Abstract: A nondestructive inspection method for composite structures, including thick core structures, is disclosed that imparts a vibration force into the structure and analyzes the response over a range of frequencies to find possible damaged areas. The composite structure is struck to induce vibration at a series of test points and the response of the composite structure as a function of acceleration at each test point is measured. The structural anomalies in the composite structure occur at structural stiffness irregularities near anomalies and are detected with a Gapped Smoothing Method operating on the data and plotting a structural irregularity index as a function of frequency and position.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system and method for vehicles equipped with anti-lock breaking systems (ABS), especially vehicles with more than two axles, is provided. Wheel sensors associated with the ABS are utilized to sense variables which depend on wheel rotation, such as speed of rotation of the wheels or travel distances covered by the wheels. An ABS control unit logically combines the determined variables with one another and performs an evaluation with respect to change of rolling radii of the wheels while allowing for changes of the variable caused by driving operation. The ABS control unit generates a warning signal when the change of variables caused by tire pressure decrease exceeds a preselected limit value. In addition to the wheel sensors, a tire pressure measuring system which measures the absolute tire inflation pressure of the wheels of at least one axle and generates a warning signal when the measured tire inflation pressure drops below a preselected setpoint pressure can be utilized.

Abstract: A calibration information calculation unit 340 calculates the first coordinate positions of feature points included in images obtained by an image sensing apparatus at timings from an instruction unit 350 using position data, on world coordinate system, of a plurality of feature points held by a world coordinate holding unit 310 and the measured values of a position/posture sensor 130 input to a data management unit 330 at the timings. The unit 340 receives the second coordinate positions, which are acquired by an image coordinate acquisition unit 320, of the feature points included in the images obtained by the image sensing device at the timings. The unit 340 calculates calibration information using the first and second coordinate positions.

Abstract: A combustion chamber graphic analyzer (CCGA) computer software application has been developed for analyzing the performance of individual combustion chambers in an operating gas turbine. The CCGA identifies combustion chambers that are sustaining abnormally hot or cold combustion temperatures. The identification of hot or cold combustion chambers is graphically displayed by the CCGA on a computer display, printed report or other computer output. Whether a combustion chamber is operating hot or cold is determined based on a circumferential profile of the temperatures of the exhaust gases from the gas turbine. This circumferential temperature profile is rotated using a swirl angle to correlate the exhaust gas temperature profile with the circular array of combustion chambers.

Abstract: A heading and Omni-Bearing Selector (OBS) module for converting 3-phase analog heading signals input from a heading synchronic device and analog sine and cosine bearing signals input from an OBS resolver device.

Abstract: There is provided a testing apparatus (200) for a hybrid indicator lens and potentiometer actuator (100). The hybrid actuator (100) serves both as a knob for a potentiometer (120) and as a lens to convey light from an indicator arrangement (110). The test apparatus (200) includes a rotatable test head (204) having a light sensing means (210) and an engaging portion (202). The engaging portion (202) engages with a corresponding receiving recess (102) provided on a head portion (114) of said hybrid actuator (100) and thereby aligns the light sensing means (210) with the hybrid actuator (100). The testing apparatus (200) performs automated tests which include rotation of the hybrid actuator (100), and therefore the potentiometer (120) to a range of test settings and inspection of the functionality of the indicator lens arrangement (110).

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for estimating the performance of a computer system are provided. Initially, a business pattern representative of the expected usage of the computer system is identified. Then, for each parameter associated with each predefined script, which corresponds to the identified business pattern, a value is established. The computer system hardware characteristics and performance objectives are identified next. The performance estimate is then calculated utilizing the established parameter values, identified hardware characteristics and performance objectives. To calculate the performance estimate, the script measurements data is read from a table of previously measured values, and a weighted average number of page visits per user, a weighted average visit rate and a weighted average service time for each target device in the computer system are calculated.

Abstract: Methods and computer program products are provided for analyzing a crystalline structure, such as a wafer or an epitaxial layer in more detail, including the portion of the crystalline structure proximate the edge. The methods and computer program products of one aspect determine the average thickness and the normalized profile of a crystalline structure with enhanced detail. Additionally, the method and computer program product of another aspect represent the profile proximate the edge of the crystalline structure with a pair of lines that are selected to permit the profile of the crystalline structure proximate the edge of the crystalline structure to be characterized in more detail. Further, the method of yet another aspect permits the average edge profile for a plurality of crystalline structure to be defined.

Abstract: A sampling digitizer comprises a sampling head 11, a clock generator 12, a digitizer 13 and a trigger circuit 14. A clock signal from the clock generator is also supplied to a delay element 15, and a change-over switch 16 switches from an output from the delay element 15 to a clock signal which does not pass through the delay element 15 to feed the sampling head 11 in response to a trigger signal from the trigger circuit.

