Abstract: An entrapped detection device of an opening-closing member which is opening and closing an opening portion of a vehicle body includes a driving power source for moves the opening-closing member, a motivity transmission member provided between the opening-closing member and the driving power source, a deformation member configured to be deformed via the motivity transmission member in accordance with the load applied to the opening-closing member at an opening-closing operation of the opening-closing member, a strain gauge assembled to the deformation member and configured to convert a strain according to the deformation of the deformation member to an electric signal and a control mechanism for detecting an entrapment of an external object based on the electric signal from the strain gauge, a detection device for entrapment of an opening-closing member.

Abstract: An input signal Va is compared with a limitation signal Vlim. When the input signal Va exceeds the limitation signal Vlim, an excess (Va−Vlim) is obtained as an excess signal Vext. In a signal output circuit 60, the excess signal Vext is subtracted from the input signal Va and an output signal Vo is sent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a regulating device (1) for a motor, comprising a housing (2) which can be associated with said motor and in which a control unit (5) and an actuator (6) are arranged. Due to heat-related reasons, said device can only be used in an encapsulated manner, for example close to a motor. In order to solve this problem, the actuator (6) comprises an electromagnetic switching element (8a,8b) and the control signal (7) for the same is designed as a timing signal which is measured—taking into consideration at least one heat source inside or optionally outside the housing (2)—in such a way that the operating temperature of the electromagnetic switching element (8a,8b) is below an upper authorised limiting value.

Abstract: A method of compensation for current-sensor gain errors in an electric machine drive 14 includes a high frequency carrier signal electrically injected into the electric machine 14. A current-sensor signal of the electric machine 14 is determined. The current-sensor signal is separated into current-sensor carrier signal negative and current-sensor carrier signal positive sequence reference frames. A proportional compensator signal for one of the current-sensor carrier signal reference frames is generated in a feedback loop 24. A magnitude signal of another one of the current-sensor carrier signal reference frames is generated in a different feedback loop 26.

Abstract: A drive controller for brushless motors, comprising: a multiplicity of switching means each having a first switching element connected between a first power supply providing a first potential and an output terminal of the drive controller, and a second switching element connected between the output terminal and a second power supply providing a second potential; oscillator means for generating triangular signals; position signal generation means for generating sinusoidal position detection signals based on the signal detected by a position detector of the brushless motor; and comparator means for comparing the magnitudes of the triangular signals with the sinusoidal position detection signals to generate PWM signals. The first switching element and the second switching element of each switching means are turned ON/OFF alternately by the PWM signals. The mean potentials of the triangular signals and the sinusoidal position detection signals are set to the same potential.

Abstract: A motor starter system comprises solid state switches for connection between an AC line and motor terminals for controlling application of AC power to the motor. A voltage sensor senses AC line voltage and the motor terminal voltage. Current sensors sense motor current. A control circuit controls operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit limits switch current during a start mode and detects a stall condition responsive to sensed AC line voltage and motor terminal voltage and selectively boosts motor current during the start mode if a stall condition is detected.

Abstract: A motor power supply including a DC power supply having a pair of power output terminals, and an inverter having a pair of connection terminals connected to the power output terminals of the DC power supply through a pair of power lines, converting power from the DC power supply to supply the converted power to a motor having a plurality of power input terminals, the motor power supply including a braking resistor provided in an additional line connecting the connection terminals with each other; a switching part provided at one of the connection terminals, and selectively connecting the one of the connection terminals with the power output terminal corresponding to the one of the connection terminals, or with the additional line; and a controller controlling the switching part. Components common to both a dynamic braking circuit and the inverter decrease the total size and cost of the motor supply power.

Abstract: A power supply system having a power supply including an electric generator and a battery, and a power control unit for controlling electric power supplied from said power supply to an electric load, wherein the power supply system has battery condition sensing means for sensing the operative condition of the battery and load condition sensing means for sensing the operative condition of the electric load, and the power supply system has a function in which the variation of the power supply voltage at the time of the operative requirement of the electric load is estimated based on the condition of said battery and the operative condition of said electric load, and the current of the electric load is limited when the estimated electric power supply voltage is smaller than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Dual cordless battery activating chargers activating their batteries via a vehicle, other vehicle, and performing the activation of other devices comprises: two 2.5 A chargers each having 96 percent efficiency, an external power switch, a surface for placement of a user's finger for actuating the switch and the chargers simultaneously. This switch is in a column of the vehicle, also. The chargers further comprises an IC1 for controlling this switch, a charge pump generating a positive gate-drive voltage of the switch, a charging current having a voltage across a 25-Mohma resistor R3, and amplified by an op amp via positive-voltage feedback to IC1, a chip for maintaining the charging current at 2.5 A, a circuit supplying the current to a separate load up to a limit being set via a current-sense transformer T1, and a sense resistor R1. T1 improves efficiency by lowering power dissipation in the resistor R1.

Abstract: A battery testing and sorting apparatus that includes an upwardly inclined conveyor having a conveyor drive for moving batteries to be tested and sorted. The conveyor includes a battery feeding section disposed along the conveyor for positioning the batteries laterally onto the conveyor so that terminals of the batteries are in a horizontal orientation on the conveyor. A testing section is disposed along the conveyor upstream from the battery feeding section for testing the electrical condition of the batteries as they move along the conveyor. A sorting section is disposed along the conveyor upstream from the testing section for ejecting the batteries from the conveyor according to the electrical condition of the batteries determined by the testing section. In this manner, a battery testing and sorting apparatus is provided for continuously sorting large quantities of batteries into groups based on the electrical condition of the batteries.

Abstract: A selector circuit configured to select among a DC power source and a plurality of batteries for an electronic device. The selector circuit is responsive to an output signal from an associated power management unit. The selector circuit is further configured to permit parallel operation of two or more of the batteries. The selector circuit may further act to independently verify power conditions and override instructions from the PMU in certain instances to enhance power supply safety and battery life such as by preventing inter battery current flow from a higher potential battery to a lower potential battery coupled in parallel. A power supply block including the selector circuit and an electronic device including the power supply block is also provided. The selector circuit may be integrated with a charging circuit on one integrated circuit.

Abstract: A battery charger system, for use with an injector system, comprises a power supply and a battery pack. The power supply converts AC power to DC power. The battery pack includes a battery and a charging module. The module monitors the operating mode of the injector system. When the battery pack is disconnected from the injection control unit, the module enables the power supply to charge the battery with DC power. When the battery pack is connected to the injection control unit: (A) upon detecting the injector system in an idle mode, the module routes DC power from the power supply to both the battery for charging thereof and the injection control unit for operation thereof; and (B) upon detecting the injector system in a non-idle mode, the module prevents the power supply from charging the battery and enables the battery to provide DC power to the injection control unit.

Abstract: A discharging circuit, connected to both terminals of a lithium battery, includes a first discharge resistor, a second discharge resistor, and a transistor for occasionally discharging the lithium battery to reduce the SOC difference among respective lithium batteries constituting a combination battery. A voltage detecting circuit detects a terminal voltage of the lithium battery via the first discharge resistor. A discharge controller judges a failure occurring in the discharging circuit based on a comparison between a terminal voltage value detected when the transistor is turned on and a terminal voltage value detected when the transistor is turned off.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a charging controller for electric walkers comprising a charging controller and a charging driver both of which are fitted to the basic circuit of the main processor of the electric walker. Accordingly, the charging operation of the electric walker can be easily performed through a commercially available rectifier with certain rectified voltage. After the charging controller in connection with the rectifier to detect the inflow of the external power, the external current will be immediately supplied to the battery for executing the charging operation. Thereafter, this message will be sent to a microprocessor while the charging driver disconnects the linking circuit between the microprocessor and a motor after the actuation of the charging operation.

Abstract: A charger for mobile phone provided with a power input portion, a switching power source portion to which electric power is supplied by the power input portion, a control portion having a micro-computer logic circuit and supplied with electric energy by the switching power source portion, a capacitor portion having plural electric double-layer capacitors to accumulate the electric energy supplied by the control portion, a feedback circuit transmitting charging state of the electric double-layer capacitors to the control portion, and an output portion to supply the electric energy accumulated in the electric double-layer capacitors to a battery of a mobile phone with constant voltage.

Abstract: An H-bridge switching topology for bi-directional field excitation to null the effects of a rotor's permanent magnets is disclosed. The present invention uses both a low-side and a high-side field excitation driver to control the rotor's average field current. A standard proportional control signal for generators using uni-directional field excitation is used to control an H-bridge for bi-directional field excitation. The H-bridge consists of two pair of power switches. In a preferred embodiment, the switches are n-channel MOSFETs. A drive circuit interfaces a logic block with the H-bridge in order to properly bias the power switches. The present invention also comprises a method of monitoring the uni-directional field control duty cycle as a means of determining if the system voltage is rising and going out of control. If the system voltage exceeds a voltage range, a logic circuit then provides reverse field current in a pulse width modulation fashion to null the effects of the permanent magnets.

