Abstract: A mixed signal receiver includes a first sample and hold (S/H) circuit having a first S/H input terminal to receive an analog input signal and a first S/H output terminal directly coupled to a first common node; a first data slicer having a first slicer input terminal coupled to the first common node; and a first data-driven charge coupling digital-to-analog converter (DAC) including: (i) a DAC input terminal to receive a first digital signal from a first digital output of the first data slicer, (ii) a DAC output terminal directly coupled to the first common node, (iii) a plurality of capacitor modules configured to be pre-charged during a sample phase, and (iv) logic components, wherein when the logic components toggle a voltage on the plurality of capacitor modules, charge is capacitively coupled to or from the first common node during an immediately subsequent hold phase.

Abstract: A variable capacitance circuit may operate a Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) transistor or other semiconductor device to switch a capacitor in and out. Several circuits may be combined in a parallel network having offset bias voltages, such that the combined network may produce a variable capacitance over a large voltage range. The variable capacitance circuit may be incorporated into a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit where similar devices may be configured to produce a voltage reference as part of the PLL circuitry. Such a circuit may be immune to temperature, process, or voltage variances, since the current pulse magnitude times the low pass filter resistance times the sensitivity of a controlled voltage oscillator can be held constant.

Abstract: A mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC), including: a voltage booster that includes one or more charge pump devices configured to receive an input voltage, an oscillator signal, and a control signal, wherein the one or more charge pump devices comprise a network of capacitors switchable to provide a charged pumped in response to the control signal, and wherein the one or more charge pump devices, using the pumped, generate a boosted voltage based on the input voltage and at least a portion of an amplitude of the oscillator signal, a voltage regulator coupled to the one or more charge pump devices and configured to receive the boosted voltage and generate a regulated boosted voltage based on the boosted voltage, and a control and monitoring engine configured to provide the control signal based on, at least in part, the input voltage, the oscillator signal, and the regulated boosted voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a multipoint, flexible fishing rod holder that may be quickly and efficiently engaged and disengaged is disclosed. Both the rod handle and rod blank may be supported by separate flexible devices that accommodate all sizes and styles of fishing rod such that the rod may be maintained in a generally horizontal orientation. In one embodiment, the supporting apparatus can be retrofitted to existing fishing apparel. In another, the supporting apparatus is integral to the apparel at the time of manufacture. In certain aspects, the rod holder can be quickly engaged and disengaged to allow an angler use of both hands to facilitate various activities such as changing lures, adding bait, positioning bobbers, or wading with a staff.

Abstract: A RAID controller attached to a storage network can detect the presence of multiple pathways to the same physical storage device. A path collection module can dynamically maintain all valid pathways to all attached storage devices. A path selection module can automatically and dynamically balance and rebalance desired paths to each storage device so as to simultaneously optimize data flow and provide continuity of I/O service throughout the attached storage network.

Abstract: Valve assemblies and related pumps and methods may include an insert disposed in an internal flow path of a casing where an outer surface of the insert is fixedly engaged with an inner surface the casing with fluid sealing. The insert includes protrusions, each individually extending into the internal flow path of the casing and converging at an apex of the insert to define a cage in which the restriction element is configured to move axially through the internal flow path.

Abstract: A mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC), including: a voltage booster that includes one or more charge pump devices configured to receive an input voltage, an oscillator signal, and a control signal, wherein the one or more charge pump devices comprise a network of capacitors switchable to provide a charged pumped in response to the control signal, and wherein the one or more charge pump devices, using the pumped, generate a boosted voltage based on the input voltage and at least a portion of an amplitude of the oscillator signal, a voltage regulator coupled to the one or more charge pump devices and configured to receive the boosted voltage and generate a regulated boosted voltage based on the boosted voltage, and a control and monitoring engine configured to provide the control signal based on, at least in part, the input voltage, the oscillator signal, and the regulated boosted voltage.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for attaching ear accessories to a helmet allows an accessory to be attached at a point outside the helmet shell utilizing, for example, a slidable mounting rail, and to reach under the edge of the helmet shell so that the accessory is supported in contact with the wearer's head. The hinge mechanism is well suited for use in connection with military helmets that have a “bulge” or protrusion over the ear.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plunger for use in a sucker-rod pumping system. The plunger reciprocates within a barrel. The plunger comprises first, second, and third sections, in which the first and third sections are sealed against the barrel and in which a second section is between the first and third sections and in some embodiments may be a pull tube. A through passage for production fluid is provided, along with a pressure balancing chamber that is connected to the through passage via a sand snare, where the pressure balancing chamber is operable to equalize pressure on longitudinal sides of the seals, whereas the sand snare operates to restrain solids from reaching the pressure balancing chamber from the through passage (which is carrying the production fluid) and thereby create a slippage flow in the pressure balancing chamber, which equalizes pressure between the balancing chamber and the plunger's through passage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a ball check-valve assembly comprising a ball; a casing comprising an outer surface and defining an internal cavity extending within the casing, the internal cavity comprising a cylindrical inner wall; a bottom threaded connection at a downhole end of the casing, the bottom threaded connection comprising an opening therethrough to allow fluid passage into the internal cavity; a top threaded connection at an uphole end of the casing, at least three longitudinally extending guides defined within internal cylindrical cavity; and (f) a sealing surface formed in the casing and interposed between the top threaded connection and the internal cavity, the sealing surface further defining at least three quartic-shaped flow-passages extending from the sealing surface and providing for fluid passage through the sealing surface from the internal cavity to the uphole end of the casing.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for attaching ear accessories to a helmet allows an accessory to be attached at a point outside the helmet shell utilizing, for example, a slidable mounting rail, and to reach under the edge of the helmet shell so that the accessory is supported in contact with the wearer's head. The hinge mechanism is well suited for use in connection with military helmets that have a “bulge” or protrusion over the ear.

