Abstract: A switching method, including: electrically coupling a switching circuit to a first impedance circuit, a second impedance circuit, a positive terminal of a frequency generation circuit and a negative terminal of the frequency generation circuit; adjusting an impedance value of the second impedance circuit according to a first clock signal and a second clock signal outputted by the frequency generation circuit; periodically conducting the negative terminal to one of the first impedance circuit and the second impedance circuit by a first switching unit of the switching circuit; and periodically conducting the positive terminal to the other one of the first impedance circuit and the second impedance circuit by a second switching unit of the switching circuit.

Abstract: A frequency locked loop circuit, comprising an operational circuit, a first impedance circuit, a second impedance circuit, a switching circuit and a frequency generation circuit. The operational circuit is configured to output an operational signal according to a voltage difference between a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The switching circuit is configured to periodically conduct the negative terminal to one of the first impedance node and the second impedance node, and periodically conduct the positive terminal to the other one of the first impedance node and the second impedance node. The frequency generation circuit is configured to periodically sample the operational signal to generate a sample signal to generate a clock signal. An operational frequency of the operational signal is an integer multiple of a sampling frequency of the frequency generation circuit.

Abstract: A safe following distance estimation system and an estimation method thereof are provided. The safe following distance estimation system adapted for an autonomous vehicle includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor senses an adjacent vehicle to generate first sensing data, and senses the autonomous vehicle to generate second sensing data. The processor estimates a first friction parameter between wheels of the adjacent vehicle and a pavement according to pavement material data, and estimates a second friction parameter between wheels of the autonomous vehicle and the pavement according to the second sensing data. The processor calculates a safe following distance between the autonomous vehicle and the adjacent vehicle according to the first sensing data, the second sensing data, the first friction parameter, the second friction parameter.

Abstract: A switching method, including: electrically coupling a switching circuit to a first impedance circuit, a second impedance circuit, a positive terminal of a frequency generation circuit and a negative terminal of the frequency generation circuit; adjusting an impedance value of the second impedance circuit according to a first clock signal and a second clock signal outputted by the frequency generation circuit; periodically conducting the negative terminal to one of the first impedance circuit and the second impedance circuit by a first switching unit of the switching circuit; and periodically conducting the positive terminal to the other one of the first impedance circuit and the second impedance circuit by a second switching unit of the switching circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus leverages a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process chamber with a wafer-to-target distance of approximately 400 millimeters to deposit tantalum film on through silicon via (TSV) structures. The PVD process chamber includes a source that is configured with dual magnet source compensation. The PVD chamber also includes an upper electromagnet assembly exterior to the chamber body in close proximity to the source, a magnetron assembly in the source including dual magnets with dual radius trajectories, a shield within the chamber body, and a plurality of grounding loops that are symmetrically spaced about a periphery of a substrate support assembly and are configured to provide an RF ground return path between the substrate support assembly and the shield.

Abstract: A central connector for a universal joint and a universal joint utilizing said central connector. The central connector includes a substantially cylindrical body. The connector further includes a first and second pair of arms positioned orthogonal to one another. The body of the central connector also includes a male spherically concave surface between the first pair of arms, a female spherically concave surface between the second pair of arms. The body further defines an opening allowing communication between the male and female spherically concave surfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for inspecting installation of a fastener. One method includes monitoring hydraulic pressure of a tool that is installing the fastener, detecting that the hydraulic pressure has dropped by more than a threshold amount within a period of time, determining that a pintail of the fastener has snapped in response to the detecting, and reducing the hydraulic pressure in response to the determining.

Abstract: A safe following distance estimation system and an estimation method thereof are provided. The safe following distance estimation system adapted for an autonomous vehicle includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor senses an adjacent vehicle to generate first sensing data, and senses the autonomous vehicle to generate second sensing data. The processor estimates a first friction parameter between wheels of the adjacent vehicle and a pavement according to pavement material data, and estimates a second friction parameter between wheels of the autonomous vehicle and the pavement according to the second sensing data. The processor calculates a safe following distance between the autonomous vehicle and the adjacent vehicle according to the first sensing data, the second sensing data, the first friction parameter, the second friction parameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a magnetic field external to a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber to improve etch or deposition uniformity on a substrate disposed inside of the PVD chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process chamber, includes a chamber body defining an interior volume therein; a pedestal disposed in the interior volume for supporting a substrate; a coil disposed in the interior volume above the pedestal; and an external magnet assembly, comprising: a housing coupled to the chamber body; and a plurality of magnets disposed external to the chamber body coupled to the housing and arranged asymmetrically about the chamber body.

