Abstract: A comparator detects rising transitions of an input waveform and another comparator detects falling transitions. Each comparator detects their respective transition with a different threshold voltage. The outputs of these comparators are multiplexed into the clock input of a flip-flop. The flip-flop's inverted output is connected through a time delay to the input of the flip-flop to form a toggling configuration. The output of the time delay is also connected to the select input of a multiplexer that controls the multiplexer to multiplex the outputs of the two comparators into the clock input of the flip-flop. The threshold voltages chosen for the two comparators are chosen to be in the center of the incident edges of the distorted signal of a source-terminated transmission line. The time delay is chosen to be longer than the difference between the arrival of the incident wave and the arrival of the first reflected wave.

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 acoustic data acquisition/playback system and method enable acquisition of acoustic data from an ultrasound imaging system and subsequent substantially real time playback of the acoustic data in the same system or a different system. Acoustic data is acquired at a particular data rate from a signal processing pipeline associated with the ultrasound imaging system during an image acquisition session wherein the acoustic data is produced by exposing a body to ultrasound signals. The acquired data is preferably acquired early in the pipeline so that it is completely raw (e.g., RF, IP, pre-beamformed, post-beamformed, pre-video, etc.), but it could be partially processed. Raw data or near raw data allows for greater flexibility in later signal processing. The acoustic data is stored during the session in a nonvolatile memory, which can optionally be removable.

Abstract: An adjustable electrical connector having a rigid or spring-loaded conductive element and a cable coupled to the conductive element. The adjustable electrical connector provides electrical connection to a device under test held in place on a test fixture nest, transferring an electrical signal such as a power source from the cable to the device under test through the conductive element. The adjustable electrical connector may be secured to the test fixture nest in a number of different positions to easily accommodate different types of devices under test.

Abstract: An electrotherapy apparatus, such as a defibrillator, includes a connecting mechanism coupled between an energy source and electrodes. The connecting mechanism allows selective coupling of the energy source to the electrodes. The energy source includes a capacitor and a high voltage power supply for charging the capacitor. The electrotherapy apparatus further includes a waveform measuring device for measuring a patient ECG waveform. The electrotherapy apparatus also includes a controller coupled to the connecting mechanism, the energy source, and the waveform measuring device. The controller actuates the connecting mechanism to deliver a bi-phasic waveform to the patient. In addition, the controller analyzes the ECG waveform to detect when the patient is experiencing either course arrhythmia or fine arrhythmia.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for conducting chemical or biochemical reactions on a solid surface within an enclosed chamber. The invention may be used in conducting hybridization reactions, as of biopolymers such as DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides, peptides, polypeptides, proteins, antibodies, and the like. In another aspect, the invention provides an improved method for mixing a thin film of solution, as in a hybridization chamber. The invention further provides a kit for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Low surface energy functionalized surfaces on solid supports are provided by treating a solid support having hydrophilic moieties on its surface with a derivatizing composition containing a mixture of silanes. A first silane provides the desired reduction in surface energy, while the second silane enables functionalization with molecular moieties of interest, such as small molecules, initial monomers to be used in the solid phase synthesis of oligomers, or intact oligomers. Molecular moieties of interest may be attached through cleavable sites. Derivatizing compositions for carrying out the surface functionalization process are provided as well.

Abstract: The analog sampling circuit samples an analog input signal at intervals of time precisely defined by a master clock signal. The analog sampling circuit comprises N track-and-hold circuits and a clock signal generator. Each of the track-and-hold circuits includes a clock signal input. The clock signal generator includes a clock window signal generator and N gate circuits. The clock window signal generator comprises an input connected to receive the master clock signal, and N outputs, derives clock window signals from the master clock signal and feeds one of the clock window signals to each of the outputs. The clock window signals have imprecisely-timed edges. Each of the N gate circuits generates a sub-sampling clock signal with logic states defined by one of the clock window signals and with edge timings defined by the master clock signal independently of the imprecisely-timed edges of the clock window signal, and comprises a first input, a second input and an output.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an optical signal includes an optical heterodyne detection system in which an input. signal and a swept local oscillator signal are combined to generate a combined optical signal. At least two beams of the combined optical signal are filtered by a filter that passes a wavelength band which tracks the wavelength of the swept local oscillator signal. As the local oscillator signal sweeps across a wavelength range, filtering of the beams is adjusted to track the wavelength of the local oscillator signal. Filtering the beams to pass a wavelength band corresponding to the wavelength of the swept local oscillator signal reduces the intensity noise contributed from light sources having wavelengths that are not near the wavelength of the local oscillator signal.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system for taking displacement measurements of an object. The invention is realized by various embodiments. In one embodiment, the invention utilizes the Moiré effect to take precise displacement measurements of an object. In this regard, a visible pattern is disposed on an object, and a plurality of photosensors are uniformly spaced apart from the visible pattern. Importantly, the spacing between the photosensors is slightly different than the spacing of lines forming a projection or image of the visible pattern. This allows the invention to utilize the Moiré effect to accurately compute precise displacements or movements of the object. In this respect, electrical signal generated by the photosensor array will embody a repeating envelope pattern resulting from the difference in the pitch of the photosensors and the pitch of the projection or image of the visible pattern.

Abstract: An optical element having a variable index of refraction. The optical element utilizes a layer of a transparent dielectric material having an index of refraction determined by the concentration of hydrogen in the dielectric material. A layer of a hydrogen reservoir medium that includes a material that acts as a source or a sink for hydrogen is placed adjacent to the transparent dielectric layer. The reservoir medium accepts hydrogen from the transparent layer in response to a first electric field being applied across the transparent layer and reservoir layer and donates hydrogen to the transparent layer in response to a second electric field being applied across the transparent layer and the reservoir layer. The electric fields are generated by applying appropriate potentials across first and second electrodes that sandwich the dielectric and reservoir layers. The preferred reservoir material is KOH.

