Abstract: A power supply system comprises: a switched-capacitor converter, a controller, and a monitor. Via generation of control signals, the controller controls settings of switches in the switched-capacitor converter to convert a received input voltage to an output voltage that powers a load. The monitor in the power supply system at least occasionally determines an impedance associated with the switched-capacitor converter. A magnitude of the determined impedance provides an indication whether the switched-capacitor converter is operating efficiently. To ensure efficient operation of the switched-capacitor converter, based on input form the monitor, the controller adjusts the control signals controlling the switches in the switched-capacitor converter as a function of the determined impedance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering electromagnetic energy to a patient's tissue and reducing pain experienced by the patient during treatment of the patient's tissue with the delivered electromagnetic energy. The tissue treatment apparatus includes a delivery device configured to transfer the electromagnetic energy through the skin surface to a region of tissue, and also includes a vibration device that is mechanically coupled with the delivery device. The vibration device is configured to transfer mechanical vibrations along an axis substantially normal to the skin surface to the region of tissue being treated.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a super-regenerative transceiver with a feedback element having a controllable gain. The super-regenerative transceiver utilizes the controllable gain to improve RF signal data sensitivity and improve RF signal data capture rates. Super-regenerative transceivers described herein permit signal data capture over a broad range of frequencies and for a range of communication protocols. Super-regenerative transceivers described herein are tunable, consume very little power for operation and maintenance, and permit long term operation even when powered by very small power sources (e.g., coin batteries).

Abstract: A method implemented in software and a software system for dynamically determining how to display one or more statements of interest (such as an offer or soft offer) is disclosed. After receiving one or more statements of interest from potential buyers, a software-implemented method determines a preferred manner for displaying one or more statements of interest received from the potential buyers to the seller, and displays the offers in a grid layout. The grid layout shows a number of buyers interested in making a hard offer in a manner that gives the seller insight regarding pricing their property as well as other factors that are determined to likely make the property more valuable. The one or more statements of interest are categorized into one or more categories, including the seller's displayed (and quoted) price. Each of the categories is associated with a price range, and optionally the price range is determined using machine learning techniques.

Abstract: A driving control apparatus that controls driving of a vibration actuator having a plurality of electromechanical energy conversion elements. The driving control apparatus includes a controller configured to generate a plurality of driving signals each of which has a same waveform and has a different phase, and to respectively apply the plurality of driving signals to different elements of the plurality of electromechanical energy conversion elements. The controller changes the waveform according to the phase. A shape of a first waveform according to a first phase is closer to a square wave shape than a shape of a second waveform according to a second phase that is larger than the first phase.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a surface for contacting a fluid medium through which the vehicle is propelled. The vehicle also includes an array of transducers and a controller. The transducers in the array are arranged across the vehicle's surface for generating pressure waves in the fluid medium. Each transducer in the array is arranged to vibrate for generating a respective pressure wave, which propagates away from the surface in the fluid medium. The controller vibrates the transducers in the array so that the pressure waves control the drag of the vehicle from the fluid medium.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection system, method, and software. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic inspection system includes an ultrasonic probe that directs ultrasound waves into a structure from a front wall, and receives reflected waves to generate a response signal. The system further includes a processor that rectifies the response signal to generate a rectified signal, integrates a portion of the rectified signal within a detection time window to determine an energy sum, and generates output based on the energy sum. The detection time window is restricted to a front wall reflection and at least a portion of a near-surface dead zone following the front wall reflection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ultrasonic drive and driving method configured for driving an ultrasonic tool. The ultrasonic drive includes a switch module, a sensing element and a control element. The sensing element senses the voltage and current of the ultrasonic tool and generates a sensing signal accordingly. The control element receives the sensing signal and outputs a control signal. The switch module outputs an ultrasonic signal according to the control signal for controlling the vibration of the ultrasonic tool. When the ultrasonic drive operates a frequency sweep function, the control element determines an operating interval and an operating frequency of the ultrasonic signal. When the ultrasonic drive operates a frequency following function, the control element adjusts the operating frequency according to the sensing signal for keeping the impedance of the ultrasonic tool consistent.

Abstract: Aspects of ultrasonic through-wall data communication are described. In some aspects, a sensor device is located in an isolated environment behind a wall. A modulator generates a modulated sensor signal based on the binary sensor signal and a carrier signal. A coaxially aligned pair of electroacoustic transducers that transmits the modulated sensor signal through the wall of the isolated environment. A demodulator demodulates the modulated sensor signal to generate a demodulated binary sensor signal. A sensor data recovery component converts the demodulated binary sensor signal into an image or another sensor parameter.

