Abstract: An antenna array for use within a microwave imaging system includes a plurality of reflecting antenna elements, each capable of being programmed with respective phase-shifts in a first pattern to direct a first beam of microwave radiation towards a first target, and each being capable of being programmed with respective phase-shifts in a second pattern to direct a second beam of microwave radiation towards a second target. To capture a microwave image of an object, the antenna elements are programmed with respective phase-shifts in an interleaved pattern including a portion of the first pattern and a portion of the second pattern.

Abstract: Biopolymeric array scanners that are capable of automatically selecting a dye specific scale factor to employ for a plurality of different dyes, as wells as methods for making and using the same, are provided. In many embodiments, the actual dye specific scale factor automatically selected by the scanner is one that is equal to a preset “master” scale factor, so that the scanner reads any supported dye using the same constant scale factor. The dye specific scale factor selection is typically made by reference to a collection of nominal scale factors for each member of the plurality of dyes. In using the subject scanners, a user simply inputs the one or more dyes being used in a given array assay, and the scanner automatically reads the array using an automatically chosen dye specific scale factor for the selected dyes. Also provided are methods of obtaining collections of nominal scale factors and computer readable mediums comprising the same.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media for characterizing a chemical array. At least one metric indicative of accuracy of location of features on the chemical array by a feature extraction process used to extract signals from features of the chemical array may be generated, as well as additional metrics adapted to identify errors caused by a particular process used in generating the signals on the array. A quality control report may be generated to contain at least one metric indicative of accuracy of location and said at least one additional metric. Customized quality control reports may be generated by providing for user selection of at least one metric adapted to identify errors caused by a particular process used in generating signals on a chemical array, from plurality of metrics, and including such selections in the quality control report generated.

Abstract: A non-destructive process for evaluating subsurface damage in an optical element focuses a microscope at points within the optical element and measures the intensity of reflected light. In one embodiment, a microscope focus a laser beam at a measurement point with the optical element and also collects reflected or scattered light from damage in the optical element. Analysis of data indicating the reflected intensities for a three-dimensional array of points within the optical element can determine the location and severity of the subsurface damage.

Abstract: Current flows in a three-dimensional conductive or dielectric body embedded in a substrate of a different material are modelled in terms of surface currents induced in planar surfaces bounding the body and composed of the same material as the substrate, the surfaces having appropriate values for surface impedance.

Abstract: A device for manipulating ions which includes a perforated folder of electrically conductive material, a first electrode fixed to the holder and a second electrode extending parallel to the first electrode and spaced from the first electrode and holder. The second electrode is connected to the holder through a rigid support of electrically insulated material.

Abstract: A method for evaluating an orientation of a molecular array having features arranged in a pattern. An image of the molecular array is obtained by scanning the molecular array to determine data signals emanating from discrete positions on a surface of the molecular array. An actual result of a function on pixels of the image which pixels lie in a second pattern, is calculated. This actual result is compared with an expected result which would be obtained if the second pattern had a predetermined orientation on the array. Array orientation can then be evaluated based on the result.

Abstract: Decimation of data from a fixed length queue retaining a representative sample of the old data. Exponential decimation removes every nth sample. Dithered exponential decimation offsets the exponential decimation approach by a probabilistic amount. Recursive decimation selects a portion of the queue and removes elements.

Abstract: A housing, mass spectrometry system, and system for aligning a capillary in an ion source includes a housing having a movable panel and a window. A capillary is associated with the housing and the window. When the panel is in an open position the window provides a line of sight for viewing and aligning the capillary to a defined position, and when the panel is in a closed position the capillary is aligned within the ion source.

Abstract: A system and method are provided which enable parallel image reconstruction of multiple depth layers of an object. More specifically, a system and method are provided in which pixels are captured for an object and such pixels are processed to reconstruct voxels for multiple depth layers of the object in parallel. In one embodiment, a reconstruction processor comprises at least one input port for receiving pixels of a radiographic image of an object, and at least one input port for receiving position data associated with a received pixel. It further comprises processing logic operable to determine, based at least in part on the received position data of a received pixel, a first and second voxel of a first and second layer of the object, respectively, to which the received pixel contributes, and further operable to apply the contribution of the received pixel to the first and second voxels in parallel.

