Abstract: A wavy line interconnect structure that accommodates small metal lines and enlarged diameter vias is disclosed. The enlarged diameter vias can be formed using a self-aligned dual damascene process without the need for a separate via lithography mask. The enlarged diameter vias make direct contact with at least three sides of the underlying metal lines, and can be aligned asymmetrically with respect to the metal line to increase the packing density of the metal pattern. The resulting vias have an aspect ratio that is relatively easy to fill, while the larger via footprint provides low via resistance. An interconnect structure having enlarged diameter vias can also feature air gaps to reduce the chance of dielectric breakdown. By allowing the via footprint to exceed the minimum size of the metal line width, a path is cleared for further process generations to continue shrinking metal lines to dimensions below 10 nm.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring the modal bandwidth of a multimode optical fiber as a function of wavelength are disclosed. The methods include emitting polarized light from a single-mode fiber, frequency-modulating the single-mode polarized light, and then conditioning the frequency-modulated polarized light to excite multiple modes of the multimode optical fiber. The multimode light transmitted by the multimode optical fiber is detected and analyzed by a network analyzer to determine a bandwidth for at least three different wavelengths. A controller performs a fit to the measured bandwidths using a fitting equation to determine the modal bandwidth as a function of wavelength.

Abstract: A communication device is configured to encode information bits using one or more forward error correction (FEC) codes and/or error correction codes (ECCs) to generate different codewords (e.g., codeword groups having different lengths, based on different code rates, etc.). The device generates a combined codeword using different sized codewords (e.g., long, medium, and short) by filling fills long codewords completely if possible, then filling medium codewords completely if possible with the remaining message bits (if any), and filling short codewords completely if possible plus another additional short codeword with the remaining message bits (if any). If the total number of short (or medium and short) codeword parity bits is greater than or equal to the number of medium (or long) codeword parity bits, then the device increments the number of medium (or long) codewords by one and setting the number of short (or medium and short) codewords to zero.

Abstract: A transmitter for use in a cable modem termination system includes a data processing module that generates a plurality of OFDM symbols from a data packet. A probe symbol generator generates a probe symbol, as one of a plurality of probe symbol types. The probe symbol is selectively inserted within the plurality of OFDM symbols, at a pre-defined probe symbol interval.

Abstract: A soft-sided insulated container assembly has a generally box-shaped form like a school lunch box, having a main body and a lid. The lid is formed of one of the largest panels of the box-structure, and is joined to the main body of the box by a hinge that lets the lid lie flat next to the main body when the box is open. The inside face of the lid then defines a work surface on which to place objects such as foodstuffs and beverages. The work surface may be formed in a substantially rigid molded stiffener member, and may be divided into sub-regions with raised retainers to discourage sliding of objects where not precisely level. The container assembly may include a rigid internal liner with which the lid may mate zipperlessly. The mating portion of the lid may be formed in the same rigid member as the work surface.

Abstract: An endoscope for removing tissue at a surgical site includes an elongated tubular body insertable within a mammalian cavity of a patient. An instrument channel extends between a first opening at a distal end and a second opening at a proximal end of the tubular body and is sized and configured to receive a surgical cutting assembly that includes an aspiration channel configured to remove material entering the endoscope via a distal end of the surgical cutting assembly. A torque generation component configured to generate torque is positioned within the distal end and configured to provide the generated torque to a coupling component. The coupling component is positioned at the distal end of the elongated tubular member and configured to actuate a cutting component of the surgical cutting assembly responsive to actuation of the torque generation component.

Abstract: A communication device is configured to encode information bits using one or more forward error correction (FEC) codes and/or error correction codes (ECCs) to generate different codewords (e.g., codeword groups having different lengths, based on different code rates, etc.). The device generates a combined codeword using different sized codewords (e.g., long, medium, and short) by filling fills long codewords completely if possible, then filling medium codewords completely if possible with the remaining message bits (if any), and filling short codewords completely if possible plus another additional short codeword with the remaining message bits (if any). If the total number of short (or medium and short) codeword parity bits is greater than or equal to the number of medium (or long) codeword parity bits, then the device increments the number of medium (or long) codewords by one and setting the number of short (or medium and short) codewords to zero.

