Abstract: An inductive load driver circuit with shared flyback protection includes a first transistor (209) which drives a first load (229), and a second transistor (231) drives a second load (251). A first clamp voltage steering diode (217) is coupled between an input terminal (207) of the first transistor (209) and a zener diode (203), and a second clamp voltage steering diode (239) coupled between an input terminal (233) of the second transistor (231) and the zener diode (203). A power supply terminal (201) is coupled to the zener diode (203).

Abstract: A programmable amplitude ramp generator for an automotive voltage regulator includes a selection circuit (405) with an output (406) that provides a selection signal (407) with a plurality of states. A voltage reference circuit (401, 403) includes an output (410) that provides a different reference voltage dependent on each of the plurality of states of the selection signal (407). A resistive device (411) has an input (414) coupled to the output (410) of the voltage reference (401, 403), and an output (416). A gateable multi-resistive device (413) has an output (415) coupled to the output 416 of the resistive device 411. A coupleable resistive device (409) has an input (419) coupled to the output (410) of the voltage reference circuit (401, 403) and an output (421) coupleable to the output (416) of the resistive device (411) responsive to receipt of one of the plurality of states of the selection signal (407).

Abstract: A method and system for adaptive transient fuel compensation in an engine (300) estimates fuel puddle dynamics for a cylinder in an engine by determining parameters of a wall-wetting model on every engine cycle by measuring a temporal delay (407) between when an identification fuel charge is injected (405) and when a binary-type exhaust gas oxygen sensor (213) switches state. Fuel delivery to the cylinder is adjusted (417) dependent on the estimated fuel puddle dynamics which are a function of the measured temporal delay (407).

Abstract: A method and system for fuel delivery to an engine (400) measures when an exhaust gas sensor (413) is in a non-lit-off condition and when the exhaust gas sensor is in a lit-off condition. A control device (409) estimates fuel puddle dynamics for an intake system of the engine when the exhaust gas sensor is in the lit-off condition, and adapts (511) an open-loop fuel parameter table (229) dependent on the estimated fuel puddle dynamics. The control device (409) adjusts fuel delivery to the engine dependent on the fuel puddle dynamics when the exhaust gas sensor is in the lit-off condition, and adjusts fuel delivery to the engine dependent on the open-loop fuel parameter table (229) when the exhaust gas sensor is in the non-lit-off condition.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor and method of fabricating the sensor includes providing a layered structure including a second silicon layer (115), a second insulating layer (203, 205) in contact with the second silicon layer (115), a first silicon layer (123) in contact with the second insulating layer (203, 205), a first insulating layer (201) in contact with the first silicon layer (123), and a mask layer (221) in contact with the first insulating layer (201). A major exposed surface (220) of the second silicon layer (115) is provided by mechanically reducing a thickness (210) of the second silicon layer (115) to a predetermined thickness (116). Preferably this is done by grinding and then polishing the second silicon layer (115). In one embodiment a third insulating layer (211) is in contact with the second major surface (220) of the second silicon layer (115).

Abstract: A transition metal oxide based calorimetric non-methane hydrocarbon sensor (100) is constructed by disposing a transition metal based catalyst (105), preferably chromium oxide (Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3), onto a carrier (101). A temperature measurement device (103) is positioned thermally coupled to the transition metal based catalyst (105). A preferred application includes sensing non-methane heavy hydrocarbons in an automotive exhaust gas stream (803) by exposing a transition metal oxide catalyst based sensor (805) to the exhaust gas stream (803) and providing a signal (811) indicative of a concentration of non-methane heavy hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide (CO). Then, exposing a compensating sensor (807) to the same exhaust gas stream (803) and providing a compensating signal (813) indicative of a concentration of carbon monoxide (CO). By combining the signal (811) and the compensating signal (813), a measure of non-methane heavy hydrocarbons can be provided.

Abstract: A method and structure for controlling solder height of a surface mount device on a substrate uses electrical connection pads (105, 105') disposed onto a substrate (101). A height control pad (111) is also disposed onto the substrate (101) positioned apart from the electrical connection pads (105, 105'). Solder fillets (107, 107', 113) are disposed onto both the electrical connection pads (105, 105') and the height control pad (111). A component (103) having an electrical termination portion (109, 109') in contact with the solder fillets (107, 107') associated with the electrical connection pads (105, 105 ') and a body portion (115) in contact with the solder fillet (113) associated with the height control pad (111).

Abstract: An efficient method and apparatus of median filtering includes a memory circuit (305) for holding a list of N data samples (109). A grading circuit (309, 321, 313, 311) identifies a first data sample of the N data samples that has a first metric with a magnitude less than or equal to (N-1)/2, and a second metric with a magnitude greater than or equal to (N-1)/2. The first metric is indicative of a quantity of data samples, exclusive of the first data sample, that have a magnitude less than a magnitude of the first data sample. The second metric is indicative of a quantity of data samples, exclusive of the first data sample, that have a magnitude less than or equal to the magnitude of the first data sample.

Abstract: A method for detrending engine positional data includes acquiring positional encoder data over a plurality of consecutive engine revolutions as the engine is decelerating. Then, a trend (207) in the acquired positional encoder data consistent with behavior occurring at less than a frequency of one cycle per engine revolution is identified. Next, corrected positional encoder data (208) is generated dependent on removing the identified trend (207).

