Abstract: This invention reduces pessimism in cross talk analysis of digital circuits by combining only the peak noises from aggressor nets that can switch simultaneously during the time interval when the downstream receiving latch can sample the errant data. This is done by, first, determining aggressor switching windows and victim sensitivity windows. These windows are then used to determine which combination of noise sources can temporally align so as to cause the greatest noise within the victim sensitivity window.

Abstract: A method of controlling a clock signal in a clock distribution network, by detecting an error in a duty cycle of the clock signal, and dynamically adjusting the body voltage of one or more devices in the clock distribution network, based on the detected error. Where the electronic device is a p-type device, the adjustment may be performed by reducing the body voltage of the p-type device with respect to a supply voltage. Where the electronic device is an n-type device, the adjustment may be performed by increasing the body voltage of the n-type device with respect to a reference plane. The invention may be implemented digitally, that is, with the body voltage of the electronic device being adjusted by selectively connecting a body contact of the device to one of several discrete voltages using a multiplexer.

Abstract: A method for determining an equivalent load at the output of a gate driving an interconnect having resistive, inductive and capacitive elements. The method includes modeling the interconnect utilizing a passive driving point model to derive a realizable reduced order circuit for the interconnect. In an advantageous embodiment, the realizable reduced order circuit includes a first resistance parallel-coupled to an inductance and series-coupled to a pi-model equivalent circuit that includes a second resistance and first and second capacitances.

Abstract: A transcanal, transtympanic cochlear implant system for implantation comprising a molded insert for removable positioning in the auditory canal of the human ear and an insulated receiver coil, preferably in a generally circular or looped form, where the receiver coil receives electromagnetic signals, in a first embodiment, or radio frequency signals, in a second embodiment, through inductive coupling to a solenoid coil within the molded insert.

Abstract: A method of controlling a clock signal in a clock distribution network, by detecting an error in a duty cycle of the clock signal, and dynamically adjusting the body voltage of one or more devices in the clock distribution network, based on the detected error. Where the electronic device is a p-type device, the adjustment may be performed by reducing the body voltage of the p-type device with respect to a supply voltage. Where the electronic device is an n-type device, the adjustment may be performed by increasing the body voltage of the n-type device with respect to a reference plane. The invention may be implemented digitally, that is, with the body voltage of the electronic device being adjusted by selectively connecting a body contact of the device to one of several discrete voltages using a multiplexer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining power consumption in logic devices including mixed static and dynamic logic blocks is implemented. Input logical signals are tagged as having dynamical behavior or static behavior, and the power consumption of the logic block determined according to the behavior of the input signal. If an input signal has dynamic behavior, an output signal making a transition in response thereto will make two transitions per clock cycle, and the per cycle power consumption of the logic block is accordingly weighted. In another embodiment, a Boolean behavior signal is calculated for each block from clock phase tags and “one cycle per cycle” circuit level simulations. The per cycle power consumption of each logic block receives a weight in response to the Boolean behavior signal, according the behavior of the block characterized thereby.

Abstract: A CMOS differential amplifier uses a first pair of complementary MOSFETs and a second pair of complementary MOSFETs coupled to a power supply (by another pair of MOSFETs) in such a manner as to be self-biasing and have improved channel-length modulation characteristics. An N-type MOSFET couples the first and second complementary MOSFET pairs to ground potential via a first resistor, and a P-type MOSFET couples the first and second complementary MOSFET pairs to a power-supply via a second resistor. The first and second resistors can be provided using non-salicided N-type MOSFET resistors. The third N-type MOSFET preferably has a low-threshold voltage, including a zero-threshold voltage, and the substrates of the P-type MOSFETs in the first and second complementary pairs are further preferably connected to the sources of those MOSFETs in order to reduce body-sensitivity effects.

