Abstract: An oxygen sensor readiness module comprises a voltage source, a current detection module, and a control module. The voltage source selectively produces a bias signal, which is applied to a sensing element of an oxygen sensor. The current detection module measures a pumping current of the oxygen sensor. The control module generates a readiness signal based upon a comparison of the pumping current with a pumping current threshold.

Abstract: During a total temporal interval a plurality of characteristic values of the technical system are determined. The total temporal interval is divided into a plurality of partial intervals, each partial interval being between a partial interval starting point and a partial interval end point in the total interval. According to said method, for each partial interval, at least one parameter of a pre-determined predictive model is adapted to the characteristic values determined in the partial interval in such a way as to obtain a partial adaptation with which a partial interval and the end point of the partial interval are associated. Respectively one modification measure is determined for the partial adaptations in such a way as to indicate the modifications of the parameters of the respective partial adaptation in relation to the parameters of at least one adjacent partial adaptation.

Abstract: A system for detecting the contact of vegetation or other objects with a power line conductor and that may provide an automated notification thereof is provided. In one embodiment, the system may assess one or more power line communication links to determine baseline performance parameters thereof and set associated communication thresholds. The system may also include sensors for measuring wind speed, power line voltages, and/or other data. In one embodiment, the measured data may continuously be time stamped and stored in memory. Sensed data such as voltage and/or wind speed is analyzed during the time of a degradation of a communication link. If there is a correlation in the occurrence of increased wind speed or decrease in voltage and one or more degradations of a communication channel, a notification may be transmitted.

Abstract: System and method for detecting partial discharge arcing phenomena in a power network distribution system which employs a mobile receiving assemblage including a wideband antenna, a computer controllable wideband radio receiver deriving an amplitude detected output and a global positioning system providing system position data. The amplitude detected outputs are digitized and treated with a digital signal processor based analysis including fast Fourier transforms extracting narrowband signal frequencies that are harmonically related to the network fundamental frequency. The narrowband signal frequencies are analyzed for peak amplitudes which are summed to derive maintenance merit values related to the arcing phenomena.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for error location in branched low voltage and medium voltage networks and to an evaluation network used therefor.

Abstract: A method of detecting partial discharge associated with at least a portion of an electrical system, wherein the electrical system includes at least one electrical machine electrically coupled within the electrical system, includes generating an electromagnetic field within the electrical machine. The method also includes collecting partial discharge data from at least a portion of the electrical system. The method further includes determining a first partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) value of at least a portion of partial discharge activity within the electrical system. The method also includes generating at least one trending comparison of the first PDIV value and at least one second PDIV value of at least a portion of partial discharge activity within the electrical system. The method further includes outputting the results.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an arc fault root-cause finder apparatus and method for determining the root-cause of an arc fault condition. In one embodiment, the arc fault root-cause finder apparatus has a sensing base module mounted to a load panel box having at least one circuit breaker that protects a corresponding branch circuit. The sensing base module has sensing electronics that are electrically connected to the at least one circuit breaker and are configured to sense the occurrence of arcing events in the branch circuit. The sensing base module includes wireless communication electronics to (i) effect transmission of electrical signals that provide information about the occurrence or absence of arcing events in the branch circuit, and (ii) to receive command signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fault detecting method and a layout method for a semiconductor integrated circuit. The fault detecting method performs detection for faults in a semiconductor integrated circuit using a fault list corresponding to information on sites in the semiconductor integrated circuit where a fault is likely to occur or information required to reduce such faults. In addition, the fault detecting method and the layout method perform ordering of faults with their likelihood and weighting of the faults, taking into consideration physical information on a mask pattern within a chip or records of actual use of cells or functional blocks.

Abstract: A test system including a package with interconnect paths. The package may have electrical paths that are electrically connected by the interconnect paths. The electrically connected electrical paths may yield increased data without significantly increasing the required testing hardware.

