Abstract: A method for identifying a position of a multi-phase brushless motor includes applying a plurality of detection voltage pulses to the motor, each detection voltage pulse corresponding to a respective driving phase of the motor, measuring a time period associated with a current reaching a predetermined current limit for each applied detection voltage pulse, and identifying a driving phase associated with a shortest time period for the current to reach the predetermined current limit.

Abstract: A first filter outputs a first signal in response to receiving an input signal. The first signal has a first state in response to the input signal reaching a first threshold voltage on a leading edge of the input signal, and a second state in response to the input signal reaching the first threshold voltage on a trailing edge of the input signal. A second filter outputs a second signal in response to receiving the input signal. The second signal has the first state in response to the input signal reaching a second threshold voltage on the leading edge of the input signal, and the second state in response to the input signal reaching the second threshold voltage on the trailing edge of the input signal. A detection circuit determines, based on times when the first and second thresholds are reached, whether the input signal is received from a triac.

Abstract: Nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) devices that utilize thin electrically conductive membranes, which can be, for example, graphene membranes. The membrane-based NEMS devices can be used as sensors, electrical relays, adjustable angle mirror devices, variable impedance devices, and devices performing other functions.

Abstract: A method for emission testing of a semiconductor device (DUT), by mounting the DUT onto an test bench of an emission tester, the emission tester having an optical detector; electrically connecting the DUT to an electrical tester; applying electrical test signals to the DUT while keeping test parameters constant; serially inserting one of a plurality of shortpass filters into an optical path of the emission tester and collecting emission test signal from the optical detector until all available shortpass filters have been inserted into the optical path; determining appropriate shortpass filter providing highest signal to noise ratio of the emission signal; inserting the appropriate shortpass filter into the optical path; and, performing emission testing on the DUT.

Abstract: A semiconductor unit includes: a substrate made of a semiconductor; and a device group formed on the substrate and configured of a plurality of first capacitors, in which the device group includes one or a plurality of first conductive layers and a second conductive layer, the first and second conductive layers provided to be superimposed on each other in part or as a whole with an insulating film in between, the first conductive layer includes an edge extending along one direction, the second conductive layer includes a plurality of sub-conductive layers having substantially same shapes as one another, and the plurality of sub-conductive layers are arranged in relatively different positions with respect to the edge of the first conductive layer.

Abstract: The thermionic valve tester (10) has a casing (11) and three valve sockets (12) each of which is adapted to receive and has terminals for connection with the electrode pins of different types of thermionic valves. The thermionic valve tester (10) also has a display (13) comprising a series of LED lights, three user operated buttons (16), and a single power supply socket or terminal (14) which supplies power to all components of the valve tester and which is adapted for connection to a low voltage DC power supply lead. Internally, the thermionic valve tester (10) has a plurality of voltage regulators each with a switchable connection to at least one valve electrode terminal of the valve sockets (12) and a memory in which is stored the tests and the performance criteria for different types of thermionic valves.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying RF energy to process an object may include at least one controller configured to receive EM feedback-related values from an energy application zone, each of the values being associated with a respective MSE. The controller may also be configured to identify a change in one or more of the EM feedback-related values within a period of time; adjust the RF energy application based on the change in the EM feedback-related values identified, and cause application of RF energy to the energy application zone.

Abstract: Provided in some embodiments are systems and methods for measuring the water content (or water-cut) of a fluid mixture. Provided in some embodiments is a water-cut sensor system that includes a T-resonator, a ground conductor, and a separator. The T-resonator including a feed line, and an open shunt stub conductively coupled to the feed line. The ground conductor including a bottom ground plane opposite the T-resonator and a ground ring conductively coupled to the bottom ground plane, with the feed line overlapping at least a portion of the ground ring. The separator including a dielectric material disposed between the feed line and the portion of the ground ring overlapped by the feed line, and the separator being adapted to electrically isolate the T-resonator from the ground conductor.

Abstract: A digital oscilloscope comprises a sampling unit configured to sample an input signal received from an oscilloscope probe to produce a first stream of digital samples, a first acquisition system configured to store and process the stream of digital samples to produce a first data set, a second acquisition system configured to store and process the first stream of digital samples independent of the first acquisition system to produce a second data set, and a display system configured to concurrently display the first data set in a first format and the second data set in a second format different from the first format.

Abstract: A laminated heater socket useful in association with an integrated circuit (IC) device tester is having a socket with an embedded integrated heater. This laminated heater socket configuration allows for good thermal conductivity and better electrical signal transmission specially for testing high-speed integrated circuits.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a neutral grounding resistor (NGR), including first and second NGRs electrically connected in parallel, a rectifier circuit electrically connected in series with the second NGR and a voltage source and a logic resistor electrically connected in series with the second NGR. A logic circuit measures current passing through the logic resistor and determines the resistance of the first NGR based on the measured current and the resistance of the second NGR. As such, a failed-open or failed-short condition of the first NGR may be identified based at least in part on the determined resistance of the first NGR.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the power consumption of an electrical consumer that has a capacitive load and the controllable circuit element and the consumer are connected in series. The amplitude of the current flowing through the consumer, the voltage dropping across the consumer, and the change over time of the voltage dropping across the consumer are sensed. An allowed operating current amplitude is calculated from the voltage dropping across the consumer and from a predefined power. A charging current amplitude of the capacitive load is calculated from the change over time of the voltage dropping across the consumer. An allowed instantaneous current amplitude is calculated. The allowed instantaneous current amplitude is compared with the amplitude of the current flowing through the consumer and the electrical resistance of the circuit element is increased if the amplitude of the current flowing through the consumer is greater than the allowed instantaneous current amplitude.

