Abstract: A confocal imaging system for imaging a surface. The system includes an area array sensor having rows of sensors for detecting light reflected from the surface, and an optical system arranged to focus light from different focal planes on the surface to different sensor rows of the area array sensor.

Abstract: A tube and a pair of optical frames are employed within an optical connector mount to optically couple two or more optical elements. The optical frames are used to mount the optical elements on the optical connector mount, and the tube is adjoined to the optical frames to allow and maintain the optical alignment of the optical elements. The adjoining of a tube to one of the optical frames involves either a seating and locking of a spherical segment of the tube within a tube seat of the optical frame, or a seating and locking of a spherical segment of the optical frame within a frame seat of the tube.

Abstract: A method of and an arrangement for characterizing non-linear behavior of RF and microwave devices under test in a near matched environment. The method comprises the steps of exciting the device by an RF signal under different load conditions, measuring signal data at input and output ports of the device, verifying whether the measurement data meet predetermined quality criteria; calculating, from the measurement data, model parameters of a predetermined model for characterizing the non-linear behavior of the device, and verifying assumptions made in the characterization model by collecting additional measurement data and comparing same with data calculated from the model using the model parameters calculated. The load conditions are obtained by connecting to the output port of the device a matched load, an open, a short and a plurality of attenuators and delays.

Abstract: A method for determining via placement for wireless test fixture printed circuit boards (PCBs) utilizes the fixed test interface pattern of the bottom conductive pads to quickly locate the nearest bottom pad to a given top pad. The distance between the top pad and its nearest bottom pad is then calculable based on the coordinates of the respective pads on the PCB. If the distance is greater than a predetermined clearance requirement, a via is placed within the interior of the nearest bottom pad; otherwise, the via is placed exterior to the nearest bottom pad.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device such as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) includes a tunnel junction that conducts a current of holes tunneling into an active region. Tunneling in a selected area of the tunnel junction is disabled to form a current blocking region that confines the current to desired regions. Tunneling can be disabled in the selected area using techniques including but not limited to implanting or diffusing dopants, disrupting crystal structure, or etching to remove part of the tunnel junction.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and method for selectively transmitting optical signals utilizes an optical component having a controllable optical state to selectively manipulate the optical signals so that transmission of the optical signals through the optical apparatus is controlled. The optical apparatus is configured so that optical signals from a first port of the optical apparatus are transmitted to a second port of the optical apparatus regardless of the optical state of the optical component. The optical apparatus is further configured so that optical signals from the second port are not transmitted to the first port unless the optical component is switched to an active optical state.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a ceramic substrate. A die including a film bulk acoustic resonator receive-band filter, positioned on the ceramic substrate, having an input and an output, includes a plurality of film bulk acoustic resonators. The filter assembly includes a first and a second loop of current. The first loop includes a first wire bond connected to the input of the die, and a second wire bond connected to a first one of the plurality of film bulk acoustic resonators. The second loop includes a third wire bond connected to the output of the die, and a fourth wire bond connected to a second one of the plurality of film bulk acoustic resonators, wherein the first loop induces parasitic current in the second loop. The first and the second wire bonds are positioned proximate to one another to minimize the area of the first loop, and the third and the fourth wire bonds are positioned proximate to one another to minimize the area of the second loop.

Abstract: An electronic test system having an object oriented hierarchical infrastructure including classes that allow a test developer or a test user to design a desired electronic test system. The class relationships define the function of the electronic test system. Classes include a procedure class, a test class, a measurement class, a datapoint class, a parameter class, a DUT class, a test system class, a specification class, a run procedure class, a result class, a plug-in class, an exec class, a model class, a device class, a test system device class, a user menu item class, an application class, and a state class. These classes are implemented in a hierarchical structure in which a datapoint is a subset of a measurement, a measurement is a configuration for a test, a test is a group of measurements that share the same test algorithm, and a procedure is an ordered list of tests to be run, and includes a list of measurements and datapoints.

Abstract: A system for monitoring water concentration in gaseous sample is disclosed. It is readily applicable in the synthesis of biopolymer arrays/microarrays involving the use of water-sensitive reagents. A flow cell is provided in which a capacitance sensor is placed separate from a production or synthesis environment. Sample and dry gas may be provided to the flow cell via conduits and valves or a manifold system. Dry gas, such as N2, is used to dry the sensor or simply to maintain it in a dried condition. The same gas may be used to drive an optional venturi pump to draw sample for measurement into the cell from the synthesis environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical relay in which a solid slug is moved within a channel and used to make or break an electrical connection. The solid slug is moved by electromagnets. In the preferred embodiment, the slug is wetted by a conducting liquid, such as liquid metal, that also adheres to wettable contact pads within the channel to provide a latching mechanism. The relay is amenable to manufacture by micro-machining techniques.

