Abstract: A measuring receiver comprises a spectrum analyzer having a local oscillator for sweeping the measurement frequency of the spectrum analyzer through multiple frequency bands. A preselector has multiple filter paths with frequency bands corresponding to frequency bands of the spectrum analyzer. The filter paths for passing signals through the preselector and outputting filtered signals to the spectrum analyzer. Switches of the preselector switch between filter paths to switch in a filter path having a frequency band corresponding to a frequency band being swept by the spectrum analyzer. A controller delays the sweeping of the measurement frequency during intervals when the switches are switching between filter paths.

Abstract: Probe accessories, and methods for routing signals between a target and a test instrument using the probe accessories, are disclosed. Some of the probe accessories include a flexible circuit and first and second pairs of contacts. Flexible circuit design varies, but one embodiment has first and second regions, a first conductor and a second conductor, and a separation feature. The first conductor extends into the first region while the second conductor extends into both the first and second regions and has a fixed spacing with respect to the first conductor. A separation feature extends between first and second regions and is operable to create two independently maneuverable legs, each leg comprising an end portion of the first and second regions, while maintaining a fixed spacing between the first and second conductors. The first and second pairs of contacts electrically couple the probe accessories between test points and test instruments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel electrical probe that stores probe-specific information. A probe implemented in accordance with the invention includes a processor, memory, and a communications interface. Probe-specific information such as a probe identifier and/or calibration parameters that affect the true value of a measurement are stored in the probe memory. The probe-specific information may be retrieved by the processor from the probe memory via the communications interface.

Abstract: In an analog-to-digital converter, an analog-to-digital conversion stage comprising a comparator and an analog residual signal generator. The comparator is operable to compare an analog input signal or a sample of the analog input signal with a threshold to generate a bit signal. The analog residual signal generator is operable to generate an analog residual signal from signals comprising the sample of the analog input signal and the bit signal such that, at a level of the analog input signal equal to the threshold of the comparator, the analog residual signal has a level independent of the state of the bit signal. The analog residual signal generator comprises a summing element, a selective inverter and an amplifier in series. The summing element is operable to sum a signal input to it with a reference signal.

Abstract: The real-time reassembly of data received over an ATM network is enabled by a system including two digital memories, an indicator for indicating one of the two memories as a process memory and another one of the two memories as a storage memory, a buffer memory, a processor which processes the digital contents of a cell stored in the process memory and stores the digital contents of a subsequent cell in the storage memory. In operation of the system, the processing of the contents of the process memory is completed prior to completion of the receiving and storing of the contents of the subsequent cell in the storage memory.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing liquids to one or more receiving elements. The apparatus comprises a first element arrangement having one or more first receiving elements, a second element arrangement having one or more second receiving elements, a distributor adapted for distributing liquids to the first receiving elements, and an adapter adapted for transferring the liquids from the first receiving elements to the second receiving elements.

Abstract: A side wall 35 that extends in the axial direction enclosing the plasma in such a way that expansion of plasma to the sides is prevented at the back surface of a skimmer cone 33 and a small collision chamber 36, which is positioned at the back side of this side wall 35 and is defined by a flat part 56 of a first electrode 53 having an opening 57 through which the ion beam can pass. By means of this small collision chamber 36, the pressure inside the chamber rises without introducing additional gas; therefore, argon ions are neutralized by collision and recombination between the ions and electrons and the ion density of the plasma is reduced. Thus, the beam diameter during ion extraction and transport is maintained relatively small.

Abstract: Optical transceiver with pluggable optical module. An electro-optical transceiver, preferably in a standard form factor such as XENPAK, XPAK, or X2, is adapted to receive a pluggable optical module, preferably complying with the XFP standard. The transceiver adapts signals from the pluggable optical module to the transceiver interface.

Abstract: Photonic crystal sensors may be created from two and three dimensional photonic crystals by introducing defects. The localization of the optical field in the defect region affords the ability to sense small volumes of analyte.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electronically addressing and interrogating microarrays are disclosed. The described microarrays include a plurality of features disposed on a substrate. Each of the features has a first electrode disposed on the substrate, a second electrode disposed on the substrate, and a probe disposed between the first electrode and second electrode. The substrate also includes addressing circuitry in operable relation to the features. Method of using the microarrays are also described.

