Abstract: A detecting device includes a detecting part configured to detect a change in an object to be detected so as to output a detection signal, an amplifying part configured to amplify the detection signal output from the detecting part to output a first amplification signal, a reference voltage supply part configured to supply a reference voltage to the amplifying part, the reference voltage being input to the amplifying part to be output as a second amplification signal, a switching part configured to switch a connection between the detecting part and the amplifying part or a connection between the amplifying part and the reference voltage supply part based on a control signal input thereto, and a comparing part configured to compare a predetermined amplification factor in the amplifying part, with an amplification factor obtained from the second amplification signal so as to output the comparison result as a comparison signal.

Abstract: A detecting device includes a detecting part configured to detect a change in an object to be detected so as to output a detection signal, an amplifying part configured to amplify the detection signal output from the detecting part to output a first amplification signal, a reference voltage supply part configured to supply a reference voltage to the amplifying part, the reference voltage being input to the amplifying part to be output as a second amplification signal, a switching part configured to switch a connection between the detecting part and the amplifying part or a connection between the amplifying part and the reference voltage supply part based on a control signal input thereto, and a comparing part configured to compare a predetermined amplification factor in the amplifying part, with an amplification factor obtained from the second amplification signal so as to output the comparison result as a comparison signal.

Abstract: A flow meter includes a heater for heating a fluid flow along a membrane. A temperature difference is measured between and upstream point and a downstream point. There are additionally provided one or more strips of material having a relatively high heat conductivity. Strips that are substantially perpendicular to the flow direction direct heat from the heater to the sides of the membrane, causing a large proportion of the heat that would otherwise drive heat flows to be dispersed and decreases inaccuracies or bias in the measured flow rate. Strips of material that are provided parallel to the flow direction act to direct heat from the heater along the direction of flow. This increases the proportion of heat that flows along this axis and guides the flow and hence reduces the proportion of heat available to drive heat flows that cause inaccuracies and bias in the measured flow rates.

Abstract: A flow meter includes a heater for heating a fluid flow along a membrane. A temperature difference is measured between and upstream point and a downstream point. There are additionally provided one or more strips of material having a relatively high heat conductivity. Strips that are substantially perpendicular to the flow direction direct heat from the heater to the sides of the membrane, causing a large proportion of the heat that would otherwise drive heat flows to be dispersed and decreases inaccuracies or bias in the measured flow rate. Strips of material that are provided parallel to the flow direction act to direct heat from the heater along the direction of flow. This increases the proportion of heat that flows along this axis and guides the flow and hence reduces the proportion of heat available to drive heat flows that cause inaccuracies and bias in the measured flow rates.

Abstract: In a three phase BLDC motor the rotor position is monitored by detecting the zero crossing points of the induced back EMF signals BEMF_U, BEMF_V, BEMF_W in the phase windings U, V, W. As they are illustrated, the back EMF signals are substantially sinusoidal but they may in other situations be substantially trapezoidal. The three back EMF signals are 120° out of phase with each other. In order to accurately monitor the back EMF in a phase winding, the driving waveform for each phase U, V, W includes an undriven period P close to the expected zero crossing point. The period P can be a preset part of the driving waveform or can be an interruption of the normal driving waveform in response to suitable interrupt signals. In order to determine the zero crossing points of each back EMF signal, two (or more) samples of the back EMF are taken during the undriven period P and used to interpolate the back EMF signal to determine the zero crossing point.

Abstract: A 2-phase BLDC motor is driven by a trapezoidal waveform. For one-half of the motor rotation period T, the phase is driven by the trapezoidal waveform and for the other half-period, the coil remains undriven. An up down counter is operable to increment at a first frequency f1 and to decrement at a second frequency f2. Incrementing operation is initiated at the start of the driven period of the waveform and stopped at the start of the down slope of the waveform. Decrementing operation is initiated at the start of the down slope of the waveform and stopped at the end of the down slope. The ratio of frequencies f1:f2 is used to measure the relative duration of the slope to the driven period and is selected to mirror the desired ratio of slope duration:driven period duration.

Abstract: In order to determine the orientation of the rotor of a brushless DC motor 100, a sequence of current pulses may be applied to the stator phases U, V, W by the respective drivers HS0, LS0, HS1, LS1, HS2, LS2. The current generated in the stator phases U, V, W in turn generates a current in a shunt resistor 110. The current in this shunt resistor 110 is monitored by use of a current voltage converter 120 and a comparator 130 to determine when it exceeds a predetermined threshold. The rise time until the threshold current is exceeded is recorded in capture unit 140. A processor unit 150 then calculates a scalar parameter SU, SV, SW for each respective stator phase U, V, W from the recorded rise times associated with each pulse.

