Abstract: A system and method for testing an on-line current transformer is provided. The current transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. An operating current continues to flow through the primary winding during testing of the current transformer. A controllable load is applied to the current transformer secondary winding. The controllable load is varied over a range of load settings including a maximum current setting and a maximum voltage setting. At a plurality of load settings within the range of load settings, a current flowing through the current transformer secondary winding is measured. Also, a voltage across the current transformer secondary winding is measured. An actual excitation curve is generated from the measured currents and voltages corresponding to the plurality of load settings.

Abstract: A method for measuring the step height of a STI structure is described. The method involves measuring the change in resistance of a polysilicon structure as the step height changes. The resistance of the polysilicon structure is measured by applying a voltage and measuring the resulting current.

Abstract: Wiring defects are located by detecting a reflected signal that is developed when an arc occurs through the defect to a nearby ground. The time between the generation of the signal and the return of the reflected signal provides an indication of the distance of the arc (and therefore the defect) from the signal source. To ensure arcing, a signal is repeated at gradually increasing voltages while the wire being tested and a nearby ground are immersed in a conductive medium. In order to ensure that the arcing occurs at an identifiable time, the signal whose reflection is to be detected is always made to reach the highest potential yet seen by the system.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in a utility meter having a base configured to be mounted to a structure and a component module adapted to be releasably secured to the base inhibits unauthorized removal of the component module from the base. The arrangement includes a mounting fastener assembly disposed on the component module and a closure element. The mounting fastener assembly has an access opening configured to receive a mounting fastener and a mounting opening configured to allow a portion of the mounting fastener to extend therethrough and into the base. The mounting fastener includes a portion configured to be retained by the base. The closure element is pivotally attached to the component module and is movable into a first position wherein the closure element restricts the access opening and into a second position wherein the access opening is accessible.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a measurement tool are disclosed. In one aspect, a measurement tool is provided that includes a frame that has a first member. A second member is provided that is moveable relative to the first member along a first axis and a second axis. The first and second members have first and second cooperating structures engageable to enable the second member to be moved downward along the second axis to a preselected elevation when the second member is moved to a preselected position along the first axis. The movement of the second member along the first axis is constrained when the second member is moved to the preselected elevation. A meter is coupled to the second member for measuring feature heights. The meter has a contact surface that contacts the feature when the second member is moved to the preselected elevation. The tool provides for non-destructive probe card pin height measurement.

Abstract: A low cost, easy to use, hand held pulse stream analyzer is designed to show, after an engine stops operating, which pulse stream, ignition or injection, quit first. Additionally, the analyzer is capable, using relative time domain analysis to comparatively analyze these pulse streams to the alternator ripple pulse stream, of determining if the fuel flow to the injectors quit, thus causing the engine to quit. This information quickly gives the technician a direction to investigate to find a responsible faulty component for the problem being experienced, and is especially helpful in attempting to diagnose intermittent faults in a much more efficient manner. The inventive device is usable on virtually all brands and types of gasoline powered vehicles.

Abstract: A method for receiving data from a sending system in a receiving system includes receiving a pair of differential clock signals from the sending system, determining a reference voltage in the receiving system in response to the pair of differential clock signals, receiving a test data signal from the sending system, adjusting the reference voltage to form an updated reference voltage in response to the test data signal, receiving a single-ended data signal from the sending system relative to a reference voltage and determining a data signal in response to the single-ended data signal and to the updated reference voltage.

Abstract: A method of sensing moisture based on propagation-delay provides absolute readings of volumetric water content in a moisture-bearing medium without calibrating the sensor or its readings for the conductivity or temperature of the medium. A fast transition is launched on a transmission line that is immersed in the medium to be measured. The amplitude of the resultant waveform is analyzed at precise, programmable time increments by using a high-speed latching comparator. Firmware in a controlling microprocessor facilitates the successive reconstruction of the significant characteristics of the returning waveform. The microprocessor analyzes these characteristics to provide an accurate determination of propagation delay and conductivity, even for severely distorted waveforms. The moisture content of the medium is derived from the propagation delay.

Abstract: In order to check an occurrence of a signal component in an input signal, a method and a device is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a measure for the frequency of the input signal from the input signal, determining a variance of the measure for the frequency of the input signal, comparing the determined variance with a predetermined limit value, and confirming the occurrence of the signal components if the variance lies within a predetermined range in relation to the predetermined limit value. The occurrence of a signal component in an input signal can be determined very fast and by performing only a few steps. Therefore, the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention can very well be used in particular in mobile devices, as for example in hearing devices.

Abstract: A timebase establishes the timing of samples acquired by a signal sampler relative to a trigger signal that is synchronous with an input signal applied to the signal sampler. The synchronous trigger activates a first pair of samplers included in the timebase to acquire samples of a reference signal and of a shifted version of the reference signal provided within the timebase. A divider receives the reference signal and divides the frequency of the reference signal by a predesignated divisor, and a third sampler included in the timebase acquires samples of this divided reference signal, also according to the synchronous trigger. The samples of the input signal are acquired by the signal sampler according to the divided reference signal. A timing analyzer determines the timing of these acquired samples of the input signal relative to the synchronous trigger, based on the acquired samples of the reference signal, the shifted reference signal and the divided reference signal.

