Abstract: A processor device and method for booting a programmable apparatus having a signal bus having a selectable bus width. The processor device includes a microprocessor, a configurable bus interface for coupling the microprocessor to the signal bus, and a first memory. The first memory includes a bus sizing code for instructing the microprocessor for reading initial data from a pre-determined address of a second memory and configuring the bus interface to the bus width that has been selected. The first memory further includes a checksum code for a self-test of the memory, an emulator detect code for skipping the checksum code when control of the microprocessor is transferred to an emulator, a delay code for delaying a start of operation of the programmable apparatus when circuits in the programmable apparatus have a restrictive voltage requirement, and a monitor request code for transferring control to a monitor code when requested by an external user or when a self-test fails.

Abstract: An antenna system comprises a stack of elements that include a GPS patch antenna on a groundplane with an associated low-noise amplifier (LNA), a first Faraday shield of flat ribbon cable covering a first ferrite rod magnetic field antenna, a second ferrite rod magnetic field antenna separated from and orthogonal to the first ferrite rod magnetic field antenna, a second Faraday shield of flat ribbon cable covering the second ferrite rod magnetic field antenna and having a LNA for each of the ferrite rod magnetic field antennas. A third Faraday shield is positioned between the first and second ferrite rod magnetic field antennas. All the Faraday shields are connected to ground such that there are no loops that may act as shorted turns to avoid desensitizing the ferrite rod magnetic field antennas.

Abstract: A drop out trigger captures waveform data when a normally continuous input signal is disrupted or interrupted. In the preferred embodiment, a conventional trigger detects a parameter periodically satisfied by the continuous signal and resets a timer whenever a trigger event occurs. The alarm count of the timer is set for an interval slightly larger than the periodic interval. If the timer reaches the alarm count, a measurement signal is generated.