Abstract: An electronic test system with a multi-level tree structure for summarizing the results of the test. The levels of the tree correspond to the hierarchical levels in the execution of a test procedure. The highest level, or first level, represents the result for the whole test procedure. Level two represents the results of various tests. Level three represents the results of various measurements performed in a test, and level four represents the results for various datapoints for a given measurement. Preferably, each level in the tree structure is characterized by a graphical element. The graphical element provides the information on the status of the result at that level. In the tree structure, the results at a higher level are determined by summarizing the results at the adjacent sub-level.

Abstract: Method for diagnosing data packet transfer faults in a system under test (SUT) are provided. A representative method includes: identifying at least some portions of the data transmission paths of the SUT capable of introducing errors in data packet transfer; providing constraints defining data packet transfer relationships of at least some of the portions of the data transmission paths; and diagnosing the SUT with respect to the constraints. Systems, computer-readable media and other methods also are provided.

Abstract: A test executive system that allows running of selected tests. A graphical user interface allows the user to run all tests, run marginal and failed tests, or to run only selected tests. When the “run selected tests” option is selected, check boxes appear on a procedure tree. Selected Procedures, Tests, Measurements and Datapoints may then be selected by checking on a box and deselected by checking the box a second time. A check appears in selected boxes. The brightness of a checked box indicates how many lower level items are checked. The selected Procedures, Tests, Measurements and Datapoints can be saved and recalled.

Abstract: A method and system characterize jitter of an applied signal. The characterization includes acquiring a set of pseudo-randomly timed samples at a designated position on the signal, assigning a jitter value to each of the pseudo-randomly timed samples in the acquired set, and selecting a frequency from an array of frequencies based on a correlation of the assigned jitter values with the frequencies in the array. The periodic jitter associated with the signal is designated to have the frequency within the array of frequencies that has the highest correlation to the assigned jitter values.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a system comprising an analog baseband signal input, a conversion circuit with N Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs) operable to receive the analog baseband signal, and a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter operable to receive outputs of the N ADCs and to produce a digital representation of the analog baseband signal corrected for a mismatch in the N ADCs.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for detection of a target molecule. The apparatus includes a probe labeled with a transition metal-ligand complex that hybridizes with the target to form an initial complex, a metal ion for doping the initial complex and forming a final complex, and a potential means for providing a potential to the final complex to produce a detectable signal indicating the presence of the target after redox reaction. The method of the invention teaches the steps of hybridizing a probe with an attached label to the target to produce an initial complex, adding a metal ion to the initial complex to form a final complex and applying a potential to the final complex to produce a measurable signal.

Abstract: In a test order optimization method, a pass probability and resource requirement are identified for each of a plurality of tests. A pass-weighted resource requirement factor is then generated for each of the tests in accord with the test's pass probability and resource requirement. Thereafter, the tests are ordered to be executed in accord with their pass-weighted resource requirement factors.

Abstract: A closed-loop piezoelectric pump is disclosed for use in a fluid delivery system. The pump housing includes a movable diaphragm that defines a pumping chamber within the pump housing, the pumping chamber having an inlet for admitting fluid and an outlet for emitting fluid. A piezoelectric transducer is coupled to the moveable diaphragm and operates to produce a pumping action by varying the volume of the pumping chamber. The piezoelectric transducer may be used to generate an acoustic pressure pulse within the fluid delivery system and to sense reflections of the acoustic pressure pulse caused by impedance changes downstream of the pump. Properties of the fluid path downstream of pump may be determined from the characteristics of the sensed reflections.

Abstract: A channel plan with a corresponding test plan are implemented in connection with a plurality of nodes that communicate signals. The channel plan has one or more predefined specifications for each of one or more signal channels on each of the nodes. The channel plan may comprise a specification of the following, for example, for each of the channels: a label describing use of the corresponding channel, a center frequency, a bandwidth, a power level, information regarding the carrier roll-off, a default status indicator identifying whether the corresponding channel is currently allocated or reserved for future use, one or more default threshold levels for various tests, and an alternate center frequency that may be utilized by the corresponding channel. The channel plan enables a monitoring system to, among other things, conduct automatic periodic test plans, comprising tests, on the nodes, based upon the predefined data specified in the channel plan.

