Abstract: A method of fabricating an array with multiple sets of neighboring features. In the method, for each of multiple sets of neighboring features, at least one set of drops is deposited from a corresponding same pulse jet dispenser onto a substrate so as to form the array with the sets formed from drops deposited by respective different dispensers. Apparatus and computer program products which can execute a method of the invention, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an up/down converter with low phase noise. Signals from a first local oscillator are fed through a power splitter to first and second mixers. Signals from a second local oscillator and signals from the power splitter are mixed by the second mixer. The frequency component of the difference between the two signals is removed by a first bandpass filter and passed to a third mixer. Input signals are mixed with signals from the power splitter by the first mixer, and the lower frequency component of the output signals from the first mixer is removed by a second bandpass filter and is passed to the third mixer. Signals from the first and second bandpass filters are mixed by the third mixer. The higher frequency component of the output signals is removed by a low pass filter and is output.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for validating a number of objects in a software application such as a testing system. The system comprises a processor and a memory that are electrically coupled to a local interface that may comprise, for example, a data bus and associated control bus. Stored on the memory and executed by the processor is a software application that includes validation logic. Broadly stated, the validation logic includes logic to detect at least one actual problem in an object of the software application, and logic to display at least one problem indication corresponding to the at least one actual problem in a context of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method permits quick response to a transition at an input port and subsequent propagation of the transition to the output port while being able to process a wide variety of input signal properties. A receiver apparatus comprises at least first and second receivers, each receiver accepting an input signal and tuned for optimal response to a set of known input signal properties. Either first and second primary transition propagation elements or secondary transition propagation element propagates a first transition from one of the receivers. A universal transition propagation element propagates the first transition to an output. A pass gate receives a signal based upon the output and inhibits transmission of the signal based upon the output until the first and second intermediate signals are equivalent whereupon the pass gate is placed in low impedance state permitting the signal based upon the output to be held in a storage node as the preset signal.

Abstract: A circuit design system that obtains low power circuit design through judicious module selection. The circuit design system implements methods that enable advantageous design tradeoffs between low power behavior and a set of design constraints during module selection. The circuit design system selects unsigned modules which consume less power than signed modules where permitted in view of a desired response of a circuit and where advantageous for low power behavior while not violating the design constraints.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging features of an object constructed from a material that includes a first element in the presence of features constructed from a material that includes a second element. The apparatus utilizes a filtered x-ray spectrum to image the object. The filtered x-ray spectrum is generated from a polychromatic x-ray source having energies below a maximum energy. The maximum energy is greater than a dominant absorption edge of the first element. The filter includes a filter element having a dominant absorption edge greater than or equal to a dominant absorption edge of the second element. The filter removes x-rays that would otherwise be absorbed by the second element, thereby improving the relative contrast of images based on x-ray absorption of the first element.

Abstract: Display of signals containing inter-symbol interference (ISI). An input signal is modeled as comprising an ideal signal plus ISI plus error. In a first embodiment of the invention, an error signal and an ideal signal are derived from the input signal. The ideal signal is combined with the error signal producing an ideal signal with errors. In a second embodiment of the invention, a first signal comprising the ideal signal plus ISI plus error is derived. A second signal comprising only ISI is derived, and subtracted from the first signal, producing a signal containing the ideal signal plus error.

Abstract: A shielded serpentine extension, internal signal path and receptor result in a flexible shielded interface for a circuit board that can be formed consistent with efficient circuit board fabrication processes. The shielded serpentine extension, continuous with the circuit board, has a receptor at an end that is distal from the circuit board. The receptor has a signal contact and a shield contact adapted to receive a surface mount connector. A signal path internal to the serpentine extension couples the signal contact of the receptor to the circuit board. The serpentine extension has shielding disposed about the signal path that couples the shield contact to the circuit board.

Abstract: Measurement and correction of encoder errors in a servo loop. By driving the servo system on a predetermined trajectory such that encoder errors occur at frequencies outside the servo loop response, these errors are sampled. Sampled encoder error data is filtered to produce correction data, which may be applied inside or outside the servo loop.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferroelectric capacitor is disclosed. The method comprises decreasing a reduction in a bottom electrode material during formation of the ferroelectric dielectric portion of the capacitor. The method comprises forming an oxygen doped iridium layer and forming a ferroelectric dielectric layer thereover. During the formation of the ferroelectric, the oxygen doped iridium layer converts to an iridium oxide layer.

