Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) (4) including an upper surface having one or more electrical terminals (9) thereon, said terminal adapted for connection to corresponding terminal of one or more electrical components, and further including one or more platforms (10) fabricated thereon, said platforms being located adjacent to corresponding component terminals, said platforms being adapted to support an electrical component thereupon, such that a portion of the component overhangs said platform above said corresponding PCB terminal.

Abstract: A method for assessing a thermal path associated with an integrated circuit includes identifying a heat application mode based on a design type of the integrated circuit. The method also includes measuring a first temperature of at least one thermal sensing device associated with the integrated circuit. The method also includes applying heat to at least a portion of the integrated circuit according to the heat application mode. The method also includes measuring a second temperature of the at least one thermal sensing device. The method also includes determining a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. The method also includes determining whether a thermal path between the integrated circuit and an associated substrate is sufficient based on a comparison of the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature with a predetermined difference between an initial temperature and a subsequent temperature of the at least one thermal sensing device.

Abstract: An illustrative example device for steering radiation includes an optic component including a plurality of concave surfaces on at least one side of the optic component, a plurality of radiation sources respectively aligned with the plurality of concave surfaces, and at least one actuator that selectively moves the optic component relative to the plurality of light sources to selectively change a direction of respective beams of radiation passing through the plurality of concave surfaces.

Abstract: An illustrative example sensor device includes a plurality of range finders that each have an emitter configured to emit a selected type of radiation and a detector configured to detect the selected type of radiation reflected from an object. A plurality of cameras are configured to generate an image of an object based upon receiving the selected type of radiation from the object. A processor is configured to determine a distance between the sensor device and an object based on at least two of the images, wherein the images are each from a different camera.

Abstract: A method for assessing a thermal path associated with an integrated circuit includes identifying a heat application mode based on a design type of the integrated circuit. The method also includes measuring a first temperature of at least one thermal sensing device associated with the integrated circuit. The method also includes applying heat to at least a portion of the integrated circuit according to the heat application mode. The method also includes measuring a second temperature of the at least one thermal sensing device. The method also includes determining a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. The method also includes determining whether a thermal path between the integrated circuit and an associated substrate is sufficient based on a comparison of the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature with a predetermined difference between an initial temperature and a subsequent temperature of the at least one thermal sensing device.

Abstract: An illustrative example device for steering radiation includes an optic component including a plurality of concave surfaces on at least one side of the optic component, a plurality of radiation sources respectively aligned with the plurality of concave surfaces, and at least one actuator that selectively moves the optic component relative to the plurality of light sources to selectively change a direction of respective beams of radiation passing through the plurality of concave surfaces.

Abstract: An illustrative example device for controlling a direction of radiation includes a source of at least one beam of radiation. A plurality of optical components in a pathway of the at least one beam of radiation establish a first direction of the at least one beam of radiation. The plurality of optical components includes at least one adjustable optical component that includes at least one portion that is moveable relative to the source. A positional feedback feature on a portion of at least one of the optical components deflects at least some of the at least one beam of radiation in a second direction that is different than the first direction. A detector is situated to detect at least some of the deflected radiation and provides an output indicative of the first direction.

Abstract: An illustrative example device for steering radiation includes an optic component including a plurality of concave surfaces on at least one side of the optic component, a plurality of radiation sources respectively aligned with the plurality of concave surfaces, and at least one actuator that selectively moves the optic component relative to the plurality of light sources to selectively change a direction of respective beams of radiation passing through the plurality of concave surfaces.

Abstract: An illustrative example sensor device includes a plurality of range finders that each have an emitter configured to emit a selected type of radiation and a detector configured to detect the selected type of radiation reflected from an object. A plurality of cameras are configured to generate an image of an object based upon receiving the selected type of radiation from the object. A processor is configured to determine a distance between the sensor device and an object based on at least two of the images, wherein the images are each from a different camera.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a detector device includes a sensor portion that is configured to at least emit or receive a first type of radiation. A cover near the sensor portion is transparent to the first type of radiation to allow the first type of radiation to pass through the cover. A radiation source emits a second, different type of radiation. A plurality of reflecting surfaces are transparent to the first type of radiation and at least partially opaque to the second type of radiation to at least partially reflect the second type of radiation into the cover to increase a temperature of at least a portion of the cover.

