Abstract: Disclosed is an electron source forming substrate provided with an insulating material layer provided on the surface of a substrate, at which surface an electron-emitting device is disposed, wherein the insulating material layer has a plurality of partially exposed metal oxide particles on its surface. Also disclosed are an electron source including a substrate and an electron-emitting device arranged on the substrate, wherein the substrate is an electron source forming substrate as described above, and an image display apparatus including an envelope, an electron-emitting device arranged in the envelope, and an image display member adapted to display images through application of electrons from the electron-emitting device, wherein a substrate on which the electron-emitting device is arranged is an electron source forming substrate as described above.

Abstract: A flat panel display and a method for forming a carbon nanotube based flat panel display. In one embodiment, the flat panel display includes a barrier layer formed between a catalyst layer upon which microstructures of carbon nanotubes are formed and a resistor layer. The barrier layer acts as an anti diffusion layer between the catalysts layer and the resistor layer to prevent the catalyst layer from diffusing into the resistor layer during the growing of the carbon nanotubes. The barrier layer also enhances the adhesion characteristics of the catalyst layers to enable the uniform growth of the carbon nanotube structures on the catalyst layer.

Abstract: A directly-heated oxide cathode and a fluorescent display tube using the same, which works with low power consumption, is provided. In a filament cathode, an alkaline earth oxide having an average grain size of 0.1 &mgr;m to 2.0 &mgr;m is coated in a thickness of 0.5 &mgr;m to 4.0 &mgr;m on the surface of a core metal wire. This structure reduces the power consumption of the filament cathode. The filament cathodes mounted in a fluorescent display tube can reduce the power consumption of the fluorescent display tube.

Abstract: A shadow mask with a slot having a substantially rectangular shape and a curved slot. The rectangular slot is composed of a back side opening formed on an electron beam incident side, a front side opening having a large area to allow the electron beam to pass, and a side wall sections inclining between the back side opening and the front side opening. The curved slot is composed of a back side opening (11) formed on the electron beam incident side and curved such that both longitudinal end portions are apart from an axis of ordinate passing a central portion of the shadow mask, a front side opening (2) formed having a large area to allow the electron beam to pass and side wall section (3 - - - 6) inclining between the back side opening and the front side opening.

Abstract: A mask for a color cathode ray tube (CRT) and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. This mask includes a plurality of strips isolated from each other at predetermined intervals in parallel, and a plurality of bridges for forming slots through which electron beams pass by connecting adjacent strips to each other. In this mask, each of the bridges between adjacent strips has a first curved portion formed on the side from which electron beams come out, and a second curved portion formed on the side upon which electron beams are incident. The first curved portion has a first width in the direction perpendicular to the length direction of the strips, and extends in the length direction of the strips. The second curved portion has a second width that is smaller than the first width in the length direction of the adjacent strips.

Abstract: A material for shadow mask having the following composition of components: C≦0.0008 wt %, Si≦0.03 wt %, Mn:0.1 to 0.5 wt %, P≦0.02 wt %, S≦0.02 wt %, Al:0.01 to 0.07 wt %, N≦0.0030 wt %, B: an amount satisfying the formula: 5 ppm≦B-11/14×N≦30 ppm, balance: Fe and inevitable impurities; a method for producing the material; a shadow mask using the material (cold rolled steel sheet); and an image receiving tube equipped with the shadow mask. The material has excellent etching characteristics, which are uniform within the same coil, and excellent press formability.

Abstract: A shadow mask includes a shadow mask body opposed to a phosphor screen, and its peripheral portion is fixed to a mask frame. The shadow mask body includes a rectangular effective portion that is formed having a large number of electron beam passage apertures. The effective portion has a major axis and a minor axis that pass through its center and extends at right angles to each other. The shadow mask comprises an auxiliary mask fixed to a region that contains the minor axis of the effective portion of the shadow mask body. The auxiliary mask is in the form of a strip that extends long in the direction of the minor axis and has a large number of electron beam passage apertures that communicate individually with the electron beam passage apertures of the effective portion.

