Abstract: A method for reading a lateral flow assay test strip comprises providing a microwave antenna in proximity of a stain line region of the test strip. The method includes causing a chemical compound to travel to the stain line region, an amount of the chemical compound varying in accordance with a quantity of an analyte. The method comprises connecting an instrumentation to the microwave antenna. The method includes measuring a feed impedance of the microwave antenna using the instrumentation, the feed impedance of the microwave antenna varying with the amount of the chemical compound. The method comprises determining the quantity of the analyte based on the feed impedance of the microwave antenna.

Abstract: A master modem is configured to generate a carrier signal for transmission over a wired connection. A slave modem is configured to change an impedance of the wired connection to alter generation of the carrier signal by the master modem. The impedance of the wired connection is changed based on data to be provided by the slave modem. The master modem can demodulate its own carrier signal to obtain the data provided by the slave modem. The impedance of the wired connection could be changed by changing an impedance of a transformer winding or inductor of the slave modem, where the transformer winding or inductor is coupled to the wired connection. The impedance of the wired connection could also be changed by changing a reactance of a circuit coupled to the wired connection.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining an input signal and demodulating phase contamination in the input signal to generate a baseband signal. The method also includes modulating the input signal based on the baseband signal to generate an output signal, where the output signal has less phase contamination than the input signal. The phase contamination could be demodulated using a phase demodulator or a frequency modulation (FM) detector. A portion of the input signal could be down-converted to a lower frequency, and the phase contamination in the down-converted portion of the input signal could be demodulated. Additional phase contamination in the output signal can be demodulated and used to regulate a level of the baseband signal used during modulation of the input signal. The output signal could have less phase noise or period jitter than the input signal.

Abstract: A system includes at least one first magnetic field sensor configured to measure first and second magnetic fields. The system also includes at least one second magnetic field sensor configured to measure the second magnetic field substantially without measuring the first magnetic field. The system further includes processing circuitry configured to perform signal cancellation to generate measurements of the first magnetic field and to generate an output based on the measurements of the first magnetic field. The sensors could represent magneto-electric sensors. The magneto-electric sensors could be configured to up-convert electrical signals associated with the first and/or second magnetic fields to a higher frequency. The processing circuitry could be configured to identify one or more problems associated with a patient's heart.

Abstract: A method includes generating an electrical signal representing a magnetic field using a magnetic field sensor having alternating layers of magneto-strictive material and piezo-electric material. The method also includes performing up-conversion or down-conversion so that the electrical signal representing the magnetic field has a higher or lower frequency than a frequency of the magnetic field. The up-conversion or down-conversion is performed before the magnetic field is converted into the electrical signal. The up-conversion or down-conversion could be performed by repeatedly sensitizing and desensitizing the magnetic field sensor. This could be done using a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, an electromagnet without a permanent magnet, or a movable permanent magnet. The up-conversion or down-conversion could also be performed by chopping the magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus includes terminals configured to be coupled to a string wiring of a photovoltaic string. The apparatus also includes a power controller configured to control a power provided over the string wiring by a photovoltaic panel in the photovoltaic string. The apparatus further includes a wireless radio configured to at least one of transmit and receive wireless signals using the string wiring as an antenna. The wireless signals contain data associated with the photovoltaic panel and/or the power controller. For example, the wireless radio could be configured to receive a first signal containing a command for the power controller from the string wiring and to provide the command to the power controller. The wireless radio could also be configured to receive an acknowledgement associated with the command from the power controller and to transmit a second signal containing the acknowledgement over the string wiring for wireless transmission.

Abstract: A master modem is configured to generate a carrier signal for transmission over a wired connection. A slave modem is configured to change an impedance of the wired connection to alter generation of the carrier signal by the master modem. The impedance of the wired connection is changed based on data to be provided by the slave modem. The master modem can demodulate its own carrier signal to obtain the data provided by the slave modem. The impedance of the wired connection could be changed by changing an impedance of a transformer winding or inductor of the slave modem, where the transformer winding or inductor is coupled to the wired connection. The impedance of the wired connection could also be changed by changing a reactance of a circuit coupled to the wired connection.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining an input signal and demodulating phase contamination in the input signal to generate a baseband signal. The method also includes modulating the input signal based on the baseband signal to generate an output signal, where the output signal has less phase contamination than the input signal. The phase contamination could be demodulated using a phase demodulator or a frequency modulation (FM) detector. A portion of the input signal could be down-converted to a lower frequency, and the phase contamination in the down-converted portion of the input signal could be demodulated. Additional phase contamination in the output signal can be demodulated and used to regulate a level of the baseband signal used during modulation of the input signal. The output signal could have less phase noise or period jitter than the input signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes terminals configured to be coupled to a string wiring of a photovoltaic string. The apparatus also includes a power controller configured to control a power provided over the string wiring by a photovoltaic panel in the photovoltaic string. The apparatus further includes a wireless radio configured to at least one of transmit and receive wireless signals using the string wiring as an antenna. The wireless signals contain data associated with the photovoltaic panel and/or the power controller. For example, the wireless radio could be configured to receive a first signal containing a command for the power controller from the string wiring and to provide the command to the power controller. The wireless radio could also be configured to receive an acknowledgement associated with the command from the power controller and to transmit a second signal containing the acknowledgement over the string wiring for wireless transmission.

