Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for measuring, calculating, recording and monitoring significant system parameters for a local communication network of the type used in industrial automation applications. The apparatus is disclosed in the context of a network employing the DeviceNet protocol.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, a computer-readable medium, a software system, a system, a testing system and an article of manufacture for tracking information received by a user from a network wherein the information includes at least some dynamic information. One embodiment of the method includes the steps of parsing the information received into static information, if present, and dynamic information and validating the static information, if present, and the dynamic information.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically balancing a rotating system or rotating device utilizing data collection and correlation techniques to extract balance measures from sensor data is disclosed. Sensor data from the rotating system, containing information indicative of the dynamics of the rotating system, are filtered and sampled. A select time span of sampled data, adjusted upward to a nearest number of full revolutions of the rotating system, which is of sufficient size to extract balance measures, is collected. Data may be collected as a fixed number of samples per revolution, independent of a rotational speed, so as to simplify later computation. Several unique select time spans may be used for different ranges of rotational speeds so as to maintain the amount of data to be processed while still serving its original purpose. Window function may be applied to modify sampled data in the select time span so as to improve extraction performance.

Abstract: A foreign-matter detector for detecting foreign matter contained in an article P transported between a transmitter (17) and a receiver (18). The detector (1) includes a signal extractor (2) for extracting a signal (e) having a predetermined phase difference relative to a transmitted signal (a) from the transmitter (17), based on a phase of the transmitted signal (a) from the transmitter (17) and the received signal (b) from the receiver (18), a specific value setting unit (25) for setting, through an external input operation, a specific value for the level of the extracted signal (e) which is outputted from the signal extractor (2) and which is attributable to the article (P) free from foreign matter to be detected, and a level adjusting circuit (24) for adjusting the signal extractor (2) or the receiver (18) to cause the level of the extracted signal (e) attributable to the article itself to assume the specific value inputted.

Abstract: A method for the automatic selection of computer system parameter values to improve system performance as workload on the system changes. Methods are disclosed for automatically making minor adjustments to computer system parameters and comparing long-term associated performance changes in order to set parameter values so as to obtain improved system performance. The time frame over which a change in a system parameter and the associated system performance change is averaged is adjustable, thus permitting evaluation over shorter or longer periods of times as deemed appropriate. An objective measure of system performance is defined prior to implementation of the present methods. For transaction based systems, average system response-time for a given demand on the system could be, for example, such a measure. For systems executing batch-type workloads, system throughput may be used as the indicator of how well the system is performing.

Abstract: A foreign-matter detector for detecting foreign matter contained in an article P transported between a transmitter (17) and a receiver (18). The detector (1) includes a signal extractor (2) for extracting a signal (e) having a predetermined phase difference relative to a transmitted signal (a) from the transmitter (17), based on a phase of the transmitted signal (a) from the transmitter (17) and the received signal (b) from the receiver (18), a specific value setting unit (25) for setting, through an external input operation, a specific value for the level of the extracted signal (e) which is outputted from the signal extractor (2) and which is attributable to the article (P) free from foreign matter to be detected, and a level adjusting circuit (24) for adjusting the signal extractor (2) or the receiver (18) to cause the level of the extracted signal (e) attributable to the article itself to assume the specific value inputted.

Abstract: A process variable transmitter providing a transmitter output representing a process variable sensed by a sensor. The transmitter has a filter with a bandwidth which is automatically adjusted based on noise detected in a sensor output. When the transmitter senses higher sensor noise levels, it automatically decreases the bandwidth to damp noise in the transmitter output. When the transmitter senses lower sensor noise levels, it automatically increases the bandwidth to provide faster response to changes in the process variable.

