Abstract: A sensor responsive to movement of a detection target includes a magnetic field transducer operative to provide a magnetic field signal proportional to a magnetic field associated with the detection target, a peak detector for tracking positive and negative peaks of the magnetic field signal to generate a tracking signal, and a comparator having a first input responsive to the magnetic field signal, a second input responsive to an input signal related to the tracking signal, and an output at which is provided an output signal comprising first pulses having a first pulse width when the detection target moves in a first direction and second pulses having a second pulse width when the detection target moves in a second direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a probe and a method of making the same, and more particularly to a probe having a minute pitch, with which a probe card corresponding to arrangement of pads formed with a massed shape or other various shapes on a wafer is made, and a method of making the same. The probe having a prescribed thickness and formed in the shape of a flat plate. The probe comprises a body part bent at the middle thereof so that the body part is elastically tensioned or compressed when a tension force or a compression force is applied to the body part at the upper and lower ends thereof, a connection part integrally formed with the lower end of the body part, the connection part being fixed to a substrate, and a tip part integrally formed with the upper end of the body part, the tip part contacting a pad of an element.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method to schedule network communications includes transmitting a node identification associated with a first node joining a network over a first portion of control timeslots based on a first probability, detecting nodes in the network using a second portion of the control timeslots and receiving acknowledgments from at least one of the nodes in the network. The method also includes that if a ratio of a number of acknowledgments received to a number of the nodes in the network detected is greater than a predetermined percentage: transmitting control data over the first portion of the control timeslots based on a second probability associated with a number of the nodes detected and transmitting data over the second portion of the control timeslots based on a network schedule.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for low power applications includes a magnetic field sensing element that, during sample intervals, provides a signal proportional to a sensed magnetic field and also includes a comparator circuit that, during the sample intervals, compares the magnetic field signal to threshold levels to generate a sensor output signal indicative of a strength of the magnetic field. According to a dual sample rate feature, initially the magnetic field signal is sampled at a first predetermined sample rate and, following detection of a transition of the sensor output signal, is sampled at a second, faster predetermined sample rate for a predetermined interval. According to a user-programmable sample rate feature, a user may select to operate the sensor at a fixed, predetermined sample rate or at a user-specified sample rate. The magnetic field sensor may also or alternatively detect the speed and/or direction of rotation of a rotating magnetic article.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an ADS-B system having a single link for communication and/or ADS-B/Mode-S coordination. With this arrangement, the system communication is efficiently used.

Abstract: There is disclosed an elevation null command generator (ENCG) for use in airborne monopulse radar, and a novel missile guidance system made possible by use of the ENGC. The ENCG provides an accurate means of directing the elevation monopulse plane of a radar antenna at a patch of ground defined by a range signal generated within the radar or its associated equipment. It is shown that within the system range can define the elevation angle of concern. The ENCG includes a central range gate centered at the command range and a plurality of pairs of range gates, the two gates of each pair being time spaced before and after the central range gate, and has circuit means for normalizing the output of the range gates to eliminate the bias effects of strong targets adjacent to the monopulse null plane and ground surface intersection.

Abstract: Electronic circuits and methods include provisions for passing a first current through a diode during a first time interval and for passing a second different current through the diode during a second different time interval. The first current is selected to achieve a predetermined voltage at a node of the diode. A duty cycle of the first current relative to the second current is selected to achieve a predetermined average current passing through the diode. In some arrangements, the diode is a light emitting diode.

Abstract: A portable electronic command board includes a computer for inputting incident data, a database for storing incident data locally within the computer and a wireless interface, connected to the computer, to connect the computer with another computer to replicate the database on the other computer to provide a collaborative workspace environment. Furthermore a touch screen is provided to input the incident data in a manner similar to drawing on a white board.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprising: a substrate; a seed layer supported by the substrate; an elemental semiconductor layer disposed over a first portion of the seed layer; and a compound semiconductor layer disposed on a second portion of the seed layer. The first portion of the seed layer is electrically insulated from the second portion of the seed layer. A first semiconductor device is formed in the elemental semiconductor layer. A second semiconductor device is formed in the compound semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor device includes: a first electrode in contact with a first region of the compound semiconductor layer; a second electrode in contact with a second region of the compound semiconductor layer; and a third electrode. The third electrode controls carriers passing in a third region of the compound semiconductor layer disposed between the first region and the second region. A fourth electrode is in electrical contact with the second portion of the seed layer.

