Abstract: Structure and method are provided for plastic encapsulated semiconductor devices having reduced package cross-talk and loss. Semiconductor die are first coated with a buffer region having a lower dielectric constant ? and/or lower loss tangent ? than the plastic encapsulation. The encapsulation surrounds the buffer region providing a solid structure. The lower ? buffer region reduces the stray capacitance and therefore the cross-talk between electrodes on or coupled to the die. The lower ? buffer region reduces the parasitic loss in the encapsulation. Low ? and/or ? buffer regions can be achieved using low density organic and/or inorganic materials. Another way is to disperse hollow microspheres or other fillers in the buffer region. An optional sealing layer formed between the buffer region and the encapsulation can mitigate any buffer layer porosity. The buffer region desirably has ? less than about 3.0 and/or ? less than about 0.005.

Abstract: A voltage regulation system maintains the output voltage of a permanent magnet generator at an essentially constant level. The stator coils located within the permanent magnet generator are divided into a number of sub-coils. A buck/boost voltage can be applied to selected sub-coils such that the output voltage generated by the permanent magnet generator is increased or decreased. A number of switches are connected to the sub-coils to allow the sub-coils to be connected in a number of different configurations. Connecting the sub-coils in a particular configuration and applying a buck/boost voltage to selected sub-coils based on the monitored output voltage allows the voltage regulation system to maintain an essentially constant output voltage.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a semiconductor device from a substrate (200) having an active surface (204) and a non-active surface (206). The method comprises depositing a backing material (104) onto the non-active surface of the substrate (206) in a pattern (500), the pattern (500) having at least a first die section (210), a second die section (212) adjacent the first die section (210), and a strip (216) connecting the first die section (210) and the second die section (212), removing material from portions of the non-active surface of the substrate (206) on which the backing material (104) is not deposited to thereby partially separate the substrate (200) into a first die (236) and a second die (238) connected to one another by the strip (254) of the deposited backing material, and breaking the strip connector (254) to separate the first die (236) from the second die (238).

Abstract: A Hall-Effect sensor assembly for a rotating electric machine comprising a thin, removable annular substrate with Hall-Effect sensors and associated connection wiring mounted on it that slips underneath the wound stator end turns of the stator for the rotating electric machine to make the assembly easily removable for installation and repair.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the performance of a permanent magnet device, such as a motor or generator, and providing early detection of motor performance deterioration. The back electromotive force (EMF) of the motor is measured at selected conditions when the motor is in a normal healthy condition to obtain a reference signature response. A measured signature is then obtained periodically during the life of the motor at the same conditions as the reference signature to check the current back EMF characteristic of the motor. If the measured signature deviates from the reference signature by a predetermined threshold, it indicates that the motor performance has degraded to a condition requiring attention.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for use in the determination of the concentration of an analyte in a sample. In the subject methods, a sample is introduced to a reagent test strip, where the sample is either a test fluid or a control fluid, where the control fluid is free of a mediator dissolution slowing component and an oxidizing agent when used with an electrochemical analyte concentration determination assay. The concentration of analyte in the sample is determined and the sample is identified as a control fluid or a test fluid. Also provided are devices for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample, where the devices have a sample identification element for identifying whether a sample is a control or a test fluid. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of different applications, particularly in the determination of blood glucose concentrations.

Abstract: Electrochemical test strips and methods for their use in the detection of an analyte in a physiological sample are provided. The subject test strips have a reaction zone defined by opposing metal electrodes separated by a thin spacer layer. The metal surface of at least one of the electrodes is modified by a homogenous surface modification layer made up of linear self-assembling molecules having a first sulfhydryl end group and a second sulfonate end group separated by a short chain alkyl linking group, where 2-mercaptoethane sulfonic acid or a salt thereof is preferred in certain embodiments. The subject electrochemical test strips find application in the detection of a wide variety of analytes, and are particularly suited for use the detection of gluose.

Abstract: Electrochemical test strips and methods for their use in the detection of an analyte in a physiological sample are provided. The subject test strips have a reaction zone defined by opposing metal electrodes separated by a thin spacer layer. The metal surface of at least one of the electrodes is modified by a homogenous surface modification layer made up of linear self-assembling molecules having a first sulfhydryl end group and a second sulfonate end group separated by a short chain alkyl linking group, where 2-mercaptoethane sulfonic acid or a salt thereof is preferred in certain embodiments. The subject electrochemical test strips find application in the detection of a wide variety of analytes, and are particularly suited for use the detection of glucose.

