Abstract: A probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing is disclosed. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof. The probe card assembly further includes a spring plate mounted to the outer gimbal bearing, providing a downward force to a substrate.

Abstract: A portable sensing system device and method for providing microwave or RF (radio-frequency) sensing functionality for a portable device, the device comprising: a portable device housing configured to be carried by a user; and a sensing unit within said housing con-figured to characterize an object located in proximity to the portable system, said sensing unit comprising: a wideband electromagnetic transducer array said array comprising a plurality of electromagnetic transducers; a transmitter unit for applying RF signals to said electromagnetic transducer array; and a receiver unit for receiving coupled RF signals from said electromagnetic transducers array.

Abstract: A method for medical imaging may include determining a posture of an object and obtaining a first parameter of a pulse sequence to be applied to the object. The method may also include determining, based on the posture and the first parameter, a SAR distribution model and estimating, based on the SAR distribution model and a second parameter of the pulse sequence to be applied, a SAR distribution associated with the object under the pulse sequence to be applied. The second parameter is associated with calibration of the pulse sequence to be applied. The method may further include determining whether the estimated SAR distribution meets a condition and causing, in response to a result of the determination that the estimated SAR distribution associated with the object meets the condition, a scanner to perform an MR scan on the object according to the pulse sequence.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a gradient coil, a receiving circuit, and processing circuitry. The gradient coil is configured to superimpose a gradient magnetic field on a static magnetic field. The receiving circuit is configured to receive an MR (magnetic resonance) signal from an object placed in the gradient magnetic field. The processing circuitry is configured to estimate time variation of an MR (magnetic resonance) frequency during a sampling period of the MR signal based on waveform data of a gradient current applied to the gradient coil, perform correction on a frequency or phase of the MR signal received by the receiving circuit based on the estimated time variation of the MR frequency during the sampling period, and reconstruct an image by using the MR signal subjected to the correction.

Abstract: Using various techniques, each transistor in a DC-DC converter can have a corresponding voltage detector that can compare a difference of a first voltage at a first terminal of the transistor and a second voltage at a second terminal of the transistor to a threshold voltage. Then, based on at least one comparison, a controller can detect an open circuit or a short circuit in one or more of the transistors regardless of the direction of the load current in the DC-DC converter.

Abstract: A package comprises a body having a mounting surface so as to be mounted to an external surface, and a coil having at least 100 turns around a coil axis. A first end of the coil is oriented in a first direction substantially parallel to the mounting surface such that the first end is attachable to the external surface. The package includes a ferromagnetic element that extends along the coil axis such that the ferromagnetic element is magnetically coupled to the coil. The body is configured to house the coil and the ferromagnetic element.

Abstract: A moisture sensor includes a circuit board and a plurality of circuits monitoring a plurality of moisture probes, wherein at least two sets of a plurality of probes are on the bottom of the sensor, one set in direct contact with the floor, a second set separated from the floor; a set of conductive pins that enable the body of the circuit board to be spaced from the floor to help any moisture accumulation beneath the sensor to evaporate, preventing mold growth; two sets of a plurality of probes along the edge of the sensor, such that when the sensor is installed edge on, these edge sensors will be in direct contact with the floor. The sensor transmits data periodically when sensed resistance is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetoresistance effect element that has a first ferromagnetic metal layer, a second ferromagnetic metal layer, and a tunnel barrier layer provided between the first ferromagnetic metal layer and the second ferromagnetic metal layer. The tunnel barrier layer has a cubic crystal structure, and the first ferromagnetic metal layer or the second ferromagnetic metal layer is formed of a material having a cubic crystal structure represented by Fe2CoSi. A crystal surface for crystals constituting the tunnel barrier layer and a crystal surface for crystals constituting the first ferromagnetic metal layer or the second ferromagnetic metal layer are matched to be inclined at 0° or 45° in at least a part of a crystal interface between the tunnel barrier layer and the first ferromagnetic metal layer or the second ferromagnetic metal layer.

Abstract: Ligand-ion channel interactions are analyzed via electrophysiological methods having rapid temporal response and high sensitivity, thereby reducing the collection time and enabling monitoring of dynamic processes. This protocol allows quantification of ligand concentrations in the sub-millisecond to ms range, as compared to s-min for traditional approaches. Moreover, the method can be easily integrated into existing patch clamp analysis packages and allow for monitoring of rapid, dynamic chemical processes in a feasible manner.

Abstract: An electrical system comprises at least one high-voltage battery, at least one DC link capacitor and at least two power relays, whereby one power relay is arranged between a positive connector of the high-voltage battery and the DC link capacitor, while the other power relay is arranged between a negative connector of the high-voltage battery and the DC link capacitor, whereby the electrical system has a galvanically isolated DC/DC converter that is connected to a voltage source in the electrical system, whereby the DC/DC converter is configured such that it can transmit electric energy to a high-voltage side with the DC link capacitor in order to pre-charge the DC link capacitor, whereby the electrical system has a diagnostic device to test the power relays, whereby the diagnostic device has switchable voltage sensors.

Abstract: An inspection system includes: an inspection section provided with an inspection part having a plurality of inspection units each including a tester that performs an electrical inspection of an inspection target, and a probe card provided between the tester and the inspection target; and a loader section including an arrangement part in which a storage container for the inspection target is disposed, and a loader that delivers the inspection target between the storage container and the inspection section. The inspection part includes a plurality of inspection unit rows that are formed by arranging the plurality of inspection units in one horizontal direction and arranged in a plurality of tiers in a vertical direction. The arrangement part is provided on an end part side in one direction of the inspection part.

