Abstract: A remote management unit (40) and a graphics unit (30) are coupled to an internal bus (50) of a local data processing unit (10). The graphics unit (30) provides a data display on a monitor (60) of the local data processing unit (10) and comprises a graphics memory (70) containing a digital representation of the current display for the local monitor (60). The remote management unit (40) is adapted for addressing the graphics memory (70), reading out data content of the graphics memory (70), and transmitting the read-out data content to a remote data processing unit (100) located remote from the local data processing unit (10).

Abstract: A blade-like connecting needle for measuring a semiconductor wafer has an increased capability for measuring a small current and also has stable characteristics. The blade-like connecting needle 1 includes a blade signal 10 line for transmitting signal from the semiconductor wafer, a support insulator 8 covering at least a portion of the blade signal line 10, a plurality of blade guard patterns 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d disposed in or on the support insulator 8 for electromagnetically shielding the blade signal line 10, and a probe 2 supported on the support insulator 8 and connected to the blade signal line 10. There are also disclosed processes of producing the blade-like connecting needle 1. A method for manufacturing a coaxial or hollow blade-like connecting needle is also provided.

Abstract: A method of evaluating for the presence of a target polynucleotide in a sample, using an addressable array of multiple polynucleotide probes linked to a substrate. The sample is exposed to the array and a set of polynucleotide target probes, such that target polynucleotide which may be present will bind to a predetermined feature of the array through multiple target probes of the set by forming at respective target regions on a target molecule, simultaneous hybrids with anti-target regions of the multiple target probes. A binding pattern on the array is observed and the presence of the target polynucleotide evaluated based on the observed binding pattern. Kits using such arrays, and methods for selecting target probes are further provided.

Abstract: A signal scaling system and methodology for use in a signal measurement system such as a digital or analog oscilloscope, logic analyzer, network analyzer, spectrum analyzer or waveform generator that has a graphical user interface which controls a waveform display region on a display device. The signal scaling system determines one or more displayed waveform scaling parameters to cause portions of selected displayed waveforms appearing within a rescaling rectangle to occupy a predetermined portion of the waveform display region other than the resealing rectangle. For each of the selected displayed waveforms, the scaling parameters may include horizontal scaling, horizontal offset, vertical scaling and vertical offset. Preferably, the predetermined portion of the waveform display region comprises the entire waveform display region and the selected displayed waveforms include all waveforms at least partially within the resealing rectangle.

Abstract: A system that can test individual components having tolerances on a circuit board without complete access to every node on the board is disclosed. The system uses a method that develops test limits from a model of the board, component tolerances, and a list of accessible nodes. A method of reducing the complexity of the test problem by limiting the number of components under consideration is also disclosed. A method of reducing the complexity of the test problem by limiting the number of nodes under consideration is also disclosed. A method of picking nodes to apply stimulus to a board is also disclosed. Finally, a method of correcting for certain parasitics associated with tester hardware is disclosed.

Abstract: An optical attenuator (10) for attenuating the intensity of an input light beam (40, 60) comprises a scattering element (70) for scattering the input light beam (40, 60) into a range of scattering directions. A beam collecting device (90) is arranged in the range of scattering directions for collecting a portion of the scattered light as an output beam (100). The attenuation of the output beam (100) with respect to the input light beam (40, 60) is dependent on the portion of the collected light relative to the range of scattering directions. The scattering element (70) is provided with a varying scattering angle distribution in order to control the attenuation.

Abstract: A wavelength meter for measuring the wavelength of an input light signal. The meter includes a beam splitter, a fixed mirror, and a moveable mirror, the beam splitter splits the input signal into a first input signal and a second input signal, the first and second input signals being reflected from the fixed and moveable mirrors, respectively, and being recombined by the beam splitter. The first reference light signal is reflected by the fixed mirror and the second reference light signal is reflected by the moving mirror, the beam splitter recombines the first and second reference light signals to form a combined reference light signal. The amplitude of the combined reference light signal is detected by a reference detector that generates a reference signal related to the amplitude of the combined reference light signal.