Abstract: A sensor includes a magnetic position sensing element to generate angular position information, a first signal generator, a second signal generator, a first inverter to invert the first waveform for providing a first inverted waveform and a second inverter to invert the second waveform for providing a second inverted waveform, wherein the first and second waveforms are inverted about an offset voltage, and an analog signal processing module to generate a linear output signal from the first waveform, the second waveform, the first inverted waveform, and the second inverted waveform.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes fabricating a device. The device includes a gallium nitride (GaN) layer, a diamond layer disposed on the GaN layer and a gate structure disposed in contact with the GaN layer and the diamond layer. In another aspect, a device includes a gallium nitride (GaN) layer, a diamond layer disposed on the GaN layer and a gate structure disposed in contact with the GaN layer and the diamond layer.

Abstract: A switched capacitor notch filter for sampling an input signal using multiple sampling capacitors and multiple non-overlapping time periods. The charge from the sampling capacitors is averaged and transferred to the filter output during another non-overlapping time period.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for multilingual data querying, includes determining a word ontology of a base word in a source language, generating a set of words representing the word ontology of the base word, translating at least a subset of the set of words into a target language and translating the at least a subset of the set of words from the target language into the source language of the base word.

Abstract: A method of providing power to a load is provided. A first series resonant converter is provided. A second SRC is operably coupled to the first SRC in a cascade connected arrangement. First and second zero voltage switching (ZVS)-assistance networks are operably coupled between the first SRC and the second SRC, such that the first and second ZVS-assistance networks are providing first and second ZVS-assistant currents flowing from each ZVS-assistance network to the cascade connected arrangement of SRCs. Power from a power source is received at the cascade connected arrangement of first and second SRCs, power from a power source. The cascade connected arrangement of first and second SRCs supplies an output voltage to the load in response to receiving power from the power source.

Abstract: A proximity detector employs a first peak detector circuit and a second peak detector circuit, both responsive to a magnetic field signal. The second peak detector circuit includes a positive peak detector circuit and a negative peak detector circuit, each of which have a predetermined excursion limit in an outward direction away from a center voltage of the magnetic field signal so as to be less affected by a large signature region in the magnetic field signal. The proximity detector also includes an output control circuit. The output control circuit is configured to provide an output signal, which, during a determined time period, changes state in response to the first peak detector circuit, and which, after the determined time period, changes state in response to the second peak detector circuit.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a clinical trial having a reduced placebo effect is disclosed. The method includes randomizing study participants into three or more treatment groups and performing a first phase of testing on the groups. In a typical embodiment, the first phase of testing includes administering an active treatment to a first group, and administering a placebo to a second group and to a third group. Responders and non-responders are determined for each group. A second phase of testing is then performed. The second phase of testing includes administering the placebo to non-responders in the first group, administering the active treatment to non-responders in the second group, and administering the placebo to non-responders in the third group. The data from the first phase of testing and from the second phase of testing is pooled and analyzed to determine response rates to active treatment and placebo.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a scuttle assembly including an end member having a port to enable fluid flow, a valve member having a closed position to prevent fluid from flowing into a channel and an open position to allow fluid flowing into the channel, a bias member to bias the valve member to the open position, and a scuttle washer sandwiched between the end member and the valve member, the scuttle washer comprising a material that dissolves due to exposure to sea water without generating toxic gas or hydrogen.

Abstract: A blockage detection system and method for use in a sensor such as a side object detection (SOD) sensor in an automotive radar system is described. The sensor emits signals and receives return signals (i.e. reflected signals) from a passing object. If the passing object is within a virtual detection zone, the sensor uses the information from the passing object to determine if a blockage condition exists in the sensor. The technique utilizes statistics related to the passing object to determine whether a blockage condition exists within the sensor. In one embodiment, a SOD sensor mounted in a first vehicle uses information from a second passing vehicle (e.g. radar return information) to determine whether a blockage condition exists within the SOD sensor itself.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a magnetoresistance element for providing an output signal proportional to a magnetic field. The magnetoresistance element also has a hysteresis characteristic. The electronic circuit also includes at least one of a reset conductor or a bias conductor disposed proximate to the magnetoresistance element. For embodiments having a reset conductor, the electronic circuit is configured to generate a reset current carried by the reset conductor in response to the comparison. In response to the reset current, the reset conductor is configured to generate a reset magnetic field at the magnetoresistance element to temporarily force the magnetoresistance element to a saturation region of the hysteresis characteristic.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a synchronous interface for an asynchronous service including, in a synchronous interface engine executing on a processor, receiving a request from a client for the asynchronous service, issuing an asynchronous service request to perform the asynchronous service, the asynchronous service request including a unique client identifier, and associating a wait condition with the unique client identifier to indicate to the client to wait for a result of the asynchronous service. Methods and apparatus further include receiving the result of the asynchronous service, the result including the unique client identifier, removing the associated wait condition, and sending the result to the client.