Abstract: An impedance element connecting the outputs of two transistors of a wide-bandwidth amplifier forms a zero. The output of transistor is connected to a current source. The wide-bandwidth amplifier has a bandwidth greater than conventional amplifiers utilizing a single current source without an increase in power dissipation.

Abstract: An integrated circuit according to the present invention includes application-specific circuitry and an embedded counter assembly capable of measuring the frequency of one or more clock signals, which may be generated internally by the integrated circuit or externally by one or more sources external to the integrated circuit. The embedded counter assembly utilizes a reference clock signal having known characteristics, and measures the frequency of an unknown clock signal based upon the reference clock signal. The embedded counter assembly is capable of measuring the frequency of internal clock signals that are otherwise inaccessible via external output pins.

Abstract: A low-jitter phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit includes a reference signal generator and a PLL. The reference signal generator is configured to quadruple a frequency of a first reference signal to produce a second reference signal. The PLL includes a filter coupled in series with a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), and a frequency phase detector configured to generate a first error signal based on a frequency difference between the second reference signal and a first divided VCO output signal. The PLL further includes a phase detector configured to generate a second error signal based on a phase difference between the second reference signal and a second divided VCO output signal at each rising and falling transition of the second reference signal.

Abstract: A high speed phase detector utilizes an integrated XOR/SUMMER/MUX circuit having a higher bandwidth and lower power than conventional designs. The XOR/SUMMER/MUX circuit combines the functionality of two parallel XOR devices in series with a summer/multiplexer in a manner that reduces the number of gate delays associated with the input signals. In a practical implementation, the XOR/SUMMER/MUX circuit includes XOR arrangements having a plurality of transistors implemented at a first transistor level and a plurality of transistors implemented at a second transistor level. The XOR/SUMMER/MUX circuit also includes transistors implemented at a third transistor level; these transistors are utilized by the multiplexer feature of the circuit.

Abstract: A tissue treatment apparatus is provided which includes a thermally conductive bandage, a heater in thermal contact with the bandage over a tissue treatment area, a heat spreading means acting between the heater and the bandage for laterally spreading heat transferred from the heater to the bandage in order that heat be substantially uniformly distributed across the bandage.

Abstract: A system and method have been provided for selectably equalizing an input signal to an integrated circuit (IC), to compensate for degradation in the transmission process. The selectable equalization circuit includes parallel equalizing and non-equalizing sections. When the equalizing section is engaged a resonant element modifies the circuit impedance to add a zero to the circuit transfer function. When the non-equalizing function is engaged, the equalizing section is disengaged without degrading gate capacitance, and the input signals are processed without a zero in the transfer function.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in providing discounted call rates for wireless communications are described. In one particular implementation, the method includes the steps of receiving a call record having an originating telephone number, a terminating telephone number, and one or more system identification codes (SIDs); determining whether the one or more SIDs are included as part of a predetermined geographic area that is smaller than and included within boundaries of a home area of at least one of the telephone numbers; determining whether a predefined relationship exists between the originating telephone number and the terminating telephone number; and providing data that is indicative of a discounted wireless call rate if it is determined that the one or more SIDs are included as part of the predetermined geographic area and the predetermined relationship exists between the originating telephone number and the terminating telephone number.

Abstract: A flip-chip transition interface structure is suitable for use in high speed applications that require low return losses. The transition interface includes a conductive signal element and two conductive reference elements formed on a flip-chip die substrate. A signal solder bump is located at a signal bond pad formed at an end of the conductive signal element, and a reference solder bump is located at each conductive reference element. The conductive elements are configured to form a substantially round cutout region surrounding the signal bond pad. The positions of the solder bumps on the respective conductive elements are selected in a manner that enhances the impedance matching of the transition interface structure.

Abstract: A system and method have been provided for determining a frequency tolerance between a generated clock and an input data rate. The invention analyzes beatnotes, externally generated through a comparison of clock and input data rates, and an overflow count of the clock. The occurrence of overflow counts, without intervening beatnotes, indicates that the clock and data rate are close in frequency. The occurrence of beatnotes without intervening overflow counts indicates that the clock and data rates are not close in frequency. Hysteresis is built into the system, preventing the system from indicating an out-of-lock condition when the beatnotes immediate follow the an overflow count, or when the system monitors occasional beatnotes.

Abstract: A programmable phase locked-loop (PLL) active filter circuit is provided which includes networks of cooperating bandwidth tuning components to select bandwidth ranges. The values and arrangement of the network of selectable series input (R1) resistors are chosen to be useful in both low band and high band settings. Likewise, the opamp network of feedback resistors (R2) and capacitors (C1) values are chosen to be useful in both low band and high band applications, automatically pairing with the R1 selection in response to a bandwidth range selection. These tuning components, internal to an integrated circuit, can be used for a plurality of wideband loops. External components can be used to supplement the internal components for low and high bandwidth applications.

