Abstract: The present application is applicable to receivers for Global Positions (GP) systems which use delay-lock loops (DLLs) and, optionally, phase-lock loops (PLLs). The application discloses multipath error reduction techniques which enable the multipath errors in DLL systems to be made much less than the error present in known narrow “early-late” correlators, or their corresponding implementations which use strobe representations of the PR-code. Also disclosed are multipath error reduction techniques that enable multipath errors in the PLL systems to be reduced. The techniques, when applied to both the DLL and PLL systems work synergistically to further reduce multipath errors.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a cache memory so that operation is optimized. Instead of fetching data immediately upon a cache miss, the present invention continues with subsequent cache accesses. Decoupled from cache access, cache misses are fetched to cache. During operation, for each request in a sequence of data requests, it is determined if the requested data can be found in cache memory. If the data is not found in the cache, the next request in the sequence is processed without first retrieving the data pending from the earlier request. A miss list is generated for each of the requests in the sequence of requests whose data is not found in the cache. The data that is associated with the requests in the miss list is obtained from DRAM and used to satisfy the requests. Some cache lines may have one or more pending hits to data associated with the cache line. Those requests are kept in a pending hits list and processed in order as required.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer program products are disclosed that allows a thread-unaware routine that accesses an operation-dependent temporary data structure to be shared by multiple threads in a multi-threaded computing environment. The programmer for an operation provides three routines—a pre-processing routine, a operation routine, and a post-processing routine. The pre-processing routine allocates the operation-dependent temporary data structure. The operation routine accesses the operation-dependent temporary data structure to perform its operation for each thread that invokes the operation routine. The post-processing routine deallocates the operation-dependent temporary data structure when it is no longer needed.

Abstract: A protection system that protects a booster circuit used to boost operating signals in a memory device. The system includes a protection circuit for protecting an output transistor of the booster circuit. The protection circuit includes a transfer gate coupled to the output transistor and coupled to receive a first boost signal and a second boost signal. The transfer gate opens and closes in response to the second boost signal. When the transfer gate is closed, the first boost signal is uncoupled from the output transistor, and when the transfer gate is opened, the first boost signal is coupled to the output transistor. The circuit also includes a protection transistor coupled to the second boost signal, a supply voltage and the output transistor, where the protection transistor couples the supply voltage to the output transistor when the transfer gate is closed.

Abstract: An insulated container for the consumption of hot or cold beverages with an integral remote controller capable of operating an entertainment center, television or other system.

Abstract: A method for fabricating fiber-reinforced composite structures, including centrifuge rotors, by resin transfer molding (RTM) is disclosed. The method involves loading reinforcing fibers into a mold and then injecting resin into the mold to coat the fibers to form the composite structure. Two types of reinforcing fibers are used—fabric preforms at the surfaces of the structure and chopped fibers at the interior of the structure. Also disclosed is a fiber-reinforced composite structure comprising a skin layer of reinforcing fabric, chopped fibers distributed throughout the interior of the structure, and epoxy resin that binds the fabric and chopped fibers together into a fiber-reinforced composite structure. The resin transfer molding method is especially useful for fabricating composite centrifuge rotors.

Abstract: Power consumption of a low-power flyback power converter under standby-load or no-load conditions is reduced by modulating the OFF time of the flyback transformer's main switch as a function of the feedback control current when the load drops below a predetermined level. This modulation overcomes the conventional frequency-increasing modulation of the ON time at low output power levels so as to reduce the switching frequency, and hence the switching losses, to minimal levels as the load is reduced. Excessive frequency reduction can optionally be avoided by a clamping feature that limits the expansion of the OFF time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a content addressable memory (CAM) circuit that includes at least one row of memory cells storing data to be subjected to search data for a compare operation, with the cells in each row being inter-connected by a match line. Each cell can, if the search data does not match the stored data, discharge the match line in an evaluation operation. According to the present invention, a match line is partitioned into a least two segments, each segment having a first unit for precharging and evaluating the match line segment and a second unit for determining the result of the evaluation operation. The compare operation of the second and any subsequent segments is performed and the corresponding matchline segment involved only if the result of the compare operation of the respective preceding segment indicates a data match.

Abstract: A fiber optic switch using MEMS is scalable by the use of a matrix of cross-points located at the intersection of all possible input and output light paths. Cross-points are formed by a MEMS procedure where a digitally movable mirror intersects a light path to provide a digital switching action with the remaining cross-point mirrors being moved out of position to provide through transmission.

Abstract: A system for accessing a desired site within a patient's body includes a cannula defining an inner lumen that opens into a longitudinally extending side aperture formed in the side of the cannula, near its distal end. An electrosurgical stylet slidably fits inside the inner lumen. At the distal end of the stylet is an electrosurgical electrode capable of ablating tissue and permitting advancement of the system into a patient's body. The electrode, in an expanded deployed configuration, can be wider than the maximum transverse dimension of the cannula, but it may be deflected toward the center of the stylet so that the electrode fits within the inner lumen of the cannula, permitting the stylet to be inserted and removed through the cannula.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for efficient electronics positioning and connection systems. In one embodiment of the present invention, electronic components are inserted into a connection rack from the front such that connections face the front side of the connection rack. In another embodiment of the present invention, electronic components are inserted into a connection rack from a side such that connections face the front side of the connection rack. In one embodiment, a connection rack is positioned with the back side against a wall. In another embodiment two connection racks are positioned such that the back side of a first connection rack is against the back side of a second connection rack. In one embodiment, a power supply is positioned near the top of the connection rack. A common power line couples the power supply to the electronic components. Thus, the need for heat-producing power supplies in each component is eliminated.

