Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a metamorphic long-wavelength, high-speed photodiode, wherein a buffer layer matching a substrate lattice constant is formed at normal growth temperatures and a thin grading region which grades past the desired lattice constant is configured at a low temperature. A reverse grade back is performed to match a desired lattice constant. Thereafter, a thick layer is formed thereon, based on the desired lattice constant. Annealing can then occur to isolate dislocated material in a grading layer and a reverse grading layer. Thereon a strained layer superlattice substrate is created upon which a high-speed photodiode can be formed. Implant or diffusion layers grown in dopants can be formed based on materials, such as Be, Mg, C, Te, Si, Se, Zn, or others. A metal layer can be formed over a cap above a P+ region situated directly over an N-active region. The active region also includes a p-doped region.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system that includes an array of opto-electronic devices, an array of micro lenses, and a fore optic. The array of opto-electronic devices lie substantially along a plane, but the fore optic has a non-planar focal field. To compensate for the non-planar focal field of the fore optic, each opto-electronic device has a corresponding micro lens. Each micro lens has a focal length and/or separation distance that compensates for the non-planar focal field of the fore optic. As a result, light that is provided by the fore optic is reconfigured by the micro lenses to be substantially focused along the plane of the array of opto-electronic devices.

Abstract: An optical detection system for flow cytometry that uses two or more light sources positioned laterally at different distances from the central axis of the flow stream for providing light through different parts of the flow stream. By using two or more light sources, the particle position can be detected, and the alignment and width of the core stream can be monitored and controlled. In addition, the velocity and size of the particles can be more accurately determined than when only a single light source is used.

Abstract: A connector block for connecting a plurality of electrical connectors includes a molded housing having a face. A plurality of female connectors are integrally molded within the face of the housing, each female connector having a well molded into the face of the housing and a receptacle extending from a bottom of the well. A threaded cylindrical bushing is integrally formed within the well around each receptacle. At least one male connector is also integrally molded within the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting units of material includes a transport media formed in a plurality of segments. A plurality of actuators and at least one of an identification sensor, a segment sensor, a length sensor are connected with respect to the transport media. A parameter of a unit of material is sensed to generate a data update and calculate control outputs in a sort logic controller. The control outputs are sent from the sort logic controller to a network controller for the sensors and actuators. The network controller is synchronized to the output of the sort logic controller to receive and read the outputs, which are written together to the network memory, as soon as they are written from the sort logic controller. The output signal based upon the data update is then immediately multicast through the network to at least one actuator and the units of material are sorted based upon the output signal.

Abstract: An active region of a VCSEL at one (i.e., n doped) end having an expanded effectively undoped region, and another (i.e., p doped) end having a significantly doped region up to or even including a portion of the active region. A previous way had heavy doping of the n and p doped regions up to the active region, at least close to it or even partially into it.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide sensor and method is shown and described. The sensor includes a sensing element that includes an adsorbent dispersed over a support material. The adsorbent is capable of exothermically adsorbing carbon monoxide. The sensor also includes a temperature sensor in contact with the sensing element and a signal processing module coupled to the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor communicates signals indicative of a temperature increase of the sensing element to the processing module, thereby indicating an adsorption and, therefore, a presence of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A versatile optical sensor method and assembly (200) is disclosed, providing cost-effective and readily adaptable optical sensor packaging while minimizing product variance, and comprising an integrally molded or single foundation piece (202) formed with a light source housing (302), a lens alignment feature (304) surrounding the light source housing, a mounting alignment feature (210), a sensor housing (206), and a barrier feature (204), further comprising a light source member (300) mounted to the foundation piece within the light source housing, a single lens member (214) enclosing the light source member and formed to engage with the lens alignment feature, and a detector member (208) mounted to the foundation piece within the sensor housing.

Abstract: An active region of a VCSEL at one (i.e., n doped) end having an expanded effectively undoped region, and another (i.e., p doped) end having a significantly doped region up to or even including a portion of the active region. A previous way had heavy doping of the n and p doped regions up to the active region, at least close to it or even partially into it.

Abstract: A turbidity sensor apparatus and method for measuring very low concentrations of particles in a fluid. The turbidity sensor comprises a laser light source for emitting laser light through a fluid. Such a fluid may be hydraulic fluid, oil, water utilized in water purification systems, or other translucent fluids. The turbidity sensor includes a first light-sensitive detector located 90 degrees to incident laser light emitted from the laser light source, and a second light-sensitive detector located at an angle obtuse to the incident laser light emitted from the laser light source, wherein the first and second light-sensitive detectors respectively measure side scattered light and forward scattered light reflected from particles contained within the fluid that come into contact with laser light emitted from the laser light source, thereby providing an accurate and reliable measurement of very low concentrations of particles within the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of using of a programmable circuit to calibrate a transducer. The programmable circuit is coupled to or communicates with a computer and to a testing station. The computer automatically varies the conditions of the testing station and programs the programmable circuit to produce a desired response. In another embodiment, a system is presented that can be used to measure various parameters that includes a programmable that may be mounted in the same package as a sensor. Such a system may include pressure sensors that are optimized to measure very low pressures.

