Abstract: A method of determining solar radiation exposure at a predetermined location is provided. The method may include generating a first two-dimensional (2D) matrix including a plurality of elements, wherein each element of the plurality of elements of the first 2D matrix includes an elevation/azimuth pair representing a light ray extending from the predetermined location to one or more positions in the sky. The method may further include generating a second 2D matrix including a plurality of elements, wherein each index of the second 2D matrix includes an associated elevation/azimuth pair of the first 2D matrix. Each element of the plurality of elements of the second 2D matrix represents an amount of solar radiation to impinge on the predetermined location from a direction of a respective elevation/azimuth pair.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to carrier device, and related systems. A device may include a handle and at least one attachment device coupled to the handle. The at least one attachment device may be configured to couple to a solar module, wherein each attachment device includes at least one of a channel for receiving a portion of a frame of the solar module.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a carrier device. A device may include a handle and at least one attachment device coupled to the handle. The at least one attachment device may be configured to couple to a solar module, wherein each attachment device includes at least one of a channel for receiving a portion of a frame of the solar module and a clamp for securing the solar module.

Abstract: A method of determining solar radiation exposure at a predetermined location is provided. The method may include generating a first two-dimensional (2D) matrix including a plurality of elements, wherein each element of the plurality of elements of the first 2D matrix includes an elevation/azimuth pair representing a light ray extending from the predetermined location to one or more positions in the sky. The method may further include generating a second 2D matrix including a plurality of elements, wherein each index of the second 2D matrix includes an associated elevation/azimuth pair of the first 2D matrix. Each element of the plurality of elements of the second 2D matrix represents an amount of solar radiation to impinge on the predetermined location from a direction of a respective elevation/azimuth pair.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a carrier device. A device may include a handle and at least one attachment device coupled to the handle. The at least one attachment device may be configured to couple to a solar module, wherein each attachment device includes at least one of a channel for receiving a portion of a frame of the solar module and a clamp for securing the solar module.

Abstract: A method for determining solar access at a position includes: obtaining an image of a horizon that includes a skyline; determining the azimuth orientation and the inclination of the obtained image; and determining solar access based on the skyline within the obtained image, the measured azimuth orientation and inclination of the obtained image, and a position associated with the image of the horizon. Other features and embodiments relating to solar access measurement are disclosed.

Abstract: A Solar Access Measurement Device (“SAMD”) located at a predetermined position is disclosed. The SAMID may include a skyline detector enabled to detect a skyline of a horizon relative to the SAMD, an orientation determination unit enabled to determine the orientation of the skyline detector, and a processor in signal communication with the skyline detector and orientation determination unit.

Abstract: A system includes providing a first signal in response to a received signal that has a first timing relationship to an applied signal, adjusting the phase of the first signal to provide a second signal, receiving the second signal and generating a strobe based on a counted number of cycles of the second signal, wherein the strobe has a second timing relationship to the applied signal that is based on the counted number of cycles of the second signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a digital data signal. The method includes identifying at least one region of a waveform such as an Eye Diagram that contains information for determining at least one characteristic of interest of the digital data signal. Sufficient samples of the digital data signal are then taken to fully construct only the identified at least one region of the Eye Diagram without fully constructing the entire Eye diagram, and the at least one characteristic of interest is then determined from the fully constructed at least one region of the Eye Diagram.

Abstract: Sampling is performed. A strobe signal is generated from a first signal. Multiple sampled signals are sampled using the strobe signal. Each of the multiple sampled signals is synchronous with its own clock reference and each of clock references are asynchronous with respect to each other. Analog-to-digital conversion is performed on each sampled value of each of the multiple sampled signals. For each of the clock references that is not synchronous with the first signal, a phase comparison is performed between the clock reference and the first signal to produce a difference value. The difference value indicates a phase difference between the clock reference and the first signal. Analog-to-digital conversion of the difference value is performed at a frequency determined by the strobe signal.

Abstract: Sampling is performed. A strobe signal is generated from a first signal. Multiple sampled signals are sampled using the strobe signal. Each of the multiple sampled signals is synchronous with its own clock reference and each of clock references are asynchronous with respect to each other. Analog-to-digital conversion is performed on each sampled value of each of the multiple sampled signals. For each of the clock references that is not synchronous with the first signal, a phase comparison is performed between the clock reference and the first signal to produce a difference value. The difference value indicates a phase difference between the clock reference and the first signal. Analog-to-digital conversion of the difference value is performed at a frequency determined by the strobe signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a digital data signal. The method includes identifying at least one region of a waveform such as an Eye Diagram that contains information for determining at least one characteristic of interest of the digital data signal. Sufficient samples of the digital data signal are then taken to fully construct only the identified at least one region of the Eye Diagram without fully constructing the entire Eye diagram, and the at least one characteristic of interest is then determined from the fully constructed at least one region of the Eye Diagram.

