Abstract: DRAM speed of operation in an Error Catch RAM can be increased by a combination of interleaving signals for different Banks of memory in a Group thereof and multiplexing between those Groups of Banks. A three-way multiplexing between three Groups of four Banks each, combined with a flexible four-fold interleaving scheme for signals to a Group produces an increase in speed approaching a factor of twelve, while requiring only three memory busses. Each of the twelve Banks represents the entire available address space, and any individual write cycle might access any one of the twelve Banks. A utility mechanism composes results for all twelve Banks during a read cycle at an address into a unified result. There is a mechanism to track of the integrity of the composed results, as further write operations can produce the need for another composing step. There are four Memory Sets, two are “internal” SRAM's and two are “external” DRAM's.

Abstract: A multistage optical switch includes a stage-to-stage connectivity scheme that provides equalization of losses encountered as optical signals traverse switching crosspoints. Each stage includes more than one switching unit having a first array of input ports and a second array of output ports that are selectively coupled by varying the crosspoints between transmissive states and reflective states. The input ports of a particular switching unit and the output ports of the same unit have rankings that are reflective of the number of optical crosspoints that must be traversed by optical signals propagating between input and output ports having the same ranking. High ranking output ports of the switching units of one stage are optically coupled to low ranking input ports of the subsequent stage, thereby defining stage-to-stage optical paths that ensure equalization in the sums of the crosspoints that are traversed when optical signals propagate through the two stages.

Abstract: Apparatus for placing and routing an integrated circuit, the apparatus comprising one or more computer readable storage media. Computer readable program code is stored in the one or more computer readable storage media. The computer readable code comprises code for placing a plurality of logic cells in the integrated circuit and code for placing one or more spacer cells in the integrated circuit to fill one or more empty spaces between the plurality of logic cells. The one or more spacer cells comprise a spare logic gate.

Abstract: A device that reduces the interfacial stress caused by differential thermal expansion in an IC/PC board assembly can be created by attaching an annular part, that has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion, to the IC at an elevated temperature. When the assembly cools the annular part contracts and compresses the IC, increasing the change in size of the IC and reducing the stress in the IC/PC joint.

Abstract: A medical connector apparatus that includes: (1) a first mating connector having a first conductive portion, (2) a second mating connector having a second conductive portion for electrically coupling to the first conductive portion, and (3) a housing unit with an interior chamber housing the second mating connector. In one embodiment of the invention, two apertures extend between the interior chamber and the housing unit's exterior. In another embodiment of the invention, the first mating connector further has a wiping portion for cleaning a portion of the second mating connector adjacent to the second conductive portion. In still another embodiment of the invention, the housing chamber further has a light source positioned near the aperture through which the first mating member enters to electrically couple the first and second conductive portions.

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, the 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 method and apparatus for reducing the crosstalk between two or more dye channels in a multiple frequency laser induced fluorescence scanner in which two laser beams and associated optics are employed for focusing the two laser beams on a plurality of spatially separated spots, and for collecting and measuring the resulting emission from the sample labeled with at least two dyes. Crosstalk of the dye emission is minimized as the separated spots provide for a more nearly diagonal transformation matrix between signal channels and dye channels.

Abstract: Digital data transmission using three logic states on a differential pair of signal lines. The three states are: a first line a threshold higher than a second line, the second line a threshold higher than the first line, and when both lines are approximately equal. The presence of three states allows the receiving circuit to recognize the beginning and end of a valid data bit. A receiving circuit using two comparators to generate strobes for latching the data is also disclosed. The strobes also clock a counter whose output is fed to a decoder. The output of the decoder is used to select one of N latches that are used to latch the incoming data.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for generating a frequency-sweepable measurement signal and a local signal with a frequency separated from the measurement signal frequency by an intermediate frequency. The measurement signal and a local signal are generated by a simple structure, including a high-frequency variable-frequency signal source, a low-frequency fixed-frequency signal source, a first frequency divider and a second frequency divider. The variable-frequency signal source is a sweepable signal source. The first frequency divider divides an output frequency fa from the variable-frequency signal source by n and outputs a measurement signal with a frequency of fa/n. The signal of the variable-frequency signal source is also applied to the first input of the second frequency divider, and the signal of fixed-frequency signal source, with a frequency of fb, is applied to the second input.

Abstract: A resonator having a variable resonance frequency. The resonator includes a cavity enclosed by a conducting wall. A resonating element and a conductive plate are located within the cavity. A photoconductive element is connected between two points on the conductive plate. The resonator also includes a light source for irradiating the photoconductive element with light of the predetermined wavelength. In the preferred embodiment, the conductive plate is circular and includes a gap, the photoconductive element connecting two points on the gap and the resonating element is a cylindrical dielectric resonator element having a TE01&dgr; mode electromagnetic field distribution. The circular conductive plate is preferably placed parallel to the top surface of the cylindrical dielectric resonator substantially midway between the top surface and the inner surface of the conducting wall. The diameter of the circular plate is preferably greater than that of the cylindrical dielectric resonator.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an optical signal to a surface and collecting the light leaving the surface in response to the application of the optical signal. The optical signal and the collected light traverse an optical fiber having an end proximate to the surface which delivers light to the surface with the aid of a lens that couples the optical signal to the surface, collects the light emitted by the surface, and couples collected light into the optical fiber. A detector measures the intensity of light delivered into the optical fiber and generates a detection signal indicative of the measured intensity as a function of time. A set of actuators dither the position of the lens relative to the proximate end of the fiber. Each actuator operates at a different dither frequency and moves the lens relative to fiber along a different axis.

