Patents Assigned to Agilent Technologies, Inc.
  • Methods and apparatus for characterizing board test coverage
    Patent number: 6792385
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for characterizing board test coverage. In one method, potentially defective properties are enumerated for a board, without regard for how the potentially defective properties might be tested. For each potentially defective property enumerated, a property score is generated. Each property score is indicative of whether a test suite tests for a potentially defective property. Property scores are then combined in accordance with a weighting structure to characterize board test coverage for the test suite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Parker, Kathleen J. Hird, Erik A. Ramos
  • Fibre channel interface controller that performs non-blocking output and input of fibre channel data frames and acknowledgement frames to and from a fibre channel
    Patent number: 6791989
    Abstract: A method and system for non-blocking processing of data frames and link-control frames within an interface controller component of a fiber channel node. Separate FIFO queues are provided for queuing incoming FC data frames and ACK frames and a separate FIFO queue and list are provided for queuing outgoing FC data frames and buffering outgoing ACK frames. An outbound sequence manager component of the interface controller directly processes incoming ACK frames, transforming them into end-to-end credits that allow the outbound sequence manager to transmit additional FC data frames to the remote node that sent the processed ACK frame. Thus, processing of ACK frames, unlike in prior art interface controller implementations, is neither delayed nor blocked by previously received, but as yet unprocessed, FC data frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Harold Steinmetz, Matthew Paul Wakeley
  • Gettering agent and method to prevent corrosion in a fluid switch
    Patent number: 6787720
    Abstract: Fluid-based switch and methods for reducing oxides and corrosion products within the switch are disclosed. In one method, oxides are reduced by depositing a gettering agent within the cavity, depositing a switching fluid on a first substrate, and mating the first substrate to a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate defining therebetween a cavity holding the switching fluid, the cavity being sized to allow movement of the switching fluid between first and second states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin Glenn Wong
  • Optical frequency discriminator
    Patent number: 6788424
    Abstract: An optical frequency discriminator includes an interferometer cascaded with an absorption cell that provide a composite signal. A receiver samples a composite signal and maps to the sample positions of the acquired samples, corresponding optical frequencies of an applied optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E Bussard, Mark D Zinser, James R Stimple, Jeffrey Elmer Pape
  • Wafer-level package with silicon gasket
    Patent number: 6787897
    Abstract: A gasket encloses a hermetically sealed environment between a cap wafer and a base wafer. The gasket is bonded to the base wafer using bonding material. The bonding material can be one or more of many substances that exhibit acceptable adhesion, sealing, and other properties that ensure a hermetically sealed environment. The gasket is carved out from the cap wafer material itself. The cap wafer is typically made of extremely strong and rigid material such as silicon. Since the gasket is made from the cap wafer, the gasket itself is also extremely strong and rigid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S Geefay, Qing Gan, Ann Mattos, Domingo A Figueredo
  • Determination of optical properties of a device under test in transmission and in reflection
    Patent number: 6788396
    Abstract: The present invention relates to determination of optical properties, e.g. polarization dependent loss (PDL), polarization mode dispersion (PMD), differential group delay (DGD), insertion loss, return loss and/or chromatic dispersion (CD), of a device under test (DUT) in transmission and in reflection of an optical beam. The invention is disclosing an element that is at least partly transmissive and at least partly reflective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf Stolte, Patrick Ziegler
  • Method of reducing the effects of varying environmental conditions in a measuring instrument and measuring instrument using the method
    Patent number: 6788402
    Abstract: A method of reducing the effects of varying environmental conditions on a measuring instrument includes thermally insulating a measuring unit such that the effects of variations of environmental conditions on selected components of the measuring unit are substantially reduced, while allowing dissipated heat generated within the measuring unit to leave the measuring unit. The method also includes controlling a first temperature in the measuring unit by means of a control loop which includes a temperature sensor and means to influence the first temperature in the measuring unit in such a way that temperatures at locations with selected components are kept substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hubert Kuderer, Konrad Teitz, Detlev Hadbawnik
  • Coherent analyzer for multi-port optical networks
    Patent number: 6788395
    Abstract: An optical interface device for use in coherent testing of a device for its response to a stimulus signal. The interface includes a reference signal generator for generating a reference signal and a stimulus signal from the light signal input to the interface. A first optical switch routes the stimulus signal to one of the device test ports. A second optical switch routes a light signal from the device under test to the test signal output port. A plurality of optical routers are utilized for connecting the device test ports to the first and second switches. The output of the optical routers also provides a signal related to the intensity of the light signal leaving the device test port for use in correcting the data for variations in intensity in the stimulus light signal. A polarization synthesizer for setting the polarization state of the stimulus signal may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Baney, Wayne V. Sorin
  • Device, method, and system for detecting the presence of liquid in proximity to electronic components
    Patent number: 6787718
    Abstract: An elongated sensor is provided for detecting the presence of a liquid in an electronics system. The sensor includes an elongated sensor element having a pair of adjacent electrical conductors, and a liquid permeable material that when dry electrically insulates the conductors, and when wet with a liquid at any point along the length of the conductors allows electric coupling of the conductors. The sensor also includes a detector operable to detect the presence of the liquid by sensing the electrical coupling of the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John William Andberg, Stephen Jerry Chaikin
  • Determination of properties of an optical device
    Patent number: 6788419
    Abstract: A method of determination of a property of an optical device under test includes using a first initial coherent light beam, changing a first initial property of the first initial light beam, coupling the first initial light beam to the device under test, detecting a first signal of the first initial light beam received from the device under test, and correcting any a non-linearity in the first signal by interpolating the first signal on a linear scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jens Cierullies, Ernst Brinkmeyer