Abstract: A method of, an and apparatus for, creating an image of currents flowing through current paths in a microelectronic circuit such that the image of the currents has improved spatial resolution using filters. The filters increase the spatial resolution and eliminate noise and edge artifacts in magnetic field and electric field images of electronic circuits. In accordance with the method, a magnetic field image is created with a scanning SQUID microscope. A magnetic inversion technique is then used to convert the magnetic field image into a current density image. The current density image is filtered based upon known restrictions on the wiring geometry of the microelectronic circuit being imaged. The technique can also be applied to convert electric fields of a circuit from a scanning single electron transistor microscope into images of the voltage levels on the wires in the circuit.

Abstract: A system, software program, and method for monitoring performance of a fiber processing apparatus that preferably is a disk refiner or a filter screen that analyzes operating data pertaining to apparatus operation to determine when a plate of the apparatus should be replaced before plate wear undesirably affects performance. Operating data over time is analyzed to determine whether it exhibits a trend characteristic of plate wear.I If so, a plate change recommendation is generated. To avoid fluctuations in performance not due to plate wear from affecting the determination, operating data over several hours of apparatus operation is analyzed. When a plate is changed, an inventory of the plates is updated. If the inventory requires replenishing, plates are ordered over a telecommunications link with a remote supplier computer or system. New replacement plates can be entered into the inventory from information downloaded from a portable input device.

Abstract: A method for detection an alarm state of measurement signal values received by means for detecting measurement values, wherein an alarm state is triggered when for a currently received measurement signal value at least one pre-set limit value is exceeded, has a faster recognition of an alarm situation and at the same time a lower rate of false alarms when in a first step for measurement signal values which are subsequent in time their position parameter (2) and a corresponding deviation parameter (3) of the measurement signal values from the position parameter is calculated in an adjustable time window, wherein in a second step each further subsequent measurement signal value is compared to the position parameter (2) an weighted with the deviation parameter (3) in order to obtain a respective evaluation quantity, and wherein in a third step an outlier state (6) is detected when the evaluation quantity exceeds an adjustable outlier parameter, whereas an alarm state (8) indicating the presence of a significant

Abstract: A method for recording and removing the bipolar bias from a vibration input signal. The signal is a time varying signal where the bipolar bias has an amplitude which is many times greater than the amplitude of the time varying waveform of the signal that represents the vibration of the machine. In calculating the level of the bipolar bias the method approaches a predetermined dead band asymptotically and in stable manner. The determination of the bipolar bias level occurs when the next event has occurred and the time for that determination is much shorter than the time between occurrence of the events.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of authenticating a beacon, such as used in optical and infrared signaling systems for communication or location determination, and aligning a beacon source and beacon sensor used for pointing or orientation-determining functions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating decoupling capacitance in a power grid is provided. A power grid model of an RLC network is evaluated to identify the power nodes that have peak voltages exceeding a minimum voltage threshold and a maximum voltage threshold. For each noisy node that violates the thresholds, a decoupling capacitor is inserted. The power grid is once again re-evaluated to determine of any of the power nodes still violate the voltage thresholds. For those violating power nodes, the size of the decoupling capacitor is incremented. This process of incrementing the size of the decoupling capacitance and re-evaluating the power grid is repeated until all the power nodes are within a noise budget or the noise level for each power node is within the thresholds. The decoupling capacitance is then re-evaluated as it is iteratively decremented while maintaining the power noise within the thresholds.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for automatically validating test measurements of an optical entity in an optical transmission network. The method includes creating an object in a database that includes a test variable. In addition, a limit relating to the test variable value is included. The method further includes comparing the test variable value against the limit and indicating if the test variable violates the limit. The device includes a computer memory containing data that relates to performance testing. The data comprises a test identifier, a test variable identifier and a plurality of independent variable identifiers.