Abstract: A system includes at least one first magnetic field sensor configured to measure first and second magnetic fields. The system also includes at least one second magnetic field sensor configured to measure the second magnetic field substantially without measuring the first magnetic field. The system further includes processing circuitry configured to perform signal cancellation to generate measurements of the first magnetic field and to generate an output based on the measurements of the first magnetic field. The sensors could represent magneto-electric sensors. The magneto-electric sensors could be configured to up-convert electrical signals associated with the first and/or second magnetic fields to a higher frequency. The processing circuitry could be configured to identify one or more problems associated with a patient's heart.

Abstract: A method includes generating an electrical signal representing a magnetic field using a magnetic field sensor having alternating layers of magneto-strictive material and piezo-electric material. The method also includes performing up-conversion or down-conversion so that the electrical signal representing the magnetic field has a higher or lower frequency than a frequency of the magnetic field. The up-conversion or down-conversion is performed before the magnetic field is converted into the electrical signal. The up-conversion or down-conversion could be performed by repeatedly sensitizing and desensitizing the magnetic field sensor. This could be done using a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, an electromagnet without a permanent magnet, or a movable permanent magnet. The up-conversion or down-conversion could also be performed by chopping the magnetic field.

Abstract: A system for testing integrated circuit products and other devices under test (DUT) includes a DUT tester, which stimulates the devices under test and analyzes signals from the devices under test. A device interface board transports signals between the DUT tester and the devices under test. A test board is coupled to the device interface board and used to generate measurements associated with the devices under test, such as phase noise or phase jitter measurements. The test board could, for example, include a phase detector for detecting a phase difference between two signals and a control loop for adjusting at least one of the two signals to maintain an average of zero DC volts at an output of the phase detector. A customization module could also be used to customize the test board. The customization module could include a phase shifter, a phase-locked loop synthesizer, and/or an oscillator.

Abstract: A system for testing integrated circuit products and other devices under test (DUT) includes a DUT tester, which stimulates the devices under test and analyzes signals from the devices under test. A device interface board transports signals between the DUT tester and the devices under test. A test board is coupled to the device interface board and used to generate measurements associated with the devices under test, such as phase noise or phase jitter measurements. The test board could, for example, include a phase detector for detecting a phase difference between two signals and a control loop for adjusting at least one of the two signals to maintain an average of zero DC volts at an output of the phase detector. A customization module could also be used to customize the test board. The customization module could include a phase shifter, a phase-locked loop synthesizer, and/or an oscillator.

Abstract: A fully duplex cordless telephone has a transmitter and a receiver connected to a common antenna. A broad-band antenna coupler such as a ferrite-core hybrid transformer may replace a more costly duplexer with filters. Since all characteristics of the transmit signal are known, the transmit signal removes itself from the receiver by signal cancellation. The canceling signal is extracted from the composite signal from within the receiver front end, after the antenna coupler and low noise amplifier. This composite signal is coupled to the first input of a difference amplifier, and the output of this amplifier is coupled to the remainder of the receiver. The composite signal is coupled to the second input, after its smaller receive component has been further suppressed, and its remaining transmit signal has been adjusted by two feedback control systems to restore its phase and amplitude to be equal to the transmit component of the composite signal.

Abstract: A very low intermediate frequency (IF) transceiver is described for use in a wireless LAN, cellular telephone, cordless telephone, and other radio transceiver applications. The transceiver preferably directly down-converts the RF signal to lower frequency such as a very low IF signal, which can be handled by transceiver components advantageously integrated with the communication control system such as an MAC or serial communications controller. Preferably, the very low IF signal is above peak modulation deviation and below the channel interval for the communication system. The very low IF signal may be up converted so that the RF signal can be more reliably demodulated. Alternatively, the RF signal can be additionally converted to a second IF frequency before the very low IF frequency to reduce the effects of noise in the transceiver. Alternatively, an image rejection mixer circuit can be employed to provide some rejection selectivity for the adjacent channels on one side of the local oscillator.

Abstract: Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a sliding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals.

Abstract: A generally hands-free, voice communication system in combination with a head-protective helmet. The helmet protects the wearer's head and the communications system permits voice communications between journeyman personnel, e.g. firefighters, police, military, industrial, hazardous material handling personnel, in relatively close proximity with each other and between journeymen and a group leader; and the group leader's communication system to also permit relatively long-range communication between the group leader and a relatively distant communications center such as a fire engine or distant fire company, base station or repeater.

Abstract: Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a sliding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals.

Abstract: Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a sliding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals.

Abstract: Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a sliding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals.