Abstract: A container and closure combination, for the containment of fluids and extraction therefrom by way of an extraction tube. The container comprises a closed volume with an opening configured to close the opening of the container; the closure is provided with an aperture such that the closure, upon fitment to the container opening, cannot be removed therefrom. The aperture of the closure comprises a unitary elastic unidirectional valve member that can operate in a first, closed condition, to prevent a flow of fluid from the container; and a second, operational condition, with an extraction tube sealingly engaged with respect to the valve, to permit an extraction of fluid from the container through the tube.

Abstract: A system adapted to measure electrical performance of a device under test (DUT) having two or more ports includes a plurality of signal sources synchronized and configured to generated signals simultaneously, a plurality of first signal paths to obtain transmitted and reflected signals from the DUT, a plurality of second signal paths to obtain incident signals from the signal sources, and a receiver for receiving the reflected, transmitted and incident signals obtained at the first signal paths and the second signal paths. The receiver is adapted to separate the reflected and the transmitted signals obtained from each of the first signal paths. The signal sources are configured to each generate a signal having a frequency offset from each of the others of the signal sources by a known frequency delta.

Abstract: A Passive Intermodulation (PIM) measurement circuit enables making forward and reverse PIM measurements on any 1 port (reflection) or 2 port (transmission) device with the ability to determine in distance where individual PIM impairments are located as well as their magnitude. The PIM measurement circuit includes two frequency sources that are provided through a combiner for a CW characterization of the PIM circuit. To enable distance determination, an FM measurement is created by using a saw tooth offset sweep generator attached to one of the two frequency sources. With down conversion and processing of signals from the PIM impairments, the FM signal provides a frequency variation that is converted using a Fourier transform or spectrum analysis for separation of frequencies, enabling determination of the distance of the PIM sources as well as their magnitudes.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention for determining a distance to a source of passive intermodulation (PIM) in a radio frequency (RF) transmit/receive system comprises a two step process. As a first step, a first and second signal with frequencies in a transmit band are generated at a first power and a third order harmonic signal generated by a source of PIM within the system is obtained in the receive band. If the magnitude of the PIM exceeds a noise threshold, a second step is performed. The second step includes generating a third and fourth signal at a second power higher than the first power to obtain a higher order harmonic signal generated by the source of PIM. The PIM magnitude and a distance to the source of the PIM are calculated using the higher order harmonic signal.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system for generating a low phase noise sine wave includes a variable signal source for generating a signal a series of octave dividing stages connected with the variable signal source, an input divider connected with the variable signal source, and a second series of octave dividing stages connected with an output of the pre-input frequency divider. Each octave dividing stage generating a successive octave of the generated signal using a frequency divider, a sine look up table, and a low pass filter.

Abstract: A system for measuring passive intermodulation (PIM) comprises a port connectable with a load and a PIM source, a test signal source providing a test signal having components of two or more frequencies, and a receiver including a phase-coherent detector to receive a reflected signal obtained at the port in response to the provided test signal. The phase-coherent detector has an output that provides a signal indicative of PIM. A reference signal source connected with the phase-coherent detector provides a reference signal derived from the test signal. A signal combiner having a first input connected with the output of the phase-coherent detector, a second input connectable with storing a measurement of residual PIM generated by the apparatus, and removes the residual PIM from the signal indicative of PIM and provides measured PIM of the PIM source at the output.

Abstract: A device to measure a passive intermodulation (PIM) creating component is provided that uses minimal average power. For a PIM measurement, two separate signals F1 and F2 are generated to simulate signals, such as from two different types of cell phone operating bands being transmitted in the same area or two different transmit frequencies within one cell phone operating band. PIMs are measured to assure interference is not created on one of the cell phone bands. Minimal power is used by connecting pulse width modulators (PWM) to provide DC power to the high power amplifiers (HPA) creating the signals F1 and F2. By controlling the duty cycle of the PWM to limit ON time of the HPAs to approximately 10%, significant average power savings occur. Size is also reduced with reduced power consumption because heat sinks and other cooling components are not required.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system for determining a distance and magnitude to one or more unknown passive intermodulation (PIM) sources associated with a network under test comprises a scalar PIM measuring instrument and a reference PIM source. The scalar PIM measuring instrument has an output frequency that is systematically changeable to produce a series of response signals of varying frequency and the reference PIM source is configured to introduce a reflected signal to the scalar PIM measuring instrument in response to the output frequency. The scalar PIM measuring instrument can perform data processing algorithms allowing the extraction of distance and magnitude information about the unknown PIM sources located along the network under test from scalar data received by the scalar PIM measuring instrument. The scalar data received by the scalar PIM measuring instrument represents a combination of signals from the unknown PIM sources and the reference PIM source.

Abstract: A device for use with a passive intermodulation (PIM) measuring instrument comprises a load, a connector associated with the load, and a PIM standard adapted to selectively introduce a PIM intervening between the load and the connector. The load is adapted to be electrically connected with the PIM measuring instrument by connecting the connector to a port of the measuring instrument and the PIM standard is capable of selectively introducing the PIM without disconnecting the connector from the port.

