Abstract: A non-disruptive, on-line testing and switchover method and apparatus in a high availability, fibre channel switching environment. In a network having an active switching element, a redundant switching element and a port, one aspect of the present invention provides for verifying a working data path from the port to the redundant switching element, and thereafter verifying a working control path to the redundant switching element. Both verification tests take place without interrupting operation on the network. In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides for recognizing a failure occurrence in the active switching element, and thereafter switching to the redundant switching element with the potential for minimal frame loss.

Abstract: A portable test meter is disclosed for measuring, calculating, recording and monitoring significant system parameters for a local communication network of the type used in industrial automation applications. The meter is disclosed in the context of a network employing the DeviceNet protocol. For each network parameter of interest, a rotary switch selects a desired one for display. An auto search mode selectable by the operator, increments through selected network parameters and compares measured or calculated values against stored data representing acceptable, marginal, or unacceptable conditions, and an associated visual indicia is displayed for each unacceptable or margin condition detected.

Abstract: The measuring assembly comprises a sensor module containing at least one sensor and an analog/digital converter for digitizing the analog measurement signal furnished by the sensor as well as an analyzer module with means for digitally processing the digitized measurement data furnished by the sensor module. The program code and the sensor-specific coefficients for processing the digitized measurement data are stored in a non-volatile digital memory in the sensor module. On power up a control circuit contained in the sensor module prompts transfer of the memorized data and subsequent transfer of the digitized measurement data via a unidirectional serial interface to the analyzer module, as a result of which on installation or replacement of a sensor module all sensor-specific data is directly available at the analyzer module. Furthermore, DC decoupling the sensor module from the analyzer module is made possible by simple means.

Abstract: Communication system for vehicle wheel alignment apparatus includes transceivers for each wheel sensor and a plurality of transceivers disposed at a control console or control remote unit. Communication is accomplished with any particular sensor transceiver by switching among the control transceivers as follows: (1) If the sensor transceiver does not respond, switch the transmitter portions of the control transceivers sequentially until the sensor transceiver does respond, and (2) if the signal from the sensor transceiver is garbled, switch the receiver portions of the control transceivers sequentially until the message is ungarbled. The transmitter and receiver portions of the control transceivers are controlled independently, so that for a particular message transmission may use a first control transceiver and reception may use a second control transceiver.

Abstract: A load value of an external load is detected by a load value detector. When a heat quantity recovered by a heat load from a heat engine or a fuel cell is smaller than a predetermined value, a CPU calculates electric power to be consumed by an electric heater based on a relation between a heat value of heat load relative to a load value of a generator or fuel cell and a heat quantity recovered from generator or fuel cell stored in a memory of a power setting unit, so that the sum of heat quantities recovered from waste heat of heat engine or fuel cell and from generated heat of electric heater by heat load is the predetermined value, thereby controlling electric heater according to the result.

Abstract: A method and system to prevent auto theft from parking areas, such as airport parking lots, includes a ticket dispenser, at an entry gate, which issues a numbered ticket to each driver. The driver is advised to carry the ticket with him and not to leave it in the car. At the same time the ticket is issued, the color of the car, or its length or part of its license plate number, is automatically determined and entered into computer memory, in association with the ticket number. At the exit, the ticket is presented by the driver, read by a ticket reader, and its associated data (car color, length or license number) is retrieved from computer memory. Also at the exit, the car's color, length or part of its license plate is again automatically obtained and compared with the data retrieved from the computer memory. In the event of a mismatch, a warning signal is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the growth of surface cracks in materials includes a means for applying a load to a specimen to simulate actual use of the specimen, means for illuminating the specimen, means for capturing images of the specimen, and means for processing the images to monitor crack growth in the specimen. Optionally, the means for processing can be used to control the other means.

Abstract: In order to provide an apparatus and method generating chaotically behaving signals or data, a plurality of delay elements 10 to 14 are connected in series, and an output of the foremost delay element 10 is supplied to a nonlinear function element 30, while outputs of the other delay elements 11 to 14 are supplied to coefficient elements 41 to 44, respectively. The outputs of the nonlinear function element 30 and coefficient elements 41 to 44 are summed at an adding element 50, and the resultant sum is fedback to the foremost delay element 10. Initializing elements 20 to 24 release their respective initial values at one time to thereby initiate the operation. At an appropriate period of time .DELTA.t, the delay, nonlinear operation, coefficient multiplication, and addition are repeated.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an Interconnect Stress Testing (IST) system and a printed wiring board test coupon which is used with the IST system. The system includes a computer device and a cabinet which is used for mounting the test coupon as well as housing a number of the other components that make up the system. During a pre-cycling phase, the system determines the correct current that should be passed through the coupon in order to heat it to a predetermined temperature. After that test current value is determined the system actually stress tests the coupon by passing the determined test current through the coupon. It does so for a selected number of cycles, and monitors resistance changes in the coupon during testing while recording test data. This disclosure also describes the test coupon, which is designed to uniformly dissipate the heat created during stress cycling.

Abstract: A method of generating a test plan for a circuit designed with blocks of analog, digital, or mixed signal components. Each block is treated as a separate functional unit, with a test having block inputs that are set to predetermined values. A matrix of circuit equations is set up to determine what circuit inputs will result in these block inputs. The required number of equations is obtained by identifying any circuit inputs that need to be set heuristically.