Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for refreshing a DRAM device without interrupting or inhibiting read and write operations of the DRAM device. The system may includes refresh control circuitry that selectively generates requests to perform refresh operations and a refresh address counter that is coupled to the refresh control circuitry and that generates a refresh address in response to receiving a refresh request. The refresh address corresponds to a word line of the DRAM array to be refreshed. Address control and switching circuitry may be coupled to the refresh control circuitry. The address control and switching circuitry selectively transmits read/write addresses and refresh addresses to the DRAM array, in order to perform refresh operations on the DRAM array without inhibiting read and write operations.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a limited rotation motor system is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing a motor control frequency domain signal that is representative of a frequency domain representation of the motor control signal responsive to a first digital signal that is representative of a motor control signal. The method also includes the step of providing a position detection frequency domain signal that is representative of a frequency domain representation of the position detection signal responsive to a second digital signal that is representative of a position detection signal.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a plurality of composite optical assemblies is disclosed. Each optical assembly includes a first optical element and a second optical element. The method includes the steps of providing a first composite substrate that may be divided into a plurality of first optical elements and forming on an exposed surface of the first composite substrate a second composite substrate that may be divided into a plurality of second optical elements, the first and second composite substrates providing a composite structure.

Abstract: An absolute encoder employs multiple sub-encoders of different resolutions and a linking algorithm for combining the sub-encoder outputs to form an accurate, high-resolution position estimate. The sub-encoders can utilize edge modulation of a main grating track, sloped patterns of successively higher periods, and other types of scale patterns. The sub-encoders can also use a variety of detector types suitable for the patterns being used. In one linking approach, pairs of tracks are linked together successively by applying a phase shift to the coarser track and then combining it with the finer track such that the transitions of the coarse track estimates become aligned with those of the finer track, whereupon the values can be combined to form a linked position estimate. In another approach, beat tracks are calculated from physical tracks of similar period, and the beat tracks are used as the coarser tracks in the linking process.

Abstract: A reflective metrological scale has a scale pattern of elongated side-by-side marks surrounded by reflective surface areas of a substrate, which may be a nickel-based metal alloy such as Invar® or Inconel® and may be a thin and elongated flexible tape. Each mark has a furrowed cross section and may have a depth in the range of 0.5 to 2 microns. The central region of each mark may be rippled or ridged and may be darkened to provide an enhanced optical reflection ratio with respect to surrounding reflective surface areas. A manufacturing method includes the repeated steps of (1) creating a scale mark by irradiating a surface of the substrate at a mark location with a series of overlapped pulses from a laser, each pulse having an energy density of less than about 1 joule per cm2, and (2) changing the relative position of the laser and the substrate by a displacement amount defining a next mark location on the substrate at which a next mark of the scale is to be created.

Abstract: A limited rotation motor optical scanning system is disclosed that includes a limited rotation motor scanner, a digital controller servo system, a position feedback unit, a wide angle compensation unit, a digital processor, and an adjustment unit. The limited rotation motor scanner element is adapted for directing an energy beam to at least one location within a field of view. The digital controlled servo system is adapted for controlling motion of the limited rotation motor scanner element in accordance with a servo command waveform. The position feedback unit is for providing a position feedback signal indicative of a rotational position of the limited rotation motor scanner element. The wide angle compensation unit is for receiving the position feedback signal and for providing a boost signal that is representative of a boost factor that compensates for torque constant variation with the rotational position of said limited rotation motor scanner element.

Abstract: An energy beam machining system includes an emitter for emitting an energy beam and beam adjusting optics, such as a zoom telescope, for adjusting the pupil size of the system to multiple values. The adjusting of the pupil size can be carried out automatically, semi-automatically, or manually. In manual modes, instructions can be presented to the operator (e.g., via a monitor or pre-programmed audio instruction) indicating how to adjust pupil size. A focus lens focuses the adjusted beam directed along each path at a different focal point within a scan field encompassed in the field of view of the focus lens. Beam directing optics are configured to enable multiple scan fields within the field of view of the focus lens.

Abstract: A limited rotation motor system that includes a rotor is disclosed wherein the rotor includes a sleeve with a first open end and an a second end having an integral closed end element, and a permanent magnet that is received through the first open end of the sleeve. The first open end of the sleeve is also adapted to receive an output device, and the second closed end is for mounting the rotor within the limited rotation motor system.

Abstract: A scanning assembly is disclosed for providing controlled movement of a mirror. The scanning assembly includes a motor shaft of a limited rotation motor, a scanning device, and a scanning device mounting unit. The mirror mounting unit includes a tapered base for coupling the scanning device mounting unit to the output shaft of the limited rotation motor. One of the tapered base and the output shaft includes a cylindrical tapered male plug having a decreasing inner diameter that decreases along a direction of coupling of the tapered base and the output shaft for engaging the tapered base to the output shaft. The tapered base includes an overall taper angle of at most about 4.0 degrees from the rotational axis of the output shaft.

Abstract: An energy beam machining system includes an emitter for emitting an energy beam and beam adjusting optics, such as a zoom telescope, for adjusting the pupil size of the system to multiple values. The adjusting of the pupil size can be carried out automatically, semi-automatically, or manually. In manual modes, instructions can be presented to the operator (e.g., via a monitor or pre-programmed audio instruction) indicating how to adjust pupil size. A focus lens focuses the adjusted beam directed along each path at a different focal point within a scan field encompassed in the field of view of the focus lens. Beam directing optics are configured to enable multiple scan fields within the field of view of the focus lens.