Abstract: At least two discrete quarter wave plates are provided for use as plane mirrors or reflectors in a displacement measuring interferometer, where the plates share common or substantially common reflecting surface geometries. A plurality of geometrically matched discrete matched quarter wave plates reduces the amount of tilt between an input beam provided to, and an output measurement beam provided by, an interferometer, resulting in increased interferometer dynamic range.

Abstract: A semiconductor testing system including an input; a display; multiple testing units; a memory in which is stored multiple applications that specify the operating procedure of the testing units and multiple categories that are related to the applications; and a controller that has the function of displaying the categories, displaying on the display the applications relating to the categories selected based on the input from the input, and conducting the applications that have been selected by the input from among the displayed applications and controlling the testing units, and the like.

Abstract: A single end to differential signal converter comprising a low-frequency transmission step, which mixes the direct current and low-frequency components of single-ended signals with in-phase voltage signals to generate low-frequency signals, and a high-frequency transmission step, which mixes the high-frequency component of these single-ended signals and these low-frequency transmission signals to generate differential signals.

Abstract: A microwave imaging system captures a microwave image of a target and minimizes noise in the microwave image using phase differentiation. A reflector antenna array is provided including a plurality of antenna elements for reflecting microwave radiation towards the target and for reflecting microwave radiation reflected from the target towards a microwave receiver. A processor programs the antenna elements with respective first phase shifts to capture a first microwave image of the target, and programs the antenna elements with respective second phase shifts to capture a second microwave image of the target. The first phase shift of each antenna element is 180 degrees different than the second phase shift for that antenna element. The processor minimizes noise from a combination of the first microwave image and the second microwave image.

Abstract: An IQ modulator's performance is optimized through determination of suitable control parameters by the application of known DC biases as the I and Q inputs. Also known are the relative amplitude and actual phase of the sine and cosine carriers to be modulated before they are summed. It is shown that by measuring an RMS voltage Atotal an appropriate number of times for a related combination of the applied DC biases in conjunction with the other known input parameters, a number of behavior parameters that are indicative of mixer performance can be discovered through analysis, such as the solution of a system of linear equations. The combination of behavior parameters may be assigned a Figure Of Merit (FOM) that can be taken as an indication of the degree to which mixer operation approaches ideal behavior. The control parameters may be perturbed over a selected range, and the extraction of the behavior parameters repeated.

Abstract: A communication device for W-CDMA signal transmission and reception includes a W-CDMA transmitter having at least one of a RAM and registers, a W-CDMA receiver having at least one of a RAM and registers, and a signal acquisition circuit. The communication device is software reconfigurable and further includes a digital circuit for phase unbalance precompensation in the W-CDMA transmitter. The digital circuit includes an input register holding a compensation angle and a section performing arithmetic calculations to acquire a change of an I, Q angle by the compensation angle. A method of operating a W-CDMA communication device includes the acts of configuring the device for a specific use, and performing at least one of transmitting, receiving and acquiring waveform signals. The configuring is preferably done by a processor.

Abstract: Capacitive leadframe testing techniques are improved through knowledge of characteristics of semiconductor junctions specific to nodes of device under test (DUT) that are connected to nodes under test of the DUT.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a photo-imageable material is deposited on a circuit structure. The photo-imageable material is then exposed to a pattern of radiation, thereby polymerizing portions of the photo-imageable. Un-polymerized portions of the photo-imageable material are then removed to define a solder mask having solder deposition areas. Solder is then deposited in the solder deposition areas. A circuit structure that may be produced in accordance with this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic instrument includes a rotary switch disposed to be rotated by the thumb of a user while the housing is gripped in the hand of the user. The rotary switch has a knob protruding from the front face of the instrument with a rotational axis centered approximately midway between longitudinal side walls of the housing. The rotary switch has a light rotational tension requiring a force of less than 300 grams for easy rotation by the thumb. Elastomeric over-molded side strips are attached along the longitudinal side walls and an elastomeric over-molded knob is attached along an indicator projection portion of the knob.

Abstract: A system for mapping dissimilar communication protocols is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises user communication information that spans at least two dissimilar communication networks, a first communication protocol associated with a first communication network, a second communication protocol associated with a second communication network, and a software code segment configured to detect a call setup identifier and a call tear-down identifier associated with the first communication protocol, the software code segment also configured to detect a call setup identifier and call tear-down identifier associated with the second communication protocol, where the call setup identifier and the call tear-down identifier associated with the second communication protocol may occur within a predetermined amount of time before or after the call setup identifier or the call tear-down identifier associated with the first communication protocol.