Abstract: A mask assembly for a color cathode ray tube, has an amount of tension applied to a shadow mask thereof reduced by preventing a main frame for applying tension in the shadow mask from deformation due to creeping during a high temperature process, by regulating the ratios of thickness, width, and height of the main frame to the thickness of the shadow mask. The color cathode ray tube comprises a frame composed of a main frame welded to the shadow mask for supporting the shadow mask toward the panel and a sub-frame supporting said main frame, wherein relations T/t≧45, W/t≧270, and H/t≧270 are satisfied, where t is a thickness of the shadow mask, T is the thickness of part where a main frame is welded to a shadow mask, W is a width of part attached to a sub-frame of a frame, and H is a length of main frame from said shadow mask to the sub-frame.

Abstract: A spacer, which is an atmospheric pressure resistant structure for a vacuum container, can be easily assembled, and the manufacturing costs that accompany the installation of the spacer are reduced. A rear plate, which includes a substrate on which electron-emitting devices are mounted, is located opposite a face plate that is irradiated by electrons emitted by the electron-emitting devices, so that together these two units constitute one part of the vacuum container. A spacer is positioned as an atmospheric pressure resistant structure in the vacuum container. Blocks are bonded to both ends of the spacer, and with these blocks, the spacer is self-supported. Both ends of the spacer are tapered, and are used to reduce the stress that is imposed on the bottoms of the spacer and the blocks by the rear plate and the face plate while air is discharged from the vacuum container.

Abstract: A vacuum fluorescent display includes a pair of substrates spaced apart from each other with a predetermined distance. The substrates form a vacuum cell by interposing a side glass. Filaments are mounted within the vacuum cell to emit thermal electrons under the application of voltage. Anode electrodes are formed at one of the substrates, each anode electrode unit having a conductive layer and a phosphor layer formed on the conductive layer. A control electrode surrounds the anode electrode to accelerate or intercept the thermal electrons emitted from the filaments. The control electrode is formed with a single-layered structure.

Abstract: An image displaying apparatus capable of suppressing abnormal discharges includes the following components. That is, the image displaying apparatus includes a rear plate 1005 provided with electron beam sources; a face plate 1007 having an anode 1014 that includes an imaging area equipped with phosphor membrane 1008 emitting light by the irradiation of an electron beam and is regulated at an electric potential higher than those of the electron beam sources, and a potential regulating electrode 1015 that is situated at the outside of the anode 1014 for regulating the outside at a predetermined electric potential lower than that of the anode 1014; and spacers 1012 provided between the rear plate 1005 and the face plate 1007, wherein the image displaying apparatus has a structure such that the spacers 1012 contact both of the anode 1014 and the potential regulating electrode 1015 and electrodes are formed at the contacting portions.

Abstract: An OLED is disclosed, which has a substrate having a first conducting area, a second conducting area, and an active area; a plurality of connecting wires located outside of said active area on said substrate; a plurality of stripes of first electrodes located in the active area and connected to a connecting wire; a plurality of first conducting lines located in the first conducting area; a plurality of second conducting lines located in said second conducting area; a plurality of second electrodes located in the active area; an upper cover mounted on said active area for covering said active area; a sealing layer sandwiched between said upper cover and said substrate for sealing the active area and isolating said active area from air or water; and an insulating layer filled over said first conducting lines, said second conducting lines, and the connecting wires for isolating from air or water.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprising a population of quantum dots (QDs) embedded in a host matrix and a primary light source which causes the QDs to emit secondary light and method of making such a device. The size distribution of the QDs is chosen to allow light of a particular color to be emitted therefrom. The light emitted from the device may be of either a pure (monochromatic) color, or a mixed (polychromatic) color, and may consist solely of light emitted from the QDs themselves, or of a mixture of light emitted from the QDs and light emitted from the primary source. The QDs desirably are composed of an undoped semiconductor such as CdSe, and may optionally be overcoated to increase photoluminescence.

