Abstract: A memory device for interconnection with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Series A type receptacle of an electronic device includes a housing wherein the housing is largely rectangular, with the width and height of a USB Series A plug standard housing; a connector within the housing, electrical terminals in the housing; the housing and terminals of a form to connect with a USB Series A receptacle of an electronic device; and a data memory and a controller within the housing. The memory device may be used in combination with a portable computing device or peripheral or with a cell phone, gps or other electrical or electronic device that includes a receptacle to house the memory device of the type disclosed herein, wherein the memory device is largely within the electrical or electronic device.

Abstract: A light instrumentation system for measuring optical power or intensity of an input as wavelength of the input varies with respect to a time includes a reference providing a detectable optical power or intensity upon encountering a wavelength having a prescribed value, and a detector system coordinated with the reference and providing a detectable feature for measuring the optical power or intensity. A method of testing an object using electromagnetic energy includes illuminating the object using electromagnetic energy while sweeping the electromagnetic energy over a range of wavelengths, measuring electromagnetic energy from the object in response to such illuminating, coordinating the measuring step with one or more distinct wavelength points of the sweep determined by a wavelength dependent transmission device to which the electromagnetic energy is directed.

Abstract: Multiple stage ranging circuitry for a measuring circuit includes a first ranging circuit that selectively amplifies an input signal by respective amounts according to the magnitude of the input signal thereto, and a second ranging circuit coupled to the output of the first ranging circuit selectively amplifies the output signal from the first ranging circuit by a respective amount according to the magnitude of that output signal to provide a measured output. The multiple stage ranging circuitry increases dynamic range and provides for high speed measurements over that dynamic range.

Abstract: An optical measuring apparatus includes an optical scanning system that supplies to a device under test electromagnetic energy at a plurality of periodically varying wavelengths, a measuring circuit that measures electromagnetic energy from the device under test, and a synchronizer, including a device responsive to the electromagnetic energy from the optical scanning system to provide a known response to one or more wavelengths of the electromagnetic energy to synchronize the measuring circuit with the optical scanning system. The device responsive to the electromagnetic energy may provide known absorption or transmission maxima or minima. Exemplary devices responsive to the electromagnetic energy include a wavelength reference, e.g., a gas cell, a Fabry Perot device or a device that provides a specific wavelength dependent response.

Abstract: A light instrumentation system for measuring optical power or intensity of an input as wavelength of the input varies with respect to a time includes a reference providing a detectable optical power or intensity upon encountering a wavelength having a prescribed value, and a detector system coordinated with the reference and providing a detectable feature for measuring the optical power or intensity. A method of testing an object using electromagnetic energy includes illuminating the object using electromagnetic energy while sweeping the electromagnetic energy over a range of wavelengths, measuring electromagnetic energy from the object in response to the illuminating, and coordinating the measuring step with one or more distinct wavelength points of the sweep determined by a wavelength dependent transmission device to which the electromagnetic energy is directed.

Abstract: An miniature integrating sphere has a spherical volume with walls of a material for reflecting light, a light inlet and a light outlet. The light inlet is offset from a diameter axis of the spherical volume and the light inlet and light outlet are offset at non-perpendicular and non-parallel relation to each other. The light inlet is molded or milled to a shape conforming to the shape of the cone of light provided by a fiber optic device as an input to the integrating sphere. A number of miniature integrating spheres may be used respectively in plural channels of an optical measurement instrument.

Abstract: A range selection circuit (13), including a logarithmic amplifier (23) and output circuitry (25) associated therewith, is configured to directly drive linear ranging circuitry for measurement circuitry (12) in an optical power meter (10) to measure signals that vary over a wide range of, for example, from about −7 dB to about −45 dB. This allows the optical power meter to change ranges as fast as one (1) times the hardware settling time. The range selection circuitry is in parallel with the measurement circuitry, which allows ranging to happen in real time.

Abstract: An miniature integrating sphere has a spherical volume with walls of a material for reflecting light, a light inlet and a light outlet. The light inlet is offset from a diameter axis of the spherical volume and the light inlet and light outlet are offset at non-perpendicular and non-parallel relation to each other. The light inlet is molded or milled to a shape conforming to the shape of the cone of light provided by a fiber optic device as an input to the integrating sphere. A number of miniature integrating spheres may be used respectively in plural channels of an optical measurement instrument.

Abstract: A light instrumentation system for measuring optical power or intensity of an input as wavelength of the input varies with respect to a time includes a reference providing a detectable optical power or intensity upon encountering a wavelength having a prescribed value, and a detector system coordinated with the reference and providing a detectable feature for measuring the optical power or intensity.

Abstract: A range selection circuit (13), including a logarithmic amplifier (23) and output circuitry (25) associated therewith, is configured to directly drive linear ranging circuitry for measurement circuitry (12) in an optical power meter (10) to measure signals that vary over a wide range of, for example, from about -7dB to about -45dB. This allows the optical power meter to change ranges as fast as one (1) times the hardware settling time. The range selection circuitry is in parallel with the measurement circuitry, which allows ranging to happen in real time.