Abstract: An electronic circuit and method for processing a signal, including a variable-delay transmission gate for receiving a binary input signal and propagating a delayed binary output signal corresponding to the input signal. The propagation delay in the transmission gate is controlled by two complimentary, non-binary, control signals from a current mirror that is driven by a PVT-compensated voltage follower.

Abstract: A computer system having at least primary and secondary partitions, a primary write filter for write-protecting the primary partition, and a state machine. The state machine, in response to a need to write persistent data to the primary partition, boots to the secondary partition, disables the primary write filter, boots to the primary partition, writes persistent data to the primary partition, re-enables the primary write filter, and then reboots to the primary partition.

Abstract: A quick measurement apparatus and method for invoking automated measurements in a signal measurement system. The system sequentially applies one or more predetermined automated measurements to each of a plurality of predetermined waveforms. The automated measurements, which are applied to each of the user-selected waveforms in response to a single respective measurement request, measure a respective predetermined extent of each of the selected waveforms. Preferably, each single respective activation request is generated in response to the performance of an associated single operator action. It is also preferable that the system is configured to enable a user to define the sequence in which the automatic measurements are applied to the selected waveforms. The signal measurement system further includes a graphical user interface for displaying the waveforms and the measurement results.

Abstract: For visualizing faults in an optical fiber connection, imaging signals from the optical fiber connection are received and an image processing of the imaging signals is provided in order to detect faults in the fiber connection. The imaging signals will be graphically represented, whereby a visualization of the detected faults is provided by representing such faults in accordance with a predefined coloring scheme.

Abstract: An optical measuring device (10) for measuring in a fiber optic network (80), comprises a measuring unit (40) for performing the measurement in the fiber optic network (80), a processing unit (60) for processing the measuring results from the measuring unit (40), and a display (70) for visualizing the processed measuring results. The processing unit (60) further receives imaging signals provided by an imaging unit (30) and processes such imaging signals to be displayed by the display (70).

Abstract: An electrical connection system, such as a Bayonet Niel-Concelman (BNC) connection system, includes two connector assemblies and enables electrical connections between the two connector assemblies to be established and maintained. The two connector assemblies respectively include a first connector and a second connector. One of the connector assemblies includes a contact pin, and the other connector assembly includes a mechanical support having a tapered recess. The first connector interlocks with the second connector, and the contact pin is received by the recess and engages the mechanical support, when the first and second connectors are interlocked. Because the recess is tapered, the contact pin is guided toward the center of the recess as the contact pin is pressed against the surface of the mechanical support exposed by the recess, making it easier to establish and maintain an electrical connection with the contact pin.

Abstract: Jitter measuring equipment includes timing recovery circuitry with a first filter having a Gaussian-family response to enable the equipment to tolerate relatively long runs of data symbols of a single value without affecting the accuracy of timing of clock recovery. Potential distortion of the jitter measurement which could arise from this amplitude response characteristic is alleviated by applying the demodulated baseband signal, prior to jitter measurement, to a demodulated filter having an amplitude response characteristic that is approximately the inverse of the response of the first filter.

Abstract: System for large dynamic range light detection. In one aspect, the system includes a hybrid counting/integrating system for processing a signal from a photomultiplier tube. In another aspect, large dynamic range is achieved in a cascaded detector system utilizing at least one asymmetric beam splitter for delivering a larger fraction of incident light to one photomultiplier tube and for delivering a smaller fraction of the incident light to another photomultiplier tube.

Abstract: An apparatus, systems and methods use an r, &thgr; format for the manufacture and analysis of biological materials. The apparatus is an array of biological material in an annular region on a substrate. The apparatus is formed with a system for synthesizing arrays that includes a spinner assembly for rotating the substrate during the synthesis of the biological material thereon. The apparatus is hybridized with complementary biological material using a system for hybridizing that includes a spinner assembly to spin the apparatus after the complementary biological material is added. The hybridized apparatus is optically interrogated with a system for interrogation that includes a light source, optics, and a scanning assembly that holds and rotates the apparatus so that the light source can remain stationary. The method of assaying biological materials uses the systems for synthesizing, hybridizing and optically interrogating the apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: When low intensity light (4) is incident upon a photodiode (2), the output from the photodiode (2) is coupled to an integrator formed by an operational amplifier (7), a capacitor (8) and a FET coupled in parallel in a feedback path between an output (9) of the operational amplifier (7) and its negative input (5). The output (9) of the operational amplifier (7) is coupled to an input of an A/D converter (21), whose output is coupled to a microprocessor (22), whose output is coupled to a filter (23). A second output of the microprocessor (22) is coupled to a gate electrode of FET 10 to provide a reset signal to the FET 10 to reset the integrator.

