Abstract: An improved adaptive equalizer providing the proper amount of equalization to restore the missing frequency components of a received and underequalized waveform. The invention'equalization gain or pulse counting feature can be set at various levels by digitally programming the control logic of the invention. Additionally, the digital control features of the invention permit higher accuracy in determining required equalizations for waveforms and avoid variations, such as temperature process variations, present in analog systems. The invention permits higher accuracy in determining required equalizations for waveforms. The invention finds, holds, and updates the average low frequency peak of the incoming signal in a highly digital manner. Since peak information is digitally held, it is not subject to the data dependent drifts inherent in analog peak detectors.

Abstract: Two or more equal amplitude periodic output signals which are mutually shifted in phase by an integer fraction of 360 degrees, such as 90°, are generated by injection locking a ring type oscillator circuit arrangement with a periodic low phase noise signal source. More particularly, a first ring oscillator is injection locked by a low phase noise signal source, one having a noise characteristic which meets the GSM radio standard of at least −132 dBc/Hz at a 3 MHz offset. An identical second ring oscillator is then driven with the output of the first ring oscillator. In one circuit configuration, an even numbered, e.g., a four stage ring oscillator is injection locked to a low-phase noise oscillator having a predetermined noise specification which is application specific and wherein a second even numbered stage, e.g., a four stage ring oscillator is coupled to the first ring oscillator. In a second circuit configuration, a first odd numbered, e.g.

Abstract: A method of forming an inductor for a semiconductor device comprises the steps of forming the bottom legs on a first substrate; depositing a second substrate layer over the first substrate; forming the pair of side legs for each loop through the second substrate layer; and, forming top legs connecting pairs of side legs extending from adjacent bottom legs. The step of providing the side legs includes forming a pair of vias through the second substrate layer to the bottom legs, and depositing side legs in the vias. The step of forming the top legs preferably includes forming a channel between the pairs of vias respectively communicating with the adjacent bottom legs, and depositing top legs in the channels. Additionally, the steps of forming the side and top legs are performed concurrently.

Abstract: A cross-connecting optical translator array that electronically switches opto-electronically converted signals received from optical transmission systems and that uses an optical transmitter to generate optical signals having the required wavelength for succeeding optical transmission systems. The cross-connecting optical translator array includes optical converters that are coupled to an input side of an electronic space switch fabric. Optical transmitters are coupled to an output side of the electronic space switch fabric. The optical transmitters are selectable to provide optical interface capability with the various wavelength optical fibers used in optical transmission systems. The combination of the optical converters and the optical transmitters operationally provide an optical translator that receive optical signals at a first wavelength and can transmit optical signals at a second wavelength. The operating speed of the array is compatible with that of the optical transmission systems.

Abstract: Turn-on and turn-off control circuitry are provided for a write driver circuit having first and second switching devices for directing current in opposite directions through a write head between first and second terminals in response to first and second input signals. The turn-off control circuitry includes first and second active devices coupled to the control elements of the respective first and second switching devices. The first and second active devices are operated to pull current from the control elements of the first and second switching devices in first and second current paths upon activation of appropriate input signals. First and second resistors are connected in the respective first and second current paths. The turn-on control circuitry includes a first resistor coupled between a control element of the first switching device and a fixed voltage and a second resistor coupled between a control clement of the second switching device and the fixed voltage.

Abstract: The present invention involves an adaptive digital radio communications architecture which can be reconfigured by reprogramming at least one programmable device, and thus more efficiently use the available bandwidth of a time-varying RF channel and/or to provide a flexible and adaptive digital communications system. In certain embodiments, the programmable device uses a Programmable Logic Device (PLD) to perform the digital communications processing functions of the transmitter or the receiver of a radio communications system. In this context, PLD is a general term representing a family of programmable logic devices; examples of this family are a Programmable Array Logic (PAL), a Complex PLD (CPLD), and a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The architecture is reconfigurable in the sense that any or all of the digital communications processing algorithms can be modified by reprogramming the PLD.

