Abstract: A method of making a lead finish incorporating mechanically flattening the plated coating of metal leads. This may be accomplished by mechanical means such as rolling, stamping, peening, coining, forging, or other suitable flattening techniques.

Abstract: The accuracy of flight management systems, based on mathematical prediction models calculated from aircraft specific data, are improved by adding engine sensor data to the calculations, checking sensor and pilot entered data, and comparing data measured from redundant sensors. A thrust estimate, calculated from available engine sensors, is added to the thrust-minus-drag aircraft model allowing prediction parameters to be accurately calculated even in a cruise condition. Sensor data and pilot entered data used in calculating predication parameters are checked to improve accuracy. Redundant sensor data is compared to determine the level of agreement. Redundant sensor data is also compared with a valid data range to find the sensor with the most accurate data.

Abstract: A transmission system is provided. The system includes a hardware monitor adapted to collect performance information about associated hardware components, a system information database adapted to refresh based on the collected performance information and to generate system status information, and a hardware controller adapted to selectively communicate alarm change messages to one or more of the hardware components based on the collected performance information and the system status information.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus in an image recognition system able to quickly and accurately detect breakage of a cable from an image sensor or pixel burn of an image sensor, provided with a histogram computing unit for performing predetermined computations on an image signal fetched into an image recognition unit to generate a density histogram and an abnormality judging unit for analyzing the density histogram generated by the histogram computing unit to judge the presence of an abnormality or alternatively provided with a memory unit for receiving as input and storing information of an image signal fetched into an image recognition unit and a comparing/judging unit for reading out and comparing information of image signals of a plurality of images different in time relating to a target pixel from the memory unit and judging whether they are the same or different and judging that there is an abnormality when they are the same.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are detailed that allows for improved detection of communication devices and/or doublers in an associated physical communication links, in particular on HDSL communication links. The improved device apparatus and method additionally allows for the communication device to identify when all devices on a communication link have been detected and prevent premature termination of a discovery process. The improved device apparatus and method also allows the avoidance of improper detection of communication devices or doublers due to corrupted discovery response messages.

Abstract: Systems and methods of cathodic protection. The system includes a metallic housing, a backplane situated within the metallic housing, a cathodic protection card coupled to the backplane and a permanent anode, external to the metallic housing, coupled to the cathodic protection card through an isolated port. The cathodic protection system is powered using span power. The permanent anode and metallic housing are adapted to form a closed circuit when both come in contact with an electrolyte. The permanent anode is maintained at a higher potential than the metallic housing.

Abstract: A method for establishing an end-to-end virtual circuit is provided. The method includes establishing a permanent virtual circuit between customer premises equipment and a digital subscriber line access multiplexer. The method further includes embedding information for a permanent virtual connection between a switch and a remote node in a packet transmitted over a static connection in a network. Finally, the method includes establishing a permanent virtual circuit between the switch and the remote node based on the embedded information.

Abstract: A decapsulation apparatus 100 has a laser 8 that removes plastic encapsulant from a device 24. Chamber 20 is sealed. Exhaust port 9 removes debris and fumes. The device 24 is positioned and scanned using an X,Y table 2. A hinged end 4 rotates the device to an acute angle of incidence with respect to a laser 8. Endpoint detector 10 senses the exposed integrated circuit and moves or shuts down the laser 8.

Abstract: A method for encoding a data communication includes measuring a communications channel to determine available time slots and available bandwidth, and determining puncturing and shortening information from the available time slots and the available bandwidth. Puncturing information includes a number of bits p to be punctured and an identity of bits to be punctured and shortening information; whereas, shortening information includes a number of bits s to be shortened and an identity of bits to be shortened. Puncturing is performed on a first dimension, and shortening is performed on a second dimension.

Abstract: An evaluation device, for evaluating a control unit (ECU) to which another control unit (ECU) is connected through a communication line and communicating with it, which can simulate even an unstable state such as when the other control unit does not start up right after power is turned on. The evaluation device is provided with a communication behavior simulating unit for simulating communication behavior of that other control unit and a switching unit for switching the communication behavior simulating means so as not to simulate the communication behavior. The communication behavior simulating unit is provided with an acknowledgement signal generating unit, and the switching unit disables the operation of the acknowledgement signal generating unit.

