Abstract: A circuit for regeneration and bandwidth limitation of a quasi-periodic digital input signal. By controlled alternating internal triggering of two monoflops utilizing feedback or external triggering of the two monoflops by means of the input signal, erratic pulses are reliably suppressed, bypass pulses are delivered without time delay and frequencies outside a preset band are not transmitted.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a stepped signal generating circuit for producing stepped signals having nearly perfect sinusoidal stepped signals. The stepped signal generating circuit comprises a plurality of current mirror switching sections, each having a P type and an N type current mirror for outputting constant currents upon receiving digital signals. N-MOS transistors are provided to pass or block the output current of each switching section. The constant currents outputted from the switching sections are then controlled by a constant voltage of the constant voltage source. The final output is controlled by a constant current of a constant current source before being outputted. Accordingly, the present invention generates precise and nearly sinusoidal stepped signals.

Abstract: A limiter circuit utilizes an RC circuit to provide negative feedback of the average value of the output signal of an amplifier, which may be an op-amp or a comparator, to the inverting input of the amplifier. The midpoint of the amplifier supply voltage is applied to the non-inverting input so that the amplifier operates in the linear range. This, combined with the elimination of the effects of offset produced by the negative feedback, results in a limiter circuit with increased sensitivity to small input signals and therefore extended dynamic range. Where a following circuit would be adversely affected by noise, hysteresis provided by positive feedback applied to the non-inverting input of the amplifier causes the limiter circuit to oscillate, at a frequency determined by the magnitude of the positive feedback and the time constant of the RC circuit providing the negative feedback, for input signals having an amplitude below a threshold set by the magnitude of the positive feedback.

Abstract: A signal converter includes a frequency-to-voltage converter for converting a frequency of an input signal received via an input terminal into a control voltage. The input signal contains a noise signal having a frequency different from the frequency of the input signal. The control voltage changes in accordance with a change of the frequency of the input signal. A filter has a variable cutoff frequency so that the noise signal is eliminated from the input signal and outputs a filtered signal. The variable cutoff frequency is changed in accordance with a change of the control voltage so that a change of the variable cutoff frequency follows a change of the frequency of the input signal. A comparator compares the filtered signal with a reference voltage and converts the filtered signal into a pulse signal having a pulse width corresponding to the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: An output circuit for semiconductor integrated circuit includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a supply terminal, first and second transistors, and first and second drive circuits. One terminal of the first and second transistors are coupled to the power voltage terminal, and the other terminals thereof are coupled to the output terminal. The first drive circuit turns on the first transistor when voltage of the input terminal is in a different logical level from voltage of the supply terminal. The second drive circuit turns on the second transistor when voltage of the input terminal is in a different logical level from the voltage of the supply terminal, and turns off the second transistor when voltage of the output terminal is in the range between a predetermined threshold voltage and the voltage of the supply terminal.

Abstract: A current regulating circuit for an inductive load (12) is proposed, in particular for an electrohydraulic pressure regulator for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. A push-pull end stage (16) controls the flow of current through the load (12). Connected in series with the load (12) is a measuring resistor (11), the voltage drop of which, as an actual current value, is applied along with a command current value to a comparison stage (23, 34), by the clocked output signal of which the end stage (16) can be controlled. The measuring resistor (11) is disposed between the load (12) and a first switch transistor (10) of the end stage (16). The potential at one of the pickups (19, 20) of the measuring resistor (11) is provided as a variable reference potential for an auxiliary voltage source (31) supplying the comparison stage (23, 34), which source has switch means (40) for generating an auxiliary voltage (Uh) that is constant relative to the variable reference potential.

Abstract: A servo circuit adapted for controlling a variable gain amplifier to process an audio signal in a television receiver, a stereo apparatus or the like. The servo circuit comprises a variable gain amplifier so formed that the gain thereof is variable with a predetermined temperature coefficient to an absolute temperature, an amplitude limiter for setting upper and lower limits of the gain variable range of the amplifier, a gain control range determiner for changing the upper and lower limits of the gain variable range in the amplitude limiter with a temperature coefficient inverse in polarity to that of the amplifier, and a signal processor for detecting and calculating the level of a process signal supplied to one input terminal and the level of a control signal supplied to the other input terminal, and then outputting a gain control signal in accordance with the level difference between the two input signals so as to control the gain of the variable gain amplifier.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for generating a reset signal includes terminals for a first and a second supply potential. A serial RC network is connected between the terminals. The RC network has an ohmic component, a capacitive component and a first circuit node of the integrated circuit connected between the components. An initializing circuit is connected parallel to the RC network. The initializing circuit has an output forming a second circuit node of the integrated circuit carrying a potential with a maximum value specified by dimensioning the initializing circuit, when the first supply potential is applied. An inverter circuit is connected between the first circuit node and the terminal for the second supply potential in terms of supply voltage. The inverter circuit has an input connected to the second circuit node and an output forming a third circuit node of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An integratable temperature-stable voltage controlled capacitor circuit comprising a variable gain current amplifier connected in parallel and between a reference capacitor and an input-output port. The current amplifier reproduces the current from the reference capacitor, amplifies it, and then adds it in phase to the original current at the input/output port. The equivalent capacitance realized at the input/output port is a linear function of the current amplification and the applied control voltage. The magnitude of the current amplification is determined by a ratio of at least two bias currents applied to the amplifier from two different current sources. Since the gain is dependent on a ratio of bias currents and since temperature affects the bias currents equally when the voltage variable capacitor circuit is integrated on a single chip, this design provides for greater temperature stability.

