Abstract: This invention relates to a modulator assembly for modulation of light, in particular for use as part of an opto-electronic communication network. The invention provides a light modulator assembly comprising a modulator element comprising a modulating medium, for modulating the intensity of light passing therethrough; and means for applying an electric field across the modulating medium, the modulating medium having an absorption edge at a wavelength dependent upon the temperature of the medium and upon the applied electric field; and means for heating the modulating medium such that the wavelength of the absorption edge aligns with the wavelength of the light to be modulated.

Abstract: The present invention relates 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: A system and method of testing the quality of electronic device interconnections uses a pressure-sensitive medium. The interconnections of the electronic device are placed in contact with the pressure-sensitive medium. Force is then applied to the device so that an indication of the pressure exerted by each interconnection is produced by the pressure-sensitive medium. The indication of the pressure exerted by each interconnection is then analyzed to determine the quality of the connections of the electronic device.

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 longitudinal displacement of a piezoelectric element in extension mode displacing a liquid metal drop and causing it to wet between at least one contact pad on the piezoelectric element or substrate and at least one other fixed pad to close the switch contact. This motion of the piezoelectric element is rapid and causes the imparted momentum of 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: The present invention provides an RF spectrum measurement analyzer and method and more particularly to a GSM output RF spectrum measurement analyzer and corresponding method. One preferred embodiment of the present invention is applicable to GSM applications. However, other embodiments could be applicable to the general class of Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signals of which GSM, PDC (Pacific Digital Cellular), NADC and the like are a part. According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of acquiring an RF carrier signal; converting the acquired RF carrier signal to an IF signal; converting the IF signal to a digital signal of relatively wide bandwidth; FFT filtering the digital signal to measure multiple offset frequencies within the IF bandwidth; and mathematically applying a resolution bandwidth filter at each offset.

Abstract: A trigger node for a measurement and control system which enables relatively precise timing in the application of stimuli and/or measurement of responses without specialized adaptation of analog signaling to the measurement and control system. A trigger node according to the present teachings includes a synchronized clock that maintains a time using a synchronization scheme that provides the timing precision needed for the application of stimuli and/or measurement of responses. A trigger node according to the present teachings further includes mechanisms for asserting a trigger signal when the time from its synchronized clock matches a trigger time associated with the trigger signal. Multiple trigger nodes may be used to coordinate the timing of multiple measurement and control devices by appropriately setting the trigger times in the trigger nodes.

Abstract: A method and system of efficiently switching between a first test application that tests a first format and a second test application that tests a second format. First, a fast test application switching module (FTASM) is loaded into a program memory. The FTASM has a format independent portion (FIP) and at least two format dependent portions (FDPs) that are specific to the particular format to be tested. The FIP is configured to be compatible with each of the format dependent portions so that any of the format dependent portions can utilize the FIP to perform testing tasks. When a first format test request is received, the FIP activates the virtual instruments associated with the first format. Then, when a second format test request is received, the FIP de-activates the virtual instruments associated with the first format and activates the virtual instruments associated with the second format.

Abstract: A package stores at least one electrode pad having a lead. The package includes an interior for storing the pad, and includes a portion that is openable to allow removal of the package from the leads. For example, the openable portion of the package may include a sealed seam through which the lead extends. The operator can peel apart the seam to both open the package and free the package from the lead. Where the pad is a defibrillator electrode pad, the ability to quickly and easily free the package from the lead may save precious seconds during the rescue of a patient in cardiac arrest. For example, freeing the package from the lead typically allows the operator a fuller view of and easier access to the defibrillator and the patient, and eliminates a potential distraction.

Abstract: A binary weighted thermometer code is employed to adjust the output impedance of a variable impedance output driver circuit. The driver circuit includes an impedance network comprising a plurality of resistive devices each programmably electrically connectable in parallel between a first voltage source and the signal pad. The resistive devices are partitioned into a plurality of sets. A first set of the resistive devices may be programmed in a binary incremental manner to electrically connect one or more of the resistive devices in the first set between the first voltage source and the signal pad. Only if all of the resistive devices in the first set are activated may a second set of the resistive devices be programmed in a binary incremental manner. Additional sets of the resistive devices may be likewise programmed only after all of the resistive devices in the previously programmed sets are activated.

Abstract: An optical coupling system includes a unitary separation-setting member for establishing precise spatial relationships among a microlens array, an array of light sources, and an array of optical fibers. The separation-setting member includes an interior region with a shoulder against which the lens array is positioned. The shoulder is at a precisely controlled distance from a target plane along which the ends of the optical fibers are aligned. The target plane is defined by the front surface of the separation-setting member. Thus, the dimensions of the separation-setting member control the distance of the fiber ends from the microlenses. Moreover, a back surface of the separation-setting member is at a precisely controlled distance from the shoulder, so that when the back surface is rested against a substrate on which the light sources are mounted, the light sources are precisely positioned relative to the microlenses.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for monitoring a light signal in an optical switch having a first waveguide and a second waveguide that intersect a first trench such that optical coupling is dependent upon a fluid being at the first trench, and having a test waveguide that intersects a second trench such that optical coupling is dependent upon the fluid being at the second trench. By changing the fluid at the first trench to switch the optical switch to cause a light signal to be reflected from the first waveguide into the second waveguide and by partially changing the fluid at the second trench to switch the optical switch to cause a portion of the light signal to be reflected from the first waveguide into the test waveguide. The portion of the light signal in the test waveguide can be monitored using a light.