Abstract: A highly stable and efficient organic light emitting device with a phosphorescent-doped mixed layer architecture comprises an anode layer; hole injecting layer over the anode layer; a mixed layer over the hole injecting layer, the mixed layer comprising an organic small molecule hole transporting material, an organic small molecule electron transporting material and a phosphorescent dopant; and a cathode layer over the mixed layer. An electron transporting layer may be present between the mixed layer and the cathode layer and a hole transporting layer may be present between the hole injecting layer and the mixed layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a halogen incandescent lamp for operating on line voltage, at least comprising a hermetically sealed, cylindrical bulb (2) made from transparent material, a filling made from inert gas and a halogen additive, a luminous element (4), a current supply system, and a mount (5), which is formed from a single-piece support wire, one end region of which is bent away transversely to the lamp axis, and which retains the luminous element (4) in the vicinity of the end of the bulb (2) remote from the pinch, wherein a luminous element (4) bent virtually into a U-shape is arranged symmetrically relative to the lamp axis, the luminous element (4) is held twice by the mount (5) in the region of the portion of the luminous element (4) which is arranged transverse to the lamp axis, and one end of the mount (5) is fixed in a pinch (3).

Abstract: A plasma display panel is provided with a transparent substrate, and scanning electrodes and sustaining electrodes formed on the transparent substrate extending in a first direction. An area of the scanning electrode is smaller than an area of the sustaining electrode in each of display cells. The widths of the scanning electrode and the sustaining electrode in a second direction crossing the first direction are substantially equal to each other.

Abstract: A plasma display device has a first plate and a second plate which face each other with a discharge space therebetween, and a sealing member which is provided between the first and second plates to seal the discharge space at edges of the first and second plates. A plurality of electrodes are formed on the inner major surface of the first or second plate. An electrode diffusion preventive layer is formed in each area where the plurality of electrodes cross over the sealing member, so as to avoid direct contact between the plurality of electrodes and the sealing member. As a result, problems such as breaking of the electrodes can be avoided. This construction is especially effective when the electrodes contain Ag.

Abstract: A bulb for an electrodeless lamp comprises: an envelope through which the light can be permeated; a filled material filled in the envelope for emitting the light as being excited by high frequency energy; and buffer gas, wherein the buffer gas comprises first buffer gas, and second buffer gas having a partial pressure less than 1% of the partial pressure of the first buffer gas in order to reduce a discharging voltage and lighting time, and thereby, the re-lighting after putting out the light can be performed easily and the re-lighting time is reduced to improve the convenience of the user and the reliability of electrodeless lamp.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, improved vacuum microtube devices are provided with arrangements for tunably spacing the gate and the cathode. Tuning can be effected by using an electrostaic or magnetic actuator to move the gate on a spring or a rail. Advantageously a feedback arrangement can be used to control the spacing. Magnetic reassembly components can be provided for facilitating release of tube components in fabrication.

Abstract: A noise filter of a high frequency generator reduces noise of a certain frequency band leaked from the high frequency generator using a structure in which a first core inductor, an air-core inductor and a second core inductor are connected in series to each other. The first and second core inductors have high frequency-energy absorbing members inserted thereinto, and the air-core inductor is not provided with a high frequency-energy absorbing member therein. The high frequency-energy absorbing member is made of one of iron oxide, tin alloy and ferrite. The high frequency-energy absorbing member is also provided with a sectional area in which noise of a frequency band of 400 MHz to 900 MHz is attenuated.

Abstract: A lighting system, preferably for use in operating theatres, in which at least one light source is mounted to be movable an adjustable in a single ceiling and/or wall element in the form of a prefabricated module element (4). The light sources in each module element may be controlled singly or in clusters by means of a control device designed to direct the source or sources to focus at a point defined by an optical, ultrasound or magnetic, radio frequency pointer that is seen by an appropriate sensor/camera system or receiver in the room, and which, via control means, moves the light source to the desired position. The light source consists of light-emitting diodes, halogen bulbs or the end of one or several fiber-optical cables, fixed ion a holder shaped as one half of a cup or a sphere, the holder being arranges to be movable about two perpendicular axes in the xy-plane (the ceiling plane) of the ceiling module (4).

