Abstract: A method for determining characteristics of a multi-material object is provided. The method includes producing a rotating electric field by providing an applied electrical signal set of individual electrical signal patterns to electrodes surrounding the multi-material object. The method also includes obtaining a measured electrical signal of electrical signals from the electrodes corresponding to each electrical signal pattern applied. An electrical network is determined based on the applied electrical signal set, the measured electrical signal set and an inverse of the applied electrical signal set. The method further includes determining the characteristics of the multi-material object by analyzing the electrical network.

Abstract: Accelerometers have a number of wide-ranging uses, and it is desirable to both increase their accuracy while decreasing size. Here, millimeter or sub-millimeter wavelength accelerometers are provided which has the advantage of having the high accuracy of an optical accelerometer, while being compact. Additionally, because millimeter or sub-millimeter wavelength signals are employed, cumbersome and awkward on-chip optical devices and bulky optical mediums can be avoided.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a dosimeter is employed to passively record a peak pressure (e.g., a peak blast pressure) and/or a maximum acceleration experienced by the dosimeter.

Abstract: A method of improving the clean, rinse and dry processes during the manufacture of ICs, MEMS and other micro-devices to conserve solution and energy while completing the process within a specified time. An electro-chemical residue sensor (ECRS) provides in-situ and real-time measurement of residual contamination on a surface or inside void micro features within the sensor representative of conditions on production wafers. The in-situ measurements are used to design and optimize a production process. The wafers are manufactured in accordance with the production process without the ECRS.

Abstract: An impedance measurement method for circuits that has multiple power supply ports and a common ground shared by the multiple power supply ports, that includes finding multiple mutual impedances; finding approximate values for the ground impedance from the multiple mutual impedances; calculating multiple power supply port impedances from the approximate ground impedance values; and generating an equivalent circuit for the applicable circuit based on the ground impedances.

Abstract: An age compensation method and apparatus for an integrated circuit (IC). An IC may be configured to operate at an initial operating voltage at the beginning of its operational life. Various circuits may be used to detect aging of the IC, and indications of aging may be stored to determine the aging of the IC. The information indicative of the determined aging of the IC may be compared to an aging threshold. If the information indicates that the aging is greater than or equal to the determined aging threshold, the operating voltage of the IC may be increased. This process may be repeated over the life of the IC, increasing the operating voltage as the IC ages. Raising the operating voltage in response to aging may compensate for various age related degradation mechanisms that can occur over the operational life of the IC.

Abstract: A four-wire ohmmeter connector includes a pair of elongated members spaced apart from each other by an interconnecting web. A pair of elongated contacts are mounted on forwardly projecting portions of each of the elongated members. An insulative housing surrounds the elongated members, contacts and web. The contacts mounted on one of the elongated members are connected through separate wires to a positive probe, and the contacts mounted on the other of the elongated members are connected through separate wires to a negative probe. The elongated members are inserted into respective terminal apertures of a four-wire ohmmeter. A pair of semi-cylindrical conductive sleeves are aligned with each of the apertures, and they make contact with and compress the respective contacts that are inserted into the aperture.

Abstract: A load bank that is used to test electrical connections. The connections are attached to the load bank, so that the switches are loaded during the testing. The overheating or underheating, of either switches or loads can be tested, evaluated, and used to determine faults and errors.

Abstract: A signal monitoring system includes a conversion circuit and a controller coupled to the conversion circuit. The conversion circuit converts a reference input to a reference output based on a real-time level of a trim reference and converts a monitored signal to an output signal. The controller calibrates the output signal according to the reference output and according to a predefined reference. The predefined reference is determined by the reference input and by a pre-trimmed level of the trim reference.

Abstract: A method determines the layer thickness of a TBC coating of at least one blade of a non-positive-displacement machine. To this end, at least one electromagnetic wave is emitted to the surface of the at least one blade, the at least one electromagnetic wave is then at least partially reflected by the at least one blade, and the reflected portion of the at least one electromagnetic wave is received and subsequently processed. In addition, the at least one electromagnetic wave is emitted with a frequency matched to the layer thickness of the TBC coating, and the phase of the at least one electromagnetic wave is compared with the phase of the at least one received electromagnetic wave. The at least one emitted electromagnetic wave undergoes a phase change during reflection and the layer thickness of the TBC coating is determined by the phase comparison.

Abstract: A time period of an event is determined by charging a known value capacitor from a constant current source during the event. The resultant voltage on the capacitor is proportional to the event time period and may be calculated from the resultant voltage and known capacitance value. Capacitance is measured by charging a capacitor from a constant current source during a known time period. The resultant voltage on the capacitor is proportional to the capacitance thereof and may be calculated from the resultant voltage and known time period. A long time period event may be measured by charging a first capacitor at the start of the event and a second capacitor at the end of the event, while counting clock times there between. Delay of an event is done by charging voltages on first and second capacitors at beginning and end of event, while comparing voltages thereon with a reference voltage.