Abstract: Signal sampling is performed. A sampler takes samples of a sampled signal. A first analog-to-digital (A/D) converter receives the samples from the sampler. A clock reference is synchronous with the sampled signal. A phase comparator produces a difference value that indicates a phase difference between the clock reference and an oscillating signal. A second A/D converter receives the difference value. The oscillating signal is used in controlling when the sampler takes samples of the sampled signal.

Abstract: A timebase establishes the timing of samples acquired by a signal sampler relative to a trigger signal that is synchronous with an input signal applied to the signal sampler. The synchronous trigger activates a first pair of samplers included in the timebase to acquire samples of a reference signal and of a shifted version of the reference signal provided within the timebase. A divider receives the reference signal and divides the frequency of the reference signal by a predesignated divisor, and a third sampler included in the timebase acquires samples of this divided reference signal, also according to the synchronous trigger. The samples of the input signal are acquired by the signal sampler according to the divided reference signal. A timing analyzer determines the timing of these acquired samples of the input signal relative to the synchronous trigger, based on the acquired samples of the reference signal, the shifted reference signal and the divided reference signal.

Abstract: A timebase establishes the timing of samples acquired by a signal sampler relative to a trigger signal that is synchronous with an input signal applied to the signal sampler. The synchronous trigger activates a first pair of samplers included in the timebase to acquire samples of a reference signal and of a shifted version of the reference signal provided within the timebase. A divider receives the reference signal and divides the frequency of the reference signal by a predesignated divisor, and a third sampler included in the timebase acquires samples of this divided reference signal, also according to the synchronous trigger. The samples of the input signal are acquired by the signal sampler according to the divided reference signal. A timing analyzer determines the timing of these acquired samples of the input signal relative to the synchronous trigger, based on the acquired samples of the reference signal, the shifted reference signal and the divided reference signal.

Abstract: A timebase establishes the timing of samples acquired by a signal sampler relative to a trigger signal that is synchronous with a signal applied to the signal sampler. A first pair of samplers included in the timebase acquires samples of a reference signal and of a shifted version of the reference signal provided within the timebase, according to a synchronous trigger, to establish a first time position on the reference signal. A second pair of samplers included in the timebase acquires samples of the reference signal and the shifted reference signal according to the synchronous trigger as delayed by a programmed time interval, to establish a second time position on the reference signal. While the programmed time interval is adjusted to designate timing of the sample acquisitions by the signal sampler, the two pairs of samplers in conjunction with a timing analyzer accurately determine the timing of these sample acquisitions based on the established time positions on the reference signal.

Abstract: An internally triggered equivalent-time sampling system characterizes high-speed data signals having a predetermined nominal data rate by using an internal oscillator that runs independent of a synchronous trigger signal. The sampling system acquires samples of the data signal at a strobe rate, set by the oscillator, which is lower than the nominal data rate of the data signal. The samples, the strobe rate, and the nominal data rate are communicated to a quality optimizer which compensates for static rate deviations between the nominal data rate and the actual data rate of the data signal to establish timing correspondence between the acquired samples. The timing correspondence establishes the time placement of the acquired samples when characterizing the data signal on a display or other output device. When the oscillator has high timing stability relative to the data signal, jitter and other attributes of the data signal are accurately characterized.

Abstract: A variable optical delay element that is physically compact introduces time delays to an applied optical signal. The variable optical delay element includes a pair of substantially parallel members, each having a linear reflective surface facing the reflective surface of the other member. An input lens secured to a first end of the first linear member collimates an optical beam launched by an input fiber while an output lens secured to a second member focuses the collimated optical beam onto an optical output fiber. A first actuator adjusts the offset relationship between the members in a direction parallel to the pair of members to designate the number of reflections of the collimated optical beam by the reflective surfaces before being received by the output lens. A second actuator adjusts the distance separating the linear reflectors. The optical signal is delayed by a predefined time interval by adjusting the offset positions of the members and the distance separating the members.