Abstract: A method/system of detecting if a relay is present in a vehicle PEPS system, including transmitting from antenna(s) of a vehicle, a first/second LF signals and determining a minimum time-gap between the signal transmissions so that the time-gap exceeds the channel-coherence-time of a high-frequency wireless-relay. A maximum time between the signals is determined by a timing requirement of the PEPS system and the maximum allowable change in a key-fob position. A time gap between the minimum/maximum times is determined. Depending on the time-gap, the system timing requirement is increased to provide a predetermined-time. At the predetermined-time, separately transmitting between the first/second LF signals, which have a known signal ratio, from a vehicle antenna to a key-fob as part of an LF challenge; measuring, at the key-fob, the signal-levels of the first/second LF signals; and determining if the ratio of the first/second LF signals are within a predefined range.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus that includes: an electronic substrate having a plurality of pads for connecting to an electronic component placed on the electronic substrate; a shield placed on a surface of the electronic substrate, the shield having a plurality of openings with the plurality of openings aligned over the plurality of pads and at least a portion of each of the plurality of openings being conductive; connection means to connect the conductive portions of each of the plurality of openings to a fault detect and error handling circuit; and the fault detect and error handling circuit to detect a short circuit between at least one of the conductive portions and the pad aligned with the opening containing the at least one of the conductive portions.

Abstract: A method/system of detecting if a relay is present in a vehicle PEPS system, including transmitting from antenna(s) of a vehicle, a first/second LF signals and determining a minimum time-gap between the signal transmissions so that the time-gap exceeds the channel-coherence-time of a high-frequency wireless-relay. A maximum time between the signals is determined by a timing requirement of the PEPS system and the maximum allowable change in a key-fob position. A time gap between the minimum/maximum times is determined. Depending on the time-gap, the system timing requirement is increased to provide a predetermined-time. At the predetermined-time, separately transmitting between the first/second LF signals, which have a known signal ratio, from a vehicle antenna to a key-fob as part of an LF challenge; measuring, at the key-fob, the signal-levels of the first/second LF signals; and determining if the ratio of the first/second LF signals are within a predefined range.

Abstract: A system and method to prevent eavesdropping by a device. An anti-eavesdrop component is installed on the device. The anti-eavesdrop component is configured to actively prevent the device from capturing audio from the environment. In response to installing the anti-eavesdrop component, the device recognizes the anti-eavesdrop component as a primary audio input for the device. The anti-eavesdrop component then proceeds to block the device from capturing outside audio by injecting noise or otherwise interfering with the primary audio input.

Abstract: A method comprises obtaining a plurality of 2-dimensional gray scale images of a portion of a printed circuit board assembly. Each 2-dimensional gray scale image corresponds to one of a plurality of parallel planes intersecting the portion of the printed circuit board assembly at respective different locations. The method further comprises converting the plurality of 2-dimensional gray scale images into a color image. Each of the plurality of 2-dimensional gray scale images corresponds to and is used as input for a respective color channel of the color image. The method further comprises analyzing the color image to detect variation in color that indicates a defect; and outputting an alert indicating the defect in response to detecting the variation in color.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes assigning an auditor weight to each user of a plurality of users. A plurality of audit data is received from the plurality of users, where each audit data is associated with a respective user and includes a set of user ratings for an audit. Final ratings are generated for the audit, with a respective final rating for each item in the audit. Generating the final rating of a first item in the audit includes identifying, in the audit data, user ratings for the first item. The user ratings for the first item include a respective user rating of the first item from each user. Generating the final rating of a first item further includes calculating the final rating of the first item based on a weighted combination of the plurality of user ratings for the first item, according to the respective auditor weight of each user.

Abstract: A method of detecting if a relay is present in a PEPS system for a vehicle is provided. The PEPS system includes a plurality of predefined subzones within one or more vehicle inclusion zones and the method includes the steps of: (a) transmitting a challenge signal including an LF telegram and CW signals from one or more antennas associated with the vehicle to a key fob, the CW signals being measured by the key fob; and (b) determining if CW signals measured by the key fob meet predetermined magnetic field strength values associated with one or more subzones from a plurality of predefined subzones, the predefined subzones being derived to accept the magnetic field distributions at localised positions within a valid inclusion zone and reject magnetic field distributions generated by a relay at a relay transmitter.

Abstract: A method comprises obtaining a plurality of 2-dimensional gray scale images of a portion of a printed circuit board assembly. Each 2-dimensional gray scale image corresponds to one of a plurality of parallel planes intersecting the portion of the printed circuit board assembly at respective different locations. The method further comprises converting the plurality of 2-dimensional gray scale images into a color image. Each of the plurality of 2-dimensional gray scale images corresponds to and is used as input for a respective color channel of the color image. The method further comprises analyzing the color image to detect variation in color that indicates a defect; and outputting an alert indicating the defect in response to detecting the variation in color.

Abstract: A system and method to prevent eavesdropping by a device. An anti-eavesdrop component is installed on the device. The anti-eavesdrop component is configured to actively prevent the device from capturing audio from the environment. In response to installing the anti-eavesdrop component, the device recognizes the anti-eavesdrop component as a primary audio input for the device. The anti-eavesdrop component then proceeds to block the device from capturing outside audio by injecting noise or otherwise interfering with the primary audio input.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a multiple-layer printed circuit board includes selectively applying a dielectric resin to a region of a circuitized core layer. The process also includes partially curing the dielectric resin prior to performing a lamination cycle to form the multiple-layer printed circuit board that includes the circuitized core layer.