Abstract: A wireless control system for lighting or the like has a central processor that receives commands from keypads and other control devices, and sends commands to dimmers and other controlled devices. The central processor also receives status reports from the dimmers and sends updates to the keypads, in order to ensure that displays on the keypads are up to date.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a drive circuit for an organic light emitting diode which can suppress a fall in an intensity of light emission to extend the life of the organic light emitting diode. The present invention is a drive circuit for an organic light emitting diode which has plural anodes A1 to A3 and plural cathodes B1 to B4 intersecting while being opposed to each other and an organic layer having at least a light-emitting layer intervening between both the poles, sets one of both the poles as drive lines and the other of both the poles as scanning lines, and by scanning all of these scanning lines as one field at a predetermined frequency, presents light emission with the intersection portions as pixels E11 to E34. Capacitors C11 to C34 having a predetermined added capacity, to which a bias voltage Vr in a direction of canceling charges to be charged to a parasitic capacity of the pixels E11 to E34 is applied, are provided.

Abstract: Two switching half-bridges are operated to achieve constant power delivered to a resonant load while achieving a high power factor. A half-bridge connected to a circuit input draws a sinusoidal current that is in phase with the input voltage to achieve the high power factor. The two half-bridges are composed of two switches each, which are operated to obtain constant load power in satisfaction of calculated conduction angles. Alternatively, the switches are operated on complementary 50% duty cycles to regulate output voltage and shape the input current waveform. Output regulation is achieved by frequency control while input current wave shaping is realized by phase shifts between the two half-bridges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel operating circuit for a low-pressure discharge lamp 1 with early EOL detection via a measurement of the DC voltage between the electrodes 2, 3. In this case, the DC voltage can be modified by an offset voltage 10 such that only one polarity has to be taken into account during measurement.

Abstract: An LED array has a plurality of LED chains, which each have at least one LED and are connected in parallel. The LED array has at least one output for feeding back radiation generated to a power supply unit. Preferably, at least one reference LED chain is connected in parallel with the LED chains and a photosensitive component is provided, the photosensitive component detecting the radiation emitted by the reference LED chain. The photosensitive component generates a measurement signal in a manner dependent on the radiation generated by the reference LED chain, which signal serves for providing feedback to the power supply unit.

Abstract: A vehicle power window and power door lock system includes a vehicle pillar adapted for use between openable and closable vehicle doors and a single lock actuation assembly in the pillar adapted for engagement with a front door lock latch assembly on a front door and a rear door lock latch assembly on a rear door for locking and unlocking the doors. The vehicle power window and power door lock system further includes a single reversible electric motor in the pillar adapted for selective engagement with a front window on an adjacent front door and a rear window on an adjacent rear door for driving the windows up and down. A vehicle side door assembly includes a door lock latch assembly, a latch rod operatively connected to the latch assembly, a window, and a driven gear operatively connected to the window. The latch rod is operably connectable to a lock actuation assembly located in a body pillar adjacent to the door when the door is positioned against the body pillar.

Abstract: A dynamic braking system for a vehicle, the system comprising an engine, an alternator, a plurality of alternating current (AC) electric traction motors, each coupled in driving relationship to a respective one of a plurality of driven wheels, a plurality of power inverters where each of the traction motors has excitation windings coupled in circuit with a corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters, a fuel-free dynamic braking controller, a fuel-free dynamic braking transfer switch located between one of the plurality of traction motors and the one of the plurality of power inverters in circuit with the corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters, wherein the one of the plurality of traction motors in circuit with the corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters that is separated by the fuel-free dynamic braking transfer switch does not generate and does not consume power, and wherein the fuel-free dynamic braking controller commands one of the plurality of power inverters that i

