Abstract: An improved via arrangement for a bonding pad structure is disclosed comprising an array of vias surrounded by a line via. The line via provides a barrier to cracks in the dielectric layer encompassing the via array. Although cracks are able to spread relatively unhindered between the vias of the via array, they are blocked by the line via and thus can not spread to neighboring regions of the chip or wafer. The line via can be provided in a variety of shapes and dimensions, to suit a desired application. Additionally, due to its substantially uninterrupted length, the line via provides added strength to the bond pad.

Abstract: A wave energy power generating apparatus includes a fixed base, a buoyant float unit and at least one gearing mechanism. The fixed base has a slide shaft mounted thereon for connecting with the buoyant float unit. The buoyant float unit includes a buoyant float slidably connected with the slide shaft, and at least one rack mechanism formed with a pair of rack members. The gearing mechanism includes a transmission shaft, and a pair of one-way gears connected with the transmission shaft and engaged with the rack members. The rack members can drive the one-way gears to rotate the transmission shaft in a single predetermined direction when an upward or downward movement of the buoyant float unit occurs.

Abstract: In an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) wireless communication system, a method for correcting sampler clock frequency offset in a receiver comprises acquiring the frequency offset and symbol timing in a received signal by the receiver. The estimated value of a fractional offset is computed, and a correction in the frequency domain based upon the estimated value of the fractional offset is performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing spatial processing with unequal modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) or stream-dependent MCSs are disclosed. Input data may be parsed into a plurality of data streams, and spatial processing is performed on the data streams to generate a plurality of spatial streams. An MCS for each data stream is selected independently. The spatial streams are transmitted via multiple transmit antennas. At least one of the techniques of space time block coding (STBC), space frequency block coding (SFBC), quasi-orthogonal Alamouti coding, time reversed space time block coding, linear spatial processing and cyclic delay diversity (CDD) may be performed on the data/spatial streams. An antennal mapping matrix may then be applied to the spatial streams. The spatial streams are transmitted via multiple transmit antennas. The MCS for each data stream may be determined based on a signal-to-noise ratio of each spatial stream associated with the data stream.

Abstract: In an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, a frequency domain channel estimate for non-nullified subcarriers is converted to a time domain channel estimate. The number of taps L of a channel model is determined based on the time domain channel estimate. An improved time domain channel estimate is obtained by computing L tap coefficients of the channel model from the frequency domain channel estimate. An improved frequency domain channel estimate is obtained by performing a Fourier transform on the improved time domain channel estimate. Alternatively, a time domain truncation method may be performed selectively only if the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is below a threshold. Alternatively, a frequency domain channel estimate for pilot subcarriers are converted to a time domain channel estimate and an improved frequency domain channel estimate is obtained based on the number of pilot subcarriers and a delay spread.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing transmit and receive beamforming in an orthogonal frequency division modulation (OFDM) multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) system. The OFDM MIMO system includes at least one transmitter and at least one receiver. A receive information vector is determined based upon channel estimates performed at the transmitter and the receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting transmission of a packet in a wireless communication system are disclosed. A packet includes a preamble which comprises multiple repetition of a training sequence. A signal is detected and the detected signal is correlated with a delayed version of the detected signal which is delayed by a predetermined delay time to generate a sequence of correlations. The correlations are normalized. A difference between a first normalized correlation and a second normalized correlation that are separated by the predetermined delay time is calculated. The difference is compared to a threshold. A transmission of the packet is detected based on the comparison. The first and second normalized correlations may be averaged over first and second averaging periods, respectively. A point generating a maximum difference may be identified, and packet synchronization may be performed based on the identified point.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing, a pillar and a fixing unit. The housing comprises a side-wall, an opening and a first positioning portion, wherein the opening is formed on the side-wall, and the first positioning portion is disposed in the housing corresponding to the side-wall. The fixing unit comprises an arm, and a second positioning portion, wherein the pillar is disposed on the arm, the second positioning portion is disposed on an end of the arm, the pillar is inserted into the opening to prevent the fixing unit from moving in a first direction and a second direction, the first direction perpendicular to the second direction, and when the fixing unit is in a fixing orientation, the second positioning portion contacts the first positioning portion, the first positioning portion prevents the fixing unit from moving in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.