Abstract: A printer pen carriage support for a printer is disclosed. The printer pen carriage support includes a cantilever that fits within a groove of a pen carriage and provides support for the pen carriage. Support structures, such as bushings or bearings, may be included to assist in pen carriage movement along the cantilever.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for executing an integrated circuit (IC) test program including at least one calling instruction partitions at least one called subroutine into first and second subroutine portions, loads IC test program instructions into a primary memory, loads the first subroutine portion into the primary memory contiguous with the calling instruction, inserts a memory transfer access instruction after the first portion, and loads a remainder of the IC test program instructions into primary memory. The method then executes instructions from primary memory. Execution of the calling instruction in the primary memory causes the second subroutine portion to be loaded into a FIFO element from a secondary memory. The first subroutine portion executes from the primary memory. Execution of the memory transfer access instruction initiates fetching and executing the second portion of the called subroutine from a first-in-first-out (FIFO) element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determination of a property of an optical device under test, e.g. the group-delay of the optical device under test, by: a) tuning an optical frequency &lgr; of an optical beam (4), b) deriving a dependency of the optical frequency &lgr; of the optical beam (4) over a first time period t, c) deriving a dependency of the optical property of the device under test (18) over a second time period t+&Dgr;t, d) synchronizing the time dependency of the optical frequency &lgr; of the optical beam (4) with the time dependency of the optical property of the device under test (18), and e) deriving the frequency dependency of the optical property of the device under test (18) from the synchronized time dependencies.

Abstract: A coaxial-drive centrifuge provides for contactless regulation of sample temperature. The sample is contained in a multi-station chemical-processing circuit that has a metal receptor at each station. On demand, a stationary inductor induces eddy currents in the receptor as it spins by. Dissipation of the eddy current heats the receptor and the surrounding sample. The receptor has a thermal sensor that provides an optical indication of the sample temperature. A stationary contactless reader reads the optical indication. A controller activates the inductor when the reading indicates an actual temperature below a predetermined target temperature. When heating is required, the inductor is pulsed as the receptor is aligned with a gap in the inductor. The chemical-processing circuit is designed for a specific series of chemical reactions, in this case, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is implement as an iterated series of three steps.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for manipulating charged particles. The charged particles are directed from a source thereof into a zone. A first electrical potential is generated in the zone. Simultaneously, a second electrical potential is generated outside the zone. The second electrical potential penetrates into the zone and combines with the first electrical potential to form an oscillating electric potential field having predetermined characteristics sufficient to manipulate the charged particles. The manipulating of the charged particles includes, e.g., transporting, collisional cooling, collisional induced dissociating and collisional focusing. In one embodiment an apparatus comprises a hollow first element and a hollow second element. The second element is disposed within the first element. The second element has at least two openings in a wall thereof. The openings are elongated and radially disposed with respect to the axis of the second element.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed which includes a sample input port, an ion generator, an ionization chamber receiving and ionizing samples, an ion gate for causing the ionized samples to travel in a direction, and a drift region for receiving the directed ionized samples and for subjecting the ionized samples to an electric potential. The ionized samples then separate according to their electric charge and mass and are detected by a sensor having an output with linear, non-linear, and logarithmic characteristics. The ion mobility spectrometer further includes circuitry coupled to the sensor for linearizing the output such that the non-linear and logarithmic characteristics are linearized while preserving the linear characteristics.

Abstract: A programmable controller for digital cameras is operable with a variety of alternative camera components. The programmable controller can include a programmable clock signal generator that controls the period and waveform of a clock signal to generate symmetric or non-symmetric clock signals, a programmable reference signal generator that controls analog reference signals for analog components, and/or a programmable micro-stepper controller that generates stepping control signals to a stepping motor for zoom or focus operations.

Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly cleaning apparatus and method allow a cleaning solution to completely fill spaces within an integrated circuit assembly. Such spaces include, for example, the thin space between the die and substrate of a flip-chip integrated circuit. The cleaning solution fills the space while the air initially occupying the space escapes. These actions are accomplished by first tilting the integrated circuit assembly from horizontal. The integrated circuit assembly is then immersed in the bath at a controllable rate to allow the cleaning solution to completely fill the space while the air in the space escapes.

Abstract: A platform for testing electronic parts and electrode used in the same for easy and accurate testing of a three-terminal device. The platform for testing electronic parts of the present invention includes a press, a DUT (Device Under Test) guide, and an electrode board. The press presses the DUT to the electrode board, maintaining electrical and mechanical contact between the DUT terminals and the electrode groups. The DUT guide holds the DUT as the relative position of the DUT to the electrode board is changed. The electrode board has multiple electrode groups arranged corresponding to terminals of the DUT. The DUT is connected to a test circuit corresponding to each of the electrode groups so that DUT terminals are connected to the corresponding test circuit when the DUT is placed at multiple specific positions on the electrode board.

Abstract: A multi-threshold optical binning method for classifying the image quality of an optical sensor is presented. In accordance with the invention, a sensor tester causes a sensor pixel image to be generated by a sensor under test. The sensor pixel image is comprised of a plurality of pixels, each represented by an associated quantized intensity level. The quantized intensity level of a pixel may fall into one of a first pixel class, a second pixel class, or a third pixel class, for example, a dark pixel class, a dim pixel class, and an acceptable pixel class. An image filter processes the sensor pixel image, filtering but all pixels that fall within the acceptable pixel class, to generate a defective pixel map. The defective pixel map includes those pixels which have a quantized intensity level that falls within the first and/or second pixel class but not the third pixel class.