Abstract: A system for transmitting a broadband signal over an electrically short antenna which includes a plurality of switched impedance synthesis transmit antenna matching circuits which are dynamically controlled with knowledge of the transmitting broadband signal to match the dynamic impedance of the electrically short antenna during transmission.

Abstract: The present invention is a polyphase, resonant switching power converter which includes a transformer structure configured for minimizing converter-frequency ripple at both an input and output of the power converter. The power converter is further configured for maximizing frequency response of an output signal provided by the power converter. The power converter further provides an electrically efficient system for providing a modulated supply voltage/power signal (ex.—the output signal) to power amplifiers which utilize EER or other techniques requiring modulated supply voltage.

Abstract: The present invention is an H-bridge power amplifier circuit which includes diodes connected in parallel with MOSFET switch pairs of the circuit, each MOSFET switch pair including a MOSFET switch and a reverse-conduction blocking switch. Further, the circuit includes a snubber inductor which is connected to the switch pairs and the diodes. The circuit further includes a control branch/control sub-circuit having a snubber capacitor and a control MOSFET switch. The circuit is configured for: blocking MOSFET negative current to prevent body diode conduction; inhibiting/preventing turn-off losses of the MOSFETs; and reducing switching losses associated with operation into inductive mistuning.

Abstract: A circuit board may include a pump and a channel. The channel may include a liquid metal and a coating. The liquid metal may be pumped through the channel by the pump and the coating reduces diffusion and chemical reaction between the liquid metal and at least portions of the channel. The liquid metal may carry thermal energy to act as a heat transfer mechanism between two or more locations on the substrate. The substrate may include electrical interconnects to allow electrical components to be populated onto the substrate to form an electronics assembly. The pump may be driven by electric current that is utilized by one or more electronic components on the circuit board.

Abstract: A linear Radio Frequency power amplifier with improved efficiency and bandwidth is provided using two power amplifier devices, operating in a Class-G mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention is a tunable multi-element network for providing impedance transformation. The network may include a first switched capacitor power load modulator circuit and a second switched capacitor power load modulator circuit. The network may further include a series inductive component configured for connecting to at least one of the first power load modulator circuit and the second power load modulator circuit. The network may be further configured for connection to a transmit antenna and a power amplifier. The network may be further configured for receiving an arbitrary impedance from the antenna. The network may be further configured for synthesizing an arbitrary capacitive reactance based on a dynamically controllable phase angle between a switch drive signal provided by the network and an incident Radio Frequency (RF) signal. The network may be further configured for matching the antenna impedance to the power amplifier via the arbitrary capacitive reactance.

Abstract: A high-efficiency linear amplifier using non linear circuits. The examples describe of a high-efficiency linear amplifier using non linear circuits (“high-efficiency LINC PA”) that can allow linear (typical of less efficient amplifier modes) amplitude modulation (“AM”) while operating in a high efficiency quasi-Class-E mode. The exemplary quasi class-E amplifier may be classified as being a type of linear amplifier using nonlinear circuits (“LINC”). This LINC circuit typically combines a quasi-class-E power amplifier with bi-directional power switch parallel coupling at least one capacitor within the power amplifier output network. Complementary phase modulation of the drive signals coupled to the power amplifier and a power switch circuit results in an amplitude modulation of the RF output envelope.

Abstract: A magnetometer for a force sensor assembly includes first inner and outer coils that are spaced axially apart from second inner and outer coils. Between the inner and outer coils is a plurality of magnetic strips. These magnetic strips are disposed at axially distinct portions within the inner and outer coils to detect magnetic field asymmetry. A drive circuit is connected to the inner coils and the outer coils generate an alternating magnetic field. The magnetometer of this invention creates an artificially enhanced demagnetization field reducing hysteresis within the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A magnetometer assembly (22) for a torque transducer (10) includes inner and outer coils (34,38,36,40) wrapped and supported on a bobbin assembly (22). The bobbin assembly (22) includes upper and lower axial portions (21,23) divided by a middle flange (28). The middle flange (28) includes a plurality of notches (32) that are disposed equal angularly about an axis (18). A plurality of corresponding magnetic strips (42) extend axially through each of the notches (32) and through the entire length of the magnetometer assembly (22). The magnetic strips (42) are disposed between an inner and outer coil assembly (34,38,36,40) and becomes saturated in the presence of a magnetic field. Divergent magnetic fields created by torque applied to a torque transducer element (12) disposed within the magnetometer assembly (22) and detected and measured to provide an indication of applied torque.

