Abstract: An operational amplifier (1A or 1B) includes a translinear transconductance stage (2B or 2C) receiving an input signal (Vin) of the operational amplifier and operative to produce a first current (ID18) having a square-law relationship to the input signal (Vin) and a folded cascode operational amplifier (3B) including a differential input stage coupled to receive the input signal (Vin), a folded cascode stage coupled to the differential input stage, and a class AB output stage (45) coupled to the folded cascode stage. The differential input stage includes a tail current source (34) coupled to the translinear transconductance stage and operative to produce a square-law tail current (ID34) scaled to the first current (IDI8) to provide a substantially constant input transconductance for a relatively large range of magnitudes of the input signal (Vin).

Abstract: An input signal receiver of a semiconductor device includes a gain control unit for outputting a gain control signal and a variable gain amplifier for amplifying external clock in response to the gain control signal, wherein the gain control signal determines a gain of the variable gain amplifier. Further, the input signal receiver includes a buffer whose input terminal is connected to an output terminal of the variable gain amplifier and output terminal is connected to another element of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A radio frequency amplifier comprising a circuit board having a boundary shaped in the form of an ellipse and two dielectric layers, a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer, enclosed by conductive layers. Radio frequency signals are broadcasted from one of the two foci, the first focus, of the elliptically shaped circuit board through the first dielectric layer and separate portions of the signals are collected at the boundary of the first dielectric layer into a plurality of amplifier circuits. The collected portions are amplified separately in the amplifier circuits with radio frequency amplifiers and each of the amplifier circuits provides the same or approximately the same time delay of its collected signal.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) integrated circuit includes a voltage-controlled oscillator and a loop filter having first and second input terminals and an output terminal coupled to an input of the voltage-controlled oscillator. A charge pump and a phase-lock accelerator are provided. The charge pump is configured to drive the first input terminal of the loop filter with a pump output signal and the phase-lock accelerator is configured to drive the second input terminal of the loop filter with an analog output signal. The phase-lock accelerator is responsive to a reference clock signal and a feedback clock signal.

Abstract: A phase locked loop capable of compensating for errors caused by cycle slips. The phase locked loop includes a phase detection unit for generating a phase error signal; a loop filter for filtering the phase error signal and generating a first control signal; a cycle slip detector for detecting whether a cycle slip has occurred according to the phase error signal and generating a slip indication signal; a toggling unit for toggling the selection between a first value and a second value as a compensation signal according to the slip indication signal; an accumulator for accumulating the compensation signal and generating a second control signal; an adder for adding the first control signal and the second control signal and generating a third control signal; and a controllable oscillator for generating the output clock at a frequency based on the third control signal.

Abstract: An on-chip oscillator generates a substantially temperature-independent clock signal by compensating for temperature-induced changes in its RC time constant and in a range between trigger voltages. A resistor with a positive temperature coefficient determines the range between trigger voltages, which increases with increasing temperature. A comparator response time contributes to a delay period that occurs after a trigger voltage is passed and before the charging or discharging of a capacitor is reversed. After the delay period, a remainder period elapses before another trigger voltage is passed. As temperature increases, the delay period is decreased by increasing a bias current supplied to the comparator. The bias current is programmably adjusted such that the sum of the delay period and the remainder period remains substantially constant over a large temperature range.

Abstract: An LC oscillator (I) comprises a cross-coupled PMOS transistor pair (Ma, Mb) coupled to a pair of capacitors (Cva, Cvb) and a pair of inductances (La, Lb). To enhance the signal amplification of the oscillator, a pair of auxiliary transistor circuits (Qa, Qb; Na, Nb) is provided which are coupled between the drain and, preferably, the source of each PMOS transistor. The capacitors (Cva, Cvb) are preferably variable capacitors and the inductances (La, Lb) are preferably connected to ground to allow a enlarged tuning voltage range.

Abstract: An improved multi-junction waveguide circulator that eliminates the transitions to dielectric transformers and air-filled waveguides between ferrite elements is described. The waveguide circulator in accordance with the invention can be implemented in variations from a minimum of two ferrite circulator elements joined to one another to any number of conjoined ferrite elements as required to achieve the desired isolation performance or to create a switch matrix with any combination of input and output ports. The waveguide circulator in accordance with the invention eliminates the transitions between adjacent ferrite elements and thus reduces losses, component size, and mass.

Abstract: A balanced high-frequency device includes a balanced element; at least one balanced terminal connected to the balanced element; a phase circuit having at least first, second, and third impedance elements, and electrically connected between the balanced element and the balanced terminal. The first impedance element and the second impedance element are connected between the balanced terminals in series, the connection point between the first impedance element and the second impedance element is grounded through the third impedance element, a series resonant circuit is formed by the first impedance element and the third impedance element. A series resonant circuit is formed by the second impedance element and the third impedance element, and an impedance to a differential signal component in the passing band of the balanced elements of the first and second impedance elements is set so as to increase to the ground plane.