Abstract: A method for assessing performance of a surgical instrument including one or more drivetrains is disclosed. The method includes sensing via one or more vibration sensors vibrations generated during operation of the one or more drivetrains of the surgical instrument, generating an output signal based on the sensed vibrations, filtering the output signal to generate a filtered signal of the sensed vibrations from the one or more drivetrains, processing the filtered signal to generate a processed signal of the sensed vibrations from the one or more drivetrains, and comparing predetermined threshold values for each of an acceptable status, a marginal status, and a critical status of the surgical instrument to corresponding values of the processed signal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for closed-loop motion control of an ultrasonic motor having at least one actuator with an excitation electrode and at least one common electrode, an element to be driven, a controller and at least one electrical generator for generating at least first and second excitation voltages U1 and U2 to be applied to the electrodes of the actuator for vibration of the actuator. A friction element of the actuator, due to its vibration, intermittently contacts the element to be driven with a driving force. The method includes providing the at least two excitation voltages U1 and U2 with different resemblance frequencies, a frequency difference deviating from a servo sampling frequency of the controller by 5 kHz at the most, and simultaneously applying the excitation voltages to the electrodes of the actuator.

Abstract: A piezoelectric drive device includes a vibrating part, and a control unit that controls vibration of the vibrating part, wherein the vibrating part includes a piezoelectric material having a first surface and a second surface in a front-back relation, a drive electrode having a first electrode arranged at the first surface and a second electrode arranged at the second surface, and vibrating the piezoelectric material when a drive signal from the control unit is input to the second electrode, and a detection electrode having a third electrode arranged at the first surface and a fourth electrode arranged at the second surface, and outputting a detection signal according to the vibration of the piezoelectric material to the control unit via the fourth electrode, and the first electrode and the third electrode are separated on the first surface, and the second electrode and the fourth electrode are separated on the second surface.

Abstract: A light ranging system including a shaft having a longitudinal axis; a light ranging device configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the light ranging device including a light source configured to transmit light pulses to objects in a surrounding environment, and detector circuitry configured to detect reflected portions of the light pulses that are reflected from the objects in the surrounding environment and to compute ranging data based on the reflected portion of the light pulses; a base subsystem that does not rotate about the shaft; and an optical communications subsystem configured to provide an optical communications channel between the base subsystem and the light ranging device, the optical communications subsystem including one or more turret optical communication components connected to the detector circuitry and one or more base optical communication components connected to the base subsystem.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device may include an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, the electromechanical ultrasonic system including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A method of controlling energy delivered to the ultrasonic device may include determining an impedance of the ultrasonic transducer during a transection process, analyzing the impedance of the ultrasonic transducer, profiling the ultrasonic blade based on the impedance, and adjusting a power delivered to the transducer during the transection process based on the profile of the blade. The method may further include pulsing, the power delivered to the ultrasonic transducer, determining changes in tissue characteristics of tissue located in an end effector, wherein the changes in tissue characteristics is determined between pulses, and adjusting power delivered to the ultrasonic transducer based on the tissue changes throughout the transection.

Abstract: A control apparatus is capable of improving responsiveness in a minute movement of a vibration-type actuator that has a vibration body (a piezoelectric device and an elastic body) and a driven body that pressure contacts with the vibration body. A driving unit moves the driven body by causing a thrust-up vibration in a pressurizing direction and a conveyance vibration in a perpendicular direction in the vibration body by applying alternating voltages to the piezoelectric device. A control unit feedback-controls a position of the driven body by using a first operational parameter that defines an amplitude ratio of the conveyance vibration to the thrust-up vibration and a second operational parameter that defines amplitudes of the conveyance vibration and the thrust-up vibration. A correction unit corrects a control amount of the first or second operational parameter so as to increase as the amplitude ratio decreases.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed. The integrated circuit includes an actuator to eject a fluid in response to a fire signal. The integrated circuit also includes a monitor circuit set by the fire signal to block the fire signal to the actuator circuit after a selected duration.

