Abstract: Disclosed is method for compensating for variation in the capacitance between multiple capacitive sensors. Prior to sensing operations, baseline capacitance values can be acquired for all sensors. A correction factor can be calculated based on such baseline values. During sensing operations (run-time), variations in capacitance from baseline values can be modified by appropriate correction factors. Sensitivity between sensors can thus be made more uniform.

Abstract: Techniques for estimating resistance and capacitance of metal interconnects are described. An apparatus may include an interconnect, a set of pads, a set of isolation circuits, and a test circuit. The set of pads may be coupled to the interconnect and used for simultaneously applying a current through the interconnect and measuring a voltage across the interconnect. The current and voltage may be used to estimate the resistance of the interconnect. The test circuit may charge and discharge the interconnect to estimate the capacitance of the interconnect. The isolation circuits may isolate the pads from the interconnect when the test circuit charges and discharges the interconnect. The apparatus may further include another interconnect, another set of pads, and another set of isolation circuits that may be coupled in a mirror manner. Resistance and/or capacitance mismatch between the two interconnects may be accurately estimated.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one Rogowski coil and a processor. The at least one Rogowski coil is positioned within an electrical power distribution network to detect a first traveling wave current caused by a fault on an electrical power transmission line of the network, generate a first signal indicative of detection of the first traveling wave, detect a second traveling wave current caused by the fault on the transmission line, and generate a second signal indicative of detection of the second traveling wave. The processor is adapted to receive the first signal and the second signal and to determine, based on the first signal and the second signal, where on the transmission line the fault occurred.

Abstract: A MEMS device has a movable beam, a differential capacitor with a movable electrode that moves in response to the displacement of the movable beam and that is disposed between two stationary electrodes, and a voltage circuit for applying a first voltage to the first stationary electrode, second voltage to the second stationary electrode, and a third voltage to the movable electrode. The MEMS device also has a monitor operably coupled with the movable beam to monitor the displacement of the movable beam. In some embodiments, the monitor may monitor the distance between the movable electrode and at least one of the stationary electrodes. The MEMS device further has a voltage reducing circuit operatively coupled with the monitor, the movable electrode, and the stationary electrodes.

Abstract: In a method of detecting a repetition frequency of a measured signal, in order to detect the waveform repetition frequency of the measured signal with high accuracy even in the presence of a frequency fluctuation in the measured signal, the repetition frequency of the measured signal acquired by the conventional method is used as a provisional repetition frequency, and the frequency change amount of the specified signal obtained in the case where the measured signal is sampled sequentially with a sampling frequency greatly changed from the provisional sampling frequency to generate a frequency fold at the time of sampling is detected. Based on the detected frequency change amount of the specified signal and the change amount of the sample number indicating how many times the frequency fold has occurred in the process, the error contained in the sampling number with a frequency fluctuation contained in the measured signal is calculated.

Abstract: The measuring device has at least one measuring probe, e.g., a physical or electrochemical measuring probe, which is equipped with one or more memory units and which is connected through a cable, e.g., a coaxial cable, to a transmitter which includes a processor. The measuring probe has a ground wire and is connected to the memory unit through a first signal wire, wherein under the control of the processor in accordance with a transmission protocol, the first signal wire and a connecting cable serve for the unidirectional transmission of the analog or digital measuring signal of the measuring probe as well as the preferably bidirectional transmission between the measuring probe and the transmitter of digital operating data which are read from or to be written into the memory unit.

Abstract: An embedded s-parameter measurement system for measuring or determining an s-parameter is provided. The system includes an s-parameter test circuit for connecting to a port of a high-frequency multi-port device-under-test (DUT). The s-parameter test circuit includes a directional coupler for sampling a forward signal conveyed to the DUT and for sampling a reverse signal reflected by the DUT. The s-parameter test circuit also includes a peak detector electrically connected to the directional coupler for detecting a magnitude of a signal conveyed to the peak detector by the directional coupler. The s-parameter test circuit further includes a phase detector electrically connected to the directional coupler for determining a phase of a signal conveyed to the phase detector by the directional coupler, and at least one other s-parameter test circuit for connecting to another port of the high-frequency multi-port DUT.

Abstract: Non-invasive THz spectroscopic apparatus and methods are provided for detecting and/or identifying constituents such as variations in a structural entity where chemical or biological entities can reside. Position dependent scattering of THz radiation is employed to image voids and defects in the internal structure of samples, enabling the determination of contamination, spoilage or readiness of products such as wine in sealed containers.

Abstract: A microwave paint thickness sensor includes a single cylindrical cavity, a microwave source, and a signal detector. The cylindrical cavity is open at one end, the open end having a choke joint for interfacing with a painted surface. The cylindrical cavity is designed so that the electronic field is normal to the painted surface. In a preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by providing an optimally designed TM011 mode cavity. In this configuration, the resonant frequency of the cavity is linearly related to the inverse of the paint thickness. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the resonant cavity is optimally sized to resonate at a frequency where the sensor footprint can be minimized. Thus with the use of the choke joint, the small sensor interface area of the present invention may easily be applied to a curved surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining a time-domain-reflection response-information has a signal driver adapted to apply two pulses of different pulse lengths to a TDR port in order to excite a first TDR response signal corresponding to a first pulse and a second TDR response signal corresponding to a second pulse. The apparatus has a timing determinator adapted to provide a timing information on the basis of a first instance in time when the first TDR response signal crosses a threshold value and on the basis of a second instance in time when the second TDR response signal crosses the threshold value. The apparatus has a TDR response information calculator adapted to calculate an information about a TDR response on the basis of the timing information.

