Abstract: A method of partially reconfiguring a field programmable gate array (FPGA) with at least one design that has interdesign routing with at least one other design programmed into the FPGA. A first configuration data set implements a first design in a first area of the FPGA, a second design in a second, non-overlapping area, and at least one bus macro that defines a bus interface between the first design and the second design. The bus interface includes a set of signal lines coupled to the first and second designs and logic that controls input and output of signals over the signal lines. A second configuration data set implements a modified version of the first design in the first area and does not implement any version of the second design. The FPGA is configured with the first configuration data set, and then partially configured with the second configuration data set.

Abstract: A bus macro for use as a routing resource for partial reconfiguration of a field programmable gate array (FPGA) with a design that has interdesign routing with at least one other design programmed into the FPGA comprises: at least one row of bus lines disposed within the FPGA between at least two design areas; a first set of gates disposed within the FPGA for controlling a routing of signals over the at least one row of bus lines from a first design area to a second design area of the FPGA according to a first routing configuration embedded in the first design area; and a second set of gates disposed within the FPGA for controlling a routing of signals over the at least one row of bus lines from the second design area to the first design area of the FPGA according to a second routing configuration embedded in the second design area.

Abstract: A method of inlining a function call of a first high level design language (HDL) into a second HDL is disclosed comprising the steps of: (a) translating the function call of the first HDL into a function body file of the second HDL; (b) translating a signature of the function call of the first HDL into a data file including predetermined data of the function signature; and (c) translating the function call of the first HDL into a sequence of macro definitions based on the corresponding data file followed by a compiler directive to include the corresponding function body file of the second HDL. In one embodiment, the first HDL is a VHDL and the second HDL is a Verilog HDL.

Abstract: A clock template includes digital programming information for programming clock frames of a programmable gate array (PGA). The digital programming information represents a number of different clock configurations that correspond to various designs in the PGA. In one embodiment, the digital programming information includes a bit stream for partially reconfiguring the PGA. In another embodiment, the digital programming information is embedded in digital programming information of at least one of the designs. Methods of configuring a PGA with different designs having different clocking configurations by utilizing the clock template are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bus macro for use as a routing resource for partial reconfiguration of a field programmable gate array (FPGA) with a design that has interdesign routing with at least one other design programmed into the FPGA comprises: at least one row of bus lines disposed within the FPGA between at least two design areas; a first set of gates disposed within the FPGA for controlling a routing of signals over the at least one row of bus lines from a first design area to a second design area of the FPGA according to a first routing configuration embedded in the first design area; and a second set of gates disposed within the FPGA for controlling a routing of signals over the at least one row of bus lines from the second design area to the first design area of the FPGA according to a second routing configuration embedded in the second design area.

Abstract: A sense amplifier (10) is disclosed comprising: a connecting node (12) connectable to a plurality of logic cells (13) for reading the logic states thereof; at least one output (16, 18, 20); circuitry (14) for transferring the read logic states from the connecting node (12) to the at least one output; and a circuit (50) dynamically operative to limit the voltage at the connecting node (12) substantially to a predetermined voltage. In one embodiment, the circuit (50) includes a pass transistor (46) coupled between the connecting node (12) and the transferring circuit (14) and operative to conduct the logic states read from the logic cells to the transferring circuit; and a capacitive divider circuit (54, 56) coupled to a voltage source (Vdd) for producing at a node (52) thereof the predetermined voltage as a fraction of the voltage of the source, the node (52) being coupled to the pass transistor (46) to limit the voltage at the connecting node (12) substantially to the predetermined voltage.

Abstract: The present invention includes a vehicle light and method for use in applications experiencing vibrational loading and wide temperature variations. The light includes a solid state illumination device and a thermal compensator in thermal communication with the solid state illumination device. The thermal compensator operates to maintain the solid state illumination device above a temperature threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus for discriminating true echoes from false echoes in an ultrasonic liquid gauging system, comprising: means for producing electrical representations of an echo sequence received after an ultrasonic transmission, wherein the echo sequence contains one or more returned echoes that may be a true or false echo; and means for determining returned echo energy, wherein echo energy is a factor used to distinguish a true echo from a false echo.