Abstract: A rotation angle detector includes a magnet arranged to rotate, and a magnetic detection circuit provided with a first pair of magnetic detection elements arranged to be in combination sensitive to a first magnetic field in circumferential direction to the first surface and to a second magnetic field in normal direction to the first surface and arranged away from the rotation axis, and configured to detect magnetic flux of the magnet. A second pair of magnetic detection elements are arranged to be in combination sensitive to the first magnetic field in circumferential direction to the first surface and to the second magnetic field in normal direction to the first surface. A signal processing unit is configured to output a signal representative of a rotation angle of the magnet based on outputs of the first and second pair of magnetic detection elements.

Abstract: Fault detection, isolation and restoration systems for electric power systems using “smart switch” points that autonomously coordinate operations to minimize the number of customers affected by outages and their durations, without relying on communications with a central controller or between the smart switch points. Each smart recloser can be individually programmed to operate as a tie-switch, a Type-A (normal or default type) sectionalizer, or a Type-B (special type) sectionalizer. The Type-A recloser automatically opens when it detects a fault, uses a direction-to-fault and zone-based distance-to-fault operating protocol, and stays “as is” with no automatic opening when power (voltage) is lost on both sides of the switch. The Type-B sectionalizer does the same thing and is further configured to automatically open when it detects that it is deenergized on both sides for a pre-defined time period, and to operate like a tie-switch once open.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a controller, a voltage source coupled to the controller, a voltage sampler coupled to the controller, a low current detector coupled to the controller; and memory coupled to the controller, where memory includes code segments executable by the controller for: (a) measuring a cell voltage to determine an initial voltage; (b) holding the cell voltage at the initial voltage using a power source; and (c) determining the leakage current of the cell by the current provided by the current power source with a low current detector. The power source can be one or both of a voltage source and a current source.

Abstract: Non-contact type measuring apparatus able to detect a difference in signal intensity by transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal having a predetermined frequency through one of two coil antennas and receiving an induced RF current signal transmitted via a medium through the other coil antennas and detect conductivity and a variation in characteristic of a non-conductor by comparing the signal intensity with a signal intensity comparison table for each frequency, which is stored in a controller by measuring a signal intensity for each frequency in advance, on the basis of the signal intensity for each frequency. The non-contact type measuring apparatus can accurately measure not only various elements using a characteristic in which conductivity is varied according to total dissolved solid, temperature, and an amount of a conductive medium and permittivity change characteristic of a non-conductor, but also conductivity and variation in characteristic of the non-conductor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of testing the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes a Design Under Test (DUT), a processing core configured to execute test software to determine an optimum operating voltage of the DUT, and a protection circuit configured to block the transmission of undefined signals generated by the DUT while the processing core executes the test software.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing electronic apparatus includes: a step (A) of preparing a structure provided with an adhesive film and one or two or more electronic components affixed to an adhesive surface of the adhesive film; a step (B) of disposing the structure in the electronic component testing apparatus such that the electronic component is positioned over an electronic component installation region of a sample stand of the electronic component testing apparatus in a defined manner; a step (C) of evaluating the properties of the electronic component in a state of being affixed to the adhesive film with the probe terminal being in contact with a terminal of the electronic component; and a step (D) of picking up the electronic component from the adhesive film after the step (C). A defined sample stand is also provided.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are provided for use in determining a spacing of a gap between a first flange and a second flange connected by at least one bolt using an integrated sensor. The sensor may include a plurality of electric coils for generating an AC magnetic field for causing a magnetic material to produce a dynamic mechanical response as a result of a change in the spacing of the first and second flanges. A holder for the sensor may be provided, and may be adapted for positioning between the joined parts or the associated flanges, and further may be adapted to attach to a bolt connecting the parts. Related methods include estimating a retained load on a gasket or seal associated with the first and second flanges.

Abstract: A battery management system includes a plurality of balancing resistors that are respectively connected to a plurality of cells that are connected in series to each other, and that respectively form a part of a balancing discharge path of each of the cells, a plurality of balancing switches configured to respectively control a flow of balancing current of the balancing discharge path, a voltage detection circuit configured to detect a voltage of opposite ends of a respective balancing resistor with respect to a balancing target cell among the cells when cell balancing is started, and a balancing control circuit configured to acquire a voltage cumulative value corresponding to a cumulative value of balancing discharge current of the balancing target cell using the voltage of the opposite ends of the respective balancing resistor, and configured to determine whether cell balancing on the balancing target cell is terminated based on the voltage cumulative value.

Abstract: There is provided a method of locating a fault in a power transmission medium, including: monitoring, at a first monitoring location, an electrical characteristic of a power transmission medium at a plurality of frequencies; detecting, at the first monitoring location, a set of propagating fault signals including: a first propagating fault signal of the electrical characteristic at a first frequency of the plurality of frequencies, and a second propagating fault signal of the electrical characteristic at a second frequency of the plurality of frequencies, wherein each propagating fault signal is caused by the fault in the power transmission medium; comparing the first and second propagating fault signals with one another to obtain a set comparison value; and determining a location of the fault in the power transmission medium by deriving, from the set comparison value, a fault distance from the first monitoring location.