Including A Signal Comparison Circuit Patents (Class 324/606)
  • Patent number: 11808807
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device and an inspection method for a semiconductor integrated circuit device capable of improving burn-in screening quality by improvement in an activation rate of a DSP without operating a diagnostic circuit at the time of wafer level burn-in in a semiconductor integrated circuit device incorporating an analog circuit and the diagnostic circuit for the analog circuit are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akeo Satoh, Kazunori Nemoto, Akira Kotabe
  • Patent number: 11747378
    Abstract: A method and device for monitoring insulation between a DC bus and protective earth, wherein the bus is connected with a DC source. Terminals of the source are connected to protective earth by a first electrical network during a first timespan, and transient first electrical values related to the first network at a plurality of time steps in the first timespan are measured. A first steady state value is calculated using a plurality of first measurement points at the plurality of first time steps. Further, the terminals of the source are connected to protective earth by a second electrical network, during a second timespan, and transient second electrical values related to the second network at a plurality of second time steps in the second timespan are measured. A second steady state value is calculated using a plurality of second measurement points at the plurality of second time steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: VITO N.V.
    Inventors: Dominique Weyen, Peter Coenen
  • Patent number: 11644503
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for testing TSVs within a semiconductor device. According to embodiments illustrated and described in the disclosure, a TSV may be tested by stimulating and measuring a response from a first end of a TSV while the second end of the TSV held at ground potential. Multiple TSVs within the semiconductor device may be tested in parallel to reduce the TSV testing time according to the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Lee D. Whetsel, Baher S. Haroun
  • Patent number: 11646915
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a plurality of signal inputs, a receiver, calibration circuitry, and input switch circuitry. The receiver includes differential input terminals. The calibration circuitry is configured to calibrate an input offset between the differential input terminals of the receiver in response to the integrated circuit being placed in a calibration mode. The input switch circuitry is configured to switch electrical connections between the plurality of signal inputs and the differential input terminals of the receiver in response to the integrated circuit being placed in a mode different from the calibration mode. The input switch circuitry is further configured to electrically disconnect the plurality of signal inputs from the differential input terminals of the receiver in response to the integrated circuit being placed in the calibration mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Hori, Takefumi Seno, Takashi Tamura, Kazuhiko Kanda
  • Patent number: 11619662
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measurement system for a parallel measurement with multiple tones, comprising: an RF signal source being configured to generate a continuous wave, CW, signal having at least two CW tones, the RF signal source being configured to feed said CW signal to an output port of the system which is arranged for being connected to a device-under-test, DUT; an input port being arranged to receive a response signal from the DUT, the response signal having at least two tones which are based on the at least two CW tones; a conversion unit being configured to convert the response signal to an intermediate frequency, IF, signal by means of analog mixing, thereby converting the at least two tones of the response signal to at least two IF tones; an analog-to-digital converter being configured to convert the IF signal to a digital signal; a parallel processing unit being configured to isolate the at least two IF tones of the IF signal using a digital down conversion, DDC, technique; the parall
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Greg Bonaguide
  • Patent number: 11464713
    Abstract: A docking station receives an enteral feeding pump or food pod into a cradle with a scales platform. The docking station is calibrated to determine nutritional data consumption and remaining available food on the basis of remaining food weight and nutritional data read from a tag using NFC. The station has a sealing sleeve with a sealing rim to confine any spillages in a manner which does not affect weight of the device on a weighting platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: ROCKFIELD MEDICAL DEVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Tomas Martin Thompson, Donal Mayne, Damian Kelly
  • Patent number: 11464895
    Abstract: A body drainage system for draining fluid from a body cavity of a patient, the body cavity being provided with an access port, wherein the system includes: a peristaltic pump mechanism, a housing for housing at least a portion of the peristaltic pump mechanism, a flexible tube configured to be connected at an access port end to the patient access port, and at a collection unit end to a collection unit, a pre-chamber connected to the flexible tube arranged to receive fluid via the flexible tube, a processor, wherein the pre-chamber is provided with a pressure sensor and the processor is configured to receive pressure signal from the pressure sensor to be able to detect air leakage and/or to calculate the amount of air leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Thoragen AB
    Inventor: Mikael Charlez
  • Patent number: 11199568