Abstract: An ambient electric field detector comprising: a collection mechanism disposed to generate a current signal in response to the ambient electric field; an input current mirror operatively coupled to the collection mechanism and disposed to amplify and duplicate the current signal to generate a duplicate signal; and an odd number (i) of at least three nonlinear, over-damped, bi-stable elements coupled uni-directionally in a ring such that the ring of elements oscillates, wherein at least one of the elements has a different initial state than the other elements and each element is disposed to receive the duplicate signal.

Abstract: A proximity and contact sensor (10) is provided with a sensor element (11) and a detection circuit (16). The sensor element is provided with a matrix (13) in which coil-shaped carbon fibers (12) are dispersed. A high-frequency oscillation circuit (19) of the detection circuit (16) supplies the sensor element with a high-frequency signal. A detector (22) in the detection circuit (16) receives an output signal from the sensor element (11) and detects proximity of an object (24). In one example, the coil-shaped carbon fibers (12) are contained in the matrix by 1 to 20% by weight. In another example, a high-frequency oscillation circuit generates a high-frequency signal of 100 to 800 kHz.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting a ground fault, the apparatus including diagnostics unit arranged to monitor a sum current of output phases of a frequency converter, diagnostics unit arranged to detect a ground fault, if the sum current exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and diagnostics unit for performing the initial setting of the threshold value, the diagnostic unit being arranged to determine the value of the sum current when the frequency converter starts up and to set the threshold value so that it is greater than the predetermined value of the sum current.

Abstract: A reflection element determination device derives error factors in a first signal source and a second signal source based on measurement results of a signal in respective states in which reflection elements are respectively connected to the first signal source and the second signal source, and measurement results of a signal in a state in which the first signal source and the second signal source are connected with each other via a transmission element, derives transmission characteristics of the transmission element based on the measurement results of a signal in the state in which the first signal source and the second signal source are connected with each other via the transmission element and the derived error factors, and determines whether the reflection elements realize predetermined reflection states based on the derived transmission characteristics of the transmission element and transmission characteristics of the transmission element which have been known before the derivation, where the transmissi

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving yield ratio of testing are disclosed. The method includes the following steps. First of all, devices are tested and electromagnetic interference is measured. Next, the test results are examined for whether the devices pass the test or not. Then, electromagnetic interference data are examined for whether the electromagnetic interference data are over a predetermined standard if the devices fail the test. The above-mentioned steps are performed again if the electromagnetic interference data are over a predetermined standard. The test is terminated if the devices still fail the test and the values of electromagnetic interference are still over a predetermined standard.

Abstract: An occupant detection system is a part of a vehicle occupant protection system. The vehicle occupant protection system is enabled to be activated when the occupant detection system determines an ON state indicative of existence of an occupant on a seat. The vehicle occupant protection system is disabled to be activated when the occupant detection system determines an OFF state. The system includes a capacitive sensor which detects the occupant based on a capacitance around the seat. The system determines the ON state or the OFF state based on the detected value of the capacitive sensor and a predetermined threshold value. The system evaluates whether the determination result in the determination block is appropriate or not. Then, the system biases the threshold value to suppress a reversal determination from the determination result which is evaluated as appropriate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting faults in an injector arrangement is described. The injector arrangement comprises a plurality of piezoelectric injectors that are located in parallel branches of an injector bank circuit of an injector drive circuit. Each branch of the injector bank circuit comprises a high side isolation switch. The high side isolation switches are each operable to enable an associated piezoelectric injector in the injector bank circuit when closed, and disable the associated piezoelectric injector in the injector bank circuit when open. The fault detection method comprises the steps of operating the high side isolation switches so as to enable one of the piezoelectric injectors and disable the other piezoelectric injector(s), and performing diagnostics to detect the presence or absence of faults on the enabled piezoelectric injector.

Abstract: A method for locating a fault in a two-terminal power transmission or distribution line. Measurements of the three phase currents are received from both terminals. Measurements of the three phase voltages are received from one line terminal. Parameters of the line are received. The fault type is received. Based on this received information the distance to fault from the one terminal where the phase voltages were measured is determined and output. Since only the phase voltages of one line terminal are needed, the functionality of a device, in particular a current differential relay, can be expanded to determine the distance to fault in an off-line mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing DC arc faults. At least a portion of the method is performed by a controller comprising at least one processor. In one embodiment, the method comprises analyzing a signature of a signal of a power converter and determining, based on analysis of the signature, whether an arc fault exists.