Abstract: A hybrid reactive power compensation device comprises a passive type reactive power compensator and an active type reactive power compensator serially connected thereto. The passive type reactive power compensator is an AC power capacitor adapted to provide the reactive power that reduces capacity of the active type reactive power compensator. The active type reactive power compensator is consisted of a power converter, a DC capacitor, a high-frequency ripple filter and a controller. The hybrid reactive power compensation device can supply a linearly adjustable reactive power within a predetermined range, and is adapted to provide with a serial-connected virtual harmonic damping. Therefore, it can avoid the destruction of AC power capacitor caused by the power resonance.

Abstract: A power circuit is provided which is capable of lengthening use time of a battery in a portable communication terminal of a TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) or TDD (Time Division Duplex) type portable communication devices, and of making them compact and lightweight. Since, by using a control circuit, an output current having been limited to become a pre-set current value is supplied from the battery to a transmission power amplifier and an electrical double layer capacitor is charged so that power is accumulated therein and since power is applied from the electrical double layer capacitor to both the control circuit and the transmission power amplifier, even if power consumption of the transmission power amplifier increases during a burst period, a drop of the output voltage from the battery is small. Therefore, time required for the output voltage to reach a terminating voltage in the battery is made longer and a life of the battery can be lengthened.

Abstract: A stabilized power supply-use device of the present invention, which is mounted on a switching power supply, is an IC into which power transistors, a control circuit for controlling a base current of the power transistors, and other electronic components are formed, and an overcurrent detecting resistor connected in series with the power transistor is realized by a resister provided externally to the IC. Therefore, as compared to the overcurrent detecting resistor being made up of aluminum wiring patterns inside the IC, the overcurrent detecting resistor of the present invention dramatically decreases variations in value of resistance, whereby it is possible to improve an accuracy of voltage detection and to arbitrarily set a value of resistance. This eliminates the need for a needlessly increased input power capacity in a test based on safety standard and other tests, thereby enabling a switching power supply manufactured at a lower cost.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit device which assures high performance and low power consumption through reduction of installation area and realizes automatic voltage adjustment of a couple of voltage step-down power supply circuits for active and standby conditions.

Abstract: A switched mode power supply comprises at least one power switch adapted to convey power between input and output terminals of the power supply, and a digital controller adapted to control operation of the at least one power switch responsive to an output parameter of the power supply. The digital controller comprises an analog-to-digital converter providing a digital error signal representing a difference between the output parameter and a reference value, a digital filter providing a digital control output based on a sum of current and previous error signals and previous control outputs, the error signals comprising integers having a relatively low numerical range and said control outputs comprising integers having a relatively high numerical range, and a digital pulse width modulator providing a control signal to the power switch having a pulse width corresponding to the digital control output.

Abstract: A regulated, switch mode power converter is described. An embodiment of the present invention provides regulated, switch mode power conversion from alternating current to direct current utilizing a single transistor and associated switching scheme. Embodiments of the present invention are useful in a variety of applications, including, for example, photo control applications.

Abstract: The invention concerns switched mode power supplies, and a current mode control circuit for such a power supply. In one of the described embodiments of the present invention, instead of employing a sense resistor directly in the primary circuit, line voltage and primary current are emulated by means of an auxiliary winding (130) on the primary side. Current flowing in a resistor (R1) is buffered by means of first and second current mirrors (312, 313) to provide a voltage varying over time at an input of a pulse width modulator (322). This voltage is utilized to provide current mode controlled operation of the switch mode power supply.

Abstract: An output regulator to convert an input voltage to a regulated output. The output regulator including a power stage to generate a power output from the input voltage. An output filter to filter the power output to generate the regulated output. An output sensor to generate a digital sense signal to indicate within which of at least three reference ranges the regulated output is included. Each of the at least three reference ranges including a plurality of possible values of the regulated output. A digital controller, responsive to the digital sense signal, to generate a drive signal to control the power stage.

Abstract: A reference voltage source for an integrated circuit includes a first voltage reference that is adjustable, a second voltage reference, a differential sensing device to compare a voltage provided by the first voltage reference to a voltage provided by the second voltage reference, a controller to provide a trim control signal to the first voltage reference in response to an output of the differential sensing device for adjusting the first voltage reference and to provide a signal to power down the second voltage reference after the first voltage reference has been adjusted.

