Abstract: An array of pixels, wherein each pixel comprises: a CHEMFET sensor; and a sigma delta ADC.

Abstract: An array of pixels, wherein each pixel comprises: a CHEMFET sensor; and a sigma delta ADC.

Abstract: An array of pixels, wherein each pixel comprises: a CHEMFET sensor; and a sigma delta ADC.

Abstract: This invention relates to SMPS controllers employing primary side sensing. We describe a system for identifying a knee point in a sensing waveform, at which the output voltage of the SMPS may be sampled accurately on the primary side. The system identifies the knee point, broadly speaking, by tracking a portion of a power transformer voltage waveform, and samples the voltage waveform at the knee point to determine the SMPS output voltage. In preferred embodiments this technique is implemented using a circuit akin to a decaying peak detector, providing a timing signal indicating detection of the knee point. Sample/hold and error amplifier circuits may be employed to achieve output voltage regulation.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to cable compensation, and is particularly applicable to cable compensation for an AC-DC voltage converter. In one embodiment, a cable compensation apparatus for compensating voltage drop of a cable connected between an electrical power supply and an electrical device comprises: a first capacitor; a timer circuit to time a predetermined time period; a current source to supply to said first capacitor during substantially said predetermined time period a first current substantially proportional to an output current outputted by the power supply to the cable; and a control circuit to adjust an output voltage outputted by said power supply to said cable dependent on a voltage on said first capacitor. The compensation in some embodiments is programmable by means of a discrete capacitor component.

Abstract: We describe a switching power converter comprising a bipolar switching device (BJT or IGBT) switching an inductive load, and including a closed-loop control system. The control system comprises a voltage sensing system to sense a voltage on a collector terminal of the switching device and provide a voltage sense signal; a controller; and a drive modulation system coupled to an output of the controller for modulating a drive to the control terminal of said bipolar switching device responsive to a controller control signal; wherein said controller is configured to monitor changes in the sensed voltage during a period when said switching device is switched on and to control said drive modulation system to control the degree of saturation of said bipolar switching device when the device is switched on and hence improve turn-off times.

Abstract: This invention relates to SMPS controllers employing primary side sensing. We describe a system for identifying a knee point in a sensing waveform, at which the output voltage of the SMPS may be sampled accurately on the primary side. The system identifies the knee point, broadly speaking, by tracking a portion of a power transformer voltage waveform, and samples the voltage waveform at the knee point to determine the SMPS output voltage. In preferred embodiments this technique is implemented using a circuit akin to a decaying peak detector, providing a timing signal indicating detection of the knee point. Sample/hold and error amplifier circuits may be employed to achieve output voltage regulation.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to cable compensation, and is particularly applicable to cable compensation for an AC-DC voltage converter. In one embodiment, a cable compensation apparatus for compensating voltage drop of a cable connected between an electrical power supply and an electrical device comprises: a first capacitor; a timer circuit to time a predetermined time period; a current source to supply to said first capacitor during substantially said predetermined time period a first current substantially proportional to an output current outputted by the power supply to the cable; and a control circuit to adjust an output voltage outputted by said power supply to said cable dependent on a voltage on said first capacitor. The compensation in some embodiments is programmable by means of a discrete capacitor component.

Abstract: A high-side driver circuit for a switching power supply, configured to translate a low-side switching control signal referenced to a first ground rail to a high-side switching control signal referenced to a second, high-side ground rail for driving a switching control connection of a power switching device, the high-side driver circuit including first and second inputs to receive first and second low-side switching control signals; a differential amplifier having a differential pair of inputs coupled to said first and second inputs and having an output, the differential amplifier having a ground connection for connection to said high-side ground rail and a power connection to receive a power supply from a second voltage supply; and an output coupled to said differential amplifier output to provide the high-side switching control signal.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting diagnostic cells and cells having malignancy-associated changes are disclosed. The system includes an automated classifier having a microscope, camera, image digitizer, a computer system for controlling and interfacing these components, a primary classifier for initial cell classification, and a secondary classifier for subsequent cell classification. The method utilizes the automated classifier to automatically detect diagnostic cells and cells having malignancy-associated changes. The system and method are particularly useful for detecting these cells in cell samples obtained from bronchial specimens such as lung sputum.

Abstract: A composition and method for staining cellular DNA are disclosed. The composition of the present invention is an aqueous alcoholic solution that includes a cationic stain, a metabisulfite, and an alcohol preferably selected from methanol, ethanol, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the cationic stain is thionin.