Abstract: A device for indicating violation of a temperature limit of an item is provided. The device is positionable near the item and includes a sensor configured to change its state permanently when the temperature limit is violated. The change in sensor state is machine-readable to provide a permanent indication of the temperature limit violation. The sensor includes a reservoir for storing a fluid that changes phase from a solid to a liquid when the temperature limit is violated and a channel in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving flow of the fluid in liquid phase from the reservoir. The sensor is arranged to allow flow of the fluid in the liquid phase such that the state of the sensor is permanently changed. The sensor is further configured to prevent the fluid flow from permanently changing the sensor state until activation of the sensor from a resting state. A system and method for detecting violation of a temperature limit of an item using the device is also provided.

Abstract: A device for indicating violation of a temperature limit of an item is provided. The device is positionable near the item and includes a sensor configured to change its state permanently when the temperature limit is violated. The change in sensor state is machine-readable to provide a permanent indication of the temperature limit violation. The sensor includes a reservoir for storing a fluid that changes phase from a solid to a liquid when the temperature limit is violated and a channel in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving flow of the fluid in liquid phase from the reservoir. The sensor is arranged to allow flow of the fluid in the liquid phase such that the state of the sensor is permanently changed. The sensor is further configured to prevent the fluid flow from permanently changing the sensor state until activation of the sensor from a resting state. A system and method for detecting violation of a temperature limit of an item using the device is also provided.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for utilizing a nanodevice to distinguish molecules with different structure. The molecules translocate through or across a nanochannel filled with a electrolyte solution. An electrical signal through the nanochannel is measured for every translocation event. Inner surfaces of the nanochannel include a functional layer, which is a coating to functionalize the nanochannel, in which the functional layer is configured to interact with predetermined ones of the molecules during translocation events. It is determined that a combination of at least two different molecules is formed based on predetermined ones of the molecules interacting with the functional layer to change the electrical signal and/or change a translocation time for the translocation event.

Abstract: Q of resonant elements formed over lossy substrates such as in a CMOS process is improved by forming the ground plane of the resonant element immediately over a high impedance layer to reduce cross coupling and eddy currents. A new type of meandering hairpin resonator configuration is also introduced providing, for example, for 4th order cross coupled filters of high selectivity and compact layout.

Abstract: A monolithic antenna element comprises a microstrip patch antenna and a ground plane, with a substrate between the patch antenna and the ground plane. A feeding via extends from the ground plane layer through the substrate to the patch antenna, connecting to the antenna distal from lateral edges of the antenna. A coplanar waveguide (CPW) feed line is formed in the ground plane layer, and interrupts and is electrically distinct from the ground plane. The CPW extends from a lateral edge of the ground layer to the feeding via. The antenna can be flip chip bonded to a CMOS die, reducing cost of millimeter wave transceivers, e.g. 57-64 GHz. The antenna is fabricated using standard PCB technology and a single substrate for the antenna. Antenna arrays can be fabricated. Appropriately designed antenna feeds, flip chip interconnects and antenna shape provide suitably broad antenna bandwidth, with relatively high efficiency.