Abstract: Shifts in rock strata are measured be inserting into a bore hole in the rock a conductive tube in which an insulated conductor runs along the length and the continuity is measured between the conductor and the tube. When conductivity is detected, the shift in the strata amounts to the distance required for the tube wall to break the insulation and create an electrical content between the tube and the conductor.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting volatile organic compounds in ambient air by positioning a detection cell adjacent a gas discharge device to cause molecules of organic compounds to become ionized, and applying an electric field across the collection cell to attract ions and free electrons formed in the cell to develop a current, and amplifying the current magnitude so created.

Abstract: An anti-fuse system composed of a multiplicity of anti-fuse circuits (24, 26, 28, N) connected across a voltage source (10) by a pair of conductors (16, 18). Each anti-fuse circuit comprising an anti-fuse (30) connected in a series with a blow or control transistor (36) and a control circuit (44) for monitoring the status of the anti-fuse (30), Control circuit (44) provides an “on” signal to the gate (38) of control transistor (36) only when a_“select_” signal is received at an input (46) of control circuit (44) and if anti-fuse (30) has not been blown. After the anti-fuse (30) is blown, control circuit (44) turns off the control transistor (36) thereby providing a constant power source voltage across each anti-fuse circuit (24, 26, 28, N) regardless of the number of parallel anti-fuses which have been blown.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single-stage, switched capacitor circuit for measuring changes in a variable by measuring changes in a capacitor gap. The change in the capacitor gap corresponds directly to a change in a measurable variable, such as pressure and acceleration, and thus a change in voltage. The circuit includes at least one reference capacitor, a sensor capacitor, a plurality of switches responsive to a timing device, and a device for generating substantially constant reference voltages. The sensor circuit does not result in a DC offset value, but results in the AC component of the voltage being directly proportional to the change in the variable through a substantially constant voltage is supplied to a node near the sensor capacitance. The circuit may be trimmed using a digital to analog converter and/or capacitors coupled in parallel.

Abstract: A highly sensitive charged particle measuring device capable of measuring low-level alpha rays comprises in a measurement chamber 7 provided with a sealable door 15, a test sample 2 and a semiconductor detector 1, a radiation measuring circuit 30 including a preamplifier 30c connected to the semiconductor detector 1, a linear amplifier 30d, and a pulse height analyzer 30e, a charged particle emission amount arithmetic unit 40 for performing the quantitative analysis of charged particles from its measurement, a display unit for displaying its analysis result, and further has an evacuation pipe line and a pure gas supply pipe line for performing supply and replacement of the pure gas in the measuring chamber 7.

Abstract: A device for measuring the rate of flow of fluids in a conduit is positioned within the conduit and includes a tube having two spaced part detectors which are separated by shielding units either side of them which are not in electrical contact with the detector units, when a variable electrical field is applied between the walls of the conduit and the shielding units the detector units detect discontinuities in the fluid, e.g., by detecting changes in the ratio of voltage to current and by correlating the movement of the discontinuities between the detector units, it is possible to measure the rate of flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A phase noise measurement module (PNMM), system and method for measuring phase noise improve accuracy of phase noise measurements of a signal under test (SUT) using a spectrum analyzer. The PNMM includes an RF to hF frequency converter and a selectable frequency divider. The system includes the PNMM connected to the spectrum analyzer and employs an LO signal from a tunable LO in the spectrum analyzer. The method includes directly converting an input SUT to an IF signal having either a second or a third IF frequency that is applied to a corresponding frequency conversion stage of the spectrum analyzer before the phase noise is measured. The present invention bypasses a first conversion stage, and typically a second conversion stage as well, of the spectrum analyzer and directly converts the SUT to either the second or third IF frequency, thereby reducing phase noise added to the SUT.

Abstract: A cable termination assembly for testing the quality of insulation surrounding a power cable has one termination design to fit a large range of cable constructions, does not require different insulation shield cut-back distances, provides a secure electrical connection, and is environmentally friendly. A cable grip assembly is attached to an exposed conductor. The bottom outer surface of an inner cup is attached to the inner bottom surface of an outer cup wherein the inner cup is fully contained in the outer cup. When the two cups are attached, the cable grip assembly is mateably connected into the top of the inner cup and the outer cup is filled with a high dielectric strength liquid covering the inner cup and the cable grip assembly. After the high dielectric strength liquid has been added, a voltage is applied and the partial voltage discharge of the power cable is measured.

Abstract: A current measuring device comprising a Rogowski coil (30). Connected across ends of the coil (30) is a passive integrator in two parts (34, 36), the parts being connected by a coaxial cable (32). Connected to the output of the passive integrator (34, 36), is an electronic integrator (38). At low frequencies the passive integrator (34, 36) has a substantially constant gain and the electronic integrator (38) integrates the signal from the coil (30). At high frequencies, the electronic integrator (38) has substantially constant gain and the passive integrator (34, 36) integrates the signal from the coil (30). In order to reduce high frequency voltage oscillations, the Rogowski coil (30) is terminated with a coil damping resistor that has a value that is approximately the same as a characteristic impedance of the coil.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting accumulation of material concurrently on multiple areas of a surface in real time. In one embodiment, it is used for detecting icing of airframes while in use or on the ground while awaiting use. It may use either Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) or Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FM-CW) sources to provide a known energizing signal to a transmission line sensor. The system ascertains the signal's round trip travel time in the transmission line. As material accumulates around the transmission line sensor, the medium through which the signal propagates is indicated by the change in time for the signal to propagate in relation to propagation in a reference medium, e.g., air. By employing pre-specified spectral analysis algorithms and referencing to the dielectric constant of media of interest, a determination of the occurrence, location, and the rate and type of material accumulation can be made.