Abstract: System for converting synchronous time-division (STD) signals into asynchronous data packets (ATD), in which the incoming and outgoing signals are spread over various (multiplex) channels. Not more than a single RAM and a single FIFO are utilized for various channels together. The RAM is subdivided into rows and columns, one column per channel, data packets being preferably stored in successive columns shifted by at least 1 row.

Abstract: The height of a surface (25) along an axis (4) is determined by measuring the axial position of an irradiated spot (31) formed on the surface at the intersection of the surface and the axis. Radiation reflected by the surface and collected by a lens (8) forms an image spot (32) on the axis (4). The position of the image spot is determined by measuring the intensity of the radiation at at least three positions along the axis by means of a detection unit (35). The output signals (44, 44') of the detection unit are processed in an electronic means (43) for determining the position of the highest radiation intensity and for supplying a signal (43') whose magnitude represents the axial position of the image spot (32), hence, of the irradiated spot (31 ).

Abstract: A line card (1) in a private branch exchange (1) accommodates interfaces (1) which switch standard output frames on a system bus. These standard output frames contain control data in addition to subscriber data. As a result, the system frame of the system bus (SB) is not filled efficiently. By switching only the subscriber data from the standard output frames to the system bus by the switching means, the system frame is filled efficiently.

Abstract: A touch control device comprising a plate (10) in which at least one portion (14) is partly cut (12) such that it can be inclined around at least one remaining connection area (15). Strain gauges (17) render it possible to measure the intensity of a force (F) applied to the said portion (14). Applications include the control of various equipment such as TVs and other items.

Abstract: Transmitter including a controllable power amplifier, whose output signal is fed back to a control input of the power amplifier via a detector device which produces a detector signal for detecting the output power of the power amplifier, and comprising a signal generator for producing a control signal which is used for forming the output signal and has rising and falling edges. A control signal is derived from the comparison of the detector signal with the reference value which control signal has a rising edge and thus also terminates the increase of the transmitted power. The transmitter is used in time-division multiplex systems, more specifically, in mobile and fixed stations in a mobile radio system according to the GSM standard.

Abstract: A time-division multiplex signal transmission system includes a transmitter having a power amplifier with a control input to which is supplied a control voltage (U.sub.c). The power of the amplifier high-frequency output signal (RF.sub.out) is detected by a detector which produces a detector voltage representing the sum of a detector quiescent voltage (U.sub.o) and an actual detected signal voltage (U.sub.ist). The control voltage (U.sub.c) is generated from the difference between the detector voltage (U.sub.o +U.sub.ist) and a nominal voltage (U.sub.soll) which is superimposed on the detector quiescent voltage (U.sub.o). The nominal voltage (U.sub.soll) determines the waveform of the power of the output signal (RF.sub.out).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optoelectronic device. An indium phosphide part of a semiconductor body is contacted either directly or indirectly through a ternary or quaternary layer by means of a zinc diffusion. In order to improve the contact resistance, after the zinc diffusion and before the application of contacts, a heat treatment of the semiconductor body is carried out in the absence of a zinc source.

Abstract: A broadband cholesteric polarizer is described, as well as a method of manufacturing such a polarizer. Said polarizer comprises an optically active layer of a polymer material having a cholesteric order, said material being oriented so that the axis of the molecular helix extends transversely to the layer. In accordance with the invention, the polarizer is characterized in that the pitch of the molecular helix in the layer is varied in such a manner that the difference between the maximum pitch and the minimum pitch is at least 100 nm. The optically active layers are preferably provided on substrates which bring about a conversion of circularly polarized light into linearly polarized light. Three different methods of manufacturing such broadband polarizers are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical switch (1) which is switchable by means of light. The switch (1) comprises an optical wave-guiding structure (3) having an entrance (5) to which a signal can be applied and an exit (7). The refractive index of the wave-guiding structure (30) is variable by means of light intensity. The switch (1) further comprises a radiation source unit (15) whose radiation can be injected into the wave-guiding structure (3). The radiation source unit (15) comprises a pulsed laser (17) having a repetition time T and a pulse duration p and a medium (19) for transporting the radiation supplied by the laser (17). The radiation source unit (15) is provided with setting means (21 ) for stabilizing the wavelength of the laser (17) at a number n of selected wavelength bands from a number N of possibly selectable wavelength bands within one and the same pulse supplied by the laser (17). Moreover, the medium (19) is dispersive at a wavelength-dependent travel time t.sub.

Abstract: A code converter for processing switching information signals, which comprises a protection circuit for limiting a current flowing in a telephone exchange wire. The protection circuit includes an evaluation circuit, which causes a switch arranged in series with the telephone exchange wire to open if the current, or a signal derived from the current, exceeds a threshold value. In an embodiment of the invention the current is also limited if the current assumes intolerably high values only for a brief period of time and no opening of the switch is effected.

