Abstract: A utility meter configured for connection to an AC power line includes a meter housing with a plurality of electronic components arranged within the meter housing and configured to provide consumption data. A power supply is also arranged within the meter housing. The power supply is configured to receive an AC voltage from the AC power line and supply a DC voltage to the electronic components. An AC line voltage booster is positioned connected to the power supply. The AC line voltage booster is configured to increase the voltage from the AC power line received by the power supply.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the measurement of a resistance of a switching contact of an electrical circuit breaker. A first resistance value across the circuit breaker is determined while the circuit breaker is grounded at both sides and the switching contact is closed. Further, a second resistance value across the circuit breaker is determined while the circuit breaker is grounded at both sides and the switching contact is open. The resistance of the closed switching contact is then determined based on the first resistance value and the second resistance value.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a detection portion and a magnetism generation portion. The detection portion includes a first magnetism detection element and a second magnetism detection element. The first magnetism detection element and the second magnetism detection element are disposed on a plane. The magnetism generation portion is disposed at a position opposite the detection portion. The magnetism generation portion includes mutually opposing magnetic fluxes with respect to the detection portion by performing bipolar magnetization on a face opposite the plane where the first magnetism detection element and the second magnetism detection element are disposed.

Abstract: A system may include two input terminals, e.g., HI and LO, and a floating circuit that is physically separate from the input terminals and includes a gain amplifier. The floating circuit can be surrounded by a conductive enclosure that is electrically connected to the second input terminal. The floating circuit can further switch between input signals received from the first and second input terminals to the gain amplifier and the floating circuit ground.

Abstract: An XMR angle sensor arrangement with a safety mechanism comprises an XMR angle sensor having a sensing area for sensing an in-plane magnetic field and for outputting a sensor signal based on the in-plane magnetic field component sensed in the sensing area; a permanent magnet, which is rotatably arranged with respect to the XMR angle sensor to generate a first in-plane magnetic field component in the sensing area of the XMR angle sensor; an excitation current rail path, which is arranged proximate to the sensing area of the XMR angle sensor; and an excitation current provider configured to provide the excitation current rail path with an excitation signal having a excitation signal strength, wherein the excitation signal strength of the excitation signal is chosen to generate a second in-plane magnetic field component in the sensing area of the XMR angle sensor which results, due to a super position of the first and second in-plane magnetic field components, in an expected change of the direction of the result

Abstract: A system for detecting moisture characteristics of a material of a complex structure while the material is in situ or forms part of the complex structure. The system includes at least one moisture detection sensor positioned proximate the material of the complex structure while the material is in situ. The system also includes a controller in data receiving communication with the moisture detection sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to squib connectors, for instance for airbag ignition systems, which allow the electrical or electronic monitoring of the correct coupling of a squib plug connector with its corresponding counterpart. According to the invention, a squib connector has at least two terminals having corresponding signal lines. In order to allow an electrical monitoring of the correct coupling of the plug connector, the terminals are in electrical contact with each other in the uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition of the plug connector. This electrical contact between the terminals is configured to be separated upon correct coupling to a corresponding counter-connector either automatically or by an actuating action. The disconnecting of the terminals may then be monitored by any suitable monitoring means.

Abstract: The present invention relates einen energy-self-sufficient multiturn rotary encoder for detecting a number of complete 360° revolutions of an encoder shaft, rotating about a rotational axis and to which an excitation magnet is mounted in a rotationally fixed manner for generating an external magnetic field, as well as for determining an absolute rotational angle indicating a fine-resolved position within one 360° revolution of the encoder shaft, wherein the multiturn rotary encoder for energy-self sufficiently detecting the number of the complete 360° revolutions of the encoder shaft several functional blocks comprises. Further, a corresponding method is taught.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining current are described herein. One method includes receiving power from a current conductor using a first quantity of coils of a wire around a magnetic core at least partially surrounding a portion of the current conductor, receiving an indication associated with a determined current through the current conductor from a current sensor associated with the wire, and receiving power from the current conductor using a second quantity of the coils of the wire, wherein the second quantity is determined based, at least in part, on the determined current.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring the cleanliness of molten metals. Direct current is passed between electrodes through molten metal advancing through a passage in an electrically resistive wall. A voltage signal is analyzed for the presence of solid generally non-metallic inclusions in the metal. Direct current is supplied by one or more ultra-capacitors and the decay in discharge voltage of the capacitor(s) is compensated for by passing the current from each capacitor through a resistor ladder network circuit having resistors connected in parallel. Individual resistors are switched on or off in a sequence effective to change the resistance of the circuit and maintain the current within a predetermined range. Heat generation and noise pick-up are minimized by maintaining a low discharge voltage and measurement current while using FETs only in the fully ON or OFF conditions to switch the resistors into or out of the circuits.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to automatic test equipment for testing a circuit having an oscillating crystal and to a method for operating such automatic test equipment. A generator generates a first signal comprising an oscillating part having at least one predetermined frequency. A first terminal couples the first signal to the oscillating crystal. At least one predetermined frequency is located inside a predetermined window around one of the resonance frequencies of the oscillating crystal. An analyzer has a second terminal coupled to the oscillating crystal for detecting a second signal and a rectifier connected in series with a low-pass filter for rectifying and filtering the second signal. A detector for detects a DC-signal at the output of the low-pass filter and for signals a valid test result for the oscillating crystal if the DC-signal exceeds a certain threshold value.

