Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a switching power supply that includes a full-wave bridge rectifier to rectify incoming AC line voltage, a transformer having a primary winding and two secondary windings and a switched mode power supply chip that includes an integrated high voltage power MOSFET with a low voltage tap in the drift region. The MOSFET controls power switching of the primary winding of the transformer and has a high voltage present during initial power-up. This high voltage is dropped across the JFET part of the MOSFET and supplies a safe operating area protection circuit with a low voltage signal that will shut-off the MOSFET if the current passing through the MOSFET produces a voltage drop at the tap that exceeds a predetermined maximum.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a plasma system that comprises a main coil with a flattened side and a capacitor in parallel that form a tuned circuit with radio frequency energy coupled to it through a radio frequency match by a generator. A process chamber with a quartz window and containing a low pressure gas is adjacent to the flat side of the main coil and a two-dimensional planar plasma in the shape of a circular disk is ignited and maintained by a high rate of change of the current flowing in the main coil. An electrode positioned in the chamber opposite to the window is used for attaching a semiconductor wafer for processing and a potential applied to the electrode independently controls the ion energy of ions attracted and accelerated out of the plasma.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a system for rinsing and drying items comprising a process chamber for receiving the items; a rinse condenser; a first heater; a vaporizer for vaporizing water and including a second heater; a vacuum system for reducing the pressure within the process chamber; and a valving apparatus for independently coupling the process chamber to the vaporizer and the process chamber to the vacuum system.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a high-side driver comprising a pair of differential input controls each of which are coupled to a pair of comparators having first and second thresholds set at Vddh-1.5 volts and Vddh-2.5 volts, respectively. A logic block in front of a set-reset flip-flop recognizes only signals on the dual-input control lines where one is less than the Vddh-1.5 volt threshold and the other exceeds the Vddh-2.5 volt threshold. If signals on either or both of the dual-input control lines are between Vddh-1.5 volts and Vddh-2.5 volts, the logic block will prevent a change of state of the flip-flop which controls a high-voltage switch transistor connected to a load. The high-side driver further includes an under-voltage lockout to prevent false operation of the high-voltage switch transistor during the initial power up phase.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a diagonally fed electric microstrip RHP antenna having a ceramic substrate, a groundplane on one side of the substrate, a rectangularly-shaped radiator attached to the other side of the substrate, and a via that passes through the substrate and connects to a point on the radiating electrode that provides a predetermined impedance Z.sub.o, the via has an inductance L.sub.via such that an optimum impedance for a minimum noise figure .GAMMA..sub.o is presented to the opposite end of the via. A groundplane relief in the first side of the dielectric substrate allows an active device to be connected to the second end of the via and placed within the groundplane relief. An output matching network also inside the groundplane relief is used for coupling the active device to an external system, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a hand-held tool for use by a construction worker and comprises a top plate, a main drive assembly with a return spring, and a demountable-wall drop tube insert for receiving a belt of clips. The worker places the tool flat along one edge of a wall panel with one hand and mallets an exposed end of the main drive assembly with the other hand. The resulting forward motion of the main drive assembly snags a single clip from the drop tube insert, separates the clip from the belt, and drives a barbed end of the clip squarely into the wall panel.

Abstract: A method for remotely monitoring conditions such as carbon monoxide or methane gas concentration, longwall roof support pressure, machine parameters or uncut coal, trona or potash layer thickness in a natural resource mining system such as a longwall or continuous mine system. The method utilizes a plurality of sensors connected to low magnetic moment transmitters, e.g. 0.1 ATM.sup.2, or high magnetic moment transmitters, e.g. 2.5 ATM.sup.2, that transmit collected data during multiple short burst transmission periods. Prior to transmission, the data is converted to a digital word format. An algorithm in the transmitter microcomputer ensures that random time intervals exist between data transmission bursts thus preventing a data transmission clash at the central receiver. A microcomputer algorithm in the central receiver protects against data contention caused by simultaneous transmission from several sensors.

