Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) system. The system includes an ADC configured to generate digital samples that are digital versions of at least one analog signal at a sampling frequency and a memory configured to store data corresponding to an average value of the digital samples in at least one register. The system further includes a processor configured to access the data corresponding to the average value for processing at an access frequency that is less than the sampling frequency.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) system. The system includes an ADC configured to generate digital samples that are digital versions of at least one analog signal at a sampling frequency and a memory configured to store data corresponding to an average value of the digital samples in at least one register. The system further includes a processor configured to access the data corresponding to the average value for processing at an access frequency that is less than the sampling frequency.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a decoder system that decodes a bi-phase modulated signal. The system includes a buffer configured to store a first plurality of digital samples associated with a first bit of the bi-phase modulated signal and a second plurality of digital samples associated with a second bit of the bi-phase modulated signal. The first bit can immediately precede the second bit. The system also includes a first summer configured to add the first plurality of digital samples to generate a first sum and a second summer configured to add the second plurality of digital samples to generate a second sum. The system further includes a comparator configured to compare the first sum and the second sum to determine an edge-transition between the first bit and the second bit, and to determine a logic-state of the first bit based on the edge-transition.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a filter structure that integrates one plate of a capacitor with an electrode of a transient voltage device. The filter structure includes a well region of one conductivity type formed in semiconductor substrate of an opposite conductivity type. The well region forms one plate of the capacitor and an electrode of the transient voltage suppression device. A dielectric layer is formed over a portion of the well region and a conductive layer is formed overlying the dielectric layer to provide a second plate of the capacitor. The dopant concentration of the well region provides a constant capacitance/voltage characteristic for the filter structure when a selected voltage range is applied to plates of the capacitor.

Abstract: In optical wireless networks, light beams are transmitted over-the-air and maximum performance is achieved when light beams are aligned with corresponding light detectors. A feedback control system is created between transmitting and receiving units, wherein the receiving unit provides positional data about the light beam from the transmitting unit. The transmitting unit uses the data provided to make adjustments to its light beam. However, in order to use the positional data, the units must be operating with a common coordinate basis. A method is provided for determining the basis and generating the transformation needed to modify positional data from one unit into information that is useful for the other unit. Additionally, a method is presented for using the positional data to maintain proper alignment of the light beam.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a well region of one conductivity type is formed in semiconductor substrate of an opposite conductivity type. The well region forms one plate of a floating capacitor and an electrode of a transient voltage suppression device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a current regulator is configured to form a first signal representative of a current flow through a power switch and to use the first signal to determine an off-time of the power switch.

Abstract: In an optical wireless network, where light beams are transmitted over-the-air, reflections of the transmitted light beams may cause a receiver of an optical wireless device to detect and subsequently lock onto the signal that it transmitted. By doing so, the network is effectively broken. A method and apparatus to detect the reception of reflected signals using minimal additional hardware and data is presented. Should a reflected signal be detected, the receiver is prevented from locking onto the signal, allowing the receiver to detect and subsequently lock onto light beams originating from other optical wireless devices.

Abstract: Optical wireless links automatically align themselves using feedback information that is transmitted over the light beams being aligned. Each link performs an acquisition routine in which its light beam is swept through a pre-defined pattern while transmitting its beam alignment information. When a link receives beam alignment information from a remote link, it updates its transmission to include the alignment information received from the remote link. At some point during the acquisition routine, the remote link will receive its own alignment information “echoed back” from the first link and will re-align its beam accordingly. At some point, each link will have received its own alignment information echoed back from the other link and will have aligned itself to that position. Data communication can begin at that point, or a more refined alignment step can then be performed. The alignment information can be based upon position, sample number, or time transmitted.

Abstract: Micro-electromechanical apparatus and method with position sensor compensation to compensate for sensor drift. A preferred embodiment comprises modifying the intensity of a light source used in position detection to maintain a constant sum of the voltages output from photodetectors receiving light from the light source. Preferred embodiments may be implemented in digital signal processor code, or external to the processor in analog circuitry. By adjusting light source intensity, position calculations may be performed without normalization, and thus without a time-consuming division operation.

