Abstract: Systems and methods for wideband active probing of devices and circuits in operation are provided. One such embodiment includes a probe amplifier housing that at least partially contains a probe amplifier circuitry. The probe amplifier circuitry and the probe housing are configured to be separately arranged and positioned from connected probing and signal monitoring apparatuses. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A connection device for establishing a coupling appropriate for transmission of an electrical or optical signal between a first connector piece and a second connector piece includes a socket, into which the first connector piece, which is designed as a plug, can be plugged detachable in one plug direction, and a base on which the second connector part is mounted or is mountable. The socket is adjustable with respect to the base transverse to the plug direction between a function position, in which the socket aligns with the second connector piece and in which the first connector piece can be plugged into the socket and is coupled with the second connector piece to transmit signals when plugged in, and a cleaning position, in which the socket is displaced to the side of the second connector piece and in which the second connector piece is exposed for cleaning.

Abstract: A system and method for using gamma correction in a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) display uses a reduced number of different increment values for generating a Vramp signal for the FLC display without noticeably increasing error. The increment values are based upon an inverse gamma curve having a selected gamma value. Using linear interpolation, the increment values are calculated with more increment values being calculated for the beginning of the curve than the flatter end portion of the curve. In addition, an illumination period and a balance period are used so that each pixel of the FLC display is on and off for the same amount of time. As a result, the average voltage across the FLC material is 0V.

Abstract: A cooling device includes a heat sink assembly that may also form a housing surrounding a chamber. The housing may be constructed of a plurality of cooling vanes which have elongated openings therebetween allowing air to pass between and cool the vanes. The cooling device operates in an extremely efficient manner, for example, by causing air to pass over the cooling vanes twice.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for evaluating Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that describe the level of services that are to be provided to customers by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or Enterprise Service Providers (ESPs). The method and apparatus are utilized to measure the quality of service being provided to customers and to determine whether or not the quality of service is in compliance with an SLA that characterizes the level of service to be provided to customers. Such services include, for example, electronic mail (e-mail), Voice-Over-IP (Voice Over Internet protocol), networking services and web hosting.

Abstract: Signal sampling is performed. A sampler takes samples of a sampled signal. A first analog-to-digital (A/D) converter receives the samples from the sampler. A clock reference is synchronous with the sampled signal. A phase comparator produces a difference value that indicates a phase difference between the clock reference and an oscillating signal. A second A/D converter receives the difference value. The oscillating signal is used in controlling when the sampler takes samples of the sampled signal.

Abstract: Error-related information acquired using a bit error ratio detector (BERT) is extrapolated on the basis of prior testing, in which measurements “superior” to those acquired by the BERT are used to provide an initial extrapolation calibration. For example, measures of data dependent jitter acquired by a digital communications analyzer (DCA) may be used to offset the less accurate jitter-related measures by the BERT. As a consequence, the benefits of a DCA and a BERT are combined, while using only the BERT.

Abstract: In order to make it easier to specify the area with a shape other than a rectangle on the image plane of an image pickup device and to analyze an element in the range thereof, a test method of an image pickup device is provided, which comprises the steps of: preparing a plurality of layers in which a rectangular area may be specified; giving a priority for each layer; placing the layers on top of each other so as to divide an image plane of an image pickup device into a plurality of areas; specifying a certain area among the plurality of areas; and performing data analysis on pixels of an image pickup device in a specified area.

Abstract: A parallel automatic synchronization system includes a variable delay devices for receiving and variably delaying N parallel transmitted channel data words over repetitive clock cycles in response to a synchronization latch clock and for synchronously clocking out the parallel data words by a local reference clock (FREF); sync logic devices for receiving repetitive control clocks corresponding to the transmitted channel data words, including a remote recovered clock (FFRM) and the local reference clock (FREF) and for generating the synchronization latch clock which determines the delay position of the variable delay of the delay devices; and output latch devices for clocking out the parallel data words from the variable delay devices with the local reference clock (FREF).

Abstract: Adjustment systems, methods, computerized methods and computer readable-mediums that can be used in time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) to account for thermal drift or mechanical strain are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for bonding gold wire to gold bond pads at temperatures lower than 125 degrees Celsius, and more particularly at room temperature, defined to be 25 degrees Celsius. By applying compressive force and ultrasonic energy, an intermetallic bond can be formed between a gold wire and a gold bond pad without elevating the temperature. Furthermore, the present invention uses ultrasonic energy with frequencies low enough to be in the range of commercially available wire bonders.