Abstract: A high-insulated stud comprises a first columnar conductive terminal of a first height, a second columnar conductive terminal of a second height lower than the height of the first conductive terminal that is placed in a row with and at a distance from the first conductive terminal, an insulating pedestal, and a first groove open at the top and a second groove intersecting the first groove and shallower than the first groove at the top of the first conductive terminal and a third groove open at the top, which is parallel with the first groove and whose bottom face is almost the same height as the bottom face of the first groove, at the top of the second conductive terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus converts an analog signal into a quantity N of digital signal representations. The method comprises the step of comparing an amplitude value in the analog signal to a quantity N of reference amplitude values to determine whether the analog value is greater than or less than a reference value, where N is an integer ≦1. The method further comprises the step of producing a logic level in a digital signal corresponding to the determination in the step of comparing. The method essentially converts the analog signal to a time representation and then converts the time representation to a digital representation. The apparatus comprises a quantity N of comparators each connected to receive the analog signal, separately to receive a different one of the N reference values, and to produce the digital signal. The analog signal is reconstructed from the digital representation.

Abstract: Methods, reagents and kits are disclosed for selecting target-specific oligonucleotide probes, which may be used in analyzing a target nucleic acid sequence. In one aspect the present invention is directed to selecting a set of target-specific oligonucleotide probes. A cross-hybridization oligonucleotide probe is identified based on a candidate target-specific oligonucleotide probe for the target nucleic acid sequence. The cross-hybridization oligonucleotide probe measures the extent of occurrence of a cross-hybridization event having a predetermined probability. Cross-hybridization results are determined employing the cross-hybridization oligonucleotide probe and the target-specific oligonucleotide probe. The target-specific oligonucleotide probe is selected or rejected for the set based on the cross-hybridization results.

Abstract: A method of providing ions to a mass spectrometer having an interface member with an orifice through which ions are received for analysis. A fluid is provided at a capillary tip of an electrospray ionization source and a potential difference applied between the tip and the interface member so as to direct an ion beam from the tip toward and through the orifice. A field enhancing potential is applied at an auxiliary electrode so as to increase the electric field gradient from the capillary tip at least part way toward the interface member. A focussing potential may be applied to the auxiliary electrode to generate an electric field which decreases beam divergence from at least part way toward the interface member. Both the field enhancing and focusing potential may alternately be applied to the auxiliary electrode.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently executing a read operation received from an initiator node by an interface controller within a communication network port. The host processor associated with the communications port provides both data to return to the initiator through the communications network as well as a response message to be returned to the initiator through the communications network by the communication network port in one operation. The communication network port can then send both the data and the completion message to the initiator following a single operation for gaining control of the communications network and without a lapse of time between sending the data and sending the completion message.

Abstract: A filter, such as a transmit filter of a duplexer, includes an array of acoustic resonators that cooperate to establish an asymmetrically shaped filter response over a target frequency passband. The acoustic resonators are preferably film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs). The filter response defines an insertion loss profile in which a minimum insertion loss within the target passband is located at or near a first end of the frequency passband, while the maximum insertion loss is located at or near the opposite end of the frequency passband. In the transmit filter embodiment, the minimum insertion loss is at or near the high frequency end of the filter response, which is tailored by selectively locating poles and zeros of the array of FBARs.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting a stable region in a data signal to facilitate the alignment between a data signal and a corresponding clock signal. The system includes a processor coupled to a local interface and a memory coupled to the local interface. The system also includes a boundary detection circuit configured to perform a simultaneous sampling of a reference signal and a delayed reference signal to ascertain a degree of stability of a position in the reference signal. The reference signal is the signal received from the target system and the delayed reference signal is a delayed copy of the reference signal. The system also includes boundary detection logic stored on the memory and executed by the processor to control the operation of the boundary detection circuit. The boundary detection logic includes logic to detect a boundary of the stable region of the reference.

