Abstract: A substrate plate is provided for at least one MEMS device to be mounted thereon. The MEMS device has a certain footprint on the substrate plate, and the substrate plate has a pattern of electrically conductive leads to be connected to electric components of the MEMS device. The pattern forms contact pads within the footprint of the MEMS device and includes at least one lead structure that extends on the substrate plate outside of the footprint of the MEMS device and connects a number of the contact pads to an extra contact pad. The lead structure is a shunt bar that interconnects a plurality of contact pads of the MEMS device and is arranged to be removed by means of a dicing cut separating the substrate plate into a plurality of chip-sized units. At least a major part of the extra contact pad is formed within the footprint of one of the MEMS devices.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus includes a detector including m-number of probes to which a voltage is supplied and a current/voltage conversion circuit which converts a current into a voltage, a receiver processing electric signals from the probes, and a relay board respectively relaying power distribution lines between the electrical power source and the probes and signal wirings between the receiver and the probe, wherein the relay board receives input of signal wirings and power distribution lines from n-number (m?n) of probes among the m-number of probes, connects the signal wirings from the n-number of probes to the receiver, and connects, to the electrical power source side, the power distribution lines of a number that is fewer than the power distribution lines from the n-number of probes.

Abstract: A particle occurrence sensing circuit for microfluidic particle sensing includes a set of particle event indicators, each of which includes: a Coulter counter having a sensing electrode exposable to a fluid within a microfluidic channel and configured for providing a particle sensing signal; an input stage configured for providing an extracted particle sensing signal; and a particle event detector configured for providing a set of particle event occurrence signals. Each of the set of particle event occurrence signals indicates a sensed occurrence of a particle greater than or equal to a given reference particle size during fluid flow through the microfluidic channel to which the sensing electrode is exposed. The particle event detector includes a successive approximation (SA) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured for generating a plurality of reference particle size threshold values and successively comparing the extracted particle sensing signal amplitude with reference particle size threshold values.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to methods, apparatuses and systems involving a switched probe contact. According to an example embodiment, an apparatus includes logic circuitry, a first circuit to communicate signals with the logic circuitry, and a first bond pad connected to the first circuit via a first circuit path. The apparatus also includes a second circuit to communicate signals with the logic circuitry, and a second bond pad connected to the second circuit via a second circuit path. A probe contact is connected to the first bond pad and communicates signals with an external probe, and a switch circuit is connected to the probe contact and the second circuit path. The switch circuit communicates signals between the probe contact and the second circuit path by selectively connecting and disconnecting the probe contact to the second circuit path.

Abstract: Magnetoelectric sensors that can be manufactured using known methods of thin film technology and output an ME voltage that is many times higher for a predetermined magnetic field than the known cantilever-beam sensor. The design that is termed separator ME sensor is characterized by the arrangement of a thick dielectric layer (14) between the ferroelectric (10) and the magnetostrictive phases (12), and by an electrode arrangement (18) applied on one side of the ferroelectric (10) and that is engineered to tap the ME voltage along the extent of the layer. Advantageously, it can be manufactured easily by coating conventional dielectric substrates (14) on the front and rear with one each of the functional layers (10, 12).

Abstract: A system for testing an electrical circuit includes a handheld device, and first and second plug-in modules. The handheld device includes a first sensor that senses a current within the electrical circuit, and a second sensor that senses a voltage within the electrical circuit. The first plug-in device is connectable to a first outlet of the electrical circuit and configured to provide an identification number on the electrical circuit. The second plug-in device is connectable to a second outlet of the electrical circuit and configured to display the identification number of the first plug-in device. The handheld device receives the identification number from the first plug-in device and displays the identification number.

