Abstract: An implant device which includes a structure implantable within a living animal and a sensor included as part of the structure. The sensor is operatively configured to detect accretion of biological material on the sensor by producing an output which varies as a function of the accretion of biological material on the sensor. A communication element is further included as part of the structure and is operatively coupled to the output of the sensor. The communication element is configured to communicate information based on the output of the sensor wirelessly to a remote element located outside the living animal.

Abstract: An analyzer apparatus and method is provided for analyzing restenosis associated with a stent implanted within a living body. The apparatus includes an input for receiving ultrasonic data from an ultrasonic imaging apparatus; digital memory for storing the ultrasonic data at least temporarily; a processor for analyzing the ultrasonic data, the processor being configured to analyze the data in accordance with at least one predefined criteria to diagnose a degree of restenosis experienced by the stent; and an output for outputting information indicative of the diagnosis.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a brake controller is provided for controlling an amount of braking force applied to a plurality of wheels of a vehicle running on a surface. Each of the plurality of wheels has a sensor for providing an output signal indicative of a corresponding speed of the wheel. The controller includes a state estimator which estimates an amount of friction between each of the plurality of wheels and the surface based on the output signals of the sensors, the estimated amount of friction for each wheel being based on the estimated amount of friction for the other wheels. The controller further includes a control output which adjusts the amount of braking force applied to the plurality of wheels based on the estimated amount of friction.

Abstract: An implant device is provided which is responsive to an external interrogation circuit. The implant device includes a structure implantable within a living animal and operatively configured to carry out or assist in carrying out a function within the living animal. The device further includes an electrically passive sensing circuit integral with the structure for sensing a parameter associated with the function. In particular, the sensing circuit includes an inductive element wherein the sensing circuit has a frequency dependent variable impedance loading effect on the interrogation circuit in response to an interrogation signal provided by the exciter/interrogator element, the impedance loading effect varying in relation to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: A device and system for remotely interrogating a diagnostic implant device utilizes acoustic energy to power and/or interrogate the device. Acoustic energy is utilized to excite the device from outside the body of a patient. By analyzing the response of the device to such excitation, it is possible to ascertain the condition of the device. Additionally, acoustic energy may be used to provide operating power to the device.

Abstract: An implant device which includes a structure implantable within a living animal and a sensor included as part of the structure. The sensor is operatively configured to detect accretion of biological material on the sensor by producing an output which varies as a function of the accretion of biological material on the sensor. A communication element is further included as part of the structure and is operatively coupled to the output of the sensor. The communication element is configured to communicate information based on the output of the sensor wirelessly to a remote element located outside the living animal.

Abstract: A printed wiring assembly rework tool and method which eliminates the need to remove a component from the printed wiring assembly in order to isolate a component pin from one or more printed circuits in the printed wiring assembly. The rework tool is able to mill or cut away a plated through hole and/or the area of the printed wiring assembly immediately surrounding the component pin without removing the component. Using the rework tool, the operation continues until the rework tool has either cut to a sufficient depth in the printed wiring assembly to sever a particular electrical connection, or the tool has cut all the way through the printed wiring assembly in order to completely isolate the component pin. The rework tool includes a pilot hole which accommodates the component pin as the tool cuts into the printed wiring assembly.

Abstract: A brake control system which employs an antiskid control and wheel lock protection differential reference controller to provide antiskid and antilock brake control. The differential reference controller is capable of estimating both wheel velocity and vehicle velocity based on a single wheel speed sensor input. To reduce the effects of wheel speed noise, the differential reference controller estimates the wheel velocity and vehicle velocity by carrying out parallel processes using identical processing functions. The estimated wheel velocity and vehicle velocity are subtracted providing a differential output indicative of the slip velocity. Only unique parameters for each process, derived from physical constants, are different. In this way, the wheel speed noise is introduced into both processes and canceled when the results are subtracted to obtain the slip velocity.

Abstract: A brake control system for controlling an amount of braking force applied to a wheel of a vehicle running on a surface, comprising a sensor for measuring a speed of the wheel and for providing an output signal indicative of the speed; and a controller, operatively coupled to the sensor, which implements a Kalman filter to estimate an amplitude and location of a peak in a mu-slip curve representative of a coefficient of friction between the wheel and the surface based on the output signal of the sensor, and which controls the amount of braking force applied to the wheel based on the amplitude and location of the peak.

Abstract: A system for processing a signal made up of at least one spectral component. The system includes a sampling circuit for periodically sampling the signal to obtain a sequence of discrete data samples representing the signal; and a computational circuit for computing a fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the sequence of discrete data samples to an extent which the FFT is computed using substantially exclusively non-complex arithmetic operations, and for using a resultant portion of the FFT to obtain a phase and amplitude of the at least one spectral component making up the signal.

Abstract: A thunderstorm cell detection and mapping system which includes means for acquiring lightning strike information relating to locations of respective lightning strikes, and means for identifying and locating active thunderstorm cells based on the lightning strike information.

Abstract: A lightning strike detection and mapping system which determines the range and bearing of each valid lightning strike by (1) computing the Fourier Transform, and more preferably the discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) of the X and Y waveforms, classifying the lighting strike based on the DFTs, and estimating the range of the lightning strike based on a type-dependent weighted sum of the DFT coefficients; (2) detecting whether the X or Y waveform is a doublet waveform and classifying the lightning strike based on the detection of a doublet; (3) performing range correction based on type classification and tail activity; and (4) reconstructing clipped waveforms in order to extend the dynamic range of the system.

Abstract: A thunderstorm cell detection and mapping system is provided, including means for acquiring lightning strike information relating to locations of respective lightning strikes, means for clustering the lightning strikes into groups corresponding to respective active thunderstorm cells by determining a logarithmic distribution of the lightning strike information, and means for locating the active thunderstorm cells based on the lightning strike information.

Abstract: A programmed PWM controller for controlling an inverter is provided which includes memory means for storing a plurality of drive data words representing a pulsewidth modulation sequence, each drive data word including a driveword and a drivetime word, the drivewords being used to operate the inverter; first digital means for selectively retrieving each of the plurality of drive data words from the memory means according to the pulsewidth modulation sequence in response to a next drive data word request signal; and second digital means governed by the drivetime word for generating the next drive data word request signal.

Abstract: A dual snubber circuit for a switching circuit including first snubber means for performing a first snubbering function in a switching operation of the switching circuit, and second snubber means for performing a second snubbering function in the switching operation of the switching circuit, the first and second snubber means performing the first and second snubbering functions substantially independently.