Abstract: A method of starting a brushless DC motor 12 at any initial speed (A) establishes a initial stator-field speed and setting a counter of synchronization, (B) measures a speed of a rotor of the motor, (C) compares the speed of the rotor with the stator-field speed to determine if the rotor is synchronized with the stator-field. If the rotor is not synchronized with the stator-field, the method includes (a) re-setting the counter of synchronization, (b) increasing an acceleration portion of motor current (Iacc) to enhance torque, (c) setting the stator-field speed higher than the rotor speed, (d) calculating a period of an open-loop timer, (e) calculating a value for a load portion of the motor current (Ild), where total motor current I=Iacc+Ild, (f) performing commutation based on the open-loop timer and returning to step (B) until the rotor is synchronized with the stator-field.

Abstract: A system for controlling a regulator equipped with an electric servomotor in a motor vehicle. With reference to an example of an electronic steering system that has an electric-motor steering regulator, output parameters are generated by a model-assisted monitor for evaluating the suitability of a correction for the regulator, and thus criteria for a possible shutdown or to initiate emergency action, as a function of setpoint parameters for the electric servomotor, of instantaneous parameters measured by individual sensors, and of the driving state, and, based on a setpoint behavior of the regulator and on a model simulating the control sections it contains.

Abstract: The invention concerns a control system for a d.c. motor (10), powered by an actuating system (14) comprising: a position detector (30, 32) co-operating with the motor's rotor; a power supply circuit (34) to apply to the terminals of the motor coils a supply voltage to generate the electric current, and a control circuit (36). This system is designed to actuate the motor to move a moving part (24), with a view to reaching a target position Pc defined by a number of steps dc to be executed. During a so-called positioning phase, the control circuit (36), after observing that target position Pc has been reached, interrupts the current powering the coils and applies to them a braking pulse (If) of reverse polarity, then short-circuits them until stoppage observed by the detector (30, 32).

Abstract: Magnetic forces are used as a controlled actuation mechanism to move and position objects of interest. In one embodiment, a first spherical surface has at least one magnetic positioner attached. A second spherical surface is positioned to move relative to the first spherical surface. A plurality of controlled electromagnets are spaced about the second spherical surface. Control logic energizes at least one of the controlled electromagnets to create magnetic interaction with at least one magnetic positioner to move the first spherical surface relative to the second spherical surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling a synchronous motor having a rotor, and a stator which produces a magnetic flux for rotating the rotor about an axis thereof, the method including the steps of detecting an angular position and a rotating speed of the rotor; estimating a phase difference between a voltage and an electric current of the synchronous motor, on the basis of the detected rotating speed of the rotor; and adjusting an advance angle of the rotor upon excitation of the synchronous motor, as a result of comparison of the detected rotating speed of the rotor with a target value, to thereby control the rotating speed and direction of the rotor.

Abstract: A method for determining phase current for each of a plurality of individual phase coils of a switched reluctance machine (SRM) is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes determining the current passing through a first resistive element and a second resistive element in an SRM drive circuit. A conduction mode of the SRM drive circuit is determined, the conduction mode being based upon an ON/OFF state of each of a pair of switching transistors controlling current through each of the plurality of individual phase coils. The phase current through each of the plurality of individual phase coils is then calculated, based upon the conduction mode and the determined current passing through said first and second resistive elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a motor controller to cause balanced positive and negative current half-cycles in a motor phase, the method comprising the steps of, for an occurring half-cycle, identifying the most recently obtained valid shut-off angle, identifying the fire angle immediately preceding the identified shut-off angle, mathematically combining the identified fire angle and the identified shut-off angle to identify a next virtual zero crossing (VZC) angle, mathematically combining the next VZC angle and the notch angle to determine a fire angle for the occurring half-cycle and repeating the method for the next half-cycle.