Abstract: A compact amplifier output bias circuit is used as a broadband harmonic termination. The bias circuit is adapted as a harmonic termination circuit to produce an effective low impedance at the signal harmonic frequencies while having the capability of supplying DC power to the amplifier stage, optionally, if needed. A pi network is coupled to an active device output through a predetermined length of transmission line tuned for optimum power added efficiency in the frequency band of operation and provides a low impedance at frequency bands above the frequency band of operation while allowing DC bias to be appliable to the active device output.

Abstract: Disclosed are high frequency, vertical silicon bulk acoustic resonators. Resonator structures having a relatively large transduction areas fabricated using a HARPSS fabrication process provide for high frequency capacitive resonators with significantly low impedance values. Impedance values as low as a few kilo-Ohms to sub-kilo-Ohm and quality factors in the range of 20,000 to 90,000 in the VHF range have been achieved for a first thickness mode of fabricated vertical silicon bulk acoustic resonators. Resonant frequencies as high as 983 MHz have been demonstrated for higher third thickness modes of the vertical silicon bulk acoustic resonators.

Abstract: An improved filter assembly for a circuit breaker includes a generally rectilinear filter housing having at least two filter mounting zones for receiving at least two filter assemblies, so as to define, in the aggregate, a filter assembly, and at least two filter assemblies configured for interfitting with the filter mounting zones of the filter housing, each filter assembly comprising a generally rectilinear filter body having a given peripheral configuration and a filter gasket configured for interfitting about a periphery of the filter body for sealingly engaging the filter body relative to the filter housing in response to forces encountered by the filter assembly both upon assembly and in operation. The filter assembly may further have a small hole diffuser having a peripheral configuration similar to the peripheral configuration of the filter bodies, in the aggregate, when assembled with the filter housing and configured for interfitting within the filter housing.

Abstract: A laminated coil component includes a coil conductor including a plurality of strip electrodes and via-holes inside an approximately rectangular ceramic laminate. The via-holes connect the ends of the strip electrodes. The axis of the coil conductor corresponds with the width direction Z of the ceramic laminate that is substantially perpendicular to both the laminated direction (thickness direction) X and the longitudinal direction Y of the ceramic laminate. The manufacturing process includes the steps of laminating ceramic green sheets having the strip electrodes and/or the via-holes and the ceramic green sheets having printed conductive patterns constituting external electrodes, and press-bonding and firing them.

Abstract: A method for producing a high density inductor includes the steps of forming a coil having a spiral shape, sealing the coil in the interior of a core member, and forming a terminal electrode for allowing electric conduction to said coil on the outside of said core member. In this method, the coil is formed by repeating a process of forming a wire layer by means of a thin film forming process and a process of forming an additional wire layer on top of the wire layer by means of the thin film forming process to pile up the wire layers. With this production method, it is possible to form a coil with a high aspect ratio. In addition, the inductor is designed in such a way that the core member envelopes only the coil. With that design, it is possible to make the inductor compact.

Abstract: A differential mode inductor includes a first inductor lead that receives a current. A first arm receives the current from the first inductor lead. A center tap receives the current from the first arm. A second arm receives the current from the center tap. The second arm is substantially parallel to the first arm. The current in the first arm flows in the same direction as the current in the second arm. A second inductor receives the current from the second arm.

Abstract: A transformer and discharge lamp lighting device are disclosed. The transformer includes a closed-magnetic circuit type of core having a gap, a primary winding 7p, a secondary winding 7s and a detecting terminal located on the secondary winding 7s or an additional detecting winding separate from the main winding. The primary winding 7p and secondary winding 7s are wound around a portion apart from a gap 14 of a common core column 13 serving as a center axis. The primary winding 7p is formed of a sheet- or film-like conductor, and the winding portion of the primary winding 7p is arranged so as to include the winding portion of the secondary winding 7s in the direction along the center axis of the core column 13.

Abstract: A filter-balun combination for filtering an RF input signal and balancing output RF signals is provided. The filter-balun combination is formed in a multi-layer planar substrate having multiple dielectric layers and multiple planar device layers having conducting material. The filter section includes first and second symmetrical inductors formed in the substrate. The inductors provide filtering for an input signal. The balun section includes a balun central transmission line connected to an output of the filter, and two output structures for providing the output from the filter-balun combination. The central transmission line follows a path through the substrate that includes first and second coil areas. The input line is sandwiched between upper and lower transmission lines in the first and second coil areas. The output of the filter-balun combination is a filtered, balanced signal at each of the two balun output structures.

Abstract: A transformer includes a bobbin, a first magnetic core, a first and a second coils and a second magnetic core. The first magnetic core is disposed in the bobbin. The first coil and the second coil respectively wind around the bobbin. The second magnetic core covers at the exterior of the bobbin. A main magnetic flux is formed between the first magnetic core and the second magnetic core. A lamp driving system includes the above-mentioned transformer and a lamp. The first coil is input by a first voltage signal, the second coil is induced to generate a second voltage signal, and the lamp is driven by the second voltage signal.