Abstract: A light ranging system including a shaft; a first circuit board assembly that includes a stator assembly comprising a plurality of stator elements arranged about the shaft on a surface of the first circuit board assembly; a second circuit board assembly rotationally coupled to the shaft, wherein the second circuit board assembly includes a rotor assembly comprising a plurality of rotor elements arranged about the shaft on a surface of the second circuit board assembly such that the plurality of rotor elements are aligned with and spaced apart from the plurality of stator elements; a stator driver circuit disposed on either the second or the first circuit board assemblies and configured to provide a drive signal to the plurality of stator elements, thereby imparting an electromagnetic force on the plurality of rotor elements to drive a rotation of the second circuit board assembly about the shaft; and a light ranging device mechanically coupled to the second circuit board assembly such that the light ranging d

Abstract: A driving device includes a voltage regulation circuit, a driving signal generation circuit, a current limiting circuit, and a voltage control circuit. The voltage regulation circuit regulates a power supply voltage and outputs a driving voltage. The driving signal generation circuit generates a driving signal to a piezoelectric element of a piezoelectric pump by using the driving voltage. The current limiting circuit limits a driving current corresponding to the driving voltage to a specified current or less, and generates a current control voltage. The voltage control circuit limits the driving voltage based on the current control voltage.

Abstract: An electroactive material actuator and sensor is actuated with an actuation signal having an activation period for charging the actuator and a de-activation period for discharging the actuator. A parallel resistance of the actuator is determined by sensing a steady state current during the activation period and a series capacitance of the actuator is determined based on a charge flow during charging of the actuator at the beginning of the activation period. A series resistance is obtained by controlling a current through the actuator with an oscillating profile so that a phase relationship of the actuator between current and voltage can be measured. An oscillating current sink is used to enable circuit component measurements, which implement sensing functionality.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices and methods for providing fingerprint sensors based on ultrasound imaging techniques in electronic devices and fabrication techniques for producing ultrasound-based fingerprint sensors. In some aspects, an ultrasound fingerprint sensor device includes an intermediate layer coupled to a base chip including an integrated circuit having conducive contacts at a surface of the base chip, the intermediate layer including an insulation layer formed on the base chip and a corresponding array of channeling electrode structures coupled to the conductive contacts and passing through the insulation layer, in which the channeling electrodes terminate at or above a top surface of the insulation layer to provide bottom electrodes; a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements including an acoustic transducer material coupled to the bottom electrodes; and a plurality of top electrodes positioned on the ultrasonic transducer elements.

Abstract: A device includes an electrical circuit and a mutual-capacitance sensing circuit coupled to the electrical circuit. The mutual-capacitance sensing circuit includes mutual-capacitance sensing electrodes including a transmitter electrode and receiver electrode. The device also includes a conductive overlay over the mutual-capacitance sensing electrodes. The mutual-capacitance sensing circuit is configured to detect deflection of a portion of the conductive overlay relative to the mutual-capacitance sensing electrodes. The receiver electrode has a shape with an inner edge, and the transmitter electrode has a shape with an outer edge that is at least partially surrounded by the inner edge of the receiver electrode.

Abstract: A control console for a powered surgical tool. The console includes a transformer that supplies the drive signal to the surgical tool. A linear amplifier with active resistors selectively ties the ends of the transformer primary winding between ground and the open circuit state. Feedback voltages from the transformer windings regulate the resistances of the active resistors.

Abstract: A power transmission device 2 for a non-contact power supply device 1 has a transmission coil 14 and a power supply circuit 10 that supplies, to the transmission coil 14, AC power having a switching frequency at which the transmission coil 14 does not resonate. In addition, a power reception device 3 for the non-contact power supply device 1 has: a resonance circuit 20 that has a reception coil 21 and a resonance capacitor 22 resonating in parallel and a first coil 23 connected in series or parallel to the reception coil 21; and a coil 23 connected in series to the reception coil 21.

Abstract: A piezoelectric driving device includes a piezoelectric vibrating body and a driving circuit. The piezoelectric vibrating body includes a contact which comes into contact with a driven member, and a piezoelectric element which generates vibration in accordance with a driving voltage. The driving circuit sets a driving frequency of the driving voltage to a first frequency and starts the driving at the time of initiation from a stopped state, and sets the driving frequency of the driving voltage to a second frequency lower than the first frequency in a driving state after the initiation.

Abstract: The exhalation measurement device of certain implementations comprise a chamber, a measurement component, a piezoelectric pump, a first learning controller, and a second learning controller. The chamber may temporarily hold exhalation. The measurement component may measure a specific component in the exhalation. The piezoelectric pump may supply the measurement component with the exhalation held in the chamber. The first learning controller may perform operational setting on the piezoelectric pump before the piezoelectric pump supplies the exhalation in the chamber to the measurement component. The second learning controller may perform operational setting on the piezoelectric pump after the piezoelectric pump has started supplying the exhalation in the chamber to the measurement component, but before the measurement component performs its measurement.