Abstract: An illustrative example device for steering a beam of radiation includes at least one compressible optic component including at least one lens in a compressible optic material adjacent the lens. An actuator controls an orientation of the lens by selectively applying pressure on the compressible optic material.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a detector device includes a sensor portion that is configured to at least emit or receive a first type of radiation. A cover near the sensor portion is transparent to the first type of radiation to allow the first type of radiation to pass through the cover. A radiation source emits a second, different type of radiation. A plurality of reflecting surfaces are transparent to the first type of radiation and at least partially opaque to the second type of radiation to at least partially reflect the second type of radiation into the cover to increase a temperature of at least a portion of the cover.

Abstract: An illustrative example camera device includes a sensor that is configured to detect radiation. A first portion of the sensor has a first field of vision and is used for a first imaging function. A distortion correction prism directs radiation outside the first field of vision toward the sensor. A lens element between the distortion correcting prism and the sensor includes a surface at an oblique angle relative to a sensor axis. The lens element directs radiation from the distortion correcting prism toward a second portion of the sensor that has a second field of vision and is used for a second imaging function. The sensor provides a first output for the first imaging function based on radiation detected at the first portion of the sensor. The sensor provides a second output for the second imaging function based on radiation detection at the second portion.

Abstract: An illustrative example device for controlling a direction of radiation includes a source of at least one beam of radiation. A plurality of optical components in a pathway of the at least one beam of radiation establish a first direction of the at least one beam of radiation. The plurality of optical components includes at least one adjustable optical component that includes at least one portion that is moveable relative to the source. A positional feedback feature on a portion of at least one of the optical components deflects at least some of the at least one beam of radiation in a second direction that is different than the first direction. A detector is situated to detect at least some of the deflected radiation and provides an output indicative of the first direction.

Abstract: An illustrative example device for steering radiation includes an optic component including a plurality of concave surfaces on at least one side of the optic component, a plurality of radiation sources respectively aligned with the plurality of concave surfaces, and at least one actuator that selectively moves the optic component relative to the plurality of light sources to selectively change a direction of respective beams of radiation passing through the plurality of concave surfaces.

Abstract: An illustrative example device for steering a beam of radiation includes at least one compressible optic component including at least one lens in a compressible optic material adjacent the lens. An actuator controls an orientation of the lens by selectively applying pressure on the compressible optic material.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a device for detecting rain or a substance on a windshield includes at least one radiation source, an internal reflection sensor situated to detect at least some of a first portion of the radiation that reflects from the windshield. The internal reflection sensor provides a first output that has a characteristic that differs based on whether at least one raindrop is on the windshield. A scattered reflection sensor is situated to detect at least some of a second portion of the radiation reflecting from rain near the windshield or a substance on the windshield. The scattered reflection sensor provides a second output indicative of an amount of radiation incident on the scattered reflection sensor. A processor is configured to determine a condition of the windshield based on the first output and the second output.

Abstract: An illustrative example camera device includes a sensor that is configured to detect radiation. A first portion of the sensor has a first field of vision and is used for a first imaging function. A distortion correction prism directs radiation outside the first field of vision toward the sensor. A lens element between the distortion correcting prism and the sensor includes a surface at an oblique angle relative to a sensor axis. The lens element directs radiation from the distortion correcting prism toward a second portion of the sensor that has a second field of vision and is used for a second imaging function. The sensor provides a first output for the first imaging function based on radiation detected at the first portion of the sensor. The sensor provides a second output for the second imaging function based on radiation detection at the second portion.

Abstract: A camera suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes an imager-device, a lens-module, and an array of light-guides. The imager-device is operable to determine an image and includes a plurality of light-detecting pixels. Each pixel is overlaid with a micro-lens. The lens-module directs light from a field-of-view of the camera toward the imager-device. The array of light-guides is interposed between the lens-module and the imager-device, and is arranged so each instance of light-guide is aligned with a corresponding instance of micro-lens. Each light-guide is defined by a lens-end and an imager-end. The lens-end of each of the light-guides cooperates to define a planar-surface of the array, and imager-end of the light-guide is characterized by an angle selected to direct light within the light-guide toward the corresponding instance of the micro-lens. The angle is determined based on a chief-ray-angle (CRA) of light from the lens-module impinging on the lens-end.

Abstract: An imager device for detecting light indicative of an image projected onto the device includes an arrangement of visible-light pixels. Each visible-light pixel is characterized by a first-area. The device also includes an arrangement of infrared pixels interleaved with the visible-light pixels. Each infrared pixel is characterized by a second-area greater than the first-area. The visible-light pixels are alternatively characterized by a first-resolution, so the infrared pixels are characterized by a second-resolution less than the first-resolution. The device also defines a plurality of pixel-cells. Each pixel-cell includes a visible-light pixel and a portion of an infrared pixel that is part of an adjacent pixel-cell.