Abstract: A mechanism for compensating the gravitational force acting on a slider of a linear motor, in particular of an electro-magnetic direct linear motor, and acting on a load to be carried and moved by the slider. To compensate for the gravitational force, the mechanism exhibits a spring element, which exerts an elastic restoring force against the gravitational force on the slider.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for modifying an inner-layer circuit feature of a printed circuit board. A trimming point on the inner-layer circuit feature is identified using an x-ray inspection system. The coordinates of the trimming point are then related to the coordinates of a visible reference marker on the printed circuit board. Next, the relationship between the visible reference marker and the trimming point is used to position a cutting tool over the trimming point. Finally, the cutting tool is used to make one or more cuts into the printed circuit board, until the inner-layer circuit feature is acceptably modified at the trimming point.

Abstract: An electrical circuit and method substantially to mitigate the effects of a current increase due to a fault within the circuit. In particular, where the electrical circuit (80) includes a laser diode it is desirable to create a fault tolerant circuit to avoid a sudden increase in light intensity output by the laser diode. A track (44b) associated with the laser diode is identified and insulated by means of a layout of the circuit. Specifically, where the circuit is an integrated circuit, metal layers (42, 44, 46) and vias (50) are utilised to form an insulating shield (76) around the track (44b) associated with the laser diode.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that collects heterogeneous scalar measurement data over a network from a plurality of devices connected to the network, and automatically normalizes the collected heterogeneous scalar measurement data based on a threshold to generate an event based on a threshold crossing. In an embodiment, the system automatically derives a measurement from the collected heterogeneous scalar measurement data; and automatically scales the derived measurement or the collected heterogeneous scalar measurement data. In another embodiment, the system normalizes the collected heterogeneous scalar measurement data, the scaled derived measurement, the scaled collected heterogeneous scalar measurement data, or the derived measurement.

Abstract: A carrier for treating photonic devices such as laser bars is provided with a recessed formation with a web surface for supporting the photonic device in contact therewith as well as at least one side surface forming an abutment surface for engaging a respective end facet of the photonic device. The photonic device is arranged in the recessed formation so that the lower surface of the photonic device is masked with respect to the treatment source, while at least one end facet of the photonic device engages at least one side surface by leaving exposed a surface to be treated. A protection member is placed in contact with the upper surface of the photonic device and the carrier with the photonic device arranged therein is exposed to the treatment source. The treatment is thus effective substantially exclusively on the surfaces of the end facets to be treated.

Abstract: A device power supply includes an amplifier, a high output-side force terminal connected to the output of the amplifier, a high-output side sense terminal, and a first feedback circuit from the high output-side sense terminal to the input of the amplifier, where there is a first low-pass filter in between the amplifier output and the first feedback circuit.

Abstract: An optical system for detecting and coupling light to optical devices, and a method for aligning and calibrating the system. The system includes positioning stages and fiber sensors. The fiber sensors are used to detect the positions of calibration pieces and other sensors in a variety of configurations. From these detected positions, any misalignment of the sensors or positioning stages may be calculated and corrected for. The fiber sensors calibrate the system.

Abstract: An eye diagram analyzer assigns a plurality of SUT data signals to be members of a labeled group of channels. There may be a plurality of such groups. In addition to mere superposition in an (X, Y) display space of the various i-many (X, Y)-valued pixels for individual component eye diagrams associated with that group, other measured data for those pixels within a group can be merged in various different modes to produce corresponding composite eye diagram presentations. E.g., in a Normalized Signal Density Mode the number of hits at each trial measurement point is summed over all channels in the group, and then divided by the total number of clock cycles measured for the ith measurement point in that group to produce a density Di associated with the corresponding ith pixel: (Xi, Yi, Di). If Di is rendered as a color or an intensity, the resulting eye diagram includes a representation (the Di) of a normalized density of transitions at each point (Xi, Yi), relative to that group as a whole.

