Abstract: An image sensor circuit which employs a photodiode in conjunction with a charge transfer mechanism. By employing the photodiode, at least a portion of the light sensed does not pass through a layer of polysilicon, and so is not prevented from reaching the sensing area by the polysilicon. The image sensor circuit of the invention is made up of device structures readily available in standard CMOS process technologies Advantageously, image sensors embodying the invention show substantially improved quantum efficiency for short wavelength light over the prior art sensors. In addition, image sensors embodying the invention display improved dark current uniformity, thus improving yield.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved modelocked laser comprising an optical gain medium and an optical cavity including a self-tuning saturable reflector incorporating one or more quantum wells. In the improved laser, the self-tuning saturable reflector comprises a first Bragg grating having a reflection spectrum broader than the spectrum of desired lasing and an additional Bragg reflector for light in the spectral region of lasing to provide self-starting and stable operation without mechanical tuning. The Bragg reflectors are preferably semiconductor quarter wave reflector stacks, and the saturable absorber is one or more quantum wells within the outer stack. The invention also encompasses the new saturable reflector used in such lasers.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a magnetic device and a manufacturing tool employing the methods. One of the methods includes the steps of: (1) providing a planar winding assembly and (2) employing an automated pick and placement tool adhesively to secure a first core-portion of a magnetic core to a second core-portion thereof proximate the planar winding assembly, the magnetic core adapted to impart a desired magnetic property to the planar winding assembly, the first and second core-portions being secured to said planar winding assembly without substantial compressive forces.

Abstract: The specification describes a photolithography process using multiple exposures to form z-dimension patterns. Multiple exposures at different thickness levels are made using photomasks aligned with a latent image of alignment marks formed during the first exposure. The latent image is visible to the alignment system of commercial steppers.

Abstract: A high-capacity, chirped-pulse wavelength-division multiplexed communications apparatus and method in which a chirped-pulse, wavelength-division multiplexed signal is further optically multiplexed thereby enhancing bit rates per channel. A multifrequency optical source for supplying an optical signal having a number of wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) channels; a power splitter for splitting the optical signal from the multifrequency source into a number of signals; a number of time delay lines, for delaying each one of the signals independently; a number of data encoding modulators for modulating each one of the delayed signals; and a power combiner for combining the number of delayed, modulated signals into a single signal such that the multifrequency optical source signal is multiplexed by a desired amount.

Abstract: A system (100) that is capable of transmitting a displayable message to a short message entity (102, 104 or 105) in more than one data package over a conveying network. The system (100) uses a capacity determiner (206) to determine a capacity of the conveying network for transmitting data. Based on this capacity of the conveying network, a fragmenter (204) divides the displayable message into fragments at an application protocol layer. The size of a fragment does not exceed the capacity of the conveying network. Finally, a packager (208) packages the fragments into data packages. The data packages are operable to be separately transmitted by a short message service over the conveying network. The data packages may include a reference parameter corresponding to the position of the fragment in the displayable message. Further, a reference parameter may indicate the total size of the displayable message being fragmented and packaged.

Abstract: Interconnecting a central computer to Internet service providers (ISPs) via normal Internet interconnections to directly provide Internet service to Internet users. The central computer is responsive to requests from Internet users received via an ISP to transfer the web page to the user via a satellite connection to the user's PC. The central computer maintains a cache of frequently requested web pages each identified by a universal resource locator (URL). If the user is requesting one of the cached web pages, this web page is immediately transmitted to the user. If the central computer does not have the web page cached, the central computer makes a request to the appropriate web server, obtains the requested web page, and transfers the requested web page to the user. Further, utilizing statistical data gathered based on time of day and day of the week, the central computer automatically caches certain web pages.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector having an abutment wall for selectively permitting passage of a wire through a wire passageway and out of the connector. A wire is inserted into an insertion hole of the wire passageway and is prevented from passing beyond the abutment wall. Yet, upon removal of the abutment wall an exit aperture is created which permits passage of the wire out of the connector.

Abstract: A vector generator generates one or more pseudo-random noise PN sequences as matched-filter PN vectors for a matched-filter correlator of a code division, multiple-access (CDMA) demodulator. The period and clock of the local PN code sequence may be employed as a time reference, and each matched-filter PN vector has a known code-phase offset with respect to the local PN code sequence. Matched-filter PN vectors having a chip-length on the order of a data symbol period, such as 64-chip sequences, are generated within a short period of time compared to the period of the local PN code sequence. A state of the local PN code sequence is periodically captured from the local PN code sequence, which state is employed by a PN generator generating a similar PN code sequence but clocked at a higher rate. Consequently, a series of offset PN code sequences are generated in advance of the local PN code sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the resistance across a slave transistor to follow a master resistor network are disclosed. A tuning circuit is disclosed which is used to control the effective resistance of a slave transistor for use in high speed integrated automatic gain control, equalizer, filter or equivalent types of circuits where low parasitic capacitance is desired. The invention provides a way to replace a resistor network and its associated high parasitic capacitance with an equivalent resistance having low parasitic capacitance. The invention replaces the resistor network, having large parasitic capacitance, with a slave transistor exhibiting an equivalent resistance, having low parasitic capacitance. An automatic tuning circuit containing a resistor network is located remotely to a circuit containing a slave transistor. The tuning circuit is then used to adjust the effective resistance of the slave transistor.

