Abstract: One embodiment is a probe head for contacting microelectronic devices substantially lying in a test plane, the probe head including: (a) one or more substrate tiles having one or more probe tips disposed on a top surface thereof; and (b) a registration-alignment apparatus that holds the one or more substrate tiles: (i) in position so that the one or more probe tips are held in the test plane, and (ii) aligned so that the one or more probe tips are substantially coplanar to the test plane, which registration-alignment apparatus includes: (i) one or more capture elements affixed, directly or indirectly, to a frame; (ii) three or more posts mechanically supporting each of the one or more substrate tiles; and (iii) alignment actuators affixed, directly or indirectly, to the frame and the posts, which alignment actuators may be actuated to enable the posts to move in response to forces applied thereto from the one or more substrate tiles, and may be actuated to prevent the posts from moving.

Abstract: An angular position sensor (100) for determining angular position includes a shaft (105) having a threaded portion (108), and a structure for engaging an external application (119). The shaft (105) includes a first permanent magnet (114). A nut (116) is threaded on the threaded portion (108). The nut (116) is formed from a first magnetic permeable material or includes a second permanent magnet (118). At least one constraint (122) is coupled to the nut (116) for preventing rotational movement of the nut (116) while allowing linear motion of the nut (116). A first magnetic sensor (120) is positioned along a length of the threaded portion (108) of the nut (116) for measuring a linear position of the nut (116). A second magnetic sensor (124) is provided for measuring an angular position of the shaft (105).

Abstract: A visual inspection apparatus and method using the scanning electron microscope are disclosed. An electron beam is scanned repeatedly on a sample, and an inspection and a reference image are generated by the secondary electrons generated from the sample or reflected electrons. From the differential image between the inspection image and the reference image, a defect is determined. The number of pixels in the generated image along the direction of repetitive scanning by the electron beam can be changed.

Abstract: A probe apparatus is provided with a plurality of probe tiles, an interchangeable plate for receiving the probe tiles, a floating plate being disposed between the respective probe tile and a receiving hole on the interchangeable plate, and a control mechanism providing multi-dimensional freedom of motions to control a position of the probe tile relative to the respective receiving hole of the interchangeable plate. A method of controlling the floating plate is also provided by inserting a pair of joysticks into two respective adjustment holes disposed on the floating plate and moving the pair of joysticks to provide translational motions (X-Y) and rotational (theta) motion of the floating plate, and turning the pair of jack screws clockwise and counter-clockwise to provide a translational motion (Z) and two rotational (pitch and roll) motions of the floating plate.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for a target object includes at least two insulating wire materials disposed spaced from each other to transverse a mounting table, at least two pairs of supporting bodies horizontally disposed at outsides of the mounting table, for stretching said at least two wire materials in parallel with a mounting surface of the mounting table, and at least two grooves formed on the mounting surface of the mounting table to respectively receive therein said at least two wire materials by said at least two pairs of supporting bodies. The transfer mechanism further includes a first elevation driving mechanism for vertically moving said wire materials between said grooves and above of the mounting surface through said pairs of supporting bodies, wherein the target object is transferred between a carrying mechanism and the mounting table through said at least two wire materials.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises a read head, a position identification scale and a motion identification scale. The read head is provided with a position sensing unit opposite the position identification scale, and a motion sensing unit opposite the motion identification scale. The read head is further provided with a signal processing unit that is connected with the position sensing unit and the motion sensing unit. By such arrangements, the sensing accuracy can be improved, and the material cost can be relatively reduced.

Abstract: The electronic component tester includes: a socket configured to supply power to connection terminals for operating an electronic component; an electronic component mount member on which the electronic component is to be mounted; and a temperature adjusting member which is configured to come into contact with the electronic component mount member to keep the electronic component at a predetermined temperature. The electronic component mount member includes a heat transfer plate on which the electronic component is to be mounted and which is configured to come into contact with the temperature adjusting member, and an electronic component cover for covering the electronic component. The heat transfer plate includes through holes.

Abstract: An insulation resistance determining system (50) comprises an insulation resistance determining portion configured by connecting a coupling capacitor (52), a detection resistor (54), and a pulse oscillating circuit (56) in series with a common mode potential measuring point (30), and an insulation resistance determining portion having a filter (58) which processes an AC signal (vx) at a junction between the coupling capacitor (52) and the detection resistor (54), an amplifier (60), a wave-peak value detection circuit (62), and a controller (70).

Abstract: The disclosed examples of a telematics communication method involves detecting a condition signifying an emergency, and in response attempting a first wireless call directed to a call center of a telematics service provider, using a primary voice communication facility. If the first wireless call attempt fails, an attempt to complete at least one second wireless call directed to the call center is made, using one or more alternate voice communication facilities. Upon failure of the secondary call attempt(s), the method involves attempting to establish a wireless data communication with the call center, using a non-voice wireless communication facility.

Abstract: A potential measurement apparatus for measuring a surface potential of an object of measurement detects a change in electric charge induced at a detection electrode due to electrostatic induction by changing a distance between the detection electrode and the object of measurement in accordance with a predetermined period, using a neutral distance as reference, as a signal representing a change in electric current.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for detecting whether a magnetic element is mounted at a correct position on a retaining member is provided. The apparatus includes a holder, a magnetoresistive sensor, and a processor. The magnetoresistive sensor is held by the holder and capable of sensing a present magnetic flux from the magnetic element to the magnetoresistive sensor. The processor is electrically connected to the magnetoresistive sensor and has a predetermined reference magnetic flux stored information therein, configured for obtaining the present magnetic flux and comparing the present magnetic flux with the reference magnetic flux information, thereby detecting whether a magnetic element is mounted at a correct position on a retaining member.