    Abstract: A load pull system for making measurements on a DUT at millimeter wave frequencies using active tuning. The system uses phase and amplitude control of each signal at low frequency before being upconverted to the millimeter wave measurement frequencies. The measured signals at the DUT plane may be down-converted for measurement with a low frequency analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Maury Microwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Giampiero Esposito, Mauro Marchetti, Sathya Padmanabhan, Gary R. Simpson
  • Patent number: 11101473
    Abstract: Systems and methods relate to measuring ammonium bisulfide concentration in a fluid sample. The system includes an electrolytic conductivity cell, a temperature sensor and an analyzer. Logic of the analyzer determines the ammonium bisulfide concentration based on signals received from the conductivity cell and the temperature sensor that are coupled to monitor the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Charles John Lord, III, John Stephen Newland
  • Patent number: 11062072
    Abstract: A yield load pull system-based integrated circuit design method and a system thereof are provided. The method includes: setting a yield-related threshold; setting a source impedance; configuring a sweep range of a Smith chart; determining load impedance points within the sweep range of the Smith chart; acquiring impedance information; determining output characteristics of a plurality of sample devices at each load impedance point of the determined load impedance points, based on the source impedance and the impedance information corresponding to each load impedance point, by invoking a harmonic balance simulator embedded in an Advanced Design System, where the output characteristics comprise: a large-signal gain, an output power and a power-added efficiency; determining a device yield for each load impedance point; for each output characteristic calculating a mean value across the plurality of sample devices, at each load impedance point; and determining a best load impedance; conducting IC design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
    Inventors: Yuehang Xu, Shuman Mao, Yunqiu Wu
  • Patent number: 10852251
    Abstract: Compound detection or testing apparatus includes a microwave power supply, an antenna electrically coupled to the microwave power supply, the antenna adapted to emit energy during use of the apparatus, the antenna further adapted to receive an unabsorbed energy from the material and generate a signal defining the unabsorbed energy, a processing components configured to process the signal and determine a concentration of the compound on/in the fabric material and a reporting member coupled to each of the power supply and the processing member the reporting component configured to communicate the concentration of the compound on/in the fabric material. The apparatus may be configured as a hand-held sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: NOKOMIS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Richard Portune, Walter John Keller, Todd Eric Chornenky
  • Patent number: 10762215
    Abstract: Provided is an operating method of a wearable device, the method including setting a threshold voltage when there is not a physical contact of an outsider, measuring an envelope voltage while performing a data communication, determining whether to be the physical contact with the outsider by comparing the threshold voltage with the envelope voltage, and stopping the data communication, when there is the physical contact with the outsider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Tae Wook Kang, Kwang Il Oh, Sung Eun Kim, Sung Weon Kang, Hyung-Il Park, Jung Bum Kim, Mi Jeong Park, Seong Mo Park, In Gi Lim, Byounggun Choi
  • Patent number: 10685144
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting counterfeit integrated circuits are provided. One exemplary embodiment of a method can include: providing an integrated circuit for testing; and characterizing capacitive and inductive loading of the integrated circuit power for a specified frequency range; wherein the characterizing step further comprises applying a low level alternating current to a power pin while measuring for capacitance characterization conditions created by the integrated circuit's internal capacitance and inductance responses, wherein by sweeping the alternating current signal across a specified frequency range one or more capacitance related device signature can be created and used to identify a component as originating from a trusted source or not. A system can include components and machine readable instructions for operating the components using exemplary methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Brett J. Hamilton, Andrew M. Howard
  • Patent number: 10463780
    Abstract: A system apparatus and method for determining fluid depletion in a surgical system. A surgical system may include a surgical console, display, a processor operatively coupled to the surgical console, and a surgical cassette in fluid communication with an irrigation source and an aspiration line. Certain techniques involve the processor determining a volume of fluid in the irrigation source. The processor may be configured to receive sensed measurements regarding a rate of fluid flow over time from the irrigation source, process the rate of fluid flow relative to the determined volume and produce a first signal for the display to indicate a remaining capacity of the volume of fluid. Warnings and/or alarms may be triggered if fluid volume falls below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell W. Mallough, Abraham Hajishah
  • Patent number: 10177781
    Abstract: A method includes selectively coupling first and second input nodes of a capacitive bridge to first and second voltages, respectively, and selectively coupling first and second output nodes of the capacitive bridge to first and second output terminals, respectively, during a first phase of a clock cycle. The method further includes selectively coupling the first and second input nodes to the second and first voltages, respectively, and selectively coupling the first and second output nodes to the second and first output terminals, respectively, during a second phase of the clock cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Louis Nervegna, Bruce Del Signore
  • Patent number: 10095210
