Abstract: The frequency standard comprises a quantum absorber, source of incident electr-omagnetic radiation, detector, controller and signal output. The quantum absorber has a transition between a lower quantum state split by hyperfine interaction into two lower sub-state groups of at least one lower sub-state, and an upper quantum split by hyperfine interaction into upper sub-state groups of at least one upper sub-state. None of the upper sub-state groups is a cycling transition sub-state group having at least one allowed electric dipole transition to one lower sub-state group but none to the other. The upper quantum state differs in energy from a first lower sub-state in one of the lower sub-state groups and from a second lower sub-state in the other of the lower sub-state groups by energy differences that correspond to frequencies of &ohgr;1 and &ohgr;2, respectively.

Abstract: A conduit for conducting ions from a high pressure ion source to a mass analyzer in mass spectrometry apparatus includes a capillary tube in which the lumenal surface of the bore near at least one end is a surface of an electrically conductive material. In one embodiment the conduit is constructed of a dielectric material and has an electrically conductive coating on an end portion of the lumenal surface.

Abstract: A real-time annotation system and methodology for annotating measurement waveforms in a signal measurement system that includes a graphical user interface for displaying waveforms and measurement results on a signal measurement system display. Generally, he annotation system enables an operator to generate a graphical annotation label containing any desired data, and to graphically position the annotation label at any desired location on the measurement display, enabling the operator to positionally associate the graphical annotation label with a desired waveform or waveform feature displayed on the graphical user interface. The annotation system is constructed and arranged to enable an operator to graphically generate an annotation label containing operator-generated information and to graphically alter the position of the annotation label such that the annotation label is positionally associated with a desired feature of a waveform displayed on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A tuning method for filters having multiple coupled resonators isolates the characteristics of each resonator, enabling a specified filter response to be achieved by adjusting the resonators according to response criteria. A target frequency response is defined for the filter and a target time domain response is computed based on the target frequency response. From the time domain response, a gating function is generated for each of the resonators. A stimulus signal is provided to the filter and the response to the stimulus signal is measured. The gating functions are then applied to isolate the characteristics of each resonator. Each resonator is adjusted according to response criteria chosen to achieve a specified filter response when the response criteria are satisfied.

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: A method automatically scales a sampled representation of a waveform applied to a sampling system, regardless of the nature of the waveform. The method, implemented within a digital oscilloscope or other type of sampling system, achieves amplitude auto-scaling from samples of the applied waveform acquired when the sampling system is un-triggered. The method then determines the nature of the applied waveform based on the number of acquired samples within an intermediate amplitude band and the number of amplitude transitions across the amplitude band. Records are then taken with the sampling system triggered and the occurrence of alternative designated events, based on the nature of the waveform, is detected within the records. Time offset and time gain are adjusted based on a first occurrence and a second occurrence of the designated event.

Abstract: In a method for joining two or more solid parts, a foil is provided between the two parts, the foil is heated to an elevated temperature by means of a thermode such that it becomes soft, and then the foil is cooled down below the elevated temperature, thus providing a permanent connection. The method can be used for bonding a gas-permeable membrane to a housing such as to produce a liquid chromatography degasser. The bonding method ensures that no unwanted substances are released when liquid comes into contact with the bonding region.

Abstract: An interpolation circuit for an optical encoder or other sensing device includes a signal generating circuit, a comparator circuit and a logic circuit. The signal generating circuit generates A, A′, B, B′, one or more fractional A or A′ and one or more fractional B or B′ ramp signals in response to input ramp signals that are one quarter cycle out of phase. The comparator circuit compares selected pairs of the A, A′, B, B′, one or more fractional A or A′ and one or more fractional B or B′ ramp signals and generates intermediate signals. The phases of the intermediate signals are preferably uniformly or nearly uniformly distributed in phase with respect to the ramp signals. The logic circuit combines the intermediate signals and provides first and second output signals, each having multiple cycles of the ramp signals. In one embodiment, the signal generating circuit generates A, A′, B, B′, A/3 or A′/3 and B/3 or B′/3 ramp signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for radically abbreviated decoding for providing decoded data by dividing a stream of data symbols, which form the decoder input, into symbol bit streams. The symbol bit streams are combined with delayed data streams in a first formatting means forming formatted bit streams. The formatted bit streams are applied to a selecting means for selecting bits from the formatted bit streams, forming a selected formatted bit stream. The selected formatted bit stream is applied to a sequential storage means forming delayed bits. The delayed bits are tapped from different points on the sequential storage means forming weighted bits. The weighted bits are then combined with a second formatting means further forming the delayed data streams, where the selected formatted bit stream is the decoded data.

Abstract: A method for operating a computer to determine the electrical characteristics of a passive planar structure. The method starts by defining a first mesh on the structure. The first mesh divides the structure into polygons. A surface current is defined in the structure as a first weighted sum of a first set of basis functions. The weights of the first basis functions in the first weighted sum are calculated by solving Maxwell's equations. The mesh is then refined by dividing each polygon into a plurality of sub-polygons. The surface current in the sub-polygons is defined as a second weighted sum of a second set of basis functions. The second set of basis functions includes the first set of basis functions and a plurality of extension basis functions representing the additional degrees of freedom introduced by the refined mesh.

Abstract: An illumination system for a flat panel micro-display device includes a flat panel edge lit lightguide having a polarizing layer on a major surface and a polarization rotator and reflector proximate to an edge face of the lightguide. The polarization rotator changes the polarization state of light that is initially reflected from the polarization layer to a desired polarization state from an undesired polarization state and the reflector reflects the light back to the polarization layer. The rotated and reflected light propagating within the lightguide passes though the polarizing layer and illuminates a LCD panel of the micro-display. The combination of the polarization rotator and the reflector provide a controlled system in which most of the initially reflected light is utilized to illuminate the LCD panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing a sample are disclosed. The system may include a light source operable to transmit light onto the sample, a detector operable to detect intensity of the light emitted from the sample, and a power modulator. The power modulator modulates the light source power such that light is emitted from the light source in more than one mode to reduce changes in the emitted light due to temperature changes in the light source.