Abstract: A micro-positioning system for accurately positioning an optical element relative to an optical device such as a laser diode, Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL), Resonant Cavity Photo Detector (RCPD), or some other type of optical device. The micro-positioning system is adapted to move the optical element independently in both the X and Y directions. The optical element preferably has at least two regions where the optical characteristics are different. In operation, the optical element is selectively moved so that a light beam intersects a selected region of the optical element. Because the optical characteristics of the optical element are different in different regions, the optical element produces a different optical result as the light beam is moved between regions.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor system having resistive elements changing in ohmic value in the presence of a magnetic field of a current being measured. The variant values of the elements are amplified by some electronics that inherently add offset to the resultant values. The elements themselves also add an offset. The output of the electronics is modulated and then buffered as an output. This output is demodulated integrated. The resultant signal is fed back to the input of the electronics to null out the offsets. The output of the buffer also goes to an inductive coil that is magnetically coupled to the resistive elements to null out the magnetic field from the current being measured. The buffer output indicates the magnitude of the current being measured. An oscillator outputs a signal to actuate the modulator and the demodulator. The oscillator signal also goes to a set/reset circuit for setting and resetting the resistive elements of the magnetoresistive sensor.

Abstract: A node of a network comprises an error message detector arranged to detect error messages transmitted over the network, a counter arranged to count the error messages in order to produce an error message count, and a controller arranged to count valid messages in order to produce a count of valid messages. The controller is arranged to compare the error message count to the valid message count to indicate the health of the network. The node further comprises a transceiver, a controller coupled to the transceiver by a receive line and a transmit line, and error message first logic coupled to the receive and transmit lines. The error message first logic is arranged to detect a first error message from the receive line and a second error message from the transmit line, and to determine whether the node is closest to a fault by comparing timing between the first error message and the second error message.

Abstract: A computerized method for organizing data from multiple databases into a single database for optimal access. The method includes providing multiple databases, each for storing data in the form of records. A record from each database is read, and the several records are stored in a single record within a combined database. The single record has a format such the several records are each stored in accessible portions of the single record so that they can be retrieved individually or together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing a presence of a magnetic field and/or a magnitude of a magnetic flux density of the magnetic field. A direct-current voltage is applied across a first layer of a conductive material, so that a direct current flows in a first direction through the first layer. A second layer of a piezoelectric material is integrated with or positioned adjacent or abutting the first layer. The first layer and the second layer are exposed to or positioned within a magnetic field. A Lorentz force is thus caused, preferably in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the first direction of the direct current and a second direction of the magnetic field to deflect the piezoelectric material thereby causing an output voltage in response to the Lorentz force. A magnetic flux density can be calculated as a function of the piezoelectric output.

Abstract: A sensor with a dynamic latch comprising having a sensor coupled to a gain amplifier, a delay circuit connected to the gain amplifier and a summing circuit coupled through first and second nodes to the gain amplifier. The sensor with a dynamic latch further comprises an output stage coupled to a comparator circuit and the summing circuit and to third and fourth nodes and first and second energy storing devices coupled to the comparator circuit.

Abstract: A control for use with pressure-sensitive devices, such as in a machine-guarding application. A plurality of pressure-sensitive devices, such as pressure-sensitive safety mats, are operatively connected to produce a disable signal and a status signal. An activation module produces a switching output responsive to the disable signal and the status signal to disable a machine. In one embodiment the status signal is produced by a comparator in response to a quantity selector and a quantity indication signal produced by the pressure-sensitive devices. In the preferred embodiment, the control system of the present invention is able to detect proper safety mat configuration, whether a threshold pressure is being applied to a pressure-sensing region in the plurality of safety mats, and whether the quantity of operatively coupled safety mats conforms to the quantity specified to be deployed.

Abstract: A laser structure (10, 60) and method of manufacturing a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). The laser structure (10, 60) is adapted to lase at a wavelength lambda and includes a first mirror stack (14), an active region (18) disposed on the first mirror stack (14) and a second mirror stack (22) disposed on the active region (18). The second mirror stack (22) includes a plurality of alternating mirror layer pairs (a, b) with a phase shifting region (24) disposed therein. The phase shifting region (24) is positioned outside the optical aperture (25) and away from the active region (18) by at least one mirror layer pair, with the optical thickness of the phase shifting region (24) being a multiple of one-fourth lambda, the phase shifting region (24) being oxidized reducing the reflectance of the second mirror stack (22) outside the aperture relative to inside the aperture.