Abstract: A power line communication-based aircraft power distribution system may allow for both power line communication (PLC) technology and spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) technology to be utilized in aircraft power distribution systems to achieve key maintenance functions. Unlike conventional power distribution systems, which may, for example, use only SSTDR for fault detection, the present invention includes a hardware platform that may allow both the PLC and the SSTDR to be utilized in aircraft power distribution systems to achieve key maintenance functions, such as real time wire fault location, and cost and weight savings. Further, unlike conventional power distribution systems, which may only detect and locate damage in feeder conductor wire sections before the power is applied to the load, the power distribution system of the present invention may permit real time wire fault location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for monitoring a condition of an electrical cable, the method comprising providing a reference signal CH0 and a signal CH1, said signal CH1 being the reference signal CH0 after amplitude and phase modulation by a cable impedance ZDUT of the electrical cable; calculating the cable impedance ZDUT as a function of the applied signal frequency based on the reference signal CH0 and the signal CH1; and analyzing said cable impedance providing an assessment of the cable condition. A system performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for pinpointing CDP sources in a two-way HFC CATV network comprises a headend CPD radar unit, a return path switch, and a computer. The radar unit is coupled to a headend combiner. The return path switch is coupled between the nodes of the CATV network and the radar unit. The computer is connected to the radar unit and the return path switch. The computer controls the radar unit and switch and causes them to perform constant sequential CPD monitoring of the nodes of the network. The system further comprises a portable radar-calibrator unit that is carried into the field and connected to various points along the coaxial cable portion of the network. The portable radar unit is used to detect CPD sources in the field and to calibrate the network as to time delay. The portable unit communicates with the headend radar unit through the CATV network.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for processing utility data of a power grid is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a datamart comprised of a plurality of physical databases storing utility data, a plurality of applications comprising an automated meter application configured to process power usage data from a plurality of automated meters, a power outage application configured to identify a location of a power outage, and a power restoration application configured to identify a location of a power restoration. The system may include an analysis engine comprising a plurality of analysis objects with each analysis object configured to process data to provide a specific analysis, wherein said analysis engine is accessible via one or more of the plurality of applications, and the system may include a report module configured to receive an output from the analysis engine and to output a report.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates wirelessly identifying and testing field-replaceable units within a computer system. The system includes a field-replaceable unit (FRU) within the computer system and a storage device located on the FRU. Data on the storage device contains an identifier for the FRU. A wireless transceiver coupled to the storage device is configured to receive a request directed to the FRU and, in response to the request, to transmit the identifier for the FRU.

Abstract: In order to detect, localize and interpret a partial discharge occurring in a partial discharge site along an electrical equipment, two measurement probes and a synchronization probe are installed along the electrical equipment. The measurement probes detect pulses travelling in the electrical equipment while the synchronization probe detects a phase angle in the electrical equipment and is usable for calibration purposes. A control unit receives the signals sensed by the probes and conditions them. Digital processings applied on the conditioned signals, involving their correlation, a time-frequency distribution and a form factor estimation, allows establishing a diagnosis indicating a detection of a partial discharge and its localization along the electrical equipment.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates high-sensitivity detection of an anomaly in telemetry data from an electronic system using a telemetric impulsional response fingerprint of the telemetry data. During operation, the system applies a sudden impulse step change to one or more operational parameters of the electronic system during operation. Next, the system generates a three-dimensional (3D) telemetric impulsional response fingerprint (TIRF) surface from a dynamic response in the telemetry data to the sudden impulse step change. The system then determines from the 3D TIRF surface whether the telemetry data contains an anomaly.

Abstract: A method for locating faults in three-terminal and multi-terminal power lines, applicable in electric power systems for overhead and underground cable transmission and distribution lines.

Abstract: A test device that can improve test reliability is provided. In the test device, an error detecting unit detects an error of inputted test signals to generate an error flag, a normal test unit performs a test operation according to the test signals when the error flag is deactivated, and an error information providing unit indicates the error of the test signals when the error flag is activated.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one Rogowski coil and a processor. The at least one Rogowski coil is positioned within an electrical power distribution network to detect a first traveling wave current caused by a fault on an electrical power transmission line of the network, generate a first signal indicative of detection of the first traveling wave, detect a second traveling wave current caused by the fault on the transmission line, and generate a second signal indicative of detection of the second traveling wave. The processor is adapted to receive the first signal and the second signal and to determine, based on the first signal and the second signal, where on the transmission line the fault occurred.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are sequentially driven onto a signal path. Each of the signals has a pulsewidth defined by a trigger edge and a sensor edge, and at least some of the signals having different pulsewidths. After driving each signal, the signal is sampled at or about a timing of the signal's sensor edge to thereby characterize the signal's sensor edge. The sensor edge characterizations corresponding to the different signals are then analyzed to quantify a timing error induced by an impedance variation of the signal path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining the incident energy of a system. Specifically, there is provided a technique comprising measuring a voltage of an ac waveform, causing a resonant ring in the ac waveform, measuring a frequency of the resonant ring, computing a line impedance based upon the measured voltage and the frequency of the resonant ring, and computing a bolted fault current based on the line impedance and the measured voltage.