Abstract: An elastic store circuit using a first in/first out buffer (FIFO) to accurately delay and manipulate a waveform using the write (WR) and read (RD) clocks is provided. The FIFO delays data by, first, reading the input data at the WR clock rate. Then, the data exits the FIFO in response to the RD clock. Large delays are accomplished by changing the relationship between the WR and RD clocks in whole clock intervals. Delays and adjustments of less than a whole clock interval are accomplished by changing the phase relationship of the RD clock with respect to the WR clock. The present invention generates the WR and RD clocks through synthesis using a lower frequency reference clock. The RD phase change results from introducing a phase change into the reference clock driving the RD clock synthesizer. A method of introducing precise delays through phase control of the WR and RD clocks is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic device package includes a multilayer substrate having an interconnect structure configured to propagate a high frequency signal from one metal layer to another metal layer. The configuration and layout of the interconnect structure, particularly the arrangement of the reference vias associated with the signal via, is selected such that a desired filter response is achieved. The filter response is realized without any additional capacitor or inductor components. Thus, the natural discontinuity created by the vias and the inherent parasitic capacitance and inductance associated with the vias can be utilized to create a desired lowpass or bandpass filter response.

Abstract: An apparatus applies heat to tissue from a level that does not contact the tissue, in order to elevate the temperature of the tissue being treated toward normothermia. The apparatus may be attached to the skin of a person to form a treatment volume about the tissue to be treated. A heater, supported at the layer, is held near the tissue to be treated, out of contact with the tissue. The heater is for operating in a near-hyperthermic temperature range in order to treat the tissue. An example of a near-hyperthermic temperature range is 38° C. to 46° C. A controller may include means that cause the heater to operate over a therapeutic sequence, that cycle the heater on and off, that provide selectable average temperature values, that cause the heater to operate over an average temperature range, that cause the heater to operate at an average temperature over a therapy cycle, or that cause the heater to operate at an average temperature over a therapeutic sequence.

Abstract: A digital frequency doubler circuit employs a stable reference clock signal, delayed by a reference delay line, to obtain information related to delay characteristics of a matching input delay line. An input clock signal is delayed by the input delay line, which provides a plurality of variously delayed input clock signals based upon the input clock signal. The reference delay line provides a plurality of variously delayed reference clock signals based upon the stable reference clock signal; the delayed reference clock signals convey information related to the operating characteristics of both delay lines. In response to such information, one of the delayed input clock signals can be selected as a delayed clock output. The reference and input delay lines are configured such that the delay circuit consistently generates a delayed clock output having an actual delay that falls within a specified range of delay.

Abstract: A digital delay circuit employs a stable reference clock signal, delayed by a reference delay line, to obtain information related to delay characteristics of a matching input delay line. An input clock signal is delayed by the input delay line, which provides a plurality of variously delayed input clock signals based upon the input clock signal. The reference delay line provides a plurality of variously delayed reference clock signals based upon the stable reference clock signal; the delayed reference clock signals convey information related to the operating characteristics of both delay lines. In response to such information, one of the delayed input clock signals can be selected as a delayed clock output. The reference and input delay lines are configured such that the delay circuit consistently generates a delayed clock output having an actual delay that falls within a specified range of delay.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus is provided which includes a heater, a thermally conductive structure such as a bandage to support the heater against tissue, and chemical, phase-change, or hot water means causing the heater to maintain the temperature of the tissue in a range of about 36° C. to 38° C.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a thermally conductive bandage, a heater in contact with the bandage over a wound treatment area, and an adhesive attachment device for maintaining thermally conductive contact between the heater and the bandage. The bandage and heater together have a low profile so as to be convenient for the patient and are flexible so as to conform to the shape of the wound and to the contours of the skin surrounding the wound. The attachment device is fashioned so as to have less pull strength than an adhesive holding the bandage to the person's body so that the heater can be easily removed without disturbing the attachment of the bandage to the person's body. The bandage is provided with a polymeric film for maintaining moisture at the wound site as well as enhancing the utility of the attachment device.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for convectively and evaporatively cooling a patient's head. The apparatus includes an upper sheet and a base sheet that are attached at a plurality of locations to form a convective device adaptable to the patient's head. The base sheet includes a plurality of apertures that direct an inflating medium from the convective device toward the patient's head. The base sheet also supports an evaporative cooling element that distributes and delivers a cooling fluid to the patient's head. The fluid is evaporated from the patient's head by the inflating medium exhausted from the convective device. The evaporative cooling element may be constructed in a variety of configurations and may circulate a variety of fluids, which may be pressurized or unpressurized. In operation, an air blower, that may also include a compressor for selectively delivering room temperature or cooled air to the apparatus, is connected to the convective device.

Abstract: A non-contact wound treatment device suitable for releasable attachment to a patient's skin surface over a selected wound area in a non-contact position relative to the selected wound area, the wound treatment device comprising an attachment portion suitable for releasable attachment with the patient's skin surface, having an inner perimeter for defining the selected wound area, a wound treatment portion with a substantially planar wound cover and a support member supporting the wound cover, and a transition portion with a membrane connecting the wound treatment portion to the attachment portion, the membrane extending around the outer perimeter of the support member and attached to the attachment portion between the inner and outer perimeter of the attachment portion.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an apparatus, and related method, for sensing a person's facial movements, features and characteristics and the like to generate and animate an avatar image based on facial sensing. The avatar apparatus uses an image processing technique based on model graphs and bunch graphs that efficiently represent image features as jets. The jets are composed of wavelet transforms processed at node or landmark locations on an image corresponding to readily identifiable features. The nodes are acquired and tracked to animate an avatar image in accordance with the person's facial movements. Also, the facial sensing may use jet similarity to determine the person's facial features and characteristic thus allows tracking of a person's natural characteristics without any unnatural elements that may interfere or inhibit the person's natural characteristics.