Abstract: A phase shifter for changing the phase of a signal fed thereto. The phase shifter includes an inductive reactance element and a capacitive reactance element having one electrode connected to either the input or the output port and a pair of switching elements. A first switching element thereof switches between a conducting state and a non-conductive state when the control signal changes from a first logic state to a second logic state while a second switching element thereof switches between a non-conducting state and a conductive state when the control signal changes from the first logic state to the second logic state.

Abstract: A scheduler for selecting a logical volume for job generation based on the loading of physical resources in a data storage system. The scheduler determines a job workload for each of the physical resources, selects physical resources based on the job workload and selects a logical volume supported by the selected physical resources in a balanced manner.

Abstract: A digital circuit includes a plurality of arbiters, each arbiter having first and second input ports and an output port at which is provided an arbiter output signal. Each first input of the plurality of arbiters is connected to a first common line and each second input of the plurality of arbiters is connected to a second common line. The digital circuit further includes a decision circuit, having a plurality of inputs and an output, with each of the inputs of the decision circuit coupled to a corresponding one of the output of the plurality of arbiters. The decision circuit provides an output signal indicative of the time difference between a signal fed to the first common line and a signal fed to the second common line. With such an arrangement, phase jitter or timing jitter in a clock network can be measured with relatively high resolution and the system cam resolve cycle-by-cycle jitter with a predetermined resolution.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for processing the images obtained from an atomic force microscopy when profiling high aspect ratio features. A deconvolution technique for deconvolving the sample image includes the use of multiple images but does not require exact calibration of the scanning probe. In one embodiment, erosion and dilation techniques are used to obtain an undistorted image of the sample being measured. In another embodiment, Legendre transforms are used to obtain an undistorted image of the sample being measured. Also described is a technique for measuring the tip radius of the scanning probe.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle equipped with two multibeam electronically scanned radar systems that function as side object detection systems. The transmit/receive modules of the radar are illustratively located on right and left side panels of the vehicle at the rear of its body. Each radar system generates eight equal-angle beams. The radar systems are programmed so that targets are detected only within a predefined range for each of its eight beam patterns corresponding to the adjacent highway lane. As an overtaking vehicle approaches in an adjacent lane, its approach is detected sequentially by the beams on that side of the vehicle. Each radar system generates eight signals, corresponding to the eight beams positions, which are coupled individually to eight LEDs configured in an array. Detection of an overtaking vehicle within a scanned beam causes illumination of a corresponding LED.

Abstract: An array antenna includes a radiator layer having first and second opposing surfaces and a plurality of radiators disposed on a first surface of the radiator layer. Additionally the antenna includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) layer with a plurality of MEMS phase shifters disposed adjacent to the second surface of the radiator layer, each one of the plurality of MEMS phase shifters electromagnetically coupled to at least one of the plurality of radiators. Finally, a beamformer layer is electromagnetically coupled to the MEMS layer, and a spacer layer is disposed between the MEMS layer and the beamformer layer. A second embodiment is provided from multiple layers and utilizes a plurality of subarray structures which are coupled to form the entire array aperture.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unite, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.

Abstract: A medical testing system includes telemetry features whereby physiological data collected by a collection device at a medical facility is transmitted to a remote processing center for analysis by a trained analyst to provide a test result. In one embodiment, the collection device is a heart rate monitor capable of collecting data with which heart rate variability can be assessed. The heart rate monitor includes a display on which is displayed a waveform showing the breathing performance of the patient during data collection along with standards against which to compare the waveform in order to determine the extent to which the patient followed a predetermined breathing regimen during data collection. The operator of the monitor can use the performance waveform to assess how well the test was taken (i.e., how well the patient complied with the prescribed breathing regimen) and can accept or reject the physiological data accordingly.

Abstract: A system interface includes a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors, a data transfer section and a message network. The data transfer section includes a cache memory. The cache memory is coupled to the plurality of first and second directors. The messaging network operates independently of the data transfer section and such network is coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors. The first and second directors control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the messaging network to facilitate data transfer between first directors and the second directors. The data passes through the cache memory in the data transfer section. A method for operating a data storage system adapted to transfer data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives.

Abstract: A bidirectional code decoding method and apparatus is presented. It uses a class of Reed-Solomon codes capable of bidirectional decoding, more specifically, those for which a value of L for a Galois Field element &agr;L is chosen as −(R−1)/2 for odd values of R and 2(m−1)−R/2 for even values of R. When the symbols of such codes are received at a decoder in a reverse order (from that in which the symbols are normally received) during a reverse directional read, the decoder produces reverse directional syndromes S˜(−k) and converts the reverse directional syndromes S˜(−k) to syndromes S(k) by multiplying S˜(−k) by &agr;(n−1)k for k=L, L+1, . . . , L+R−1.