Abstract: In optical wireless networks, light beams are transmitted over-the-air and maximum performance is achieved when light beams are aligned with corresponding light detectors. A feedback control system is created between transmitting and receiving units, wherein the receiving unit provides positional data about the light beam from the transmitting unit. The transmitting unit uses the data provided to make adjustments to its light beam. However, in order to use the positional data, the units must be operating with a common coordinate basis. A method is provided for determining the basis and generating the transformation needed to modify positional data from one unit into information that is useful for the other unit. Additionally, a method is presented for using the positional data to maintain proper alignment of the light beam.

Abstract: Micro-electromechanical apparatus and method with position sensor compensation to compensate for sensor drift. A preferred embodiment comprises modifying the intensity of a light source used in position detection to maintain a constant sum of the voltages output from photodetectors receiving light from the light source. Preferred embodiments may be implemented in digital signal processor code, or external to the processor in analog circuitry. By adjusting light source intensity, position calculations may be performed without normalization, and thus without a time-consuming division operation.

Abstract: Signal conversion apparatus and method with coarse and fine digital to analog converters. The output of the coarse DAC has a high gain to support wide voltage swings, while the fine DAC has a low gain to support accurate tracking control. The two outputs are combined in an analog summing junction. The apparatus and method may comprise a low pass filter connected to the coarse DAC output. The filter may be switched off during large changes to provide rapid system response, and switched on during position holding to attenuate noise from the coarse DAC. The apparatus and method may comprise a pre-charging capacitor in the filter, wherein the capacitor may be pre-charged when the filter is off, reducing the switch transient when the filter is switched on.

Abstract: Optical wireless links automatically re-acquire alignment after detecting the loss of an incoming signal bearing light beam. The loss of the signal may be due to a temporary blockage of the light path, so the devices will await a programmable period of time before attempt to re-align themselves. If re-alignment is required, the devices will first position their light beams to the last known aligned position and will from that point sweep through a pattern seeking to re-align with the remote device. The devices transmit their beam position information during the sweep, which information will be echoed back or fed back to the device once its beam impinges upon the remote devices photodetectors. If the devices cannot re-align, then a second, longer sweep pattern may be performed, starting at some predefined default location.

Abstract: In an optical wireless network, where light beams are transmitted over-the-air, reflections of the transmitted light beams may cause a receiver of an optical wireless device to detect and subsequently lock onto the signal that it transmitted. By doing so, the network is effectively broken. A method and apparatus to detect the reception of reflected signals using minimal additional hardware and data is presented. Should a reflected signal be detected, the receiver is prevented from locking onto the signal, allowing the receiver to detect and subsequently lock onto light beams originating from other optical wireless devices.

Abstract: Optical wireless links automatically align themselves using feedback information that is transmitted over the light beams being aligned. Each link performs an acquisition routine in which its light beam is swept through a pre-defined pattern while transmitting its beam alignment information. When a link receives beam alignment information from a remote link, it updates its transmission to include the alignment information received from the remote link. At some point during the acquisition routine, the remote link will receive its own alignment information “echoed back” from the first link and will re-align its beam accordingly. At some point, each links will have received its own alignment information echoed back from the other link and will have aligned itself to that position. Data communication can begin at that point, or a more refined alignment step can then be performed. The alignment information can be based upon position, sample number, or time transmitted.

Abstract: A method of mapping sequential logical data blocks to multiple disk surfaces. Data blocks are written to a predetermined number of adjacent tracks on each surface before performing a head switch to write data on another surface. The predetermined number of tracks are written on each surface in turn before performing a seek and head switch to continue writing on another predetermined number of tracks on each surface. After each head switch to continue writing from the radial position reached when writing the previous group of tracks, the direction of track incrementing or decrementing reverses so that the actuator moves back and forth in a "serpentine" manner.

Abstract: Nails suitable for outdoor use, such as, for example, roofing nails, are formed from carbon steel wire precoated with a metallic layer, which has corrosion-resistant properties, such as, for example, a zinc layer applied by pre-galvanizing the stock carbon steel wire. Each nail is formed with a shank and with a head. The metallic layer is discontinuous within a region formed upon the head of each nail. The nails are collated by means of collating wires welded to the shanks of the nails. The collated nails are coiled. The coiled nails are cleaned in a cleaning bath, such as, for example, 1,1,trichloroethane. The cleaned nails are coated with a polymeric layer, which covers the region of the head of each nail where the metallic layer is discontinuous, thus restoring the corrosion-resistant properties of the nails.