Abstract: Synchronizing the clocks of nodes or stations in a communications network in a way that is independent of computation and switching time. This may be done by synchronizing pseudo-random noise clocks (found in the nodes of a spread spectrum communication system) or by synchronizing chip sequence clocks (found in the nodes of a CDMA communication system). In this way, the accuracy of synchronization should only be affected by the resolution of a matched filter (i.e., a facility to match or correlate bit sequences) in the node. Once synchronized, these nodes may be used to locate another node or station based on transmission propagation delays determined by the synchronization method.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system, a method and apparatus for noise estimation of a received OFDM communication signal, wherein the signal comprises a data frame with a preamble having at least one long training field (LTF) containing two substantially similar OFDM symbols, comprise examining the LTF for substantially similar OFDM symbols. The noise power in the signal is estimated and the received signal power is measured. The signal to noise ratio is calculated and the signal power is determined by subtracting the noise power from the signal noise.

Abstract: A touch pad module with electrostatic discharge protection is disclosed. The touch pad module comprises a casing, a metal sheet, a touch pad and a metal holder, wherein the casing covers the metal sheet and has a first opening to expose a portion of the touch pad. The metal sheet is disposed on the touch pad and has a second opening corresponding to the first opening. The extension of the metal sheet contacts the metal holder and the metal holder is disposed under the touch pad.

Abstract: A “peer-to-peer” hierarchical routing protocol—also referred to as Zone-based Hierarchical Link State Routing protocol (or “ZHLS”)—which incorporates location information into a novel “peer-to-peer” hierarchical routing approach. The network may be divided into non-overlapping zones. Aggregating nodes into zones conceals the detail of the network topology. Initially, each node knows its own position and therefore zone ID through a position determination unit, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS). After the network is established, each node knows the low level (node level) topology about node connectivity within its zone and the high level (zone level) topology about zone connectivity of the whole network. A packet may be forwarded by specifying the hierarchical address—zone ID and node ID—of a destination node in the packet header.

Abstract: A modulized power adaptor is disclosed. By modulizing a conventional power adaptor and combining it with a port connection device, the modulized power adaptor is fabricated to resolve the problem of messy connection lines resulted from using or carrying such as a notebook computer. The modulized power adaptor comprises: an adaptor main unit; a port connection device installed on one side of the adaptor main unit; a power connection cord, wherein one end of the power connection cord is installed on another side of the adaptor main unit via a line collector located inside the adaptor main unit, and the other end of the power connection cord has a connecting plug; and a plug used for the connection with a plug-in hole of such as a notebook computer.

Abstract: The present invention is a heated cutting tool for cutting materials with a relatively low melting temperature such as waxes, bars of soap, and foam materials. The present invention comprises of a thin metallic blade that is rigidly attached to a handle. The thin metallic blade contains a heating element within it. A mean of applying and controlling the electric current to the heating element is contained within the handle. The electricity may be supplied by conventional 110V alternating current source or from a suitable direct current source. When electricity is applied to the heating element within the thin metallic blade, the entire blade will heat up to a temperature sufficient to melt the material being cut, such as wax, a bar of soap, or foam material.

Abstract: A drum brake for bicycles including a cylindrical hub having a flange at both sides and a circular recess at an end thereof, a screw rod extending through the hub and supported by a bearing arranged within the hub, brake means including a rotor and three brake blocks fitted on the screw rod and installed with the circular recess, a positioning plate provided with three guide rods adapted to be slidably engaged with respective hole of the brake blocks, an arm having a square opening receiving the square portion, a torsion spring bearing against the arm, and a cover fixedly mounted on the positioning plate, whereby the bicycle can be effectively reduced in speed or stopped in motion.

Abstract: A hub brake for bicycles including a cylindrical hub in which is fitted a screw rod extending therethrough, a driving device including a driving screw, a bearing, an adjusting nut, a bearing and an arm, a recovering device including a torsion spring, a helical spring and a nut, and a braking device including a brake block and a positioning plate, and a cover fixedly mounted on the positioning plate, whereby the hub brake for bicycles can effectively reduce speed or stopping motion of a bicycle.