Abstract: A covered stent assembly comprising a tubular, expandable stent having a metallic framework covered with a cylinder of biocompatible, non-thrombogenic expandable material, such as heterologous tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the metallic framework is positioned coaxially within a cylinder of bovine pericardial tissue. A catheter may be used to deliver the stent assembly to a desired region in the lumen of a patient. The metallic framework is then expanded to seat the assembly within the lumen.

Abstract: System for boosting a signal for use in a memory device. The system includes a circuit for providing a boosted signal used to produce a word line signal in a memory device. The circuit includes a pre-charge stage that has an output terminal and is coupled to receive an address signal and a boost control signal. The pre-charge stage is operable to produce the boosted signal having a pre-charged level at the output terminal. The circuit also includes a boost stage that is coupled to receive the boost control signal and produce a boost activation signal at a boost stage output terminal that is coupled to the output terminal via a capacitive element. When the boost activation signal is active, the boosted signal is set to a selected boost level that is independent of supply voltage.

Abstract: A semiconductor packaging structure comprising a hybrid IC package having at least one IC chip mounted therein is disclosed. The semiconductor packaging structure includes a DC-DC switching power supply mounted within the hybrid IC package that is electrically coupled to at least one of the IC chips by conductive paths formed in said hybrid IC package for supplying at least one specified voltage to the at least one IC chip. Power is supplied to the DC-DC switching power supply from a remote power source.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and methods for making interconnect structures are disclosed. A typical interconnect structure has a tapered first end portion having a first substantially planar surface and a concave surface adjacent to the first planar surface. A second end portion of the interconnect structure includes a second substantially planar surface. The second planar surface has a larger area than the first planar surface. An intermediate portion is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion.

Abstract: A passive desuperheater for a vapor compression refrigeration system is disclosed. The passive desuperheater includes a chamber having two inlets and an outlet, the first inlet for introducing superheated gas into the chamber, the second inlet for introducing cool liquid refrigerant into the chamber and the outlet for outputting the desuperheated gas. The flow of cool liquid refrigerant into the chamber is generated by a gravity drop, resulting in the mixing of the liquid refrigerant with the superheated gas, such that desuperheated gas is output at the outlet. In an alternative embodiment, the hot discharge gas is input through the bottom of a shell and tube condenser and then exposed to the cool liquid refrigerant in the condenser. The desuperheater according to the present invention also can be used to remove oil from the hot discharge gas during desuperheating. Desuperheating can also be obtained by passing the superheated gas through a pipe immersed in the cool liquid refrigerant.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping the voltage across rectifier diodes in a soft-switching DC/DC converter, wherein the clamping action is created by an additional winding coupled to the primary winding of the converter's transformer. This additional winding has fewer turns than the primary winding, is also coupled to the clamping diodes and effectively clamps the voltage across the rectifier diodes by transformer action. One preferred embodiment of the invention is for use with a full bridge converter. Another preferred embodiment is for use with a two switch forward converter.

Abstract: A pollution control apparatus and method to scrub sulfur dioxide uses a lime slurry consisting of small diameter hydrated lime particles injected into the cooling water of a gas cooling tower. The diameter of the lime slurry particles is selected to be less than about 25 microns so that the lime particles substantially dissolve during the evaporative lifetime of the spray droplets. A preferred embodiment of the pollution control apparatus uses an in-line wet grinder and classifier to produce slurry as required.

Abstract: A compact polarity-insensitive integrated circuit amplifier is described designed to be powered by a miniature low voltage battery of variable polarity. Low current, polarity corrected voltage sources are integrated into functional blocks to supply low current non-bidirectional elements and to provide a constant polarity bias to a substrate of CMOS circuits. Polarity corrected voltage sources are used to provide a polarity sensing function. The invention is embodied in a Class D amplifier which may comprise four n-channel MOSFET transistors arranged in an H-bridge configuration. Additional driver circuitry is described which increases the voltage of the pulse-width modulated input signal to the MOSFET transistors and also performs a pulse trimming function, which reduces parasitic crowbar currents in the amplifier output stage.

Abstract: A receiver of a radio frequency signal having a pseudo-random noise (PRN) code, and techniques of processing such a signal that are especially adapted for ranging applications. A signal corresponding to the PRN code is locally generated and used for decoding the received signal in a manner to reduce ranging errors that can result when multipath (delayed) versions of the radio frequency signal are also present. A significant application of the receiver and signal processing techniques of the present invention is in a Global Positioning System (GPS), wherein a number of such signals from several satellites are simultaneously received and processed in order to obtain information of the position, movement, or the like, of the receiver. A delay locked loop (DLL) correlator, provided in each of the receiver's multiple processing channels, locks onto a line of sight signal from one of the satellites with the effect of any multipath signal(s) being significantly reduced.