Abstract: A method of evaluating for the presence of a target polynucleotide in a sample, using an addressable array of multiple polynucleotide probes linked to a substrate. The sample is exposed to the array and a set of polynucleotide target probes, such that target polynucleotide which may be present will bind to a predetermined feature of the array through multiple target probes of the set by forming at respective target regions on a target molecule, simultaneous hybrids with anti-target regions of the multiple target probes. A binding pattern on the array is observed and the presence of the target polynucleotide evaluated based on the observed binding pattern. Kits using such arrays, and methods for selecting target probes are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for use with a mass spectrometer. The multimode ionization source of the present invention provides one or more atmospheric pressure ionization sources (e.g., electrospray, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and/or atmospheric pressure photoionization) for ionizing molecules. A method of producing ions using the multimode ionization source is also disclosed. The apparatus and method provide the advantages of the combined ion sources without the inherent disadvantages of the individual sources. In an embodiment, the multimode ionization source includes an infrared emitter enclosed in an inner chamber for drying a charged aerosol. ESI/APCI multimode sources may include a corona needle shield and/or an auxiliary electrode.

Abstract: A system for rapid testing of devices includes a test performance component capable of testing an intermittently operated device, an interface component capable of providing a release interval value and a measurement interval value, and a test control component capable of receiving the release interval value and the measurement interval value from the interface component and of providing the release interval value and the test interval value to the test performance component, and the test performance component being capable of initiating interaction between the intermittently operated device and the test performance component, of performing a plurality of tests, each test from the plurality of tests occurring over one test interval value, and of terminating the plurality of tests after a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry system is described. The mass spectrometry system includes an ion source to ionize a sample stream, a detector positioned downstream with respect to the ion source to acquire mass spectrometry data of the sample stream, and a data analyzer connected to the detector. The data analyzer includes a chromatogram generator to process the mass spectrometry data to derive a chromatogram, a data point selector to apply a selection criterion to the chromatogram to select data points from the chromatogram, and a peak discriminator to apply a discriminating criterion to the data points to detect a peak in the chromatogram, wherein the peak is indicative of a presence of an analyte in the sample stream. A computer-readable medium for a mass spectrometry system and a method of processing mass spectrometry data are also described.

Abstract: A system for sensing an absolute two-dimensional position of an object having a two-dimensional target pattern thereon comprises a sensor and a controller. The sensor is for capturing an image of a subset of the target pattern. The controller is for generating a first image vector representing summations of rows of pixel values from the image, and a second image vector representing summations of columns of pixel values from the image. The controller is configured to determine an absolute two-dimensional position of the subset of the target pattern with respect to the origin of the target pattern based on the first image vector, the second image vector and target vectors that represent the target pattern.

Abstract: A liquid metal switch uses a conductive liquid droplet of a material containing gallium as a substitute for mercury. A secondary fluid surrounding the material containing gallium prevents the formation of oxide on a surface of the conductive liquid droplet.

Abstract: An enclosure includes interconnected panels defining an internal space. The panels define an air inlet for admitting cooling air to the enclosure and an air outlet for exhausting cooling air from the enclosure. The panels configure the internal space to promote a linear air flow velocity near the inlet (or outlet) that is greater than a respective velocity near the outlet (or inlet) for a given volumetric flow rate of air through the enclosure. A portion of a cover panel may be angularly oriented to define an increasing transverse cross sectional area between the inlet and outlet, to cause air flowing into the enclosure to change in linear velocity as it traverses the enclosure. The cover panel may have separate portions positioned at different heights such that the cross-sectional areas near the outlet and inlet differ. The fan may be angularly oriented for better removal of heated cooling air.

Abstract: Eye diagrams are made for signals on each channel in a group. Outlying signals not exhibiting overlap for a sampling parameter common for all channels may be ignored and a warning given. Selected, normalized eye openings are used to discover optimum sampling parameters for each channel. Locations within each eye opening are ranked according to preference. Algorithms are used to select a single best value for a sampling parameter common to all the channels, and the corresponding best other sampling parameter is found for each channel. One algorithm disregards good choices for many channels to accommodate any remaining channel by using only a commonly agreed upon value (a jury system). Another algorithm gives weight to a choice according to the number of channels that agree on that choice (majority rule). A graphical user interface facilitates the selection, and emphasizes which sampling parameters are constrained to vary together.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for dynamically controlling a time period of ion detection by an ion detector of a mass spectrometer. A current resulting from conversion of an output of the detector is surveyed during the ion detection by the detector. The time period for the ion detection is terminated upon calculation of a statistically valid accumulation statistic, calculation indicating that satisfactory statistics cannot be achieved over the time period, relative to a predetermined statistical threshold, or elapsing of the entire time period having been preset.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a digital circuit for use in a mixed-signal circuit.