Abstract: An electric motor or generator assembly includes a component, such as a stator, having a plurality of windings. A wire set including a plurality of individually conductive wires twisted together is manipulated within a core to establish the desired number of windings having the desired cross sectional area. In one example, a plurality of such wire sets are manipulated simultaneously to establish the windings. Litz wire is one example type of wire set that is useful in an assembly designed according to this invention. There are more than 100 individual wires within each winding according to one example stator designed according to this invention.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for use in the determination of the concentration of an analyte in a sample. In the subject methods, a sample is introduced to a reagent test strip, where the sample is either a test fluid or a control fluid, where the control fluid is free of a mediator dissolution slowing component and an oxidizing agent when used with an electrochemical analyte concentration determination assay. The concentration of analyte in the sample is determined and the sample is identified as a control fluid or a test fluid. Also provided are devices for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample, where the devices have a sample identification element for identifying whether a sample is a control or a test fluid. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of different applications, particularly in the determination of blood glucose concentrations.

Abstract: A high pressure sensor structure (11, 111, 211) includes a housing (12, 112, 212) having an upper cavity portion (13, 113, 213) and a lower cavity portion (16, 116, 216). A diaphragm (18, 118, 218) separates the upper cavity portion (13, 113, 213) from the lower cavity portion (16, 116, 216). A semiconductor chip (26, 126, 226) is attached to the upper surface of the diaphragm (18, 118, 218) within the upper cavity portion (13, 113, 213). The diaphragm (18, 118, 218) has a thickness (21, 121, 221) and an exposed width (23, 123, 223) such that the semiconductor chip (26, 126, 226) generates a measurable output signal when the lower surface of the diaphragm (18, 118, 218) is exposed to a high pressure environment.

Abstract: A sensing transducer (10,30) and a method therefor uses a Schottky junction (12) having a conductive layer (16) disposed on a semiconductor substrate (14). The conductive layer (16) is generally formed from the reaction of a metal with a portion of the semiconductor substrate (14). One example of the conductive layer (16) is a metal silicide layer. In one pressure sensing approach, a substantially constant reverse current (I.sub.1) is applied to the Schottky junction (12). The change in reverse output voltage of the junction (12) is proportional to the change in pressure on the junction (12) itself, and can thus be used to sense pressure. This output voltage change is significantly higher than that achieved with prior pressure transducers and permits the output signal of the transducer (10,30) according to the present invention to be substantially used without extra amplification or other conditioning.

Abstract: Electromotive apparatus comprising at least one winding (30) including a plurality of generally triangular coil turns (34). A plurality of generally triangular stator segments (55, 56, 57) are mounted within the coil turns (34). The winding is formed by a hollow conductor, and it is shaped for connection to a source of cooling fluid. A molded support (32) is fastened to the windings 30 and to the segments (55, 56, 57) for supporting the apparatus at its outer diameter.

Abstract: A permanent magnet generator having a plurality of permanent magnet generator units which produce a controlled output potential by mutual magnetic flux linkage between the permanent magnet generator units to produce the controlled output potential in accordance with the invention includes a plurality of permanent magnet rotors (20 and 22) mounted on a drive shaft (26) with at least one of the rotors being rotatable with respect to the drive shaft to vary an angular position of the at least one of the rotors relative to the shaft to produce a mutual variable magnitude magnetic axial field extending parallel to the drive shaft; at least one stator (26, 28, 72) disposed at a position axially offset from the plurality of rotors which is magnetically coupled to the variable magnitude permanent magnet axially field; and a mechanism (46, 48) responsive to a stator fault for angularly positioning the rotors relative to each other so that the permanent magnetic field coupled to the at least one stator is zero.

Abstract: A key telephone system having a plurality of telephone station sets for selective connection to first or second telephone lines. The system includes a control unit which detects the presence of on-hook conditions on the lines, and transmits control signals in selected time slots to each of the station sets over a single control line to indicate the off-hook/on-hook status of the lines. The system may include circuitry at each station set for transmitting additional control signals in other selected time slots over the single control line to identify privacy release of the telephone line connected thereto.

Abstract: A key telephone system having a plurality of station sets for connection to first or second telephone lines. The system includes a common control line for transmitting and receiving control signals at each of the station sets. In response to such a control signal, the handsets of at least two of the station sets are connected to the common control line to establish an intercom connection between them. Each of the station sets also includes a transistor load network having a load impedance which is substantially equal to that of the handset. Each network is normally connected across the control line except when the associated handset is connected to that line so that the overall load on it remains substantially constant. This eliminates transients which may cause received errors in the control signals.