Abstract: A circuit for time stamping event signals, e.g. zero-crossings, using coarse and fine timers. The fine timer is a circuit section which subdivides a period from a phase-locked ring-oscillator into 2N subparts. An event signal is timed by latching a digital representation of a particular subpart. The digital representation of the subpart is an N-bit dual thermometer code which uniquely identifies each subpart with each adjacent subpart differing by only one bit. The subparts are made finer in time quantization than the propagation delay of one active element in the ring oscillator by the use of linear combiner elements. The dual thermometer code, encoded post-latching into a binary code, forms the "fine" timing part of a binary word representation of the event time. The event also latches the count states of a pair of lead-lag counters in a master-slave configuration counting ring oscillator periods. These counters change states respectively before and after the dual thermometer code turn-overs.

Abstract: A switching apparatus including a plurality of semiconductor switching elements each of which has a pair of main circuit electrodes and a control electrode. Each load-side electrode of the pair of main circuit electrodes of each semiconductor switching element is connected in common and the control electrodes are controlled by a common control power supply so as to control the conductance between the main circuit electrodes. A transformer having a first coil and a second coil of the same polarity as the first coil is connected to each of the semiconductor switching elements. The first coil is inserted between the control signal source and the load-side main circuit electrode, and the second coil is inserted between the control signal source and the control electrode.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices are provided involving at least one chamber, at least one capillary, and at least one reagent involved in a system providing for a detectable signal. As appropriate, the devices provide for measuring a sample, mixing the sample with reagents, defining a flow path, and reading the result. Of particular interest is the use of combinations of specific binding pair members which result in agglutination information, where the resulting agglutination particles may provide for changes in flow rate, light patterns of a flowing medium, or light absorption or scattering. A fabrication technique particularly suited for forming internal chambers in plastic devices is also described along with various control devices for use with the basic device.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel is composed of a plurality of panel elements. The panel elements are arranged in matrix form in a plane. Each element comprises an upper flexible substrate having a plurality of electric terminals formed thereon and a lower flexible substrate having a plurality of electric terminals formed thereon. Two adjacent panel elements are arranged in such a manner that the terminals of the upper substrate are electrically connected to the terminals of the lower substrate through a conductive resin layer disposed therebetween.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a means for testing the operating characteristics of an image reconstructing apparatus, the means including a high resolution gauge for determining the resolution of the apparatus and including a bead which is adapted for testing the modulation transfer function of the apparatus. A method of producing the high resolution gauge is also provided.

Abstract: A system for sensing the presence of or level of material within a vessel that includes a light transmitting probe extending into the vessel through a wall of the vessel from externally thereof. The probe has a lens with a closed end within the vessel for contact with the material sought to be detected, and a light source/sensor unit positioned externally of the vessel. The light source/sensor unit directs light energy through the lens of the probe to the closed end of the lens, which is within the vessel. The source/sensor unit detects the presence of material in contact with the closed end of the lens as a function of light energy reflected back to the source/sensor unit. The light source/sensor unit is removably mounted on the lens so that the source/sensor unit may be removed from the lens for service without removing the lens itself from the vessel wall.

Abstract: A semiconductor delay device is disclosed which allows a delay time to be fixed irrespective of a power supply voltage. The semiconductor delay device includes a first switching circuit, a second switching circuit, a capacitor an N channel transistor and a control voltage generation circuit. The first switching circuit switches in response to an input signal. The capacitor is charged and discharged in response to an output of the first switching circuit. The second switching circuit switches when a voltage level of the capacitor exceeds a fixed voltage. The control voltage generation circuit generates a voltage signal appropriately proportional to a square root of the power supply voltage and applies the generated voltage signal to a gate of an N channel transistor. The N channel transistor is connected between the first switching circuit and the source and current drivability of which is changed in response to the voltage signal. As a result, a delay time can be fixed irrespective of a power supply voltage.

Abstract: A very wide band beam splitter for operation in the range between deep ultraviolet of 190 nanometers and into infrared is comprised of uncoated transparent material only 0.10 to 0.15 mm. in thickness.

Abstract: A lithographic system, having a stepper and exposure station built on a block of granite attached to the ground using isolation legs, includes a servo control system for providing signals a motor associated with the stepper to control the movement of the stepper. The control system includes means to calculate a filter formula used to generate the control signals, which formula is calculated in response to the initial velocity, the movement of the stepper and a certain time between discrete movements, so that a minimum amount of energy is utilized. The filter formula requires that the difference in the velocity of the base and the stepper be zero at the time the stepper reaches the final position. Where time is short, both the base and the stepper initially move with the same velocity and end with the same velocity, and an array processor calculates the time varying filter formula.

Abstract: A liquid crystal layer interposed between a pair of glass substrates is re-oriented for the purpose of eliminating zig-zag dislocations and providing a clear threshold voltage. First, the liquid crystal layer is transformed by elevating the temperature into an isotropic phase which affords a low viscosity, and then applied with an alternating electric field in order to urge the liquid crystal layer to be oriented in a direction parallel with the substrates. Next, the liquid crystal layer is gradually cooled to room temperature while the electric field application continues.

Abstract: A reference voltage device that consists of a series combination of reverse biased p-n junctions, forward biased p-n junctions, and Schottky hot carrier diodes. The relatively low voltage and low negative temperature coefficient of Schottky diodes permit great flexibility in correcting areas of nonlinearity in the offsetting temperature dependent characteristics of conventional forward biased junctions and zener diodes. Because of the stability of Schottky hot carrier diodes to radiation, the method and apparatus of this invention are particularly suitable for designing radiation hardened reference diodes, as well. Finally, the Schottky forward biased diode is suitable for integration into a single monolithic chip structure in series with conventional reverse and forward biased p-n junctions.