Abstract: A method for establishing synchronization between a master clock and a slave clock. A transmitter near the master clock transmits a pulse sequence onto an electrical cable that extends between the transmitter and a receiver near the slave clock. Each pulse of the pulse sequence is either a null pulse (i.e., a zero pulse) or a pulse of exponential kind, depending a corresponding bit in a bit sequence. Each pulse of exponential kind has a leading edge pf exponential shape corresponding to the exponential coefficient ?. The bit sequence represents the sum of (a) a current timestamp of the master clock and (b) an adjustment value that represents the one-way time of-flight of the exponentially shaped leading edge through the cable. The receiver recovers the bit sequence from the pulse sequence, and loads the bit sequence into the slave clock, to establish synchronization.

Abstract: A method for establishing synchronization between a master clock and a slave clock. A transmitter near the master clock transmits a pulse sequence onto an electrical cable that extends between the transmitter and a receiver near the slave clock. Each pulse of the pulse sequence is either a null pulse (i.e., a zero pulse) or a pulse of exponential kind, depending a corresponding bit in a bit sequence. Each pulse of exponential kind has a leading edge pf exponential shape corresponding to the exponential coefficient ?. The bit sequence represents the sum of (a) a current timestamp of the master clock and (b) an adjustment value that represents the one-way time of-flight of the exponentially shaped leading edge through the cable. The receiver recovers the bit sequence from the pulse sequence, and loads the bit sequence into the slave clock, to establish synchronization.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for transmitting pulses onto respective cables so that the pulses arrive at the remote ends of the respective cables in synchronized (or controllably asynchronized) fashion. First, the round-trip time of flight of each cable is measured using speedy delivery pulses, i.e., pulses whose leading edges have exponential shape. Second, a calculation is performed to determine the input delay(s) between the pulses that would produce desired output delay(s). For example, it may be desirable that the pulses arrive at the respective remote ends at the same time, in which case the desired output delay(s) is (are) zero. Third, the same speedy delivery pulses are transmitted onto the respective cables so that the interpulse delay(s) conform to the computed input delay(s). Thus, the desired output delay(s) are achieved at the remote ends of the cables.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for transmitting pulses onto respective cables so that the pulses arrive at the remote ends of the respective cables in synchronized (or controllably asynchronized) fashion. First, the round-trip time of flight of each cable is measured using speedy delivery pulses, i.e., pulses whose leading edges have exponential shape. Second, a calculation is performed to determine the input delay(s) between the pulses that would produce desired output delay(s). For example, it may be desirable that the pulses arrive at the respective remote ends at the same time, in which case the desired output delay(s) is (are) zero. Third, the same speedy delivery pulses are transmitted onto the respective cables so that the interpulse delay(s) conform to the computed input delay(s). Thus, the desired output delay(s) are achieved at the remote ends of the cables.

Abstract: A receiver for decoding a communication signal is disclosed. The receiver includes an input port and a filter. The input port receives the communication signal from a communication medium. The communication signal comprises a sequence of symbols. Each symbol of the symbol sequence is an analog pulse that has a leading edge of exponential shape. The exponential shape has an exponential growth parameter value that has been selected from values ?0 and ?1, which are distinct positive values. For each symbol of the symbol sequence, the exponential growth parameter value for the leading edge of the symbol has been selected based on a corresponding bit from a stream of information bits. The filter receives the communication signal from the input port and filters the communication signal to obtain an output signal. The transfer function of the filter has one or more zeros at ?0.