Abstract: A processing system uses image processing technology to classify features in time series data. In atmospheric applications, the features can be used to detect outliers and/or failure modes in time series data from atmospheric measurement systems. The processing system is configured to: 1) process the time series data with a plurality of membership functions to generate a plurality of hypersurfaces, 2) process the hypersurfaces to generate a composite hypersurface, 3) process the composite hypersurface to identify clusters, and 4) process the clusters to classify the features.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a memory device and method for temperature-based control over write and/or read operations. In one preferred embodiment, the temperature of a memory array is monitored, and a write operation to the memory array is prevented in response to the monitored temperature reaching a threshold temperature. In another preferred embodiment, the temperature of a memory array is monitored, and a read operation from the memory array is prevented in response to the monitored temperature reaching a threshold temperature. Other preferred embodiments are provided, and each of the preferred embodiments can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a characteristic of an analog signal are provided. A system for measuring a characteristic of an analog signal includes an analog to digital converter that is configured to convert an analog signal into a digital form that includes at least one digital data value, and logic that is configured to associate a data tag with the data value.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an amplitude of a signal generated from a digitized sinusoid of rapidly and widely varying amplitude is described herein. The apparatus includes a two stage gain adjuster which produces a gain adjusted signal, a phase shifter which converts the gain adjusted signal into two gain adjusted output signals separated in phase by 90 degrees, a power estimation unit to estimate the power of the gain adjusted signal, and an adjusting unit to adjust a gain of the gain adjuster according to a power estimate from the power estimation unit and a desired output signal power.

Abstract: A system and method for storing adapter card Option ROM BIOS extensions on the system's DASD and, more particularly, on a partition of the DASD that is generally inaccessible to the operating system. The system may partition the system DASD into a user partition and a hidden partition where the hidden partition is preferably inaccessible to the operating system. BIOS extensions files are stored in the hidden partition. The system BIOS, when executed, identifies the peripheral devices on the system and interrogates the hidden partition for BIOS extension files corresponding to each of the identified devices. If the hidden partition contains a BIOS extension file corresponding to an identified peripheral device, the file is verified for authenticity. If the verification completes successfully, the BIOS extension file is copied into shadow RAM and control is passed to it.

Abstract: Vehicle stability regulating system for land vehicles, with a yaw rate sensor (GRS) which during operation delivers a first output signal (GR) representative of the yaw rate of the vehicle and a second output signal (Temp) representative of the operating or ambient temperature of the yaw rate sensor (GRS), and an additional sensor arrangement (SENS), which delivers a third output signal (0-GR) representing a non-yawing state of the vehicle, at least within a predetermined range of tolerance, wherein the first, the second and the third output signal are fed into an electronic control unit (ECU), and wherein the electronic control unit (ECU) comprises a computer unit (CPU) and at least one writable data memory (RAM) and a control program memory (ROM), which is connected to the computer unit, wherein a control program stored in the control program memory controls the computer unit so that in a learning mode the computer unit determines a temperature-related zero offset value from the first output signal in accor

Abstract: A controller includes a plurality of readers for reading an associated plurality of expansion cards and for controlling operation of such expansion cards, wherein at least one of the plurality of readers is a flash media reader. A method for controlling the operation of at least one expansion card with an integrated controller having a plurality of readers includes detecting the presence of at least one expansion card, and enabling a selected reader of the integrated controller associated with at least one expansion card. Another method of writing data to read only memory in an integrated controller includes unlocking the read only memory, writing information into the read only memory, and locking the read only memory to prevent otherwise unintentional or unauthorized writing to the read only memory is also provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for accessing a block data storage device through a computer network to carry out remote diagnostic operations. The data storage device includes a data storage medium, a host interface port, a serial communication (COM) port and a programmable controller with associated platform firmware and associated diagnostic firmware. A client computer and a server computer are connected to a computer network, and the data storage device is connected to the server computer via the host interface port. The server computer is used to transmit a first command to cause the controller to execute the platform firmware, while the client computer is used to transmit a second command to the COM port of the data storage device to cause the controller to concurrently execute the diagnostic firmware to monitor operation of the platform firmware.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wideband active probing of devices and circuits in operation are provided. One such embodiment includes a probe amplifier housing that at least partially contains a probe amplifier circuitry. The probe amplifier circuitry and the probe housing are configured to be separately arranged and positioned from connected probing and signal monitoring apparatuses. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing an electronic device under a plurality of test conditions created during a test sequence includes an arbitrary waveform generator that sequentially generates the plurality of test conditions. The test conditions include selectively forcing voltage or forcing current over a wide range of amplitudes, measuring a plurality of results with various resolutions and at selected times during the test sequence, changing filter settings, gains and other parameters. The test conditions are selected and set under the control of a system clock using data stored in memory. A controller initiates the test sequence of the apparatus and determines whether measured results are within predetermined specifications. The controller uses processor-driven software, but the settings of the test apparatus are changed at predetermined times during the test sequence, without controller intervention. Several test apparatus are typically managed by one controller.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for remote data acquisition from a block data storage device having a data storage medium, a host interface port, a serial communication (COM) port and a programmable controller with associated platform firmware and associated diagnostic firmware. A client computer and a server computer are connected to a computer network (such as the Internet), and the data storage device is connected to the server computer via the host interface port. A data acquisition device such as a disk drive analyzer having digital oscilloscope capabilities is connected to the server computer and the data storage device. Requests from the client computer are transmitted via the network to result in a first command to the data storage device to execute the platform firmware and a second command to capture a waveform signal from the data storage device. The waveform signal is transmitted real time for display by the client computer.