Abstract: A method for allowing in-place programming of clock buffer delays of clock buffers in an integrated circuit clock tree is presented. The clock tree comprises at least one clock driver connected between a clock driver input line and a clock driver output line. Each clock driver comprises a plurality of clock buffers connected in series between the clock driver input line and, potentially, the clock driver output line. Metal is reserved in intervening metal layers within a clock driver block between the clock driver input line and the input of a first one of said plurality of clock buffers in the variable clock buffer chain. Metal is reserved on one or more metal layers for connecting the output of each of the clock buffers in the clock buffer chain to the clock driver output line. The metal layers are partitioned into one or more programming layers and one or more non-programming layers.

Abstract: A data synchronization cell is provided that comprises first and second synchronizers that are generally adjacent one another and that have their M1/S1 clock ports tied together. The result is that both synchronizers are driven by the same clock signal, which arrives substantially simultaneously at the M1/S1 clock ports of the synchronizers due to the fact that the synchronizers are side-by-side and their respective M1/S1 clock lines are tied together. Because the first and second synchronizers of the present invention are adjacent one another and have their respective M1/S1 clock lines tied together, clock skew is negligible and thus no buffer is needed between the synchronizers, which increases the amount of time allowed for resolution, reduces or eliminates the possibility of hold time violations occurring, and reduces the amount of area required to instantiate the synchronization cell.

Abstract: The optical switch comprises an input collimator, an output collimator, an input mirror, an output mirror and a converging optical element. The input collimator receives, collimates and outputs an input light beam. The input mirror is arranged to receive the light beam from the input collimator. The output mirror is arranged to receive the light beam reflected by the input mirror and reflects the light beam into the output collimator. The converging optical element is located to receive the light beam reflected by the input mirror and reflects the light beam onto the output mirror. An imaging element may be located between either or both of the input collimator and the output collimator and a respective one of the input mirror and the output mirror.

Abstract: A chip scale package assembly comprises an integrated circuit die wire bonded to a carrier for mounting to a printed circuit board. The carrier comprises top and bottom ground planes thermally and electrically bonded together by a number of grounded thermal vias. The top ground plane completely surrounds the wire bond signal connections made with the die, enhancing signal integrity. The top ground plane covers the die mounting area, providing grounding and heat spreading for the die. The thermal vias are also positioned in the mounting area, and thermally couple the die to the bottom-side ground plane. The bottom ground plane is positioned within a central area around which the signal connections from the top-side are arranged. Ground pads with attached solder balls are positioned within the bottom ground plane and conduct heat transferred from the die into a primary circuit board on which the carrier is mounted.

Abstract: An optical arrangement for direction dependent coupling out of light comprises a first and a second polarization converter each for converting the state of polarization of light received in a predetermined way. A polarization dependent coupling device is adapted for coupling out a portion of the light received, whereby the ratio of the coupled out portion substantially depends on the state of polarization of the light received. The polarization dependent coupling device is arranged between the first and the second polarization converters, and the optical arrangement receives from different sides light beams propagating in different directions. The characteristics of the first and the second polarization converters are adapted such that the polarization dependent coupling device receives light beams propagating with different states of polarization in the different directions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for connecting high-frequency circuit boards, and for providing an electrical connection between respective electrodes of two high-frequency circuit boards includes an electrode connecting member including a bar-shaped member having a predetermined sectional shape, and having connecting electrodes formed on a part of an outer periphery of the bar-shaped member. The connecting electrodes are located so as to provide an inter-connection between the respective electrodes of the two high-frequency circuit boards through the connecting electrodes and to be sandwiched between the respective electrodes thereof. The connecting electrodes are preferably composed of a plurality of electrode lines formed so as to be spaced at a predetermined interval on the outer periphery of the bar-shaped member.

Abstract: An apparatus having both a resonator and an inductor fabricated on a single substrate and a method of fabricating the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a resonator and an inductor that is connected to the resonator. Both the resonator and the inductor are fabricated over their respective cavities to produce a high Q-factor filter circuit.

Abstract: Channel and test plans 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 enables a monitoring system to generate and conduct automatic periodic node test plans based upon the predefined specifications. Each test plan prescribes measurement of at least one node and/or channel signal parameter. The monitoring system includes a spectrum analyzer, a switch enabling the spectrum analyzer to interface with the nodes, and a controller. The controller is configured to enable creation of and display the channel plan and test plan, and to automate the node testing. The test plan may include alarm thresholds that are triggered and tracked when a signal parameter of a node or channel exceeds an alarm threshold.