Abstract: A communication device (alternatively, device) includes a processor configured to support communications with other communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processor, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. A device directs an analog to digital converter (ADC) to perform a sample capture of a communication channel and processes that sample capture to generate a detected power. The device performs an integrate-and-dump (I&D) operation on the detected power over at least one time period to generate an integrated power and then generates an integrated power histogram of the communication channel that includes the integrated power.

Abstract: A transmitter for use in a cable modem termination system includes a data processing module that generates a plurality of OFDM symbols from a data packet. A probe symbol generator generates a probe symbol, as one of a plurality of probe symbol types. The probe symbol is selectively inserted within the plurality of OFDM symbols, at a pre-defined probe symbol interval.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of providing advisory controls for a desalter system. The method allows a user to continuously monitor performance of the desalter system, to continuously monitor position of the emulsion band (or rag layer), to control the emulsion band using demulsifiers, and to recommend to users how to maintain optimal pressure drop at the mix valve of the desalter system. This is achieved by using a first principles based model combined with an ultra-sound sensor. The ultra-sound sensor measures the position, quality and size of the emulsion band. The first principles based model takes into account the geometry of the desalter system, physical properties of the crude oil and water, as well as the operating conditions. Thus, the method provides users with sensing of an emulsion layer through ultrasound measurements and also gives recommendations on appropriate corrective actions to be initiated during upsets.

Abstract: A communication device (e.g., a cable modem (CM)) includes a digital to analog converter (DAC) and a power amplifier (PA) that generate a signal to be transmitting via a communication interface to another communication device (e.g., cable modem termination system (CMTS)). The CM includes diagnostic analyzer that samples the signal based on a fullband sample capture corresponding to a full bandwidth and/or a subset (e.g., narrowband) sample capture to generate a fullband and/or subset signal capture (e.g., of an upstream (US) communication channel between the CM and the CMTS). The diagnostic analyzer can be configured to generate sample captures of the signal based on any desired parameter(s), condition(s), and/or trigger(s). The CM then transmits the signal to the CMTS and the fullband and/or subset signal capture to the CMTS and/or a proactive network maintenance (PNM) communication device to determine at least one characteristic associated with performance of the US communication channel.

Abstract: A map display device 200 stores a map image dataset 211 with image pixels including a plurality of static-type pixels 410 each having only one color value 412, and a plurality of dynamic-type pixels 420 each having a predefined set of color values 422-426, and a function definition field 428 which defines a function to select between said color values 422-426. A graphics processor 220 processes one tile 401 of map image data by, for each of the dynamic type pixels 420, retrieving the function identified by the function definition field 428, applying a current time value to the function, and selecting one of the predefined set of color values 422-426 according to a result of the function. An output unit 230 outputs the map image frame as a raster image containing one pixel color value at each of the pixels for display on a display screen 240.

Abstract: A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and a second portion that defined a lid co-operable with the first portion. The lid includes an auxiliary access opening and closure member that are smaller than the main opening, and that can be operated one-handed. A rigid work surface is provided, typically immediately adjacent to the secondary closure member, the work surface providing a place for holding or mixing a drink or for preparing a snack. In some embodiments the work surface may be movable relative to the container, whether slidable in a co-planar or parallel planar manner in translation, or folding as in a foldable shelf. The entire container assembly may be foldable or collapsible to a storage condition, and the rigid member, whether fixed or movable, does not impede that folding or collapsing.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of providing advisory controls for a desalter system. The method allows a user to continuously monitor performance of the desalter system, to continuously monitor position of the emulsion band (or rag layer), to control the emulsion band using demulsifiers, and to recommend to users how to maintain optimal pressure drop at the mixing device of the desalter system. This is achieved by using a first principles based model combined with a sensor to measure the position, quality and size of the emulsion band. The first principles based model takes into account the geometry of the desalter system, physical properties of the crude oil and water, as well as the operating conditions. Thus, the method provides users with sensing of an emulsion layer through direct measurements and also gives recommendations on appropriate corrective actions to be initiated during upsets.

