Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in improving the linearity characteristics of MOSFET devices using an accumulated charge sink (ACS) are disclosed. The method and apparatus are adapted to remove, reduce, or otherwise control accumulated charge in SOI MOSFETs, thereby yielding improvements in FET performance characteristics. In one exemplary embodiment, a circuit having at least one SOI MOSFET is configured to operate in an accumulated charge regime. An accumulated charge sink, operatively coupled to the body of the SOI MOSFET, eliminates, removes or otherwise controls accumulated charge when the FET is operated in the accumulated charge regime, thereby reducing the nonlinearity of the parasitic off-state source-to-drain capacitance of the SOI MOSFET. In RF switch circuits implemented with the improved SOI MOSFET devices, harmonic and intermodulation distortion is reduced by removing or otherwise controlling the accumulated charge when the SOI MOSFET operates in an accumulated charge regime.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for use in improving gate oxide reliability of semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) metal-oxide-silicon field effect transistor (MOSFET) devices using accumulated charge control (ACC) techniques. The method and apparatus are adapted to remove, reduce, or otherwise control accumulated charge in SOI MOSFETs, thereby yielding improvements in FET performance characteristics. In one embodiment, a circuit includes a MOSFET, operating in an accumulated charge regime, and means for controlling the accumulated charge. Determinations are made of effects of an uncontrolled accumulated charge and a controlled accumulated charge on time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) of the gate oxide. The SOI MOSFET is adapted to have a selected average time-to-breakdown, responsive to the determinations, and the circuit is operated using techniques for ACC operatively coupled to the SOI MOSFET.

Abstract: A power tool including a motor configured to rotatably drive an output shaft, a variable motor speed control input, a motor speed limit input, and a motor controller. The motor controller includes an electronic processor and a memory configured to store instructions. When executed by the motor controller, the instructions configure the motor controller to detect a motor speed limit from a setting of the motor speed limit input, and detect a variable speed control setting from the variable motor speed control input. The motor controller generates a motor speed control signal for driving the motor based on the detected motor speed limit and the detected variable motor speed control setting, and transmits the motor speed control signal to a motor driver circuit configured to drive the motor at a speed based on the motor speed control signal.

Abstract: A device for indicating whether a container having a cap has been opened. The device includes a switch or pressure transducer for detecting the engagement of the cap to the container and disengagement therefrom. A display, which is visible through the top of the cap, provides a plurality of messages which are in an irreversible and nonrepeatable sequence for indicating whether or not the cap has ever been removed from the container.

Abstract: For recording medical information on a strip chart by a strip chart recorder associated with a fetal monitoring device, a communication is initially entered into a data entry system which includes a switching membrane having a plurality of switches forming a switching network underlying the membrane. A microprocessor scans the network to identify the communication and thereafter supplies the same to a liquid crystal display for view by a user of the system prior to transmission of the communication to the recorder for recordation.

Abstract: For recording medical information on a strip chart by a strip chart recorder associated with a fetal monitoring device, a communication is initially entered into a data entry system which includes a switching membrane having a plurality of switches forming a switching network underlying the membrane. A microprocessor scans the network to identify the communication and thereafter supplies the same to a liquid crystal display for view by a user of the system prior to transmission of the communication to the recorder for recordation.