Abstract: A spectrum analyzer providing an integrated calibration function and for providing that calibration function automatically. The injection of light to be analyzed through a central aperture of a scanning grating onto a focusing reflector provides in combination four traversals of the space therebetween. The spectrometer thus is used to separate wavelength information spacially and receive it back at the same or adjacent aperture(s) to be analyzed by a processing system to establish the spectra for the incident light. The light is typically injected from and received back into optical fibers or other light carrying elements. Calibration light is also applied through the same or adjacent apertures in the grating from a known source and spectra such as Argon to use as a calibration reference by detecting the known spectra peaks and correlating it to grating scan angle.

Abstract: A method for determining the optimum placement of supports on a PCB of a wireless test fixture is presented. In accordance with the invention, an optimum support placement calculator determines the location of maximum deflection based on the boundary conditions and loaded conditions of the board, including the locations and forces of components loaded on the board, including traces and conductive pads, mounting hardware, electrical components, and probes contacting the board. A support is placed at the location of maximum deflection that does not coincide with any component location. The support is then added to the known boundary and loading conditions and the process repeated for additional supports until the amplitude of maximum deflection is below a predetermined maximum deflection threshold.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method to implement a column interleaving function, comprising the steps of:

Abstract: A method of creating service usage records summarising usage of mobile data communications services, comprises monitoring message packets traversing a signalling link between a serving support node and a gateway support node, these message packets including packets for tunnelling data being transported by a mobile data communications service. First information is extracted from the data tunnelling packets, relating to data being tunnelled by said packets, and second information is extracted, relating to implementation of the data tunnelling. The correlating said first and second information are correlated to generate a service usage record. A source of data packets can be characterised by examining a tunnel destination address in each monitored message packet, and characterising the message packet as mobile-originated if the tunnel destination address is a gateway support node and as mobile-terminated if the tunnel destination address is a serving support node.

Abstract: The packaging system comprises a mechanical support, an insulating substrate and an electronic circuit. The mechanical support has a first support element that extends at a non-zero angle from a second support element. The insulating substrate has a first portion and a second portion in contact with the first support element and the second support element, respectively. The first portion is contoured to define at least one access hole. The optical communications device and the electronic circuit are mechanically coupled to the first support element. Either or both the optical communications device and the electronic circuit is mechanically coupled to the first support element through a respective one of the at least one access hole. The packaging device additionally comprises a conductive track extending between the electronic circuit and the optical communications device on the first portion of the insulating substrate.

Abstract: A temperature and process compensated voltage controlled amplifier circuit achieves a prescribed power level over a wide dynamic range. The amplifier circuit has a power amplifier and a peak-to-peak detector that are integrated parts of an integrated circuit. The power amplifier outputs an amplified RF signal having an amplified peak-to-peak voltage amplitude. The peak-to-peak detector receives the amplified RF signal and generates a detector output signal having a direct current voltage component that is substantially proportional to the amplified peak-to-peak voltage amplitude. The power amplifier receives the detector output signal and uses it to achieve an amplified peak-to-peak voltage amplitude corresponding to a prescribed power level. The peak-to-peak detector includes transistors with identical threshold voltages.

Abstract: The optical domain optical signal sampling device comprises an electrical sampling pulse source and an electrically-controlled optical modulator. The electrically-controlled optical modulator comprises electro-optical material, an optical waveguide located in the electro-optical material and including a bifurcated region, and electrodes disposed along the bifurcated region. The optical waveguide is arranged to receive an optical signal-under-test. At least one of the electrodes is connected to receive electrical sampling pulses from the electrical sampling pulse source. The electrical sampling pulses generate an electric field between the electrodes that differentially changes the refractive index of the electro-optical material in the bifurcated region of the optical waveguide to sample the optical signal-under-test.

Abstract: A medium for use in electrophoresis comprising N-methylurea and a polyacrylamide gel. In particular, the medium is used in a system and method of electrophoretic separation comprising the introduction of a sample to the medium, and applying an electric field across the medium.

Abstract: A carrier is extracted from a stream of optical signals including plural wavelength division, multiplexed carriers modulated by corresponding signals while a carrier having the same wavelength as the extracted carrier is inserted into the stream. The stream of optical signals and the carrier to be inserted are coupled to a tunable wavelength selector having first wavelength and phase shift properties. Tuning of the wavelength selector is changed, so it has second wavelength and phase shift properties such that the entire stream of optical signals is coupled from an input port to an output port via the tunable wavelength selector, and the extracting and inserting operation is not performed while the tuning is changed. The other carriers are coupled from the input port to the output port via the selector while extracting and inserting are performed, and the selector has the first wavelength and phase shift.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a device chip having circuit elements fabricated on a substrate and a cap covering at least a portion of the device chip including the circuit elements such as thin film resonators. The placement of the cap on the device chip is sealed using a gasket having treaded surface for improved adhesion, cold weld deformation of gold, and decreased susceptibility to foreign particles resulting in a superior seal.