Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance image of a contiguous region of a human body on the basis of partial parallel acquisition (PPA) by excitation of nuclear spins and measurement of radio-frequency signals indicating the excited spins, the spin excitation is implemented in steps with measurement of an RF response signal simultaneously in each of a number of N component coils. A number of response signals thus are acquired that, for each component coil, form an incomplete data set (40) of acquired RF signals. Additional acquired calibration data points exist for each incomplete data set. The N incomplete data sets are acquired to a subset of M reduced, incomplete data sets on the basis of an N×M reduction matrix, so that M reduced, incomplete data sets are obtained, M complete data sets are formed on the basis of an N×M reconstruction matrix with the non-measured lines of the M reduced, incomplete data sets being reconstructed from all N incomplete data sets.

Abstract: The present invention determines the resonant frequency of a wireless sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system energizes the sensor with a low duty cycle, gated burst of RF energy having a predetermined frequency. The system receives the ring down response of the sensor and determines the resonant frequency of the sensor, which is used to calculate a physical parameter. The system uses a pair of phase locked loops to adjust the phase and the frequency of the energizing signal. The system identifies false locks by detecting an unwanted beat frequency in the coupled signal, as well as determining whether the coupled signal exhibits pulsatile characteristics that correspond to a periodic physiological characteristic, such as blood pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems improve spark testing of insulated cables. According to embodiments described herein, a spark tester includes a conductive housing having an entryway, an exit, and a test chamber therebetween. The spark tester utilizes spring electrodes connected to an adjustment ring at one end of the housing and to a fixed structure at the opposite end of the housing. The adjustment ring is rotated such that the spring electrodes wrap around the test cable, contacting the test cable on all sides throughout the test chamber. The housing also includes an electrical contact for receiving and distributing a voltage across the housing and the spring electrodes. As the test cable is drawn through the spring electrodes, the grounded conductors within the test cable are monitored for a voltage spike, indicating an insulation defect that allowed a discharge from the spring electrodes to a test cable conductor.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes a MRI gradient coil and an MRI cooling system. The MRI cooling system is thermally connected to the MRI gradient coil and includes a cooling circuit. A chiller is connected to the cooling circuit and configured to pump a coolant through the cooling circuit and extract heat from the coolant. The coolant includes both a carrier fluid and a phase-change material.

Abstract: A fixed electrode and a movable electrode to be used to drive each arm are formed at a drive unit. As a voltage is applied between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode, the movable electrode is caused to move by coulomb force, thereby driving the arm 3 in a closing operation. By detecting a change occurring in the electrostatic capacity between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode at this time, a decision can be made as to whether or not the sample has been gripped.

Abstract: A high-frequency measurement unit includes a signal detector for detecting a high-frequency signal, and a calibration coefficient storage for storing calibration coefficients Cmin and Cmax used to calibrate a value Amin detected at the lowest limit frequency fmin and a value Amax detected at the uppermost limit frequency fmax to a proper measurement value Asmin and to a proper measurement value Asmax, respectively. The high-frequency measurement unit further includes a frequency detection unit for detecting a frequency fm of the high-frequency signal, a calibration coefficient calculation unit for calculating a calibration coefficient Cm for the frequency fm, and a calibration unit for calibrating the value Am detected by the signal detector to a proper measurement value Asm by using the calibration coefficient Cm calculated by the calibration coefficient calculation unit.

Abstract: An inverter system which converts DC input into AC output and supplies the AC output to a load such as an FL tube detects change in a circuit current due to anomaly such as discharge without contacting with a current route. Relating to an inverter which converts DC input into AC output and supplies the AC output to a load, change in a circuit current of the inverter is detected through the medium of magnetic flux change due to the change in the circuit current caused by discharge. For example, if change in a current occurs in the circuit current of the inverter by disconnection discharge or ground-fault discharge occurring in a current route including a load of the inverter, magnetic flux change occurs in circuit wiring and a space of a core gap of a transformer of the inverter. The change in the circuit current is detected through the medium of the magnetic flux change without contacting with the circuit wiring or the transformer.

Abstract: A method for measuring intrinsic capacitance of a MOS device is provided. The MOS device includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal and a fourth terminal. First, provide a first input signal to the second terminal and ground the third terminal and fourth terminal. Then, charge the first terminal and measure a first current required for charging the first terminal. Afterward, provide a second input signal to the second terminal, ground the third terminal and the fourth terminal, and measure a second current required for charging the first terminal, wherein the first input signal and the second input signal have the same low level, but different high levels. Finally, determine intrinsic capacitance between the first terminal and the second terminal according to the first current, the second current and a high level difference between the first input signal and the second input signal.

Abstract: A calibration circuit including a plurality of first resistance components, a plurality of second resistance components, and a first feedback system is provided. The first feedback system selects M1 first resistance components and N1 second resistance components so that a first combination of the M1 first resistance components and the N1 second resistance components substantially matches the impedance of a first resistor. The first feedback system selects M2 first resistance components and N2 second resistance components so that a second combination of the M2 first resistance components and the N2 second resistance components substantially matches the impedance of the first resistor. Based on the values of M1, N1, M2, N2, and a target impedance, the first feedback system generates a first set of calibration signals for a plurality of third resistance components and generates a second set of calibration signals for a plurality of fourth resistance components.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing corrosion of a contact includes a detection conducting path connected to the contact, a variable impedance unit and a comparing and switching unit. The variable impedance unit is connected to the detection conducting path. The variable impedance unit is switchable between (i) a first impedance used for passing a corrosion prevention current into the detection conducting path and (ii) a second impedance through used for passing a current, which is used for detecting a connection state of the contact, into the detection conducting path. The first impedance is lower than the second impedance. The comparing and switching unit compares a detected value with a corrosion threshold, compares the detected value with a restoration threshold and switches the variable impedance unit based on comparing results.

