Abstract: A process control system (PCS) includes a cable connection including physical cables including a first cable for connecting between a process controller and an I/O access device, and an independent second cable for connecting the process controller and a second node being the I/O access device or another device. The I/O access device is for coupling to I/O module(s) to receive an output of the I/O access device. An output of the I/O module is coupled to a field device coupled to processing equipment. The process controller and I/O access device each include a processor and memory that implement send and receive logic for communicating using any of multiple redundancy protocols including a first and a second redundant protocol. The cable connection is for supporting simultaneously communicating between the process controller and the second node utilizing both the first redundant protocol and the second redundant protocol.

Abstract: An irradiation apparatus comprises a plurality of ionising radiation source points (122) configured to output ionising radiation. The plurality of ionising radiation source points (122) is an array distributed around an irradiation volume (140). The array of ionising radiation source points (122) is configured to direct ionising radiation inwardly to the irradiation volume (140). A transport apparatus (130) is configured to support at least one sample (138) to be irradiated. The transport apparatus (130) is configured to transport samples along a linear path through the irradiation volume (140).

Abstract: An irradiation apparatus comprises a plurality of ionising radiation source points (122) configured to output ionising radiation. The plurality of ionising radiation source points (122) is an array distributed around an irradiation volume (140). The array of ionising radiation source points (122) is configured to direct ionising radiation inwardly to the irradiation volume (140). A transport apparatus (130) is configured to support at least one sample (138) to be irradiated within the irradiation volume (140). The transport apparatus (130) is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis (131) lying within the irradiation volume (140).

Abstract: The invention provides an irradiation system, devices, and methods.

Abstract: Content is automatically removed from closed-caption data embedded in a video signal. A closed-caption compliance system decodes a first portion of a first video frame that includes a closed-caption data packet. The system extracts a first character string that includes at least a portion of the closed-caption data packet. The system determines whether the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers. If the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers, then the system encodes at least a first portion of the first character string as a second closed-caption data packet to include in a second video frame. Otherwise, the system modifies the first character string to generate a second character string that is suitable for distribution to viewers; and encodes at least a first portion of the second character string as a third closed-caption data packet to include in the second video frame.

Abstract: Content is automatically removed from closed-caption data embedded in a video signal. A closed-caption compliance system decodes a first portion of a first video frame that includes a closed-caption data packet. The system extracts a first character string that includes at least a portion of the closed-caption data packet. The system determines whether the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers. If the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers, then the system encodes at least a first portion of the first character string as a second closed-caption data packet to include in a second video frame. Otherwise, the system modifies the first character string to generate a second character string that is suitable for distribution to viewers; and encodes at least a first portion of the second character string as a third closed-caption data packet to include in the second video frame.

Abstract: A versatile subject bed for use with one or more test subjects that is configured to keep the subjects sedated throughout either a surgical procedure or imaging process. In embodiments, the subject bed can include interchangeable manifolds allowing the platform to hold up to four subjects at the same time. The interchangeable manifolds can include configurations designed to provide for a single subject, two subjects or four subjects. The four-subject manifold can include an elevated platform that holds two subject side by side and allows the subjects to be stacked during imaging or other procedures. The subject bed can also incorporate an integrated anesthesia channel. Various embodiments include a docking mechanism for easy connection of anesthesia to the platform, as well as an adapter for fitting smaller or multiple subjects simultaneously within the subject bed.

Abstract: Method of forming a protective hard mask layer on a substrate in a semiconductor etch process, comprising the step of applying by solution deposition on the substrate a solution or colloidal dispersion of an alumina polymer, said solution or dispersion being obtained by hydrolysis and condensation of monomers of at least one aluminium oxide precursor in a solvent or a solvent mixture in the presence of water and a catalyst. The invention can be used for making a hard mask in a TSV process to form a high aspect ratio via a structure on a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Method of forming a protective hard mask layer on a substrate in a semiconductor etch process, comprising the step of applying by solution deposition on the substrate a solution or colloidal dispersion of an alumina polymer, said solution or dispersion being obtained by hydrolysis and condensation of monomers of at least one aluminium oxide precursor in a solvent or a solvent mixture in the presence of water and a catalyst. The invention can be used for making a hard mask in a TSV process to form a high aspect ratio via a structure on a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Method of forming a protective hard mask layer on a substrate in a semiconductor etch process, comprising the step of applying by solution deposition on the substrate a solution or colloidal dispersion of an alumina polymer, said solution or dispersion being obtained by hydrolysis and condensation of monomers of at least one aluminum oxide precursor in a solvent or a solvent mixture in the presence of water and a catalyst. The invention can be used for making a hard mask in a TSV process to form a high aspect ratio via a structure on a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods of securely communicating from a sender device to a receiver device on a communication channel are disclosed. One disclosed method is for securely communicating from a sender device to a receiver device on a main channel when an eavesdropper device is listening on an eavesdropper channel. The main channel has an signal-to-noise ratio SNRM, and the eavesdropper channel has a signal-to-noise ratio SNRE. The method comprises encoding a message at a physical layer with a secure error correcting code (SECC) to produce an encoded message, and transmitting the encoded message on the main channel. The SECC has a set of defined characteristics such that when the eavesdropper device is more than a predetermined distance Z from the sender, at least a predefined fraction of the message is unreliable, where the predefined fraction of unreliable bits renders the eavesdropper unable to reliable decode messages on the main channel.

