Abstract: An accurate and reliable pneumotachometer with annular ring transducers for determining the velocity of a fluid flow is provided. A novel and accurate flow measurement system for measuring transit time of a fluid flow using chirp signals and a pneumotachometer with annular ring transducers is also disclosed.

Abstract: An actuator assembly having a first and a second stack of piezoelectric materials having electrode layers connecting the stacks to a voltage source. A cavity is defined within said first stack and is adapted to receive a first end of the second stack. A first opening and a second opening are defined within the stack wherein each is in fluid communication with the cavity and wherein the first opening has a flat surface within the cavity. A flat face opposite the first opening forms a contact seal with the flat surface. The first and second stacks are adapted to unseal the face from the surface in response to a voltage.

Abstract: A microfluidic pumping apparatus and method using the apparatus. The apparatus may include a first pulse jet and working fluid in the pulse jet such that the first pulse jet, in response to activation by a set of electrical pulses, moves corresponding pulses of fluid from a first to an second side of the first pulse jet. A chamber with an opening is in pressure communication and with the first side of the first pulse jet such that activation of the first pulse jet causes a reduced pressure at the opening. The method comprising contacting the opening with a fluid and activating the first pulse jet so as to draw a sample fluid through the opening into the chamber. A second pulse jet, oppositely oriented from the first, may be provided to discharge loaded sample fluid.

Abstract: A bit position, M, that determines the accuracy and efficiency of the approximation is selected from an N bit binary number. The multiplicand is generated by removing the Mth bit from the binary number, shifting the bits of lower order than the Mth bit up on position, then filling the lowest order bit with a zero. The multiplier is generated by removing the Mth bit, and all lower order bits from the binary number. Booth's algorithm is then used to multiply the multiplicand and the multiplier except that the Mth bit is used instead of an assumed zero during the first step of the multiplication. In hardware, a partial Booth-encoded multiplier is used to produce and approximate square of a binary number. For an N bit number, and a selected bit in the Mth position, the partial Booth-encoded multiplier has N columns, and N−M rows and N−M booth encoders.

Abstract: A test unit for measuring crosstalk in twisted pair cable. The test unit has an output signal balance (OSB) circuit that compensates for parasitic capacitance at its output terminals. The OSB circuit has a voltage controlled capacitance connected in circuit with each output terminal to control the effective capacitance between the output terminals and ground. The bias voltage for the variable capacitances is calibrated by a method in which the voltage for one of the variable capacitors is held constant while the voltage for the other capacitor is varied in voltage levels. A test signal frequency sweep is applied to the test unit output terminals. First and second voltage values are obtained and a final bias voltage value is calculated from using these two values.

Abstract: The circuit includes an electro-optical mixer, such as an electro-optical Mach-Zehnder modulator, with non-linear behavior. The modulator receives as input an optical signal (Pin) at the frequency to be divided, in addition to an electric signal (e3) at a given frequency, usually corresponding to the frequency deriving from such division. The output optical signal (Pout) from modulator exhibits a modulation spectrum containing the frequency difference between the frequency to be divided and at least one harmonic of the frequency of the above electric signal. After having been converted into an electric signal (e1), the output signal of the mixer is subjected to a filtering action to extract the above frequency difference component. This latter one is then used both as electrical signal (e3) for the mixing, and as output signal from the divider (e2). The preferred application is to OTDM systems, to extract a synchronism signal as tributary signal frequency.

Abstract: A chromatograph includes an inlet for receiving a sample and a pressurized hydrogen gas flow and in response providing a sample/fluid mixture; a separation column located in a temperature-controlled zone for receiving the sample/fluid mixture and for providing a column effluent stream; a detector for receiving the effluent stream and for providing a detector output stream; and a gas storage system for receiving the detector output stream (and optionally a split flow and a septum purge flow in the instance of a split/splitless inlet) and for storing the received gas stream for subsequent reuse. In the preferred embodiments of the gas storage system, a plurality of metal hydride storage (MHS) systems are used.

Abstract: A surface mount solder pad that is adapted to function as a heat sink for an electronic component soldered to the pad. Included is a printed wiring board having solder pads disposed on its surface that are adapted for soldering to leads of surface mount components. The solder pads are electrically interconnected by conductive traces also disposed on the surface. At least one of the solder pads has an enhanced surface area that is selected larger than necessary for the soldering, and that is selected sufficiently large so as to sink enough heat generated by one of the surface mount components to provide for its proper operation.

Abstract: A method for modeling a general passive interconnection structure for use in a circuit simulator. The model is based on full-wave EM simulations and has a predefined accuracy when compared to the full-wave EM simulator. The interconnection structure is described by parameters that depend on geometric parameters determined by a vector x and the frequency of the signal passing through the interconnect circuit. In a CAD system according to the present invention, information representing a plurality of coefficients, Cm(f) is stored in the CAD system for m=0 to M. The CAD system also stores information specifying the values of a plurality of multinomial functions, Pm(x) for m=0 to M, wherein M>1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a plurality of electric fields and of orthogonal spray configurations of vaporized analyte are so combined as to enhance the efficiency of analyte detection and mass analysis. The invention provides reduced noise and increased signal sensitivity in both API electrospray and APCI operating modes.