Abstract: In order to reduce polarization dependent error, the polarization state of incident light is set to at least two different states of polarization, and a first optical property is determined separately for each of said at least two states of polarization. Then, an averaging procedure is carried out in order to obtain a mean value of the first optical property or of a property derived therefrom. Alternatively, the averaging procedure can be performed with respect to a DUT property of a device under test that is determined as a function of said first optical property.

Abstract: Switchable optical components such as switchable mirrors and variable retarders are fabricated using a unique class of materials. These materials are thin film composites comprising of porous inorganic films imbibed with liquid crystal materials.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an end-user operator with the ability to assign temporary control of a set of one or more operator-specified instrument control operations to one, single-action switch on a signal measurement system front panel. The assigned instrument control operations are preferably represented by text strings in a macro text file that is developed and modified with the use of a text editor integrated into or operatively coupled with the signal measurement system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing two voltage domains is presented. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method and apparatus for interfacing a high voltage domain with a low voltage domain is presented. In one embodiment of the present invention, high output signals and low output signals are generated with a level-shifter. The level-shifter is used to interface the two domains. The low output signals are generated using a low-voltage driver and a first clipping stage. The high output signals are generated using a high-voltage driver and a second clipping stage. Duty-cycle distortion is lowered or eliminated by using an accelerator to accelerate the transition between the high output signals and the low output signals. Bias signals are input into the first and second stage. The bias signals work in a coordinated manner, to constrain the minimum and maximum outputs of various components in the level-shifter.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a plug-type connector for simultaneously connecting several coaxial cables, with said plug-type connector comprising a first plug part that is arranged on a first component and contains several first coupling elements in a first housing which are respectively connected to one of the coaxial cables, as well as a second plug part that is arranged on a second component and contains several second coupling elements in a second housing which are respectively connected to one of the coaxial cables. The two components can be separably connected to one another such that the plug parts become inserted into one another in a connecting direction.

Abstract: A flow control includes a support having a passage and a seal surface, a deformable seal that is engageable with the seal surface, and a bias member for exerting a variable bias against the deformable seal. The seal surface includes channels formed in its surface that extend beneath the deformable seal. The bias member can exert a bias sufficient to cause the deformable seal to fill the channels, preventing fluid flow through the channels. When the bias member decreases the bias against the deformable seal, the deformable seal gradually moves out of the channels, allowing fluid flow through the channels, and through the passage in the flow control. The deformable seal does not need to separate from the seal surface to allow fluid flow. Instead, fluid flows through the small, controlled flow areas created when the deformable seal withdraws from the channels.

Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) having a base-emitter junction that exhibits the desirable properties of a GaAsSb/AlInAs interface, but which includes an intermediate layer in the emitter such that the intermediate layer contacts the GaAsSb base and the AlInAs emitter. The intermediate layer is sufficiently thin to be substantially electrically transparent, but sufficiently thick to provide a surface over which to grow the AlInAs emitter. The intermediate layer may be of a material such as InP, which has a bulk lattice constant that matches the lattice constant of the GaAsSb base and the AlInAs emitter. Alternatively, the intermediate layer may be of a material having a lattice constant different than that of the GaAsSb base and the AlInAs emitter, but may be pseudomorphically grown so as to provide an apparent lattice-match to the GaAsSb base and the AlInAs emitter.

Abstract: An apparatus for the on-chip, soft repair of random access memory arrays. In repesentative embodiments, circuitry is disclosed which provides the ability to soft repair defective random access memory arrays. The disclosed techniques for repair of random access memory arrays do not use techniques such as laser repair in the removal of defective parts of the integrated circuit and its replacement with a redundant part. No additional processing steps are involved. The circuitry necessary to repair defects in random access memory arrays is included on-chip in the input/output blocks of the RAM.

Abstract: The flexural device-based suspension suspends a movable element with high compliance in a direction of travel and low compliance in a direction orthogonal to the direction of travel. The suspension comprises two flexural devices and a constraining element. The two flexural devices are connected to the movable element. Each of the flexural devices includes an elongate floating beam disposed substantially parallel to the direction of travel. The constraining element is for constraining relative motion of the floating beams in the direction of travel and for allowing the floating beams to move freely relative to one another in the orthogonal direction.