Abstract: Determination of electrical network topology and connectivity are described herein. A zero-crossing is indicated at a time when the line voltage of a conducting wire in an electrical grid is zero. Such zero-crossings may be used to measure time within a smart grid, and to determine the connectivity of, and the electrical phase used by, particular network elements. A first meter may receive a phase angle determination (PAD) message, including zero-crossing information, sent from a second meter, hereafter called a reference meter. The first meter may compare the received zero-crossing information to its own zero-crossing information. A phase difference may be determined between the first meter and the reference meter from which the PAD message originated. The first meter may pass the PAD message to additional meters, which propagate the message through the network. Accordingly, an electrical phase used by meters within the network may be determined.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor, a diode, a first detection circuit, a second detection circuit, a calculation circuit, and a determination circuit. The diode is connected in reverse parallel with the transistor. The first detection circuit is configured to detect a change rate of a gate voltage of the transistor with respect to time. The second detection circuit is configured to detect a gate current of the transistor. The calculation circuit is configured to calculate a gate capacitance based on the change rate of the gate voltage with respect to time, and the gate current. The determination circuit is configured to determine, based on a determination result of the gate capacitance when a charge is injected to a gate of the transistor, whether a current flows to the diode or to the transistor.

Abstract: One example discloses a ratiometric device, including: a current source having a first current, a second current different from the first current, and a current-select program; a sensor device responsive to a gas and having a sensor-cold temperature T(cold,sens) in response to the first current and a sensor-hot temperature T(hot,sens) in response to the second current; a reference device having a reference-cold temperature T(cold,ref) in response to the first current and a reference-hot temperature T(hot,ref) in response to the second current; and wherein the ratiometric device includes a temperature difference ratio output based on T(cold,sens), T(hot,sens), T(cold,ref) and T(hot,ref).

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a coil unit for improving an accuracy in detecting foreign matter and an apparatus for detecting foreign matter which improves the accuracy in detecting foreign matter when a power is transmitted in a contactless manner. A power feeding coil unit (a coil unit) of the present invention is provided with a power feeding coil (a coil for power transmission) and an apparatus for detecting foreign matter. The apparatus for detecting foreign matter is provided with a plurality of resonators having a resonator coil and a resonator capacitor and also an excitation coil for exciting the plurality of resonators. The plurality of resonators are disposed to cover at least an area interlinking with a magnetic flux generated by the power feeding coil and to decrease an influence of mutual inductance.

Abstract: A testing device includes a base body, a holder, an electrically conductive plate, plural testing probes and plural insulation structures. The testing device of the present invention uses the electrically conductive plate to replace the plastic plate of the conventional testing device. Consequently, the electrostatic discharge effect is avoided. Moreover, the insulation structure is arranged between the testing probe and the electrically conductive plate to separate the testing probe from the electrically conductive plate so as to avoid the electric leakage problem. Consequently, the testing device of the present invention is capable of avoiding the electrostatic discharge effect without causing damage of the under-test object and reducing the measurement accuracy.

Abstract: A sensor system for a motor vehicle is provided. The sensor system comprises a flat shielding element which is electrically conductive and to which an electric potential can be applied, and at least one capacitive sensor element which includes an electrically conducting structure which is arranged on one side of the shielding element. As electrically conducting structure the sensor element includes at least one sensor conductor which forms a sewing thread and is sewn onto the one side of the shielding element.

Abstract: Device for measuring at least one electrical variable of a current intended to flow in an electric apparatus, the electric apparatus comprising at least one connection terminal, each connection terminal being designed to be electrically connected to the end of a corresponding electric conductor, the device comprising at least one current sensor, each current sensor being configured for measuring the current flowing in a corresponding electric conductor. The device further comprises at least one electrically conductive spacer, each spacer being configured for being interposed between a respective connection terminal and the end of a corresponding electric conductor, and wherein each current sensor is further positioned around a respective spacer, to measure the current flowing through said spacer, between the electric conductor and the corresponding connection terminal.