Abstract: A power receiving device 3 of a non-contact power supply device 1 has: a resonant circuit 20 having a receiving coil 21 for receiving power from a power transmission device 2; and a rectifier circuit 24 for rectifying power output from the resonant circuit 20. The power transmission device 2 has: a transmission coil 14 for supplying power to the power receiving device 3; a power supply circuit 10 for supplying AC power having an adjustable switching frequency to the power transmission coil 14; and a control circuit 17 that stops the power supply from the power supply circuit 10 to the transmission coil 14 when the non-contact power supply device 1 does not perform a constant voltage output operation even if the switching frequency is changed over a predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: A vibration drive device that is capable of preventing instability when the speed control is switched between frequency control and pulse width control includes a controller that controls driving of a vibration actuator by applying an alternating voltage to an electromechanical energy conversion element. A switching pulse is generated by switching a DC voltage. A maximum duty ratio of the switching pulse is determined based on a driving condition of the vibration actuator. The driving of the vibration actuator is controlled by switching between frequency control and pulse width control. A gain for frequency control and a gain for pulse width control are set according to the maximum duty ratio so as to prevent electric power or electric current from exceeding an electric power limit or an electric current limit set in advance.

Abstract: A piezoelectric driving device includes a substrate, a first insulating film disposed on the substrate, a piezoelectric element for driving disposed on the first insulating film and configured to vibrate the substrate, a piezoelectric element for detection configured to detect the vibration of the substrate, a wire for driving electrically connected to the piezoelectric element for driving, a wire for detection electrically connected to the piezoelectric element for detection, and a lower layer wire disposed between the first insulating film and the substrate and set to fixed potential. At least one of the wire for driving and the wire for detection overlaps at least a part of the lower layer wire.

Abstract: A physical power supply unit (PSU) may be connected to several load subsystems. A first load subsystem may receive a first portion of a first load power directly from the physical PSU via a main power connector, the main power connector having a power limit less than the first load power. A second load subsystem may receive a second load power directly from the physical PSU to provide a second portion of the first load power to the first load subsystem via a power connection between the second load subsystem and the first load subsystem. A sum of the first portion of the first load power and the second portion of the first load power may be greater than the power limit of the main power connector.

Abstract: A control console for a powered surgical tool. The console includes a transformer that supplies the drive signal to the surgical tool. A linear amplifier with active resistors selectively ties the ends of the transformer primary winding between ground and the open circuit state. Feedback voltages from the transformer windings regulate the resistances of the active resistors.

Abstract: A vibration-type driving apparatus that is capable of detecting an undesired vibration in a vibrating body more accurately than conventional detection methods even if a frequency of the undesired vibration falls inside a range of driving frequencies or is an integer multiple of a driving frequency. The driven body which is brought into contact with the vibrating body is driven by generating a driving vibration in the vibrating body through application of driving voltage to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element. An electro-mechanical energy conversion element of the vibrating body has a first sensor phase and a second sensor phase placed at different locations in the vibrating body. A vibration of the vibrating body is detected by using a result of comparison between an output signal from the first sensor phase and an output signal from the second sensor phase.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a medical device including a movable instrument (MI) which is activated only when its movement is within an optimal range of acceleration. More particularly the invention relates to a fetal heart rate monitor (FHRM) having a movable Doppler transducer which transceives ultrasound energy only when found within a certain optimal range of acceleration.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an engine component for a gas turbine engine, the engine component including a substrate that includes a composite fiber and defines a surface. An energy harvesting fiber is positioned within the substrate.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein may simulate physical interaction between users via their wearable computing devices. An example mechanism may involve receiving, by a first mobile computing device, an input of a pressure sensor that is configured to detect a magnitude of applied pressure associated with a first user; transmitting a signal to a second mobile computing device that corresponds to the magnitude of the applied pressure; receiving a signal from the second mobile computing device that corresponds to pressure sensor input for the second mobile computing device, wherein the pressure sensor input is associated with pressure associated with a second user; and causing a haptic actuator communicatively coupled to the first mobile computing device to generate a haptic output corresponding to the pressure associated with the second user, wherein the haptic actuator causes a body configured to extend or retract to alter stiffness to generate the haptic output.