Abstract: A signal receiver includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a load circuit, an amplifying circuit and a load circuit. The first transistor has a first end receiving a power voltage, and a control end receive a first input signal. The second transistor has a first end receiving the power voltage, and a control end receiving a second input signal, wherein the first input signal and the second input signal are differential signals and transit between a first voltage and a reference ground voltage, the first voltage is larger than the power voltage. The load circuit is coupled to the first transistor and the second transistor. The amplifying circuit generates an output signal according a first signal on the second end of the first transistor and a second signal on the second end of the second transistor.

Abstract: An adjustable sander having a body and a flexible base. The flexible base includes a first end and a second end spaced apart from one another. The first end and second end are each pivotally attached to the body. The flexible base is configured to move between a concave configuration, a neutral configuration, and a convex configuration relative to the body. The adjustable sander further includes a removable sanding surface affixed to a surface of the flexible base that is distal from the body. The adjustable sander also includes a locking mechanism configured to selectively hold the flexible base in a desired concave, neutral or convex configuration. The locking mechanism is characterized in that it includes an axial having a head and a shaft having a series of shaft notches.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to applications (e.g., classification of biological samples) of the analysis of the count and size of cell-free nucleic acids, e.g., plasma DNA and serum DNA, including nucleic acids from pathogens, such as viruses. Embodiments of one application can predict if a subject previously treated for a pathology will relapse at a future time point. Targeted sequencing (e.g., specifically designed capture probes, amplification primers) can be used to identify DNA across the entire viral genome.

Abstract: Magnet assemblies comprising a housing with a top plate each comprising aligned openings are described. The housing has a bottom ring and an annular wall with a plurality of openings formed in the bottom ring. The top plate is on the housing and has a plurality of openings aligned with the plurality of openings in the bottom ring of the housing. The magnet assembly may also include a non-conducting base plate and/or a conductive cover plate. Methods for using the magnet assembly and magnetic field tuning are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of deposition rings for use in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a deposition ring includes: an annular body; an inner wall extending upward from an inner portion of the annular body; and an outer wall extending upward form an outer portion of the annular body to define a large deposition cavity between the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein a width of the large deposition cavity is about 0.35 inches to about 0.60 inches, wherein the outer wall includes an outer ledge and an inner ledge raised with respect to the outer ledge.

Abstract: A method for installing a fastener system. A position on a structure relative to an overhang on the structure is automatically sensed for installing a fastener system in a hole using an offset collar installer. The offset collar installer is moved about a rotation axis to the position such that a collar in the fastener system is held in the position over the hole. The offset collar installer is connected to a platform and rotatable about the rotation axis. The collar is fastened to an engagement feature for a bolt in the hole.

Abstract: A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a detector and reflector for automation cell safety and identification are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method for machinery safety comprises transmitting, by an active transponder, at least one interrogation signal. The method further comprises receiving, by at least one passive transponder located on a user or on an item, the interrogation signal(s). Also, the method comprises generating, by a non-linear device of the passive transponder(s) in response to the interrogation signal(s), at least one response signal. In addition, the method comprises receiving, by the active transponder, the response signal(s). Additionally, the method comprises determining, by at least one processor, a location of the passive transponder(s) based on the response signal(s). Further, the method comprises determining, by the processor(s), whether the passive transponder(s) is located within a threshold distance away from machinery by using the location of the passive transponder(s).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a barrier layer are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming a barrier layer on a substrate includes treating an exposed layer deposited on a substrate and within a feature of the substrate by pulsing a bias power applied to a substrate support supporting the substrate while exposing the layer to a plasma. The exposed layer can be deposited by an atomic layer deposition process, and can be, for example, a tantalum nitride layer. The bias power can be up to 500 watts of RF power at a pulse frequency of about 1 Hz to about 10 kHz. The bias power can be pulsed uniformly or at multiple different levels.

Abstract: A switching method, including: electrically coupling a switching circuit to a first impedance circuit, a second impedance circuit, a positive terminal of a frequency generation circuit and a negative terminal of the frequency generation circuit; adjusting an impedance value of the second impedance circuit according to a first clock signal and a second clock signal outputted by the frequency generation circuit; periodically conducting the negative terminal to one of the first impedance circuit and the second impedance circuit by a first switching unit of the switching circuit; and periodically conducting the positive terminal to the other one of the first impedance circuit and the second impedance circuit by a second switching unit of the switching circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fastening via a swage tool. One embodiment is a method for fastening via a swage tool. The method includes steps of selecting a hole located at a part, aligning an axis of a lockbolt collar with a center of the hole, placing the lockbolt collar flush against the part at a first end of the hole, and swaging the lockbolt collar onto a lockbolt that has been driven through the hole. This securely fastens the lockbolt collar to the lockbolt.