Abstract: A carbon nanofiber aggregate (CNFA) system and method provides self-sensing capabilities that can be used to detect strain, moisture, and temperature changes. The CNFA may include cement, aggregate, silica fume, high-range water reducer (HRWR), and/or carbon nanofibers. The metal meshes in the CNFA may be utilized to monitor the electric properties of the CNFA to detect strain, moisture, and temperature changes. The CNFA may be embedded in concrete structures to allow detection of strain, moisture, and temperature changes that may cause damage to structures. Several metal meshes may be embedded in the CNFA.

Abstract: A micropositioning device for a piezoelectric actuator includes a means for controlling an electric field applied to the piezoelectric actuator so as to deform the piezoelectric material, and means for simultaneous measurement of a variation of electric charge accumulated on the piezoelectric actuator resulting from the deformation; and means for acquiring measurements of the variation of electric charge, for processing these acquisitions and for estimating a displacement (x, y, z) of the piezoelectric actuator and/or an applied force.

Abstract: For passive sensor with resonator having a natural frequency, a method comprises: a first phase emission of an electromagnetic signal toward the passive sensor at an emission frequency, the resonator oscillating in a forced regime at the emission frequency and then oscillating at its natural frequency when the emission is cut off; a first phase reception of the damped signal oscillating at natural frequency emitted by passive sensor, a measurement of the frequency being performed; a second phase emission of an electromagnetic signal at the measured frequency toward the passive sensor, the resonator oscillating in a forced regime at the measured frequency and then oscillating at its natural frequency when the emission is cut off; a second phase reception of the damped signal oscillating at natural frequency, a measurement of the frequency being performed, determination of the natural frequency being stopped due to measurement performed in this second reception phase.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure involve a system and/or method for measuring on-die voltage levels of an integrated circuit through a digital sampling circuit. In particular, the system and/or method utilize a delay line based analog-to-digital sampling circuit that produces a voltage reading over time, such as at every high frequency clock cycle. In one embodiment, the digital sampling circuit or digital voltage monitor circuit includes a coarse delay component or circuit that further delays the propagation of a clock signal through the delay line. The coarse delay circuit may be programmed to delay the propagation of the signal through the delay line in such a manner as to allow for multiple edges of a clock or test signal to travel simultaneously down the delay line and increase the sensitivity of the circuit.

Abstract: A tester for testing a transformer is provided. The tester comprises a primary voltmeter and a plurality of secondary voltmeters. The tester may also comprise an ammeter in series with a voltage source configured to apply voltage to the transformer. The primary voltmeter is configured to measure voltage induced across a primary winding of the transformer, while the secondary voltmeters may simultaneously measure voltage outputs at secondary windings of the transformer. The tester is configured to calculate ratios, saturation curves, and knee points for multiple winding combinations based on the measurements simultaneously obtained by the ammeter and the primary and secondary voltmeters.

Abstract: An electrical circuit protecting an electrical utility meter used in connection with an electrical supply connection having a plurality of phases is disclosed. The circuit includes a plurality of voltage transformers, each of the plurality of voltage transformers electrically connected between one of the plurality of phases of the electrical supply connection and an input power connection of an electrical meter, and an electrical connection of the electrical meter dedicated to a power supply of the electrical meter.

Abstract: A thyristor circuit comprising at least one series circuit in which two or more thyristors are connected in series. Each thyristor is parallel-connected to an RC member. A control device can energize the thyristors individually and independently of each other by a control signal, so that each thyristor can be individually switched into its conducting condition. During a test sequence, the thyristors are switched successively into their conducting condition, wherein, in a series circuit and/or in the thyristor circuit, respectively only one thyristor is in its conducting condition. While a thyristor is conducting, the capacitor of the associate RC member discharges and produces a thyristor current. As a result, the conducting condition is maintained until the thyristor current falls below the holding current. The control device can use the thyristor voltage and/or the thyristor current to evaluate the function or the switching behavior of the thyristor.

Abstract: A reflectometer for use in measuring scattering (S-)parameters for a device under test (DUT) includes a test port, a radio frequency (RF) output signal source, and a local oscillator (LO) signal. The LO signal is used to downconvert the RF output signal to an incident IF signal. The reflectometer is useable as a first reflectometer with a second reflectometer such that the first and second reflectometers are phase synchronized by a synchronization signal. Phase and magnitude of transmission S-parameters of the DUT are measurable when the first reflectometer is used with the second reflectometer. The roles of the first and second reflectometers are reversible to allow for measurement of forward and reverse parameters. Further, the synchronization signal can be provided by one reflectometer to the other (or both can receive a separately generated synchronization signal) via a wire or fiber optic cable, for example, or via a wireless connection.