Abstract: Circuitry for driving an LED light source (100) from a mains supply (10) is shown. Before reaching the driver circuit (40) for LED (100), the mains supply (10) passes via a TRIAC dimmer (20) and a rectifier (30). The TRIAC dimmer (20) may comprise a dimmer switch in series with a TRIAC. The rectifier (30) is provided to convert the AC mains supply (10) to DC. The driver circuit (40), comprises a load switch (41) for controlling the driving of the LED (100), a ballast switch (42) for controlling the driving of a ballast resistance (43) and oscillator/driver (44) for controlling the load switch (41) and ballast switch (42). The oscillator (44) enables the LED (100) to be driven in a constant or pulsed manner and the ballast (43) to be driven in a pulsed manner. The pulsed current can be utilized to ensure that the TRIAC does not shut down when there is a low throughput of power, unlike the situation wherein an equivalent power is drawn via a steady state current of less than the TRIAC threshold current.

Abstract: A MEMS structure for a combined gyroscope and accelerometer unit (100) based on in-plane vibratory movements comprises a proof mass (101) and comb-drives (102) operable to cause the proof mass (101) to resonate in the x-direction, commonly referred to as the primary mode. Under the influence of a rotation ?z around the z-axis, a Coriolis force acting in the y-direction results. This excites the secondary (or sense) mode. A set of parallel-plate capacitors 103 are provided to enable position readout along the secondary axis. In addition to the above, the comb-drive capacitors (102) of the primary mode can also be used for readout of position along the primary axis, and the parallel-plate capacitors (103) for actuation along the secondary axis. This can be achieved either by time-multiplexing these capacitors (102, 103) or by providing separate sets of capacitors (102, 103) for sensing and actuation along each axis. The unit can operate in separate ?? force-feedback loops with respect to both axes.

Abstract: An encapsulated calorimetric flow meter according to the present invention comprises an integrated circuit (104) mounted on a lead frame (102). The integrated circuit has a channel (105) provided in its lower face, the channel being aligned with two holes (103) provided in the lead frame, the holes coinciding with the ends of the channel (105). There are further slots (111) in the lead frame (102) alongside the integrated circuit to thermally isolate it from the rest of the lead frame (102), which acts as a heat sink to keep the entry and exit fluid at ambient temperature. The flow meter is manufactured by mounting the integrated circuit (104) on to a suitable lead frame (102). The assembly of integrated circuit (104) and lead frame (102) is then inverted and blobs of gel (112, 114) are then deposited onto the lead frame (102) covering the holes (103). The assembly is then inserted into a mould (100) and encapsulated within a suitable mould compound.

Abstract: A Hall sensor array has two Hall sensors arranged in opposed quadrants of a two by two array. Each Hall sensor has four contacts, arranged as two pairs of opposite contacts, the axes of each pair being substantially perpendicular.

Abstract: Antibodies or other ligands specific for the binary uPA-uPAR complexes, for ternary complexes comprising uPA-uPAR and for complexes of uPAR and proteins other than uPA such as integrins inhibit the interaction of uPA and uPAR with additional molecules with which the complexed interact. Such antibodies or other ligands are used in diagnostic and therapeutic methods, particularly against cancer.

Abstract: A 2-phase BLDC motor is driven by a trapezoidal waveform. For one-half of the motor rotation period T, the phase is driven by the trapezoidal waveform and for the other half-period, the coil remains undriven. Accordingly, if the optimum slope duration is around 10% of the duration of the driven portion, then it is of the order of T/20. An up down counter is operable to increment at a first frequency f1 and to decrement at a second frequency f2. Incrementing operation is initiated at the start of the driven period of the waveform and stopped at the start of the down slope of the waveform. Decrementing operation is initiated at the start of the down slope of the waveform and stopped at the end of the down slope. The ratio of frequencies f1:f2 is used to measure the relative duration of the slope to the driven period and is selected to mirror the desired ratio of slope duration:driven period duration.