    Abstract: A device programming system, and a method of operation thereof, includes: a field programmable gate array unit configured using a programming driver retrieved based on a device type of a first programmable device; and a second programmable device and the first programmable device configured simultaneously using a master image and the field programmable gate array unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Data I/O Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew B. Caley, Derek P. Steffey
  • Patent number: 9959430
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting counterfeit integrated circuits are provided. One exemplary embodiment of a method can include: providing an integrated circuit for testing; and characterizing capacitive and inductive loading of the integrated circuit power for a specified frequency range; wherein the characterizing step further comprises applying a low level alternating current to a power pin while measuring for capacitance characterization conditions created by the integrated circuit's internal capacitance and inductance responses, wherein by sweeping the alternating current signal across a specified frequency range one or more capacitance related device signature can be created and used to identify a component as originating from a trusted source or not. A system can include components and machine readable instructions for operating the components using exemplary methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Brett J. Hamilton, Andrew M. Howard
  • Patent number: 9933467
    Abstract: Measurement of group delay for a device under test (DUT). A test signal includes (i) a low frequency sine wave fLF, (ii) sine wave harmonics at a high frequency fHF, (iii) L pairs of sideband components at frequencies k·fHF±2·fLF, where k odd, and M pairs of sideband components at frequencies k·fHF±fLF, where k is even. At DUT output, (i) phase ?LF at frequency fLF is measured, (ii) both sideband phase ?right(k) at frequencies k·fHF+2·fLF and phase ?left(k) at frequencies k·fHF?2·fLF for odd k, are measured, and (iii) both sideband phases ?right(k) at frequencies k·fHF+fLF and ?left(k) at frequencies k·fHF?fLF for even k, are measured. Group delay ?k at frequencies k·FHF, are determined from: ?k=(?right(k)??left(k)?4·?L)/(4·fLF) for k odd, and ?k=(?right(k)??left(k)?2·?L)/(2·fLF) for k even.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Guzik Technical Enterprises
    Inventors: Anatoli B. Stein, Alexander Taratorin, Semen P. Volfbeyn
  • Patent number: 9814047
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a multiband signal processing apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a multi-tone local oscillator signal generating unit and a multi-tone local oscillator signal transmission channel, where the multi-tone local oscillator signal transmission channel includes a band-pass filter and a frequency mixer. The multi-tone local oscillator signal generating unit is configured to generate a multi-tone local oscillator signal according to frequency response information of at least one device included in the multi-tone local oscillator signal transmission channel; the band-pass filter is configured to filter the received multi-tone local oscillator signal to obtain a filtered multi-tone local oscillator signal; and the frequency mixer is configured to perform frequency mixing on the multiband signal and the received multi-tone local oscillator signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiangming Kong
  • Patent number: 9791481
    Abstract: Measurement system and procedure suitable for measuring a voltage differential, the system comprising a measurement unit (1) having a first ground (10) as voltage reference and comprising a microcontroller (7) with an analog-digital converter (5), a sensor (2) having a second ground (20) as voltage reference, said second ground (20) being able to exhibit a potential difference with respect to the first ground (10), said measurement unit (1) having a first input (11) connected directly to the signal output (21) of the sensor (2), and a second input (12) connected directly to said second ground (20), the first and second inputs (11, 12) being linked to digital inputs (61, 62) of the microcontroller (7) through circuits for conditioning (31, 32, 41, 42) and analog-digital conversion (51, 52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Alain Lucchese
  • Patent number: 9735900
    Abstract: Network analysis employs a band-limited multi-tone test signal having a tunable center frequency to test a device under test (DUT). A hybrid network analyzer includes a test signal source to provide the band-limited multi-tone test signal, and a local oscillator (LO) source to provide a tunable LO signal configured to track the tunable center frequency of the band-limited multi-tone test signal. The hybrid network analyzer further includes a receiver to convert into an intermediate frequency (IF) signal using the tunable LO signal one or both of the band-limited multi-tone test signal and a response signal from a device under test (DUT) produced in response to the band-limited multi-tone test signal. The test signal source is further configured to provide a tunable single-tone test signal and a broadband multi-tone test signal to test the DUT in various modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Keysight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory D. VanWiggeren, Keith F. Anderson, Nilesh R. Gheewala
  • Patent number: 9570119
    Abstract: A method for controlling termination impedance of a data terminal in a dynamic random access memory device includes receiving a mode register set command to set an operation mode to a first mode, setting the operation mode in a mode register to the first mode, receiving a self-refresh entry command, entering self-refresh mode, activating a first input buffer connected to a termination impedance control terminal, and receiving an impedance control signal at the first buffer, wherein the termination impedance of the data terminal is set to a first impedance value if the termination impedance control signal has a first level and the termination impedance of the data terminal is set to a second impedance value if the termination impedance control signal has a second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: LONGITUDE SEMICONDUCTOR S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Hiroki Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 9518856
    Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a threaded feed-through of a process connection to provide a launcher for a non-metallic storage tank. The storage tank includes a tank aperture in its top surface. The coupling device includes a foil nozzle including an inner upper metal foil surface that includes a threaded aperture for securing the feed-through thereto, and a first and second lower metal foil surface on respective sides of the upper metal foil surface. The foil nozzle also includes a first and a second foil level transition region disposed between the respective sides of the inner upper metal foil surface and the first and second lower metal foil surface. The foil nozzle can be configured in a cylindrical, horn, or a corrugated horn shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Cornel Cobianu, Ion Georgescu, Stuart James Heath, Michael Kon Yew Hughes, Frank Martin Haran
  • Patent number: 9465055
    Abstract: An electronic circuit is described comprising a load, a power supply node, a first transistor coupled between the supply node and the load such that the input at a control terminal of the first transistor controls current flow from the supply node to the load through the first transistor, a current source, a second transistor coupled between the current source and the load such that the input at a control terminal of the second transistor controls current flow from the current source to the load through the second transistor, a control node coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor and the control terminal of the second transistor and a measuring circuit connected to the point of coupling between the current source and the second transistor configured to measure the difference between the current provided by the current source and the current consumed by the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Christoph Boehm
  • Patent number: 9239282
    Abstract: A metal pipe corrosion monitoring device includes a steam introduction unit for introducing thereinto steam flowing through a metal pipe; and a corrosion testing unit provided in the steam introduction unit, characterized in that the steam introduction unit is configured to generate condensed water by condensing some of the steam to create a simulated environment similar to an actual environment in the metal pipe and discharge the condensed water above a predetermined water level to the outside. The corrosion testing unit has one or more contact members that contact with a water line region around a water surface of the condensed water in the steam introduction unit, a water phase region on a condensed water side and a vapor phase region on a steam side, and is configured to be able to measure an electric resistance of the one or more contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: NAIGAI CHEMICAL PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haruhisa Miyazaki, Katsumasa Murata, Kazuo Marugame, Masaki Yoshida, Yusuke Suetake
  • Patent number: 9236836
    Abstract: A method is provided for processing a radio frequency (RF) signal output by a device under test (DUT), the RF signal having first comb lines in a predetermined first order. The method includes mixing and filtering the RF signal with a multi-tone local oscillator (LO) signal to provide an intermediate frequency (IF) signal having second comb lines corresponding to the first comb lines, where the mixing operation scrambles in frequency the first comb lines of the RF signal such that the second comb lines of the IF signal are in a second order different from the predetermined first order; digitizing the IF signal at a predetermined sampling rate; and descrambling the digitized IF signal with time domain signal processing such that the second comb lines of the digitized IF signal are arranged in the predetermined first order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Keysight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 9207110
    Abstract: A liquid level detecting device includes a first detecting part that has a first electrode extending in a vertical direction in the tank and opposing to a ground electrode and detects a first electrostatic capacity between the first electrode and the ground electrode, a second detecting part that has a second electrode extending in the vertical direction in the tank and opposing to the ground electrode and detects a second electrostatic capacity between the second electrode and the ground electrode, and a difference calculating part that calculates a difference between the first electrostatic capacity detected by the first detecting part and the second electrostatic capacity detected by the second detecting part as a capacity difference and determines whether the liquid level in the tank is above a warning threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori Kawaguchi, Shinpei Kato, Toshiaki Fukuhara
  • Patent number: 9030209
    Abstract: A failure detecting apparatus that detects an isolation failure between a plurality of coils included in a signal detection apparatus. The failure detecting apparatus includes a voltage applying unit that applies a DC voltage to a coil in the plurality of coils; a differential signal generating unit that generates a differential signal from a voltage at the coil and a predetermined voltage; a threshold voltage setting circuit that outputs a threshold voltage; and a comparator that compares the differential signal with the threshold voltage, thereby detecting whether or not an isolation failure exists. The differential signal generating unit includes either first setting unit for setting an absolute value of the differential signal to be amplified with a predetermined gain or second setting unit for setting the predetermined voltage to be different from a ground potential, and the predetermined gain is set to a value different from one and zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yosuke Asako
