Abstract: In a field programmable gate array (FPGA) allowing dynamic reconfiguration in time multiplexing fashion, duplicate copies are configured in a time multiplexing manner which are functionally identical to a primary circuit specified for a predetermined FPGA's application. The primary and duplicate circuits are interrogated by a voting circuit which determines the existence of a faulted circuit in order to eliminate the faulted circuit from the operation of the FPGA. In this manner, without physical addition of redundant circuits, fault tolerancy for the FPGA is provided to minimize the cost, weight, volume, heat and energy associated issues of conventional redundance techniques.

Abstract: In a field programmable gate array (FPGA) allowing dynamic reconfiguration in time multiplexing fashion, duplicate copies are configured in a time multiplexing manner which are functionally identical to a primary circuit specified for a predetermined FPGA's application. The primary and duplicate circuits are interrogated by a voting circuit which determines the existence of a faulted circuit in order to eliminate the faulted circuit from the operation of the FPGA. In this manner, without physical addition of redundant circuits, fault tolerancy for the FPGA is provided to minimize the cost, weight, volume, heat and energy associated issues of conventional redundance techniques.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus consisting of a set of parts that can be assembled into a variety of internal-combustion engine analogs. The set of parts comprises a set of platform parts that can be assembled into a platform having a platform rotary axis and a platform reference axis normal to the platform rotary axis and a set of driver parts that can be assembled with a set of platform parts into a driver assembly supported by the platform. The driver assembly comprises one or more drivers, each driver containing a first driver point and a second driver point. The first driver point travels back and forth along a driver line segment while the second driver point travels in a driver circle around a driver-assembly rotary axis.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus consisting of a set of parts that can be assembled into a variety of internal-combustion engine analogs. The set of parts comprises a set of platform parts that can be assembled into a platform having a platform rotary axis and a platform reference axis normal to the platform rotary axis and a set of driver parts that can be assembled with a set of platform parts into a driver assembly supported by the platform. The driver assembly comprises one or more drivers, each driver containing a first driver point and a second driver point. The first driver point travels back and forth along a driver line segment while the second driver point travels in a driver circle around a driver-assembly rotary axis.

Abstract: There is provided a reconfigurable computing system (10) for performing both script and rule processing. Reconfigurable computing system (10) generally includes a script processing module (100); a reconfigurable rule processing module (200); and a controller module (300). Reconfigurable rule processing module (200) includes a working memory portion (210a, 210b), a rule evaluation portion (230), and an interconnection portion (220, 222) for coupling together the working memory (210a, 210b) and rule evaluation (230) portions. The rule evaluation portion (230) is formed by a plurality of inference cells, each of which is configured to generate an inference signal responsive to at least a portion of an input signal. Controller module (300) which is coupled to both script processing module (100) and rule processing module (200) is capable of automatically actuating reconfiguration of rule processing module (200) in accordance with predetermined processing logic.

Abstract: An analog or digital clock having a ferromagnetic pendulum that is magnetically levitated under feeedback-control and that, alternatively, may be (1) driven at a forced oscillation frequency which is decoupled from and asynchronous with the clock's time control element (e.g., a quartz crystal), (2) driven at a forced oscillation frequency which is coupled to and synchronous with the clock's time control element or (3) oscillated at the resonant frequency of the levitated pendulum and this resonant frequency is used as a time control for determining the clock's timing. Such a levitated pendulum clock is useful for both ornamental and educational purposes.

Abstract: An aligning and positioning system for a bonder including a bond sensor for sensing the X, Y and .theta. coordinates of a substrate at the bonding location and a die sensor for sensing the X, Y and .theta. coordinates of the die on a die transport. A controller correlates the sensed coordinates from the sensors and adjusts the X, Y and .theta. of the die and the substrate relative to each other to place the die at a preselected bond site on the substrate. The Z coordinate of the surface of the substrate, as well as its planarity, may be sensed by a Z optical sensor. The X and Y coordinates of the substrate are adjusted and the .theta. coordinate of the die on the die transport is adjusted.A pattern recognition system is used with the die and bond sensors to determine the coordinates as well as quality control of the substrate prior to bonding, the quality of paste pattern on the die or the substrate prior to bonding and the quality of the bond and the coordinates of the die after bonding.