Abstract: A solar rechargeable battery. A storage battery is contained in a case, on which is disposed a solar cell that electrically communicates with, and charges, the storage battery. In two embodiments, the case is cylindrically-shaped. In one of which, the solar cell forms a longitudinal segment of the case so as to maintain the cylindrical shape of the case, and has a V-grooved block that receives and holds the case in a supine position. In the other of which, the solar cell is on one end wall of the case surrounding the positive contact. In a third embodiment, the case is rectangular-shaped and the solar cell forms a longitudinal segment of the case so as to maintain the rectangular shape of the case, and the positive and negative contacts are on the same end wall of the case.

Abstract: A jump start protection circuit having a normally open switch and a resistor positioned in parallel intermediate to a battery and a jump start post. A controller manipulates the switch between an open position and closed position, the closed position connects the jump start post to the battery and the open position disconnects the jump start post from the battery. The controller measures voltages at the battery and jump start post and is capable of receiving one or more additional inputs. The controller closes the switch when acceptable jump start conditions are detected. The controller can open the switch or maintain the switch in an open position. The jump start circuit provides protection against attempts to charge a battery with incorrect polarity connections and attempts to charge a battery from a potentially hazardous higher voltage power source.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer device is provided for recharging cordless appliances. The device includes a plurality of inductors arranged in an array and connected with a power supply via switches which are selectively operable to activate the respective inductors. The inductors serve as the primary coil of a transformer. The secondary coil of the transformer is arranged in the appliance. When the appliance is arranged proximate to the power transfer device with the respective coils in alignment, power is inductively transferred from the device to the appliance via the transformer.

Abstract: A charging apparatus for charging a plurality of detachable battery packs includes a charging device for charging the plurality of battery packs one after another. A monitoring device is included to monitor attachment of a battery pack. A memory is included to store attachment history data of a battery pack based upon a monitoring result. A switching device is included to switch from one of the battery packs to the next battery pack. A voltage detecting device is included to detect a voltage of the next battery pack before charging. A charging manner setting device is included to set any one of constant current charging and constant voltage charging in accordance with the detected voltage. A charge current detecting device is also included to detect a current during charging of the next battery pack.

Abstract: A highly efficient fast charger for high capacity batteries and methods for fast charging high capacity batteries. The fast charger preferably comprises a rectified AC input of single or preferably three phases, with an optional power factor corrected input, minimally filtered with high frequency, high ripple current capacitors, which is switched with a power switching circuit in the “buck” configuration into an inductor/capacitor output filter. Metallized film capacitors are employed, to minimize the rectified 360 Hertz AC component filtering while providing transient switch protection and ripple current requirements for the buck regulator, to provide a high current fast charger with substantially improved power factor. High power, high frequency switching with minimized output filter size provides a highly filtered DC output. The fast charger is adapted to be constructed in a modular design for simple maintenance.

Abstract: A controller for an alternator driven by an output torque of an automotive engine mechanically through a belt is provided. The controller works to control an exciting current supplied to a field winding of the alternator so as to cancel a change in inertia torque of a rotor of the alternator arising from a change in speed of the engine, thereby minimizing a change in tension of the belt.

Abstract: In an automobile electrical system having an alternator drivingly connected to a vehicle engine the alternator has a polyphase output winding producing a polyphase output in the form of a polyphase alternator voltage for each phase. A load dump apparatus and method for varying the output of the alternator employs a bridge coupled to the polyphase output winding and having a pair of direct voltage output terminals. The bridge has lower and upper switchable elements for each corresponding phase winding, the switchable elements are forward biased and connected in series across the output of the bridge and have a common or neutral input note connected to the corresponding phase winding. Each switchable element is controllable in accordance with a respective conduction signal applied thereto.