Abstract: A high output amplifier includes a comparison amplifier having a first input, a second input, and an output, wherein a set voltage is applied to the first input, a voltage of the output is coupled to the second input, and the output is generated in response to a difference between the voltage applied to the first input and the voltage coupled to the second input. The high output amplifier also includes a low-pass filtering device that receives and performs low-pass filtering on the output of the comparison amplifier, a conversion device that converts the output of the low-pass filtering device to complementary signals, and a push-pull output device, driven by the complementary signals, that supplies electrical current to a load, wherein an increase in the electrical current supplied by the push-pull output device is decreased by changes in the load due to the low-pass filtering device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mixing a film of fluid, particularly a film of chemical, biochemical, or biological fluids undergoing a reaction. The apparatus comprises a means for nucleating a bubble using a discrete heat source, such as a resistor, and moving the bubble in the fluid by creating a temperature gradient, thereby mixing the fluid.

Abstract: An incrementer/decrementer architecture having a reduced internal block fanout which is achieved efficiently in terms of the silicon area needed to implement the incrementer/decrementer. The incrementer/decrementer of the present invention is characterized by a modified tree structure having operators located in such a manner that the maximum internal block fanout is equal to (incrementer/decrementer width)/8 for incrementer/decrementers having a width of at least 16 bits. For incrementer/decrementers having a width of less than 16 bits, the internal block fanout is 2. The routing complexity is increased in order to implement redundant overlapping operations which, in turn, decreases the internal block fanout. However, increases in routing complexity can be accomplished within the minimum X-by-Y area of each stage of the incrementer/decrementer. Therefore, the overall performance of the incrementer/decrementer of the present invention can be optimized while meeting minimum area requirements.

Abstract: An exchange switch for an optical switching network utilizes the manipulation of fluid to selectively exchange outputs for two optical transmission paths. That is, when the switch is in a signal-exchange state, first and second transmission paths reciprocally exchange optical signals that are received at input waveguides of the transmission paths. In one embodiment, the exchange switch includes an optical switching arrangement having first and second switching members. The first switching member is positioned to selectively interrupt the continuation of signal propagation along the first transmission path, while the second switching member is positioned to selectively interrupt the continuation of signal propagation along the second transmission path. When fluid resides within the chambers of the two switching members, the exchange switch is in a signal-continuation state.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a piezoelectrically actuated relay that switches and latches by means of a liquid metal is disclosed. The relay operates by means of a plurality of bending mode piezoelectric elements used to cause a pressure differential in a pair of fluid chambers. The piezoelectric elements act upon a membrane which in turn acts upon a fluid which fills the chambers. The differential pressure causes the liquid metal drop to overcome the surface tension forces that would hold the bulk of the liquid metal drop in contact with the contact pad or pads near the actuating piezoelectric element. The switch latches by means of surface tension and the liquid metal wetting to the contact pads.

Abstract: A coherent optical spectrum analyzer is provided in which an optical balancing tone having a specific signature is injected into a signal path of a balanced optical receiver. A measuring unit is provided to analyze the balancing tone component in the signal output from the balanced optical receiver and determine characteristics of the optical receiver. A compensation unit is provided for providing compensation to counter, or negate any imbalances determined via the measuring unit. The balanced optical receiver is preferably a polarization state independent optical receiver.

Abstract: A customizable nest plate for securely positioning a device to be nested. An alignment device may be used to position nest pins within one version of the nest plate. In another version, several tugboat stop blocks may be adjusted and secured against a nest plate having many threaded apertures in order to secure the device to be nested. In addition, adjustable ramps may be used to adjust the height of a device to be nested above the surface of the nest plate.

Abstract: An optical transceiver module (10) manufactured to industry standard requirements can have an MT-RJ optical connector (12) or an LC (or SG) optical connector (34) (each with differing external dimensions). By fitting a sleeve (16) over the MT-RJ connector (12), the external dimensions of the sleeve are equal to the external dimensions of the LC (or SG) connector (34). Therefore, both the MT-RJ connector (12) and the LC connector (34) fit through similar size holes (26, 24) in a customer panel (22).

Abstract: The present invention relates to calibration and verification of a measurement setup for determination of optical properties, e.g. polarization dependent loss (PDL), polarization mode dispersion (PMD), differential group delay (DGD), insertion loss, return loss and/or chromatic dispersion (CD), of a device under test (DUT) in transmission and in reflection of an optical beam. The invention is disclosing an element that is at least partly transmissive and at least partly reflective.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a laser diode (102) is mounted on a heatsink assembly (126, 128) within a TO-can package. The TO-can package is coupled to a thermal sink (146), such as a printed circuit board or housing, by a thermal conductor. The thermal conductor is in the form of a thermal clip (140), a flexible strap (404) or alternatively a heat pipe (306). Thus, heat energy is efficiently conducted away from devices within the TO-can package (402).