Abstract: A transmitter device (110T) for secure communication includes: an encoder (170) configured to apply a non-systematic error correcting code (NS ECC) to a message, thus producing encoded bits with no clear message bits; and a transceiver (720) configured to transmit the encoded bits over a main channel to a receiver. A method for secure communication includes: encoding a message with an NS ECC to produce an encoded message carrying no message bits in the clear; and transmitting the encoded message over a main channel (120). The NS ECC characteristics result in an eavesdropper channel error probability under a security threshold (320) and a main channel error probability over a reliability threshold (310), whenever an eavesdropper (140) listening on an eavesdropper channel (150) is more than distance Z (220) from the transmitter. Unreliable bits in the encoded bits render the eavesdropper unable to reliably decode messages on the main channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting a puncturing pattern for a low density parity check (LDPC) code are disclosed. One such method comprises: selecting a puncture pattern distribution for the LDPC code; calculating a security threshold and a reliability threshold for the LDPC, the LDPC having the selected puncture pattern distribution and also described by a degree distribution; storing the selected puncture pattern distribution responsive to a security gap for the LDPC being a lowest value encountered in any prior iterations; selecting another puncture pattern distribution for the LDPC code; and repeating the calculating, the storing, and the selecting another puncture pattern distribution steps.

Abstract: Method of forming a protective hard mask layer on a substrate in a semiconductor etch process, comprising the step of applying by solution deposition on the substrate a solution or colloidal dispersion of an alumina polymer, said solution or dispersion being obtained by hydrolysis and condensation of monomers of at least one aluminium oxide precursor in a solvent or a solvent mixture in the presence of water and a catalyst. The invention can be used for making a hard mask in a TSV process to form a high aspect ratio via a structure on a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A top access leveler assembly for leveling a table by use of a pedestal guide barrel, a leveling adjustment screw, and an adjustment driver. The leveling adjustment screw has a lower end with a foot pad and an upper end that can be rotated by the use of an adjustment driver. The adjustment driver is positioned within a cavity of the pedestal guide barrel and is further operated by a knob guide barrel that employs the use of alignment channels to allow the knob guide barrel to be twisted into a position where a spring biases the knob upward to allow ease of rotation. Once the knob is raised, the leveling adjustment screw is accessed from the top wherein the alignment channels allow rotation of the adjustment driver in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction for use in extending the foot pad beneath the base of the table. The alignment guides further allow for the depressing of the guide barrel into the cavity and with a slight rotation places the guide barrel in a recessed position when not in use.

Abstract: The present invention describes systems and methods for providing physical layer security. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing physical layer security involving receiving message data at a pre-processing device in a wireless transmission device. Furthermore, the method of providing physical layer security involves pre-processing the message data into channel data with the pre-processing device and transmitting the channel data from the wireless transmission device over a wireless transmission link having a path loss. Subsequently, the method of providing physical layer security involves receiving the channel data at a post-processing module in a reception device. Additionally, the method involves post-processing the channel data into the message data with the post-processing module, such that an unauthorized reception device is unable to post-process the channel data when a path loss experienced over the transmission link is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing opportunistic security for physical communication channels are disclosed. One disclosed method is for opportunistic secure communication on a main channel between a sender device and a receiver device when an eavesdropper device is listening on an eavesdropper channel. This example method includes transmitting, in a first time period in which signal quality on the main channel is better than signal quality on the eavesdropper channel, symbols that are randomly selected from a set of symbols. The method also includes transmitting, in a second time period in which signal quality on the main channel is not better than signal quality on the eavesdropper channel, coding information associated with the randomly selected symbols. The method also includes reconciling the randomly selected symbols using the coding information.

Abstract: A transmitter device (110T) for secure communication includes: an encoder (170) configured to apply a non-systematic error correcting code (NS ECC) to a message, thus producing encoded bits with no clear message bits; and a transceiver (720) configured to transmit the encoded bits over a main channel to a receiver. A method for secure communication includes: encoding a message with an NS ECC to produce an encoded message carrying no message bits in the clear; and transmitting the encoded message over a main channel (120). The NS ECC characteristics result in an eavesdropper channel error probability under a security threshold (320) and a main channel error probability over a reliability threshold (310), whenever an eavesdropper (140) listening on an eavesdropper channel (150) is more than distance Z (220) from the transmitter. Unreliable bits in the encoded bits render the eavesdropper unable to reliably decode messages on the main channel.

Abstract: A top access leveler assembly for leveling a table by use of a pedestal guide barrel, a leveling adjustment screw, and an adjustment driver. The leveling adjustment screw has a lower end with a foot pad and an upper end that can be rotated by the use of an adjustment driver. The adjustment driver is positioned within a cavity of the pedestal guide barrel and is further operated by a knob guide barrel that employs the use of alignment channels to allow the knob guide barrel to be twisted into a position where a spring biases the knob upward to allow ease of rotation. Once the knob is raised, the leveling adjustment screw is accessed from the top wherein the alignment channels allow rotation of the adjustment driver in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction for use in extending the foot pad beneath the base of the table. The alignment guides further allow for the depressing of the guide barrel into the cavity and with a slight rotation places the guide barrel in a recessed position when not in use.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting a puncturing pattern for a low density parity check (LDPC) code are disclosed. One such method comprises: selecting a puncture pattern distribution for the LDPC code; calculating a security threshold and a reliability threshold for the LDPC, the LDPC having the selected puncture pattern distribution and also described by a degree distribution; storing the selected puncture pattern distribution responsive to a security gap for the LDPC being a lowest value encountered in any prior iterations; selecting another puncture pattern distribution for the LDPC code; and repeating the calculating, the storing, and the selecting another puncture pattern distribution steps.