Abstract: Reference oscillators are ubiquitous in timing applications generally, and in modern wireless communication devices particularly. Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonators are of particular interest due to their small size and potential for integration with other MEMS devices and electrical circuits on the same chip. In order to support their use in high volume low cost applications it would be beneficial for MEMS designers to have MEMS resonator designs and manufacturing processes that whilst employing low cost low resolution semiconductor processing yield improved resonator performance thereby reducing the requirements of the oscillator circuitry. It would be further beneficial for the oscillator circuitry to be able to leverage the improved noise performance of differential TIAs without sacrificing power consumption.

Abstract: A pulley for a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a method of controlling the pulley. The pulley has a main shaft, a fixed sheave, a mobile sheave and a cam system. The fixed sheave is fixedly mounted on the main shaft and has a fixed belt groove portion. The mobile sheave is movably mounted on the main shaft and has a mobile belt groove portion, the mobile sheave is mounted on the main shaft such that the fixed belt groove portion and the mobile belt groove portion form a riding path for a drive belt and is axially movable with respect to the main shaft such as to vary an effective diameter of the pulley by increasing or decreasing an axial space between the mobile sheave and the fixed sheave. The cam system is mounted at one end via a bearing fitted around the primary shaft to the mobile sheave. The cam system is adapted to provide an axial movement to the mobile sheave in order to increase or decrease the axial space between the mobile sheave and the fixed sheave.

Abstract: Orbital angular momentum (OAM) based photonics promises researchers and systems designers with a new degree of freedom whilst offering annular intensity distributions rather than Gaussian intensity distributions. However, absence of an optical fiber design that not only supports propagation of OAM signals and cylindrical vector modes but does so with a large design space for designers to adjust and tune the modal properties of the optical fiber supporting these OAM signals has hampered developments. Embodiments of the invention exploit photonic crystal fiber designs to support this design/manufacturing tunability whilst also supporting “endlessly single-radial order” modal regimes where the optical fiber is mono-annular over a wide range of optical wavelengths. Such optical fibers being able to support the transmission of a larger diversity of mono-annular modes (OAM or vector modes in nature, or otherwise) in a reliable manner and over a wider range of wavelengths than conventional silica optical fibers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed allowing digital 3D models to be indexed, searched, and compared, and to display the results in a 3D space. The method comprises four complementary parts: displaying, comparing/searching, face reconciliation, and ranking results. Each of these parts can fit in one another or be used independently. The implementation of a process for searching/comparing 3D models based on descriptors at least partly related to faces requires a face reconciliation process (pairing of faces between 3D models).

Abstract: A planar parallel mechanism having a platform movable in a plane along three degrees of freedom is described Existing technology fails to provide a manipulator with three degrees of freedom, wherein the mechanisms for moving the manipulator move in a decoupled fashion A manipulator and method of supporting and displacing an object which provides a solution to this problem comprises a base (1) and a moving portion (2) and articulated support legs (A1,A2,A3) between the moving portion (2) and the base (1) The articulated support legs (A1,A2,A3) are connected to the base (1) by a first translational joint, and jointly restrict movement of the moving portion to displacements in a plane in two translational degrees of freedom and one rotational degree of freedom A decoupled displacement of the moving portion (2) along a first of the two translational degrees of freedom and a decoupled displacement of the moving portion (2) along the rotational degree of freedom both result from actuation of at most two of the firs

Abstract: A manipulator for supporting and displacing an object comprises a base. A moving portion supports the object. Two articulated mechanisms each having five rotational joints between links, with each articulated mechanism being connected to the base by two of the rotational joints. The moving portion is connected to both the articulated mechanisms by moving-portion joints. The articulated mechanisms and moving-portion joints are arranged with respect to each other between the base and the moving portion so as to constrain movement of the moving portion to displacements in two translational degrees of freedom and two rotational degrees of freedom with respect to the base. Four actuators are each operatively connected to a different one of the rotational joints between the base and the articulated mechanisms so as to selectively control the displacements of the moving portion in any one of the four degrees of freedom of the moving portion.

Abstract: A binding component for binding together a pair of biological tissues. The binding component includes an elongated body defining a body longitudinal axis, the body being made, at least in part, of a shape memory material. The body is configured and sized so as to be both substantially flexible and substantially compressible in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A harness for attachment about a knee femur and comprised of a rigid and non-flexible frame support two resiliently mounted clamping means and sensors is described for the non-invasive measurement of knee motion and its analysis in 3-D is described. The clamping means elements are urged under pressure outwardly for application against a skin outer surface at predetermined medial and lateral sites relative to a femur. A non-resilient adjustable stabilizing element is connected to the rigid frame and disposed at a predetermined location with respect to the medial clamping element in spaced relationship therewith and adjustable for clamping contact on a skin outer surface and in alignment with the center of a medial condyle of the femur whereby to stabilize the rigid frame about a knee. An attachment rod is secured to the harness and has straps for securing the rod above the knee.

Abstract: A system and method for testing the data propagation time in an integrated circuit at relatively low speed is described herein. The method uses at least two parallel circuits comprising a data circuit and a clock circuit, wherein these parallel circuits are provided with at least one inverter for sensing the feeding current of each circuit so as to obtain current pulses that are transformed into binary signals forwarded to a tester that measures the delay time between these signals.