Abstract: A slope generator generates, in response to an input signal, a slope between a first and a second voltage level of an output voltage at an output node. The slope generator comprises a capacitor coupled to the output node, a first current source for providing a first current to the output node, and a second current source for providing a second current to the output node controlled by a first current switch. A control electrode of a first current path of the first current switch is coupled to and controlled by the input signal, a second current path is coupled to the output node, and the first current switch provides the first and the second voltage levels, or corresponding voltage levels derived therefrom, to the output node.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compensation circuit for compensating a change in timing information of an input signal caused by thermal variations in a first circuit. The first circuit comprises one or more devices each having a temperature dependent on the input signal. Accordingly, the compensation circuit comprises one or more compensation devices each having a temperature dependent on the input signal. The compensation circuit is connected in series with the first circuit and the series connection receives the input signal and provides a timing-compensated output signal with substantially the same timing information as of the input signal. The thermal characteristic of at least one of the one or more compensation devices is proportional or in some other known relation to a corresponding one of the one or more devices of the first circuit. The compensation circuit provides a compensation output signal having substantially opposite or inverse thermal distortions than the first circuit.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect switch for routing light signals between N input optical fibers and M output optical fibers. The switch includes an NxM array of optical switching elements, each optical switching element routing a light signal from one of the input optical fibers to one of the output optical fibers. Each optical switching element includes a layer of a switching material, first and second transparent electrodes overlying the layer of switching material, and a layer of hydrogen reservoir material adjacent to the layer of switching material. The switching material has first and second states. The switching material is transparent to the light signals in the first state, and the switching material reflects the light signals in the second state. The state of the switching material is determined by the concentration of hydrogen in the material.

Abstract: A method and system, implemented in hardware, for quickly and efficiently reassembling Fibre Channel data sequence data received by a Fibre Channel port in host memory buffers. The host memory buffers are referenced by a transaction status block allocated and initialized by the host. The transaction status block is referenced by the Fibre Channel port during transfer of data received in each Fibre Channel data frame of the Fibre Channel data sequence. The host memory buffers may be or arbitrary size and need only be byte aligned. The host computer can specify any number of host memory buffers by appropriate initialization of the transaction status block.

Abstract: A size configurable data buffer includes a plurality of data cache memory registers and a variable number of prefetch memory registers. A computer controller determines the allocation of the data buffer which is data cache memory registers or prefetch memory registers. The size configurable data buffer may be included within a single size configurable data buffer SRAM circuit.

Abstract: A measurement scheme characterizes chromatic dispersion of an optical system having physically separated access points. A modulation signal at a local access point of the optical system and a reference signal at a remote access point of the optical system are generated and the signals are synchronized via timing signals derived from global positioning satellites (GPS). The modulation signal modulates optical test signals having predetermined optical wavelengths and the modulated optical test signals are applied to the local access point of the optical system. Modulated optical test signals are transmitted through the optical system from the local access point to the remote access point where the signals are demodulated. The time delay of the demodulated signal relative to the reference signal is measured at the remote access point by a phase comparison of the demodulated signal and the reference signal or alternatively by measuring the relative time delay directly.

Abstract: An improved circuit board inspection system incorporates self learning techniques for accurate determination of Z-axis elevations of electrical connections. A Delta Z, referenced to a laser range finder generated surface map of the circuit board, is automatically determined from a series of cross sectional images of the electrical connections for each electrical connection on the circuit board. The Delta Z values for each electrical connection are stored in a data base from which customized Delta Z values for specifically defined board views may be calculated.

Abstract: A high-frequency switch for blocking or transmitting a high frequency input signal. The switch includes a common-base transistor having an emitter, base, and collector, the emitter being connected to an input node and the base being connected to a power rail that is preferably ground. The input node is coupled to the input signal. The present invention utilizes a shunt having a switching element with closed and open states to route the input signal either to the collector of the common-base transistor or to the power rail. The switching element connects the input node to the power rail in the closed state and isolates the input node from the power rail when the switching element is in the open state. The open and closed states are selected by the application of a control signal to the switching element. A bias circuit sets the input node to be at a first bias potential when the switching element is in the open state and a second bias potential when the switching element is in the closed state.

Abstract: Array hybridization can be facilitated by agitating a reaction cell subject to centrifugal force greater than 1G. A two-dimensional hybridization array is preferably oriented generally orthogonal to the centrifugal force. Agitation involves titling the array back and forth about an axis, preferably parallel to a centrifuge axis. The centrifugal force serves, in a sense, as supergravity helping to overcome non-specific binding forces (viscous forces and other forces at the liquid-solid boundary) that limit the rate of liquid flow. Thus, the agitation rate and the related replenishment rate can be increased. The agitation causes the sample liquid to wash back and forth across the array, which remains protected by a thin liquid film. The resulting “tidal” motion, results in thorough mixing of the sample liquid. In addition, since only a thin film is required over much of the array, typically costly sample volume can be reduced. Thus, faster hybridization with lower sample volumes can be achieved.