Abstract: An absolute position sensor having a detector with a plurality of Wiegand wire sensors that each have a pair of Hall sensors bracketing or straddling the Wiegand wire used by a processor in interpolating relative ratios of signals from the bracketing Hall sensors in not only providing increased fine position determination between magnets but also providing coarse position count increment or decrement verification. Such an absolute position sensor provides increased fine position determination accuracy while also enhancing increment and/or decrement error prevention and/or correction during position sensor operation.

Abstract: The current sensor arrangement according to the compensation principle has a primary conductor, designed to generate a primary magnetic field dependent on a current to be measured flowing through it, a first secondary winding, designed to generate a first secondary magnetic field dependent on a first compensation current flowing through said winding, a second secondary winding designed to generate a second secondary magnetic field dependent on a second compensation current flowing through said winding, a magnetic field sensor designed to generate a measurement signal that represents a magnetic field detected by it; a magnetic core of soft magnetic material designed and arranged to magnetically interconnect a primary conductor, a first seconding winding, a second secondary winding, and a magnetic field sensor; a first evaluation circuit, downstream from the magnetic field sensor and upstream from the first secondary winding, and a second evaluation circuit, upstream from the second secondary winding.

Abstract: An improved counter may implement dynamic frequency measurement while also remaining fully backwards compatible with traditional frequency measurement methods. The counter may operate according to low-frequency, large range, and/or high frequency modes of operation. It may be programmable with a divisor value associated with the large range operating mode, and a measurement time associated with the high frequency mode of operation. The divisor and measurement time settings may be enabled or disabled, and when either setting is disabled, the counter becomes backwards compatible with traditional frequency measurement methods. The counter may also be provided with inputs representative of the desired type of measurement and the minimum and maximum expected values for the signal to be measured. The counter may perform the frequency measurement according to any one or more of the operating modes, and return a measurement result obtained in the operating mode that completes the measurement first.

Abstract: A device and method of eddy current based nondestructive testing of tubular structures made of electrically conductive materials is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of excitation electromagnets having an axis of symmetry and magnetoresistive sensors having an easy axis for magnetic field sensing; wherein the magnetoresistive sensors are arranged in a circular array on a single plane with the easy axis aligned radially with respect to the circular pattern and wherein the electromagnets are arranged in a circular pattern on both sides of the plane with their axes of symmetry being arranged parallel to the plane and orthogonal to radii of the circular pattern on which the electromagnets are placed.

Abstract: A method of testing a device under test (DUT) connected between first and second DUT nodes includes generating a set of control signals, and in response to the set of control signals, disconnecting a first voltage node from a first DUT node, connecting a second voltage node to the first DUT node, periodically connecting and disconnecting a third voltage node to and from the second DUT node at a predetermined frequency, disconnecting a fourth voltage node from the second DUT node when the third voltage node is connected to the second DUT node, and connecting the fourth voltage node to the second DUT node when the third voltage node is disconnected from the second DUT node. A circuit that performs the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A probe module, which is provided between a tester and a DUT for transmitting electrical signals therebetween, includes a signal transmitting member, a plurality of probes, a positioning member, and a signal connector. The signal transmitting member has a circuit and two grounding. The probes are electrical connected to the circuit and the groundings of the signal transmitting member. The positioning member is made of an insulating material, and provided on the probes. The signal connector is adapted to be electrically connected to the tester, wherein the signal connector has a signal transmission portion and a grounding portion; the signal transmission portion is electrically connected to the circuit of the signal transmitting member, and the grounding portion is electrically connected to the at least one grounding of the signal transmitting member.

Abstract: A system and method for making accurate current measurements by determining the differential voltage drop across a resistor in series with the load in the presence of large common mode voltages. A compensating voltage equal in magnitude but 180 degrees out of phase with a common mode voltage is generated and applied to a network of resistors connected to a measurement amplifier, thereby significantly reducing the magnitude of the common mode voltage at the measurement amplifier's inputs. An error correction voltage is generated and applied to the output of the measurement amplifier to compensate for errors in the values of the resistor network.