Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing operations comprising: accessing, by a transmitter physical layer (PHY) controller, data for transmission to a receiver PHY controller over a network connection; randomizing a delimiter independently of randomizing the data; selecting a disparity reset value based on the randomized delimiter to generate an initial miming disparity; encoding the randomized data based on the initial running disparity; generating a frame that includes the encoded randomized data and the randomized delimiter; and transmitting the frame from the transmitter PHY controller to the receiver PHY controller.

Abstract: There is provided a power conditioning circuit including positive and negative power input nodes. An inductor includes a first terminal connected to a positive power input node and a second terminal connected to a positive power output node, the inductor allowing the voltage at the positive power output node to be modulated by data that is sent through a communication interface. A first node is present between the second terminal of the inductor and the positive power output node, and a clamping circuit is connected at the first node to a second node. The clamping circuit is configured to clamp a voltage increase across the inductor to less than a maximum increase. The second node is configured to be continuously held at a voltage higher than the voltage of the first terminal of the inductor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing operations comprising: accessing, by a transmitter physical layer (PHY) controller, data for transmission to a receiver PHY controller over a network connection; randomizing a delimiter independently of randomizing the data; selecting a disparity reset value based on the randomized delimiter to generate an initial miming disparity; encoding the randomized data based on the initial running disparity; generating a frame that includes the encoded randomized data and the randomized delimiter; and transmitting the frame from the transmitter PHY controller to the receiver PHY controller.

Abstract: There is provided a device comprising a channel equalizer and a monitoring device, wherein the device is configured to establish a point-to-point network connection with a connected device via a network cable, by executing an initial training cycle so data received via the network cable is readable by the device. The channel equalizer is configured to continuously adapt to characteristics of the network cable by continuous training of the channel equalizer to help maintain the network connection, and the monitoring device is configured to monitor signals received from the network cable for out-of-range signals, to temporarily interrupt the continuous training of the channel equalizer when out-of-range signals are detected, and to resume the continuous training once the out-of-range signals are no longer detected without executing the initial training cycle again.

Abstract: There is provided a power conditioning circuit including positive and negative power input nodes. An inductor includes a first terminal connected to a positive power input node and a second terminal connected to a positive power output node, the inductor allowing the voltage at the positive power output node to be modulated by data that is sent through a communication interface. A first node is present between the second terminal of the inductor and the positive power output node, and a clamping circuit is connected at the first node to a second node. The clamping circuit is configured to clamp a voltage increase across the inductor to less than a maximum increase. The second node is configured to be continuously held at a voltage higher than the voltage of the first terminal of the inductor.

Abstract: There is provided a method for supporting full duplex communication between a local PHY and a remote PHY via a single balanced pair of conductors. The method comprises for each PHY receiving a binary data stream and converting the binary data stream into a ternary symbol stream, wherein the conversion comprises: converting each nibble of the binary data stream directly into one respective triplet of ternary symbols for the ternary symbol stream, and limiting a maximum allowed number of consecutive positive symbols or consecutive negative symbols of the ternary symbol stream to 5 symbols or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the propensity of a fluid for calcification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the propensity of a fluid for calcification.

Abstract: There is provided an interface circuit, a network switch or network device coupler incorporating the interface circuit, and a network incorporating the network switch or network device. The interface circuit has a data bus interface (7) for connecting a data bus to either a first device (6) that communicates in a first signalling protocol or a second device (6) that communicates in a second signalling protocol. The data bus has two bus conductors that provide combined power and data. A voltage source (12) powers the data bus. The voltage source (12) is connected to the data bus via a reactance (10) and then a first resistance (4) connected in series. An output of a transmitter (13) is connected via a second resistance (3) to a point between the reactance (10) and the first resistance, to modulate the data bus.

Abstract: A segment of a two wire combined power and data network for automation has a trunk, a spur mounted thereon and a fault protection device. The fault protection device includes a controller adapted to monitor the spur current, and isolation means to fully or partially isolate the spur from the trunk upon receiving of an activation signal from controller. The controller comprises a failure status determination algorithm comprising an intermittent fault count over time step and a fault duration step. The intermittent fault count step is satisfied if a pre-determined number of separate faults are detected over a first time period. The fault duration step is satisfied if a fault is detected which persists for longer than a second time period. The controller issues the activation signal upon determination of a failure status on the spur which satisfies the intermittent fault count and/or the fault duration step of the algorithm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the propensity of a fluid for calcification characterized by the following steps: (i) adding a soluble calcium salt and a soluble phosphate salt to a sample of the fluid; (ii) incubating the sample at conditions allowing the formation of calciprotein particles (CPPs); and (iii) determining one or more of the following: (a) the rate of the formation of primary and/or secondary CPPs; (b) the amount of primary and/or secondary CPPs; and/or (c) the rate of the transition of primary CPPs into secondary CPPs, wherein an increase in one or more of (a), (b) and/or (c) of step (iii) indicates an increased propensity of the fluid for calcification.