Abstract: An array of n-wavelength vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) can be grown with precise and repeatable wavelength control. First, a foundation VCSEL structure is grown on a substrate. Next, n-paired layers of AlGaAs and InGaP are grown, where n is the desired number of different wavelengths. Next, one of the n regions is masked and etched. The steps of masking and etching are repeated until all n regions are etched. Finally, the upper VCSEL structure is grown.

Abstract: A method for producing a capillary comprises the steps of providing first a capillary having a uniform inner width throughout its length, introducing then an etchant into the capillary, and producing a temperature gradient over the length of the capillary in such a way that a temperature-controlled increased expansion of the inner width of the capillary will take place during the etching process in the heated region thereof. A capillary produced in this way is excellently suitable for use in an electrophoresis device.

Abstract: A circuit board grounding scheme has a series of slots that are self-aligning with a series of conductive standoffs. Each standoff has a tapered head supported by a neck and a base that is coupled to a conductive member. A narrow portion of the tapered head of each standoff penetrates a corresponding one of the slots in the circuit board, aligning the circuit board with the standoffs. Once aligned with the standoffs, the circuit board rests on the bases of the standoffs in a neutral position. The circuit board is then biased toward the necks of the standoffs, becoming wedged in a non-uniform gap that is formed between a wide end of the tapered head and the base of each standoff. One or more ground areas on the circuit board contacts the wide end of the tapered head or the base of the standoff. The standoffs are coupled to the conductive member using fasteners, or the standoffs are compression fit into the conductive member. Alternatively, the standoffs are formed to be continuous with the conductive member.

Abstract: A test system method for measurement of crosstalk in a multi-pair cable of the type used in local area networks. The system uses a far end signal generator at one end of the cable and a near end signal generator at the near end of the cable. For a far end crosstalk measurement, the far end test unit transmits a high frequency far end test signal and a lower frequency reference signal on one of the wire pairs of the cable. The near end test unit responds to the received reference signal to generate a near end test signal in phase coherency with the far end test signal. A far and crosstalk measurement analysis is then conducted using the received far end test signal, the near end test signal and a crosstalk signal induced by the far end test signal in one of the other wire pairs of the cable.

Abstract: The method of the invention controls an ultrasound unit to characterize echo signals from a region of interest (ROI) and to adjust unit parameters in accord therewith. The method initially defines a region of interest within an ultrasound image and processes received echo values from the region of interest to determine characteristics of the received echo values. Then at least one system parameter of the ultrasound unit is adjusted to cause the received echo values from the ROI to exhibit a desired characteristic. The derived system parameter is then used to control the ultrasound unit to produce a subsequent ultrasound image that includes the ROI as a portion thereof. The method of the invention further enables a user of an ultrasound system to obtain a quantitative measure of blood perfusion of an investigational region of interest (IROI), Data from a normalization region of interest (NROI) is used to create a normalization value to characterize the image echoes from the NROI.

Abstract: A transistor structure with a degradation-stop layer that prevents degradation of underlying semiconductor layers while minimizing any increase in the gate leakage current is disclosed. In one embodiment, a transistor structure includes: a substrate; a channel layer formed of a charge transport material over the substrate; a Schottky barrier layer formed of an aluminum-containing material over the channel layer; a degradation-stop layer formed of a substantially aluminum-free material over the Schottky barrier layer; and a source, a drain and a gate. The source and the drain being formed over or alloyed through the degradation-stop layer, and a lower portion of the gate extends down through an exposed portion of the degradation-stop layer and is in physical and electrical contact with the Schottky barrier layer.

Abstract: An electronic camera that can take pictures in which the subject desired by the photographer appears alone, in which the subject is emphasized relative to the background, and in which a desired hue characteristic of the subject can be emphasized or diminished without requiring the use of complex image processing performed by a computer. The effects of backlight are also eliminated or reduced, and the subject is correctly exposed under backlighting or dark background conditions. The electronic camera comprises a light source arranged to illuminate a subject, an image sensor having a reversible detection sense, a lens arranged to focus light from the subject on the image sensor, and a control system. The control system modulates the light source to generate amplitude-modulated light. The control system also reverses the detection sense of the image sensor in phase with the modulation of the amplitude-modulated light.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an optical signal includes an optical heterodyne detection system in which an input signal and a swept local oscillator signal are combined to generate a combined optical signal. At least two beams of the combined optical signal are filtered by a filter that passes a wavelength band which tracks the wavelength of the swept local oscillator signal. As the local oscillator signal sweeps across a wavelength range, filtering of the beams is adjusted to track the wavelength of the local oscillator signal. Filtering the beams to pass a wavelength band corresponding to the wavelength of the swept local oscillator signal reduces the intensity noise contributed from light sources having wavelengths that are not near the wavelength of the local oscillator signal.

Abstract: An integrated low cost thick film RF module and method for making same. An improved thick film dielectric is employed to build three-dimensional, high frequency structures. This new dielectric can be utilized to create novel RF and microwave modules that inexpensively integrate the I/O and electrical isolation functions of traditional microcircuits without using the usual set of expensive components. In particular, the module comprises a substrate; a conductive ground plane disposed above the substrate; a first dielectric layer printed on top of the ground plane; a microstrip disposed on top of the first dielectric; a second dielectric layer printed on top of the microstrip; a top ground plane disposed on top of the second dielectric; and a shield, electrically coupled to the top ground plane.