Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selectively delivering ions to a mass analyzer operating in a vacuum region. The method involves providing a dielectric conduit having an axial bore originating in an inlet opening that communicates with an ion source and terminating in an exit opening disposed within the vacuum region. A gas stream comprising an ion having a polarity and traveling at a drift velocity is flowed through the bore from the inlet opening toward the exit opening. A motion component is altered in a manner that does not substantially depend on the polarity of the ion to effect a change in the drift velocity of the ion. The invention also provides an apparatus to carry out the method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diagnostic unit for a remote diagnosis of a data processing unit (DPU). The diagnostic unit is adapted to be coupled to a remote DPU via a network and to an internal bus of the DPU. The diagnostic unit includes a central processing unit (CPU) for controlling a diagnostic action and/or a monitoring action independently of the DPU, by monitoring a data communication within the DPU and/or of the DPU with external devices, and/or by performing tests with the DPU. An “intelligent” diagnosis of the DPU can thus be provided, allowing a continuous and on-going monitoring of the DPU independent of the functional state of the DPU.

Abstract: A pulse management system configured to perform a plurality of pulse measurements on each of a plurality of pulses of an acquired signal and to store results of the pulse measurements in an accessible data structure. The pulse management system includes a pulse analyzer that searches the data structure for pulses of the acquired signal that satisfy operator-provided search criteria. Similarly, the pulse analyzer can sort the selected subset of pulses based on sort criteria provided, for example, by an operator. The pulse analyzer can provide the operator with a user interface environment in which the operator specifies the search and sort criteria and in which the pulse analyzer displays the selected pulses with their associated pulse measurement results. The operator can advance through the selected pulses in any manner desired to display different pulses together or separately.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package comprising a substrate, and a chip die mounted on the substrate. The substrate includes electrically conductive traces, a set of primary interconnects arranged to couple to output pads of the chip die, and a set of secondary interconnects for coupling the package to external circuitry. A first subset of the primary interconnects are electrically coupled to the secondary interconnects and a second subset of the primary interconnects are thermally coupled using thermal vias to the opposite surface of the substrate. The output pads associated with the first subset of the primary interconnects therefore function as electrically interconnecting pads whereas the output pads associated with the second subset of the primary interconnects function as non-electrically interconnecting thermal-dissipation pads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tri-axial handling apparatus (20), in particular for fluid analysis devices, for example for micro-fluid analysis. The handling apparatus (20) comprises at least three axle bodies (21, 22, 23), each exhibiting a guide component and a carrier component, which by means of a drive is translationally movable on the guide component in the direction (61, 62, 63) of an axis of movement. A guide component of a first axial body (21) is secured to the carrier component of a second axial body (22), whose guide component is secured to the carrier component of a third axial body (23). The tri-axial handling apparatus (20) is characterised in accordance with an initial solution concept, in that each drive for the respective carrier component is a linear motor, which is secured to the respective axle body (21, 22, 23).

Abstract: The invention provides an optical fibre connector moulded into a planar metallic body. The planar body can be manipulated into a cuboid to form an rf-shielded optical connector device.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprising a p-i-n double heterostructure in which a high solubility layer is provided that reduces the diffusion of p-type dopants from a cladding layer into the active region. The high solubility layer is preferably formed between the p-type doped cladding layer and the active region.

Abstract: A beam splitter comprises a splitting device (60) receiving at a first surface (60A) a first incident beam (40) in an angle &agr; with respect to the optical axis. A portion (70) of the first incident beam (40) will be reflected at the first surface (60A) at the angle &agr; to the optical axis on opposite side with respect to the first incident beam. A second beam (80) will be transmitted through the splitting device (60). The angle &agr; is selected that the reflected portion (70) is substantially independent of the state of polarization of the first incident beam (40).

Abstract: The invention concerns a mechanism (20) for compensating the gravitational force (29) acting on a slider (32) of a linear motor (26), in particular of an electromagnetic direct linear motor (27), and acting on a load to be carried and moved by the slider. To compensate for the gravitational force (29), the mechanism (20) exhibits a spring element (28), which exerts an elastic restoring force (30) against the gravitational force (29) on the slider (32).

Abstract: A system and a method for imaging a scene of interest utilize variable exposure periods that have durations based upon detecting a fixed voltage drop in order to determine the scene segment radiance. The rate of voltage drop corresponds to the degree of scene segment radiance, such that high radiant scene segments yield faster voltage drops than lower radiant scene segments. The variable exposure period is determined within each pixel in a pixel array of the system to gather exposure periods from different segments of the scene being imaged. The measured exposure periods are translated into grayscale information that can be used to generate a composite image having various levels of grayscale that is representative of the imaged scene. Each pixel includes a photo sensor, an analog-to-digital converter and a memory to measure, digitize and store the exposure period. The memory contains a number of memory cells having a three-transistor configuration that are each connected to a bi-directional bit line.