Abstract: A method for determining an optimized solution of positions for N liquid surface sensors used to gauge quantity of liquid in the container, comprising the steps of:a) defining geometric limits of the container in terms of coordinates of a three axis (x,y,z) reference coordinate system assigned to the container;b) defining a chromosome structure for an individual, wherein said chromosome structure identifies a solution in terms of position data of the N sensors;c) determining a population of individuals wherein each individual in said population is a possible solution within said geometric limits; each individual having a respective chromosome; andd) executing a genetic algorithm on said population to identify a solution that meets a performance criteria as measured by a predetermined cost function.

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 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 liquid sensing apparatus for a fuel tank comprises a first optical sensor for producing an output having a first state that corresponds to the first optical sensor being exposed to air and a second state that corresponds to the first optical sensor being exposed to fuel; and a circuit for detecting the first and second optical sensor output states. The sensor circuit also has self test capability for testing both active and passive components. The sensor circuits can be accessed using a two wire only interface, and thermal stability can be achieved with the electronic circuit as shown.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting relative displacement includes a first magnet for producing a first magnetic field along an axis; a second magnet for producing a second magnetic field along the axis; the first and second magnetic fields interacting to produce a position-dependent magnetic field along the axis; a sensor disposed for detecting the position-dependent magnetic field; and a movable element for causing relative displacement between the position-dependent magnetic field and the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is a magneto-optic sensor.

Abstract: Method for processing echoes received in an ultrasonic liquid gauging apparatus includes the steps of transmitting at time t.sub.1 ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic transducer toward a fixed target and a liquid surface; producing a transmission pulse corresponding to the time t.sub.1 ; receiving during a predetermined cycle interval a number (i) of ultrasonic echoes after t.sub.1 and converting each echo into a corresponding echo pulse having an associated time of arrival t.sub.i+1 ; and calculating the liquid level based on an averaged time of arrival of the second echo relative to t.sub.1 when it is known that the liquid surface is low.

Abstract: In accordance with the disclosed method, an attitude determining device which is installed onboard a mobile craft, like an aircraft, for example, at an unknown orientation with respect to the reference coordinate system of the craft senses its installation orientation with respect to an earth frame coordinate system when the craft is at rest to obtain a static orientation measurement thereof. Thereafter, an attitude of the mobile craft with respect to the earth frame is measured with the attitude determining device and such measurement is compensated with the static orientation measurement to obtain attitude information of the craft's reference coordinate system with respect to the earth frame coordinate system. The installation orientation of the attitude determining device may be sensed while the craft is at rest in either a leveled or unleveled condition.

Abstract: An enclosure for electronic modules, comprising walls made of composite material including conductive fibers for shielding the enclosure interior from electromagnetic radiation, and means for securely mounting at least one module inside the enclosure with a fastener means, the mounting means comprising composite material.

Abstract: A liquid gauging system for a liquid container, the system comprising sensor means for producing a first electromagnetic signal that corresponds to liquid quantity in the container, and remote interrogation means for receiving the first electromagnetic signal and producing a system output that corresponds to the liquid quantity; the sensor means being energized by a second electromagnetic signal transmitted by the remote interrogation means.

Abstract: An externally mounted transducer assembly for an ultrasonic liquid level measuring device that utilizes a piezoelectric crystal for generating ultrasonic pulses to be transmitted through a tank or the line containing a volume of liquid. Electrical conductors are formed integrally with the fuel tank for connecting the transducer to other components of the system. The wall of the tank is provided with an arrangement for removably attaching the transducer housing thereto. The tank is provided with electrical contacts that connect to the conductors that are integral with the tank. Also, electrical contacts in the transducer housing are connected to the transducer for providing current thereto. When the transducer housing is attached to the tank, the transducer is thereby connected to the measuring system circuit.

Abstract: A strain gauge device for detecting force applied to a planar structure, the device including a capacitor having two spaced conductive surfaces, and a dielectric material between the conductive surfaces with a dielectric constant that varies in relation to strain force normal to the surfaces. In one embodiment, the dielectric material is realized in the form of a pair of facing linear molecule monolayers attached endwise to the respective conductive layers and oriented at an oblique angle to the layers.

Abstract: 057238701Apparatus for detecting fluid level in a container, comprises a housing adapted to be disposed in the container; a float with an associated magnetic element, the float position corresponding to fluid level in the container; a magnetostrictive sensor disposed inside the housing; and a stick gauge disposed inside the housing; the magnetostrictive sensor and the stick gauge each being operable to determine the float position.