Abstract: A method and system for adaptive transient fuel compensation in a cylinder of an engine (300) estimates a fraction of fuel evaporated in a fuel intake system of the engine (b.sub.v) by measuring a temporal delay (515) between when an identification fuel charge is injected (505) and when a binary-type exhaust gas oxygen sensor (315) switches state. An estimate of a fraction of fuel adhering to the fuel intake system of the engine (c) is derived from the estimate of evaporation wall-wetting parameter (b.sub.v). Fuel delivery to the engine is adjusted dependent on the estimates of the adhering wall-wetting parameter (c) and the evaporation wall-wetting parameter (b.sub.v).

Abstract: An oscillator-transmitter (100) includes an input tank circuit (101) coupled between a first amplifier (103) and a second amplifier (105) configured in an oscillator arrangement. An output tank circuit (107, 109, 111 ), for radiating radio-frequency energy, is coupled between outputs (106, 110) of the first and second amplifiers (103, 105). The output tank circuit (107, 109, 111) radiates energy provided by both the first and second amplifiers (103, 105).

Abstract: A method and system for adaptive transient fuel compensation in a cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine estimates fuel puddle dynamics for the cylinder by determining parameters of a wall-wetting model every engine cycle of the multi-cylinder engine. Fuel delivery to the cylinder is adjusted dependent on the estimated fuel puddle dynamics.

Abstract: A apparatus and method of detecting a leak in an evaporative emissions system measures vapor flow out of the evaporative emissions system while maintaining a zero pressure difference from inside a fuel tank to atmosphere and provides a reference vapor flow variable dependent on the measurement (317). A pressurized vapor and leak flow variable is measured (323) dependent on measured vapor flow out of the evaporative emissions system while maintaining a pressure difference of 10" of water from inside the fuel tank to atmosphere. A leak is indicated (327) if a difference between the reference vapor flow variable and the pressurized vapor and leak flow variable is greater than a predetermined leak flow factor.

Abstract: An adaptive multi-receiver shared antenna matching system and corresponding method includes an antenna (101). A plurality receiver devices (103) are operably coupled to the antenna (101). Degree of coupling between each of the receiver devices (103) and the antenna (101) is dynamically alterable dependent on a degree of coupling model (200) and different signals received by the antenna (101).

Abstract: A measurement device (103) and method determines various metrics between a vehicle (101) and a ground surface (105) using a transmitter-antenna (109) for emitting energy including a portion directed down toward the ground surface. A receiving antenna (115), has a portion oriented facing toward the transmitter-antenna for receiving a portion of the emitting energy along a direct path (117), and a portion oriented facing downwardly toward the ground surface for receiving a portion of the emitting energy reflected from the ground surface along a reflected path (113). A decoder provides separate indications of forward (121) and sideward (123) velocity relative to motion of the vehicle along the ground surface.

Abstract: A misfire detection system and method measures fluctuations of air charge ingested into an engine 303, preferably as fluctuations of the engine's intake air pressure or as fluctuations of the mass air flow. A misfire indication 337 is provided dependent on a behavior of the fluctuations of air charge. Preferably, to eliminate errors associated with engine transient operating conditions, such as acceleration, the fluctuations of air charge are differentiated 325 before a misfire detection mechanism 333 is used to determine misfire behavior.

Abstract: A dual output temperature compensated voltage reference includes a voltage reference circuit (201) having a first output (203) for providing a first signal (204) dependent on temperature, and a second output (207) for providing a second signal (208) dependent on the first signal (204). A temperature dependence of the first signal (204) has a slope opposite a temperature dependence of the second signal (208). A cooperative device (209), such as a resistive divider (309, 311), combines the first and second signals (204, 208) and provides a third signal (212) dependent on the first and second signals (204, 208). Preferably, this apparatus is applied in a charge regulator including fault detection (109). The charge regulator (109) generates a charge voltage (110) dependent on the first signal (204) and a fault detection function is dependent on the third signal (212).

Abstract: A pullable overtone crystal oscillator (201) includes an impedance buffer (217) for buffering an input impedance (109) to an amplifier stage (203). This structure enables construction of an overtone oscillator with increased pullability because a drive level of a crystal (221) can be set independent of the input impedance (109) of the amplifier stage (203).

Abstract: An interference dependent adaptive phase clock controller method and system includes synthesis of a signal processing clock signal (307). An interference signal (311 ) dependent on a phase of the signal processing clock signal is measured, and a phase correction signal (317) is provided dependent thereon. A magnitude of the interference signal is reduced by adjusting the phase of the signal processing clock signal (307) dependent on the phase correction signal (317).

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for error correction of MSK-coded data receives a signal (101) partitionable into adjacent frames (111,113) each subdividable into three tridents (103, 105, 107). A first sample quality metric (225) applicable to a p (123) of the signal (101) associated with a last trident (107) of the tridents of a first frame (111) of the adjacent frames (111, 113) is synthesized, and a second sample quality metric (227) applicable to a portion (125) of the signal (101) associated with a first trident (103') of the tridents of a second frame (113) following the first frame (111) is synthesized. Each of the first and second sample quality metrics (225, 227) have a magnitude dependent on a time that the associated portion (123) of the signal (101) has a magnitude exceeding an average magnitude (127) of the signal (101).