Abstract: Fabrication of a reliable circuit board assembly with soldered, plated through-hole structures is facilitated by characterizing plating of a plated through-hole of the circuit board using time-domain reflectance to obtain a base reflectance measurement, and applying solder to the plated through-hole. Based on applying the solder, the plating of the plated through-hole of the circuit board is re-characterized using time-domain reflectance to obtain a new reflectance value. Based on a deviation between the new reflectance measurement and the base reflectance measurement exceeding a threshold, dissolution, at least in part, of the plating of the plated through-hole due to applying the solder is identified.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus that includes: an electronic substrate having a plurality of pads for connecting to an electronic component placed on the electronic substrate; a shield placed on a surface of the electronic substrate, the shield having a plurality of openings with the plurality of openings aligned over the plurality of pads and at least a portion of each of the plurality of openings being conductive; connection means to connect the conductive portions of each of the plurality of openings to a fault detect and error handling circuit; and the fault detect and error handling circuit to detect a short circuit between at least one of the conductive portions and the pad aligned with the opening containing the at least one of the conductive portions.

Abstract: A process of improving resistance to conductive anodic filament (CAF) formation is disclosed. The process includes dissolving a base resin material, a lubricant material, and a coupling agent in a solvent to form a functionalized sizing agent solution. The process also includes applying the functionalized sizing agent solution to individual glass fibers following a glass fiber formation process. The process further includes removing the solvent via a thermal process that partially converts the base resin material. The thermal process results in formation of coated glass fibers having a flowable resin coating that is compatible with a pre-impregnated (prepreg) matrix material utilized to form a prepreg material for manufacturing a printed circuit board. During one or more printed circuit board manufacturing operations, the flowable resin coating flows to fill voids between the individual glass fibers that represent CAF formation pathways.

Abstract: A compliant pin system includes a pin having a compliant section including a first leg and an opposing second leg. A first plurality of contact members extend along the first leg. A second plurality of contact members extend along the second leg. A pin validation system is operatively connected to the first plurality of contact members and the second plurality of contact members. The pin validation system detects a presence of an electrical signal passing between corresponding pairs of the first plurality of contact members and the second plurality of contact members to determine an integrity of the compliant pin.

Abstract: Bottom terminated components and methods of making bottom terminated components are provided. The bottom terminated component includes a die paddle and at least one die paddle structure configured to prevent wicking into a respective thermal via of a printed circuit board. The at least one die paddle structure includes a base defining an axis, the base having an axial thickness extending from the die paddle, and a contact surface configured to contact the printed circuit board at the thermal via of the printed circuit board to prevent wicking of solder into the respective thermal via.

Abstract: Fabrication of a reliable circuit board assembly with soldered, plated through-hole structures is facilitated by characterizing plating of a plated through-hole of the circuit board using time-domain reflectance to obtain a base reflectance measurement, and applying solder to the plated through-hole. Based on applying the solder, the plating of the plated through-hole of the circuit board is re-characterized using time-domain reflectance to obtain a new reflectance value. Based on a deviation between the new reflectance measurement and the base reflectance measurement exceeding a threshold, dissolution, at least in part, of the plating of the plated through-hole due to applying the solder is identified.

Abstract: A compliant pin system includes a pin having a compliant section including a first leg and an opposing second leg. A first plurality of contact members extend along the first leg. A second plurality of contact members extend along the second leg. A pin validation system is operatively connected to the first plurality of contact members and the second plurality of contact members. The pin validation system detects a presence of an electrical signal passing between corresponding pairs of the first plurality of contact members and the second plurality of contact members to determine an integrity of the compliant pin.

Abstract: An immersion weaving system includes a first drum immersed in a first bath of a liquid. The first drum is configured to form a glass strand from individual glass filaments. The immersion weaving system also includes a second drum immersed in the first bath of the liquid. The second drum is configured to form a yarn spool from the glass strand. The immersion weaving system further includes a loom immersed in a second bath of the liquid. The loom is configured to form a void-free glass cloth.

Abstract: Bottom terminated components and methods of making bottom terminated components are provided. The bottom terminated component includes a die paddle and at least one die paddle structure configured to prevent wicking into a respective thermal via of a printed circuit board. The at least one die paddle structure includes a base defining an axis, the base having an axial thickness extending from the die paddle, and a contact surface configured to contact the printed circuit board at the thermal via of the printed circuit board to prevent wicking of solder into the respective thermal via.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes assigning an auditor weight to each user of a plurality of users. A plurality of audit data is received from the plurality of users, where each audit data is associated with a respective user and includes a set of user ratings for an audit. Final ratings are generated for the audit, with a respective final rating for each item in the audit. Generating the final rating of a first item in the audit includes identifying, in the audit data, user ratings for the first item. The user ratings for the first item include a respective user rating of the first item from each user. Generating the final rating of a first item further includes calculating the final rating of the first item based on a weighted combination of the plurality of user ratings for the first item, according to the respective auditor weight of each user.