Abstract: An apparatus for liquid sensing includes a drive electrode and a sense electrode disposed on a substrate in a side-by-side relationship. A dielectric layer overlies the sense electrode. A shield electrode disposed on the dielectric layer overlies the sense electrode. The shield electrode is driven to the same potential as the sense electrode. A controller coupled to the drive electrode and the sense electrode provides an excitation signal to the drive electrode and detects capacitance between the drive electrode and the sense electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide signal monitoring techniques. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an integrated circuit includes a phase detector circuit that receives an input signal and samples the input signal to provide binary state signals. A signal monitoring circuit decodes the binary state signals and provides at least one output signal indicating for the input signal path equalization and/or duty cycle distortion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sharing a transmission line among different interface technologies. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, two different high-speed differential interface technologies (CML and LVDS) share a communication channel.

Abstract: A high speed digital signal connection interface with reduced cross talk includes a multiple pin connector with disconnectable header and receptacle portions. The header is attached to a first set of signal carrying wire pairs communicating with a first signal processing unit. The receptacle is attached to a second set of signal carrying wire pairs communicating with a second signal processing unit. Within each of the first and second wire pair sets is a first wire pair subset carrying digital signals travelling in a first direction between the signal processing units, and a second wire pair subset carrying digital signals travelling in a second direction between the signal processing units. The first and second wire pair sets are attached to the corrector such that adjacent pin pairs of the connector carry only signals travelling in the same direction and such that connector pin pairs carrying signals travelling in opposite directions are not adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A test system for a evaluating a digital signal link includes a data signal generator, a data signal receiver, a digital signal link to be tested and a test interference signal injection (TISI) network connected as part of the digital signal link. The TISI network includes a data signal input port for receiving digital data signals generated by the data signal generator, a data signal output port for providing the digital data signals to the data signal receiver, and a controlled impedance data signal path carrying the digital data signals between the data signal input port and the data signal output port. An interference signal input port receives interference signals over a range of frequencies from an interference signal generator. One or more directional couplers directionally couple the interference signals into the data signal path toward either the data signal output port or the data signal input port at an impedance that substantially matches the impedance of the digital signal link.

Abstract: A damper circuit for switching power supplies to improve the stability thereof with high efficiency. A resistor, having a value which critically damps the flyback transformer in the supply, is selectively coupled to the transformer by a switch when the switching transistor is disabled. The decoupling of the resistor when the switching transistor is on reduces power dissipation, compared to passive damping techniques, and allows integration of the damper onto the same IC as the control circuits of the supply. The damper increases the stability of the supply by absorbing excess energy not transferred to the load. The excess energy would instead be dissipated in the transistor and upsetting the control circuits of the supply, leading to instability of thereof. In addition, a clamp circuit is provided which keeps the switch from turning on due to high slew rate transients across the transformer from the turn-on of the switching transistor.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for use with telecommunication subscriber lines provides a substantially constant power output over one range of load impedances and a substantially constant voltage output over a range of load impedances greater than a critical impedance. The circuit employs a transformer which includes a sense winding for sensing output voltage across the load. For load impedances below the critical value, the current into the primary of the transformer is controlled by means of a current sensing device sensing the amount of primary current. However, for load impedances greater than the critical impedance the output of the sense winding controls and current to the primary is reduced to avoid the output voltage from rising substantially even in the event of an open circuit load condition. In one embodiment, a supervisory circuit provides a signal indicative of the on-hook and off-hook states of the subscriber line by sensing primary current flow.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recording pulse signal information utilizing threshold integrating devices in which a pulse shaped signal is applied to a plurality of threshold integrating devices each having a predetermined quantity of electric charge carriers stored therein, in which the threshold integrating devices are responsive to application of electric potentials above a predetermined threshold potential value for altering the amount of charge stored in the charge storage zone of the threshold integrating devices. By providing a plurality of threshold integrating devices each having a different threshold potential, significant signal information may be obtained by passive application of the pulsed signal to a plurality of the devices. This signal information may be obtained by determining the amount of charge in the charge storage zones of the respective threshold integrating devices subsequent to application of the pulsed signal thereto.

Abstract: CCD methods and devices for recording transient data signals, in which charge is transferred under the influence of transmission line fields at sampling sites disposed along a charge transfer channel.

Abstract: Transient data recorder systems including a high speed charge coupled device and a device exerciser, including a high speed sampler and driver circuitry.

Abstract: Transient data recorder systems including a high speed charge coupled device and a device exerciser, including a high speed sampler and driver circuitry.