Abstract: In a method for determination of flip angle distributions for various antenna transmission configurations in a magnetic resonance system, magnetic resonance measurements are implemented with the various transmission configurations, with the reception configuration being identical for all implemented magnetic resonance measurements, and all magnetic resonance measurements for the various transmission configurations are implemented with a specific pulse sequence.

Abstract: In a data acquisition and reconstruction method for magnetic resonance (MR) tomography, and a corresponding MR tomography apparatus, a blade-like sampling of k-space according to the PROPELLER method using a number of reception coils ensures with partial under-sampling of at least one blade of k-space such that the under-sampling ensues by regular omission of k-space lines in both boundary regions (with regard to the phase-encoding direction ky) of a blade such that only data in each A-th line of said boundary regions are acquired; with no k-space lines being omitted in the central region (with regard to the ky-direction) and thus at least one coil calibration line is obtained, selection of a suitable PPA method for completion of the blades and determination of the necessary coil calibration data necessary for the PPA reconstruction of a partial under-sampled blade from the central completely sampled region of said blade.

Abstract: A method for measuring the degree of fiber concentration in a pulp in a machine, in particular a refiner for the manufacture of paper pulp, which machine includes a stator and an opposing rotor, which form a grinding gap for the pulp. The stator is provided with at least one sensor device, designed to interact with a rotor surface and including an impedance meter body with a sensor surface which impedance meter body is mounted in the stator in such a way that it can move axially. Measurements of the impedance between the rotor surface and the sensor surface are carried out during an axial movement of the impedance meter body and the measured impedance differences are utilized together with the size of the movement to determine the dielectric constant of the pulp, from which the degree of fiber concentration in the pulp is dervived.

Abstract: A LAN tester has display and remote units each having a connector jack attached to an adapter board for connection to the plug of a patch cord. Both the display and remote units have circuits which are capable of measuring the phase between a drive signal voltage and the corresponding coupled or reflected signal due to the drive signal. Scattering parameters for the mated connector pairs and the patch cord itself are measured during a field calibration. A computer in one or both of the tester units stores the measured scattering parameters and uses the scattering parameters to move the reference plane to any desired location along the patch cord. Channel link or permanent link tests can be conducted using the same equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charge transfer-based circuit arrangement for capacitive proximity switches comprising a capacitive sensor element (C3), the capacity of which changes according to the actuation mode. The circuit arrangement includes a central capacitor (C2), a first controllable connecting means (D2) that impinges the capacitive sensor element with a charging voltage (U3) according to a triggering signal, and a second controllable connecting means (T1) which connects the capacitive sensor element to the central capacitor according to the triggering signal in order to transfer the charge from the capacitive sensor element to the central capacitor. The charging voltage can be an AC voltage while the connecting means can be impinged upon by the AC voltage in such a way that the first connecting means or the second connecting means is alternately conductive.

Abstract: Structures for aligning wafers and methods for operating the same. The structure includes (a) a first semiconductor wafer including a first capacitive coupling structure, and (b) a second semiconductor wafer including a second capacitive coupling structure. The first and second semiconductor wafers are in direct physical contact with each other via a common surface. If the first and second semiconductor wafers are moved with respect to each other by a first displacement distance of 1 nm in a first direction while the first and second semiconductor wafers are in direct physical contact with each other via the common surface, then a change of at least 10?18 F in capacitance of a first capacitor comprising the first and second capacitive coupling structures results. The first direction is essentially parallel to the common surface.

Abstract: A capacitive humidity sensor includes a detecting portion and a reference portion. The detecting portion includes a first sensor element, and a capacitance of the first sensor element varies in accordance with humidity. The reference portion includes a second sensor element and a capacitor. The second sensor element is connected to the first sensor element in series, and a capacitance of the second sensor element varies in accordance with the humidity. The capacitor has a constant capacitance relative to a humidity variation. The first sensor element has a gradient of a capacitance variation to the humidity variation, which is different from a gradient of the second sensor element.

Abstract: The present invention, generally speaking, provides a time shift angle demodulator that is of simple construction and has an extended linear range. Range extension is achieved by using the input signals directly, not simply post-processing the S-PFD outputs. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of measuring the phase or frequency of a periodic input signal uses a periodic reference signal and includes comparing the input signal to the reference signal to obtain a lead signal and a lag signal; changing the count of an up/down counter in dependence on the input signal, the reference signal, the lead signal and the lag signal; and using the lead signal, the lag signal and the count signal to produce a phase or frequency signal.

Abstract: A device for detecting at least one substance of a fluid includes at least one piezo-acoustic resonator with at least one piezo layer, an electrode arranged on the piezo-electric layer, at least one other electrode arranged on the piezo-electric layer and a surface section used for sorption of the substance of the fluid. The piezo-electric layer, the electrodes and the surface section are disposed in such a way that electric control of the electrodes leads to an oscillation of the resonator at a resonance frequency which depends upon the amount of the substance which is sorbed on the surface section. The thickness of the pioelectric layer is in the region of 0.5 to 20 ?m and the resonance frequency of the oscillation ranges from 500 MHz to 2 GHz. The device is a mass sensor with a piezo-acoustic high-frequency thin film resonator.

Abstract: There is provided a signal generation circuit for generating an output signal including jitter injected thereto. The signal generation circuit includes a jitter output section that outputs a first jitter signal and a second jitter signal which have different frequencies from each other, a carrier output section that outputs a carrier signal having a frequency positioned in substantially the middle between the frequencies of the first and second jitter signals, and an adding section that adds together the first jitter signal, second jitter signal and carrier signal so as to generate the output signal.