Abstract: An absolute encoder employs multiple sub-encoders of different resolutions and a linking algorithm for combining the sub-encoder outputs to form an accurate, high-resolution position estimate. The sub-encoders can utilize edge modulation of a main grating track, sloped patterns of successively higher periods, and other types of scale patterns. The sub-encoders can also use a variety of detector types suitable for the patterns being used. In one linking approach, pairs of tracks are linked together successively by applying a phase shift to the coarser track and then combining it with the finer track such that the transitions of the coarse track estimates become aligned with those of the finer track, whereupon the values can be combined to form a linked position estimate. In another approach, beat tracks are calculated from physical tracks of similar period, and the beat tracks are used as the coarser tracks in the linking process.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a source of a light beam, an optical grating that generates a spatial pattern of interference fringes, and an optical detector which includes generally elongated detector elements that sample the interference fringe pattern at spatially separated locations along the direction of motion of the grating. Each detector element has one or more segments slanted along the direction of motion of the grating by an integer multiple of the period of an undesirable harmonic component of the fringe pattern, thereby spatially integrating the harmonic component and suppressing its contribution to an output of the detector. One specific detector type includes parallel elongated rectangular elements in a rectangular array that is rotated slightly about a Z axis; another type includes detector elements arranged to form a non-rectangular parallelogram.

Abstract: An energy beam machining system includes an emitter for emitting an energy beam and beam adjusting optics, such as a zoom telescope, for adjusting the pupil size of the system to multiple values. The adjusting of the pupil size can be carried out automatically, semi-automatically, or manually. In manual modes, instructions can be presented to the operator (e.g., via a monitor or pre-programmed audio instruction) indicating how to adjust pupil size. A focus lens focuses the adjusted beam directed along each path at a different focal point within a scan field encompassed in the field of view of the focus lens. Beam directing optics are configured to enable multiple scan fields within the field of view of the focus lens.

Abstract: A flexible optical marker is applied to an optical scale substrate to make an optical scale assembly for an optical position encoder. The marker may be a limit marker, index marker, or other type of marker. The marker substrate may be a plastic film such as polyester, singulated from a “recombine” roll created by a web process. The marker has a microstructured pattern on one surface that is covered with a reflective metal coating. The marker also has an adhesive layer and is affixed to the optical scale substrate by a process of aligning the marker to an edge of the scale and then applying pressure to the upper surface of the marker. The marker may be applied with a handle portion that is separated from the marker after the marker is affixed. The marker may be especially useful with a flexible scale substrate such as a metal tape substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor memory device with reduced soft error rate (SER) and a method for fabricating such a device. The semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of implants of impurity ions that provide for a reduced number of minority carriers having less mobility. A fabrication process for the semiconductor memory includes a “non-retrograde” implant of impurity ions that is effective to suppress the mobility and lifetime of minority carriers in the devices, and a “retrograde” implant of impurity ions that is effective to substantially increase the doping concentration at the well bottom to slow down or eliminate additional minority carriers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for adjusting a proportional, integral, derivative controller in a limited rotation motor system. The method includes the step of providing a first frequency domain sequence that is representative of a frequency domain representation of a motor control signal responsive to a first digital signal that is representative of the motor control signal. The method also includes the step of providing a second frequency domain sequence that is representative of a frequency domain representation of a position detection signal responsive to a second digital signal that is representative of the position detection signal.

Abstract: An in-line gate is provided for a conveyor for particulate lading. The gate comprises a gate plate which is movable between a raised position in which the gate plate engages a seal extending at least along the sides of the conveyor exit and a lowered position in which the plate is beneath the conveyor's trough floor. In the lowered position, the gate plate is moved parallel to the direction of the conveyor between a closed position in which the plate blocks the opening and an open position in which the gate plate is positioned beneath the conveyor trough.

Abstract: A method and system for iteratively, selectively tuning a parameter of a doped workpiece, such as the impedance of an integrated semiconductor device, by modifying the dopant profile of a region of relatively low dopant concentration by controlled diffusion of dopants from one or more adjacent regions of relatively higher dopant concentration through melting action caused by one or more laser pulses created by a Q-switched, pulsed laser are disclosed. In particular, the method and system are directed to increasing the dopant concentration of the region of lower dopant concentration, but may also be adapted to decrease the dopant concentration of the region.

Abstract: A water pressure regulator for a watering system of an animal house is provided with a water inlet member comprising a watering path and a flush path. The watering path is operably engaged by the regulating valve. The inlet member is manually movable relative to the housing, to position the watering path outlet relative to the regulating valve to prevent the regulating valve from engaging the inlet member, thereby placing the regulator in a flush mode. The flush path has a water exit into the regulator spaced from the watering path port, and hence is not engagable by the regulating valve. A flush valve is provided in the flush path, and is moveable between a closed position in which the regulator will operate in a drinking mode and an open position in which the regulator will be in a flush mode. An actuator is provided which is operated by a control system to allow for automatic flushing of the watering line according to a predetermined schedule.

Abstract: A laser processing system implements a method for aligning a probe element (e.g., a probe pin) with a device interface element (e.g., a contact pad of a circuit substrate). First, the laser processing system generates an optical reference beam at one or more predetermined positions to calibrate a reference field. The laser processing system then detects a position of the probe element in the reference field. The laser processing system also determines a relative position of the device interface element in the reference field. Based on the position of the probe element and the device interface element, the laser processing system then initiates alignment of the probe element and the device interface element. In one application, alignment of the probe element and the device interface element further includes contacting the probe element to the device interface element to make an electrical connection.