Abstract: A method and apparatus for the application of Blind Source Separation (BSS), specifically independent Component Analysis (ICA) to mixture signals obtained by a pulse oximeter sensor. In pulse oximetry, the signals measured at different wavelengths represent the mixture signals, while the plethysmographic signal, motion artifact, respiratory artifact and instrumental noise represent the source components. The BSS is carried out by a two-step method including an ICA. In the first step, the method uses Principal Component Analysis (PCA) as a preprocessing step, and the Principal Components are then used to derive sat and the Independent Components, where the Independent Components are determined in a second step. In one embodiment, the independent components are obtained by high-order decorrelation of the principal components, achieved by maximizing the sum of the squares of the higher-order cumulants of the plurality of mixture signals.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a superconductor from a quench condition. A quench protection system is provided to protect the superconductor from damage due to a quench condition. The quench protection system comprises a voltage detector operable to detect voltage across the superconductor. The system also comprises a frequency filter coupled to the voltage detector. The frequency filter is operable to couple voltage signals to a control circuit that are representative of a rise in superconductor voltage caused by a quench condition and to block voltage signals that are not. The system is operable to detect whether a quench condition exists in the superconductor based on the voltage signal received via the frequency filter and to initiate a protective action in response.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sensor is provided. The method includes disposing a sacrificial layer on a substrate, disposing a low-thermal-conductivity layer on the sacrificial layer, and disposing a first set of conductive arms and a second set of conductive arms on the low-thermal-conductivity layer to form a plurality of thermal junctions. The plurality of thermal junctions is adapted to form a plurality of hot junctions and a plurality of cold junctions when subjected to a difference in temperature. The method also includes removing the sacrificial layer and a portion of the low-thermal-conductivity layer to form a cavity therein. The cavity is configured to provide insulation for the plurality of hot junctions. A thermopile sensor is also provided, and a calorimetric gas sensor implementing the thermopile sensor is provided.

Abstract: An electronic system according to various aspects of the present invention includes a memory having a location-specific command interface and a general command interface. The memory communicates with other components in the system via a main command bus configured to transfer address-specific commands and a supplementary command bus configured to transfer general commands. Commands may be received by the memory simultaneously at the respective interfaces.

Abstract: Collimator assemblies that include an inner combined collimator and an outer collimator are provided. The inner combined collimator includes a first portion having one or more slit apertures therein, and a second portion having one or more pinhole apertures therein. The outer collimator includes one or more septa spaced on a side of the first portion of the inner combined collimator. The slit apertures of the inner combined collimator and the septa of the outer collimator are arranged to define a plurality of apertures through the collimator assembly. Imaging systems that include the collimator assemblies and a detector assembly are also provided. The detector assembly may be configured to detect gamma rays emanating from a field of view that pass through apertures defined by the collimator assembly and to generate one or more signals in response to the detected gamma rays. Methods of imaging a field view using the collimating assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for charging and discharging a superconducting coil. The system comprising a boost converter coupled between a low-voltage bus and a high voltage bus, and a buck converter coupled between the high-voltage bus and the coil. The system being configured to charge and discharge the coil without reversing the current while reversing polarity, and to only supply high-voltages when necessary. The system further comprising means to dissipate excess energy during discharge. The method comprising pulse width modulating the solid-state switch of a boost converter to achieve a high-voltage from a low-voltage and then switching solid-state switches of a buck regulator to charge or discharge the coil in a non current reversing, polarity reversing manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing signals. For devices, such as memory devices, implementing a synchronization device to synchronize signals, a synchronization device having a delay locked loop coupled to a phase locked loop may be implemented. The delay locked loop is implemented to measure the period of a reference signal and to mirror the period into a second delay line such that an adjusted reference signal having a frequency approximately equal to the frequency of the reference clock may be generated. The adjusted reference signal is delivered to an oscillator such that the oscillator begins oscillating at approximately the same frequency as the reference clock signal to provide a fast locking synchronization device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of measurements. Varying weights are assigned different measurements, measurements are rejected, and the averaging period is adjusted according to the reliability of the measurements. Similarly, calculated values derived from analyzing the measurements are also assigned varying weights and averaged over adjustable periods. More specifically, a general class of filters such as, for example, Kalman filters, is employed in processing the measurements and calculated values. The filters use mathematical models which describe how the physiological parameters change in time, and how these parameters relate to measurement in a noisy environment.