Abstract: A TDR testing method comprises storing test data resulted from a TDR test applied on an electronic component, displaying the test data, identifying a distinctive portion of the test data corresponding to a defective location in the electronic component, modifying the distinctive portion of the test data, and computing the modified test data to verify whether a predetermined requirement is satisfied.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides apparatus including a data structure representing a fault tree for a system. The data structure comprises a plurality of events linked by propagations. Each event is classified as one of at least three possible event types. A first type of event is a problem event, which represents an underlying cause of misbehavior in the system. A second type of event is an error event, which represents an error in the system comprising an incorrect signal or datum. A third type of event is a report event, representing the formal detection by the system of an error. Each propagation in the fault tree denotes a cause and effect linkage from one event to another event. There are no propagations within the fault tree to a problem event.

Abstract: A data receiver circuit in a receiving chip provides the capability to characterize an interface, which includes one or more inter-chip communication lines, between a transmitting chip and the receiving chip by transmitting the data across a primary data path and a secondary data path, latching the data in the secondary data path using a clock signal that is skewed relative to a clock signal used to latch the primary data path, comparing the data latched from the primary and secondary data paths, and recording errors. Because the primary data path is not impacted by the test cycle, the test cycle may be run while data associated with applications running on the system are transmitted across the inter-chip communication lines.

Abstract: A defect analyzer has a region dividing section configured to divide a defect analyzing region of a wafer into a plurality of grid squares, the wafer having a circuit pattern formed thereon, a pattern feature quantity extracting section configured to extract a pattern feature quantity based on design data of the circuit pattern for each of the grid squares, a region classifying section configured to classify the plurality of grid squares into a plurality of groups based on the pattern feature quantities, a defect coordinate matching section configured to match defect information having been detected in the defect analyzing region with the defect analyzing region, a defect size distribution calculating section configured to calculate a defect size distribution in each of the plurality of groups, a distribution comparing section configured to compare the defect size distribution and a predetermined estimation distribution in each of the plurality of groups and calculate a difference, and a region extracting sec

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer products and a website for electrical power maintenance and restoration. Exemplary embodiments include an electrical power maintenance and restoration system, including a server having an interface for communicating over a computer network, a database having a region of memory having data related to an inventory of electrical power equipment, a website coupled to the database for accessing the inventory of electrical power equipment in response to an event and a webpage for displaying location-specific data of the inventory of electrical power equipment.

Abstract: A self-propelled, automated, autonomic grid crawler which, when attached to a wire, moves along the wire to sense conditions of the wire. The grid crawler includes a central processing unit (CPU), working memory, such as random access memory (RAM), persistent money, such as read only memory (ROM) and hard drive (HD), sensor electronics, a wireless interface, a location device, such as a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, motive power system, and a battery. The sensor electronics serves to sense various types of faults. The CPU analyzes the data from the sensor electronics using pre-analysis and pre-qualification algorithms, which are stored in the HD. Depending on the results of the analysis, the CPU transmits information to the central station, either directly or indirectly via mounted docking devices, that potentially indicates a fault, including the location of the fault as determined by the GPS receiver.

Abstract: Provided is a system for determining the area of vulnerability for estimation of voltage sages including: a system information reader reading information on a power system; a unit for determining the area of vulnerability calculating a voltages at a target bus corresponding to ends of a fault line by using the system information and a first residual voltage equation that is a voltage relationship between points in the fault line in the power system where a fault is simulated and the target bus where a voltage change due to the fault occurs, calculating a voltage at the target bus corresponding to a point between the ends when the voltages at the target bus corresponding to the ends are not higher than a predetermined voltage threshold, deriving a second residual voltage equation that is an approximate quadratic interpolation equation for the first residual voltage equation by using the voltages at the target bus corresponding to the ends and the point between the ends of the fault line, calculating the voltag

Abstract: A layout comprises a plurality of elemental areas which define the shape and arrangement of patterns of an integrated circuit. A method for searching for potential faults in the layout begins with dividing the layout into sections. One of a number of predetermined classes is allocated to a section by means of allocation criteria. An evaluation criterion allocated to the class which was allocated to the section is then applied to the section in order to obtain an evaluation result. Each section is then identified as potentially faulted in dependence on the evaluation result.

Abstract: This embodiment replaces the use of LBIST to get a pass or no-pass result. A selective signature feature is used to collect the top failing paths, by shmooing the chip over a cycle time. These paths can be stored on-chip or off-chip, for later use. Once the chip is running in the field for a certain time, the same procedure is performed to collect the top failing paths, and this is compared with the stored old paths. If the order of the top paths changes, it indicates that (for example) there is a path (not the slowest path before) that slows more than others, which could be potential reliability concern. Therefore, a potential reliability failure is identified in the field.

