Abstract: An imaging system comprises a pixel array configured to generate a plurality of image charge voltage signals in response to incident light, and readout circuitry coupled to the pixel array, the readout circuitry including a plurality of column unit cells. Each column unit cell comprises at least one of a plurality of comparators, wherein each comparator is coupled to receive the ramp signal from the ramp generator through a ramp signal line. Each column unit cell also comprises a compensation current unit coupled to the ramp signal line, each compensation current unit comprising a compensation current source and a compensation current switch coupled to the compensation current source, wherein the compensation current source and the compensation current switch are coupled between a first node on the ramp signal line and a second node.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array including at least one light-shielded area where no light enters and an imaging area where light enters, wherein each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element, a black level processing unit that corrects an output of each pixel in the imaging area, and a memory that stores a predetermined black level reference for each pixel in the imaging area. The processing unit calculates a Slope, which is determined by an average output value at imaging of pixels in the at least one light-shielded area taken during imaging and a reference average output value of pixels in the at least one light-shielded area under certain conditions taken prior to imaging, and correct an output of each pixel in the imaging area using the predetermined black level reference and the Slope.

Abstract: USB transmission and reception devices are provided. A USB transmission device comprises a first interface to receive display port (DP) data via N lanes at a first link rate, wherein N is an integer greater than 1; and a switching re-timer including a plurality of de-serializer circuits to de-serialize the received DP data, a plurality of decoder circuits to decode the de-serialized DP data, a plurality of multiplexer circuits to multiplex the decoded de-serialized DP data received via each of the N lanes into 1/M lanes, wherein M is an integer greater than 1, a plurality of encoder circuits to encode the multiplexed DP data, and a plurality of serializer circuits to serialize the encoded multiplexed DP data and output the serialized multiplexed DP data on each of the N/M lanes at a second link rate, the second link rate being equal to the first link rate multiplied by M.

Abstract: A data transmission system includes a transmitter having a first switching re-timer and a receiver having a second switching re-timer. The first switching re-timer is configured to double a link rate per lane and halve the number of lanes, and the second switching re-timer is configured to halve the doubled link rate and double the halved number of lanes.

Abstract: A data transmission method includes, detecting an incoming link training sequence that is transmitted from an upstream transmitter, generating a marker indicating a timing location of a word included in the incoming link training sequence, generating a self link training sequence based on a local reference clock, adjusting a time difference in the incoming link training sequence and the self link training sequence, and retransmitting an incoming bit stream based on the self link training sequence being matched to the incoming link training sequence.

Abstract: A data transmission system includes a transmitter having a first switching re-timer and a receiver having a second switching re-timer. The first switching re-timer is configured to double a link rate per lane and halve the number of lanes, and the second switching re-timer is configured to halve the doubled link rate and double the halved number of lanes.

Abstract: A data transmission method includes, detecting an incoming link training sequence that is transmitted from an upstream transmitter, generating a marker indicating a timing location of a word included in the incoming link training sequence, generating a self link training sequence based on a local reference clock, adjusting a time difference in the incoming link training sequence and the self link training sequence, and retransmitting an incoming bit stream based on the self link training sequence being matched to the incoming link training sequence.

Abstract: An exemplary phase interpolator includes a first to a fourth differential pair. Each of the differential pairs includes a first and a second transistor and a stabilizing capacitor connected between a source coupled node and a reference voltage. The phase interpolator also includes a plurality of current sources and a group of switches to switch connections between the source coupled nodes of the differential pairs and the current sources so that (i) a first operating current is supplied to a first selected one of the first and second differential pairs and (ii) a second operating current is supplied to a second selected one of the third and fourth differential pairs. Drains of the first transistors in the differential pairs are commonly connected and drains of the second transistors in the differential pairs are commonly connected to form a first and a second output node so that a differential output signal is output.

Abstract: A method for producing a carbon electrode which includes directly depositing a carbon material on an electroconductive electrode substrate by chemical vapor deposition using hydrocarbons and/or their derivatives as a starting material, and subjecting the substrate coated with the carbon material to an electrochemical treatment so that the carbon material is doped with a charge carrier material capable of being reversely intercalated therein and deintercalated therefrom. Thereafter, the electrochemically treated substrate is compressed, and a thin plate-shaped carbon electrode with a high density results.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a pyrolytic graphite with high crystallinity comprising the deposition of graphite directly onto a crystalline catalytic substrate by thermal decomposition of a carbon-containing material at a temperature of 1000.degree. C. or less, the pyrolytic graphite having interlayer spacing in a limited range and a c-axis orientation of carbon layers perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. An electrode with graphite as an active material and a crystalline metal electrode substrate as a current collector unified, the graphite being pyrolytic graphite that is deposited on the crystalline metal electrode substrate with catalytic properties so as to cover the crystalline metal electrode substrate by the above-mentioned method.

Abstract: A solar heat collector system including a heat collector circuit containing a compressor that compresses and outputs thermal media and is capable of varying its own capacity by conversion of operative frequencies; a condensor being part of the heat collector circuit, which is connected to the output of the compressor; a plurality of heat collectors integrally built with housing materials, one end of which being connected to the condensor via a squeezer and the other end of the heat collector system being connected to the compressor, where each unit heat collector contains a plurality of thermal media tubes allowing thermal media to pass through the inside thereof and heat collect fins connected to the thermal media tubes for transferring heat; a hot-water pool storing hot water for use inside the house; and a fluid heating circuit inclusive of a fluid heater held in heat-exchange relationship with the condensor outside of the hot-water pool.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a pyrolytic graphite with high crystallinity comprising the deposition of graphite directly onto a catalytic substrate by thermal decomposition of a carbon-containing material at low temperatures. An electrode with graphite as an active material and an electrode substrate as a current collector unified, said graphite being pyrolytic graphite that is deposited on a metal electrode substrate with catalytic properties so as to cover said metal electrode substrate by the method. A battery has a pair of positive and negative electrodes, at least one of which is made of graphite as its electrode active material.