Abstract: An electronic test system that distinguishes erroneous and marginal results. The test system includes a memory and an electronic processor for controlling the execution of the test, obtaining test results and generating test results. The test results include a determination of whether the condition of the test datapoints is pass, fail, error or marginal, where pass indicates that the DUT has met a specification, fail indicates that the DUT has not met the specification, error indicates that the test system or interface to the DUT has failed, and marginal indicates that the system is marginally within specification. The test results are displayed on a graphical user interface. The test system provides the ability to control the progress of the test system based on the results. For example, the system can be programmed to stop on erroneous results, marginal results, failed results, combinations of the forgoing, or stop after each measurement.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an algorithm is employed to calibrate electronic circuitry that is adjustable according to operating parameters. The calibration causes an output component to be substantially nulled. The algorithm includes adjusting at least one of the operating parameters over a plurality of values, applying an input signal to the electronic circuitry concurrently with the adjusting, measuring magnitudes of the output component from the electronic circuitry produced in response to the input signal and the adjusting, wherein the plurality of values are selected such that the magnitudes are not substantially nulled, and providing the magnitudes and the plurality of values to a curve fitting algorithm to calculate a plurality of operating parameters that cause the output component to be substantially nulled.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for conducting chemical or biochemical reactions on a substrate surface in which the reactions take place in an enclosed chamber between components of a fluid and molecular moieties present on an interior surface of the chamber, wherein the improvement involves mixing the fluid during the reactions and maximizing contact between the fluid's components and the entirety of the reactive interior surface by (a) applying centrifugal force to the chamber and simultaneously (b) rotating the chamber about an axis thereof. The improved method is particularly advantageous in the context of a hybridization assay in which molecular components within a sample fluid hybridize to surface-bound molecular probes (e.g., as may be present in a spatially defined and physically addressable array) within a hybridization chamber, and wherein process and device parameters (e.g., sample volume, chamber volume, temperature, number of parts and materials, and the like) are critical.

Abstract: A probe for probing test points on a target board uses a printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of signal routes for routing signals to a test instrument. The probe also has a plurality of spring pins for probing the test points on the target board. Each of the spring pins is i) disposed perpendicularly to the PCB, and ii) electrically coupled to at least one signal route of the PCB. By way of example, the spring pins may be fit into holes in the PCB or, alternately, they may be electrically coupled to signal routes of a second PCB that is perpendicularly abutted to the first PCB. Methods for making and using such probes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A software product tests and monitors an Internet server system. Advantageously, the software product communicates with a web browser without the need for other client software to configure transactions. The user of the web browser is guided through web pages to record, edit, and playback transactions. Recording may occur over a secure connection. The software product performs automated tests using the transactions in addition to measuring both system performance data and business performance data. The software product generates alarms when thresholds are exceeded. The test data, performance data, and alarms are correlated in time and presented graphically to the user.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of distributing network management tasks and policies within network management systems. Distribution of management tasks and policies onto concurrently operating management server allows for increased processing capabilities. Data control behavior may be defined on gateway machines used to normalize network messages. Such data control behavior facilitates in determining which policies are relevant to various networking situation as well as transmitting information regarding the network situations to appropriate management servers.

Abstract: Highly purified, porous silica microspheres contain functional groups which are capable of selectively binding to reaction impurities, such as excess reactant or reaction by-products, which are contained in a reaction medium. The reaction impurities can thereby be efficiently removed from the reaction medium, providing a convenient method for product purification.

Abstract: A coaxial interface to a planar transmission structure of a printed circuit board (“PCB”) is provided in a shielded edge launch connector. The shielded edge launch connector is suitable for use in surface mount technology (“SMT”) applications. A center pin of the shielded edge launch connector is soldered to a solder pad on the PCB, which couples the center pin to a center conductor of the planar transmission structure. Shielding incorporated in the shielded edge launch connector is soldered to ground areas on a surface of PCB, electromagnetically shielding the center and providing a ground path to wrap ground current around the center pin from the surface of the PCB. Wrapping the ground current to a surface of the PCB reduces the sensitivity of the high-frequency performance of the system to PCB thickness and edge tolerances, providing improved impedance continuity.

Abstract: In a method and system, one or more communication devices within a communication network are provided with a dynamically and remotely configurable probe element, implemented at least partially in software and controllable by the network operator via one or more communication links, capable of monitoring, measuring and capturing user interaction data flowing from voice and/or data transactions occurring in the network. User interaction data reflects a user's experience on the network and thus provides valuable raw data usable by the network operator for improving network quality from the user's perspective, especially when received from a statistically significant number of network user devices. Collected user interaction data can include network engineering metric data and/or user profile data.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which enable flexibility in configuring management behavior of a management system. More specifically, according to a preferred embodiment, management behavior is controlled by management policies that specify management actions to be performed for managing a communication network, for example. A user may specify the management actions to be performed by a management policy and the process flow to be utilized by the management policy in performing such management actions. Thus, not only are the particular management actions to be performed by the management policy configurable by the user, but the process flow in performing such management actions is also configurable by the user. Accordingly, the user has great flexibility in configuring the behavior of a management policy as desired.

Abstract: A laser signal is monitored. The laser signal is forwarded to an etalon. Light transmitted through the etalon is detected. Light reflected from the etalon is detected. A ratio is calculated from the detected light transmitted through the etalon and the light reflected from the etalon.