Abstract: A PIM measurement circuit enables making forward and reverse PIM measurements on any 1 port (reflection) or 2 port (transmission) device with the ability to determine in distance where individual PIM impairments are located as well as their magnitude. The PIM measurement circuit includes two frequency sources that are provided through a combiner for a CW characterization of the PIM circuit. To enable distance determination, an FM measurement is created by using a saw tooth offset sweep generator attached to one of the two frequency sources. With downconversion and processing of signals from the PIM impairments, the FM signal provides a frequency variation that is converted using a Fourier transform or spectrum analysis for separation of frequencies, enabling determination of the distance of the PIM sources as well as their magnitudes.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a system for measuring passive intermodulation (PIM), comprises a base unit, which includes frequency-independent components, and a frequency-dependent plugin, which includes frequency-dependent components and is associated with a particular frequency band. The frequency-dependent plugin can be combined with the base unit to measure PIM over the particular frequency band.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving frequency resolution in a phase locked loop having an oscillator and a phase detector. A method comprises receiving a reference signal and generating an output signal having a phase relationship with the reference signal and receiving the output signal at a fractional divider connected between the oscillator and the phase detector in a feedback loop, wherein the fractional divider includes a plurality of configurable parameters. The method also comprises adjusting a value of the modulus parameter to increase frequency resolution.

Abstract: A distance to PIM measurement circuit is made using a device such as an AWS transceiver that has separate transmit and receive bands. With a typical AWS transceiver placed in close proximity to a PCS transceiver, the AWS device will include a band reject filter to eliminate interference from the PCS signals. The PIM measurement circuit includes two frequency sources F1 and F2 that are provided through a combiner for characterization of the PIM circuit. To enable distance determination, an FM measurement is created by using a offset sweep generator attached to one of the two frequency sources. To avoid frequencies blocked by the band reject filter, a desired harmonic of a test PIM harmonic signal is selected outside the band of the band reject filter.

Abstract: A portable frequency synthesizer is provided with fine tuning over a broad bandwidth using a Fractional N type Delta Sum Phase Locked Loop circuit that enables elimination of boundary value spurs. In the system, frequencies where spurs occur are calculated to define a region of fractional N values that cannot be used with a first time base. To avoid the boundary spurs, a second time base reference is selected that can generate boundary spurs that do not overlap with the first time base. Circuitry is provided to select the appropriate time base and the fractional N values to generate desired output frequencies throughout the synthesizer range while avoiding the boundary spurs.

Abstract: A distance to PIM measurement circuit is made using a device such as an AWS transceiver that has separate transmit and receive bands. With a typical AWS transceiver placed in close proximity to a PCS transceiver, the AWS device will include a band reject filter to eliminate interference from the PCS signals. The PIM measurement circuit includes two frequency sources F1 and F2 that are provided through a combiner for characterization of the PIM circuit. To enable distance determination, an FM measurement is created by using an offset sweep generator attached to one of the two frequency sources. To avoid frequencies blocked by the band reject filter, a desired harmonic of a test PIM harmonic signal is selected outside the band of the band reject filter.

Abstract: A Pseudo Random Bit Sequence (PRBS) generator is provided with components to enable operation at very high microwave frequencies with inexpensive components. The PRBS generator initially replaces the D flip-flops of a conventional PRBS generator with delay lines connected in a similar manner. Further, an exclusive OR (EXOR) gate used in a conventional device is replaced in one embodiment by a mixer and amplifier. In another embodiment, the EXOR gate is replaced by a Gilbert Cell. In some embodiments, complementary outputs of an EXOR gate are connected to separate delay lines to reduce components needed for the PRBS generator.

Abstract: A portable frequency synthesizer is provided with fine tuning over a broad bandwidth using a Fractional N type Delta Sum Phase Locked Loop circuit that enables elimination of boundary value spurs. In the system, frequencies where spurs occur are calculated to define a region of fractional N values that cannot be used with a first time base. To avoid the boundary spurs, a second time base reference is selected that can generate boundary spurs that do not overlap with the first time base. Circuitry is provided to select the appropriate time base and the fractional N values to generate desired output frequencies throughout the synthesizer range while avoiding the boundary spurs.

Abstract: A PIM measurement circuit enables making forward and reverse PIM measurements on any 1 port (reflection) or 2 port (transmission) device with the ability to determine in distance where individual PIM impairments are located as well as their magnitude. The PIM measurement circuit includes two frequency sources that are provided through a combiner for a CW characterization of the PIM circuit. To enable distance determination, an FM measurement is created by using a saw tooth offset sweep generator attached to one of the two frequency sources. With downconversion and processing of signals from the PIM impairments, the FM signal provides a frequency variation that is converted using a Fourier transform or spectrum analysis for separation of frequencies, enabling determination of the distance of the PIM sources as well as their magnitudes.

Abstract: A small light-weight battery operated calibrator device provides a precise sine wave output for use in calibration of test equipment, such as a RF Power Meter or a Spectrum Analyzer. The calibration device includes two power levels, one ?40 dBm and one 0 dBm. The purpose of the two power levels is to obtain a slope and offset for correction of the RF power measuring device being calibrated. Operation indication LED lights are provided to indicate which of the two powers are in use, and if battery power is below acceptable levels. Miniature low power components including a crystal oscillator and a divide by 2 integrated circuit that generates a precise square wave and a low pass filter for converting the square wave into a precise sine wave allows the calibrator to be battery operated and stored as a calibration component.

Abstract: A distance to PIM measurement circuit is made using a device such as an AWS transceiver that has separate transmit and receive bands. With a typical AWS transceiver placed in close proximity to a PCS transceiver, the AWS device will include a band reject filter to eliminate interference from the PCS signals. The PIM measurement circuit includes two frequency sources F1 and F2 that are provided through a combiner for characterization of the PIM circuit. To enable distance determination, an FM measurement is created by using a offset sweep generator attached to one of the two frequency sources. To avoid frequencies blocked by the band reject filter, a desired harmonic of a test PIM harmonic signal is selected outside the band of the band reject filter.