Abstract: In an interrogation system (100) with a station (101) and a passive device (102), the station (101) interrogates the passive device (102) for a quantity (103) by transmitting an electromagnetic pulse (105). The passive device (102) has a cavity (109) that influences an ultrawideband reflection of the electromagnetic pulse (105) by the passive device (102). The quantity (103) of the passive device (102) influences a physical property (110) of the cavity (109). The station ((101) receives and analyses the reflection to obtain the quantity (103).

Abstract: A versatile traffic information system (1) comprises: a light source (10), designed for generating a relative narrow, intense light beam (11); housing means (100) adapted for being mounted adjacent or above a road surface (3), accommodating the light source (10), having a beam exit window (101) for allowing the light beam (11) to exit the housing; a controllable beam deflection system (20), capable of changing a direction of the light beam (11) towards a projection area (2) on the road surface (3) in order to form a relatively small light spot (12) on the projection area (2);- a control circuit (30) for controlling the controllable beam deflection system (20) such as to effectively make the light spot (12) draw a predefined pattern (4) on the projection area (2).

Abstract: An event detection system (100) comprises: a communication network of interconnected nodes (10) and a central control station (200), each node being capable of communicating to at least one adjacent node and/or to the central control station, each node comprising: at least one microphone (11); a GPS receiver (12, 13) providing information regarding its location and providing time information; a processing circuit (17), capable of processing the microphone signals, the processing circuit being designed to detect the occurrence of predetermined characteristic sound patterns, and if the occurrence of a predetermined characteristic sound pattern is detected, to communicate the detected event to the central station, together with information regarding location of the node and time of detection; wherein the central station is designed to process the information received from the nodes and to determine the location of the audio source and the occurrence time of the event.

Abstract: A public service system comprises: automatic request recognition means, capable of automatically recognizing a user request, automatic user identification means, capable of automatically identifying the requesting user, automatic authorization means, capable of automatically checking a user's authorisation; a wireless communication network (110) having a plurality of communication nodes (111, 112, 113, 114) capable of direct or indirect communication with each other; a central controller (120; 220) associated with at least one of said communication nodes; and request receiving means associated with at least one of said communication nodes.

Abstract: A communication system (1) comprises a plurality of at least three transmitters (11, 12, 13, 14). A data signal (S) is provided to all transmitters. Each transmitter transmits data signal fragments (31, 32, 33, 34). The data transmissions by the various transmitters are accurately synchronised, such that, on arrival in a target space (2), the various data signal fragments (31, 32, 33, 34) have an accurate timing relationship. Only a receiver (100) located at the target location will receive the various data signal fragments (31, 32, 33, 34) with the correct mutual timings.

Abstract: A lateral insulated gate transistor includes both a surface-adjoining drain region and a surface-adjoining anode region in an epitaxial surface layer. An anode-drain electrode is connected to the anode region and coupled to the drain region. In one embodiment of the device, the drain and anode regions are in direct contact, and the anode-drain electrode directly contacts both regions. In a second embodiment, the anode region is provided in a high-doped surface-adjoining region rather than in direct contact with the drain region, and the anode-drain electrode is coupled to the drain region through a resistive element. A third embodiment employs a Schottky contact connected to the anode-drain electrode. Lateral isolated gate rectifiers in accordance with the invention offer the advantages of low "on" resistance, high breakdown voltage and fast switching characteristics.

Abstract: A lateral double-diffused MOS transistor includes an intermediate semiconductor layer of the same conductivity type as the channel region which extends laterally from the channel region to beneath the drain contact region of the device. This intermediate semiconductor layer substantially improves the punchthrough and avalanche breakdown characteristics of the device, thus permitting operation in the source-follower mode, while also providing a compact structure which features a relatively low normalized "on" resistance.

Abstract: A lateral double-diffused MOS transistor includes a field-shaping semiconductor layer which serves to improve the breakdown voltage and/or on-resistance characteristics of the device. The field-shaping layer redistributes the electrical field in the device during operation in order to eliminate electrical field crowding in portions of the device where breakdown would otherwise first occur. The field shaping layer may be a buried layer, a surface layer, or a composite layer having both buried and surface layer portions.