Abstract: An optoelectronic component, such as an optical transceiver, contains one or more optoelectronic devices, such as a semiconductor laser or a photodiode. It also contains a metallic or metallized housing within which the optoelectronic devices are mounted, and an optical connector part to allow optical radiation to be coupled between the optoelectronic devices and fibres of a fibre optic communications network. The optical connector is disposed at least partly within an aperture in the housing. A metallic or metallized barrier is disposed between the one or more optoelectronic devices and the optical connector substantially to shield against transmission of electromagnetic radiation through the aperture (except of course for the transmission of optical radiation to be provided to, or received from the fibre optic communications network). This barrier can be provided as part of a metallized clip, adapted to fit around the optical interface between the optoelectronic devices and the outside of the transceiver.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a plurality of different biological materials onto discrete locations on a receiving surface, as for example to fabricate an array of different biological material, includes a plurality of orifices in an orifice member, at least six delivery chambers each in fluid conducting relationship with at least one of the orifices, a plurality of reservoirs each in fluid communication with at least one of the delivery chambers, means associated with each orifice for propelling fluid through the associated orifice from the delivery chamber that is in fluid conducting relationship with the orifice, and a vent for commonly venting at least two of the reservoirs. In some embodiments the chambers and reservoirs are loaded with fluids containing selected biomolecules by drawing the selected fluids into the chambers through the orifices; in other embodiments the fluids are introduced into the reservoirs.

Abstract: A testing unit (10) for testing a device under test—DUT—(30) comprises a signal generator (20) for applying a stimulus signal to the DUT (30), a receiving unit (50) for receiving a response signal from the DUT on the applied stimulus signal, and a synchronizing unit (40) for synchronizing a data flow of the response signal between the DUT (30) and the receiving unit (50). The synchronizing unit (40) receives a first clock signal (DUT-CLK) from the DUT (30) and a second clock signal (CLK) of the testing unit (10). The synchronizing unit (40) comprises a buffer (70) for buffering data, a write unit (80) for writing data from the DUT (30) into the buffer (70), and a read unit (90) for reading out data from the buffer (70) to be provided to the receiving unit (50). A write access onto the buffer (70) is controlled by the first clock signal (DUT-CLK), while a read access onto the buffer (70) is controlled by the second clock signal (CLK).

Abstract: An apparatus for testing digital and analog signals from an integrated circuit includes an adder or subtractor 17 for being supplied with an analog signal outputted from the integrated circuit of a device under test and a signal outputted from a driver 11, an integrator 14 for being supplied with an analog signal outputted from the adder or subtractor 17, a switch 22 for selectively transmitting an analog signal outputted from the integrator 14 and a digital signal outputted from the integrated circuit to the comparator 13, and a switch 24 for selectively transmitting a signal outputted from a memory 20 and a signal outputted from a comparator 13 to the driver 11. At least one of the switches 22, 24 is operated depending on whether a signal to be tested is analog or digital.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for wavelength stabilisation of an optical source, particularly in Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) systems. The device comprises a laser source (2), an interference filter (10), an array (14) of photodetectors (40,46), means (4) for controlling the wavelength of the laser, and a comparator (22). The interference filter (10) is illuminated (9) with optical radiation from the laser source (2) and projects a pattern of interference fringes (11) on the photodetector array (14). The pattern (11) changes according to the wavelength &lgr; of optical radiation received (9) by the interference filter (10). At least two of the photodetectors (40,44) are used to generate corresponding signals (20,30), each of said signals varying depending on the intensity of the interference fringes (11) at the corresponding photodetector (40,46).

Abstract: A high frequency electronic package (500) having a metal housing (504) and a high frequency electronic component, such as a laser diode, contained within the metal housing (504). One or more leads (508, 510, 512, 514) pass into the metal housing through a header (506) and are coupled to the high frequency electronic component. The leads, metal housing and components within the housing cause stray inductances and capacitances, which cause problems in matching and driving the high frequency electronic component. Therefore a high value capacitor (502) is coupled between the metal housing and an anode lead, as close to the anode as possible, to short the stray capacitances at high frequencies. The capacitor can be a ring capacitor positioned over the anode lead externally of the housing, or can be a plate capacitor mounted internally or externally of the housing.