Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing performance in a fixed clock rate computer system. A control word is provided having a control portion for operational instructions and a programmable timing portion. The programmable timing portion includes a value representative of the sum of execution time and inter-execution delay time. A counter is provided for receiving the value representative of the execution and inter-execution times. The counter is capable of generating a signal to indicate an end of decrementing operation. The operational instructions are executed simultaneously with the processing of the time value in the counter so that a subsequent instruction is executed only when an end of operation signal is received from the counter.

Abstract: A full bridge non-resonant switching circuit is disclosed which has an inductive device and four switches. Parasitic controlling mechanisms are operatively connected to the four switches to control inductive energy release in order to switch current through the switches at substantially zero voltage.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed providing selective amplification of signals whereby signals exceeding a threshold voltage are amplified while signals below the threshold voltage are attenuated. The invention is preferably employed in a receiver of signals on an ISDN and reduces errors in the first data bit following framing bits. Furthermore, noise components in the received signals are attenuated. An operational amplifier (28) has an amplification determined by the ratio of a feedback resistance (30) to an input resistance. The input resistance consists of a first resistor (26), and a second resistor (24), which can be selectively placed in series with the first resistor. A pair of series-connected diode pairs (16, 18, 20, 22) are connected in parallel with the second resistor. One pair of series-connected diodes oriented oppositely to the other pair. The forward-biased saturation voltage of the series-connected pairs of diodes determine the threshold voltage of the non-linear amplifier.

Abstract: Sloped vias are formed in a resinous layer made from a material which is curable in stages, which can be coated on a substrate prior to partial curing, which adheres to the substrate and which shrinks upon full curing by a process which includes first using a dry, directional etch to form straight walled vias in a partially cured layer of the material coated on the substrate and then fully curing the layer. The straight walled vias are changed to sloped vias during final cure when adhesive contact between the substrate and the layer of resinous material inhibits shrinking of the side of the resinous layer which contacts the substrate, while the unsupported side of the layer is free to shrink. Such sloped vias are observed to improve the integrity of conductive coatings placed in the vias by reducing cracking, peeling and flaking thereof. Sloped vias with conductive coatings are useful in the construction of computer components.

Abstract: A system for presenting material in a tutorial and reference format. The system has a mechanism for capturing, creating and storing data representative of images for display to user and a mechanism for capturing, creating and storing data representative of commands for the user. A driver is connected to the storage mechanism for receiving data and for generating a simulation. The driver has a switching mechanism for selecting between a plurality of operational modes. The switching mechanism can be operated by the user at any time. A presentation device is connected to the driver for receiving and displaying the simulation.The present invention is useful for many types of subjects, but most useful for learning how to use computer and software (e.g., editors, spreadsheets, word processors).

Abstract: An electrical assembly having an integrated circuit package which has a plurality of electrical conductors fixed thereto. The electrical conductors form mechanical and electrical connections. Each of the electrical conductors has a root at one end and a tip at the other end. The root of each conductor is attached to the integrated circuit package to form a fixed electrical and mechanical connection. The tip of each conductor is adapted to be connected to a surface at a predetermined location. Each of the electrical conductors has at least two bends between the root and the tip for providing strain relief when the tip is connected to a surface.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are described for regenerating an electroless copper plating bath containing a complexing agent, preferably ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid. From the bath solution to be regenerated, the copper content is reduced by electrolysis to a value below 20 mg/l and the complexing agent subsequently precipitated by acidification and recovered. After dissolution in an alkaline electrolytic solution, the solution thus obtained is fed back to the electroless copper plating bath. A particularly pure ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid free from by-products is obtained if the pH value is kept constant during electrolysis, an anodic current density i.sub.+ of 100 A/m.sup.2 is not exceeded, and the anodic current density during electrolysis is reduced according to the electrolysis characteristic or in steps.

Abstract: A high resolution positioning sensor having a magnetic field generator, a device connected to the magnetic field generator for concentrating lines of magnetic flux produced by the magnetic field generator, and a magneto resistive element connected to the concentrating device. The magneto resistive element is adapted to change resistive properties as a function of magnetic flux density. A reference position scale is also provided, having a transducer grid with a number of protuberances. Two flux couplers are connected to the magneto resistive element and are arranged out of phase with one another with respect to the protuberances of the transducer grid. These flux couplers modulate flux distribution between the concentrating device and the transducer grid.

Abstract: Shrinking of partially cured or B-staged resin coated fabric, also known as prepreg, during C-staging or full curing is reduced by cutting at least a plurality of the warp of the fabric in at least one location before C-staging. Prepreg is useful in the computer industry in the manufacture of printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A silicon-modified organic surface is roughened by treatment with an oxygen containing plasma. If necessary the organic surface may be silicon-modified by treatment with a silicon containing material prior to plasma treatment. The roughened organic surface provides improved adhesion to other organic surfaces and to deposited metals. Improvements in methods for laminating organic surfaces and for depositing metals on organic surfaces which achieve improved adhesion are disclosed. Structures comprising laminated organic layers or metal deposited on organic surfaces which provide improved adhesion between the organic layers or between the metal and the organic surface are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for automatically regenerating copper chloride etch solutions, wherein regeneration is effected by means of hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid in a regeneration unit separated from the etch chamber. The addition of hydrogen peroxide is controlled by a redox electrode, while hydrochloric acid and water are added in computed quantities. Hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid are converted in an oxidation reactor into hypochlorous acid and immediately afterwards are combined with the copper (I) chloride etch solution which contains at least the quantity of hydrochloric acid required for oxidizing the copper (I) ions. In the regeneration unit a salt basket with solid sodium chloride is arranged or adjacent to said unit a salt tank with an overflow to said regeneration unit is provided, both of which permit the sodium chloride concentration of the etch solution being kept constant.

