Abstract: An apparatus for testing the attachment reliability of a device mounted at least by an electrically conducting joint to a surface of a circuit board is provided. The apparatus includes an environmental chamber in which the board can be placed; an actuator for applying a force to the device; an electrical monitoring unit for monitoring any events at the electrically conducting joint; and a memory unit for storing an event profile that includes information related to the events. The apparatus may further include a processing unit for characterizing the quality of the electrically conducting joint based on the stored event profile and for performing various other functions. A method for testing the attachment reliability of the device is also provided.

Abstract: The wireless receiver band is divided into a plurality of smaller bands using a tunable duplexer to produce a first IF signal of a much lower frequency enabling better unwanted signal filtering using a filter of a certain Q.

Abstract: A method for forming micron-sized or smaller drops of liquid, and the use of the method in fabricating micro electro mechanical and micro mechanical devices is disclosed. A micropipette is formed having an inside diameter no larger than the size of the drops to be formed. The micropipette is connected to a system capable of developing a positive and optionally negative pressure within the micropipette. The tip of the micropipette is placed in liquid. The liquid is drawn into the micropipette via capillary action or from the negative pressure developed by the system. The micropipette is then positioned to deliver liquid to an intended location on a surface. To deliver the liquid, a positive pressure is developed within the micropipette. The positive pressure forces a micron-sized or smaller drop of liquid out of the micropipette. The method can be used to form micron-sized or smaller drops of adhesive for fixing in place various structural members that form microdevices.

Abstract: A detector array for detecting an optical signal includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel has a plurality of detector elements coupled together in a redundant configuration such that the detector array maintains a substantially uniform response even if each of the pixels includes a number of defective detector elements. The optical signal is lengthened in the direction normal to the information vector, so that each detector element is exposed to the same portion of the optical signal. A bad-element sensor is coupled to each detector element, which is functionally responsive to the detection of a bad detector element.

Abstract: A micromachined xyz stage, and microscopes utilizing such a stage, are disclosed. The xyz stage includes co-planar x- and y-drive means linked to a sample stage. Such x- and y- drive means are operable to position the sample stage in an x-y plane. The xyz stage further includes z-drive operable to moves the sample stage out of the x-y plane. The z-drive can be implemented by suspending a flat-plate electrode over the sample stage using hinged plate supports. As a voltage is applied across the plate electrode and the sample stage, an electrostatic force is generated, causing the sample stage to move towards the plate electrode. The hinged plate supports facilitate assembly of the z-drive, in addition to providing support for it in its assembled configuration. By incorporating an optical fiber, the aperture of which has be drawn down to submicron size, a near-field scanning optical microscope can be formed.

Abstract: An optical demultiplexing apparatus is capable of spatially separating a multiplexed optical signal into two or more optical wavelength signals thereof. An input multiplexed optical signal present on a first plane is imaged through a color-selective grating plane to a second plane. The color-selective grating has a nonlinear change of diffraction characteristics as a function of incident wavelength to provide substantial spatial separation in the second plane between bands of wavelengths proximate to the two or more optical wavelength signals. In another embodiment, the apparatus uses a polarization-selective grating to spatially separate a polarization-multiplexed optical signal into two substantial spatially separated optical polarization signals. In other embodiments, the optical apparatus may be used as an optical signal multiplexer, splitter, or combiner.

Abstract: A logic gate arrangement for switching voltages greater than the gate breakdown voltage of the transistors in the gate. Two transistors of different conductivity types, are disposed between the N and P transistors which perform the logic function of a conventional CMOS gate. The gates of the two transistors are connected to a first voltage that is less than the breakdown voltage of the transistors, with the entire logic gate being supplied with a voltage that is greater than the first voltage. Three outputs are provided, two with limited voltage swings that drive other like gates or conventional CMOS gates and the other output having a full voltage swing. Logic gates implementing various logic functions, such as NAND and NOR, are disclosed. Further, a cross-coupled logic gate is disclosed which can operate as a latch or as a logic voltage translator circuit.

