Abstract: A lightning detector designed for aircraft carried applications provides for improved lightning discrimination and display. The instrument employs a relatively wide band receiver so as to retain the received waveform or digital replicas thereof. This allows more precise discrimination between desired lightning signals and noise. Signals are processed to provide for effective display of the available information. The display modes that are enabled by the signals include flash and cell mode as well as a combined flash and cell mode. The cell mode provides for generating and displaying a cumulative weight of lightning activity, giving each strike a regional effect as opposed to illustrating it as a point. Color is used to improve the user's grasp of the displayed information; the color illustrating increased intensity from the blue-green to the yellow-red. Flash mode shows locations of the different flashes within the range scale; this mode too may use color for a similar effect.

Abstract: A periodic broadband signal can be used to determine the S21 measurement for a channel by stimulating the channel across a spectrum of interest. The channel response to such broadband signal can be measured from undersampled data captured at the receiver. The Fourier transform of the broadband signal as received, divided by the Fourier transform of broadband signal as transmitted, constitutes the S21. A physically contiguous IC can integrate both a receiver circuit, at which S21 is to be measured, along with an undersampler for sampling the received broadband signal. To maximize signal to noise, a pattern for the broadband signal can be selected to maximize the minimum power across the spectrum of interest. A pattern generator for the broadband signal can be integrated on the same physically contiguous IC with a multiplexer that can select either the pattern generator, or a typical source of data, for transmission into the channel.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for sensing gases includes a gas detector with at least one light emitter and at least one light detector configured to detect an intensity of light at wavelengths of light indicative of target gas(es). The system also includes a processor circuit and a data storage device in communication with the gas detector and configured to determine an amount of target gas in the volume of the gas-air mixture and to determine a lower explosive limit (“LEL”) level for at least one target gas in the gas-air mixture. The processor is configured to receive data regarding temperature and relative humidity of the gas-air mixture such that the processor circuit can adjust the LEL according to the temperature and humidity. Temperature and humidity sensors may be included to sense these conditions for inputting to the processor.

Abstract: Adaptive rule-based methods to solve localization problems for ad hoc wireless sensor networks are disclosed. A large problem may be solved as a sequence of very small subproblems, each of which is solved by semidefinite programming relaxation of a geometric optimization model. The subproblems may be generated according to a set of sensor/anchor selection rules and a priority list. The methods scale well and provide improved positioning accuracy. A dynamic version may be used for estimating moving sensors locations in a real-time environment. The method may use dynamic distance measurement updates among sensors, and utilizes subproblem solving for static sensor localization. Methods to deploy sensor localization algorithms in clustered distributed environments are also provided, permitting application to arbitrarily large networks. In addition, the methods may be used to solve sensor localizations in 2D or 3D space. A preprocessor may be used for localization of networks without absolute position information.

Abstract: An on die thermal sensor (ODTS) includes a thermal sensor for outputting a first comparing voltage by detecting a temperature of the semiconductor memory device; a comparing unit for outputting a trimming code by comparing the first comparing voltage with a second comparing voltage and increasing or decreasing a preset digital code in response to the comparing result; and a voltage level adjusting unit for adjusting a voltage level of the second comparing voltage by determining a maximum variation voltage and a minimum variation voltage based on the trimming code and a temperature control code.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an information system is divided into sections, with one or more first computers located in a first section and one or more second computers located in a second section, including a first temperature sensor sensing a temperature condition for the first section and a second temperature sensor sensing a temperature condition for the second section. In some embodiments, when heat distribution determined from the first and second temperature conditions is not in conformance with a predetermined rule for heat distribution, the information system is configured to relocate a portion of the processing load of the first computers to the second computers, or vice versa, for bringing the heat distribution into conformance with the rule. In some embodiments, the effect of other equipment, such as storage system or switches in the sections is also considered, and loads on this equipment may also be relocated between sections.

Abstract: A method for measuring geometric deviations of a doctor blade using an apparatus, including initializing the apparatus, mounting the doctor blade to a doctor blade holding device, illuminating the doctor blade with light, positioning a first portion of the doctor blade at an optical axis of a camera, obtaining a first image signal from the camera that corresponds to the first portion of the doctor blade, generating a first doctor blade geometry value associated with the first image signal, and determining if a first geometric deviation of the doctor blade is within acceptable tolerance using the first doctor blade geometry value.

Abstract: In a sensor network system comprising a sensor terminal and a management server, the sensor terminal transmits observation data acquired using the sensor, the management server has a latest data storage manager which manages the latest observation data among observation data received from the sensor terminal, a history data storage manager which manages the history of the observation data from any time when data was received from the sensor terminal to the latest observation data, and a missing data manager which manages missing history data, and compensates the missing history data based on a predetermined rule, and when a request for such observation data is received, at least one of the latest observation data managed by the latest data storage manager, and history data wherein the missing data has been compensated and managed by the history data storage manager, is output according to the type of request.