Abstract: A telecommunication system includes an interface device on board an aircraft that interfaces with a wireless phone of a user inside the aircraft and with a wireless bearer system, and a controller that controls the interface device to maintain RF emissions of the wireless phone below a predetermined level above which RF emissions will interfere with aircraft systems.

Abstract: Apparatus and Methods for the self-alignment of separated regions in a lateral MOSFET of an integrate circuit. In one embodiment, a method comprising, forming a relatively thin dielectric layer on a surface of a substrate. Forming a first region of relatively thick material having a predetermined lateral length on the surface of the substrate adjacent the relatively thin dielectric layer. Implanting dopants to form a top gate using a first edge of the first region as a mask to define a first edge of the top gate. Implanting dopants to form a drain contact using a second edge of the first region as a mask to define a first edge of the drain contact, wherein the distance between the top gate and drain contact is defined by the lateral length of the first region.

Abstract: A distortion monitor for a non-linear device is provided. The control circuit includes an input coupleable to receive a signal from the non-linear device and a first frequency monitor coupled to the input. The frequency monitor monitors the level of one of even and odd order distortion at a first frequency and creates a first signal indicative of the level of the distortion without the use of a pilot tone.

Abstract: An apparatus that has housing for containing objects. The housing has two heat-conducting partial-boundaries having an interface between them. The apparatus also has a medium for enhancing heat transfer across the interface.

Abstract: An electroluminescent driver circuit with improved power consumption efficiency. In one embodiment, an electroluminescent driver circuit comprises a load to provide illumination, an inductor, a transistor and a plurality of switches. The inductor has a first side coupled to a positive terminal of a power supply and a second side selectively coupled to the load. The transistor is coupled to selectively conduct current from the second side of the inductor to a ground terminal of the power supply in response to a digital signal. The plurality of switches are coupled to the load to selectively charge and discharge the load. Moreover, the switches selectively provide a discharge path for positive charge on the load to be discharged to the positive terminal of the power supply.

Abstract: A device for determining speeds of a digital signal in a serial transmission line. The device comprises a first and second counter and a logic circuit. The first counter is adapted to count the duration of a first pulse in a first byte of the digital signal in the transmission line. The second counter is adapted to count the duration of a second pulse in the first byte. The logic circuit is coupled to the first and second counters. The logic circuit is adapted to compare the smallest duration of the first and second pulses with a plurality of pulse duration's of known baud rates to determine the baud rate of the digital signal in the transmission line.

Abstract: A method for communicating between cards in an electronic module is provided. The method includes generating a message for transmission at a first card. The message is transmitted over a bus to a second card by-passing an IP stack at the first card. A queue at the second card is monitored for messages from the first card. A message is read from the queue at the second card when received from the first card.

Abstract: In order to minimize switching-induced electromagnetic interference in a power supply switching circuit of the type used to control the AC power for multiple high voltage devices, such as cold cathode fluorescent lamps employed for backlighting a large scale liquid crystal display, the gating signals that are used to switch lamp-driving inverter circuits ON and OFF are staggered, or slightly offset in time, so that no two switching devices will be switched at the same time. By slightly offset in time is meant that the time differential between any pair of switching signals is relatively small compared to the period of the switching signal frequency. This has the effect of spreading out and thereby diminishing the magnitude of the spectral content of both capacitively and inductively coupled transients that are produced at switching times of the inverter circuits.

Abstract: A circuit board includes at least one insulator layer and a plurality of conductors over which a plurality of signals is carried. A plurality of terminals is coupled to at least a subset of the plurality of conductors. A void is formed in the circuit board between at least two terminals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing components in ATM networks utilizing loop-back based ATM layer testing. The method and apparatus utilize interfaces and identifier codes to send and loop-back test cells along portions of virtual channels to test the virtual channels.