Abstract: A probe, a method of making the same, and a manner of using the same, suitable for "Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (MOS) like" electrical characterization measurements on semiconductor substrates having overlying dielectric layers is disclosed. The probe comprises an electrically conductive probe needle, the needle having a rounded tip end of a first radius, the rounded tip end further being suitable for undergoing a plastic deformation. The needle is positioned above the dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate and the needle tip forced down onto the smooth surface of the dielectric layer in a controlled manner for causing the needle tip to undergo a plastic deformation in which an outer portion of the rounded tip end is maintained at the first radius and an inner portion of the rounded tip end is increased to a second radius, the second radius being larger than the first.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing individual ones of semiconductor laser devices of a laser bar during a manufacturing thereof comprises a laser bar chuck for securing the laser bar in a first manner and orientation. A probe is used for probing a laser device of the laser bar. A translational manipulator receives the laser bar chuck and the probe in a second and third manner and orientation, respectively, the manipulator further for translationally positioning the laser bar chuck and the probe independently in a fourth and fifth controlled manner. An energizing means energizes the probe in a sixth controlled manner. A detector detects a lasing of a probed laser device and provides a characteristic output signal representative of a testing characteristic of the probed laser device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprises heating a wafer to a temperature sufficient to temperature stress the wafer and enable ion motion. The wafer is then initialized in a measurement region with a non-contact corona discharge of a first polarity until a first dielectric field is developed, wherein any mobile ions present in the dielectric layer or at an air/dielectric interface move to a substrate/dielectric interface. A non-contact pulsed corona discharge of a second polarity, opposite the first polarity, is then applied to the wafer until a second dielectric field is developed and an amount of corona discharge Q.sub.MEASURED necessary to change the dielectric field from the first dielectric field to the second dielectric field is measured, wherein any mobile ions present at the dielectric/substrate interface move to the air/dielectric interface. An ideal amount of corona discharge Q.sub.

Abstract: The clock circuit is formed by an oscillator (10-12) which is coupled to a counter/divider circuit (15) provided with read accesses (30). In order to prevent falsification of its data, the circuit is formed as a protected casing and includes a protected access circuit (50) which is connected between said accesses and the counter/divider circuit. Furthermore, a circuit for monitoring the frequency of the oscillator may be provided (100-50).

Abstract: In the manufacture of a liquid-crystal display or other large area electronic device, thin-film transistors are formed on a substrate (10) from a thin film (1) of disordered semiconductor material which accommodates the transistor channel regions and has a high density of trapping states. A masking pattern (13) masks areas of the semiconductor film (1) where the thin-film transistors are to be formed. The unmasked areas of the film (1) are etched away to leave the semiconductor film bodies for the transistors. The resulting transistors are found to have an undesirable leakage current through the channel region, even after adopting several prior art measures to reduce the high leakage. By implanting a dopant stripe (5) along their edges, the present invention reduces leakage currents along the edges of the channel region in the etched disordered semiconductor material (1).

Abstract: A radiation-source unit is described which produces a radiation beam (30) with two components (9, 10) which are polarized perpendicularly relative to one another and which have different frequencies. The unit comprises a radiation source, a beam splitter (4), an acousto-optical modulation system (13, 18) for generating the frequency difference, and a beam combiner (25). Since the beam splitter and the beam combiner are transmission elements and their connecting line extends through the center of the modulation system the unit is compact and no alignment problems occur. Moreover, the frequency difference is adjustable over a wide range.

Abstract: A first substrate (2) carries an electro-optic display (3) having a first array (4) of display elements (5) and conductors (12,13) for addressing individual display elements (5) to enable the display to display an image. A second substrate (6) carries a second array (7) of elements (8) addressable by conductors (9,10). Photosensitive elements (11) are associated with the conductors (9,10) for supplying, when illuminated, signals along the conductors (9,10) for accessing the elements (8) of the second array (7), the second substrate (6) being provided over the first substrate (2) so that the photosensitive elements (11) are associated with selected ones (5') of the display elements (5) for enabling the selected display elements (5a) to illuminate the photosensitive elements (11) allowing access of the elements (8) of the second array (7) to be controlled by the display (3) so that it is not necessary to provide separate drive circuitry for the second array.

Abstract: An apparatus for projecting a mask pattern (MA) on a substrate (W) by means of a projection lens system (PL) is described, which apparatus comprises a device for aligning a mask alignment mark (M.sub.1, M.sub.2) with respect to a substrate alignment mark (P.sub.1, P.sub.2). Means (WE.sub.1, WE.sub.2) preventing phase differences due to reflections at the mask plate (MA) from occurring within the alignment beam portions received by a detection system (13, 13') are arranged in the path of selected alignment beam portions (b.sub.1, b.sub.1 ').

Abstract: A contactless method and apparatus for in-situ chemical etch monitoring of an etching process during etching of a workpiece with a wet chemical etchant are disclosed. The method comprises steps of providing at least two toroidal windings in the wet chemical etchant to be proximate to but not in contact with the workpiece; and monitoring an electrical characteristic between said at least two toroidal windings, wherein a prescribed change in the electrical characteristic is indicative of a prescribed condition of the etching process. Such a method and apparatus are particularly useful in a wet chemical etch station.

Abstract: A mobile radio system includes fixed stations and mobile stations, a free channel for establishing connection to a mobile station being selected from a predetermined channel list for each fixed station. The individual station lists are initially assigned in a radio network planning phase. To adjust to changes in the system which only occur after it is in operation, the assignment of radio channels is modified on the basis of measured data obtained during actual operation of the system. In this way the system becomes self-adaptative.