Abstract: A multi-column scanning electron microscopy (SEM) system is disclosed. The SEM system includes a source assembly. The source assembly includes two or more electron beam sources configured to generate a plurality of electron beams. The source assembly also includes two or more sets of positioners configured to actuate the two or more electron beam sources. The SEM system also includes a column assembly. The column assembly includes a plurality of substrate arrays. The column assembly also includes two or more electron-optical columns formed by a set of column electron-optical elements bonded to the plurality of substrate arrays. The SEM system also includes a stage configured to secure a sample that at least one of emits or scatters electrons in response to the plurality of electron beams directed by the two or more electron-optical columns to the sample.

Abstract: A multi-column scanning electron microscopy (SEM) system is disclosed. The SEM system includes a source assembly. The source assembly includes two or more electron beam sources configured to generate a plurality of electron beams. The source assembly also includes two or more sets of positioners configured to actuate the two or more electron beam sources. The SEM system also includes a column assembly. The column assembly includes a plurality of substrate arrays. The column assembly also includes two or more electron-optical columns formed by a set of column electron-optical elements bonded to the plurality of substrate arrays. The SEM system also includes a stage configured to secure a sample that at least one of emits or scatters electrons in response to the plurality of electron beams directed by the two or more electron-optical columns to the sample.

Abstract: A solar panel system includes a plurality of the panels connected together in one or more panel strings. An embodiment includes a signal generator module connected to the photovoltaic panel strings injecting a multiple radio frequency signal onto each of the strings and a detector module analyzing a frequency response echo from the panel strings. The signal generator may include a string coupling module communicating with a controller. The detector module analyzes the echo to obtain an analog fingerprint for each panel string and determine whether the fingerprint for each panel string is within an acceptable range. The detector module initiates an alarm when one of the fingerprints is outside the acceptable range. During night time, when no current is being produced by the photovoltaic cells, a DC or AC source may be connected to the panel strings to inject a signal onto the strings for the same purpose.

Abstract: A current controller includes impedance elements coupled to form at least one impedance ladder circuit which exhibits a fixed impedance at an input and current divider steps each differing in a current magnitude by a multiple of three with respect to the current magnitude in an adjacent less significant step. Single pole triple throw (SPTT) switchably couple an associated step in the impedance ladder circuit to one of three outputs. Three discrete current sources or sinks are each coupled to a corresponding one of the outputs of each of the SPTT switches. The digital driver is coupled to each control input of each SPTT switch to additively deliver selected ones of the stepped currents from each step of the impedance ladder circuit to a corresponding selected one of the current sources or sinks.

Abstract: A digital subscriber line ‘XDSL’ communication system for provisioning multi-tone modulated communications over two subscriber lines with two modems. The first modem has shared and discrete components forming a transmit path coupled exclusively to an end of a first of the two subscriber lines and a receive path coupled exclusively to an end of a second of the two subscriber lines. The second modem also has shared and discrete components forming a transmit path and a receive path having couplings of transmit and receive path components to corresponding opposing ends of the two subscriber lines diametrically opposite to those of the first modem, whereby the modems provision the first subscriber line exclusively for unidirectional communication from the first to the second modem, and provision the second subscriber line for unidirectional communication in the opposite direction, specifically from the second modem to the first modem. A related method and modem are disclosed.

Abstract: A XDSL line card including an allocator for allocating power to the multi-tone modulated communications on each of the subscriber lines, and for selecting control parameters sufficient to effect communications on each of the subscriber lines at a power level proximate to an allocated power level therefore. The line card also includes configurable components coupled to one another to form a transmit path and a receive path to couple to the digital subscriber lines. The configurable components are responsive to the control parameters selected by the allocator to initialize multi-tone communications over each of the plurality of subscriber lines at a power level proximate the allocated power level.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for controlling a photovoltaic panel, to output three-phase power while ensuring the power source operates safely include determining a temperature of the photovoltaic panel, determining a voltage provided from the photovoltaic panel, determining a parameter based on the voltage and the temperature and controlling a DC to three-phase power converter based on the determined parameter. The three-phase power converter may be a pulse amplitude modulated current converter (PAMCC), configured to output first, second and third pulse amplitude modulated current pulse from three terminals controlled in timing and phase so that when respective outputs of multiple PAMCCs are connected, each phase of the plurality of PAMCCs is demodulated to produce a three-phase alternating current output. The PAMCC may be controlled through tables of pulse durations based on the determined parameter. The voltage output may be controlled through a fast control loop and through a slower control loop.

Abstract: A transceiver having shared and discrete components forming a transmit path and a receive path configured to couple to a communication medium for establishing a multi-tone modulated communication channel thereon. The transceiver includes a line driver component on the transmit path. The line driver is configured to respond to a protocol determination and by configuring at least one of a transmit power level and a transmit bandwidth of the multi-tone modulated communication channel on the communication medium. The line driver includes a plurality of pre-amplifiers each exhibiting a combination of transmit power and bandwidth for amplification of a transmit signal modulated with a selected multi-tone modulation protocol. The line driver also includes a single output amplifier having an output coupled to the communication medium and an input switchably coupled to an output of a selected one of the plurality of pre-amplifiers in response to the protocol determination.

Abstract: A XDSL line card including an allocator for allocating power to the multi-tone modulated communications on each of the subscriber lines, and for selecting control parameters sufficient to effect communications on each of the subscriber lines at a power level proximate to an allocated power level therefore. The line card also includes configurable components coupled to one another to form a transmit path and a receive path to couple to the digital subscriber lines. The configurable components are responsive to the control parameters selected by the allocator to initialize multi-tone communications over each of the plurality of subscriber lines at a power level proximate the allocated power level.

Abstract: A double tuned probe for employment in NMR apparatus includes a first resonant circuit of normal phase conductor coupled to the sample and also in communication with a second circuit containing a component in a superconductive phase. Communication between the two circuits supports two RF channels which may be exhibit relative sensitivities in proportion to their relative Q values.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for utilizing planar HTS probe coils in substantially coplanar coil sets, each set comprised of a plurality of coils, two such similar sets being positioned on opposite sides of the sample to form a plurality of coil pairs. The coil pairs may be used for excitation of the sample, for receiving the NMR response signal or for both. A feature of the invention is the ability afforded to adjust the coupling between coil pairs to a minimum value to thereby prevent interaction between coil pairs having simultaneously applied high power signals and weak NMR response signals.