Abstract: A circuit and method according to an embodiment of the invention synchronize multiple digital data paths, each containing a set of digital data signals and an associated clock signal. The circuit includes a dual-port memory having a first port configured to store samples of each set of digital data signals by way of the clock signal associated with each set. A second port of the memory is configured to retrieve the stored samples, with the retrieval of the samples being timed so that each of the sets of digital data signals is synchronized with each other and with one of the clock signals.

Abstract: A procedure is described to calibrate an optical converter, especially for use in the field of reflectrometric interference spectroscopy. The converter has a layer/substrate system with a layer and a substrate. A light beam shines from the substrate side, and parts of it are reflected or transmitted at the interfaces of air/substrate, substrate/layer and layer/air. The converter in particular serves to convert the light beam into a modulated (especially frequency modulated or phase modulated) signal. The light is varied within a wavelength or frequency range from which a corresponding modulated spectrum is determined. In particular, it is assumed that the performance quantities of especially the converter and a radiation source generating the light are subject to temporal fluctuations.

Abstract: A tunable optical resonator constructed from a fixed mirror and a moveable mirror. The fixed mirror is attached to a substrate having a first electrically conducting surface. A support member having the moveable mirror supported thereon and a second electrically conducting surface is suspended above the substrate such that the moveable mirror is separated from the fixed mirror. A light output port transmits a light signal of a wavelength determined by the distance between the fixed and moveable mirrors. An optical circuit measures the power level of the light signal and generates an electrical signal that depends on the measured power level. A frequency adjustment circuit, responsive to the electrical signal and a tuning voltage, applies an electrical potential between the first and second electrically conducting surfaces. The electrical potential causes the distance to remain at a distance determined by the tuning voltage independent of the power level for power levels less than a predetermined power level.

Abstract: An output driver circuit that is compliant to both open collector/drain and stub series-terminated logic (SSTL) specifications and a method of operating the output driver circuit utilize a feedback loop to monitor the voltage on the output terminal of the output driver circuit to selectively deactivate either a pull-up or pull-down device. The use of the feedback loop allows the output driver circuit to float the output terminal when the voltage on the output terminal has exceeded or fallen below a threshold voltage. Consequently, the output driver circuit can provide output signals that are compatible to SSTL specifications by selectively activating one of the pull-up and pull-down devices, or signals that are compatible open collector/drain specifications by selectively deactivating both pull-up and pull-down devices to float the output terminal.

Abstract: An optical switch that includes optical paths organized into a set of M input optical paths and a set of N output optical paths. The optical switch additionally includes a faceted mirror corresponding to each of the M input optical paths and including N facets and a faceted mirror corresponding to each of the N output optical paths and including M facets. Finally, the optical switch includes a moving mechanism coupled to each faceted mirror to step the faceted mirror to selectively align one of the facets of the faceted mirror with the one of the optical paths with which the faceted mirror is associated. The facets of each of the faceted mirrors corresponding to one of the sets of optical paths, i.e., the set of input optical paths or the set of output optical paths, are preferably angled to reflect light towards a different one of the faceted mirrors corresponding to the other of the sets of optical paths, i.e., the set of output optical paths or the set of input optical paths, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for isolating faults in multi-stage photonic switch networks. Photonic switches in a photonic switch network are first verified individually, using self-test paths built into the photonic switch. Then, interconnecting optical fibers of the photonic switch network are checked. Each photonic switch is equipped with a transmitter and detector. During test, a photonic switch uses its transmitter to transmit light through an optical fiber interconnection to a second photonic switch. Pre-existing pathways within the photonic switches are used to access and route the light. When the second photonic switch detects the transmitted light, the optical fiber interconnection passes the continuity test. When the light cannot be detected, the optical fiber interconnection has a fault that must be repaired. By repeating this process for all optical fiber interconnections between all photonic switches, the photonic switch network can be checked for faults.

Abstract: In a communications network, it is necessary for client software applications to monitor detail records constructed from messages transmitted in a signalling network (100) associated with the communications network. Prior techniques for delivery of the detail records to the client software applications included separate generation of the detail records for each client software application resulting in duplication of effort in the collection and dissemination of the detail records as well as the prolific number of detail record generation tasks required. The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by having a single generator (200, 410) of detail records per site in the signalling network (100), the delivery of the detail records to the client software applications (400, 402, 710, 712, 718) involving a point-to-multipoint communication.

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: An embodiment of the instant invention is a method of forming a conductive barrier layer on a dielectric layer, the method comprising the steps of: providing the dielectric layer (112 of FIG. 7d) having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and including a conductive plug (704 of FIG.

Abstract: A preferred integrated circuit for facilitating receiver trip level testing functionality includes a first pad which incorporates a first driver and a first receiver. The first driver is configured to provide a first pad output signal to a component external to the IC. The first receiver is configured to receive a first pad input signal from a component external to the IC, and to provide a first receiver digital output signal to a component internal to the IC in response to the first pad input signal. Additionally, a first test circuit is provided that is arranged internal to the IC, with the first test circuit being adapted to provide information corresponding to at least one receiver trip-level characteristic of the first receiver of the first pad. Systems, methods and computer readable media also are provided.