Abstract: A method for detecting partial discharge events comprising analysing an output from the cable using one or more substantially shift invariant wavelet transforms, and using the analysed signal to identify one or more peaks associated with a partial discharge. Preferably, the shift invariant transform is a stationary wavelet transform (SWT).

Abstract: A system and method for locating faults on multi-terminal power system transmission lines uses synchronized phasor measurements to accurately determine fault location and fault impedance regardless of fault type, fault resistance, and coupling to other adjacent power system transmission lines.

Abstract: A system and method to range a distance to a source of CPD on a two-way cable system, comprises a fixed CW signal injected into a downstream signal path, a swept signal transmitted from a network analyzer, a mixer for generating an up-converted swept signal, and a source of CPD in the two-way cable system that mixes the fixed CW signal and the swept signal to create an upstream swept signal. The network analyzer receives the upstream swept signal and determines a complex frequency response created by the source of CPD. An impulse response is determined from the complex frequency response, and the distance to the source of CPD is determined from the impulse response.

Abstract: A method for detecting noise location information in a power line distribution system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of receiving link quality data for a first power line communication link between a first and second power line communications device, determining an asymmetry in the link quality data of the link, and determining location information for the noise source based on the location of the first power line communications device or the location of the second power line communications device.

Abstract: A method for arc fault detection, includes automatically generating an output signal responsive to an input signal. The input signal is indicative of an arc fault. The output signal is configured to cause an electrical circuit to open. The output signal is generated responsive to a derived signal based upon a first threshold having a first amplitude.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for triggering and monitoring a load which is connected in the shunt arm of a bridge circuit, including a control circuit for triggering switch elements S1 to S4 of the bridge circuit and a self-diagnosis system for testing the load connections, wherein the self-diagnosis system consists of a self-diagnosis circuit including a storage element for storing electrical charges, said circuit being linked to a signal connection of the control circuit, which signal connection is switchable as input or output, and to a load connection, and a self-diagnosis program which is stored in a memory of the control circuit and switches the signal connection to output during a first phase of the test in order to charge the storage element and switches the signal connection to input during a second phase of the test in order to capture the charge status of the storage element.

Abstract: The present invention systems and methods facilitate automated efficient and effective electronic component and system failure prediction and reliability determination. A present invention electronic component reliability determination system and method includes adjustments for actual operating and environmental conditions and stress impacts on failure analysis. A reference failure rate is adjusted based upon monitored operational and environmental conditions to compensate for impacts associated with the monitored conditions. The conditions are monitored at predetermined intervals and an adjusted determination of an “instantaneous” failure rate is made. The instantaneous failure rate is utilized to ascertain a reliability index value. An electronic component reliability determination system and method can also account for infant mortality and aging effects in the determination of the reliability index value.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying an arcing event in electrical distribution equipment. The system includes memory for storing an arcing radio frequency characteristic indicative of an arcing event generated in electrical distribution equipment and a noise radio frequency characteristic indicative of background electrical noise and a sensor for detecting radio frequency signals resulting from the arcing event and propagating wirelessly from the electrical distribution equipment. The system also includes a processor for processing the radio frequency signals detected by the sensor to extract radio frequency characteristics from the detected signals and including a comparator for comparing the extracted frequency characteristics to the arcing radio frequency characteristic and the noise radio frequency characteristic stored in memory to identify occurrence of an arcing event. The system also includes an arc alarm generator for generating an arc fault signal indicative of the occurrence of the arcing event.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving data related to a customer premise equipment (CPE) device and determining an impedance mismatch between a transmission line and the CPE device based on the received data. The method further includes initiating removal of a source of the impedance mismatch in response to determining the impedance mismatch.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a plurality of devices, especially circuit breakers. The control apparatus includes activation circuitry for each device, and a power supply for supplying electrical power to the activation circuitry. The control apparatus adds a respective electrical signature component to the supplied electrical power upon detection that a respective device has operated. The signature components allow analysis equipment to determine which device has operated by analysing the supplied electrical power.

Abstract: A device for protecting the bearing of an electrical machine against the damaging passage of current, wherein the electrical machine comprises a stator and a rotor pivotally mounted relative to the stator by the bearing. The device is provided with a compensation circuit which produces a compensation current which compensates for a parasitic current formed during operation of the electrical machine by the bearing and a coupling element for directly or indirectly coupling the compensation current into the bearing.

