Abstract: A measurement system includes a clock recovery system and a measurement module coupled to the clock recovery system. The clock recovery system has an associated response characteristic. The clock recovery system receives an input signal and recovers a clock signal from the input signal. The measurement module is coupled to the clock recovery system and measures a phase error signal received from the clock recovery system, time-referenced to a trigger signal that is applied to the measurement module, where the phase error signal represents the phase difference between the input signal and the recovered clock signal. A processor applies the associated response characteristic to the measured phase error signal to determine the phase of the input signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a GC mass spectrometry system, including a column for introducing a sample into the GC mass spectrometry system, a heating source for providing heat to the sample to be separated by the column, an ion source downstream from the heating source for ionizing the sample separated by the column, the ion source having a sensor for determining the temperature of the ion source, an interface coupled to the ion source sensor and the heating source wherein the interface provides a feedback loop between the ion source sensor and the heating source and the temperature of the ion source or the heating source can be tracked and altered during data acquisition.

Abstract: A phase comparator is used to test a device under test comprising an input/output (I/O) circuit by applying a signal to the device under test; extracting a phase signal from the phase comparator; and determining parametric information pertaining to the I/O circuit of the device under test from the phase signal.

Abstract: A quick-stop feature built into power systems enables deactivating the power output of output supplies in the shortest possible time. This feature prevents damage to the power system and to the electrical devices connected to the output supplies. The quick-stop feature can be implemented as a hardware or a software solution. A button on the front panel of the power system can initiate the quick-stop feature. Alternatively, the power system can be connected to a network to watch over and provide fault protection mechanisms. A processor within the power system can execute the quick-stop feature by deactivating the power output. Deactivating the power output can follow a programmed shutdown, a sequenced shutdown or a complete shutdown. Downprogrammers ensure deactivating the power output in the shortest time.

Abstract: Frequency acquisition is accelerated in a phase-locked loop circuit. A duration of time for sinking current from or sourcing current to a loop filter is calculated in order to accelerate frequency acquisition of a reference frequency of a reference signal and a feedback frequency of a feedback signal fed back from a controlled oscillator when the feedback signal frequency is changed or frequency of the reference signal is changed by a predetermined amount. The feedback signal frequency is changed or frequency of the reference signal is changed by the predetermined amount. Sinking current from or sourcing current to a loop filter electrically connected to the controlled oscillator for the duration of time is performed resulting in the reduction of the time for frequency acquisition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring electrical signals measures an electromagnetic wave having an interference component at a center frequency and at multiple times to obtain data points. The positions of the data points on a complex plane are calculated. Chords of a circle on the complex plane, wherein the chords passing between pairs of the data points, and the circle fit to the data points are calculated. The chords are used to determine an approximate center of the circle wherein the position of the approximate center of the circle on the complex plane represents the electromagnetic wave with the interference component removed. An indication of the measured electromagnetic wave having the interference component removed is output from the apparatus.

Abstract: An interactive graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying frequency, amplitude and geolocation information provided by a local intelligence system is provided comprising: a plot of radio frequency (RF) versus amplitude, and a map indicating location of RF signals. The intelligence system has a front end to generate digital data based on received RF signals, a post processing stage to process the digital data, and a geolocation module to prevent the post-processing stage from processing a first portion of the digital data that corresponds to RF signals originating from a geographic location other than a predetermined geographic location. The GUI is updated continuously in near real time. Methods of operating the GUI are also provided.

Abstract: A test system is capable of performing parallel modulation error measurement of transceivers using a loop-back configuration. Each transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. A signal generator generates a first modulated signal for input to the receivers of the transceivers. A tester is operable to measure a first demodulation error produced by the receiver in response to the first modulated signal and to measure a modulation error of the transmitter based on the first demodulation error and a second demodulation error. The second demodulation error is produced by the receiver in response to a second modulated signal generated by the transmitter and coupled from the transmitter to the receiver.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first RF port and a second RF port. A limiter section is disposed between the first RF port and the second RF port and a detector section coupled to an RF signal path between the first RF port and the second RF port configured to detect a power level of an input signal, and coupled to the limiter section.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, a multipole ion guide for moving and guiding ions, particularly in a mass spectrometer. The multipole ion guide comprises multiple rods with a resistive coating, and radio frequency (RF) and direct current (DC) voltages applying to the resistive coating of each rod. Devices and systems comprising the multipole ion guide, as well as methods of use thereof, are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for pre-processing data samples from parallelized analog-to-digital converters (ADC). An ADC converts an analog signal into N parallel digital data samples that are output on N ADC links x0 through xN-1. A parallel computation block in communication with the ADC processes the data samples in parallel prior to storage into a memory.