Abstract: A device for verifying frequency of a clock signal generated from a clock signal generator includes a reference signal generator, a frequency divider and a comparative detector. A reference clock signal and a reset signal are provided by the reference signal generator. The frequency divider in communication with the reference signal generator and the clock signal generator receives and frequency-divides the clock signal into a bi-level divided clock signal in response to the reset signal. Then the comparative detector in communication with the frequency divider and the reference signal generator detects a level of the bi-level divided clock signal in response to the reset signal and the reference clock signal, and verifies frequency of the clock signal according to a period deviation range Te when the bi-level divided clock signal is detected to be a first level from the first to the (p−q)th detected points but a second level at the (p+1)th detected point.

Abstract: Measuring a signal includes setting a gain numerator of a gain value and setting a gain denominator of the gain value, where the gain value is a ratio of the gain numerator to the gain denominator. An input signal is received and adjusted in accordance to the gain value to yield an output signal. The input signal is determined using the output signal and a reciprocal of the gain value, where the reciprocal is a ratio of the gain denominator to the gain numerator.

Abstract: An integrated sensor includes a magnetoresistance element electrically coupled to a device disposed on or integrated in a silicon substrate. A conductor is provided proximate to the magnetoresistance element. The integrated sensor can be used to provide various devices, such as a current sensor, a magnetic field sensor, or an isolator. Further, the integrated sensor can be used in an open loop configuration or in a closed loop configuration in which an additional conductor is provided. The magntoresistance element may be formed over the silicon substrate or on a separate, non-silicon substrate. Also described is an integrated sensor comprising a substrate, a magnetic field transducer disposed over a surface of the substrate, and a conductor disposed over the surface of the substrate proximate to the magnetic field transducer. The magnetic field transducer can be a Hall effect transducer or a magnetoresistance element.

Abstract: A jump bar shunt structure 30 includes a base 32 constructed and arranged to be mounted to a substrate and to function as a current shunt; a pair of first legs 34 and 36 integral with the base and being constructed and arranged to be connected between terminals of at least two power devices such as MOSFETs; and a pair of second legs 50 and 52 integral with the base and being constructed and arranged to be connected to a printed circuit board so as to define a current sensing connection. The jump bar shunt structure is a single component that carries high current between two or more power devices and converts current into voltage that is used by the current measurement circuitry. The advantage of the jump bar shunt structure is that no high current (motor current) flows through a control PCB.

Abstract: The invention relates to a testing apparatus, a testing system and a testing method, in particular for testing the contacting between a semiconductor device and a carrier. The invention includes loading of a carrier with a semiconductor device, such that the contacting between the carrier and the semiconductor device is tested immediately after the loading of the carrier with the semiconductor device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sensing the position of a point of contact through use of a sensor having a movable element, disposed between a sensing element and a source of magnetic flux, and having an aperture therein for allowing a portion of the magnetic flux from the source of magnetic flux to pass through the aperture and impinge on the sensing element. The aperture may have various shapes to provide a desired linear or non-linear relationship between the position of the movable element and the intensity of the flux that passes through the aperture and impinges on the sensing element for a given position of the movable element.

Abstract: A non-contact type position sensor enhanced in characteristics. A first magnetic element has a first magnetic detecting part at one end side thereof. A first magnet has one pole thereof fixed to the other side of the first magnetic element. A second magnetic element is positioned underneath the first magnetic element, and has a second magnetic detecting part at one end side thereof, and has the other pole of the first magnet at the other end side thereof. A third magnetic element is positioned substantially on circles concentric with the first magnetic element, and has a third magnetic detecting part at the one end side thereof. A second magnet has one pole fixed to the other end side of the third magnetic element. A fourth magnetic element is positioned underneath the third magnetic element, and has a fourth magnetic detecting part at one end side thereof, and also has the other pole of the second magnet at the other end side thereof.

