consistent or regular topography across the surface of the top layer. Accordingly, high areas on the top layer that contact a polishing pad of a CMP system will tend to be removed at a similar rate since the pressure exerted by each of the high areas will be similar.

Abstract: Signal isolator circuits using one or more magneto-resistive sensors are disclosed. In a first embodiment, a magneto-resistive sensor is used to sense an input magnetic field. A feedback circuit senses the output signal from the sensor, and applies a current to an output coil that substantially null out the input magnetic field at the magneto-resistive sensor. In another embodiment, the input signal is provided to a first magneto-resistive bridge sensor and an offset input signal is provided to a second magneto-resistive bridge sensor. Changes in sensitivity of the bridge sensors can be detected by comparing the output signal signals from the sensors. The excitation voltage that is applied to the sensors is then adjusted to compensate for any changes in sensitivity. It is contemplated that a single magneto-resistive bridge sensor may be used to effectively perform both measurements of the first and second magneto-resistive bridge sensors.

Abstract: A radar altimeter for determining altitude of an air vehicle comprises a transmitter for transmitting radar signals toward the ground. A first and a second antenna receive reflected radar signals from the ground. A signal processor is coupled to the first and the second antennas. The signal processor includes filter means for rejecting signals other than signals reflected from a selected ground swath. The signal processor determines the above ground level altitude of the air vehicle based on the radar signals output from the filter means. A phase ambiguity resolution means resolves phase ambiguities that arise due to multiple wavelength separation of the first and the second antenna. The signal processor also determines the horizontal position of the highest point in the selected ground swath.

Abstract: A glitch removal circuit is disclosed that removes negative glitches from those signals that are provided to circuit elements that are turned-on by negative glitches (e.g., p-channel transistors), and/or removes positive glitches from those signals that are provided to circuit elements that are turned on by positive glitches (e.g., n-channel transistors). The positive glitches need not be removed from those signals that are provided to the circuit elements that are turned-off by positive glitches (e.g., p-channel transistors), and the negative glitches need not be removed from those signals that are provided to circuit elements that are turned-off by negative glitches (e.g., n-channel transistors). An advantage of the present invention is that both positive and negative glitches can be removed in parallel, rather then serially. This can significantly increase the performance of some circuits, and may reduce the amount of glitch removal circuitry required.

Abstract: Helmet trackers include transmitters to transmit information regarding the orientation and position of the helmet, receivers to receive the information, and processors to process the information to determine the position and orientation of the helmet. An apparatus, connected to the transmitter, is used to attain a faster response time for the transmitter to transmit. Such apparatus may include an amplifier, a plurality of capacitors connected to the amplifier, a plurality of transistors each connected to a respective capacitor, and a controller connected to each transistor to control when a transistor turns on. The capacitors can store charge while the transistors are “off,” and once the transistors are turned “on”, an instant charge will exist to supply energy to the transmitter.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a disabled person play golf is described. The apparatus includes a frame, a rod, a golf club holder, and an actuator. The rod is rotatably mounted in the frame. The frame is secured to a ambulatory handicap device such as a wheelchair, walker, scooter, or golf cart. The golf club holder is connected to a distal end of the rod, and is adapted to releasably engage a golf club head. The actuator, conversely, is connected to a distal end of the rod so that the actuator is within reach of a person utilizing the handicap device. The person actuates the actuator to rotate the rod and swing the golf club head.