Abstract: A decoupling capacitor and protection circuit is provided that will assist the power supply network in stabilizing the voltage near circuits that demand short rapid transitions in electrical current. The protection circuit also significantly reduces the amount of electrical current drawn by defective large area decoupling capacitors. An inverter stage controls a switching circuit connected in series with a decoupling capacitor. A feedback circuit is provided from the output of the capacitor to the switching circuit. If the capacitor goes bad, then a voltage is present on the feedback circuit and the switching circuit ensures that the output of the failed capacitor is presented with an open circuit so that the short circuit current flow through the capacitor is eliminated. In this manner, the integrity of the other circuits located near the failed capacitor will operate appropriately.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a device for heating the sample stream inlet of an ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) sensor. The heating device increases the temperature of the sample stream inlet surface to reduce the amount of time between adsorption and desorption taking place on the surface. This greatly improves the ability of the IMS sensor to follow rapidly changing analyte concentration levels. An alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a flow smoothing device for decreasing the turbulence present in the fluid flow entering the IMS sensor's carrier stream inlet. This flow smoothing insert permits increasing the fluid flow rate entering the IMS sensor's carrier stream inlet to levels which maximize the IMS sensor's measurement sensitivity without causing mixing of the sample and carrier fluid stream flows.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a recirculating filtration system for use with a transportable ion mobility spectrometer. One preferred embodiment of the transportable recirculating filtration system comprises a pump connected with a set of filters and flow sensors to an ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) sensor. The IMS sensor's outlet flow is cleaned by the filters and recirculated by the pump back into the IMS sensor as the carrier fluid stream flow. A portion of the IMS sensor's outlet flow equal to the amount of flow introduced into the sensor is exhausted from the filtration system to maintain a constant total flow volume through the system as the sample is being taken. An alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a transportable recirculating filtration system for measuring an unknown concentration of a selected ionizable contaminant substance such as benzene present in a sample fluid stream in which other substances may coexist.

Abstract: A hinge pin swing stop which is coupled to the hinge pin of a door hinge or other hinged object and acts to limit the rotating swing of that object about the hinge. The swing stop can include a section which acts as the replacement hinge pin, a first extension which bears upon the solidly backed structure of a door or other object, and an angular extension which is brought into interfering contact with a structurally solid support to which the hinged object is attached. The point at which swing stopping interferences are encountered is selectedly adjustable.

Abstract: A plurality of groups of mandrels are arranged for movement successively through a plurality of workstations with each group being worked on at a station while other groups are being worked on simultaneously at other stations to produce continuously automatically groups of retractile cords. Cordage is fed from a supply into clamping engagement with each of the mandrels in the group in a cord-loading position and then wound helically in a plurality of spaced-apart convolutions on each of the mandrels of that group after which the wound cords are severed from the cordage supplies. The wound cords are advanced incrementally through a heating zone, wherein the cords are exposed to radiant heating supplemented by preheating of the mandrels, while cordage is being wound on the next successive groups of mandrels.

Abstract: A plurality of groups of mandrels are arranged for movement successively through a plurality of workstations with each group being worked on at a station while other groups are being worked on simultaneously at other stations to produce continuously automatically groups of retractile cords. Cordage is fed from a supply into clamping engagement with each of the mandrels in the group in a cord-loading position and then wound in a plurality of spaced-apart convolutions on each of the mandrels of that group after which the wound cords are severed from the cordage supplies. The wound cords are advanced incrementally through a heating zone, wherein the cords are exposed to radiant heating supplemented by preheating of the mandrels while cordage is being wound on the next successive groups of mandrels.

Abstract: Coiling and binding of strand material such as telephone cordage is accomplished by revolving cyclically spaced coiling heads mounted rotatably on a rotatably mounted turret between one position where a length of deformable tie material is preloaded on the coiling head and another position whereat a predetermined number of convolutions of cordage are wound on the coiling head such that the tie spans diametrically of and extends beyond the convolutions. The winding in the other position occurs while the tie of the previously wound cordage now in the one position is formed about the cordage such that each end portion of the tie encloses and binds together an adjacent plurality of corresponding portions of the convolutions whereafter the coiled, bound cordage is ejected from the head in the one position.