Abstract: A clearance measurement system is provided. The clearance measurement system includes a reference geometry disposed on a first object having an otherwise continuous surface geometry and a sensor disposed on a second object, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a first signal representative of a first sensed parameter from the first object and a second signal representative of a second sensed parameter from the reference geometry. The clearance measurement system also includes a processing unit configured to process the first and second signals to estimate a clearance between the first and second objects based upon a measurement difference between the first and second sensed parameters.

Abstract: A memory device having decreased cell size and having transistors with increased channel widths. The sidewalls of the pillars and the top surface of the pillars are covered with a gate oxide and a conductive layer to form a channel through the pillars. The current path through the channel is approximately equal to twice the height of the pillar plus the width of the pillar. The pillars are patterned to form non-linear active area lines having angled segments. The conductive layer is patterned to from word lines that intersect the active area lines at the angled segments.

Abstract: Memory modules and methods for fabricating and implementing memory modules wherein unique operating current values corresponding to specific memory devices on the memory modules are accessed from a database such that the operating current values may be implemented to improve system performance. Memory modules comprising a number of volatile memory devices may be fabricated. Operating current values corresponding to the specific memory devices on the memory module may be stored in a database and accessed during fabrication or during implementation of the memory modules in a system. System performance may be optimized by implementing the unique operating current values corresponding to the specific memory devices on the memory modules.

Abstract: A power system includes an energy harvesting device, a battery coupled to the energy harvesting device, and a circuit coupled to the energy harvesting device and the battery. The circuit is adapted to deliver power to a load by providing power generated by the energy harvesting device to the load without delivering excess power to the battery and to supplement the power generated by the energy harvesting device with power from the battery if the power generated by the energy harvesting device is insufficient to fully power the load. A method of operating the power system is also provided.

Abstract: A technique is provided for imaging a field of view using an X-ray source comprising two or more emission points. Each emission point is configured to emit a fan of radiation encompassing less than the entire field of view. The emission points are activated individually and rotate about the field of view, allowing respective streams of radiation to be emitted at various view angles about the field of view. The emission points, which may correspond to different radial regions of the field of view, may be differentially activated to emphasize a region of interest within the field of view. The multiple emission points may be extrapolated along the longitudinal axis in duplicate or offset configurations.

Abstract: Methods of configuring a system. More specifically, operating current values corresponding to respective memory devices of memory module may be stored in programmable elements, such as antifuses, located on the memory device, during fabrication. The operating current values may be read from and/or stored in a non-volatile memory device on the memory module. Once the memory module is incorporated into a system, the programmable elements on the memory devices and/or the non-volatile memory device on the memory module may be accessed such that the system can be configured to optimally operate in accordance with the operating current values measured for each memory device in the system.

Abstract: A sensor system comprising a sensor operable to provide an output signal representative of a sensed parameter is provided. The sensor system also comprises a control system coupled to the sensor, wherein the control system is operable to change a physical characteristic of the sensor based on the output signal representative of the sensed parameter.

Abstract: A method of molding an article comprises inserting a mandrel into the cavity of the mold; placing a niobium based refractory metal intermetallic composite powder into a cavity of a mold; consolidating the niobium based refractory metal intermetallic composite around the mandrel; and chemically removing the mandrel from the composite. In one embodiment, the molded article comprises a turbine component for use in a turbine system.

Abstract: There is provided a system and a method for reducing noise in a tape drive. More specifically, in accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method of writing servo stripes comprising energizing a left servo gap while not energizing a right servo gap; energizing the left servo gap and the right servo gap at the same time, and energizing the right servo gap while not energizing the left servo gap.

Abstract: A system and methods for calibrating a memory device are provided. More specifically, a technique for internally generating a test pattern within a memory device and driving the test pattern to a memory controller for synchronization and calibration is provided. An internal test pattern may be generated along the write bus within a memory device, employing elements already present for high speed memory devices. The test data may be looped back from the write bus to the read bus and transmitted to the memory controller for calibration. The loop back function may be implemented without accessing the memory array.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for a system and method for combined production of power and hydrogen utilizing the heat from a first working fluid heated by a geothermal energy source using a steam generator and an electrolyzer designed to receive the steam produced by the steam generator for the production of hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly operable to secure a porous disc within a welding torch. The nozzle assembly comprises a front nozzle member and a rear nozzle member. The front nozzle member is securable to the rear nozzle member. The porous disc is captured between the front nozzle member and the rear nozzle member when the front nozzle member is secured to the rear nozzle member.