Abstract: An acoustical resonator comprising top and bottom electrodes that sandwich a PZ layer. The resonance frequency of the acoustical resonator may be adjusted after fabrication by utilizing heating elements included in the acoustical resonator and/or by adjusting the thickness of a tuning layer. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electrodes comprise Mo layers. One embodiment of the present invention is constructed on a Si3N4 membrane. A second embodiment of the present invention is constructed such that it is suspended over a substrate on metallic columns. In the preferred embodiment, the electrodes are deposited by a method that minimizes the stress in the electrodes.

Abstract: A polyphase, noise-shaping, fractional-N frequency synthesizer utilizes multiple, parallel fractional-N divider channels to deliberately decorrelate noise and improve spectral purity. The synthesizer comprises a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a reference signal source to produce a plurality of different reference signals, a loop integrator, a plurality of desynchronized divider channels and a signal summer. Each divider channel comprises a frequency divider, a fractional-N control logic and a phase detector. Each divider channel divides an output signal from the VCO by a variable division factor and compares the divided signal to a different reference signal to produce an error signal. The signal summer combines the error signals from the desynchronized divider channels into a combined error signal. The loop integrator integrates the combined error signal to produce a control voltage that is applied to the VCO.

Abstract: A reconfigurable and customizable nest for a device under test. The reconfigurable nest includes a non-metallic nest plate and nesting blocks. The nesting blocks are positioned around the device under test using removable toolless fastening elements such as double-stick tape. Using the removable toolless fastening elements, the nest may be reconfigured for different devices under test.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device with one or more current confinement regions and to a method of manufacturing such a device, particularly buried heterostructure light emitting devices such as semiconductor lasers and light emitting diodes. The device comprises an active layer, a current conduction region, one or more current confinement regions adjacent the current conduction region. The current conduction region and current confinement region are arranged to channel an applied electric current to the active layer. The or each current confinement region includes both a metal-doped current blocking structure and a p-n junction current blocking structure. The p-n current blocking structure is between the current conduction region and the metal-doped current blocking structure.

Abstract: A shroud for a rectangular PCB-mounted electronic connector fashioned from a single piece of metal surrounds the connector on three sides of the connector by way of three walls. The fourth side of the connector is also partially covered via flanges extending from the end walls of the shroud. The walls and flanges of the shroud extend higher than the connector, thus defining a channel that aligns a mating structure for the connector when the mating structure is being plugged into the connector.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a Titanium alloy strip (50) which has a reduced cross section in the central region (70) of the strip. By concentrating heat in this central region the process of bonding laser devices to a substrate is greatly improved. Furthermore, the present invention allows for the possibility of removing the laser device from the substrate without destroying the laser device.

Abstract: A measuring setup (100, 10, 140) for measuring an optical device under test—DUT-(120) comprises an optical signal source (100) for applying an optical signal to the DUT (120), and an optical receiver unit (140) for measuring a response of the DUT (120) on the applied signal. A measurement unit (10) is coupled between the optical signal source (100) and the optical receiver unit (140). The measurement unit (10) comprises an optical circuit (20) to provide optical signals from and/or to the DUT (120) for measuring the DUT (120), whereby the optical circuit (20) comprises optical components (130) showing high susceptibility to mechanical noise. A shielding unit (30, 40) receives the optical circuit (20) and provides at least partial shielding of the optical circuit (20) and/or the DUT (120) against mechanical noise.

Abstract: A Network management system (NMS) for managing a communication network (CN) is described. An image of the communication network (CN) is stored in a database (DB). One or more alarms are sent to the network management system (NMS) if one or more failures occur within the communication network (CN). The received alarms are evaluated on the basis of the stored image of the communication network (CN) and the failure/s within the communication network (CN) are automatically located.

Abstract: Disclosed is a test head assembly for a test system, comprising a test head having a plurality of test head contact areas for providing electronic signals to one or more devices under test (DUT) and/or for receiving electronic signals therefrom. The test head assembly further comprises fastening means for fastening one or more individual, physically separated DUT boards to the test head, each DUT board being provided for holding one or more of the DUTs and adapting electrical contacts thereof to at least one of the plurality of test head contact areas. In order to provide a flexible and modular test head arrangement allowing an easy exchange of different DUT boards with different seizes, the arrangement of the fastening means and the plurality of test head contact areas is commensurable, so that one or more DUT boards with same and/or different lateral dimensions are attachable to the test head.