Abstract: Devices, and methods of use thereof, receivable by autosamplers for processing fluids contains suspended solids and solubles in, for example, solid phase extraction, include an inlet chamber in fluid communication with an outlet chamber through an integral fluid pathway. One or more autosampler needle(s) may inject the fluid into the inlet chamber, which contains a separation medium through which the injected fluid flows prior to flowing into the outlet chamber, from which fluid may be withdrawn by the autosampler needle(s). A pressure tight seal may be formed between the needle(s) and inlet chamber, and backflow is preventable from the outlet chamber to the inlet chamber. Numerous embodiments of the device are described, including well plate configurations and structures graspable by autosampler robotic devices and/or which may be held in autosampler trays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making multiple independent measurements of events from multiple measurement setups entered at a single time. A measurement instrument receives N measurement setups to make N measurements of an input signal, where N is an integer greater than or equal to one. A memory is divided into N partitions, each of the N partitions corresponding to one of the N measurements. A first measurement is run on the input signal, the first measurement selected from the N measurements. The data from the first measurement is stored in a first partition selected from the N partitions.

Abstract: An analytical column includes a coating that absorbs at least one of ultraviolet (UV) and visible (VIS) radiant energy and converts the radiant energy into heat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a flow disruption within a gas chromatograph (GC) inlet. A controller controls an input flow of a gas entering a chamber of the GC inlet, and the output flow of gas leaving the chamber. A flow disruption is detected when at least one of the input and output flows deviates from a target value.

Abstract: A sensor head for use with a measurement grating is described. The sensor head comprises: a splitter grating configured to split a light beam into first and second measurement beams; a first retroreflector configured to retroreflect the first and second measurement beams toward the measurement grating; and a second retroreflector configured to retroreflect the first and second measurement beams toward the measurement grating. In one embodiment the second measurement beam is diffracted by the measurement grating to form first and second sub-beams and one of the first and second sub-beams comprises a zeroth order diffraction component and a first order diffraction component. In another embodiment, the first and second sub-beams each comprise a zeroth order diffraction component and a first order diffraction component.

Abstract: A system and method are provided which add, via an add-on module, synchronization functionality to an instrument that does not otherwise support such synchronization functionality. Various synchronization techniques may be supported by the synchronization module. For instance, in certain embodiments the synchronization module supports message-based synchronization techniques and/or time-based synchronization techniques. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the add-on module supports synchronization with another device (e.g., another instrument or another add-on module coupled to an instrument) via synchronized local clocks (e.g., IEEE 1588) and messaging over a communication network. In certain embodiments, the add-on module additionally or alternatively supports the use of “time bombs” to trigger scheduled actions on the instrument with which the synchronization module is interfaced.

Abstract: A Method and System for Collecting and Surveying Radio Communications From a Specific Protected Area of Operations in or Around a Compound. It is an object of the present invention to provide just such a method to automatically detect communications signals in near real time, from any selectable sub-area of a compound. Such a system would greatly enhance the operational capabilities of the twenty-first century organization by providing a real-time capability to secure radio communications in and around a compound. The system has all the abilities of the system described in the '976 application, but is further able to automatically detect the direction of the incoming signals (relative to two or more collector subsystems in communication with each other), and thereafter to add that information to the surveillance decision logic such that the actual geographical location, as adjusted by the calibration information for the particular compound surveillance decision logic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing ions in mass spectrometry is provided. The apparatus includes an ion processing cell having segmented multipole rods and a means for admitting reactive reagent ions to the cell. Provision for timed sequence control of RF and DC voltages to the segmented multipole rods is included. Processing includes trapping analyte ions and subjecting them to selected reactions with reactive reagent ions and/or physical manipulation of the ions by changing the characteristics of the electric field and/or creating discrete regions in the field.

Abstract: A method of locating an acoustic source, the method comprising sampling said acoustic source at a plurality of acoustic receivers having different locations, each acoustic receiver time-stamping a respective received acoustic sample using a system time, each acoustic receiver sending said time-stamped acoustic sample to a central controller, the central controller determining the location of the acoustic source in response to receiving the time-stamped sound source samples from the plurality of receivers.