Abstract: A first transmitter transmits symbols. The leading edge of each symbol has the form Djexp{?jt}, where Dj is real, where ?j is selected from N possible values based on a current group of bits. The receiver has N filters whose transfer functions correspond respectively to the N possible values. The filter outputs are used to recover the group of bits. A second transmitter transmits an exponential symbol or a zero symbol depending on a current bit to be transmitted. The zero symbol has zero amplitude over the symbol period. The corresponding receiver applies threshold detection to estimate the transmitted bits. A third transmitter transmits a sequence of analog pulses with known interpulse time separation(s). The pulse sequence reflects from a moving object. A receiver captures the reflected pulse sequence. The interpulse separation(s) of the reflect pulse sequence is used to determine the radial velocity of the object.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting a waveform having a controllable attenuation and propagation velocity. An exemplary method comprises: generating an exponential waveform, the exponential waveform (a) being characterized by the equation Vin=De?ASD[x?vSDt], where D is a magnitude, Vin is a voltage, t is time, ASD is an attenuation coefficient, and vSD is a propagation velocity; and (b) being truncated at a maximum value. An exemplary apparatus comprises: an exponential waveform generator; an input recorder coupled to an output of the exponential waveform generator; a transmission line under test coupled to the output of the exponential waveform generator; an output recorder coupled to the transmission line under test; an additional transmission line coupled to the transmission line under test; and a termination impedance coupled to the additional transmission line and to a ground.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting a waveform having a controllable attenuation and propagation velocity. An exemplary method comprises: generating an exponential waveform, the exponential waveform (a) being characterized by the equation Vin=De?ASD[x?vSDt], where D is a magnitude, Vin is a voltage, t is time, ASD is an attenuation coefficient, and vSD is a propagation velocity; and (b) being truncated at a maximum value. An exemplary apparatus comprises: an exponential waveform generator; an input recorder coupled to an output of the exponential waveform generator; a transmission line under test coupled to the output of the exponential waveform generator; an output recorder coupled to the transmission line under test; an additional transmission line coupled to the transmission line under test; and a termination impedance coupled to the additional transmission line and to a ground.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting a waveform having a controllable attenuation and propagation velocity. An exemplary method comprises: generating an exponential waveform, the exponential waveform (a) being characterized by the equation Vin=De?ASD[x?vSDt], where D is a magnitude, Vin is a voltage, t is time, ASD is an attenuation coefficient, and vSD is a propagation velocity; and (b) being truncated at a maximum value. An exemplary apparatus comprises: an exponential waveform generator; an input recorder coupled to an output of the exponential waveform generator; a transmission line under test coupled to the output of the exponential waveform generator; an output recorder coupled to the transmission line under test; an additional transmission line coupled to the transmission line under test; and a termination impedance coupled to the additional transmission line and to a ground.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting a waveform having a controllable attenuation and propagation velocity. An exemplary method comprises: generating an exponential waveform, the exponential waveform (a) being characterized by the equation Vin=De?ASD[x?vSDt], where D is a magnitude, Vin is a voltage, t is time, ASD is an attenuation coefficient, and vSD is a propagation velocity; and (b) being truncated at a maximum value. An exemplary apparatus comprises: an exponential waveform generator; an input recorder coupled to an output of the exponential waveform generator; a transmission line under test coupled to the output of the exponential waveform generator; an output recorder coupled to the transmission line under test; an additional transmission line coupled to the transmission line under test; and a termination impedance coupled to the additional transmission line and to a ground.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting a waveform having a controllable attenuation and propagation velocity. An exemplary method comprises: generating an exponential waveform, the exponential waveform (a) being characterized by the equation Vin=De?ASD[x?vSDt], where D is a magnitude, Vin is a voltage, t is time, ASD is an attenuation coefficient, and vSD is a propagation velocity; and (b) being truncated at a maximum value. An exemplary apparatus comprises: an exponential waveform generator; an input recorder coupled to an output of the exponential waveform generator; a transmission line under test coupled to the output of the exponential waveform generator; an output recorder coupled to the transmission line under test; an additional transmission line coupled to the transmission line under test; and a termination impedance coupled to the additional transmission line and to a ground.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting a waveform having a controllable attenuation and propagation velocity. An exemplary method comprises: generating an exponential waveform, the exponential waveform (a) being characterized by the equation Vin=De?ASD(x?vSDt), where D is a magnitude, Vin is a voltage, t is time, ASD is an attenuation coefficient, and VSD is a propagation velocity; and (b) being truncated at a maximum value. An exemplary apparatus comprises: an exponential waveform generator; an input recorder coupled to an output of the exponential waveform generator; a transmission line under test coupled to the output of the exponential waveform generator; an output recorder coupled to the transmission line under test; an additional transmission line coupled to the transmission line under test; and a termination impedance coupled to the additional transmission line and to a ground.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting a waveform having a controllable attenuation and propagation velocity. An exemplary method comprises: generating an exponential waveform, the exponential waveform (a) being characterized by the equation Vin=De−ASD[x−vSDt], where D is a magnitude, Vin, is a voltage, t is time, ASD is an attenuation coefficient, and vSD is a propagation velocity; and (b) being truncated at a maximum value. An exemplary apparatus comprises: an exponential waveform generator; an input recorder coupled to an output of the exponential waveform generator; a transmission line under test coupled to the output of the exponential waveform generator; an output recorder coupled to the transmission line under test; an additional transmission line coupled to the transmission line under test; and a termination impedance coupled to the additional transmission line and to a ground.

Abstract: Methods for driving a lossy transmission media with an energy wave defined by a an exponential waveform function. The propagation delay and attenuation of the wave is a function of an exponential coefficient, and its propagation velocity is essentially constant and independent of displacement. Utilizing relationships between the propagation velocity, exponential coefficient, attenuation, and transmission line parameters, one may effectively model various transmission media. One may also determine unknown transmission line parameters, waveform exponential coefficients, attenuation, and/or propagation velocities by utilizing those relationships. By modulating the exponential coefficient, information may be encoded onto a waveform.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for assessing the solderability of electronic component leads and adjacent mounting surfaces. The apparatus and method enables assessment of solderability of fine pitch surface mount components that may be “leadless” or have such small leads that other methods are unable to make measurements required for assessing solderability. The invention also provides a reliable automated test technology for electronic component solderability. It is based on the use of measurements of the distinctive changes in the IR radiation signal of a wetted soldered connection during the solder reflow process, resulting from rapid changes in emissivity of the materials. This is accomplished through the use of an IR camera connected to a computer, and a substrate heater controlled by the computer to achieve a predetermined temperature profile at the component leads.