Abstract: Implementations provide a phase locked loop (PLL) device that includes: a phase and frequency detector (PFD) and charge pump (CP) portion; a low pass filter; a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) driven by the low pass filter to generate a VCO clock signal, multiple divider configured to receive the VCO clock signal and frequency divide the VCO clock signal in stages to generate a series statically divided VCO clock signals and a dynamically divided VCO clock signal; a feedback portion including a first component configured to receive the dynamically divided VCO clock signal and generate indicator signals; and a second component configured to multiplex from the indicator signals to generate the feedback clock signal set for the PFD and CP portion; and a master phase/frequency control engine configured to assert a division control over at least one divider and a multiplex control over the multiplex network.

Abstract: A mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC), including: a voltage booster that includes one or more charge pump devices configured to receive an input voltage, an oscillator signal, and a control signal, wherein the one or more charge pump devices comprise a network of capacitors switchable to provide a charged pumped in response to the control signal, and wherein the one or more charge pump devices, using the pumped, generate a boosted voltage based on the input voltage and at least a portion of an amplitude of the oscillator signal, a voltage regulator coupled to the one or more charge pump devices and configured to receive the boosted voltage and generate a regulated boosted voltage based on the boosted voltage, and a control and monitoring engine configured to provide the control signal based on, at least in part, the input voltage, the oscillator signal, and the regulated boosted voltage.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a passive equalizer section configured to filter an input signal, the passive equalizer section including: a first passive filter that comprises: a first resistor characterized by a first resistance, and a first reactive component characterized by a first reactance, wherein the first resistor and the first reactive component are in series and connected at a first connection node; and a second passive filter that comprises: a second resistor characterized by a second resistance, and a second reactive component characterized by a second reactance, wherein the second resistor and the second reactive component are in series and connected at a second connection node; and a signal mixing section comprising a plurality of transistors to mix signals with different frequency response characteristics.

Abstract: A charge pump includes: (I) a current source; (II) a p-channel source current network including: a first p-channel transistor; a second p-channel transistor; a p-channel current switch including at least one source terminal coupled to the drain terminal of the first p-channel transistor, at least one gate coupled to a phase comparator, and at least one drain terminal; a third p-channel transistor; and (III) a n-channel sink current network including: a first n-channel transistor; a second n-channel transistor; a third n-channel transistor; a n-channel current switch comprising at least one drain terminal coupled to the source terminal of the third n-channel transistor, at least one gate coupled to the phase comparator; and at least one source terminal coupled to the drain terminal of the first n-channel transistor; and wherein the p-channel source current network and the n-channel sink current network draw a baseline current from the first p-channel transistor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a virtual register file. Source code can be compiled to include references to a virtual register file for data subject to a logical operation. The references can be dereferenced at runtime to obtain physical addresses of memory device elements according to the virtual register file. The logical operation can be performed in the memory device on data stored in the memory device elements.

Abstract: Implementations provide a phase locked loop (PLL) device that includes: a phase and frequency detector (PFD) and charge pump (CP) portion; a low pass filter; a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) driven by the low pass filter to generate a VCO clock signal, multiple divider configured to receive the VCO clock signal and frequency divide the VCO clock signal in stages to generate a series statically divided VCO clock signals and a dynamically divided VCO clock signal; a feedback portion including a first component configured to receive the dynamically divided VCO clock signal and generate indicator signals; and a second component configured to multiplex from the indicator signals to generate the feedback clock signal set for the PFD and CP portion; and a master phase/frequency control engine configured to assert a division control over at least one divider and a multiplex control over the multiplex network.

Abstract: A cable management assembly for managing cables of rack-mounted computers may include: a base member selectively attachable to a structural member of a computer rack; and a sliding member comprising a cable retention area, wherein the sliding member is configured for connection to the base member by one or more mating connection components, wherein the one or more mating connection components allow for a limited degree of movement of the sliding member relative to the base member.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for attaching ear accessories to a helmet allows an accessory to be attached at a point outside the helmet shell utilizing, for example, a slidable mounting rail, and to reach under the edge of the helmet shell so that the accessory is supported in contact with the wearer's head. The hinge mechanism is well suited for use in connection with military helmets that have a “bulge” or protrusion over the ear.

Abstract: A mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC), including: a voltage booster that includes one or more charge pump devices configured to receive an input voltage, an oscillator signal, and a control signal, wherein the one or more charge pump devices comprise a network of capacitors switchable to provide a charged pumped in response to the control signal, and wherein the one or more charge pump devices, using the pumped, generate a boosted voltage based on the input voltage and at least a portion of an amplitude of the oscillator signal, a voltage regulator coupled to the one or more charge pump devices and configured to receive the boosted voltage and generate a regulated boosted voltage based on the boosted voltage, and a control and monitoring engine configured to provide the control signal based on, at least in part, the input voltage, the oscillator signal, and the regulated boosted voltage.