Abstract: A systematic method for creating layouts for various sorting and switching networks on VLSI chips is proposed. These sorting and switching networks include butterfly switching networks, benes networks, odd-even sorting networks, and bitonic sorting networks. The present invention utilizes the existing VLSI grid-model to create various layouts. A rectangular layout is proposed which introduces the use of an additional row to create an area-efficient layout for various switching networks. A diamond layout is proposed which further improves rectangular layout by reducing the number of columns required. A suitable combination of diamond and rectangular layouts is also proposed.

Abstract: A security override system for a locked box comprising a hasp portion mounted within a box and extending through an opening in an outer door of the box; a bracket mounted to the outer door; the bracket having a hook at one end and movable between an open position wherein the hook is outside the box and a closed position wherein the hook extends through an opening in the outer door of the box; the bracket mating with the hasp portion when in the closed position and forming a padlock receiving portion; a padlock installed within the padlock receiving portion; the hook engaging a retention plate slideably mounted within the box; the retention plate slideably movable between an extended position wherein the retention plate engages the hook when the bracket is in the closed position and a retracted position wherein the retention plate does not engage the hook when the bracket is in the closed position; and wherein the bracket is movable from the closed position to the open position when the retention plate is move

Abstract: A fixture assembly for securing a component to a heat sink includes a frame having two parallel longitudinal members connected by first and second transverse crossbeams, which together define a receptacle into which a component is received. A spring clip is rotatably attached to the frame and has a position in which the spring clip presses the component against a heat sink. The frame includes at least two depending legs for supporting the frame above the surface of a heat sink, and at least one opening for receiving a fastener that secures the frame to the heat sink. A guide peg or similar positioning structure may also be provided for positioning the frame on the heat sink. The spring clip includes a proximal end having a non-round cross section which is rotatably attached to the first transverse crossbeam of the frame, and a distal end which includes a resilient lip which is detachably engage able with the second transverse crossbeam.

Abstract: A method for removing microorganism contamination from a polishing slurry used for chemical mechanical polishing operations in the semiconductor manufacturing industry includes treating a slurry stream with ultraviolet (uv) energy to destroy the microorganisms, then filtering the uv-treated stream to remove the destroyed microorganisms before the slurry is delivered to the polishing apparatus.

Abstract: An encoder which includes a flip-flop; a first, second and third NAND gate; a first and second inverter; and a first and second delay cell. The first inverter couples the flip-flop with the first NAND gate. The first delay cell couples the first NAND gate with the third NAND gate. The second inverter couples the second delay cell with the second NAND gate. Further, the second NAND gate couples the second inverter with the third NAND gate. The third NAND gate of the encoder produces a glitch-free encoded signal.

Abstract: A voltage blocking circuit is disclosed, useable in a buffer portion of an integrated circuit, for a buffer portion of an IC chip that operates from a power supply different from the power supply that powers the core logic; however, the buffer remains in a high impendence state, regardless of whether or not power is supplied to the core logic.

Abstract: Analog modems are enabled to better learn the slicing levels employed at the interface to a digital transmission network by reducing the effects of the various noise sources. Initially a training sequence is received to preliminarily adjust the analog modem's equalizer. Thereafter, a special training sequence, protected against intersymbol interference, is employed to collect samples of each slicing level, to ascertain the least mean squared value of each slicing level from the received samples and to obtain the channel's impulse response at each slicing level. Thereafter, the analog modem's equalizer may be fine tuned in accordance with the channel impulse response ascertained at each slicing level.