Abstract: In an array of acoustic resonators, the resonant frequencies of the resonators are adjusted and stabilized in order to achieve target frequency responses for the array. The method of adjusting is achieved by intentionally inducing oxidation at an elevated temperature. Thermal oxidation grows a molybdenum oxide layer on the surface of the top electrode of an electrode-piezoelectric stack, thereby increasing the relative thickness of the electrode layer to the piezoelectric layer. In one embodiment, the resonant frequency of an FBAR is adjusted downwardly as the top electrode layer increases relative to the piezoelectric layer. In another embodiment, the method of stabilizing is achieved by intentionally inducing oxidation at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: The long-wavelength photonic device comprises an active region that includes at least one quantum-well layer of a quantum-well layer material that comprises InyGa1-yAsSb in which y≧0, and that additionally includes a corresponding number of barrier layers each of a barrier layer material that includes gallium and phosphorus. The barrier layer material has a conduction-band energy level greater than the conduction-band energy level of the quantum-well layer material and has a valence-band energy level less than the valence-band energy level of the quantum-well layer material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a fluid tight seal between a capillary column and a connector. The method and apparatus are easy to employ and do not require the use of screws, ferrules, or additional tools. The method can be used for any capillary tubing as well as for megabore and microbore columns and tubing. In the method, a length of auxiliary tubing is placed over the outside of tubing requiring a fluid tight seal, such as a capillary column. After the capillary column is inserted into the connector, the length of auxiliary tubing is press-fit into the connector creating a secondary fluid tight seal. The auxiliary tubing provides additional mechanical stability during mechanical vibration and dramatically increases the tensile force required to compromise the fluid seal. This method can be used for many types of chromatography including gas chromatography and liquid chromatography. A connector assembly and fluid tight seal assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pivoting optics mount includes an optical element set on an optics holder that has a pivot element. Three actuators included in the pivoting optics mount maintain a mating of the pivot element with a complementary pivot element. Adjusting the lateral displacement of a tip of one or more of the actuators provides angular adjustment of the optical element. The pivoting optics mount includes a frame that fixes the position of the complementary pivot element relative to the actuators.

Abstract: A network operational parameter as experienced by network operational traffic is measured by selecting a packet traversing a first monitoring point in a network in accordance with capability in a data structure definition of the packet for having additional information incorporated in the packet. Predetermined information for measuring at least one network operational parameter is incorporated in the selected packet in accordance with its data structure definition, and the packet is forwarded towards its destination in accordance with addressing information in the packet. The packet is again selected while traversing a second monitoring point in the network in accordance with presence of the predetermined information, which is observed and used to implement a measurement of the network operational parameter in accordance with the observed information. The invention may be implemented by using extension headers in networks conforming to IPv6.

Abstract: A measurement management system adapted to communicate with one or more measurement instruments, comprises at least one driver, each being adapted for communicating with at least one measurement instrument, a database adapted for storing information, and a processing unit adapted for processing information. Data communication within the measurement management system is provided using an MMS data format, in which data content is separated from information about presentation or representation of the data content.

Abstract: An adjustable nanopore is fabricated by placing the surfaces of two planar substrates in contact, wherein each substrate contains a hole having sharp corners and edges. A corner is brought into proximity with an edge to define a triangular aperture of variable area. Ionic current in a liquid solution and through the aperture is monitored as the area of the aperture is adjusted by moving one planar substrate with respect to the other along two directional axes and a rotational axis. Piezoelectric positioners can provide subnanometer repeatability in the adjustment process. The invention is useful for characterizing, cleaving, and capturing molecules, molecular complexes, and supramolecular complexes which pass through the nanopore, and provides an improvement over previous devices in which the hole size of nanopores fabricated by etching and/or redeposition is fixed after fabrication.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting an object in terms of its position along a vertical axis, and its rotational orientation about either two orthogonal horizontal axes or about a vertical and a horizontal axis, utilizes a set of electric motors in conjunction with a mechanical guiding structure that substantially restricts the movement of the object to the desired translational and rotational directions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing integrated circuits are provided. One such method comprises: providing a target fault list corresponding to an integrated circuit, the target fault list including at least a first fault and a second fault; measuring a relationship between the first fault and the second fault, the relationship corresponding to which of the first fault and the second fault is more readily detected by automatic test pattern generation; ordering the first fault and the second fault within the target fault list in a manner corresponding to the relationship; and performing automatic test pattern generation based upon an order of the faults of the target fault list. Systems and other methods also are provided.

Abstract: A biochemical assay device optically scans individual biological sample containing wells in an assay plate. The device includes an imaging system overlaying the assay plate wherein a scanning light propagates by total internal reflection within an optical waveguide. The waveguide includes a plurality of pixel locations, each aligned with a well in the assay plate, at which total internal reflection is selectively frustrated to output an incident beam of light. That light illuminates the well and causes generation of an emission beam of light that is detected by a photoreceptor. The device further includes a driver circuit that controls the selective frustration of total internal reflection at each pixel location in order to scan each well in the assay plate. A processor is also included in the device to process the detected emission beams of light generated by the scanned wells for purposes of assaying the biological sample contained in each scanned well.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure MALDI (AP-MALDI) apparatus and method are disclosed wherein a laser beam is reflected from a surface on an ion transfer interface between an analyte target and a mass analyzer. After reflection, the laser beam irradiates the target, which may be disposed on a target substrate. An embodiment includes using a reflective surface on the interface also for viewing the target and, e.g., by means of signals from a processor, adjusting the relative position of the target substrate and the laser beam. The apparatus can also be operated at pressures that are less than or greater than atmospheric.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interpolating color image information are provided. One or more image data values for a portion of a digital image in a vicinity of a target pixel are received and stored in a local array. A processor determines whether there is an edge in the vicinity of the target pixel based on the data values in the local array. If there is not an edge in the vicinity of the target pixel, then long scale interpolation is performed on the image data values in the local array, in order to result in interpolating color information that is missing from the image. If there is an edge in the vicinity of the target pixel, then short scale interpolation is performed using image data values in a subset of the local array in a closer vicinity of the target pixel. As a result, accurate color rendering of a digital image is achieved, even in the presence of an edge portion that exhibits great contrast between regions of the image.