Abstract: This invention concerns a sub-harmonic homodyne mixer suitable for operation at the millimeter waveband (MMW); for instance the 60 GHz RF radio band. The mixer comprises: A first pair of transistors connected together with common source and common drain, and having an input port across their gates to receive the in-phase voltage signal from a local oscillator. A second pair of transistors also connected together with common source and common drain, and having an input port across their gates to receive the quadrature voltage signal from the local oscillator. Wherein, an input voltage port is defined directly across the common sources of the first and second pairs of transistors, and an output voltage port is defined between the common drains of the first pair of transistors and the common drains of the second pair of transistors. According to another aspect the present invention is a transceiver comprising a mixer according to the first aspect.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for utilizing a nanodevice to distinguish molecules with different structure. The molecules translocate through or across a nanochannel filled with a electrolyte solution. An electrical signal through the nanochannel is measured for every translocation event. Inner surfaces of the nanochannel include a functional layer, which is a coating to functionalize the nanochannel, in which the functional layer is configured to interact with predetermined ones of the molecules during translocation events. It is determined that a combination of at least two different molecules is formed based on predetermined ones of the molecules interacting with the functional layer to change the electrical signal and/or change a translocation time for the translocation event.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for utilizing a nanodevice to distinguish molecules with different structure. The molecules translocate through or across a nanochannel filled with a electrolyte solution. An electrical signal through the nanochannel is measured for every translocation event. Inner surfaces of the nanochannel include a functional layer, which is a coating to functionalize the nanochannel, in which the functional layer is configured to interact with predetermined ones of the molecules during translocation events. It is determined that a combination of at least two different molecules is formed based on predetermined ones of the molecules interacting with the functional layer to change the electrical signal and/or change a translocation time for the translocation event.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for utilizing a nanodevice to distinguish molecules with different structure. The molecules translocate through or across a nanochannel filled with a electrolyte solution. An electrical signal through the nanochannel is measured for every translocation event. Inner surfaces of the nanochannel include a functional layer, which is a coating to functionalize the nanochannel, in which the functional layer is configured to interact with predetermined ones of the molecules during translocation events. It is determined that a combination of at least two different molecules is formed based on predetermined ones of the molecules interacting with the functional layer to change the electrical signal and/or change a translocation time for the translocation event.

Abstract: This invention concerns a sub-harmonic homodyne mixer suitable for operation at the millimetre waveband (MMW); for instance the 60 GHz RF radio band. The mixer comprises: A first pair of transistors connected together with common source and common drain, and having an input port across their gates to receive the in-phase voltage signal from a local oscillator. A second pair of transistors also connected together with common source and common drain, and having an input port across their gates to receive the quadrature voltage signal from the local oscillator. Wherein, an input voltage port is defined directly across the common sources of the first and second pairs of transistors, and an output voltage port is defined between the common drains of the first pair of transistors and the common drains of the second pair of transistors. According to another aspect the present invention is a transceiver comprising a mixer according to the first aspect.

Abstract: A CMOS monolithic transmit/receive switch comprises a single pole double throw switch (SPDT) module operable to selectively connect an antenna port to either a transmit port or to a receive port. A transmit matching network comprising a first transmission line matches the impedance of the transmit port of the SPDT module to a transmit impedance, and a first shunt transistor is operable to selectively ground a transmitter end of the first transmission line. A receive matching network comprising a second transmission line matches the impedance of the receive port of the SPDT module to a receive impedance, and a second shunt transistor is operable to selectively ground a receiver end of the second transmission line.

Abstract: A monolithic antenna element comprises a microstrip patch antenna and a ground plane, with a substrate between the patch antenna and the ground plane. A feeding via extends from the ground plane layer through the substrate to the patch antenna, connecting to the antenna distal from lateral edges of the antenna. A coplanar waveguide (CPW) feed line is formed in the ground plane layer, and interrupts and is electrically distinct from the ground plane. The CPW extends from a lateral edge of the ground layer to the feeding via. The antenna can be flip chip bonded to a CMOS die, reducing cost of millimetre wave transceivers, e.g. 57-64 GHz. The antenna is fabricated using standard PCB technology and a single substrate for the antenna. Antenna arrays can be fabricated. Appropriately designed antenna feeds, flip chip interconnects and antenna shape provide suitably broad antenna bandwidth, with relatively high efficiency.

Abstract: Q of resonant elements formed over lossy substrates such as in a CMOS process is improved by forming the ground plane of the resonant element immediately over a high impedance layer to reduce cross coupling and eddy currents. A new type of meandering hairpin resonator configuration is also introduced providing, for example, for 4th order cross coupled filters of high selectivity and compact layout.

Abstract: A CMOS monolithic transmit/receive switch comprises a single pole double throw switch (SPDT) module operable to selectively connect an antenna port to either a transmit port or to a receive port. A transmit matching network comprising a first transmission line matches the impedance of the transmit port of the SPDT module to a transmit impedance, and a first shunt transistor is operable to selectively ground a transmitter end of the first transmission line. A receive matching network comprising a second transmission line matches the impedance of the receive port of the SPDT module to a receive impedance, and a second shunt transistor is operable to selectively ground a receiver end of the second transmission line.