Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing packetized data spanning multiple clock cycles includes at least one comparator, for comparing a present clock cycle count to a reference clock cycle count, wherein the reference clock cycle values may be anywhere within the packet and may be non-contiguous with other reference clock cycle values. At least one word recognizer, compares a presently clocked word to a reference word, and an output circuit provides an indication of a favorable word comparison that occurred in response to a favorable clock cycle count comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted to calibrate a signal path of a signal analysis system such that loading effects of the system are substantially removed from measurements of a device under test. A signal under test from the device under test is coupled to a test probe in the signal path and used with selectable impedance loads in the test probe to characterize transfer parameters of the device under test. An equalization filter in either the frequency or time domain is computed from the device under test transfer parameters for reducing in signal error attributable to the measurement loading of the device under test.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for triggering a plurality of test and measurement instruments in a substantially simultaneous manner logically combines a trigger enable signal provided by each of a plurality of signal processing devices to produce a combined trigger signal. The combined trigger signal then triggers each of the plurality of signal Processing devices.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for correlating data records acquired in a signal acquisition device includes the steps of extracting an area of interest from the data record displayed on said signal acquisition device, normalizing the area of interest, creating a filter based upon normalized values of the area of interest and passing the data record through said filter to obtain a correlation curve. Normalization of the area of interest includes obtaining a plurality of points defining the area of interest, calculating the mean of the said plurality of points and subtracting said mean from each of the said plurality of points. Creating the filter includes using the normalized values of the area of interest as coefficients for the filter.

Abstract: A plurality of digital samplers operating on a common signal under test (SUT) sample the SUT at a sample rate beyond that which guarantees monotonic sampling and non-overlapping setup and hold windows for adjacent samplers. Subsequent processing of the sample streams restores monotonicity and sample independence to provide thereby a very high effective sample rate.

Abstract: System and apparatus enabling the use of a single cable to communicate triggering information between each of a plurality of signal acquisition devices and, illustratively, an external trigger control unit. A combined trigger signal is produced only when each trigger condition of each signal acquisition device is true. Thus, all of the signal acquisition devices will be triggered substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for performing differential return loss measurements and other measurements as a function of frequency uses a digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) having spectral analysis functions. A waveform generator generates a differential test signal in the form of a series of pulses where each pulse includes spectral components associated with each of a plurality of frequencies of interest. A test fixture presents the differential test waveform to a load including at least one of a device under test (DUT), a short circuit, an open circuit and a balanced load. A signal acquisition device differentially measures the test waveform during each of the load conditions. The signal acquisition device computes an error correction parameter using measurements made during the short circuit, open circuit and balanced load conditions. The correction parameter tends to offset signal acquisition errors within measurements made during the DUT load condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decomposing timing jitter on arbitrary serial data sequences. Specifically, in one embodiment according to the present invention, a method is provided of decomposing timing jitter on a signal under test (SUT) comprising an arbitrary serial data stream. The method comprises performing a statistical analysis on a group of measurements, where each measurement comprises a timing jitter value and an associated bit pattern representing the bits falling within an analysis window, said window being successively located at a plurality of positions within the data stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively providing bandwidth extension and channel matching for acquired signals under test (SUT). The method and apparatus includes a signal acquisition device for acquiring a signal under test (SUT) and generating therefrom a stream of acquired samples, where the signal acquisition device having associated with it a first bandwidth defining a nominal pass band. At least one digital filter imparts a gain equalization function to the acquired SUT samples within a spectral region including and extending beyond the nominal passband. A controller generates a display signal suitable for use by a display device, where the display signal representing waveform imagery associated with the gain equalized SUT.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enabling the analog and digital triggering of a signal analysis device such as a Logic Analyzer, wherein separate analog and digital signal paths provide separate analog and digital processing of an input test signal for enabling the triggering of a signal analysis device upon analog and digital signal conditions.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for a probe tip contact for electrically coupling a substrate to a probe tip. The apparatus, in one embodiment, comprises a wrap-around contact that is precision formed utilizing a hydroform tool and brazed to a surface of a substrate. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a contact flange, a mounting flange extending from a first edge of the contact flange in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the contact flange, and a substantially circular indentation formed in the contact flange adapted for accommodating movement of said probe tip relative to said substrate.