Abstract: A sense circuit for a piezoresistive sensor is provided that comprises: an energy storage circuit coupled to the piezoresistive sensor via a first node; a charge control circuit coupled to the first node and configured to charge the energy storage circuit to a predetermined potential; a discharge control circuit configured to allow the energy storage circuit to discharge through the piezoresistive sensor; and a readout circuit coupled to the first node and configured to output a sensed voltage based on a level of charges stored by the energy storage circuit.

Abstract: A low-cost medical pump for ambulatory use provides reduced life components combined with a pump lockout enforcing a safe operating limit and preventing reuse after that limit is exceeded. An improved IV line clamp portion minimizes unsupported clamp structure length and provides a dual lock system preventing inadvertent clamp release.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element, in which a piezoelectric material layer has a plurality of crystal particles and a plurality of void portions and, in at least one of two or more of the piezoelectric material layers, when the average thickness in the lamination direction of the piezoelectric material layer is defined as TP, the average circle-equivalent diameter of the plurality of crystal particles is defined as DG, the maximum length in the lamination direction of the plurality of void portions not contacting the electrode layers is defined as LV, and the average thickness of the electrode layers contacting the at least one piezoelectric material layer is defined as TE, 0.07TP?DG?0.33TP and TE?LV?0.3TP are established and the lead content is less than 1000 ppm.

Abstract: An apparatus and as method for generating ultrasound. The apparatus comprises: a signal generator arranged to generate a driving signal; and an ultrasound transducer arranged to transmit an ultrasound beam in response to the driving signal received from the signal generator. The signal generator is arranged to combine a carrier wave and a modulating wave having a lower frequency than the carrier wave to generate an amplitude modulated driving signal. The ultrasound beam is suitable for inducing cavitation in a human or animal body tissue.

Abstract: A power source is configured to apply a first alternating electric excitation signal to an oscillation blade device at a first excitation frequency causing a blade of the oscillation blade device to oscillate at a first oscillation frequency. A current detector is configured to measure amplitude values of the current supplied by the power source to the oscillation blade device. A processor is configured to assess a plurality of successive peak values of the measured amplitudes, determine a second oscillation frequency for the blade if variation in the successive peak values is detected and send a command to the power source to apply a second alternating electric excitation signal to the oscillation blade device at a second excitation frequency which matches the determined second oscillation frequency.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a first switching circuit is switched so that a first voltage waveform is supplied to a first piezoelectric element corresponding to a first nozzle which ejects the liquid, a second switching circuit is switched so that a second voltage waveform is supplied to a second piezoelectric element corresponding to a second nozzle which does not eject the liquid, and a third switching circuit is switched so that none of a plurality of voltage waveforms is supplied to a third piezoelectric element corresponding to the third nozzle which does not eject the liquid.

Abstract: An accelerator comprises: an accelerometer (100), configured to detect an acceleration of a motion of a carrier and output a corresponding electrical signal; a sampling and low-pass filter (200), coupled to the accelerometer (100), and configured to sample the electrical signal regularly and filter a noise from the electrical signal; an amplifier (300), configured to amplify the electrical signal after filtering the noise; an analog-to-digital converter (400), configured to convert the amplified electrical signal into a digital signal; a function control module (500), configured to process the digital signal and output a control signal to control the analog-to-digital converter (400), the amplifier (300), and the sampling and low-pass filter (200); and an oscillator module (600), configured to output, according to the control signal, a sampling signal to the sampling and low-pass filter (200), so as to control the sampling and low-pass filter (200) to sample the electrical signal regularly.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer, including: one or more first mechanical resonator structures having respective first fundamental oscillation resonance frequencies; and a second mechanical resonator structure including one or more electromechanical transducer components, and having a second fundamental oscillation resonance frequency that is substantially greater than the first fundamental resonance frequencies of the first mechanical resonator structures; wherein oscillations of the first mechanical resonator structures driven by external mechanical vibrations cause the first mechanical resonator structures to intermittently couple with the second resonating structure to drive oscillations of the second resonating structure such that the electromechanical transducer components of the second mechanical resonator structure convert the oscillations of the second resonating structure to electrical energy or signals.

Abstract: A value obtained by adding an output of a speed feedforward calculation unit that uses a speed calculated from a change over time in an instruction value to a stage downstream from a feedback calculation unit that uses a positional deviation is used as a control amount, and at least one of an elliptic ratio of elliptical motion and a driving direction is controlled.