Abstract: A device package has a conductive substrate with at least one mounting site, and an insulating substrate with a first side on the side of the conductive substrate with the one or more mounting sites. The insulating substrate has at least one aperture providing access between a second side of the insulating substrate and the one or more mounting sites. The insulating substrate has one or more signal paths on the second side that couple the one or more apertures to one or more contact sites disposed about the insulating substrate. A series of conductive tabs is coupled to corresponding contact sites.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for enhancing the confidence index in detecting the presence and/or amount of an analyte suspected of being in a sample. In the method, a combination of at least two predetermined derivatives of the analyte is subjected to chromatographic separation. Then, the retention times of the derivatives as a result of the chromatographic separation are determined. The retention times are related to the presence of the analyte in the sample. Detecting a response from each of the derivatives enhances confirmation that the compound detected is the analyte in question further. The number and intensities of the responses is related to the presence and/or amount of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: A precision locking BNC male connector mates without requiring twisting of the cable or multiple bends to accommodate the rotation of the BNC latch. The shell portion of the male connector that carries the adapter connector or cable clamp on one end and that is the male cylindrical shield at the other end, is free to rotate whenever the precision locking BNC male connector is not locked, whether or not it is mated with a female connector. A knurled sleeve is captive at a location along the male shell, but is free to rotate. The knurled sleeve has internal threads that engage external threads on a portion of the BNC latch. A radial friction device is in contact with both an-external surface of the BNC latch and the internal surface of the knurled sleeve. When not engaged with the bayonet pins of a female connector, rotating the knurled sleeve will rotate the BNC latch also, by virtue of the friction device, but both will, as a unit, rotate freely relative to the shell.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen includes a pushbutton for selecting an item displayed on the display screen. The pushbutton includes an imaging surface against which a portion of the tip of a human digit may be placed. A light source illuminates that portion of the tip of the digit that is placed against the imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images. The apparatus includes a motion transducer. A lens receives the reflected images and directs the reflected images onto the motion transducer. The motion transducer generates digital representations of the reflected images. The motion transducer generates a first set of movement data based on the digital representations of the reflected images. The first set of movement data is indicative of motion of the tip of the digit across the imaging surface.

Abstract: For testing communication in a network which carries data frames between communications ports having respective addresses, each frame containing an indication of the address of the source of the frame, the address of the intended destination of the frame, and other data, a tester has at least one communications port and a receiver for receiving a data frame arriving at the communications port. The tester includes circuitry for recognising test data frames according to at least one predetermined criterion, and extracting predetermined items from each test data frame including the source and destination addresses. A new test data frame is generated incorporating the predetermined items, with the source and destination addresses exchanged, and incorporating additional content of predetermined value, and a transmitter transmits the new data frame with the exchanged addresses into the network.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for reliably and accurately measuring the gap between two materials when the depth of gap is less than the smallest distance that an optical thickness gauge (OTG) is able to measure. The invention is practiced by forming a suitable slot (or a groove, channel, hole or other suitable deformation) having a precisely known depth in at least one material. The sum of the distance of the gap and the depth of the slot is at least equal to the smallest distance that the OTG can measure. The slot is positioned over the materials and under the OTG probe head such that a cavity is formed. The depth of the cavity is measured. Since the distance of the slot is known, the depth of the gap is determined by subtracting the known depth of the slot from the measured depth of the cavity.

Abstract: A light source suitable for surface mounting onto a printed circuit board. The light source includes a planar substrate with a centrally positioned recess. A light emitting diode is mounted in the recess and the substrate is encapsulated by a transparent encapsulant material forming an ellipsoidal dome over the light emitting diode.

Abstract: A memory with mechanisms for enhancing storage states without boosting voltages to levels that damage storage cell structures. A storage cell according to the present teachings includes a storage structure capable of switching storage states. A memory according to the present teachings includes means for writing the storage cell by applying a first voltage to a first node of the storage structure and for applying a second voltage to a second node of the storage structure such that the first and second voltages have opposite polarities.

Abstract: A probe for connecting a device under test to a measurement device that corrects for dc errors and noise generated by the current flowing through the ground shield of a transmission line used by the probe. The probe identifies a voltage drop in the ground preferably using an additional line between the device under test and the measurement device. The signal provided to the measurement device is corrected based on the identified voltage drop.

Abstract: A test executive system for controlling a test upon a device under test that is distinct and separate from said test executive system. The test executive system provides interactive dialog boxes in the following manner. A signal that an event in a testing procedure occurs is received. A file storing testing information is retrieved responsive to the signal. The testing information includes directions for the user to perform an action required to continue the test. The test executive system includes a web browser and the test information may comprise a web page. The testing information is displayed along with at least one input option. An input is then received from the user. The input is then processed responsive to receiving said input.

Abstract: A LED that includes a light emitter that emits light of a first wavelength and a phosphor layer that converts a portion of that light to light of a second wavelength is disclosed. The phosphor layer includes a powdered phosphor suspended in a photo-curable medium that sets upon exposure to light of a curing wavelength. The phosphor layer can also include a thixotropic agent that reduces the rate at which the powdered phosphor settles in the medium prior to the medium being exposed to light of the curing wavelength. The photo-curable medium preferably includes a photo-curable epoxy that cures in a time that is short compared to the settling time of the phosphor powder in the medium.

Abstract: A gating signal checker system and method are provided to perform clock gating check on a logic cell. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes logic that determines a clock transition time of a clock input into the logic cell, and logic that determines a transition time of at least one gating signal input into the logic cell. Also included in the gating signal checker system is logic that calculates a clock difference time between the clock transition time and the transition time of the at least one gating signal input into the logic cell, and logic that determines that the logic cell fails the clock gating check if the clock difference time is negative. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method performs a clock gating check on a logic cell by determining a clock transition time of a clock input into the logic cell, and determining a transition time of at least one gating signal input into the logic cell.