Abstract: A magnetic angle sensor 100 comprises a bulk substrate; a circular well 101 provided upon the bulk substrate; an even numbered plurality of electrodes 102a-102x spaced at regular intervals in a ring formation over the circular well; and means for selectively applying a progressive succession of differently directed bias currents 104 to and/or using the said ring of electrodes 102 to provide a succession of Hall potentials indicative of the relative magnitude of successive differently oriented magnetic field components B in the plane of the magnetic angle sensor 100. The sensor 100 operates cyclically and the full progressive succession cycle involves applying and/or using each electrode 102 in the ring at least once for applying a bias current and/or sensing a Hall potential. In such a manner, the full cycle comprises the progressive succession of the axis of measurement of the sensor 100 through a complete rotation within the plane of the sensor.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for a radiation sensing integrated circuit comprises a load board (101), a test socket (102), suitable for the device under test DUT (103), and a plunger (104). A radiation source (107) is provided on the load board (101) adjacent to the test socket (102). The radiation source (107) generates radiation for testing the response to stimulus of the radiation sensing element of the DUT (103). To enable the sensing element of the DUT (103) to be exposed to the radiation, a pathway (108) is provided through plunger (104). The pathway (108) has a U-Shape with the end of one side of the U being adjacent to the radiation source (107) and the other end of the U being adjacent to the sensing element of DUT (103).

Abstract: An integrated circuit device comprises an internal pull up current source Ipup and a pull up resistor Rpup connected in parallel between a voltage supply pin Vs and an output node OUT. A standby switch SBY is connected in series with the pull up resistor Rpup. The standby switch SBY is controlled by a standby detect means SBY Detect, which is also connected to the output node OUT. If it is desired to switch the device to standby mode, the output node OUT is externally drawn to ground by microprocessor 200. The circuit stays in the standby mode as long as the OUT is drawn to ground. In order to save current during standby mode, the SBY Detect is operable to disconnect the pull-up resistance Rpup by means of switch SBY. As the pull-up resistance Rpup is disconnected during the standby mode, the current source Ipup supplies a minimal current to OUT. This ensures that the circuit can always leave an undesired standby mode rapidly.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises a local processing unit with a plurality of components or subsystems, which for the purposes of illustration comprise five variously interconnected components or subsystems, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153. Some or all of the subsystems, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, are adapted to generate test signals. The test signals may be additional dummy pixels or lines of pixels, which are appended, embedded or injected into the normal signal path in a manner than causes them to be processed through the local processing unit in the same manner as the normal data signals or normal data stream generated by each component or subsystem, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153. In this manner the test signals acquire characteristics indicative of the performance of the components or subsystems, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, through which they have passed. The combined data signal is output to the central processing unit 105 via data link 104.

Abstract: To monitor the rotation speed and torque transmitted by a shaft (120) in order to determine the power transmitted by the shaft (120). To achieve this torque sensing means 124 and rotation speed sensing means (103) are provided, each connected to an interface means (104). Signals are transmitted between said torque sensing means (124) and said interface means (104) by way of a coupling arrangement comprising a first coupling element (121) is fixed to and co-rotates with shaft (120) and a second coupling element (102) is fixed to a stator (101) surrounding said shaft (120) and thus remains stationary whilst shaft (120) rotates. The first coupling element (121) is in the form of a split ring having a ring gap (127) and is electrically connected to the torque sensing means (124). The first coupling element (121) has a comb-like form wherein the ring provides a spine upon which are formed a plurality of teeth (122), which project from said spine.

Abstract: An optical data transceiver (100) comprises an integrated circuit (101), having provided on one side thereof a light sensing emitting means (104). A reflecting and receiving means (102), is mounted on the same surface of integrated circuit (101) as the light sensing or emitting means (104). The reflector means is open at both ends and has shaped and reflective internal surfaces (103). The reflecting and receiving means (102) is adapted at one end to receive a Plastic Optical Fibre (POF) (150) into connection therewith and at the other end is aligned with the light sensing or emitting means (104). In this way, the reflecting and receiving means is operable to direct light proceeding from the end of the fibre (150) to the light sensing means (104),or direct light from the light emitting means (104) to the end of the fibre (150), and is further operable to retain the POF (150) in position relative to the light sensing or emitting means (104).

Abstract: An integrated pressure and acceleration sensing device comprises three silicon wafers (101-103) bonded together by silicon fusion bonding. The wafers (101-103) are shaped so as to define a pressure sensitive element (113) and an acceleration sensing element (112). At least one stress measuring means linked to each of said pressure sensing and acceleration sensing elements (113,112) which are operable to generate a measurement signal responsive to deformation of said stress measuring means and which is indicative of the sensed values of pressure and/or acceleration. The device is manufactured by shaping said silicon wafers (101-103) define parts which act to form pressure and acceleration sensing elements (113,112) and bonding said silicon wafers (101-103) together using bonding techniques such as silicon fusion bonding, anodic bonding or glass-frit bonding. The wafers (101-103) are polished or lapped said to produce a relatively thin single integrated device.