Abstract: The apparatus 10 for electromagnetic energy transfer comprises a charging fixture 1 with a contact surface 4 and a generator coil 2 forming a resonator circuit with a capacitance. The charging fixture 1 is preferably arranged as an elongated bar whereon a plurality of chargeable electronic devices 5 can be arranged. In order to implement electromagnetic energy transfer from the charging fixture 1 to the electronic device 5 the latter has to be arranged with a pick-up circuit for generating secondary alternating current in a loop, preferably a secondary resonator circuit. In order to fix a position of the electronic device 5 on the charging bar 1, the charging bar is preferably arranged with a projection 3 extending in a plane of the contact surface 4. The electronic device 5 can be shaped to be hanged on the projection and removed from it in accordance with arrow 6.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a support that is coupled to a coupled subject and includes a support portion, a substrate supported by the support portion, a current sensor including a signal terminal, wherein the current sensor is connected to the substrate in a manner allowing for a signal to be sent to the substrate through the signal terminal, and a fastener fastening the current sensor to the support portion and the substrate. The current sensor is suspended from the substrate. The support portion is arranged between the substrate and the current sensor.

Abstract: A finger biometric sensor may include a substrate and an array of magnetic field finger biometric sensing pixels carried by the substrate. The finger biometric sensor may also include processing circuitry coupled to the array of magnetic field finger biometric sensing pixels and capable of generating a magnetic field extending into a finger positioned adjacent the array of magnetic field finger biometric sensing pixels to cause eddy currents in the finger. The processing circuitry may also be capable of sensing a counter magnetic field caused by the eddy currents representative of at least one finger biometric characteristic.

Abstract: A PV system includes an irradiance meter to measure solar irradiance received by a PV array in the system. A PV inverter is electrically connected to the PV array via a DC link to regulate the voltage of the PV array. A controller receives an input from the irradiance meter regarding the solar irradiance received by the PV array, causes the PV inverter to alter the operating voltage of the PV array to each of a plurality of voltage values, detects current values in the PV array responsive to the altering of the voltage to each of the voltage values, and generates a power performance curve for the PV array based on the voltage values at which the PV array is operated and the detected current values, with the power performance curve being generated at a known level of solar irradiance based on the input from the irradiance meter.

Abstract: A test system includes a first, second, and third power converter and a data collection system. The test system performs load testing on the second and third power converters without requiring any external load. The first power converter is supplied by an Alternating Current (AC) source. During a test cycle, the first, second, and third power converters are controlled such that the second power converter is supplied by an output current of the first power converter and a feedback current output by the third power converter. The third power converter receives current output by the second power converter and outputs the feedback current onto the second power converter. The data collection system receives power converter test characteristics (voltage, current, and temperature information) during the test cycle without any power being dissipated by an external load. Test information is used to determine whether the second and third power converters are defective.

Abstract: A Hall electromotive force signal detection circuit combines offset cancellation means by a spinning current method of a Hall element with a continuous-time signal processing circuit. A Hall element includes first to fourth terminals, and generates a Hall electromotive force signal voltage Vhall1. Another Hall element generates another Hall electromotive force signal voltage Vhall2. A first switching circuit selects a terminal position for applying a drive current from the four terminals of the Hall element. A second switching circuit selects a terminal position for applying a drive current from the four terminals of the another Hall element, which is different from the terminal position selected by the first switching circuit. A chopper clock generation circuit supplies a chopper clock signal ?1, ?2 having two different phases to the switching circuit, and also supplies the chopper clock signal ?1, ?2 to the first and second switching circuits.

Abstract: A method and system for a device with a magnetic sensor includes a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet. The first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet of the magnetic sensor have at least one alternating ferromagnetic (FM) layer and antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer. The first permanent magnet is magnetized in a first direction and the second permanent magnet is magnetized in a second direction which is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The blocking temperature of the AFM layer of the first permanent magnet is higher than the blocking temperature of the AFM layer of the second permanent magnet.

Abstract: A device with a magnetic sensor includes a substrate with a device layer. A magnetic sensor is formed on the device layer and includes a first permanent magnet. The first permanent magnet has at least one alternating ferromagnetic (FM) layer and antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer, with a barrier layer disposed between the FM layer and the AFM layer. The first permanent magnet is magnetized in a first direction at a temperature higher than a blocking temperature of the AFM layer. A plurality of device pads are coupled to the magnetic sensor. An integrated circuit substrate with a plurality of IC pads, wherein the plurality of device pads are selectively eutectic bonded to the plurality of IC pads at a bonding temperature greater than the blocking temperature of the AFM layer of the first permanent magnet.

Abstract: A method of optimally generating a power failure warning (PFW) signal has been disclosed here in such a manner that adjusts timing of PFW signal generation according to load conditions in case of input AC voltage loss. A PFW voltage threshold value can be set at a lower value under light load conditions and at a higher value under heavy load conditions. PFW signal generation can also be triggered by a timing mechanism that is set when a bus voltage drops to a voltage threshold value. A countdown time of the timing mechanism is set according to a determined bus voltage drop rate. In this manner, issuance of the PFW signal is delayed for lighter load conditions and the power supply unit is capable of extending normal operation under lighter load conditions before the PFW signal is issued.