Abstract: A representative reconfigurable processing circuit and a reconfigurable arithmetic circuit are disclosed, each of which may include input reordering queues; a multiplier shifter and combiner network coupled to the input reordering queues; an accumulator circuit; and a control logic circuit, along with a processor and various interconnection networks. A representative reconfigurable arithmetic circuit has a plurality of operating modes, such as floating point and integer arithmetic modes, logical manipulation modes, Boolean logic, shift, rotate, conditional operations, and format conversion, and is configurable for a wide variety of multiplication modes. Dedicated routing connecting multiplier adder trees allows multiple reconfigurable arithmetic circuits to be reconfigurably combined, in pair or quad configurations, for larger adders, complex multiplies and general sum of products use, for example.

Abstract: A representative reconfigurable processing circuit and a reconfigurable arithmetic circuit are disclosed, each of which may include input reordering queues; a multiplier shifter and combiner network coupled to the input reordering queues; an accumulator circuit; and a control logic circuit, along with a processor and various interconnection networks. A representative reconfigurable arithmetic circuit has a plurality of operating modes, such as floating point and integer arithmetic modes, logical manipulation modes, Boolean logic, shift, rotate, conditional operations, and format conversion, and is configurable for a wide variety of multiplication modes. Dedicated routing connecting multiplier adder trees allows multiple reconfigurable arithmetic circuits to be reconfigurably combined, in pair or quad configurations, for larger adders, complex multiplies and general sum of products use, for example.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the spectrochemical analysis of a sample in which a solid state array detector (82) is used to detect radiation (62) of spectrochemical interest. The invention involves the use of a shutter (72) adjacent the entrance aperture (70) of a polychromator (74-80) to expose the detector (82) to the radiation (62) for varying lengths of time whereby for short duration exposure times charge accumulation in elements (i.e. pixels) of the detector (82) due to high intensity components of the radiation is limited and for longer exposure times charge accumulation in elements (pixels) of the detector (82) due to feeble intesity components of radiation (62) is increased. This ensures that each reading of the detector (82) includes at least one exposure in which the amount of charge accumulated at each wavelength of interest is neither too little or too great.

Abstract: Spectroscopy apparatus for spectrochemical analysis of a sample having an excitation source (60) for providing spectral light (62) of the sample for analysis. The spectral light (62) is analysed via an optical system (64-66-68) that includes a polychromator (70, 74-80) and solid state multielement array detector (82). The elements (i.e. pixels) of the detector (82) are serially reel by means (84) to provide light intensity measurements as a function of wavelength. A problem is that the elements (pixels) of the detector (82) continue to accumulate change during the serial read-out. This is avoided by providing an optical shutter (72) for blocking the spectral light (62) whilst elements (pixels) of the detector (82) are being serially read. Shutter (72) has a piezoelectric actuator which is preferably a bimorph mounted as a cantilever. It is preferably located adjacent to the entrance aperture (70) of the polychromator.

Abstract: Spectroscopy apparatus for spectrochemical analysis of a sample having an excitation source (60) for providing spectral light (62) of the sample for analysis. The spectral light (62) is analysed via an optical system (66-66-68) that includes a polychromator (70, 74-80) and solid state multielement array detector (82). The elements (i.e. pixels) of the detector (82) are serially read by means (84) to provide light intensity measurements as a function of wavelength. A problem is that the elements (pixels) of the detector (82) continue to accumulate charge during the serial read-out. This is avoided by providing an optical shutter (72) for blocking the spectral light (62) whilst elements (pixels) of the detector (82) are being serially read. Shutter (72) has a piezoelectric actuator which is preferably a bimorph mounted as a cantilever. It is preferably located adjacent to the entrance aperture (70) of the polychromator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the spectrochemical analysis of a sample in which a solid state array detector (82) is used to detect radiation (62) of spectrochemical interest. The invention involves the use of a shutter (72) adjacent the entrance aperture (70) of a polychromator (74-80) to expose the detector (82) to the radiation (62) for varying lengths of time whereby for short duration exposure times charge accumulation in elements (i.e. pixels) of the detector (82) due to high intensity components of the radiation is limited and for longer exposure times charge accumulation in elements (pixels) of the detector (82) due to feeble intesity components of radiation (62) is increased. This ensures that each reading of the detector (82) includes at least one exposure in which the amount of charge accumulated at each wavelength of interest is neither too little or too great.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting the tubular furnace of spectroscopic apparatus to enable a protective atmosphere. The furnace is supported within the housing by annular electrodes engaging opposite ends of the furnace and an annular chamber surrounds the furnace for substantially its full length. A gas feed chamber adjacent each end of the furnace communicates with the respective adjacent end of the furnace through the central opening of the adjacent electrode and also communicates with the adjacent end of the annular chamber through passages provided in the adjacent electrode. Gas is fed simultaneously from each feed chamber into each end of the furnace and annular chamber to flow axially therealong for discharge through an opening in a wall of the housing located intermediate the furnace ends.