Abstract: An immobilization system for watercraft includes a transponder mounted within a lanyard clip and a communication device mounted to be in the vicinity of the trasponder when the lanyard member is engaged with the kill switch assembly. The transponder emits a security code which is received by the communication device and is compared to a predetermined authorized security code. If the transponder does not include the correct security code, the engine will not start or will be killed.

Abstract: A watercraft having a speed measuring system which provides for accurate and consistent measurement of watercraft speed throughout the operation of the watercraft, including during violent maneuvers and/or sharp turns. The speed measuring system includes a ride plate assembly for a personal watercraft comprising a sensor and a plate. The sensor generally includes a moveable element and a housing supporting at least a portion of the moveable element. The plate includes a longitudinally-extending channel with the channel extending along at least a portion of the length of the plate. The housing is connected to an aft portion of the plate with at least a portion of the rotatable element being positioned in line with the channel.

Abstract: A GPS-fitted small watercraft in which one or more GPS antennas are attached to the watercraft in a manner that provides good protection from waves and good signal reception. For a watercraft having a hull member and a deck member joined together at their perimeters, with a gunwale formed at and protruding outwardly from the joined perimeters, the GPS antenna(s) is mounted inwardly from the gunwale on the deck or hull member. Alternatively, the GPS antenna(s) may be mounted to an outside or inside surface of the deck member, on a pad located on a set of handlebars, near a grip of the handlebars, atop or inside a small cargo hatch, on a hatch beneath the handlebars, on a grab bar behind a seat of the watercraft, on a top surface of a bulwark, or on a side wall of the watercraft between the gunwale and a chine of the hull member, either on the inside or outside.

Abstract: An adjustable sponson system for a watercraft includes a coupling mechanism that allows the position of the sponsons relative to the hull of the watercraft to be varied by the operator of the watercraft while seated on the watercraft. The adjustable sponson system includes a pair of actuators which move the sponsons relative to the hull. A remotely positioned operator controls the actuator. The operator desirably is positioned on the watercraft so as to be easily operated by the rider when riding.

Abstract: A watercraft includes an improved display arrangement located in a steering operator for steering of the watercraft. The steering operator has at least one hand grip. The display arrangement includes a visual display and a display controller connected to the visual display so as to control the display of watercraft operational information on the visual display. The display controller establishes at least two display modes for the visual display to change the type of operational information displayed. A selector is supported by the steering operator near the grip for easy use by the watercraft operator in changing the display modes of the visual display with the display controller.

Abstract: An arrangement of a speed sensor on a personal watercraft better shields the sensor from damage while simplifying the layout and arrangement of the sensor on the underside of the watercraft hull. The hull includes a pump chamber formed in part by a front wall. The speed sensor is attached to the wall with a portion of the sensor projecting below a housing of the sensor. A ride plate covers a lower opening of the pump chamber and fits about the sensor housing. In this location, the speed sensor does not interfere with the arrangement or operation of steering or trim mechanisms used with a jet propulsion unit housed within the pump chamber. The speed sensor also is generally protected in this location and is not visible from the rear of the watercraft to improve the watercraft's aesthetics.

Abstract: An offset cancel circuit includes two terminals, an output terminal and two intermediate nodes. When the offset cancel circuit is in a first state, the offset cancel circuit supplies a potential difference responsive to a difference in potential between the two terminals between the two intermediate nodes and supplies a potential responsive to both the potential difference supplied between the two intermediate nodes and a first potential to the output terminal. On the other hand, when the offset cancel circuit is in a second state, the offset cancel circuit supplies a potential difference responsive to the difference in potential between the two terminals between the two intermediate nodes and supplies a potential responsive to both the potential difference supplied between the two intermediate nodes and a second potential to the output terminal.

Abstract: A baud rate generator has a first oscillator that generates a first clock signal, and a second oscillator that generates a second clock signal with higher frequency but lower frequency accuracy. The first oscillator employs an external resonator but the second does not. The baud rate generator uses the first clock signal to measure the frequency of the second clock signal, then determines a division ratio by which to divide the frequency of the second clock signal, then divides the second clock signal by this division ratio to generate a crock signal for use in serial communication.

Abstract: An RC oscillator for varying an oscillation frequency which has a counter for counting a clock pulse of the oscillation frequency and for outputting a counted value in a form of a plurality of bits to an output terminal. It also includes a standard capacitor, a plurality of capacitors having a capacitance value in proportion to a weight of bits outputted from the counter, and a plurality of switches connected to one end of each capacitor for selectively connecting the capacitors in parallel. A plurality of first gate circuits control the switches connected thereto in response to an output of the counter, each first gate circuit has an input terminal connected to an output terminal of the counter and an output terminal connected to a control terminal of the switches.

Abstract: An analog switch includes n-channel and p-channel MOSFETs formed in a surface of a semiconductor substrate. Each of the n-channel and p-channel MOSFETs has first, second and third diffused regions which are formed in the semiconductor surface with the width thereof substantially equal to each other. The first and third diffused regions are spaced from the second diffused region to form first and second channel regions, respectively. Each of the n-channel and p-channel MOSFETs has first and second gate electrodes which are interconnected in common to each other and placed on respective gate insulating layers overlaying the first and second channel regions, respectively. The first gate electrode has an end portion extending over part of the second diffused region by a predetermined length, while the second gate electrode has an end portion extending over another part, opposite to the earlier-mentioned part, of the second diffused region by a predetermined length.