Abstract: Techniques and structures are provided for manufacturing a flexible PMUT array. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducer (PMUTs) array comprises a plurality of PMUTs, where each PMUT in the flexible array of PMUTs includes: a first polymer layer configured to support the PMUT, a mechanical layer configured to provide planarization to the PMUT, a first electrode, a second electrode, a piezoelectric layer configured to separate the first electrode and the second electrode, patterns on the first electrode, the piezoelectric material, and the second electrode configured to route electrical signals, and a cavity configured to adjust a frequency response of the PMUT.

Abstract: A detection of piezoelectric sensor elements is provided. According to a first aspect, a device comprises: a matrix of piezoelectric sensor elements comprising rows of the piezoelectric sensor elements and columns of the piezoelectric sensor elements; measuring circuits configured to detect at least one touch, wherein the measuring circuits are configured to the rows and to the columns; and a wake-up trigger configured to detect the at least one touch and further configured to trigger the matrix to an operation mode when the at least one touch is detected. The device is configured for detecting a press event of a plurality of piezoelectric sensor elements, using, for example only a single activity detecting and touch recognition circuit. Complexity and energy consumption may be reduced.

Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a transformer, a PWM IC, an input voltage detecting circuit, a detecting voltage adjusting circuit, and a driving voltage supply circuit. The transformer is configured to receive an input voltage on a primary side and provide an output voltage on a secondary side. The PWM IC is configured to activate the driving voltage according to a first detecting voltage and a second detecting voltage. The input voltage detecting circuit is disposed on the primary side of the transformer and configured to provide a first voltage and a second voltage associated with the input voltage. The detecting voltage adjusting circuit is disposed on the primary side of the transformer and configured to provide the first and the second detecting voltages according to the first and the second voltage. The driving voltage supply circuit is configured to provide the driving voltage for operating the PWM IC.

Abstract: Methods for measuring a resonance frequency of a tool set in ultrasonic vibration during the machining of a workpiece, involving radiating a working signal with a working frequency into a tool holder comprising a tool by a generator to produce the ultrasonic vibration of the tool; after the start of the machining of the workpiece, radiating a test signal with a test frequency varying by the working frequency and a lower power than the working signal power into the tool holder by the generator; generating a sensor signal from the ultrasonic vibration of the tool by a sensor apparatus arranged in the tool holder; reading out the sensor signal by a read-out apparatus; splitting the sensor signal into a frequency spectrum involving a main frequency and an auxiliary frequency by an analytical apparatus; determining the main frequency from the working frequency and the auxiliary frequency from the resonance frequency.

Abstract: Method for validating a resonator. The method comprises: providing a first set of resonator responses of the resonator pertaining to a first validation fluid, contacting the resonator and a second validation fluid, wherein the first and the second validation fluids have different viscoelastic properties, obtaining in contact with the second validation fluid a second set of resonator responses of the resonator, wherein each resonator response pertains to a resonance frequency or a dissipation of the resonator, validating the resonator by comparing a first and a second value, the first value being obtained from at least one resonator response of the first set of resonator responses and at least one resonator response from the second set of resonator responses, the second value being based on a relationship between frequency or dissipation responses of the resonator and a function of the viscoelastic properties of the first and the second validation fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic circuit (100) for controlling charging of a piezoelectric load (190). The electronic circuit comprises a charge pump (111) configured to supply a charging current to the piezoelectric load dependent on a charge control signal (131), a measurement circuit (113) configured to obtain a load voltage corresponding to a terminal voltage at a load terminal of the piezoelectric load, a comparator circuit (114) configured to compare an adjustable reference voltage with the load voltage. The electronic circuit is configured to determine the charge control signal dependent on the comparison so that the control signal controls delivery of the charging current dependent on the comparison. The electronic circuit is further configured to set the adjustable reference voltage to a target voltage (VT) and to set the adjustable reference voltage to a low limit voltage (Vlow), being lower than the target voltage, when the load voltage reaches the target voltage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an acoustic transducer device having a base structure that is positioned in proximity to a cavity of an organic substrate, a piezoelectric material in contact with a first electrode of the base structure, and a second electrode in contact with the piezoelectric material. In one example, for a transmit mode, a voltage signal is applied between the first and second electrodes and this causes a stress in the piezoelectric material which causes a stack that is formed with the first electrode, the piezoelectric material, and the second electrode to vibrate and hence the base structure to vibrate and generate acoustic waves.