Abstract: Ultra-low-k dielectric materials used as inter-layer dielectrics in high-performance integrated circuits are prone to be structurally unstable. The Young's modulus of such materials is decreased, resulting in porosity, poor film strength, cracking, and voids. An alternative dual damascene interconnect structure incorporates deep air gaps into a high modulus dielectric material to maintain structural stability while reducing capacitance between adjacent nanowires. Incorporation of a deep air gap having k=1.0 compensates for the use of a higher modulus film having a dielectric constant greater than the typical ultra-low-k (ULK) dielectric value of about 2.2. The higher modulus film containing the deep air gap is used as an insulator and a means of reducing fringe capacitance between adjacent metal lines. The dielectric layer between two adjacent metal lines thus forms a ULK/high-modulus dielectric bi-layer.

Abstract: An endoscope for removing tissue at a surgical site includes an elongated tubular body insertable within a mammalian cavity of a patient. An instrument channel extends between a first opening at a distal end and a second opening at a proximal end of the tubular body and is sized and configured to receive a surgical cutting assembly that includes an aspiration channel configured to remove material entering the endoscope via a distal end of the surgical cutting assembly. A torque generation component configured to generate torque is positioned within the distal end and configured to provide the generated torque to a coupling component. The coupling component is positioned at the distal end of the elongated tubular member and configured to actuate a cutting component of the surgical cutting assembly responsive to actuation of the torque generation component.

Abstract: A communication device is configured to encode information bits using one or more forward error correction (FEC) codes and/or error correction codes (ECCs) to generate different codewords (e.g., codeword groups having different lengths, based on different code rates, etc.). The device generates a combined codeword using different sized codewords (e.g., long, medium, and short) by filling fills long codewords completely if possible, then filling medium codewords completely if possible with the remaining message bits (if any), and filling short codewords completely if possible plus another additional short codeword with the remaining message bits (if any). If the total number of short (or medium and short) codeword parity bits is greater than or equal to the number of medium (or long) codeword parity bits, then the device increments the number of medium (or long) codewords by one and setting the number of short (or medium and short) codewords to zero.

Abstract: An improved flexible endoscopic instrument to precisely and efficiently obtains samples of flat polyps and multiple polyps from a patient by debriding one or more polyps and retrieving the debrided polyps without having to alternate between using a separate cutting tool and a separate sample retrieving tool and may be used with an endoscope. In one aspect, the cutting tool is coupled to a flexible torque coil or torque rope that is configured to transfer rotational energy from a powered actuator through the length of the endoscope onto the cutting tool.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate with an interlevel dielectric layer positioned above the substrate. First trenches having a first depth are formed in the interlevel dielectric layer and a metal material fills the first trenches to form first interconnection lines. Second trenches having a second depth are also formed in the interlevel dielectric layer and filled with a metal material to form second interconnection lines. The first and second interconnection lines have a substantially equal pitch, which in a preferred implementation is a sub-lithographic pitch, and different resistivities due to the difference in trench depth. The first and second trenches are formed with an etching process through a hard mask having corresponding first and second openings of different depths. A sidewall image transfer process is used to define sub-lithographic structures for forming the first and second openings in the hard mask.

Abstract: A device implements orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) techniques. In particular, the device includes a frequency interleaver and/or de-interleaver for OFDM modulation. The frequency interleaver provides random frequency interleaving for the symbols transmitted by OFDM modulation. The frequency de-interleaver provides random frequency de-interleaving for the symbols received by OFDM demodulation.