Abstract: An automatic multi-cable continuity tester. The multi-conductor electrical continuity tester includes a controller that is configured to generate a first serial stream of input test signals. The first serial stream of input test signals includes a plurality of signals equal in number to a plurality of conductors in a cable. A data input module is configured to convert the first serial stream of input test signals into a first parallel stream of test signals. A data output module is configured to receive and convert the first parallel stream of test signals to a first serial stream of output test signals.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring dielectric characteristics by generating a microwave signal, dividing the signal into reference and sounding signals, irradiating a body with the microwave signal, receiving the reflected, reference and total signals and in detecting said signals. The irradiation is carried out by a waveguide wave, the wave number of which in the free space filled with dielectric, is selected within a range from 1.0 to 1.07 the propagation number of the waveguide wave.

Abstract: A power line communication-based aircraft power distribution system may allow for both power line communication (PLC) technology and spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) technology to be utilized in aircraft power distribution systems to achieve key maintenance functions. Unlike conventional power distribution systems, which may, for example, use only SSTDR for fault detection, the present invention includes a hardware platform that may allow both the PLC and the SSTDR to be utilized in aircraft power distribution systems to achieve key maintenance functions, such as real time wire fault location, and cost and weight savings. Further, unlike conventional power distribution systems, which may only detect and locate damage in feeder conductor wire sections before the power is applied to the load, the power distribution system of the present invention may permit real time wire fault location.

Abstract: A combustion state detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine, includes convexity detection means (30) for detecting that domain within the detection interval in which the change shape of the ionic current is upwardly convex, on the basis of the ionic current data extracted by data extraction means (20), and preignition decision means (40) including comparison setting means for setting a comparison value with which the upwardly convex domain is compared, and functioning to decide the occurrence of the preignition or the premonitory phenomenon thereof when the upwardly convex domain lies at a timing earlier than the comparison value, wherein the convexity detection means (30) includes leak current judgment means for judging the appearance of a leak current across electrodes, and it enables the detection of the upwardly convex domain when the appearance of the leak current has been judged.

Abstract: A test signal is supplied to a test switch provided between a D/A converter for selecting and outputting a gray scale voltage of the driving circuit and an amplifier for amplifying and supplying an output voltage at the D/A converter to set a test mode, and an output voltage of the D/A converter is directly measured by a measuring device through the test switch to measure an ON resistance of a gray scale voltage selection circuit of the D/A converter.

Abstract: An electrical continuity test system with a tester and a remote probe. The tester includes circuitry for creating a pulsed current, an output for connection to a local end of a first test conductive element, to inject the pulses into the first test conductive element, an input for connection to a local end of a second test conductive element, and a visual and/or aural indication when the injected pulses are present on the second test conductive element. The remote probe includes an input for connection to a remote end of a first unidentified conductive element, an output for connection to a remote end of a second unidentified conductive element, a first visual and/or aural indication when the first unidentified conductive element is the first test conductive element, and a different visual and/or aural indication when the first unidentified conductive element is the second test conductive element.

Abstract: To provide a signal transmitting/receiving apparatus etc. where a cable length can be measured by using a general-purpose cable, without using an interface. A differential transmission circuit by the present invention includes a signal output circuit sending a high-speed differential signal and a pulse wave; a signal input circuit including a terminating resistor; a bias controller controlling a bias voltage on a transmission path; a terminating resistance controller disconnecting the terminating resistor on sensing a bias voltage and connecting it on sensing no bias voltage, by a bias sensing circuit; a sensing input circuit sensing a pulse wave reflected at the signal input circuit; and an output setting controller setting an electric characteristic of a signal outputted from the signal output circuit by a propagation time from sending the pulse wave by the signal output circuit to receiving the reflected pulse wave by the sensing input circuit.

Abstract: A microwave imaging process, and a system controlled by an associated software product, illuminate a target with microwaves from a transmitting antenna. Receiving antennas receive microwaves scattered by the target, and form microwave data. The illumination and receiving repeat over multiple transmitting antennas and multiple microwave frequencies. The microwave data is processed to form permittivity and conductivity images by selecting a background dispersion model for permittivity and conductivity. Permittivity and conductivity dispersion coefficients are determined, and permittivity and conductivity distributions are calculated, for each of the microwave frequencies. Forward solutions at multiple frequencies are determined from property distributions, and a dispersion coefficient based Jacobian matrix is determined. Dispersion coefficient updates are determined using the microwave data, and the dispersion coefficients are updated.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for measuring capacitance of a capacitor includes a microprocessor, a control circuit coupled to the capacitor, and an Analog-to-Digital (A/D) converting circuit. The control circuit receives a control signal from the microprocessor, and outputs an analog voltage signal of the capacitor, and the control circuit charges/discharges the capacitor according to the control signal. The A/D converting circuit receives the analog voltage signal from the control circuit, and outputs a digital voltage signal. The microprocessor receives the digital voltage signal from the A/D converting circuit, and calculates capacitance of the capacitor according to the digital voltage signal and charge/discharge time.

Abstract: A microwave position sensing system includes a plurality of target components that each move between multiple positions. A microwave generator produces a microwave frequency signal. A divider receives the microwave frequency signal and splits the microwave frequency signal into a plurality of position sensing signals. The position sensing signals are respectively sent to the plurality of target components to determine a position of each of the target components. Each position sensing signal may also be calibrated. In one example, first and second frequencies are transmitted through a common wave guide. The first frequency is reflected prior to reaching the target component to produce a calibration signal. The second signal, which is used to detect the position of the target component, is calibrated using the first frequency.