Abstract: A speed measuring system comprising at least one stationary speed sensor (4) for detecting a speed of a measuring body (1) rotating relative to the speed sensor (4) wherein the measuring body (1) is provided, on its periphery, with electric or magnetic discontinuities. The speed sensor (4) situated at a defined distance from the measuring body (1), reacts to the discontinuities when the measuring body (1) is moved past the speed sensor (4). The speed measuring system has, in addition, one separate distance sensor (5) for determining an actual distance (LS) and an actual change in distance between the speed sensor (4) and the measuring body (1). In an evaluation device of the speed measuring system the speed of the measuring body (1) is formed from an actual output signal of the speed sensor (4) according to an actual output signal of the distance sensor (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for verifying valuable documents, in particular banknotes (5), labels, bonds, stamps or identification cards. Conventional methods involve a high percentage of errors. The aim of the invention is to provide a method for identifying banknotes, labels, bonds, stamps and identification cards, which allows a reliable and rapid identification of forgeries, whereby the identification and verification process is tolerant in relation to modification to the position of the valuable documents, in particular in relation to modifications to the distance. To achieve this, a valuable document is provided with an electromagnetically active structure (1), the valuable document is then exposed to an electromagnetic high-frequency field, the influence of the electromagnetic high-frequency field is measured through the valuable document and the measurement result is compared with reference data. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A metal detector (1) used for identifying contaminants in products. The detector (1) includes an oscillator coil (10) that may be formed as two series wound coils (34, 35) having relatively smaller dimensions or as two parallel wound coils (29, 30) having relatively larger dimensions. A pair of input coils (13, 14) is located adjacent to the oscillator coil (10). A first signal (8) is generated by the first input coil (13) in response to the presence of a metallic object, while a second signal (24) is generated by the second input coil (14) in response to the presence of a metallic object. By measuring the ratio of the first signal (8) to the second signal (24) the physical location of a metal object within the metal detector cavity (7) can be determined.

Abstract: Advanced processing techniques can be used to enhance the robustness, efficiency and quality of several parallel imaging techniques, such as SMASH, SENSE and subencoding. Specifically, a magnetic resonance image is formed by measuring RF signals in an array of RF coils, forming a set of spatial harmonics and tailoring the set of spatial harmonics to form a set of tailored spatial harmonics that are adjusted for variations in at least one of angulation of an image plane, field of view, and coil sensitivity calibration. The harmonics may be tailored by selecting automatically a subset of the set of formed spatial harmonics, adjusting the set of spatial harmonics by a function not equal to 1, to adjust for sensitivity variations along a phase encode direction, and/or performing separate spatial harmonic fits of the coil sensitivities at different spatial positions to the set of tailored spatial harmonics.

Abstract: Synchronizing MR images to the motion of a patient, e.g., to the beating of the heart, respiration of the lungs, or motion of a limb, by extracting timing information from the MR imaging data, itself, rather than relying solely on additional data acquired solely for timing.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed using continuous table motion while acquiring data to reconstruct MR images across a large FOV without significant slab-boundary artifacts that reduces acquisition time. At each table position, full z-encoding data are acquired for a subset of the transverse k-space data. The table is moved through a number of positions over the desired FOV and MR data are acquired over the plurality of table positions. Since full z-data are acquired for each slab, the data can be Fourier transformed in z, interpolated, sorted, and aligned to match anatomic z locations. The fully sampled and aligned data is then Fourier transformed in remaining dimension(s) to reconstruct the final image that is free of slab-boundary artifacts.

Abstract: For the purpose of conducting optimal eddy current correction within a limited output range, a corrective value for eddy current correction for a gradient magnetic field is calculated (501-505), if the calculated value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value, correction is conducted on the gradient magnetic field using the calculated value (507, 521, 525), and if the calculated value exceeds the predetermined upper limit value, a plurality of gradient magnetic fields affected by eddy current are simulated using a plurality of candidate corrective values not greater than the upper limit value (507-517), and correction is conducted on the gradient magnetic field using a candidate corrective value by which a relatively optimal gradient magnetic field can be obtained (519-525).

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for generating RF fields in the examination volume (100) of an MR apparatus. A plurality of resonator segments are arranged around the examination volume (100) within the gradient tube (103), said resonator segments being connected together so as to form a body coil. Each resonator segment is provided with a conductor element (104) which is constructed as a planar strip and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main field magnet. The resonator segments are electromagnetically decoupled from one another by means of intermediate capacitances, so that a separate transmission channel (1 to 8) can be associated with each resonator segment, the RF feeding into the relevant resonator segment taking place via said channel.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging receiver/transmitter coil system for providing images for regions of interest includes a first phased array formed of a plurality of electrically conductive members and defining an array volume and a second phased array formed of a second plurality of electrically conductive members and disposed at least partially within the defined array volume. At least one of the first and second phased arrays is adapted to apply a magnetic field to the defined array volume. At least one of the first and second phased arrays is further adapted to receive said applied magnetic field. The first phased array is extendible to define a further array volume and is provided with a switch for electrically coupling and decoupling an extension to effectively extend the length of the first phased array and thereby define the further array volume. In this manner the length of the first phased array is effectively extended to approximately twice its unextended length.