Abstract: A method for making printed circuit boards comprises using double treated copper foils for all inside conductor layers of multilayer packages with substrates of alloys of epoxy and polyphenylene oxide (PPO) resin to counteract the skin-effect encountered at high frequencies. Direct bonds between inside surfaces are then used without using an oxide step that introduces red/brown or black oxides.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a system for time multiplexing a carrier signal received by two or more GPS antennas through a single hardware path, using a single receiver's oscillator in that hardware path as a reference to compare the phase from each antenna. One of the antennas is designated as a reference antenna and a carrier signal received by it is used to phase lock in numerically controlled oscillator. The same carrier signal received by the other antennas is periodically compared in phase to the output of the numerically controlled oscillator. Each comparison results in a phase angle measurement for the respective antennas compared to the master antenna.

Abstract: A method utilized with an underground conductor detection system for calibrating a downhole transmitter to compensate for detuning of the transmitter antenna by geologic formations. The method comprises sending a synchronization signal to the transmitter antenna, measuring the current flow through the transmitter antenna and adjusting the current to a constant level, and measuring the phase difference between the transmitter antenna current and the synchronization signal. A receiver transmitter is calibrated by sending a synchronization signal to a radiating antenna in the receiver that in turn sends a calibration signal to the receiver antenna that is directed over the entire signal pathway back to surface located signal processing equipment. Another method of underground conductor detection sends a surface wave to the downhole receiver to cancel the effect of the surface wave modulation on a target wave being radiated by the underground detector.

Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET), according to the present invention, comprises a source and drain pair of electrodes having non-uniform charge distributions between them, such as results from small radius tips, and has a gate and channel structure that exists only between points of the source and drain pair that have the less intense charge distributions, e.g., areas not involving any small radius tips. The gate and channel structure is such that, given the non-uniform charge distributions between the source and drain pair of electrodes, the electric field is reduced around the tip by eliminating the n-well junction near the source-drain fingertips.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a process for semiconductor device having a silicon substrate. The process comprises positioning at least one field implant mask and field implanting a silicon substrate around a bipolar active region in a substrate such that boron atoms are blocked out of an active region, and only the field region surrounding said active area is implanted, said implanting such that a predetermined layout area of a semiconductor device does not need to be increased to compensate for a BV.sub.bso problem.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable modular hard disk drive featuring an impact resistant case containing a hard disk drive. The hard disk drive may be mounted on a computer in such a manner that it resides on the back of, is powered by and controlled by the host computer. The invention features a like connector on its back so that additional portable modular hard disk drives may be attached to the first, powered and controlled in a like manner. The invention also possesses a belt clip for ease of carrying.

Abstract: A network for connection between an AC power line and a DC power supply to isolate harmonic currents generated by the DC power supply from the AC power supply, the network employing at least one "resonator", which is connected across the input of a DC power supply, and at least one "reflector", which is connected to couple the input of the DC power supply to an AC power line. Each "resonator," includes the series combination of an inductor and a capacitor. At least some of the "reflectors" include the parallel combination of an inductor and a capacitor.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a switching power supply with high voltage positive and negative power inputs, a system ground, a sensing resistor placed between the negative power input and system ground, first and second load outputs with the first load output connected to the positive power input, and a comparator having first and second comparison inputs and a comparison output with the second comparison input connected to the system ground. A constant-current source is connected to the first comparison input of the comparator. A power MOSFET switch transistor has its drain connected to the second load output, its source connected to the system ground, and its gate controlled by the comparison output of the comparator. And a control resistor is connected between the second power input and said first comparison input of the comparator.

Abstract: A system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises a coupler, a remote antenna, and a handheld GPS receiver. The remote antenna has a microstrip RHCP receiving element and a low noise amplifier (LNA) powered by the coupler over an interconnect cable. The coupler has a slotline antenna and a driver circuit. The coupler re-radiates GPS satellite signals received by the remote antenna with a slotline antenna to the GPS receiver. In a typical installation, such as a car, a user holds the GPS receiver while in the front seat. The coupler mounts to the windshield and the cable runs to remote antenna mounted on the roof of the car. The coupler can then re-radiate GPS satellite signals effectively to the GPS receiver even when the two are separated by as much as six feet. The shielding of GPS signals by the metal of the car is thereby avoided as a problem that can prevent operation of the GPS receiver.