Abstract: A circuit board may include a pump and a channel. The channel may include a liquid metal and a coating. The liquid metal may be pumped through the channel by the pump and the coating reduces diffusion and chemical reaction between the liquid metal and at least portions of the channel. The liquid metal may carry thermal energy to act as a heat transfer mechanism between two or more locations on the substrate. The substrate may include electrical interconnects to allow electrical components to be populated onto the substrate to form an electronics assembly. The pump may be driven by electric current that is utilized by one or more electronic components on the circuit board.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetoelastic torque sensor includes plating a magnetoelastic material to a magnetically inert substrate, and its endowment with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy through the creation within the transducer element of stress anisotropy. The plating of magnetostrictive material to the magnetically inert substrate provides a less expensive torque element that exhibits desired levels of accuracy and reliability.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetoelastic torque sensor includes plating a magnetoelastic material to a magnetically inert substrate, and its endowment with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy through the creation within the transducer element of stress anisotropy. The plating of magnetostrictive material to the magnetically inert substrate provides a less expensive torque element that exhibits desired levels of accuracy and reliability.

Abstract: A circuit for a fluxgate magnetometer includes a plurality of digital function blocks that are programmed as functions within a microcontroller. The microcontroller includes and implements the functions of an analog circuit to lower the cost and complexity of a digital fluxgate magnetometer circuit.

Abstract: A fluxgate magnetometer drive circuit includes a fluxgate inductor that is driven through magnetic saturation by altering voltage pulses. Following each drive pulse, the spurred magnetic energy in the fluxgate is allowed to dissipate by connecting a fluxgate across a fixed reverse voltage. The time for the fluxgate current to decay to zero is measured and is indicative of a magnetic field induced in the torque transducer.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing hysteresis in a torque transducer element includes a coil that is excited with an alternating current to produce a magnetic field that saturates the torque transducer element. Magnetic saturation of the torque transducer element is provided by an alternating frequency that exceeds any coercive force of the material. The alternating current is slowly reduced to substantially reduce undesired magnetic field. The coil assembly is excited with an amplitude frequency in such a manner as to remove only those components of the magnetic field that are not desired.

Abstract: The magnetometer assembly according to this invention includes a first coil assembly and a second coil assembly for detecting separate magnetic fields along an axial portion of a torque transducer. The first and second coil assemblies are driven by independently adjustable circuits. Each of the circuits are independently adjustable to adjust the gain that is distributed to each of the first and second coils. This provides for an adjustment and precise alignment of a magnetic field generated by the first coil and the second coil assembly such that external magnetic fields can be cancelled providing increased accuracy and reduced hysteresis effects.

Abstract: A torque sensor assembly includes a reduced hysteresis by imparting a magnetoelastic ring with a first remnant magnetic field and a second remnant magnetic field that are disposed in opposite orientations. The first and second magnetic fields are spaced apart such that a third magnetic field is created within the magnetoelastic ring. The third magnetic field is a loosely pinned magnetic domain that imparts a negative hysteresis within the magnetoelastic ring. The negative hysteresis imparted to the magnetoelastic ring provides for the countering of positive hysteresis created by the application of torque.

Abstract: A method and circuit includes a means for reducing hysteresis in a system. The method includes the definition of boundary conditions relative to an incoming signal. The boundary conditions and the incoming signal are then utilized to determine a proper correction value. The hysteresis correction value is tailored to changes in the input signals. The modification occurs because the boundary conditions are changed depending on the input signal such that the correction values are constantly and continuously varied and implemented to accommodate changes in the input value. The constant accommodation and changing of the correction value provides a simple and effective hysteretic error accommodation that yields a substantially free hysteresis signal.

Abstract: An impact tool control method and apparatus and an impact tool using the same. Pulses of torque applied to a fastener by the impact tool are measured. The duration and magnitude of the torque pulse are subtracted from a torque signal and the resulting difference is integrated over time to obtain a fastener angular velocity signal. The angular velocity signal is integrated over time to obtain a displacement signal which can be converted to a torque signal. The impact tool can be controlled based on the value of the torque signal.

Abstract: An impact tool control method and apparatus and an impact tool using the same. Pulses of torque applied to a fastener by the impact tool are measured. The duration and magnitude of the torque pulse are subtracted from a torque signal and the resulting difference is integrated over time to obtain a fastener angular velocity signal. The angular velocity signal is integrated over time to obtain a displacement signal which can be converted to a torque signal. The impact tool can be controlled based on the value of the torque signal.