Abstract: An architecture for providing operations and maintenance functionality in an open access wireless signal distribution system. The open access system makes use of a common, shared, distributed radio frequency distribution network and associated network entities that enable a system operator to offer access to wireless infrastructure that maybe shared among multiple wireless service providers (WSPs). The WSPs, or tenants of the operators, may obtain access in a tenant lease-space model. The open access system provides the ability for multiple tenants in a given community to share wireless equipment such as remotely located antenna sites, regardless of their specific requirements for radio frequency (RF) air interface signal protocols and/or management messaging formats. The present invention is directed to an open access Network Management System (NMS) that provides multiple tenants with an appropriate level of access and control over the system elements that carry their signaling.

Abstract: An electronic device test method incorporating a stress application step that is effective in screening out infant mortality failures of an electronic device. More specifically, a method for testing an electronic device constructed from a single or a plurality of semiconductor components, includes: turning a power supply on and off repeatedly while changing the ON/OFF cycle and/or voltage value of the power supply that is connected to the electronic device; and verifying whether or not the electronic device operates normally after the power supply has been turned on and off repeatedly.

Abstract: A paging apparatus and method in a mobile communication system providing an MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service). In the mobile communication system, to page a UE for a first service through a primary carrier during a second service in progress through a secondary carrier, a PICH (Paging Indication Channel) transmitter in a Node B transmits paging indication information to the UE through the primary carrier by oscillating the primary carrier as a transmission frequency. A PCH (Paging Channel) transmitter transmits paging information to the UE through the primary carrier or the secondary carrier by oscillating the primary carrier or the secondary carrier as the transmission frequency under a predetermined control. A PBMSCH (Physical Broadcast Multicast Shared Channel) transmitter transmits data of the second service through the secondary carrier by oscillating the secondary carrier as the transmission frequency.

Abstract: To reduce intercell interference, a method of coherently coordinated downlink transmission in a wireless network involves coordinating transmissions from a plurality of base stations to a plurality of wireless units, for coherent, reinforced reception of the transmitted signals at the wireless units. Thus, transmissions from the base stations are coordinated such that signals received at each wireless unit's particular location constructively add, but cancel out at other locations. The signals are generated based on a zero-forcing operation, e.g., by applying zero-forcing complex antenna weight vectors to data symbols designated for transmission to the wireless units. For fairness, the signals are transmitted at no less than a guaranteed common rate. A convex optimization problem (which incorporates a per-base station power constraint or a per-transmission antenna power constraint) is solved to maximize the guaranteed common rate. Dirty paper coding may also be employed.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the interoperability of communication system components using multiple audio encoding formats within a single talkgroup is provided. The system includes at least two base site repeaters, each of which may be configured to receive and process voice calls from communication units using different audio encoding formats. The system also includes a transcoder provided at either the base sites or as a separate infrastructure server. When a voice call is transmitted to a first repeater using a first audio encoding format, the audio signal is transcoded by the transcoder and provided to a second repeater using a second audio encoding format. The second repeater then broadcasts the voice call to any communication unit within range using the second audio encoding format.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a free format short message service (SMS) text message for alerting a mobile phone's user to significant information in the message received by the mobile phone from a sender. Program code stored in memory on the mobile phone executes the method on a processor. A theme, a rheme, at least one structural component, and a sentence type of the normalized message are generated from which a FEATURE FACTOR priority is determined. Semantic content of the normalized message is determined from which an EMOTIONAL FACTOR priority is determined. A TOTAL PRIORITY computed as a sum of the FEATURE FACTOR priority and the EMOTIONAL FACTOR priority is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold, from which it is determined that the received message is significant, which triggers overriding default handset settings of the mobile phone and alerting the user that the received message is significant.

Abstract: A method of fair scheduling for channel access in a wireless network comprising a plurality of nodes including a first node and at least one second node is described, the method comprising the steps of: arranging (RICP) a packet to be transmitted at the first node; calculating (COMP) a waiting time (ta) for the first node; the first node attempting (ATTX) the transmission of the packet on the channel at least after the calculated waiting time; characterised in that said calculation step includes an evaluation step of a first size representative of the ratio between a real use of the channel by the first node and a real use of the channel by a group of the plurality of nodes, during the transmission on the network of further packets preceding said packet.

Abstract: A Wireless Whooper system for use in wireless networks is provided with a collection of wireless client stations arranged to transmit and receive wireless streams of information, and wireless Access Points (APs) arranged to wirelessly link with the wireless client stations, each supporting a group of wireless client stations; and a supervisory processing unit (SPU) arranged to monitor and dynamically switch between available wireless APs, forward and transmit streams of information through the wireless networks. Such a supervisory processing unit (SPU) can be installed as a separate control device or integrated within each wireless AP to handle the dynamic switching and routing of streams of information between available wireless APs within the system.

Abstract: The base station transceiver in a CDMA mobile communication system is configured to have a separate hardware component for performing only a Viterbi decoding apart from a single hardware H/W that performs a composite function of modulation/demodulation and Viterbi encoding/decoding. The modulator and the Viterbi encoder are provided in one hardware by sectors; more than one demodulator being provided by sectors for demodulating signals from multiple users. And, more than one Viterbi decoder is separately provided for performing a Viterbi decoding of the signals demodulated at the plural demodulator constituted in each sector, thereby facilitating a decoding of demodulated signals received from multiple users and enhancing efficiency of the hardware.