Abstract: Method and apparatus for decoding code words received over a communication channel are disclosed. A radius-adaptive sphere decoding methodology reduces the number of operations in sphere-constrained search. Imposing probabilistic noise constraint on top of sphere constraint, particularly at an early stage, provides a more stringent necessary condition. Hence, many branches that are unlikely to be selected are removed in the early stage of sphere search. The trade-off between computational complexity and performance can be controlled by adjusting the pruning probability.

Abstract: The polishing pad is suitable for planarizing at least one of semiconductor, optical and magnetic substrates. The polishing pad includes a cast polyurethane polymeric material formed with an isocyanate-terminated reaction product formed from a prepolymer reaction of a prepolymer polyol and a polyfunctional isocyanate. The isocyanate-terminated reaction product has 4.5 to 8.7 weight percent unreacted NCO; and the isocyanate-terminated reaction product is cured with a curative agent selected from the group comprising curative polyamines, curative polyols, curative alcoholamines and mixtures thereof. The polishing pad contains at least 0.1 volume percent filler or porosity.

Abstract: Methods and devices enable scheduling the transmission of messages based upon date, time and/or location transmission criteria. Text and multimedia messages may be drafted and scheduled for automatic transmission at a later time and date or when the mobile device is in a particular location. Alternatively, methods and systems enable the message to be sent automatically from a remote server.

Abstract: A slide cartridge for use with a chemical analyzer includes an upper ring and a lower ring secured together but rotatable with respect to each other. The upper and lower rings define a plurality of reaction chambers between them, which receive dry analyte test slides. A gear track formed in the underside of the lower ring engages a pinion gear attached to a stepping motor of the chemical analyzer in order to rotate the slide cartridge. The slide cartridge is rotated under a sample fluid metering device, which deposits a sample fluid on the test slides through a plurality of spotter ports formed in the upper ring, and above a reflectometer, which performs a colorimetric measurement on the spotted test slides through viewing windows formed in the lower ring of the slide cartridge. A chemical analyzer with which the slide cartridge may be used includes a reflectometer, a sample fluid metering device and a stepping motor for rotating the slide cartridge.

Abstract: In a method for managing quality of service (QoS) resources during handoff across communication systems having different grades of QoS awareness, an access terminal (AT) determines that handoff has occurred from a QoS unaware system to a QoS aware system. The AT also determines whether there are any allocated, unrequested QoS resources. If one or more allocated, unrequested QoS resources are identified, the AT requests that the QoS aware system release the one or more allocated, unrequested QoS resources. The AT also determines whether there are any requested, unallocated QoS resources. If one or more requested, unallocated QoS resources are identified, the AT requests that the QoS aware system allocate the one or more requested, unallocated QoS resources to the application.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a global I/O line (GIO) for transmitting read data and write data between a peripheral region and a core region when a read/write operation is activated, and a test circuit for transmitting/receiving test data through the global I/O line to test the integrated circuit, when a test operation is activated.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a multilayer, forming a plurality of patterns by etching the multilayer and a portion of the substrate, forming a supporter to support the plurality of patterns, and removing residues formed during the etching.

Abstract: A wave-powered water vehicle includes a surface float, a submerged swimmer, and a tether which connects the float and the swimmer, so that the swimmer moves up and down as a result of wave motion. The swimmer includes one or more fins which interact with the water as the swimmer moves up and down, and generate forces which propel the vehicle forward. The vehicle, which need not be manned, can carry communication and control equipment so that it can follow a course directed by signals sent to it, and so that it can record or transmit data from sensors on the vehicle.

Abstract: A data input device of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes: a differential amplifier configured to compare an input to a reference voltage and output a differential signal based on the comparison; and a control circuit configured to adjust a current driving capacity of the differential amplifier by turning on a first current path connected to the differential amplifier in response to a first enable signal and turning off a second current path connected to the differential amplifier in response to a second enable signal in a standby mode, wherein, during a time that a plurality of external command signals toggle back and forth between a status of all being high signals and a status of all being low signals repeatedly, the second enable signal is controlled to be maintained at a low state signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a nonvolatile memory device includes precharging bit lines coupled to strings, supplying a first verification voltage to a selected word line and supplying a pass voltage to word lines other than the selected word line, supplying a first sense pulse to switching elements coupled between the bit lines and sense nodes and detecting memory cells, each having a threshold voltage higher than the first verification voltage, supplying a second verification voltage higher than the first verification voltage to the selected word line and supplying the pass voltage to the word lines other than the selected word line, and supplying a second sense pulse to the switching elements and detecting memory cells, each having a threshold voltage higher than the second verification voltage.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a through-silicon-via arranged to couple a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips, an interconnection line coupled to the through-silicon-via at one side and arranged to couple the through-silicon-via to the semiconductor chip, an internal interconnection line disposed at the other side of the interconnection line and intersected with the interconnection line, and at least one first contact disposed to couple the internal interconnection line to the interconnection line. A region of the interconnection line in which the internal interconnection line is disposed is equally divided, and an area between the divided regions is removed.

Abstract: A method for recovering at least one rare earth element from a phosphor is presented. The method includes a halogenation step (a) and a reduction step (b). The phosphor is first halogenated in a molten salt to convert at least one rare earth constituent contained therein to a soluble rare earth halide. Then, the rare earth halide in the molten salt can be reduced, to convert the rare earth halide to a rare earth element in its elemental state. A method for individually recovering multiple rare earth elements from a phosphor is also presented.

Abstract: An extraction and transfer sling facilitating lifting of an injured, incapacitated, or person of interest for any reason that may be warranted by emergency services or assistance. The sling has several embodiments each capable of supporting a thigh, buttocks, and back region of a person being lifted. Additionally the sling can include shoulder, head, and leg including foot support for transporting a lifted person from one location to another location.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a conductive layer formed in the junction region and a boundary layer arranged to wrap a side and a bottom of the conductive layer.

Abstract: An on die thermal sensor in a semiconductor memory device includes: a reference voltage generating unit for generating a band gap voltage and generating a reference voltage by using the base band gap voltage; a voltage amplifying unit for outputting a temperature voltage by amplifying the band gap voltage; and a temperature information code generating unit for generating a temperature information code corresponding to a voltage level of the temperature voltage, wherein voltage variation of the temperature voltage is amplified as much as a preset amplifying value and a maximum voltage level of the temperature voltage is maintained lower than that of a power supply voltage used in the semiconductor memory device.

Abstract: A direct thermal label and methods of making thereof are provided. In one embodiment, a direct thermal label comprising a first substrate and a thermal barrier coating is provided, wherein the first substrate has a thermally sensitive coating situated over the thermal barrier coating on at least a first side thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for inter-cell power control for interference management in an OFDM system is provided. The system provides for a combination use of open loop and closed loop PSD control algorithms. The open loop control is a function of path loss from the serving cell as well as the neighboring cells. The closed loop control updates the end node transmit PSD by listening to the load indicators from the serving cell and at least one other neighboring non-serving cell which generates the highest level of interference. The system thus provides a fast and tight control with multi-cell information that allows improved inter-cell interference control.

Abstract: A refresh control circuit for a semiconductor memory device includes a refresh controller configured to control the number of times a refresh signal is enabled during one refresh period in response to a refresh mode entering signal which indicates the start of a refresh mode, and a mode determination signal having refresh mode information, a refresh counter configured to output a row address for a refresh operation by counting the refresh signal in response to an active signal enabled in an active mode, and a row address decoder configured to decode the row address to generate a row address selection signal for sequentially accessing word lines within a cell array.