  • Patent number: 8981794
    Abstract: A Dicke-switched radiometer including a signal channel comprising of an antenna for receiving an input signal and a first stage amplification circuit for amplifying an output of the antenna and generating an amplified input signal; a reference channel comprising of a resistive load, a second stage amplification circuit and a matching filter for matching a frequency and an impedance of the amplified input signal to a frequency and an impedance of the amplified reference signal; a Dicke switch coupled to first stage amplification circuit and the matching filter for inputting the amplified input signal and an output of the matching filter to generate a difference signal; a third stage amplification circuit coupled to an output of the Dicke switch for amplifying the difference signal; and a detector coupled to an output of the third stage amplification circuit to obtain the amplified difference signal and generate a detected difference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Michael Aidan Gritz, Steven Marc Lardizabal, Zhaoyang Charles Wang
  • Patent number: 8933704
    Abstract: A device for testing capacitive loads of a power supply includes a controller, a power supply switching circuit, a capacitive load switching circuit, and a current sampling circuit. The power supply switching circuit selects one of output voltages of the power supply to be electronically connected to the capacitive load switching circuit and the current sampling circuit. The current sampling circuit samples an output current of one output of the power supply selected by the controller. The controller turns on and off switches of the capacitive load switching circuit for matching an output current of the power supply with a reference current until the output current equals to the reference current. The controller outputs a total magnitude of the capacitive loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun Bai, Fu-Sen Yang, Song-Lin Tong
  • Patent number: 8933721
    Abstract: An embodiment method of diagnosing a power source arrangement includes a plurality of n power sources connected in series between output terminals, wherein n?2. At least two different groups of power sources are selected from the power source arrangement. A voltage of each of the at least two different groups is measured between the output terminals. During the measurement of the voltage of one group, the power sources of the power source arrangement that do not belong to the one group are bypassed. The at least two measured voltages obtained through measuring the voltage of each of the at least two different groups or at least two voltages that are dependent on these at least two measured voltages are compared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Gerald Deboy
  • Patent number: 8933708
    Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field and determines a differential change in generated signal, and further generates an activation output when the differential signal exceeds a threshold. The control circuitry further distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches and may determine activation upon detection of a stable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, James Stewart Rankin, Matthew Majkowski
  • Patent number: 8841923
    Abstract: A system for measuring a property of a device under test (DUT) includes a stimulus signal generator and a receiver. The stimulus signal generator generates a repetitive stimulus signal under control of a first clock, and provides the stimulus signal to an input port of the DUT. The receiver receives an input signal output from the DUT, the input signal being based on the stimulus signal provided to the input port of the DUT. The receiver includes a second clock syntonized with the first clock, a memory that stores a calibration measurement of a calibration stimulus signal provided to the receiver during a calibration period without the DUT being connected to the stimulus signal generator, and a data processor configured to determine the property of the DUT by comparing the stored calibration measurement with a measurement of the input signal from the DUT performed under control of the second clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Douglas Vanwiggeren
  • Publication number: 20140197846
    Abstract: Provided is a detection apparatus that detects process variation in a plurality of comparators that each output a comparison result obtained by comparing a signal level of an input signal to a reference level, the detection apparatus comprising a signal input section that inputs the input signal and the reference level in common to the comparators, and sequentially changes the signal level of the input signal; and a detecting section that detects, for each signal level, a number of comparison results that indicate a predetermined result, from among the comparison results of the comparators, and detects the process variation based on a distribution of the number of comparison results that indicate the predetermined result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi KOMATSU, Kunihiro ASADA, James Sumit TANDON
  • Patent number: 8680874
    Abstract: A method and system for testing the functionality of a through-silicon-via in an integrated circuit is disclosed. In one aspect, the functionality is tested by measuring its capacitance from one side only. The capacitance of the TSV can be determined by measuring a timing delay introduced in a measurement circuit due to the presence of the TSV. The timing delay is determined by comparing the timing of measurement signal from the measurement circuit with the timing of a reference signal provided by a reference circuit. The comparison is carried out using a digital timing measurement circuit, such as a time-to-digital converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventors: Nikolaos Minas, Erik Jan Marinissen
  • Patent number: 8633708