Abstract: A semi-automatic fuse and cap insertion tool includes a socket mounted on a rotatable shaft, which shaft is mounted in a gun-like holder structure. A resilient means between the shaft and the holder keeps the shaft in a first position. With a fuse and cap in said socket and the gun shaft aimed for linear movement toward the fuse block, a linear pressure force in the direction of the fuse and cap and release of a trigger latch means causes the shaft to move into a gun-like barrel recess in the holder to a second position. During such movement, a cam follower fixed in the gun barrel interior rides in a helical grove in the shaft to cause the shaft fuse and cap in this socket to rotate relative to the gun-like structure and lock the fuse in the block. In a first position, the trigger initially blocks movement of the shaft and the shaft in the first position to thereby allow a certain amount of pressure to be applied to move the fuse and cap into place in the block and against a spring in the fuse cap.

Abstract: Flat-panel displays, a substrate for use in such displays, and methods for making the displays and the substrate are disclosed. The substrate is a hybrid composite containing an organic component and an inorganic component. The substrate possesses attributes of the organic component, which is typically a plastic, such as light weight and impact resistance, as well as attributes of the inorganic component, typically silica particles, such as high temperature stability. A variety of flat-panel displays can be made by depositing appropriate device layers, using standard fabrication procedures, on the hybrid composite substrate. The monomer is selected, and the relative concentrations of the organic to the inorganic component in the composite are established, based on the thermal processing requirements for making the type of display for which the substrate is intended.

Abstract: A system for testing a circuit which includes a receive section, a transmit section and a lock-out circuit for preventing the receive and transmit sections to be operative at the same time. The receive section has an input for receiving digital signals and an output for producing thereat analog signals corresponding to the digital signals at its input. The transmit section has an input for receiving analog signals and an output for producing thereat digital signals corresponding to the analog signals at its input. The lock-out circuit is coupled between the receive and transmit sections for disabling the transmit section while signals are being propagated in the receive section and for disabling the receive section while signals are being propagated in the transmit section.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a general antenna system is disclosed suitable for applications in which an RFID Tag passes by an Interrogator. We then disclose a specific antenna design that uses a single planar antenna for transmit and a multi-element planar antenna array for receive. The multi-element planar antenna array is spaced such that each of the planar elements is four inches apart, center-to-center, thus defining a narrow 30° receive beamwidth in the horizontal plane. The vertical receive bandwidth is much greater than 30°, facilitating the Interrogator receiving signals at a variety of elevations. Furthermore, a multi-way microstrip combiner is used to sum the signals received from each of the planar antennas. To block interference from the transmit antenna and to improve receive sensitivity, this multi-way microstrip combiner is shielded using, in one embodiment, copper tape along its edges. In a specific embodiment, a four element receive antenna design is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for holding wires/fibers is provided in which a block of resilient material is formed with grooves for receiving cable and wires/fibers. In a particular illustrative embodiment of the invention, a single groove for receiving a cable is connected to multiple grooves for receiving wires/fibers that are contained within the cable. The grooves also preferably are open at one end to the exterior of the unit of material so that the cable and wires/fibers extend to the desired points of attachment.

Abstract: The precise solder paste application process makes use of mask registration apertures that are formed in the printed circuit board and that are adapted to receive a component solder paste mask that conforms to the conductor pattern of the component to be replaced. The component solder paste mask comprises a mask that has formed therein apertures that correspond to the pattern of solder paste that is to be applied to the printed circuit board surface mount pads to correspond to the conductors of the component. The component solder paste mask includes registration features that mate with the registration apertures formed in the printed circuit board to thereby ensure precise placement of the component solder paste mask over the area of the printed circuit board that receives the replacement component.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for assembling a multifiber interconnection circuit where the circuit includes at least one elongated member disposed between a first cover member and a second cover member. The apparatus includes a template, a receiving member, and a transfer member. The template has a first end and a second end and a means for routing an elongated member, such as an optical fiber, from the first end of the template to the second end of the template. The receiving member is arranged and configured to receive the optical fiber engaged by the template. The transfer member is configured to support the receiving member for reception of the optical fiber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an alignment guide aligns and orients the template with the transfer member.