Abstract: A radar system receiver having an antenna system adapted to receive a jammer signal from both a direct path and from an indirect path. The direct and indirect paths have both differential Doppler frequency and differential time delay induced phase shifts. The antenna system includes a plurality of antenna elements. A plurality of radar receiver sections, each one having a clutter filter, is provided. Each one of the receiver sections is fed by a corresponding one of the antenna elements. An adaptive jammer canceler is fed by the plurality of radar receiver sections for providing a beam forming network to suppress both the direct and indirect paths of the jamming signal.

Abstract: An electrical contact including a contact end having a gold-plated surface for receiving a solder ball and edge surfaces adjacent to the gold surface for containing the solder ball on the gold-plated surface. In one embodiment, the contact end is connected to a curved lead and a portion of the contact end adjacent to the curved lead is comprised a less solder-wettable material than gold. A method of fabricating the electrical contact includes plating a metal sheet with a gold stripe and stamping the sheet to provide the contact surface in the gold stripe. Also described is an electrical connector having a plurality of conductive contacts, each having a gold-coated surface for receiving a solder ball and less solder-wettable edge surfaces adjacent to the gold surface.

Abstract: A root finding mechanism uses an affine polynomial to find the roots of an error locator polynomial. The affine polynomial is produced from the error locator polynomial and field elements for generating roots of the affine polynomial are determined. Gray code is used to select the field elements used to generate the different roots of the affine polynomial. The roots are tested as possible true roots of the error locator polynomial.

Abstract: A multiple beam array antenna system comprises a plurality of radiating elements provided from stripline-fed open-ended waveguide coupled to a Butler matrix beam forming network. The Butler matrix beam forming network is coupled to a switched beam combining circuit. The antenna can be fabricated as a single Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) circuit.

Abstract: A data storage system wherein a host computer is coupled to a bank of disk drives through an interface. The interface has a plurality of directors and a memory interconnected by a buss. The directors control data transfer between the host computer and the bank of disk drives as such data passes through the memory. The interface includes a plurality of ESCON adapters, a front end portion of the directors being coupled between the host computer and the busses through the ESCON adapters. Each one of such adapters includes a plurality of adapter ports each one being coupled to a corresponding port of the host computer. Each one of the adapters also includes a plurality of adapter board gate arrays and a plurality of optic interfaces. Each one of the optic interfaces is coupled between a corresponding one of the adapter port and a corresponding one of the adapter board gate arrays. Each coupled optic interfaces and gate array provides a corresponding one of a plurality of channels for the data.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing operational performance of a secondary air system used in an internal combustion engine. The engine produces exhaust gases. The exhaust gases pass through a catalytic converter. The engine includes an exhaust gas oxygen sensor. The secondary air system introduces air into the exhaust gas after engine start-up. The oxygen sensor produces a feedback control signal during a feedback mode for adjusting engine operating air-fuel ratio, such feedback mode being initiated at a first time. The method determines from the signal produced by the exhaust gas oxygen sensor a second time relative to the first time when the oxygen sensor signal indicates that a predetermined exhaust gas air fuel ratio is produced. The operational performance of the secondary air system is diagnosed as a function of the determined second time.

Abstract: A memory system having a backplane with a plurality of receiving slots. Each one of the slots has electrical contacts for providing an indication of Such one of the slots. Each one of the slots has a different slot indication. A plurality of memory boards is provided. Each one of the memory boards is plugged into a corresponding one of the slots. Each one of such boards is coupled to the electrical contacts in the corresponding one of the slots to provide a slot signal indicative of the slot indication provided by the electrical contacts. Each one of such boards has: a memory array region; and a switching network for transferring information between a port of the switching network and a memory on such memory boards The transfer is initiated by a director coupled to such port. The director designates a selected one of the plurality of memory boards.

Abstract: A data storage system having a plurality of disk drives. Each one has a pair of bi-directional ports. A pair of directors controls the flow of data to and from the disk drives. A first fiber channel port by-pass selector section is provided. The first fiber channel by-pass selector section includes: an input/output port coupled to a first one of the directors; and, a plurality of output/input ports connected between a first one of the ports of the plurality of disk drives through a first plurality of fiber channel links. The first fiber channel port by-pass selector section is adapted to couple the first one of the directors serially to one, or ones, of the first ports of the plurality of disk drives through a first fiber channel selectively in accordance with a control signal fed to the first fiber channel by-pass selector section. The first fiber channel includes one, or more, of the first plurality of fiber channel links.

Abstract: A decoder for decoding block error correction codes is described. The decoder includes a first search circuit to find roots of an error location polynomial corresponding to an error location and a second search circuit to find roots of an error location polynomial corresponding to an error location. A multiplexer is fed by the first search circuit and the second search circuit to produce an error location from the error location polynomial.