Abstract: A method for testing VLSI circuits comprises a two-pass diagnostic method for testing a circuit wherein a first pass comprises a conventional test flow wherein an ATPG tool generates a set of test patterns and identifies possible faulty nets within the circuit. A second pass focuses on a designated critical subset of the circuit extracted using a method for extracting a subset for failure diagnosis of the tested circuit. A second pass utilizes an extraction algorithm which extracts one or more critical subsets of the circuit in order to obtain more accurate failure diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention recognises and eliminates from a biomagnetic measurement signal interferences whose source is disposed in the direct vicinity of an object being measured. The invention utilises the SSS method that can be used to separate from one another the signals associated with the internal and external sources of a set of measurement sensors by calculating two series developments. The sources to be examined in the invention and disposed in the so-called intermediate space produce a component to both of the developments, and can, therefore, be detected by means of an analysis to be performed in a time domain. This division into components can be made using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the Independent Component Analysis (ICA) or the Singular Value Decomposition. Finally, the clarified interferences in the intermediate space can be eliminated from the measured signal using, for example, the linear algebraic orthogonal projection.

Abstract: In a method of evaluating measured values for recognizing defect conditions due to material fatigue on aircraft parts, strain sensors (6) are applied on the critical locations of an aircraft (1) and measured values of outputs of the strain sensors are detected at different loading conditions, amplified and stored through several measuring circuits. An evaluating apparatus (9) derives, signals or indicates a material fatigue by comparison of current measured values with previous measured values. The critical aircraft parts (1) are impinged on with prescribed loading conditions by loading elements (3). The strain effect caused thereby is detected by measuring circuits. The evaluating apparatus (9) forms, for at least each loading condition and each measuring circuit, an allocated reference value and a permissible limit value range. If current measured values exceed the limit value range, this represents a material fatigue manifestation.

Abstract: A system for detecting differential bearing damages includes a synthesized tachometer that generates a tachometer signal corresponding to the race speed difference of a bearing assembly such that the bearing damage speed difference dependency can be eliminated and the damage features can be enhanced. The system also includes acceleration enveloping in the cycle domain to further enhance the damage signatures.

Abstract: Traditionally, time stamp circuits have been used for precise digital time measurements. The resolution of these types of circuits, though, was generally limited by clock speed. Here, an apparatus is provided that performs time stamp operations and is not generally limited by clock speed. This apparatus generally uses an interpolator, counter, lathing circuits, and a synchronizer. Typically, the interpolator provides a residue signal to the synchronizer, and the synchronizer can determines whether to add the interpolation signal to a counter state based at least in part on a comparison of an event signal and the residue signal.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for non-destructive detection of corrosion using quantum dots. In one embodiment, a surface of an area on a commodity associated with a set of quantum dots is tested. A pattern of wavelengths emitted by the set of quantum dots associated with the surface of the commodity is detected to form a quantum dot pattern. The quantum dot pattern is analyzed to determine whether corrosion has occurred in the area on the surface of the commodity.

Abstract: A method of determining the intrinsic electrical characteristics of a device under test (DUT) includes determining a set of test measurements for a test structure including the device and determining test measurements for a number of de-embedding test structures. Based on the test measurements, DUT measurements are determined using both open-short and three-step de-embedding processes. The DUT measurements are combined to determine an imperfection error, which is used to adjust the calculations of a four-port de-embedding method. The adjusted calculations provide for a more accurate measurement of the parasitic elements in the test structure, thereby improving the determination of the intrinsic electrical characteristics of the device.

Abstract: Signal processing includes receiving an unknown signal having a distorted component and an undistorted component, the distorted component and the undistorted component having a nonlinear relationship; and separating from the unknown signal a reference component and a target component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for controlling the operations of a well service rig at a well site by evaluating load sensor data obtained from sensors on or associated with the well service rig. A rig load data chart can be reviewed and an average rig load can be determined for each pull of tubing or rods from a well. The average rig load can be used to calculate and set a rig overload level. If the rig load sensor reads a rig load at or above the rig overload level, the clutch for the hoist can be disengaged and the brake applied to prevent the load from either damaging the rig or breaking off the tubing or rods in the well. In addition, the rig load can be evaluated to determine when the limit the block speed when pulling rods or tubing.

Abstract: A method for providing a virtual sensor network based system. The method may include obtaining project data descriptive of a virtual sensor network to be used in a control system of a machine; establishing a virtual sensor network including a plurality of virtual sensors based on the project data. Each virtual sensor may have a model type, at least one input parameter, and at least one output parameter. The method may also include recording model information, measurement data, and performance information of the virtual sensor network including the plurality of virtual sensors; creating one or more calibration certificates of the virtual sensor network including a plurality of virtual sensors based on the model information, the measurement data, and the performance information; and generating a documentation package associated with the virtual sensor network.

Abstract: A window size for outlier detection in a time series of a database system is determined. Strength values are calculated for data points using a set of window sizes, resulting at least in one set of strength values for each window size. The strength values increase as a distance between a value of a respective data point and a local mean value increases. For each set of strength values, a weighted sum is calculated based on the respective set of strength values. A weighting function is used to suppress the effect of largest strength values and a window size is selected based on the weighted sums.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a sensor to sense one target from a plurality of targets includes predicting states of the targets. A set of probability distributions is generated. Each probability distribution in the set represents a setting or settings of at least one control parameter of the sensor. An expected information gain value for each control parameter in the set is calculated. The information gain value represents an expected quality of a measurement of one of the targets taken by the sensor if controlled according to the control parameter, based on the predicted state of the target. Updating the set of probability distributions takes place to identify the sensor control parameters that maximise the expected information gain value. The sensor is then controlled in accordance with the maximising control parameters.