Abstract: A direct determination equalizer system (“DDES”) for compensating for the deterministic effects of a transmission channel and a data source is disclosed. The DDES may include an equalizer having equalizer-tap coefficients, a cross-correlator configured to receive the first sampled signal and an ideal signal and in response produce a cross-correlated signal, and a processor in signal communication with the equalizer and the cross-correlator. The equalizer is configured to receive a first sampled signal and in response produce an equalized output data signal sequence and the processor is configured to determine the equalizer-tap coefficients from the cross-correlated signal.

Abstract: An internally triggered equivalent-time sampling system characterizes high-speed data signals having a predetermined nominal data rate by using an internal oscillator that runs independent of a synchronous trigger signal. The sampling system acquires samples of the data signal at a strobe rate, set by the oscillator, which is lower than the nominal data rate of the data signal. The samples, the strobe rate, and the nominal data rate are communicated to a quality optimizer which compensates for static rate deviations between the nominal data rate and the actual data rate of the data signal to establish timing correspondence between the acquired samples. The timing correspondence establishes the time placement of the acquired samples when characterizing the data signal on a display or other output device. When the oscillator has high timing stability relative to the data signal, jitter and other attributes of the data signal are accurately characterized.

Abstract: An improved hydrocracking process, in a process for conversion of components of a heavy hydrocarbon feed to lighter, more valuable products, wherein the feed comprises foulant, the process comprising: (a.) contacting the feed with hydrogen, in the presence of a hydrocracking catalyst, at an elevated temperature and pressure in a hydrocracker, to produce a hydrocracker effluent comprising foulant; (b.) cooling and depressurizing the hydrocracker effluent to form a cooled, depressurized hydrocracker effluent comprising foulant; (c.) separating the cooled, depressurized hydrocracker effluent into the products of the conversion and an unconverted portion of the hydrocracker effluent which comprises foulant; and (d.) recycling, as effluent recycle to the hydrocracker, the unconverted portion of the hydrocracker effluent to the hydrocracker, wherein the concentration of foulant in the hydrocracker effluent is increased; the improvement comprising: (i.