Abstract: A method for recycling a used silicon wafer on which ICs have been formed by IC fabrication equipment comprised of first grinding the wafer using a coarse grinding apparatus and then grinding the wafer suing a fine grinding apparatus. The coarse grinding apparatus and the fine grinding apparatus are identical to one another except for the nature of the respective grinding they perform. Deionized water is used during both grinding processes to reduce friction and to control dust. The used wafer is first mounted on a chuck of the coarse grinding apparatus that rotates at a first predetermined speed. A diamond wheel mounted on a grinding wheel holder of the coarse grinding apparatus rotates at a second predetermined speed that is faster than the first speed. The rotating wheel and the rotating wafer are brought into contact with one another and the wafer is ground until a predetermined amount of semiconductor material is removed from the face of the wafer.

Abstract: A microstrip feeds a patch antenna through a slot in a two part RF ground plane. The dual RF ground planes permit DC control of a varactor positioned over a slot in the ground planes while maintaining a high degree of AC coupling between the two planes. The AC coupling between the two ground planes is increased by increasing the capacitive coupling between the planes using an interlocking finger pattern.

Abstract: An access platform pools a plurality of different signal processing resources, herein represented by different types of speech-coding algorithms. The access platform is coupled to the Internet, a local-exchange-carrier (LEC), and other communications facilities such as, but not limited to, a plurality of long-distance facilities provided by any one of a number of long distance carriers, e.g., AT&T. For each call through the access platform, one of the plurality of signal processing resources is allocated as a function of signal type either through signal detection or out-of-band signaling. For example, the access platform first determines if the call is an audio call or a non-audio (or data) call by detecting the type of signal. If the call is an audio call, the access platform switches in echo canceling resources. On the other hand, if the call is a data call, the access platform determines if a speech-coding algorithm is being used and, if necessary, switches in a compatible speech-coding resource.

Abstract: A selectable compatibility plug has a substantially hollow housing member and a plurality of contact members extending from a cable connection end to a connector end. A movable circuit member is contained in the housing for translational movement, the circuit members having circuit components on a surface thereof that is in contact with the contact members. Actuator means for moving the circuit member from a first position to a second position is mounted to the circuit member and adapted to be actuated when the plug is inserted in a low performance jack to cause the contact members to contact certain ones of the circuit elements.

Abstract: A battery diagnostic method for monitoring the status of a battery in an electrical system and continuously providing a relatively accurate prediction of battery condition and performance, more particularly, a self-adjusting method for providing the best possible prediction of a battery's reserve time before, during, and after a battery discharge. The method of the present invention utilizes different prediction methods depending on what state the electrical system is in; that is, before, during or after a battery discharge. By determining what state the system is in, the most effective prediction method can be utilized to provide an accurate battery reserve time. By providing a relatively accurate continuous reserve time prediction, the method helps prevent a complete loss of power in an electrical system relying on a battery to supply the system's electrical power.

Abstract: A process for semiconductor device fabrication in which a Czochralski silicon substrate is implanted with boron is disclosed. The boron is implanted using an energy of about 500 keV to about 3 MeV and a dose of about 3.times.10.sup.13 /cm.sup.2 to about 3.times.10.sup.14 /cm.sup.2. In order to reduce the threading dislocation density in the substrate to less than about 10.sup.3 /cm.sup.2 at a depth in the substrate of at least about 0.5 .mu.m, after the implant, the substrate is annealed in a two-step process. First the substrate is annealed at a temperature in the range of about 725.degree. C. to about 775.degree. C. followed by an anneal at a temperature of at least about 900.degree. C. The duration of the first step is selected to provide a dislocation density of less than about 10.sup.3 /cm.sup.2 at the desired depth in the substrate.

Abstract: A process for device fabrication is disclosed in which two substrates having different crystal lattices are bound together. In the process the substrate surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and placed in physical contact with each other. The duration of the contact and the pressure of the contact are selected to facilitate a bond between the two substrate surfaces that results from attractive Van der Waals' forces between the two surfaces. The bonded substrates are heated to a moderate temperature to effect escape of gases which may be entrapped by the substrates. The bulk of one of the substrates is then typically removed. The substrates can be heated again to a moderate temperature to effect removal of any gases remaining entrapped on the substrates. Thereafter, the bonded surfaces are heated to a high temperature to effect a permanent bond.

Abstract: A noise-computation method that determines the noise power cross-spectral density matrix of an electronic circuit or system in the form of a closed form rational expression. More specifically, the method provides a matrix-Pade approximation of the noise power cross-spectral density matrix using a numerically robust and efficient block Lanczos-type method.

Abstract: In a communication arrangement, client terminals request information objects, e.g., hypertext markup language (HTML) documents, which are identified by their uniform resource locators (URLs) from a server system connected to the World Wide Web (WWW). For example, the information objects may represent different chapters of the same book and are thus logically connected. In accordance with the invention, when the logically connected information objects are updated, the updated versions of the information objects are stored in a temporary memory space. For those client terminals requesting the logically connected information objects by their URLs before the update, the server system consistently provides the original versions of the information objects at such URLs to the client terminals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for testing individual laser chips located on a laser bar containing a plurality of chips. Laser bars are transported widthwise on a moving plastic film sheet, which is passed over an elongated pedestal which is aligned with the film sheet. The pedestal has a width which is less than the length of a laser bar, so that the unsupported portion of the plastic film under the ends of the laser bars may be drawn downward and away from the bar. This provides access to the metalized underside of the bar, which serves as a common N-contact for all of the laser chips on the bar. A probe is placed in contact with the undersurface of the bar, and at least one additional probe is placed in contact with a P-contact on one of the laser devices. A chip activation signal is applied between the two probes, and a sensor detects whether or not the chip being probed emits radiation. Failure to emit radiation or to emit radiation in an expected manner is indicative of a bad chip.