Abstract: An instrument for measuring a physical quantity, an instrument system having a plurality of such instruments, and a method for operating such a system are described. The instrument includes a sensor, an instrument class error calculator and a communication interface. The sensor measures the physical quantity and generates a value, Vm, for the physical quantity. The instrument class error calculator provides an instrument class error associated with Vm. The instrument system includes a plurality of these instruments that are manufactured on an ongoing basis. The instrument system includes a database that stores a measurement generated by each instrument in a sample of the instruments during manufacture and a communication link between the database and one of the instruments in the class that provides information on the instruments based on measurements made after the one of the instruments in the class was manufactured.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for using a signal analyzer are disclosed. The apparatus includes an input port having a first plurality of input channels. The input port generates a digital data stream from each of the first plurality of input channels. The apparatus also includes a trigger bank having a second plurality of trigger processors, each trigger processor receiving a digital data stream chosen from the digital data streams and generating a trigger output having one of a plurality of possible values from the digital data stream. A trigger combiner that receives each of the trigger outputs and generates a trigger signal if the combined trigger outputs satisfy a predetermined criterion. A controller copies the digital data streams to a memory and copies the trigger processor outputs to the memory in response to the trigger combiner generating the trigger signal.

Abstract: A method that occurs at a distributed ledger system includes receiving a request for calibration information associated with a first unit identifier (UID) and determining one or more UIDs associated with the first UID. The method also includes, for each of the first UID and the one or more UIDs: determining, using one or more access control rules, that a requester is permitted access to the calibration information associated with a respective UID; obtaining at least one access security key for accessing the calibration information; obtaining, from at least one block of a first distributed ledger, a digital signature associated with the calibration information associated with the respective UID; using the at least one access security key to decrypt and access the calibration information associated with the respective UID; and verifying, using the digital signature, the calibration information associated with the respective UID.

Abstract: A method that occurs at a distributed ledger system includes receiving a request for calibration information associated with a first unit identifier (UID) and determining one or more UIDs associated with the first UID. The method also includes, for each of the first UID and the one or more UIDs: determining, using one or more access control rules, that a requester is permitted access to the calibration information associated with a respective UID; obtaining at least one access security key for accessing the calibration information; obtaining, from at least one block of a first distributed ledger, a digital signature associated with the calibration information associated with the respective UID; using the at least one access security key to decrypt and access the calibration information associated with the respective UID; and verifying, using the digital signature, the calibration information associated with the respective UID.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a waveguide assembly. The waveguide assembly comprises a waveguide (120) provided on a substrate (126), a waveguide housing (100) and an embedding layer (138) embedding at 5 least part of the waveguide housing (100). The waveguide housing (100) comprises a waveguide channel (102) for guiding the waveguide (120) from the substrate (126) through the embedding layer (138).

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a waveguide assembly (250) for providing an interface to a surface module (260). The waveguide assembly comprises an embedded waveguide (204) embedded in a substrate material (224) and a waveguide connector (200) coupled to the embedded waveguide (204). The waveguide connector (200) has a neck portion (202) disposed transverse to the embedded waveguide (204) and a waveguide channel (214) passing though the neck portion (202) forming a channel between the embedded waveguide (204) and the surface (226) of the substrate material (224).

Abstract: One aspect of the intention provides an optical connector arrangement (100). The optical connector arrangement (100) comprises a connector component (114) embedded in a substrate material (130). The embedded connector component (114) includes a fibre optic grating (110) optically coupled to a reflector (116) for directing radiation emitted from the fibre optic grating (110) to a surface (140) of the substrate material (130). The optical connector arrangement (100) also comprises a surface connector component (120) for collecting radiation emitted from the surface (140) of the substrate material (130).

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method for providing a connection between an embedded fibre optic (124) and a surface connector (144). The method comprises providing a substrate (100) comprising an embedded fibre connector component (120), forming a trench (110) to expose the embedded fibre connector component (120), and forming a fibre abutment connection between the embedded fibre connector component (120) and a fibre optic (142). The fibre optic (142) is suitable for guiding radiation between the embedded fibre connector component (120) and the surface connector (144).

Abstract: An amplifier circuit includes an amplifier and a biasing circuit. A control circuit generates an amplifier output level control voltage which is coupled to the biasing circuit for controlling the operating point of the amplifier in response to the level of control voltage.