Abstract: Sealed components for an MRI scanner, in particular carrying RF coils and gradient coils have actuators for active noise control that are a part of an actuator module having holding segments fastened rigidly to the opposite ends of the actuator. The holding segments are fastened by screws onto two actuator receiving elements that are embedded at a spacing from one another in the sealing compound, and so that each fastening segment protrudes into a recess in the compound.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method having a magnet assembly, which provides substantially flat surfaces of constant magnetic field outside the assembly and a set of magnetic field gradients. One-, two-, and three-dimensional images are rendered. The static magnetic field is virtually uniform within horizontal degrees of freedom and decreases monotonically in a direction away from the surface. An RF probe, for example, a coil, located adjacent the surface, produces a field substantially perpendicular to the static magnetic field. A magnetic field gradient is set to horizontally scan a given level within the sensitive volume. Received magnetic resonance signals are detected by the coil for a depth corresponding to the excitation frequency. As the tuning and excitation frequency is switched to lower values, signals are generated for layers progressively farther from the surface. The RF probe is automatically tuned.

Abstract: The invention relates to techniques for locating and determining the orientation of a fracture in an earth formation. Systems and methods for detecting a fracture in an earth formation using a propagation tool include producing electromagnetic fields using a TMD transmitter in the tool; measuring corresponding voltage signals detected with one or more TMD receivers in the tool; determining harmonics from the measured signal responses by shifting the responses (e.g. by 90 degrees) and performing an addition or subtraction using the shifted response. In some embodiments, the second harmonic is processed to determine the fracture orientation.

Abstract: A method and system for modeling or simulating an application environment so as to evaluate the effect of a selected battery and charger in the application environment. Sensors are used to gather data regarding the energy consumption needs of the application environment over time. Based on the energy needs and/or user-specified application environment parameters, such as a charge schedule, a battery size and type, and a charge return model, an energy transfer profile for the application environment is generated and outputted. The energy transfer profile provides an indication of the state of charge of the battery over time based upon the simulated discharging and charging of the battery in the application environment. The generation of the energy transfer profile takes into account the charging schedule and the incremental change in battery parameters over time.

Abstract: Circuit arrangement for controlling the current flow through a load in the case of detection of the current flow according to the current sense principle. The circuit arrangement has a load transistor and a plurality of auxiliary transistors of identical type, which have a control terminal which is connected or can be connected to the control terminal of the load transistor. In the case of the circuit arrangement according to the invention, provision is made of switching means by which the auxiliary transistors, optionally or depending on the load current or depending on a load path voltage dropped across the load path of the load transistor, can be connected in parallel individually or as a plurality.

Abstract: A circuit and a method to measure continuously the resistance of variable resistors in series as e.g. potentiometers within a sensor, used for e.g. a joystick, has been achieved. The voltage across said sensor comprising any number of variable resistors is stabilized. A constant current source is providing a minimum current through said sensor. A variable current source is used to zoom variations of current through the sensor caused by variations of resistance of the sensor. Said variable current is mirrored and by measuring the voltage across a shunt resistor the total resistance of the sensor is identified. Using ports between each of the resistors, voltages can be measured representing the resistance of each of the variable resistors using known equations of voltage dividers. Any number of variable resistors can be used in the circuit invented.

Abstract: An improved microwave spectrometer for measuring the concentration of ethylene oxide gas and the concentration of water vapor in one or more gas samples taken from an ethylene oxide sterilization chamber.

Abstract: A system for investigating a sample, the system comprising a detector having non-linear current voltage characteristics and being configured to mix two radiation signals having frequencies in the range from 25 GHz to 100 THz, one of the signals being a local oscillator signal and the other signal being a sample signal carrying information about the sample being investigated, the system further comprising a quantum cascade laser for providing at least the local oscillator signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring thickness and deviations from the thickness of very thin conductive coatings on various non-conductive substrates, or of very thin non-conductive coatings on conductive substrates. The apparatus consists of an inductive coil having specific parameters, an external AC generator operating on frequencies, e.g., from 50 MHz to 2.5 GHz, preferably from 100 MHz to 200 MHz, and a measuring instrument, such as an oscilloscope, voltmeter, etc. for measuring output of the sensor. The coil has miniature dimensions. The invention is based on the principle that inductive coil of the sensor, active resistance of the coil winding, inherent capacitance of the inductive coil (or a separate capacitor built into the sensor's circuit), and the aforementioned AC generator form a parallel oscillating circuit.