Abstract: A fabrication method for providing isolation between adjacent regions of an integrated circuit includes providing a guard layer over field edges that are the interfaces between field oxide regions and diffusion regions in which dopant is introduced. The guard layer will inhibit introduction of dopant along the field-edge, so that a substantially dopant-free transition strip is formed. The transition strip inhibits current leakage from the active region to the field oxide region. In one embodiment, the active region is an active area diode, such as used to form an Active Pixel Sensor (APS) pixel. The guard layer is biased so as to further inhibit current leakage during circuit operation. In another embodiment, the method is used in the fabrication of transistors for APS pixels having an overlay photodiode structure.

Abstract: A liquid crystal pixel current sensing technique is described that increases LC (Liquid Crystal)-based micro display contrast fidelity and lowers production costs. A spatial light modulator has an electro-optical material (such as a liquid crystal layer) between an array of pixel electrodes and a common electrode (such as an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer). An amplifier biases the common electrode of the spatial light modulator and outputs a differential current proportional to the electro-optical material current. The output is used to determine delay of a light source to compensate for switching delay of the modulator. For one embodiment, the amplifier has a common-source push-pull output stage and current mirrors. For another embodiment, the output stage is a cascode common-source push-pull output stage. Because the current sensor does not perform current-to-voltage conversion, it does not alter the impedance between the pixel driver and the pixel electrode.

Abstract: In an instrumentation system, the functionality of an I/O interface which controls an instrument is extended with an I/O interface extension library. The extension library operates to receive a function call and determines whether the function call is supported by the underlying I/O interface. If the function call is supported by the underlying I/O interface, the function call is passed on to the I/O interface for processing. If the function call is not supported by the underlying I/O interface, the function call is decoded into a sequence of standard I/O primitives that are supported by the underlying I/O interface, which are then sent on to the I/O interface for processing. In one embodiment, reduced overall latency time is achieved by packaging multiple sequential functions into a package and sending the package over an I/O bus to the instrument I/O controller as a single unit rather than sending each sequential function using separate bus instructions.

Abstract: A chip mounted enclosure (“CME”) comprises a base formed by an integrated circuit chip, a transducer element disposed on the integrated circuit chip, a side piece surrounding the transducer element that is coupled to the base, and a top piece coupled to the side piece. A method of making a CME comprises mounting a transducer element to a planar surface of an integrated circuit chip, where the planar surface forms a base of the CME. A side piece is fabricated to surround the transducer element. A top piece of the CME is placed on the side piece. Individual CMEs can be fabricated from a wafer assembly, where transducer elements, each respectively mounted to an integrated circuit wafer having corresponding integrated circuit chips, are individually surrounded by a side piece structure that is bonded to the integrated circuit wafer. Individual CMEs are formed by singulating the wafer assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerating the transmission of signals across an interconnect wire of an integrated circuit is presented. According to the method, a minimum charge level is maintained on the wire when it is driven to a low voltage level and a maximum charge level is maintained on the wire when it is driven to a high voltage level. In accordance with the apparatus of the invention, the minimum and maximum charge levels are maintained on the wire using a pair of clamping circuits which clamp the voltage level on the receiving end of the wire to a respective minimum voltage level and maximum voltage level. Accordingly, when the interconnect wire is driven to a high voltage level at a driven end of the wire, the charge level on the receiving end of the wire is already at a minimum level, resulting in less delay time to charge the wire to a high voltage level.

Abstract: An electrical probe is provided for use with an electrical instrument, such as an oscilloscope. The probe includes a probe body, a sensing element affixed to the probe body for sensing an electrical parameter and a storage device containing probe information that uniquely identifies the probe. The probe information is electronically transferred from the storage device to the electrical instrument when the probe is connected to the electrical instrument. The electrical instrument stores calibration information that is associated with the probe. The electrical instrument uses the probe information received from the storage device in the probe to access the associated calibration information. The accessed calibration information is used to calibrate measurements made with the probe.

Abstract: An impact of a memory latency time on repeat operations with a memory is reduced by providing a repeat start buffer for buffering a beginning of a data sequence to be repeatedly accessed, and a repeat switching unit, connected with the memory and the repeat start buffer, for switching therebetween for accessing the buffered beginning of the data sequence to be repeatedly accessed when the data sequence is to be repeated. In case of jump operations, a further reduction is achieved by providing a first and a second data buffer connectable with the memory for buffering data sequences, and a switching unit, connected with the data buffers for switching therebetween. The memory is accessible for each data buffer during an idle memory accessing time of the other data buffer for buffering a beginning of a data sequence to be accessed successively.

Abstract: This novel mobile CDMA station incorporates the global positioning system (GPS). Two modes of operation are possible. One, during GPS operation, there is no transmission or reception of CDMA services. Two, simultaneous CDMA transmissions and reception of GPS are provided. When the mobile receiver is in the CDMA mode, a signal path selector selects the CDMA RF section and the GPS RF section is powered down. During GPS operation, the GPS RF section is selected and the CDMA section is powered down. When CDMA operation is compared with GPS, the average current draw can be less, as the system swaps between the RF sections. The GPS RF section may accept an antenna input from a multi-band antenna network or a separate GPS antenna. The GPS signal is propagated through the existing CDMA channel select filter, having a 1.23 MHz bandwidth and is processed in a base-band signal processor.