Abstract: A memory which is capable of reconfiguration between a first mode in which each storage cell is capable of storing a pair of data bits and a second mode in which each storage cell is capable of storing a single data. A memory according to the present teachings includes a storage cell having a first structure and a second structure each capable of a storage state and mechanisms for reconfiguring the memory between a first mode in which the storage states of the first and second structures indicate a first and a second data bit, respectively, and a second mode in which the storage states combine to indicate a data bit.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed toward an optical excitation/detection device that includes an arrayed plurality of photodetectors and discrete photoemitters, as well as a method for making such a device. A CMOS fabricated photodetector array includes an arrayed plurality of photoreceptor areas and photoemitter areas, wherein each photoreceptor area includes a CMOS integrated photoreceptor and each photoemitter area includes at least two buried electric contact pads. The CMOS array is selectively etched back at the locations of the photoemitter areas for regions to reveal the buried contact pads. A plurality of discrete semiconductor photoemitter devices (such as, for example, light emitting diodes) are inserted into, and mechanically retained within, the regions of the CMOS fabricated photodetector array.

Abstract: A preferred integrated circuit (IC) includes a first pad electrically communicating with at least a portion of the IC. The first pad includes a first driver and a first receiver, with the first driver being configured to provide a first pad output signal to a component external to the IC, and the first receiver being configured to receive a first pad input signal from a component external to the IC. The first receiver also is configured to provide, to a component internal to the IC, a first receiver digital output signal in response to the first pad input signal. A first test circuit also is provided that is internal to the IC. The first test circuit is adapted to provide information corresponding to the receiver setup time and/or the receiver hold time of the first pad. Systems and methods also are provided.

Abstract: A method for head positioning utilizing a positioning device that moves a head includes receiving position commands that control the positioning device and determining whether or not the distance between the current position and the movement target position exceeds the predetermined threshold, and if the above-mentioned distance does not exceed the above-mentioned predetermined threshold, moving the head along a predetermined fixed path, while if the above-mentioned distance exceeds the above-mentioned predetermined threshold value, selecting one of a plurality of other paths and moving the head along the selected path. Thus, the speed of head positioning is increased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for canceling the effect of radiated noise on an electronic signal is disclosed. Particularly, in an electronic camera, a noise cancellation circuit consisting of a control means for controlling the timing of a radiated noise signal generated by a noise-generating source, a storage means for storing an anti-noise signal that comprises a digital representation of a complement of the radiated noise signal; and a summing circuit for summing digital image signals containing the radiated noise signal component and the anti-noise signal are disclosed. The control means generates a control signal in synchronization with a pulse of a pixel sample clock. This control signal triggers the noise-generating source such that the radiated noise signal is also synchronized to the pulse of the pixel sample clock. The radiated noise signal is conducted into the electronic signal path.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ion source, e.g. for a mass spectrometer, that produces ions by atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). It includes a vaporizer, a photon source for photoionizing vapor molecules upon exit from the vaporizer, a passageway for transporting ions to, for example, a mass spectrometer system, and a means for directing the ions into the passageway. The center axis of the vaporizer and the center axis of the passageway form an angle that may be about 90 degrees. Included in the invention is a method for creating ions by atmospheric pressure photoionization along an axis and directing them into a passageway oriented at an angle to that axis.

Abstract: Improvement in the transmission of Boundary Scan Test mode data may be achieved through the assignment of boundary scan test mode traffic to selected bit patterns that facilitate clock recovery and frame alignment in the serial channel. The encoding of boundary scan test traffic as such may be achieved through either multiplexed transmission to the serializer/deserializer (SERDES) alongside a regular channel encoder or incorporated into the channel encoder.

Abstract: An immersed non-polarizing beamsplitter includes thin film groups and one or more additional thin films. Each of the thin film groups by itself fails to provide a non-polarizing reflection, but the combination of the thin film groups and the additional thin films provides a non-polarizing reflection. Each thin film group can consist of four layers, one of a higher refractive index material, two of an intermediate refractive index material, and one of a lower refractive index material, and at least one of the additional thin films is made of a material not used in the thin film groups. The additional thin films can precede, be between, or follow the thin film groups along the path of light through the beamsplitter. The order of the thin films in the groups can all be the same or can vary to improve performance of the non-polarizing beamsplitter.

Abstract: The optical domain optical signal sampling device is for sampling an optical signal-under-test and comprises a semiconductor saturable absorber, an optical sampling pulse source, an optical signal input and a light detector. The optical sampling pulse source is arranged to illuminate the semiconductor saturable absorber with optical sampling pulses. The optical signal input is arranged to illuminate the semiconductor saturable absorber with the optical signal-under-test. The light detector is arranged to receive optical samples of the optical signal-under-test output by the semiconductor saturable absorber in response to the optical sampling pulses.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring thin film deposition are described. In one aspect, a thin film deposition sensor includes an acoustical resonator (e.g., a thin film bulk acoustical resonator) that has an exposed surface and is responsive to thin film material deposits on the exposed surface. A substrate clip may be configured to attach the thin film deposition sensor to a substrate. A transceiver circuit may be configured to enable the thin film deposition sensor to be interrogated wirelessly. A method of monitoring a thin film deposition on a substrate also is described.

