Abstract: A device comprises a housing, a detector for receiving solar irradiance and for providing a detector signal providing an indication of an amount of solar irradiance received by the detector and a shield transparent to at least part of the solar irradiance to be detected, the shield and the housing providing a detector space for housing at least part of the detector. The device further comprises a first light source for emitting light to the shield and a first light sensor arranged to receive light from the first light source, arranged to provide a first signal providing an indication for an amount of light received by the first light sensor. Particles will and reflect light back to the detector space. The reflected light is received by the light sensor. Hence, a signal generated by the sensor is an indication for pollution of the shield.

Abstract: A device comprises a housing, a detector for receiving solar irradiance and for providing a detector signal providing an indication of an amount of solar irradiance received by the detector and a shield transparent to at least part of the solar irradiance to be detected, the shield and the housing providing a detector space for housing at least part of the detector. The device further comprises a first light source for emitting light to the shield and a first light sensor arranged to receive light from the first light source, arranged to provide a first signal providing an indication for an amount of light received by the first light sensor. Particles will and reflect light back to the detector space. The reflected light is received by the light sensor. Hence, a signal generated by the sensor is an indication for pollution of the shield.

Abstract: A device comprises a housing, a detector for receiving solar irradiance and for providing a detector signal providing an indication of an amount of solar irradiance received by the detector and a shield transparent to at least part of the solar irradiance to be detected, the shield and the housing providing a detector space for housing at least part of the detector. The device further comprises a first light source for emitting light to the shield and a first light sensor arranged to receive light from the first light source, arranged to provide a first signal providing an indication for an amount of light received by the first light sensor. Particles will and reflect light back to the detector space. The reflected light is received by the light sensor. Hence, a signal generated by the sensor is an indication for pollution of the shield.

Abstract: Disclosed are stabilized aqueous polymer compositions containing A) a stabilizing amount of a least a sulfur dye or containing a stabilizing amount of a sulfur dye with a compound comprising a heterocyclic system containing nitrogen and sulphur as ring heteroatoms and B) at least one polymer comprising groups which are capable of complex formation with ions. The aqueous polymer compositions are stabilized against thermal or other degradation processes of the polymer by addition of component A) to allow their use even under harsh conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas particulate filter made of sintered metal for removing particulates contained in the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine, particularly of a diesel internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas particulate filter is made of a filter material having at least one metal support (1), which has openings (O). The openings (O) are bounded by segments (S), which are tilted in respect to the outer surface planes of the support (1). The openings (O) are filled with sinter metal powder. The support (1) consists of an expanded metal, and the sections delimitating the openings (O) of the support (1) are joined to one another with a material bond forming nodes (K). The sintered metal powder filling of the openings (O) is arranged in a substantially flush manner with the outside surfaces of the support (1).

Abstract: The aqueous polymer composition comprises a water soluble polymer having a molar weight of at least 104 Daltons and comprising functional groups which may form complexes with metal ions. The aqueous polymer compositions of this invention are stabilized against thermal or other degradation processes by addition of a phenothiazine compound to allow their use even under harsh conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are stabilized aqueous polymer compositions containing A) a stabilizing amount of a least a sulfur dye or containing a stabilizing amount of a sulfur dye with a compound comprising a heterocyclic system containing nitrogen and sulphur as ring heteroatoms and B) at least one polymer comprising groups which are capable of complex formation with ions. The aqueous polymer compositions are stabilized against thermal or other degradation processes of the polymer by addition of component A) to allow their use even under harsh conditions.

