Abstract: A voltage source includes first and second pn junctions which conduct the outputs of respective current sources to establish respective base-emitter voltages Vbe1 and Vbe2 at respective nodes; Vbe1 and Vbe2 can each be generated with a current I or a current N*I. An amplifier A1 has its non-inverting input connected to the second node and its inverting input connected to the first node through an input capacitor; a feedback capacitor is connected between the inverting input and a third node. Switches are connected between A1's inverting input and A1's output, between the third node and A1's output, and between the third node and a circuit common point. A control circuit operates the switches and current sources during first and second operating phases to selectively produce a temperature independent output voltage or a temperature dependent output voltage.

Abstract: A hybrid circuit phase shifter assembly of RF MEMS switch modules and passive phase delay shifter circuits uses a low loss, preferably flip-chip, interconnection technology. The hybrid circuit assembly approach separates the fabrication of the MEMS switch modules from the fabrication of the passive phase delay circuits thereby avoiding process incompatibilities and low yields and providing substantial production cost savings. In another aspect of the invention, the integration on a common substrate of a MEMS-based hybrid circuit phase shifter assembly behind each of a plurality of radiating elements provides a compact, low cost electronic scanning antenna array.

Abstract: A pulsating hydrotherapy jet is disclosed which has a jet body with a water inlet to allow water to flow into the body. The jet body discharges the water through a discharge member in more than one concentric pattern. A cap mounted on the body to receive the circular water patterns is also disclosed. The cap has a number of openings that form more than one concentric opening ring. Each of the opening rings align with a respective one of the circular water patterns to provide the sensation of a number of circular patterns of multiple pulsating jets. A system for providing a hydrotherapy jet to a reservoir of water is also disclosed. The system includes a reservoir shell capable of holding water with a number of hydrotherapy jets according to the invention that are mounted around the reservoir shell. A water pump system circulates water from the reservoir to the jets.

Abstract: A programmable fuse state determination system and method provide a fuse current through a programmed fuse which produces a voltage that varies with the fuse's resistance. The voltage is compared with a threshold voltage to indicate whether the fuse is blown or intact. The invention employs ‘normal’ and ‘test’ modes, in which the relationship between the fuse's resistance and the threshold voltage differ, such that a higher fuse resistance is required for the fuse to be determined blown in the ‘test’ mode than in the ‘normal’ mode.

Abstract: Synthesizers are provided to generate synthesizer signals in response to primary digital signal representations that are created by a signal generator. In an important feature, the synthesizers further include a signal corrector that inserts correction digital signal representations to at least partially cancel a corresponding spurious component in the primary digital signal representation and thereby provide synthesizer signals with reduced spurious content.

Abstract: Methods and structures are provided that reduce conversion errors in pipelined analog-to-digital converters which are induced in one converter cycle by component memory of signals in one or more preceding converter cycles. The methods and structures include the use of digital filters that provide a digital representation of the residue of a preceding converter cycle, multiply this representation by an appropriate memory parameter, and sum the product with the digital representation of the residue of a current converter cycle to thereby reduce the memory effect. The methods and structures also form capacitors of switched-capacitor converter structures with sub-capacitors that are reconfigured (e.g., reversed or alternated between differential sides of differential amplifiers) in different converter cycles.

Abstract: An infusion pump for infusing drugs or other fluids into the body. The pump consists of two chambers. The storage chamber holds a large volume of drug at a variable and elevated pressure, which exceeds the preselected outflow pressure. The outflow chamber holds a smaller volume of drug at a constant outflow pressure. A moveable diaphragm attached to a valve controls the entry of the drug from the storage chamber into the outflow chamber. The pressure of the drug in the outflow chamber is determined by the forces applied to the diaphragm. The drug from the outflow chamber flows through a flow restrictor and catheter into the patient at a constant flow rate.

Abstract: Cascode bias structures are provided which enhance control of cascode biases over disturbing effects such as temperature and process variations. Because this enhanced control stabilizes the biases over these disturbing effects, the biases can be reduced to thereby expand the cascode's dynamic range and yet assure that the cascode transistors continue to operate in their proper transistor regions.

Abstract: A mass flow meter employs discrete chip-type temperature sensors to sense a fluid flow rate. The sensor can be a semiconductor chip such as SiC or silicon, or thin film tungsten on an AlN substrate. The sensors can be distributed symmetrically with respect to the conduit through which the fluid flows, and can be connected in a four-sensor bridge circuit for accurate flow rate monitoring. An output from the mass flow meter can be used to control the fluid flow.

Abstract: Digital filters are provided that include a converter and a data processor. The converter converts successive strings of M successive data elements that occur at a system rate Fs in an input data stream Din to M parallel data elements that respectively occur at a substream rate Fs/M in M data substreams Dsbstrm. At a reduced substream rate Fs/M, the processor generates M convolutions of the filter's quantized impulse response with the M data substreams wherein each of the convolutions is arranged to generate a different one of M successive filtered output signals. Because the convolutions are conducted at the reduced substream rate Fs/M, the filters can operate at increased system rates. Preferably, the digital filter also includes a multiplexer that selects, at the system rate Fs, the M filtered output signals in successive order to thereby form a filtered output data stream Dout.