Abstract: A method for depositing an electrically conducting film on an electrode and the film resulting from that method. An electrically conducting film according to the present invention is deposited by immersing the electrode in a solution of a precursor polymer in a predetermined solvent. The precursor polymer includes a plurality of electrochemical polymerizable monomers. Each monomer has first and second polymer-forming active sites that can be joined by electrochemical polymerization and third and fourth polymer-forming active sites that can be joined chemically in solution. The precursor polymer is constructed from the monomers joined by the third and fourth polymer-forming active sites. The precursor polymer is soluble in the solvent whereas a polymer formed by electrochemical polymerization of the first and second polymer-forming active sites is insoluble in the solvent.

Abstract: A display that includes an array of reflective pixels, a linear light source; and a reflector. The reflector includes a cylindrical surface, the axis of the cylindrical surface being parallel to the linear light source. The linear light source is positioned relative to the reflector such that light from the linear light source is reflected by the reflector onto the array of reflective pixels. The reflector is constructed from a material that is partially reflecting. The linear light source preferably includes a plurality of light emitting diodes and an optical diffuser. In a color display, the light emitting diodes include diodes having different emission spectra. In one embodiment of the invention, the reflector is constructed from a material that reflects light of a first linear polarization while transmitting light having a linear polarization orthogonal to the first linear polarization.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for maintaining an electrotherapy device wherein the air temperature of the electrotherapy device environment is monitored and then adjusted based on the results of the monitoring step. The method may be accomplished by using an environmental carrying case. Additionally it is contemplated that air of the environment may be circulated to produce an ambient temperature. Monitoring the temperature may accomplished by using a thermostat or a temperature sensitive switch. In a preferred embodiment, a cooling means is activated when the temperature reaches a threshold temperature between 25° C. and 50° C., more preferably 43° C. The cooling means may be a fan. In a preferred embodiment, a heating means is activated when the temperature reaches a threshold temperature between −10° C. and 20° C., more preferably 0° C. The heating means may be heat strips.

Abstract: A circuit for altering a chip pad signal incorporates a primary driver that is configured to deliver a chip pad signal to an IC package. The circuit also is configured to cooperate with a second signal and a third signal, with the second signal having a voltage higher than the voltage of the first logic high, and the third signal having a voltage lower than the voltage of the first logic low. So configured, the primary driver may selectively deliver a second logic high, which has a voltage higher than the voltage of the first logic high, to the IC package, and may selectively deliver a second logic low, which has a voltage lower than the voltage of the first logic low, to the IC package. Electronic devices, systems and methods also are provided.

Abstract: A line scan apparatus having a linear array of objective lenses which pair up with an associated linear array of optical sensors. The apparatus further comprises a bundle of tapering optical fibers which optically couple the pairs of objective lenses and optical sensors. Each fiber is arranged such that it optically couples at a wide end to one of the objective lens, and at a narrow end to one of the optical sensor. In operation, the linear array of objective lenses are scanned across the object, with the linear array of optical sensors capturing a one dimensional image line by line to build up a two dimensional image of the object.

Abstract: A circuit and method for predistorting an input pulse to a micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) compensates for non-linearities in the transducer, thus allowing the transducer to provide a compensated output pressure wave having a low second order harmonic transmit energy. In another aspect of the invention, the output power of a MUT may be controlled.

Abstract: A method for testing node interconnection on a circuit board. The method utilizes an automated test system having at least one test channel, wherein each test channel has a digital driver with a first input and a first output, and a digital receiver with a second output and a second input. The second input of the receiver is coupled to the first output of the driver and to a test probe. The test probe is configured to couple the driver and receiver to one of a plurality of nodes on a circuit board. During a node interconnection test, the driver of a first test channel applies a test signal to a selected node of the plurality of nodes. A predetermined amount of time after application of the test signal, the receiver of the first test channel reads a node voltage of the selected node. The node voltage is then compared to a predetermined threshold voltage of the receiver of the first test channel, and the result of the comparison is an indication as to whether the selected node is coupled to ground.

Abstract: The present invention provides a true average wide dynamic range (TA-WDR) power sensor that can be used to make accurate power measurements from −70 dBm to +20 dBm or more (wide dynamic range), regardless of the format of the signal (true average). In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a true average wide dynamic range power sensor comprising an input for receiving RF signals having wide dynamic power ranges, a first RF path including a low power diode sensor for measuring RF signals having low power ranges, a second RF path including an attenuator high power sensor for measuring RF signals having high power ranges, and a switch for isolating the first RF path when the high power RF signals exceeds the square law region of the diode sensor.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus for an IC tester that generates data or evaluates data, includes a first memory; a first reconfigurable logic device operative during input and output of data, for converting signals for internal use in the data processing apparatus, an internal configuration of the first reconfigurable logic device being alterable to accomplish such converting; a second reconfigurable logic device for receiving data from the first memory or the first reconfigurable logic device and for processing the data in accordance with an internally configured combination of elements, an internal configuration of the second reconfigurable logic device being alterable to accomplish details of the processing; a third reconfigurable logic device for establishing a specific interface when data is transmitted and received between the second reconfigurable logic device and the first memory, an internal configuration of the third reconfigurable logic device being alterable in accordance with a selected type of inter

Abstract: An apparatus detects corruption of an event signal by two or more non-event artifacts by using multivariable artifact assessment. The apparatus comprises: 1) a sensor for providing an input signal comprising an event signal coexisting with two or more non-event signals, 2) a measurement system including a receiver for receiving the input signal from the sensor and separating the received input signal into its constituent parts, 3) detectors for detecting both the event signal and non-event signals from the received input signal, and 4) an inference processor for analyzing the correlation signals to produce an indication of signal corruption.