Abstract: Envelope tracking systems for power amplifiers are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an envelope tracker supplies power to a power amplifier that amplifies an RF signal. The envelope tracker includes a multi-level switching circuit that generates an output current based on an envelope signal indicating an envelope of the RF signal. The envelope tracker further includes a combiner that combines a DC voltage with the output current of the multi-level switching circuit to generate a power amplifier supply voltage for the power amplifier. Accordingly, the output current of the multi-level switching circuit and a DC voltage are combined to generate the power amplifier supply voltage. Implementing the envelope tracking system in this manner can provide enhanced efficiency and/or higher bandwidth relative to an envelope tracking system in which a multi-level switching circuit directly outputs a power amplifier supply voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus provides temporary electrical connections to electrically powered devices. Exemplary arrangements include a base housing (01) that includes a socket (02) therein. Such a socket releasably engages electrical plugs to deliver household current, or may include USB ports or other types of sockets that releasably engage electrical connectors. A housing top cover (10) includes a socket access opening (11) that is in corresponding aligned relation with the socket. A rotatable plate (30) is positioned in underlying relation of the housing top cover and is rotatable in operative supported connection with the base housing. The rotatable plate includes at least one plate opening.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a signal processing circuit includes a first voltage setting circuit that sets a reference voltage on an input side of an isolator, a variable gain amplifier circuit that amplifies an output signal of the isolator, a DC offset adjustment circuit that adjusts an offset of the variable gain amplifier circuit, a second voltage setting circuit that sets a reference voltage on an output side of the isolator, and a control circuit that controls the DC offset adjustment circuit in response to a result of comparison of an output voltage of the variable gain amplifier circuit with an output voltage of the second voltage setting circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for previewing newly captured image content and reviewing previously stored image content using an electronic device are provided. The previously stored image content may include an individual distinct image or at least two consecutive video frame images.

Abstract: At least one distribution node with a plurality of input/output interfaces is provided in an automation communication network. Data is exchanged via telegrams with priority levels. The distribution node interrupts transmission of a telegram having a first priority level if a telegram with a second, higher priority level is received. The distribution node terminates the interrupted telegram, which forms a first fragment defined by sending first fragmentation information at the end of the first fragment. A part that has not been sent forms a second fragment. The distribution node stores the second fragment together with second fragmentation information. After sending the telegram having the second, higher priority level, the distribution node sends the second fragment together with the second fragmentation information. A node, for which the telegram having the first priority level is intended, assembles the first and second fragments on the basis of the first and second fragmentation information.

Abstract: A system includes a network of multiple network domains, each network domain includes a software defined network (SDN) controller. Each SDN controller includes a network interface circuitry, a processor and a memory. The network interface circuitry provides a communicative coupling with at least one domain of the multiple network domains. The memory includes instructions that when executed by the processor, performs a network update comprising adding links, subtracting links or reporting a status of links in at least one network domain upon receiving a network update request, and performs sending and receiving the network update request to a second SDN controller, where the network update request is part of real-time publish/subscribe protocol, the sending network update request includes a publish message having a specified topic and a set of QoS attributes, and the receiving a network update request includes subscribing to the specified topic and the set of QoS attributes.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion including a bending portion, an operation portion including an operation lever, a grasping portion including an actuator, and a tube body, in a continuous manner. When the operation lever is tilted, the actuator pulls a wire, whereby the bending portion is bent in a vertical direction and a lateral direction. The actuator is arranged such that a center of gravity of a portion including the insertion portion, the operation portion, the grasping portion, and the tube body is within a range in which at least one of the fourth finger or the fifth finger of the hand grasping the grasping portion is positioned, in a longitudinal direction of the grasping portion.

Abstract: There is provided a drinks stirrer (10) for stirring an infusion pouch within a drink. The infusion pouch comprises a pouch soring an infusion media, a tag for holding the infusion bag, and a string connecting the pouch to the tag. The drinks stirrer (10) comprises a proximal end (14) having a retainer device (32, 34) for retaining the tag to the proximal end, and a distal end (12) having a scoop (20) for holding the pouch. The scoop (20) comprises a slot (24) for receiving the string to constrain the pouch to adjacent the scoop. A drinks apparatus comprising the infusion pouch and the drinks stirrer is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of forming contacts for source/drain regions and a contact plug for a gate stack of a finFET device are disclosed herein. Methods include etching a contact opening through a dielectric layer to expose surfaces of a first source/drain contact and repairing silicon oxide structures along sidewall surfaces of the contact opening and along planar surfaces of the dielectric layer to prevent selective loss defects from occurring during a subsequent selective deposition of conductive fill materials and during subsequent etching of other contact openings. The methods further include performing a selective bottom-up deposition of conductive fill material to form a second source/drain contact. According to some of the methods, once the second source/drain contact has been formed, the contact plug may be formed over the gate stack.

Abstract: A method of making an integrated circuit includes surrounding a first bias pad with dielectric material of a buried oxide layer. The method includes adding dopants to a layer of semiconductor material over the first bias pad. The method includes depositing a gate dielectric and a gate electrode over a top surface of the layer of semiconductor material. The method includes etching the gate dielectric and the gate electrode to isolate a gate electrode over the layer of semiconductor material. The method includes depositing an inter layer dielectric (ILD) material over the gate electrode and the layer of semiconductor material. The method includes etching at least one bias contact opening down to the first bias pad. The method includes filling the at least one bias contact opening with a bias contact material. The method includes electrically connecting at least one bias contact to an interconnect structure of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A self-locking device of an endoscope is provided. The endoscope includes a housing and a toggle assembly. The toggle assembly includes a toggle support, an elastic support and a toggle handle. The toggle handle is sleeved on the toggle support. An inner side of the toggle support is provided with a toggle lever and a friction piece. One end of the toggle lever is hinged to the toggle handle, and the other end of the toggle lever is not connected to the friction piece. The toggle lever has an L-shaped cross section, with a middle bend fixed to the toggle support. The toggle lever is hinged to the toggle support through a first pin. When being stressed, the toggle lever is rotatable around the first pin, so as to push the friction piece to move.