Abstract: A circuit with a common-mode dual output includes a feedback circuit connected to alternate the states of the dual output between an average output level and a desired common-mode level. The difference between the average and desired levels is proportional to a signal offset level. An impedance matching circuit is connected to the feedback circuit to adjust the signal offset level.

Abstract: A fast, high-swing driver circuit for driving an electro-optical modulator includes an output stage comprising first and second transistors arranged as a differential pair. The collector of the first transistor is coupled to ground, and its base provides the stage's input. The collector of the second transistor is coupled via an impedance to a supply voltage, and provides the stage's output. A reference voltage is provided to the second transistor's base, which is also AC-coupled to ground. A bias generator provides the second transistor's base voltage, and a second differential pair converts a differential input signal to a single-ended output that drives the output stage's input—preferably via a pair of cascaded emitter-follower stages that serve to present a low impedance. A complete electro-optical modulator driver is formed with the addition of a bias-T network at the output stage's output.

Abstract: An autonomous power source comprises a power harvester mounted on a movable structure. The power harvester includes a coil, a magnet, and a low-friction ferrofluidic bearing in contact with the magnet, arranged such that the magnet and coil move with respect to each other when the structure is in motion such that an electrical current is produced in the coil. This current is converted to power and stored in an energy storage system and is thus available to power electronic circuitry. The magnet and bearing are preferably enclosed within a closed linear or circular tube, with the coil mounted around the exterior of the tube. The power harvester and battery are combined with one or more sensors and a wireless transmitter to form a tire pressure monitoring system.

Abstract: Compact bidirectional repeaters are provided for wireless communication systems. Their compact size is realized with repeater structures that include different-polarization antennas, back lobe suppressing structures, circuit feedback paths, antenna-feedback detectors, and automatic gain control.

Abstract: A white light emitting lamp is disclosed comprising a solid state ultra violet (UV) emitter that emits light in the UV wavelength spectrum. A conversion material is arranged to absorb at least some of the light emitting from the UV emitter and re-emit light at one or more different wavelengths of light. One or more complimentary solid state emitters are included that emit at different wavelengths of light than the UV emitter and the conversion material. The lamp emits a white light combination of light emitted from the complimentary emitters and from the conversion material, with the white light having high efficacy and good color rendering. Other embodiments of white light emitting lamp according to the present invention comprises a solid state laser instead of a UV emitter. A high flux white emitting lamp embodiment according to the invention comprises a large area light emitting diode (LED) that emits light at a first wavelength spectrum and includes a conversion material.

Abstract: Environmental sensors and other bodies, together with associated lead wires, are mounted to a oxidizable substrate for high temperature applications by means of a reacted borosilicate mixture (RBM) that secures the body relative to the substrate via of an oxide interface formed between the RBM and substrate during a high temperature reaction process. An oxide interface is also formed with oxidizable bodies to provide further mounting strength. The RBM is a B2O3—SiO2 mixture, with the B2O3 portion a function of the reaction temperature and desired bonding strength and viscosity.

Abstract: A shutter switch is disclosed and placed in the path of a millimeter beam and is either opaque or transparent to the beam. The shutter switch comprises a number of waveguides placed adjacent to one another to intercept the beam, a portion of the beam passing through each waveguide. The dimensions of each waveguide are such that transmission of the respective portion of the beam would be cut-off if all of the waveguide walls were conductive. However, the waveguides have high impedance structures on at least two of their opposing interior walls that allow the beam at the design frequency to be transmitted through the waveguide with uniform density and minimal attenuation. At this design frequency the shutter switch is essentially transparent to the beam. Each of the high impedance structures can also be changed to a conductive surfaces such that all of the waveguide walls appear conductive and the waveguide takes on the characteristics of a metal rectangular waveguide.

Abstract: Signal converters are provided that accurately process dc-coupled source signals in the presence of different predetermined voltage and current source requirements. Processing structures are described that satisfy these requirements while providing accurate control of common mode levels along a processing path and accurate reduction of converter offset errors.

Abstract: A high temperature hybrid-circuit structure includes a temperature sensitive device which comprises SiC, AlN and/or AlxGa1-xN(x>0.69) connected via electrodes to an electrically conductive mounting layer that is physically bonded to an AlN die. The die, temperature sensitive device and mounting layer, which can be a thin film of W, WC or W2C less than 10 micrometers thick, have temperature coefficients of expansion within 1.06 of each other. The mounting layer can consist entirely of a W, WC or W2C adhesive layer, or an adhesive layer with an overlay metallization having a thermal coefficient of expansion not greater than about 3.5 times that of the adhesive layer. Applications include temperature sensors, pressure sensors, chemical sensors and high temperature and high power electronic circuits. Without the mounting layer, a thin film piezoelectric layer of SiC, AlN and/or AlxGa1-xN(x>0.69), less than 10 micrometers thick, can be secured to the die.

Abstract: An adjustable mount for use with light fixtures that are sealed to prevent entry of moisture and contaminants. O-ring seals are utilized to connect and seal the components of the adjustable mount so that it is not a source of moisture or loss of vacuum. The adjustable mount is a knuckle-type mount that connects a light fixture with a junction box or other source of electrical power. The adjustable mount provides a full range of vertical and rotational angles without damaging the electrical wiring that is sealed inside the mount. Frictional connections in the mount allow the lighting angle to be set without the necessity of tightening the set screws which connect the components together.