Abstract: There is provided an interface circuit, a network switch or network device coupler incorporating the interface circuit, and a network incorporating the network switch or network device. The interface circuit has a data bus interface (7) for connecting a data bus to either a first device (6) that communicates in a first signalling protocol or a second device (6) that communicates in a second signalling protocol. The data bus has two bus conductors that provide combined power and data. A voltage source (12) powers the data bus. The voltage source (12) is connected to the data bus via a reactance (10) and then a first resistance (4) connected in series. An output of a transmitter (13) is connected via a second resistance (3) to a point between the reactance (10) and the first resistance, to modulate the data bus.

Abstract: A fault protection circuit for use on a spur of an IEC 61158 Fieldbus network comprising a fast acting current limiter adapted to limit the spur current to the level of a reference current when the spur current reaches said reference current, control means adapted to monitor the spur AC and/or DC current and/or voltage, and isolation means adapted to apply a shunt short circuit isolation to said spur upon receipt of an activation signal from the control means, in which the control means is adapted to control the level of the reference current, and in which when said control means detects one or more pre-determined fault conditions on said spur it activates the isolation means and lowers the level of reference current.

Abstract: A segment of a two wire combined power and data network system for automation comprising a trunk, a spur mounted thereon and a fault protection device, in which said fault protection device comprises a control means adapted to monitor the current of said spur, and isolation means adapted to fully or partially isolate said spur from said trunk upon receipt of an activation signal from said control means, in which said control means comprises a failure status determination algorithm comprising an intermittent fault count over time step and a fault duration step, in which said intermittent fault count over time step is satisfied if a pre-determined number of separate faults are detected over a first pre-determined time period, in which said fault duration step is satisfied if a fault is detected which persists for longer than a second pre-determined time period, and in which said control means issues said activation signal upon determination of a failure status on said spur which satisfies the intermittent fault

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the propensity of a fluid for calcification characterized by the following steps: (i) adding a soluble calcium salt and a soluble phosphate salt to a sample of said fluid; (ii) incubating said sample at conditions allowing the formation of calciprotein particles (CPPs); and (iii) determining one or more of the following: (a) the rate of the formation of primary and/or secondary CPPs; (b) the amount of primary and/or secondary CPPs; and/or (c) the rate of the transition of primary CPPs into secondary CPPs, wherein an increase in one or more of (a), (b) and/or (c) of step (iii) indicates an increased propensity of said fluid for calcification.

Abstract: A data signal generation device comprising a microprocessor and a digital potential divider, in which the microprocessor is adapted to generate a square wave output signal, and in which the digital potential divider is adapted to receive said square wave output signal, and to ramp up and down an output signal voltage and/or current according to state transitions in said square wave output signal.

Abstract: A fault protection circuit for use on a spur of an IEC 61158 Fieldbus network comprising a fast acting current limiter adapted to limit the spur current to the level of a reference current when the spur current reaches said reference current, control means adapted to monitor the spur AC and/or DC current and/or voltage, and isolation means adapted to apply a shunt short circuit isolation to said spur upon receipt of an activation signal from the control means, in which the control means is adapted to control the level of the reference current, and in which when said control means detects one or more pre-determined fault conditions on said spur it activates the isolation means and lowers the level of reference current.

Abstract: An electrical communications circuit comprising a power supply, a trunk section, a spur section, isolation means disposed between the trunk section and the spur section, diagnostics apparatus connected to the trunk section and a field device connected to the spur section, in which the field device is adapted to send data signals over the communications circuit, which data signals comprise one or more core functions, in which the communications circuit and/or the data signals function under one or more pre-determined normal operating parameters, in which the diagnostics apparatus is adapted to detect one or more pre-determined breaches of said normal operating parameters, in which a spur diagnostics module is connected to the spur section and is adapted to monitor electrical characteristics of the spur section, in which the spur diagnostics module comprises interference means adapted to interfere with the communications circuit and/or the data signals sent thereon such that said one or more pre-determined brea

Abstract: An electrical circuit has a power supply, one or more devices and a diagnostics system. The diagnostics system includes a monitoring means adapted to monitor physical layer characteristics of the electrical circuit, a database containing circuit design data for the electrical circuit, and comparator means adapted to diagnose the status of the monitored physical layer characteristics of the electrical circuit by comparing them with the circuit design data.

Abstract: An electrical communications circuit comprising a power supply, a trunk section, a spur section, isolation means disposed between the trunk section and the spur section, diagnostics apparatus connected to the trunk section and a field device connected to the spur section, in which the field device is adapted to send data signals over the communications circuit, which data signals comprise one or more core functions, in which the communications circuit and/or the data signals function under one or more pre-determined normal operating parameters, in which the diagnostics apparatus is adapted to detect one or more pre-determined breaches of said normal operating parameters, in which a spur diagnostics module is connected to the spur section and is adapted to monitor electrical characteristics of the spur section, in which the spur diagnostics module comprises interference means adapted to interfere with the communications circuit and/or the data signals sent thereon such that said one or more pre-determined brea