    Abstract: A current calibration method and the associated control circuit are provided. The method includes: providing a predetermined voltage to the differential output for obtaining an accurate current passing through the panel resistor during a calibration procedure and, providing a driving current to the differential output according to the accurate current during a normal operation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Tien Chang, Ju-Ming Chou
  • Patent number: 8615210
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for power measurement in a communication system. In an aspect, a method is provided for power measurement. The method includes selecting between a signal decoding mode and a power measurement mode, decoding an input signal if the signal decoding mode is selected, and calculating a power measurement associated with the input signal if the power measurement mode is selected. In another aspect, an apparatus is provided for power measurement. The apparatus includes means for selecting between an active mode and a power measurement mode, means for decoding an input signal if the active mode is selected, and means for calculating a power measurement associated with the input signal if the power measurement mode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ashok Mantravadi, Phani Bhushan Avadhanam, Vinay Murthy
  • Patent number: 8587329
    Abstract: The invention proposes a circuit arrangement for determination of a measuring capacitance (1), comprising a reference circuit portion for defined periodic charging and discharging of a predefined reference capacitance (1a), and a measuring circuit portion for defined periodic charging and discharging of the measuring capacitance (1) to be determined, and at least one circuit portion (4, 7; 4a, 7a) intended to determine at least one value (M2) characteristic of the charging time curve of the reference capacitance (1a) and for deriving at least one value (M1) characteristic of the charging time curve of the measuring capacitance (1), as well as a circuit portion (9) for comparing the at least one value (M2) characteristic of the charging time curve of the reference capacitance (1a) with the at least one value (M1) characteristic of the charging time curve of the measuring capacitance (1), and for deriving from that comparison the value of the measuring capacitance (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Balluff GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Winkens
  • Publication number: 20130285673
    Abstract: A test system and method for low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) is provided. The system comprises: an input module for the user to input the information needed by the test; a communication module for connecting the control device 110 and the oscilloscope 120 using the communication means selected by the user; a measurement module for measure the parameters of the LVDS signal thought controlling a oscilloscope; an assessment module for assessing whether the obtained parameters of the LVDS signal comply with relevant LVDS specifications; and an output module for outputting the parameters of the LVDS signal and the assessment result of the parameters from the assessment module. The test system and method for LVDS provided by the present invention can advantageously meet the competitive needs in fast mass production and efficient engineering qualification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaodong Han, Yi Zhou, Tao Hu, Ching Brendon Chau
  • Publication number: 20130249567
    Abstract: A device for testing capacitive loads of a power supply includes a controller, a power supply switching circuit, a capacitive load switching circuit, and a current sampling circuit. The power supply switching circuit selects one of output voltages of the power supply to be electronically connected to the capacitive load switching circuit and the current sampling circuit. The current sampling circuit samples an output current of one output of the power supply selected by the controller. The controller turns on and off switches of the capacitive load switching circuit for matching an output current of the power supply with a reference current until the output current equals to the reference current. The controller outputs a total magnitude of the capacitive loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YUN BAI, FU-SEN YANG, SONG-LIN TONG
  • Patent number: 8493082
    Abstract: A seating sensing device embedded in a seat includes: a variable resistance unit generating resistance values corresponding to the circumference of the seat through a plurality of conductive threads installed in the seat; and a signal analysis unit analyzing variable quantities of the resistance values to acquire activity information on one or more of whether a user is seated or not, a seating posture, and a seating posture change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Ji Wook Jeong
  • Patent number: 8476909
    Abstract: A current calibration method and the associated control circuit are provided. The method includes: providing a predetermined voltage to the differential output for obtaining an accurate current passing through the panel resistor during a calibration procedure and, providing a driving current to the differential output according to the accurate current during a normal operation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Tien Chang, Ju-Ming Chou
  • Patent number: 8410791
    Abstract: The application methods in the related art cannot apply a sufficient voltage with a rectangular wave having a short rise time to an electronic circuit. Furthermore, electrostatic discharge test can apply a sufficient voltage but can only apply an oscillating waveform. A TLP generator is used as a rectangular wave generator. The sum of an injection resistance and a matching resistance is set so as to match the characteristic impedance of a transmission line for transmitting a rectangular wave to a test target. A capacitor is connected to a return line of the applied rectangular wave. With this configuration, stable application can be achieved. An error observation function of an electronic circuit gradually increases a peak value of the rectangular wave and determines the immunity based on an application voltage to cause an error for the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: NEC Corporation, Renesas Electronics Corporation, Hanwa Electronic Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneo Tsukagoshi, Takeshi Watanabe, Toshiyuki Nakaie, Nobuchika Matsui
