Abstract: A system and methodology for use in a signal measurement system having a graphical user interface. The measurement invocation system is configured to provide graphical control elements on the graphical user interface such that the selection of a control element invokes a measurement operation on a selected displayed waveform. The measurement invocation system automatically performs a waveform measurement function when graphically associated by a user with a waveform displayed in a waveform display region of a graphical user interface is disclosed. The measurement invocation system includes a measurement toolbar manager configured to display on the graphical user interface one or more measurement icons. Each of the icons corresponds to a waveform measurement function. The toolbar manager identifies which of the one or more measurement icons has been selected by the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a write driver circuit for use in a magnetic read/write system for writing information to a magnetic storage medium. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the write driver circuit comprises a variable common mode circuit component for enabling the common mode output voltage of the write driver circuit to be varied and/or set to a preselected value. In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the write driver circuit comprises a variable damping resistance circuit component for enabling the damping resistance of the write driver circuit to be varied and/or set to a preselected value in order to optimize write current rise time and overshoot.

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 active pixel sensor. The active pixel sensor includes a photo-diode. The photo-diode conducting charge as a function of the intensity of light received by the photo-diode. The photo-diode includes a diode capacitance which collects charge conducted by the photo-diode which generates a photo-diode voltage. A switched capacitor is connected in parallel with the photo-diode when the photo-diode voltage drops below a pre-determined voltage potential. A capacitance of the switched capacitor adds to the diode capacitance when the switched capacitor is connected. The switched capacitor can be a gate capacitor. The active pixel sensor further includes electronic circuitry to allow a controller to sample the photo-diode voltage.

Abstract: The invention presents a circuit by which control of the output amplitude of digital analog converters can be carried out at high speed and with high precision. A first digital signal that is the same as the input signal and a second digital signal of a value slightly smaller than an input signal provided from a high-speed processor are selectively applied to plural D-A converters and the output therefrom is added. By changing the ratio with which the first digital signal and the second digital signal are selected, it is possible to control the analog output amplitude.

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 method of determining an intensity value for a pixel in a display for displaying digitized waveforms. The intensity values simulate an analog display so that intensity at high slew rates about a point is lower than intensity at low slew rates about a point. Intensity may be computed as a function of slew rate. Alternatively, for speed, the absolute difference between waveform magnitudes at consecutive samples is used as an index into a pre-computed table of intensity values. As a result, for each sample, only a subtraction and a table look-up are needed to provide intensity variation. In an alternative embodiment, intensity values are higher at higher slew rates to accentuate rising and falling edges of digital waveforms.

Abstract: The invention provides a true average, wide dynamic range microwave power sensor using a diode-stack-attenuator diode stack technology. The invention provides a diode stack microwave power sensor which includes an RF signals receiver having wide dynamic power ranges; a low power sensor path connected between the receiver and ground for sensing relatively low power RF input signals. The low power sensor path includes one or more stacked RF diodes in which a number of diode pairs may be coupled to ground through respective capacitors. An impedance network including attenuating resistors R1 and R2 are connected in series between the receiver and ground. A high power sensor path is connected in parallel between the attenuating resistors R1 and R2 and ground for sensing attenuated relatively high power RF input signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating an array of biopolymers on a substrate using a biopolymer or biomonomer fluid, and using a fluid dispensing head. The head has at least one jet which can dispense droplets onto a substrate, the jet including a chamber with an orifice, and including an ejector which, when activated, causes a droplet to be ejected from the orifice. The method includes positioning the head with the orifice facing the substrate. Multiple droplets of the biopolymer or biomonomer fluid are dispensed from the head orifice so as to form an array of droplets on the substrate. A gas flow is directed through a venturi which has a throat opening communicating with the dispensing head chamber. A venturi control valve which particularly communicate with an outlet of the venturi, is adjusted to alter the chamber pressure. The venturi may be driven by a source of inert anhydrous compressed gas which assists in maintaining fluid in the head isolated from moisture.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal-based light valve comprising a light input, a light output, a polarizing beam splitter, a reflective spatial light modulator and a switchable half-wave plate. Light polarized parallel to a first direction is received through the light input. Light from the light input and reflected by the spatial light modulator is output from the light output. The reflective spatial light modulator is structured as a quarter-wave plate and has a principal axis that switches through an angle &phgr;. The polarizing beam splitter has orthogonal directions of maximum transmissivity and maximum reflectivity, one of which is parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: A technique that modulates the power of a inductively coupled plasma (ICP) according to the operative modes of a spectrometer. An analytical apparatus of the present invention contains an inductively coupled plasma generator (ICPG) and a spectrometer. The ICPG generates a plasma for forming ionic and excited molecular species from a sample. The spectrometer analyzes the ionic and excited molecular species formed. The spectrometer operates in an analysis mode wherein the ionic and excited molecular species are identified according to physical characteristics of the species to provide data on the species and further has a washout mode wherein the spectrometer flushes out interfering ions and molecules and provides no significant data on the sample. The controller modulates the ICPG to operate in power cycles, at each cycle the ICPG operates in an analysis period and a stand-by period. By modulating the plasma power, the power consumption and heat dissipation can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of interconnecting bond pads on a semiconductor die to leads of a package is disclosed. The method includes placing a connector over each bond pad and its corresponding lead. The connector is one of a plurality of ganged connectors. The method also includes electrically connecting the connector to the bond pad and the lead and singularizing the connector from the plurality of ganged connectors. Such a method of interconnection has the advantage of simultaneously interconnecting multiple bond pads to leads. In a preferred embodiment, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are manufactured using the method. A PCB is etched to produced lead pairs of the LEDs. A semiconductor die is attached to a first lead of each lead pair. Ganged interconnects are aligned with and tagged onto the dies and the second leads of the lead pairs, thereby electrically connecting them. After tagging, the interconnects are singularized. An encapsulant is applied on each die and interconnect.