Abstract: The aqueous polymer composition comprises a water soluble polymer having a molar weight of at least 104 Daltons and comprising functional groups which may form complexes with metal ions. The aqueous polymer compositions of this invention are stabilized against thermal or other degradation processes by addition of a phenothiazine compound to allow their use even under harsh conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a one-time programmable memory device. In order to make such a memory device particular simple and reliable, it is proposed that the device comprises a MOS selection transistor T1 and a MOS memory transistor T2 connected in series between a voltage supply line BL and ground Gnd. The device further comprises programming means for applying predetermined voltages Vsel, Vctrl, Vprog to the gate of the selection transistor T1, to the gate of the memory transistor T2 and to the voltage supply line BL. The applied voltages Vsel, Vctrl, Vprog are selected such that they force the memory transistor T2 into a snap-back mode resulting in a current thermally damaging the drain junction of the memory transistor T2. The invention relates equally to a corresponding method for programming a one time programmable memory.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas particulate filter made of sintered metal for removing particulates contained in the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine, particularly of a diesel internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas particulate filter is made of a filter material having at least one metal support (1), which has openings (O). The openings (O) are bounded by segments (S), which are tilted in respect to the outer surface planes of the support (1). The openings (O) are filled with sinter metal powder The support (1) consists of an expanded metal, and the sections delimitating the openings (O) of the support (1) are joined to one anther with a material bond forming nodes (K). The sintered metal powder filling of the openings (O) is arranged in a substantially flush manner with the outside surfaces of the support (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas particulate filter made of sintered metal for removing particulates contained in the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine, particularly of a diesel internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas particulate filter is made of a filter material having at least one metal support (1), which has openings (O) and on which porous sintered metal powered is bound by means of a sintering process. The invention is characterized in that the support (1) consists of an expanded metal, and the sections delimitating the openings (O) of the support (1) are joined to one anther with a material bond.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for improving the ESD protection in an integrated circuit. In order to achieve an effective use of chip area, it is proposed to connect a passive component between the bonding pad and an integrated circuit, said passive component being arranged over an electrically non-conductive layer and under the bonding pad. In the event of damage to the bonding pad when bonding or testing, only the passive component, at most, is short-circuited, but the functionality of the output driver stage and of the integrated circuit remains unaffected.

Abstract: Text Integrated circuit device (20) comprising a silicon substrate (21), integrated devices (22) with contacts (23.1, 23.2), an isolating layer (24) at least partially covering the integrated devices (22) and comprising conducting areas (24.1, 24.2) which establish a conductive path to the contacts (23.1, 23.2) of the integrated devices (22). A metallization level (25) with metal lines (26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4) is provided which connect to one of the contacts (23.2). The metal lines (26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4) are situated above the isolating layer (24). A passivation layer (27)—situated above the metallization level (25)—comprises at least two contact areas (28.1, 28.2) for partially exposing at least two of the metal lines (26.2, 26.4). A bump bridge (29) comprising a conductive, low-resistance material, is situated on the passivation layer (27). The bump bridge (29) has a high aspect ratio and provides for a conductive connection between at least two of the metal lines (26.2, 26.4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated circuit, comprising:

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for improving the ESD protection in an integrated circuit. In order to achieve an effective use of chip area, it is proposed to connect a passive component between the bonding pad and an integrated circuit, said passive component being arranged over an electrically non-conductive layer and under the bonding pad. In the event of damage to the bonding pad when bonding or testing, only the passive component, at most, is short-circuited, but the functionality of the output driver stage and of the integrated circuit remains unaffected.

Abstract: An arrangement for improving the ESD protection in a CMOS buffer includes a plurality of PMOS transistors (31 to 37) and a plurality of NMOS transistors (41-47) which are connected in series with the PMOS transistors and have a finger width WN which is larger than the finger width WP of the PMOS transistors in order to be capable of withstanding an increased current load in the case of an electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: A controller has two shunt lines connected in parallel with safety relays. For testing their switching capability, the safety relays are reversed to their idle positions and the change in voltage is monitored on their idle contacts. If voltage is missing, an error signal is issued. During the test, the parallel shunt line is closed so that the safety power line is not interrupted. Switching amplifiers having a response and action time which is a fraction of the preset response time of the safety relays control the safety relays. For testing the electrical control, the drives of the safety relays are switched to currentless and the change in voltage is monitored on the drives. If the change in voltage is inadequate, an error signal is issued. The safety relays remain in their operating positions during the test.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for improving the ESD protection in a CMOS buffer which includes a plurality of PMOS transistors (31 to 37) and a plurality of NMOS transistors (41-47) which are connected in series with the PMOS transistors and have a finger width WN which is larger than the finger width WP of the PMOS transistors in order to be capable of withstanding an increased current load in the case of an electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: The system provides for one single cable with four electrical conductors (16 to 19). Two of the conductors (18, 19) form a field bus line for the signal transmission, and the other two conductors (16, 17) form an energy line for providing energy supply. All signal transmitters (1, 2) and signal receivers (3, 4) are connected to the cable, and the cable (16-19) is fitted at both ends with a line termination (20-22). Each signal transmitter (1, 2) and each signal receiver (3, 4) has a field bus controller (8, 10). The entire signal transmission takes place via the two-wire field bus line (18, 19).