Abstract: A system and method for identifying opens among parallel connections on a circuit assembly such as a printed circuit board (PCB). In a learn phase performed on a known good circuit assembly, a group of parallel connected pins are excited with a first signal. A second signal, out-of-phase with the first signal, is applied to a second group of pins associated with the component. The amplitude and/or the phase of the second signal and the number and/or specific pins in the second group of pins are selected so that first and second signals coupled to a detector plate proximal to the component substantially offset. During a manufacturing test, signals of comparable amplitude and phase are applied to like pins on a like component of a circuit assembly under test. If the response signal coupled to a like detector plate is below a threshold, it is determined that each pin in the group of parallel connected pins is connected.

Abstract: A capacitor charging circuit is provided in a utility meter. The utility meter includes a measurement circuit configured to provide consumption data, a memory configured to store the consumption data from the measurement circuit, and a communications device configured to transmit the consumption data to a remote location. The utility meter also includes a power supply configured to supply an unregulated DC voltage and a regulated voltage within the utility meter. The regulated DC voltage is output from a voltage regulator and is provided to the measurement circuit. The unregulated DC voltage is supplied to the communications device. The capacitor charging circuit is configured to charge a capacitor with the unregulated DC voltage when the regulated DC voltage is provided to the charging circuit from the voltage regulator. The capacitor charging circuit may be a supercapacitor charging circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring permittivity of a sample. The apparatus includes: a sample chamber including a sealed space portion in which a sample to be measured is put; a pressure adjusting unit for varying pressure by applying water pressure to the space portion of the sample chamber; a permittivity sensor for measuring permittivity of the sample and disposed outside the sample chamber; measurement conducting wires including conductors, installed to contact the sample and connected to the permittivity sensor by using electric wires; and a data logger for storing data relating to permittivity that is measured by the permittivity sensor.

Abstract: A fan speed testing system includes a voltage regulating module, a rotational frequency collecting module, and a rotational frequency converting module. The voltage regulating module receives an AC voltage signal and converts the AC voltage signal to a variable first DC voltage signal to adjust a rotational speed of a fan. The rotational frequency collecting module detects the rotational speed of the fan and outputs rotational frequency signals. The rotational frequency converting module receives the rotational frequency signals and determines the rotational speed of the fan according to numbers and period of time level voltage switching in the rotational frequency signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing process and temperature variations for on-chip sense resistors are disclosed. The system includes a circuit that can leverage a linear gm circuit in order to provide linear gains (positive gains and/or negative gains). The linearity of the circuit enables compensation for temperature and process variations across an entire range of current (positive to negative). A control signal is generated by using a linear gm amplifier and a replica resistor, which is substantially similar to the on chip resistor. The control signal is used to control the gain of a disparate linear gm amplifier within a compensation circuit, which provides an offset voltage to compensate for the variation in resistance of the on chip resistor.

Abstract: A protection switching system in a power supply distribution system, comprises at least one protection switch (25) comprising a controllable semiconductor arranged to conduct current through the power supply line in a normal mode, a control unit (27) arranged to place the at least one protection switch in a test mode in which the current is reduced compared to the normal mode, registration means (28, 29) for registering a test mode value of at least one electrical characteristic in the power supply line that will be affected when the test mode is applied, a monitoring unit (30; 47) arranged to evaluate the at least one electrical characteristic and determine, based on the evaluation, whether or not an action should be taken. If a malfunction is detected an alarm is issued to indicate to service personnel that the protection switch should be replaced.

Abstract: A contact sensor includes a conductive fabric, an insulative spacer having multiple openings, and a conductive sheet of a sheet-shaped conductor. The insulative spacer is interposed between the conductive fabric and the conductive sheet. Upon contact of a soft object such as a human body portion on the conductive fabric with force equal to or greater than a certain strength, the insulative spacer sinks in the soft object with the conductive fabric interposed therebetween. The conductive fabric is deformable in conformity with insulative pieces of the insulative spacer, such that touching of a portion of the conductive fabric on the conductive sheet provides detection of contact of the soft object.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a display unit, a current detection unit configured to output a detection signal if an increase in a consumption current of the display unit is detected, a plurality of setting units each of which is configured to output an output signal, each of the plurality of setting units changing the output signal if the detection signal is received, and a diagnosis unit configured to receive the output signal, the diagnosis unit diagnosing the increase in the consumption current.

Abstract: A method of detecting a failure of an alternator supplying three-phase electricity to a load, the method comprising the steps of determining a duty ratio for each of the phases at the output of the alternator, determining phase differences between the phases at the output of the alternator; and determining the presence of a failure as a function of the phase differences and as a function of a comparison of the duty ratios. A power supply device is also provided for implementing the method.