  • Method for low temperature photonic crystal structures
    Patent number: 6786968
    Abstract: A method for making photonic crystal structures using amorphous silicon that is temperature compatible with a wide variety of substrates. Both hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated amorphous silicon may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy A. Theil
  • Devices, systems and methods for position-locking cursor on display device
    Patent number: 6788284
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for position-locking a cursor on a display device are provided. A preferred input device includes a position-locking device configured to electrically communicate with a computer. The position-locking device incorporates a lock-enable switch which, when activated, locks a position of the cursor on the display device of the computer while enabling functional information, provided by the mouse-type input device of the computer, to provide selected functionality of the cursor. Additionally, when disabled, the position-locking device unlocks the position of the cursor so that the cursor is movable about the display area in response to the movement information provided by the mouse-type device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason H. Culler
  • Method for producing thin bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) with different frequencies on the same substrate by subtracting method and apparatus embodying the method
    Patent number: 6787048
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a resonator, and in particular, a thin film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR), and a resonator embodying the method are disclosed. The resonator is fabricated on a substrate by fabricating a bottom electrode layer and a piezoelectric (PZ) layer over the bottom electrode layer. A selected portion of the PZ layer is partially etched. Then, a top electrode is fabricated over the selected portion of the PZ layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Bradley, Richard C. Ruby, John D. Larson, III
  • System and method for allocating logic analyzer hardware resources
    Patent number: 6789217
    Abstract: Systems and methodologies for use in signal measurement systems that acquire and store signal data in accordance with a trigger specification. In particular, the present invention is directed to a hardware resource allocator that is interposed between the signal acquisition hardware of a logic analyzer and the user interface on which a signal measurement specification model is presented to the operator. The hardware resource allocator translates the measurement requirements as specified by the user on the user interface to commands for allocation and control of the appropriate combination of hardware resources. Generally, the hardware resource allocator allocates and configures the requisite hardware resources and translates the measurement specification to hardware control data used by software drivers to program the signal acquisition hardware resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad H Slaugh, Jeffrey John Haeffele
  • Switch and method for producing the same
    Patent number: 6787719
    Abstract: A switch and method for producing the same. In one embodiment, the switch is produced by depositing a liquid switching element on a substrate, the volume of the liquid switching element being more than needed to fulfill a switching function. A channel plate is moved toward the substrate, the channel plate having a main channel with at least one reservoir fluidically connected thereto, an excess portion of the liquid switching element flowing into the least one reservoir. The channel plate is closed against the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin Glenn Wong
  • Method and apparatus for performing eye diagram measurements
    Patent number: 6785622
    Abstract: An eye diagram analyzer equips each SUT data and clock signal input channel with individually variable delays in their respective paths. For a range of signal delay of n-many SUT clock cycles, the SUT clock signal delay might be set at about n/2. For each data channel there is specified a point in time relative to an instance of the delayed clock signal (data signal delay) and a voltage threshold. The specified combination (data signal delay, threshold and which channel) is a location on an eye diagram, although the trace may or may not ever go through that location. A counter counts the number of SUT clock cycles used as instances of the reference for the eye diagram, and another counter counts the number of times the specified combination of conditions was met (“hits”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A Nygaard, Jr.
  • EMI reduction of voltage inverters by way of controlled randomized modulation of oscillating signals
    Patent number: 6784625
    Abstract: A switching control circuit for a voltage inverter generates an oscillating signal that causes reduced electromagnetic interference by the voltage inverter by way of modulating the frequency of the oscillating signal within a specified frequency range. A randomized signal generator creates a randomized signal, which is then used to drive a frequency range converter that is employed to produce a frequency modulation signal. The current state of the frequency modulation signal is based on the current state of the randomized signal, with the frequency range converter limiting the current state of the frequency modulation signal so that the oscillating signal will only operate within the specified frequency range. A variable frequency oscillator then generates the oscillating signal whose frequency is based on the current state of the frequency modulation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Andrews
  • Package for opto-electrical components
    Patent number: 6783393
    Abstract: A package for opto-electrical components includes a casing having a chamber, and an optical feed-through between the chamber and the casing exterior. At least one board or tile adapted to carry opto-electrical components is in the chamber. The board or tile creates a solid mechanical structure with the casing while providing electrical ohmic connections with a set of electrical connections on the casing. The board or tile is from of an assortment of boards or tiles of different types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Giampaolo Bendelli, Enrico Di Mascio, Mario Puleo, Marco Scofet
  • Active pixel sensor with enhanced reset
    Patent number: 6784930
    Abstract: An active pixel sensor arrangement that provides sub-sampling and reset of all pixel cells after sub-sampling. In one embodiment, logic is provided between sampled and non-sampled rows to propagate reset signals to the non-sampled rows when the sampled rows are reset. In another embodiment, reset of non-sampled rows is implemented with control logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray A. Mentzer
  • Solder-down printed circuit board connection structure
    Patent number: 6783371
    Abstract: An electrical connection structure terminates an electrical signal wire while electrically coupling the wire to a target circuit board. A rigid printed circuit board or flex circuit is attached in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the target board by way of solder. A termination circuit is then mounted near the end of the rigid board or flex circuit that is attached to the target circuit board, with the termination circuit electrically coupling the signal wire with the target circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby J Self, Clarence Keith Griggs