Abstract: An apparatus and a method for protecting charge storage elements from photo-induced currents in silicon integrated circuits are provided. In order to protect against photo-induced currents that are generated outside the storage node circuits themselves, an n-well guard ring is placed as closely as possible to the transistors and other elements in the storage node circuits. As a result there is a minimum of exposed silicon area in which light can produce current in areas next to the storage node circuits, and the n-well guard ring captures photo-induced currents that are generated outside the storage node circuits. In order to protect against the photo-induced currents that are generated inside the storage node circuits, an aluminum interconnect layer is placed on top of the storage node circuit, separated by an insulating layer of silicon dioxide. This creates a shield against the light and protects the storage node circuit by reflecting light away.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for protecting charge storage elements from photo-induced currents in silicon integrated circuits are provided. In order to protect against photo-induced currents that are generated outside the storage node circuits themselves, an n-well guard ring is placed as closely as possible to the transistors and other elements in the storage node circuits. As a result there is a minimum of exposed silicon area in which light can produce current in areas next to the storage node circuits, and the n-well guard ring captures photo-induced currents that are generated outside the storage node circuits. In order to protect against the photo-induced currents that are generated inside the storage node circuits, an aluminum interconnect layer is placed on top of the storage node circuit, separated by an insulating layer of silicon dioxide. This creates a shield against the light and protects the storage node circuit by reflecting light away.

Abstract: Methods for calibrating a plurality of N time-interleaved analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) for any integer N.gtoreq.2 by detecting and/or correcting timing and amplitude errors therein, where each of the ADCs, numbered j=1, 2, . . . , N has an identical clock frequency f.sub.c and period T.sub.c =(f.sub.c).sup.-1. Ideally, the N ADCs are clocked uniformly in time so that two consecutively clocked ADCs number j1 and j1+1 have effective sampling times that differ by time intervals of uniform length .DELTA.t=T.sub.c /N. Ideally, the N ADCs also have identical gains from their analog input signals to their digital output signals. In a calibration procedure, all ADCs receive a common analog input signal S.sub.in (t)=Asin[2 .pi.(1+s)f.sub.c t], where s is a non-zero fractional number satisfying -0.5<s<0.5. The output signal values from ADC number j provide a set of ordered pairs of values (t.sub.i, D.sub.ij) for sampling times t.sub.i, and the set of values {D.sub.ij }.sub.

Abstract: Apparatus for introduction of a controllable time delay in the transition of a logic device output signal from a first logical level to a second logical level, in response to change of an input signal, or the difference of two input signals from a third logical level to a fourth logical level, delivered to the logic device. In a first embodiment, a limiting amplifier receives an input signal S.sub.in and a threshold signal V.sub.T at its two terminals and forms an amplified difference output signal S.sub.out. A selected voltage level signal V.sub.L and S.sub.out are received at a signum function module and the output signal sgn(S.sub.out -V.sub.L) is formed and issued. The signum output signal is multiplied by a controllable real number m and is added to V.sub.L to form the threshold signal V.sub.T. The desired output signal S.sub.out makes a transition between the first and second logical levels, with a time delay that is controllable by choice of the number m.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling trenches in paved surfaces involve a primary structure movable along a trench to conduct a substantially granular paving material into the trench, and provision for vibrating the paving material as it is conducted into the trench. In a preferred embodiment the primary structure includes a rearwardly sloped surface which engages the paving material as the container moves, urging the paving material downwardly into the trench.

Abstract: A system is provided in which an analog storage device stores, delays, and/or changes the time scale of an input analog waveform. The system provides an output which is corrected for the gain and offset of the analog storage device by exercising the system using known analog inputs and combining the output so obtained with the uncorrected output of the input analog waveform. In a preferred embodiment, the output is also corrected for non-linear and dispersive distortion of the storage device by exercising the system using an input analog signal derived from the earlier output of the system (corrected for gain and offset) and suitably combining the new output so generated with the earlier output.