Abstract: Electrical connectors for electrically and physically connecting cable conductors to mating connectors frequently require precise and demanding assembly in order to produce a required level of crosstalk. In many instances, this level must be a set amount, rather than the lowest level possible, in order to match a canceling crosstalk being produced in the mating connector. The present invention is a crossover lead frame connector which reduces the demands upon the assembler in assembling the connector and cable, and yet still provides the precise level of crosstalk required in the connector. These advantages are realized by the use of a crossover lead frame structure which controls the physical length and routing of the signals between the cable conductors and connector pins. This allows the manufacturer to match the connector to the layout of the cable conductors and fix the level of crosstalk that will be produced at the time the connector is manufactured.

Abstract: A fixed dual frequency band antenna for a dual frequency band radio transceiver where the two frequency bands are not harmonically related. The antenna includes a straight radiating antenna portion terminated by a helical wire radiating antenna portion, with the total electrical length of the antenna being approximately three quarters of the wavelength at the center frequency of the higher of the two frequency bands. A conductive radiating cap terminates the helical portion and a conductive antenna base is connected to the straight portion at the end opposite the helical portion. A matching circuit coupled between the base and the transceiver circuitry is arranged to substantially cancel the reactive portion of the impedance of the antenna for both frequency bands and to substantially equalize the resistive portion of the impedance of the antenna to the resistive portion of the output impedance of the radio transceiver.

Abstract: In an improvement over conventional finite element techniques, an ellipsoidal infinite element is used for the modeling of acoustic fields in exterior, fluid-filled domains surrounding a structure. This ellipsoidal infinite element is based on a multipole expansion that describes, to arbitrary accuracy, any scattered and/or radiated field exterior to an ellipsoid. Significantly, the respective eccentricities of the three elliptical cross sections of the ellipsoid can take values that are arbitrary and mutually independent. The ellipsoidal infinite element is readily incorporated in any structural or acoustic finite element code.

Abstract: A telephone having a repertory dialing capacity and the associated method of programming new number sequences into the repertory dialing memory of the telephone. The telephone includes dialing keys, function keys and may include memory access keys. The dialing keys are used to dial the telephone. The memory access keys, if present, or a corresponding key sequence, is used to selectively retrieve stored number sequences from the repertory dialing memory. The function keys are used to switch the telephone between an operational state, wherein said dialing keys are used to dial, and a program state wherein said dialing keys are used to enter number sequences into the repertory dialing memory. A controller contained within the telephone provides access to the repertory dialing memory and enables a new number sequence to be entered into the repertory dialing memory, provided one of a plurality of key event sequences occur.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the spectral arrangement of a composite signal that includes a plurality of individual signals, so that one or more individual signals may be separated from the composite signal. According to one embodiment, a first set of samples are taken from the composite signal during a first time duration, and a second set of samples are taken from the composite signal during a second time duration. The first and second time durations are selected such that at least a portion of the second time duration does not temporally overlap the first time duration. A weighing function is applied to the first and second sets of samples to generate weighted sample sets. The autocorrelation between the first and second weighted sample sets is measured, thereby providing information about the bandwidth occupancies of each of a plurality of individual signals within the bandwidth of the composite signal.

Abstract: A new filter that may be employed in timing recovery circuits, and automatic gain control circuits, employs a so-called vector tracking filter (VTF). The VTF includes a complex filter with a time constant so long that it might be considered a leaky integrator. In operation, the VTF builds up an average vector (timing (gain) estimate vector) having a direction that is the average of the estimated timing (gain) error, which is stored in the VTF. When the VTF is employed in an automatic gain control arrangement, the vector becomes a scalor and only the amplitude is tracked. When an arbitrary timing (gain) correction is made, to the incoming signal, this causes a rotation of the timing (gain) estimate vector. In order to track this rotation, a comparable rotation is made to the stored timing (gain) estimate vector.