Abstract: A defibrillator having an energy storage capacitor network with multiple configurations selected according to patient impedance and desired energy level for delivery of an impedance-compensated defibrillation pulse is provided. The set of configurations may include series, parallel, and series/parallel combinations of energy storage capacitors within the energy storage capacitor network. The impedance-compensated defibrillation pulse may be delivered over an expanded range of energy levels while limiting the peak current to levels that are safe for the patient using configurations tailored for lower impedance patients and limiting the range of defibrillation pulse durations and providing adequate current levels for higher impedance patients. Configurations of the energy storage capacitor network may be readily added to extend the range of energy levels well above 200 joules.

Abstract: A microanalysis device having a plurality of sample processing compartments is described for use in liquid phase analysis. A microanalysis device system, comprising a plurality of interconnected microanalysis devices. The device is formed by microfabrication of microstructures in novel support substrates. The invention herein can be used for the analysis of small and/or macromolecular and/or other solutes in the liquid phase.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for developing digital libraries that are used in creating executable tests for testing devices at the board level. The present invention is called automated digital library development. An automated digital library is a library of pre-defined information and tests for a device that is automatically extracted during device synthesis. Automated digital library development, therefore, is the recordation of predefined device information during device synthesis, which information is made available for in-circuit test application at the board level. Since device information and tests are predefined in a digital library, automated digital library development can automate the process of creating the digital library, thereby reducing the time and expense of manually creating it. As a result, more device information and tests can be generated. Additionally, since the information is recorded at the time the device is synthesized, the accuracy and reliability of the information is maximized.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the measurement and inspection of integrated circuit. Such an apparatus includes a camera for sensing an image of the integrated circuit (IC), an oblique light source, and a reflector. The camera has an optical axis passing through the IC normal to the plane of the IC. The oblique light source radiates light on the IC obliquely to the plane of the IC such that at least a portion of the oblique light source is positioned on one side of the optical axis. The reflector is positioned on the opposite side of the optical axis relative the portion of the oblique light source for reflecting light that crosses the optical axis from the oblique light source to the camera, such that at least a portion of the IC interposes between the portion of the oblique light source and the reflector. As a result, the shape of that portion of the IC is imaged on the camera by backlighting. The leads on the IC can be inspected in this manner.

Abstract: The invention is a method for assuring the integrity of a mission test. The method includes the steps of checking the integrity of the test after test execution but prior to test diagnosis. In particular, after the mission test has been executed, the integrity of the mission test is confirmed based on a comparison of the actual length of the scan path with an expected length of the scan path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting ultrasound energy having low harmonic content and for detecting harmonic reflections of the ultrasound energy are disclosed. According to the invention, the capacitance of an ultrasound transducer element, as well as any interconnection capacitance associated with one or more signal conductors attached to the transducer element, is utilized as part of a filter which conditions one or more electronic drive signals to provide an ultrasound transmit waveform having low harmonic content. Such a low harmonic content ultrasound transmit waveform may be used to expose a region of interest in a patient which reflects harmonics of the transmit waveform. Receive circuitry detects the harmonic reflections and generates an ultrasound image having improved contrast and reduced distortion.

Abstract: A surface mountable coaxial solder interconnect. The invention provides a small, low-cost, passively self-aligning, high-frequency electronic interconnect adapted to mass production and method. The invention includes a substrate, a signal conductor, and an annular conductor. The substrate incorporates an annular pad and a signal pad substantially centered within the annular pad. The signal conductor includes reflowed solder and is wetted to the signal pad. Similarly, the annular conductor includes reflowed solder and is wetted to the annular pad. The invention may also provide a second substrate substantially parallel to the first substrate that includes a second annular pad and a second signal pad substantially centered within the second annular pad. In such a case, the signal conductor is also wetted to the second signal pad, and, similarly, the annular conductor is also wetted to the second annular pad. The method of the invention includes obtaining a mask and a substrate.

Abstract: A Group III-nitride semiconductor device that has a low voltage-drop p-contact and comprises a substrate layer, a metal electrode and an intermediate layer sandwiched between the substrate layer and the metal electrode. The substrate layer is a layer of a p-type Group III-nitride semiconductor, and the intermediate layer includes a Group III-nitride semiconductor in which atoms of a Group V element other than nitrogen have been substituted for a fraction of nitrogen atoms. The Group III-nitride semiconductor device is made by providing a substrate including a p-type Group III-nitride semiconductor having an exposed surface. Atoms of a Group V element other than nitrogen are substituted for a fraction of the nitrogen atoms of the p-type Group III-nitride semiconductor to form an intermediate layer extending into the p-type Group III-nitride semiconductor from the exposed surface. Metal is then deposited on the exposed surface to form an electrode in electrical contact with the intermediate layer.