Abstract: The system and method for calibrating a signal detection threshold circuit is used in a radio frequency (RF) receiver, such as a in an early warning radar (EWR) system, in which a signal detection threshold circuit rejects signals below a predetermined threshold setting and prevents noise signals from causing false alarms. The system and method include setting an initial threshold setting and receiving noise signals in one or more channels. A threshold comparison circuit rejects noise signals below the threshold setting, and a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) detection circuit detects noise pulses above the threshold setting and determines the PRF. An automatic threshold determiner and setter determines whether the PRF has reached a predetermined frequency (e.g., 400 kHz) and lowers the threshold setting until the predetermined frequency is reached. When the predetermined frequency is reached the threshold setting is stored as a noise measurement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the rise time of the electronic component of a signal disturbed by electronic noise and whose signal-to-noise ratio is mediocre. It incorporates a differentiating circuit (C12, C11) having at least one resistor (r) and one capacitor (c) implementing a high pass filter for filtering the low frequency background noise of the signal from the detector and a discriminating circuit (C21, C22) incorporating a comparator (k) for performing a comparison with the filtered signal from the differentiating circuit and an offset voltage selected as a function of the noise level interfering with the signal from the detector.

Abstract: A spinning strip aperture imaging radiometer sensor system and data processing methods for detecting moving objects derived from a plurality of image frames acquired by a strip aperture imaging sensor. A moving object in any individual image frame results in a motion smear signature in the total synthesized image. The motion smear signature is processed to detect the moving objects. One embodiment of the system comprises a rotating strip aperture telescope, a two dimensional detector array that detects images in the telescope's focal plane, a rotation compensation device that prevents rotational smear during integration time of detectors of the array, a signal processor that records a plurality of image frames of a scene imaged by the telescope as it rotates around its optical axis, and that implements method(s) for detecting the moving objects present in the recorded images.

Abstract: A method of determining peaks in a discrete function. The method comprising the steps of: applying a closing function to the discrete function to generate a closed discrete function; defining peaks within the closed discrete function; sorting the defined peaks according to function value; and applying a threshold value to each sorted defined peak in individual succession, wherein sorted defined peaks having a peak height value above the threshold value are retained within the closed discrete function.

Abstract: A method and means for testing binary code devices, such as ROMs, for correct coding during processing with the Process Control Machine (PCM) for the fabrication process by applying it on the scribe-line built-in binary code devices, and using the testing program to measure the threshold voltage VTN of the code devices and convert the binary signal sensed to a decimal number to identify the ROM code id. After finishing wafer processing and PCM testing, the real ROM code id that has been fabricated can be read from the PCM testing report.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for enhanced integration of signals, such as those generated by chromatographs. In one embodiment an approximate baseline used for integration of a signal is improved to reduce error. Alternate embodiments filter drift, noise, or both from a signal prior to integration or simulated distillation. The signals are processed according to a computer program stored in a memory. The methods include steps for subtracting an approximate baseline from the signal, defining a noise band in the resulting difference, and forming a composite baseline by substituting signal data for baseline data wherever the difference does not exceed the threshold, thus leaving the parts of the approximate baseline that correspond to signal peaks unchanged.

Abstract: Methods for suppressing noise in measurements by correlating functions based on at least two different measurements of a system at two different times. In one embodiment, a measurement operation is performed on at least a portion of a system that has a memory. A property of the system is measured during a first measurement period to produce a first response indicative of a first state of the system. Then the property of the system is measured during a second measurement period to produce a second response indicative of a second state of the system. The second measurement is performed after an evolution duration subsequent to the first measurement period when the system still retains a degree of memory of an aspect of the first state. Next, a first function of the first response is combined with a second function of the second response to form a second-order correlation function. Information of the system is then extracted from the second-order correlation function.

Abstract: Digital filters are used to compensate for echoes in a transmission system in which unwanted couplings occur between a signal value in the receiving direction and a signal value in the transmitting direction. The correct adjustment of the filter coefficients has a considerable influence on the achievable echo compensation. Disturbance signals such as background noises, nonlinear effects in A/D converters or an active local speaker can briefly change the adjustment of the filter coefficients in a way so that the digital filter does not compensate for the echoes and causes additional echoes in unfavorable cases. In accordance with the invention a set of filter coefficients (C(j)) are weighted with an envelope curve (H(j)) and an error measurement (F(j)) is determined therefrom. Depending on the magnitude of the error measurement (F(j)), the filter coefficients (ci) are used for further processing or are discarded.