Abstract: A multiple channel signal acquisition device wherein each channel performs a respective rasterization process to provide respective waveform imagery, the respective waveform imagery having a display parameter reduced at a decay rate, the respective waveform imagery being propagated towards an adjacent input channel for combination, the combined image being propagated towards each remaining channel for combination into a final waveform image for display.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for constraining an amplitude range parameter associated with the acquisition and display of a signal under test (SUT) acquires samples of the SUT that are constrained according to the amplitude range parameter to generate a stream of acquired samples representing a constrained SUT. A controller generates a display signal suitable for use by a display device that includes constrained SUT waveform imagery visually cooperating with amplitude segment delineators. The controller adapts the number of amplitude segment delineators in response to the amplitude range parameter.

Abstract: A stable platform supports a cell, the stable platform comprises a lower mainframe, an upper mainframe, and a dampener system. The upper mainframe includes a plurality of recesses. Each recess is configured to receive a cell. The dampener system connects the lower mainframe to the upper mainframe. In one embodiment, the dampener system comprises a dampener element, such as sand, to dampen vibrations between the lower mainframe and the lower mainframe.

Abstract: An electrical isolation device wherein a signal to be electrically isolated is mixed with a carrier signal by a multiplier to produce a modulated carrier signal which is passed through an isolation barrier and demodulated and filtered to extract thereby the initial input signal.

Abstract: A load cup for transferring a substrate in a chemical mechanical polishing system is provided. In one embodiment, a load cup for transferring substrates in a chemical mechanical polishing system includes a substrate support having a first side adapted to support a substrate thereon and at least one actuator coupled to the substrate support and adapted to move the substrate support laterally. In another embodiment, a method for transferring a substrate between a polishing head and a load cup includes sensing a position of the polishing head relative to the load cup and automatically aligning the load cup and polishing head in response to the sensed relative position.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapidly acquiring a large number of samples of a signal under test, stores the samples in a waveform memory without converting the samples to binary form. The signal under test is applied to an arrangement of comparators and exclusive-OR gates to provide a signal indicative of amplitude. The waveform memory is arranged in rows and columns. In one embodiment, the amplitude-indicative signal serves as a row address signal for the waveform memory, and a scanning control signal serves as a column address signal for the waveform memory. In another embodiment, an X-Y display is produced in which the column address signal is responsive to the amplitude of a second signal under test.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture for accessing data are disclosed. In general, data access is facilitated by a query configured with a correlation criterion or criteria. The presence of the correlation criteria facilitates the introduction of additional correlation logic to be applied to conditions of the query. In general, correlation criteria are contemplated which support correlation of entities based on time, physical location and age, for example.

Abstract: A method of forming a tantalum nitride layer for integrated circuit fabrication is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a tantalum nitride layer by chemisorbing a tantalum precursor and a nitrogen precursor on a substrate disposed in a process chamber. A nitrogen concentration of the tantalum nitride layer is reduced by exposing the substrate to a plasma annealing process. A metal-containing layer is then deposited on the tantalum nitride layer by a deposition process.

Abstract: Methods for slice-based encoding of program guides and user interfaces. The program guides include multiple video streams for picture-in-picture and other applications. A method for encoding the program guide includes encoding a first set of slices for each of a plurality of graphics pages; and encoding a second set of slices for each of a plurality of video streams. The user interfaces are multi-functional and may be used for electronic commerce and other applications. A method of generating the user interface includes encoding a set of slices for each of a plurality of objects, each object being characterized by an identity, at least one attribute, and at least one operation. In one embodiment of this method, the plurality of objects include an electronic commerce object, where the electronic commerce object is attributed with a first hyper text markup language (HTML) page.