Abstract: In a telephone switching system, a method of performing a multiple release jump to a target program release for controlling the system. The system uses duplicate processors and disk file controllers. A new disk file is initialized with new program text and a target release version of office dependent data. This target release version is derived by upgrading the office dependent data one release at a time until office dependent data for the target release is derived. The new program text and target release version of office dependent data is inserted into one member of a duplicate disk file controller system which may either be a new disk file controller or one of the two disk file controllers currently in use in the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing both switch control and processor control over selectable functions of an external circuit. The present invention provides a control circuit having a single input/output port through which the control circuit reads a present function of the external circuit as controlled by the switch circuit, and generates a control signal to override the switch circuit control when the present function is not the same as a desired function.

Abstract: Translation of an initially-unknown message (101) from one language to another is effected by a translator (102) that uses prototype messages (300-303) that are independent of message variables (% n), whereby a prototype message represents all messages of an individual type that vary from each other in the values of their variables. A multi-tiered multi-node translation tree (104) is constructed from native-language prototype messages (106) that represent all native-language messages that require translation. Strings (e.g., words and numerals) which make up a native-language message (101) are matched in the order in which they appear in the message against the nodes (521-536) of corresponding tiers (501-516) of the tree to reach a node which represents the last string in the message and contains the message identifier (MSG.ID) of the corresponding prototype message. This identifier is used to retrieve the corresponding one of a plurality of foreign-language prototype messages (107).

Abstract: The present optical fiber connector insertion and removal tool that functions to enable a craftsperson to operate SC-type optical fiber connectors in confined spaces. This tool is constructed to hold the SC-type optical fiber connector away from the craftsperson's hand to enable the craftsperson to perform connector connect/disconnect operations while keeping their hands outside of the optical fiber connector patch panel. In addition, a sliding wedge is movably attached to the base of the present optical connector insertion and removal tool to form an assembly that allows the craftsperson to easily tighten or loosen their grip on the SC-type optical fiber connector 110 by simply and ergonomically flexing the thumb of the hand holding the tool. The present optical fiber connector insertion and removal tool bit configuration combines notched and contoured sections with which to grasp the SC-type optical fiber connector 110.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for aligning signal transition edges in high-speed complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuits and other electronic circuits, systems and devices. A transition edge alignment circuit in accordance with the invention includes first and second inverter chains, each having a plurality of series-connected inverters. A first signal, which may be a digital logic signal, is applied to an input of the first inverter chain. A second signal, which may be a clock signal used to latch the logic signal in an integrated circuit, is applied to an input of the second inverter chain. The inverter chains may be constructed such that the inverters of the second chain have a stronger drive capability than the corresponding inverters of the first chain. Capacitive coupling is provided between outputs of inverters of the first chain and outputs of corresponding inverters of the second chain.

Abstract: A system for deriving multiple channels from four-wire residential telephone wiring. The invention provides two voice channels and two, or more, data channels on common residential telephone wiring. The voice channels occupy a normal telephone bandwidth, in the range of approximately zero Hz to 3500 Hz. Within this channel placement, ordinary telephonic devices can use the channels, without a requirement of frequency-shifting. Above these voice-channel frequencies, data channels are provided, for internal communication within the residence.

Abstract: A high voltage semiconductor device having an improved junction termination extension for increasing the surface breakdown junction voltage. The device comprises a semiconductor substrate (10) of a first electrical conductivity type having a major surface (24) with an edge (26). The substrate has a first impurity region (22) of a second electrical conductivity type formed therein and having a first doping concentration and a second impurity region (28) of a said second electrical conductivity type, having a second doping concentration less than the first doping concentration, formed in the substrate between the first impurity region and the edge, and a field shield plate (30) disposed on the major surface in conductive relation with the first impurity region. The first field shield plate has an outer edge which terminates above the second impurity region.