Abstract: Localizing bypass capacitance for the purpose of reducing or eliminating noise in power supplies in an integrated circuit (IC). After a data path block of macro cells has been constructed by the IC designer, a determination is made as to which cells of the macro cells comprise functionality that will not be used by the IC when it is operating. At least a plurality of cells that are determined to be cells that comprise functionality that will not be used when the IC is operating are filled with bypass capacitors. Because there are typically a large number of cells that will not be used when the IC is operating, filling a plurality or all of these cells with bypass capacitors ensures that bypass capacitors will be located in close proximity to power supplies on the IC, which ensures that the bypass capacitors will be effective at reducing or eliminating noise in the power supplies.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surface mount solder pad that is adapted to function as a heat sink for an electronic component soldered to the pad. The method comprises a step of providing a printed wiring board having a conductive layer disposed thereon. The method further comprises a step of selecting a size and arrangement of regions of a solder pad so as to sink sufficient heat. The method also comprises removing non-selected regions of the conductive layer to produce solder pads on the surface of the printed wiring board enhanced with features that promote heat transfer to sink enough heat generated by one of the surface mount components to provide for its proper operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing a device under test (“DUT”) calibrates a multiport test set and measures S-parameters [S] of the DUT. The method and apparatus further involves determining elements of a scalar orthogonal matrix [M] corresponding to terminals of the DUT and DUT modes of operation. The scalar orthogonal matrix [M] comprises a row of elements representing a single-ended terminal of the DUT, and four rows of elements representing a balanced terminal of the DUT. The S-parameters of the DUT are then transformed into mixed-mode S-parameters [Smm] according to Smm=MSM−1. A method of and apparatus for characterizing a DUT involves calibrating a multiport test set, coupling the DUT to the multiport test set, and measuring S-parameters of the DUT. The S-parameters are converted to a time domain representation and at least one of the S-parameters is convolved with a simulated input signal to generate an output response.

Abstract: A distributed system with an architecture based on synchronized clocks that provides accurate coordination of control functions. The distributed system includes a set of nodes coupled to a communication link. Each node has a clock which holds a real-world time. The nodes participate in a synchronization protocol on the communication link for synchronizing the real-world time in each clock. The architecture of the distributed system is such that the synchronization of control functionality in the distributed system is based upon the real-world time in the clocks. A variety of examples of applications for this architecture are set forth.

Abstract: An interferometer system is used to detect a wavelength of an unknown signal. The interferometer system includes a fringe pattern detection system and a power detecting system. The fringe pattern detection system measures an interference fringe pattern of the unknown signal. The power detecting system measures relative power of the unknown signal before the unknown signal enters the fringe pattern detection system. The relative power of the unknown signal is used to compensate for modulation within the unknown signal.

Abstract: A PDLC transmissive phase grating utilizing nematic liquid crystal materials confined in a polymer matrix. The PDLC grating operates in the Bragg regime and switches between diffracting and non-diffracting states via an applied electric field. The grating is made up of a PDLC grating film contained within a cell. The PDLC film has a spatially periodic distribution of grating planes which includes polymer-rich regions and liquid crystal-rich regions, wherein the major constituent of the polymer-rich regions is a polymer, and wherein the liquid crystal constituent concentration within the liquid crystal-rich regions is greater than the liquid crystal constituent concentration within said polymer-rich regions. The PDLC transmission phase grating is rendered substantially transparent when subjected to an electric field during the application of light that is p-polarized and incident on the grating at Bragg angle.

Abstract: An optical motion encoder for translation of movement information into a digital output. The optical encoder includes an optical member having a parabolic reflecting surface and a planar surface with a code pattern printed thereon. The light rays received by the parabolic reflecting surface from a light source positioned on the axis of symmetry of the parabolic reflecting surface are reflected as parallel light rays through the planar surface to be modulated by the code pattern and detected by a light detector. In this way, both, the collimator and the code wheel or code strip of prior art optical encoders are represented by a single optical member.

Abstract: A septum penetrable by a member and which maintains a seal following member penetration in an axial direction and withdrawal. The septum includes a first layer of resilient material having first and second opposed surfaces, and a second layer extending across the first surface of the first layer and which is in radial tension. A third layer under tension may extend across the second surface. Septum assemblies and methods of fabricating the septa are also provided.

Abstract: A surface-emitting laser (“SEL”) having predictable filamentation initiation. The SEL includes a light generation layer and first and second mirror layers. The first and second mirror layers reflect light generated in the light generation region back toward the light generation region. Each of the mirrors reflects light such that it adds coherently to the light generated in the light generation region or to the light reflected from the other mirror. One of the mirrors includes a localized imperfection which causes light interacting therewith to be attenuated or shifted in phase relative to light that does not interact with the imperfection region. As a result, lasing filaments are preferentially initiated in the regions adjacent to the localized imperfection.

Abstract: Sampling systems and methods that enable a photodetector to be sampled and read concurrently are described. This scheme may be used to implement a photocell in which image data from the photodetector may be collected during readout. In this way, the substantial non-integration periods that often characterize sampling schemes in which the sampling and readout functions are performed sequentially, especially when operating in a shuttered, non-rolling imaging mode, may be avoided.