Abstract: A physical parameter represented by variation in time of a physical magnitude G capable of varying between a minimum value G.sub.min and a maximum value G.sub.max is determined. The physical magnitude G is measured at variable time intervals referred to as sampling times. After each measurement of the physical magnitude G, the corresponding value of the physical parameter, and also the theoretical maximum error that could have occurred in the determination of the physical parameter are determined. The sampling time prior to each new measurement of the physical magnitude G is determined in such a manner as to ensure that a predetermined error threshold E.sub.max is not exceeded while determining the value of the physical parameter corresponding to the new measurement of the physical magnitude G.

Abstract: Spectral values are calculated from sampling values of the network voltage or current using the discrete Fourier transformation. Of these values, only those that are greater than a predefined threshold value (SW) are transmitted or stored. The missing spectral values are assumed to be equal to zero to reconstruct the sampling values. In general only those spectral values are transmitted or stored that pertain to a fault and its previous and subsequent history of a few seconds.

Abstract: An intelligent fiberoptic receiver (500) and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. During calibration procedures for the receiver, the optical-to-electrical conversion device (avalanche photodiode (501) or PIN photodiode) and its supporting control and monitoring circuits in the receiver module are characterized over a defined operating temperature range. Characteristic data and/or curves defining these operational control and monitoring functions over the range of operating conditions (temperature, power supply) are stored in non-volatile memory (526) such as EEPROM. During operation, an embedded microcontroller (520) together with analog to digital converters (532), digital to analog converters and other associated circuitry, dynamically control the operational parameters of the module based on the current operating conditions (temperature, power supply).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating an analog equalizer in a sampled amplitude read channel is disclosed wherein the filter's frequency response is measured and calibrated directly. This is accomplished by injecting a known periodic signal into the analog filter and measuring a spectrum value at a predetermined frequency. The filter parameters are adjusted accordingly until the spectrum reaches a predetermined target value. In the preferred embodiment, the analog filter comprises at least one second order low pass filter (referred to as a biquad filter), and the filter's spectrum is adjusted relative to the well known parameters f.sub.o and Q. Specifically, the parameters f.sub.o and Q are optimized relative to a power measurement at predetermined harmonics of the input signal. In this manner, the present invention enables auto-calibration of the analog equalizer without reading any data from the disc.

Abstract: A Voltage Range Detection Circuit (VRDC) (8) determines the supply voltage range of the integrated circuit. In general, voltage detector (10) determines the voltage level of supply voltage V.sub.DD and stores the result of this determination in storage (12). Resistor network (14), which receives the stored result, configures itself in the proper resistor configuration for the determined supplied voltage such that a compare signal is generated that represents a Variable Low Voltage Detection (VLVD) switch point. Resistor network (14) outputs this generated VLVD switch point signal to a first input of comparator (18) to be compared with the constant level reference voltage output by voltage reference (16) at a second input of comparator (18). When the output of resistor network (14) drops below the reference voltage provided by voltage reference (16), comparator (18) outputs a reset signal to disable the chip because a low voltage condition has occurred.

Abstract: An electrophysiology diagnostic device generating a high voltage (HV) pulse of a predetermined shape, which device is electrically connected to a patient's heart, i.e., a load resistance and which device includes a microprocessor and a load resistance measuring device, includes of a rapid response voltage threshold determination (RRVTD) circuit. The RRVTD circuit receives an actual signal corresponding to the HV pulse waveform, compares the actual signal with a desired signal and produces an error signal when the actual signal deviates from the desired signal by a predetermined threshold value. A method for operating a RRVTD circuit is also described.