  • Patent number: 8405407
    Abstract: A current measurement circuit for measuring a current is provided. The current measurement circuit includes a current integrating unit with a capacitor array, a comparator coupled to the current integrating unit, and a control unit coupled to the comparator and the current integrating unit. The current integrating unit integrates the current on the capacitor array to obtain an input voltage. The comparator compares the input voltage with a specific voltage to generate a compare output. The control unit generates a control signal to apply to the capacitor array of the current integrating unit according to the compare output. A magnitude of the current is obtained according to the control signal and the capacitance of the capacitor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventors: Martin John Edwards, Nicola Bramante
  • Patent number: 8390296
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for detecting abnormality of a current sensor operative to measure a charge or discharge current of a battery pack. The method comprises measuring current and voltage of the battery pack; and detecting abnormality of the current sensor by comparing variations in current and voltage over a predetermined time with a current reference value and a voltage reference value, respectively. According to the present invention, it is capable of improving reliability of the battery pack, and in case that the current sensor is out of order, of protecting the battery pack from dangerous accidents such as explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Gi Jung, Ju-Young Kim, Jung-Soo Kang, Do-Youn Kim, Cheol-Taek Kim
  • Patent number: 8365574
    Abstract: A method for minimizing stray current in capacitive sensor data includes receiving a first input from a first wire of a wire harness, the wire harness comprising a plurality of twisted wires, the first input comprising a first signal comprising first sensor data and stray current; receiving a second input from a second wire of the wire harness, the second input comprising a second signal comprising stray current; and subtracting the second signal from the first signal to determine the first sensor data. A system for minimizing stray current in capacitive sensor data is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis E. Schmidt, Joseph A. James, Lawrence A. Cogsdill
  • Publication number: 20120319660
    Abstract: A ground continuity circuit is described. In one embodiment, a first voltage of a signal associated with an electrical line input to a circuit is measured with respect to a first resistance value of the circuit. A ground continuity test signal is asserted into the circuit that causes the resistance value of the circuit to change to a second resistance value. A second voltage of the signal is measured with respect to the second resistance value. A ground impedance value of the circuit is determined as a function of the first and second measured voltages and the first and second resistance values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Carl F. Hagenmaier, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120280697
    Abstract: The vehicular insulation resistance detection apparatus includes a cyclic signal generating unit that generates a cyclic signal, a first resistor that has one end to which the cyclic signal is applied, a first capacitor that has one end connected to the other end of the first resistor and the other end connected to a high-voltage circuit, a second capacitor that has one end connected to the other end of the first resistor, a second resistor that has one end connected to the other end of the second capacitor and the other end connected to a low-voltage ground that is a circuit ground of a low-voltage circuit, a series circuit that includes a diode and a third resistor connected in series, and is connected in parallel with the second capacitor, this diode having a forward direction coincident with a direction from the other end of the second capacitor to the one end of the second capacitor, a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage between the low-voltage ground and the other end of the second capacitor a
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Naohisa Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8299805
    Abstract: An evaluation device 20 comprises a circuit element comprising respective pairs of inputs and outputs including several capacitances 25a-25c and resistances 26a-26d, one end of each being connected to both ends of the capacitances 25a-25c, wherein a resistance value of a signal input side is generally equal to that of a signal output side. The evaluation device 20 is further provided with a connecting terminal with an output device 10 for outputting signals to a device to be evaluated 30 on the signal input side, and is provided with a connecting terminal with the device to be evaluated 30 on the signal output side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Step Technica Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tomihiro Mugitani, Takashi Kobayashi, Tatsuhiko Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8283931
    Abstract: A method and a system for qualifying an integrated circuit according to a parasitic supply peak detector that it contains, including: supply of the integrated circuit to be tested under at least a first voltage; checking of a starting of the circuit; application of at least one first noise peak on the circuit power supply, while respecting an amplitude and time gauge; and comparison of average currents consumed by the circuit before and after the peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Malherbe, Benjamin Duval