Abstract: The method for creating a test pattern and calculating a fault coverage or the like of the present invention is characterized by creating bridging fault voltage information indicating a voltage of a bridging assumed on the wire derived from an output terminal of a cell, calculating a logical threshold of an input terminal of the cell, extracting bridging fault information on an adjacent wire pair, calculating a detection limit resistance value using the logical threshold, adding the detection limit resistance value to bridging fault voltage information, creating extended bridging fault voltage information, creating a bridging fault list including a bridging fault type based on the extended bridging fault voltage information, creating a test pattern based on the bridging fault list, judging whether or not a bridging fault can be detected through this test pattern, creating fault detection information and calculating a weighted fault coverage based on the fault detection information and bridging fault generatio

Abstract: A method of performing transducer self-diagnostics and self-healing on an array of sensor transducers bonded to a structure for health monitoring includes measuring impedance to detect whether a transducer is missing, or a connection is damaged. Pitch-catch signals generated between one or more pairs of transducers are analyzed for detecting defects according to selected criteria of defect size and location to determine whether the sensors are damaged or partially/fully disbanded. Based on the resulting map of operational transducers, signal transmission paths are added/extended between additional pairs of transducers to maintain inspection coverage of the structure according to the selected criteria.

Abstract: A self-propelled, automated, autonomic grid crawler which, when attached to a wire, moves along the wire to sense conditions of the wire. The grid crawler includes a central processing unit (CPU), working memory, such as random access memory (RAM), persistent money, such as read only memory (ROM) and hard drive (HD), sensor electronics, a wireless interface, a location device, such as a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, motive power system, and a battery. The sensor electronics serves to sense various types of faults. The CPU analyzes the data from the sensor electronics using pre-analysis and pre-qualification algorithms, which are stored in the HD. Depending on the results of the analysis, the CPU transmits information to the central station, either directly or indirectly via mounted docking devices, that potentially indicates a fault including the location of the fault as determined by the GPS receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for reintegration of a redundant controller after occurrence of a fault is provided, comprising synchronizing outputs of a primary controller with outputs of secondary controllers. The controller is placed in a different mode of operation in which its output is not used in system control. A meta-controller is activated to drive the primary controller to the same states at which the secondary or redundant controllers operate. A voting mechanism is used to determine a fault in an output to a controlled device. Control of the device using the secondary outputs is effected. The primary controller recalculates the primary output, based upon the primary output; a feedback signal; and, the secondary outputs. Control using the primary output is permitted when the primary output is within an allowable range of the secondary outputs.

Abstract: A design structure for replacing a defective pixels in a pixel array is presented. The design structure includes means for identifying a defective pixel in the pixel array, means for generating a code including information corresponding to the defective pixel row and column; means for decoding the information; and means for generating a signal that permanently identifies the defective pixel row and column based on the decoded information. The design structure further includes means for substituting data from the defective pixel with data from a functioning pixel disposed in a same row as, and next to, the defective pixel based on the generated signal.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for the default operation of an electronic systems unit, including components producing and using data, at least one datum of which can take a pre-determined fixed value, after occurrence of an erroneous functioning of at least one of the components of the unit. The method classifies, during a design phase of the architecture of the systems, the particular values following the corresponding fault and records the classification in a computer memory, for example in a form of a consultation table.

Abstract: A system and method to range a distance to a source of CPD (Common Path Distortion) on a two-way cable system, comprising a local CPD source and a cross-correlator. The local CPD source generates a local distortion signal from a downstream signal, wherein the downstream signal includes multiple carriers of TV channels. The source of CPD in the cable system mixes the carriers of the TV channels to create an upstream actual distortion signal. The cross-correlator performs a cross-correlation between the local distortion signal and the upstream actual distortion signal to create a cross-correlation plot, and the distance to the source of CPD is determined from the round-trip time.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for determining a distance of a phase-to-earth fault on a three-phase electric line (30), the apparatus (40) being configured to determine a first estimate value for a distance between the measuring point (40) and a point of fault (F) on the basis of a first equation based on a fault loop model of the electric line, in which model the load of the electric line is located between the measuring point and the point of fault; determine a second estimate value for the distance on the basis of a second equation based on a fault loop model of the electric line, in which model the point of fault is located between the measuring point and load of the electric line; and select, according to predetermined criteria, one of the determined two estimate values as the distance between the measuring point and the point of fault.

Abstract: A positioning system is provided for mounting a circuit board or device to be tested, and for mounting a sensor assembly, the positioning system has having the capability of moving the sensor assembly in three dimensions. The sensor assembly is positioned on the mounting assembly such that it is not in contact with the circuit board under test. The sensor assembly in operation samples the electromagnetic field emanating from the circuit under test and converts those signals into a representative electrical signal in a digitized format. A processing system compares the measured values from the sensor assembly with reference values from the same point in a circuit known to be good and provides an indication to the user as to whether the difference therebetween is within an acceptable range or outside thereof.