Abstract: A current or voltage sensor for use with a busbar has a support body having a proximal end juxtaposed with the busbar and a distal end spaced therefrom and a U-shaped conducting bar in the proximal end and having a pair of arms having free ends transversely engaging the busbar. A Rogowski coil in the proximal end is juxtaposed with the U-shaped conducting bar. A grounded screening element at the distal end is conductive and forms a chamber open toward the U-shape conducting bar. A source electrode has a proximal end engaging the U-shaped conducting bar outside the first chamber and a distal end in the chamber. An electrical field sensor in the first chamber is juxtaposed with the distal end of the source electrode.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for non-invasive energy consumption monitoring are described herein. One or more device embodiments include a transformer configured to couple the device to a circuit conductor that is coupled to an additional device, a detection module configured to detect a change in a power signal over the circuit conductor, and a transmission module configured to transmit a unique signal associated with the additional device over the circuit conductor if the change in the power signal meets or exceeds a particular threshold.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor array including a plurality of magnetic sensors detects a phase regarding a magnetic pole of a magnetic pole array including magnetic poles of N and S arranged alternately. A pitch identification unit detects a pitch number of the magnetic pole currently being detected by the magnetic sensor array, in the magnetic pole array.

Abstract: A test bracket for testing a circuit board includes a base, two connection pieces, and a supporting member for supporting the circuit board. The base includes a board and two posts extending up from the board. The supporting member includes two poles and a number of ribs slidably connected between the poles. First ends of the connection pieces are respectively detachably connected to the posts of the base, and second ends of the connection pieces opposite to the first ends are respectively pivotably connected to the poles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for evaluating a material are described. Embodiments typically involve use of an impedance measurement sensor to measure the impedance of a sample of the material under at least two different states of illumination. The states of illumination may include (a) substantially no optical stimulation, (b) substantial optical stimulation, (c) optical stimulation at a first wavelength of light, (d) optical stimulation at a second wavelength of light, (e) a first level of light intensity, and (f) a second level of light intensity. Typically a difference in impedance between the impedance of the sample at the two states of illumination is measured to determine a characteristic of the material.

Abstract: A headrest position adjusting device 100 includes a distance measuring device 10 and a drive motor unit 30, and the distance measuring device 10 includes a plurality of sensing electrodes 11 to 15 and a detecting circuit 20. The detecting circuit 20 includes a plurality of capacitance sensing circuits 21 to 25 connected one-to-one to the sensing electrodes 11 to 15 and an arithmetic processing circuit 28, and the drive motor unit 30 includes a motor driving circuit and a drive motor. Based on the detected capacitance values, the detecting circuit 20 calculates a distance calculation angle ? formed by points representing the positions and output values of the sensing electrodes 15 and 11 located at the highest and lowest positions and a point representing the position and output value of the largest output value, and thereby measures an electrode-head distance L. A position adjusting operation for a headrest 43 is performed based on the measurement result.

Abstract: A method for quasi-static testing a magnetic recording head read sensor is described. The method includes applying a first voltage to a heater in the magnetic recording head and measuring an output of the magnetic recording head read sensor while applying the first voltage to the heater and recording the measured output as a first set of measurements. The method further includes applying a second voltage to the heater in the magnetic recording head and measuring the output of the magnetic recording head read sensor while applying the second voltage to the heater and recording the measured output as a second set of measurements. The first and second sets of measurements are then compared.

Abstract: A circuit system is disclosed. The system comprises a master circuitry, at least one slave circuitry which has a battery sensor for checking battery status of a power supply battery and a shut down mechanism for controlled shut down upon detection of low battery by the battery sensor, and a battery sensor manipulation circuit controlled by the master circuitry. The battery sensor manipulation circuit is arranged to manipulate sensed battery status for the battery sensor of at least one of the at least one slave circuitry to force the controlled shut down of the at least one of the at least one slave circuitry upon provision of a shut down control signal from the master circuitry. A method of controlling power management of such a circuit system is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a chuck to support a solar cell in hot spot testing is provided. This embodiment of the chuck comprises a base portion and a support portion disposed above the base portion. The support portion is configured to support the solar cell above the base portion and to define a cavity between a bottom surface of the solar cell and the base portion that thermally separates a portion of the bottom surface of the solar cell from the base portion.

Abstract: A current sensing circuit includes a current sensing unit, a feedback control unit and a digital output unit. The current sensing unit senses a current and produces a pulse signal according to at least one reference signal and at least one feedback signal. The current sensing unit includes a first capacitor set and a second capacitor set. The current sensing unit selects at least one capacitor in the first capacitor set and at least one capacitor in the second capacitor set according to the current value so as to adjust the precision of the current sensing circuit. The feedback control unit is coupled to the current sensing unit and produces the feedback signals according to a clock signal and the pulse signal. The digital output unit is coupled to the current sensing unit and outputs a digital signal according to the pulse signal.

Abstract: A directional resistivity tool includes at least one receiver deployed axially asymmetrically between at least one pair of transmitters. The transmitters are configured to transmit electromagnetic waves at first and second correspondingly distinct frequencies f1 and f2 such that: f1/f2=L2/L1, where L1 and L2 represent the corresponding axial distances between the first and second transmitters and the receiver. Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include a method for reducing the near-bed anisotropy effect. The anisotropy effect may be advantageously reduced (or removed) while at the same time providing for freedom in selecting the axial transmitter and receiver spacing.