Abstract: A method for testing host resident interactive software. The host resident interactive software is first executed while an interactive test case if captured. The test case is then executed on another version of the interactive software. The differences between the versions of the interactive software are detected and subsequently presented. Another function of the method of the present invention is to allow complete documentation of perceived errors in host resident interactive software.

Abstract: The invention concerns arrangements and methods for error testing and diagnosing processors (e.g., 9; FIG. 2), whose logic subsystems (20) are interconnected by storage elements (23, 24) which in the error test and diagnostic mode are connected in the form of shift register means for the shift clock controlled application of test data and for receiving result data, and which comprise means (58) for comparing the actual result data with desired result data, said means setting an error indicator (59) for initiating further actions in the case of a mismatch. For testing the correct implementation of operations and operational secondary functions, a signature generator circuit (30) is provided comprising a test accumulator (51, 52, . . .

Abstract: A method for performing differential etching of material by using electromagnetic radiation. Material having two predetermined regions is provided. A beam of electromagnetic radiation is generated. The energy intensity of predetermined areas within the beam of electromagnetic radiation is selectively varied so that both of the predetermined regions of the material are etched simultaneously and each of the predetermined regions is etched at a rate independent of the etching rate of the other of the predetermined regions. In an alternate embodiment, a substance having at least two materials is provided. A beam of electromagnetic radiation is generated. The energy intensity of predetermined areas within the beam of electromagnetic radiation is selectively varied so that the time required to etch one of the materials is substantially equal to the time required to etch any selected combination of the materials remaining.

Abstract: A method of making a high density dimensionally stable encapsulated circuit board. A curable adhesive is utilized to bond insulated wires to a substrate, the dimensional stability of which is maintained by a sheet of relatively thick copper foil. Since the adhesive is cured and since the copper foil returns to the same dimensions when thermally, mechanically or chemically cycled, the entire composite is dimensionally stable.At each location where a connection is to be made to a wire, the wire has a non-linear geometrical portion. The increased dimensional stability plus non-linear shaped portion of the wires allows connections to be made to the board utilizing a very small drill. The result is a high density stable circuit board.

Abstract: A non-contact system for detecting printed circuit wiring defects and for measuring circuit feature height relative to a substrate. The system has an energy source for illuminating the substrate and circuit features and a scanner for both instantaneously receiving energy reflected from the substrate and circuit features and for generating a signal in response to the reflected energy, which signal is adapted to vary with the intensity of the reflected energy. An analyzer is connected to the scanner for correlating the generated signal to a measurement representative of the height of the circuit features relative to the substrate. Variations and non-uniformity of the substrate surface due to bending, warpage or other causes can be accounted for so as to provide an accurate measurement of the height of a circuit feature relative to the substrate surface on which it is mounted.

Abstract: A system for generating a substantially uniform plasma for processing a substrate having two major surfaces. Each of the substrate major surfaces may have electrically conductive portions. Two electrodes are oppositely disposed with respect to one another on either side of the substrate. A first r.f. power source is electrically connected to the first electrode and a second r.f. power source is electrically connected to the second electrode. The first and second r.f. power sources are out of phase with respect to one another, resulting in the generation of a substantially uniform plasma field.

Abstract: A system for generating uniform gas flow in a plasma reactor chamber. A hollow electrode having two major surfaces and a plurality of apertures in both major surfaces is disposed in the chamber. Connected to this hollow electrode is a radio frequency power source for generating an electrical field. A second hollow electrode also having two major surfaces with a plurality of apertures in both surfaces is disposed opposite the first electrode. A second radio frequency power source is connected to the second electrode. A substrate is placed in the chamber between the first and second electrodes. Provision is made for introducing a gas to be converted in a reactive species by the radio frequency electrical field so that gas is uniformly distributed across the substrate.

Abstract: A system for detecting and diagnosing noise caused by current switching in a computerized simulation model for analyzing composite logic circuits. The system includes a logic simulator for simulating logic experiments, a noise contributor information file generator for providing identification data corresponding to each current switching device that contributes noise and for performing post analysis of the results of a simulation, a noise activity file generator for creating an activity file of events derived from the simulation results, that represent the operation of current switching devices identified by the noise contributor information file generator and a noise calculator-analyzer for determining the amount of noise created by each noise contributing current switching device and for measuring the total instantaneous noise at each event in the activity file.

Abstract: A system for detecting multiple errors that may occur during transfer of data and for correcting up to two of these errors simultaneously. The system has a component for calculating a number of check bits associated with the data word. Also provided is a component for grouping all data bits into base groups and multiple groups, the sum of the number of base groups and multiple groups being equal to the number of check bits. Up to two weights are assigned for each data bit. The system distributes the data bits among the groups according to the weights assigned thereto. Also provided is a component for generating a check bit for each of the groups and for padding the data word with the check bits to form an appended data word. A generator creates a predetermined number of syndrome bits, the number being the number of check bits. Finally, a decoder is provided for decoding the syndrome bits to identify the erroneous bits in the data word.