Abstract: A power supply system includes: a high voltage power supply; a main power supply wire; a step down circuit inputting a power having a high voltage and outputting a power having a lowered voltage; a sub-power supply wire; a voltage sensor for sensing a voltage of the power outputted from the step down circuit; a sub-switching element disposed on the sub-power supply wire; and a controller for controlling the sub-switching element. The controller turns off the sub-switching element, when the voltage sensed with the voltage sensor is equal to or higher than a first predetermined voltage defined lower than the lowered voltage. Moreover, the controller drives the sub-switching element in duty control for stepping down the power having the high voltage to the power having the lowered voltage outputted from the step down circuit, when the voltage sensed with the voltage sensor is lower than the first predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A multi-phase synchronous buck converter manufacturable using MCM architecture having improved output current sharing capability. The device is constructed of a plurality of single phase buck converter stages, and a sensing circuit for each converter stage to generate an output signal representative of the output current provided by that converter stage. A master controller provides duty cycle control signals in a predetermined phase relationship for the switching transistors of the individual converter stages according to the difference between the output voltage from the multi-phase converter and a reference signal representing a desired voltage at the output node. A duty cycle trimming controller which may include individual duty cycle trimming circuits coupled between the master controller and the drive circuits for each converter stage, modifies the duty cycle control signals from the master controller to equalize as nearly as possible the currents provided by each stage.

Abstract: A power supply controller for electronic circuits, supplying a power supply voltage (VDC) and preventing operation of the said circuit by using a RESET signal when the said power supply voltage is less than a first predetermined threshold. The controller includes a first comparator (C2) comparing a voltage proportional to the power supply voltage with a reference voltage and activating the reset signal when the voltage proportional to the power supply voltage is less than the reference voltage. A bandgap module supplies a principal reference voltage (VBGAP). Preliminary reference devices immediately supply a preliminary reference voltage (V09), less than the principal reference voltage. Control circuits receive the preliminary reference voltage (V09) and the principal reference voltage (VBGAP) and automatically activate the RESET signal for as long as the principal reference voltage (VBGAP) has not reached a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A multi-phase multi-channel voltage regulator having high efficiency at light loads is provided. The regulator increases efficiency at light loads by shutting down a select channel of the regulator. In addition, the regulator may place remaining channels in Burst Mode.

Abstract: The invention provides a structure, method and apparatus for receiving a reference frequency and a variable frequency, differentiating the frequencies, and generating a logic pulse in response to a first frequency leading a second frequency, the frequencies having a small phase difference. In an aspect, the invention maintains a signal when the reference frequency and the variable frequency transition. In another aspect, the invention provides additional timing balance to prevent early generation of the logic pulses. In another aspect, the logic pulses drive a charge pump used in one of a phase-locked loop and a delay-locked loop.

Abstract: A power sensor for measuring the average power of modulated or non-modulated high-frequency or microwave signals across a wide dynamic range is disclosed, in which a combination of the following features are used: a) the signal power to be measured is delivered to a first sensor branch for measuring said signal power in a lower power measuring range (−70 to −16 dBm), b) the sensor branch has several spatially separate measuring points on a connecting line between the input and a power splitter connected downstream; and, c) at the same time, the signal power to be measured is delivered to at least two other sensor branches by means of the power splitter with a largely load-independent synchronous output, via attenuators, in order to measure the signal power in at least two other power measuring ranges (−22 to +4 dBm or −2 to +20 dBm).

Abstract: In a MEMS device employing a beam supported by transverse arms, potential bowing of the transverse arms caused by fabrication processes, temperature or local self-heating from resistive losses is accommodated by flexible terminations of the transverse arms. Alternatively, this bowing is controlled so as to provide selective biasing to the beam or mechanical advantage in the sensing of beam motion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chuck apparatus for a wafer probe station in which the central conductive surface supports a device-under-test (DUT) over a conductive lower chuck portion. An insulator positions the center conductor surface of the chuck above the lower chuck portion and also positions an electrically isolated conductor along its periphery. A laterally extending shielding element is provided for shielding electromagnetic interference (EMI) from the center conductor surface and the lower chuck portion. The electrically isolated conductor and the conductive lower chuck portion may cooperate to form a line-of-sight electrical barrier between the center conductor surface and the laterally extending shielding element. The invention further relates to methods of manufacturing the chuck apparatus and using the apparatus to accomplish low current and voltage tests in a probe station.