Abstract: A magnetic core assembly with coils therein has a substantially spherical or ellipsoidal main body defining a hollow space therein. A column is disposed in the main body so as to be aligned with a center line of the main body. The main body is defined by a pair of separated halves. The main body has a slot extending outward form the hollow space, and the slot aligns with a separating plane of the halves. The core assembly has a bobbin that is formed with a barrel wound by the coils, and the barrel has a through hole receiving the column of the core assembly. The bobbin has a retainer plate arranged with terminals for the coils. The retainer plate extends from the main body via the slot. A mounting board for the core assembly is formed with an opening to receive the spherical or ellipsoidal main core body such that the mounting board supports the core body on a periphery of the opening.

Abstract: An inductor arrangement for a frequency converter or corresponding electrical apparatus, the inductor arrangement comprising an input inductor coupled to the input side of the electrical apparatus and an output inductor coupled to the output side of the apparatus, the input inductor comprising a core element having yokes and columns, and several winding turns for each phase formed around the core element. The output inductor is provided in the inductor arrangement by placing a predetermined length of a conductor of each phase in the output of said electrical apparatus adjacent to the core element of the input inductor.

Abstract: A fuse unit includes first and second fuse devices. Each of the fuse devices includes a attaching portion to be attached to a battery terminal of a battery, a housing provided on the attaching portion and having a cavity which is opened forward and backward of the housing, and a fuse body having a first end which is electrically connected to the battery terminal and a second end which is covered with the housing to form a wire connection part, the fuse body having a fusible portion which is disposed in the cavity. When the housings are superposed in a direction away from the battery, at least one of the housings and the fuse bodies are constructed so that the fusible portions are checked as viewed in a forward direction of the housings.

Abstract: A resistor formed on a material layer of a semiconductor integrated circuit and a method for forming the resistor. The resistor comprises a region of resistive material with a plurality of conductive contacts or plugs in electrical contact with and extending away from the resistive material. A first and a second interconnect line are formed overlying the plugs and in conductive contact with one or more of the plurality of plugs, such that a portion of the resistive material between the first and the second interconnect lines provides a desired resistance. According to a method of the present invention, the plurality of conductive contacts are formed using a first photolithographic mask and the first and the second interconnect lines are formed using a second photolithographic mask. The desired resistance is changed by modifying the first or the second mask such that one or more dimensions of a region of the resistive material between the first and the second interconnect lines is altered.

Abstract: An electronic locking device is disclosed which, when applied to rental lockers, will allow electronic data to be delivered without causing inconvenience to a user. One who desires to use a locker will approach an input device while in possession of a recording device. The input device will detect the approach of the recording device without coming into contact therewith, and will output data indicating the detection thereof to a management device. The management device will extract the locker IDs of the lockers that are not currently being used, and will display the unused lockers on the input device. When a user inputs the selection of a locker and a password into the input device, the locker ID of the selected locker and the password will be output to the management device. The management device will set the electronic data, i.e., the electronic key, for opening the selected locker, wirelessly output the electronic key to the recording device via the input device, and the selected locker will be unlocked.

Abstract: A device for identifying authorization and triggering/enabling an action. The device comprises a base unit that detects identity information of a key unit, compares it with predetermined identity information and, if there is a match, triggers or enables the action. The base unit and the key unit each include synchronous generators outputting digital information that changes at predetermined time intervals. The key unit combines information of the digital generator with stored identification code to form a coded information item. The base unit codes the predetermined identity information with information from its own generator and compares this coded information with the coded information from the key unit. If the base unit detects the coded information, the action is triggered. The base unit outputs a signal, the key unit switches an antenna between matched and mismatched states, the antenna reflects the received signal, and base unit evaluates the reflected signal.

Abstract: A transponder device having multiple modes of operation, such as an active mode and a passive mode, wherein the modes of operation are selected in response to the strength of a received radio frequency signal. A communication system is also provided having a transceiver configured to transmit a radio frequency signal and to receive a responsive signal, and a transponder configured to operate in a plurality of modes and to activate modes of operation in response to the radio frequency signal. Ideally, each mode of operation is activated and deactivated independent of the other modes, although two or more modes may be concurrently operational.

Abstract: While a general-purpose interface circuit and another general-purpose interface circuit are provided so as to transmit/receive data between a host appliance and a device appliance, when the general-purpose interface of the device appliance happens to hang up, a control section transmits a reset signal via a dedicated interface circuit. When a dedicated interface circuit provided on the side of the device appliance receives this reset signal and then outputs this received reset signal to the general-purpose interface circuit, the general-purpose interface circuit is reinitiated.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolation between a power line local area network and another network such as a power line wide area network. In one embodiment of the present invention, a filter device is installed on the power line supplying power to a structure in which a power line local area network is present. The example filter device may comprise a controller configured to receive a control signal and to cause a switch to activate or deactivate a low pass filter for attenuating the data signals.

Abstract: Means for disabling an automobile by causing an on-board computer to disable the ignition system thereof. A radio receiver provides a signal to the on-board computer through an existing port (e.g. diagnostic port or ignition interface port). The on-board computer disables ignition function through supplanted firmware that recognizes the status of the signal received from the radio receiver. Removal of the radio receiver also disables the ignition system. The entire system is installed during government required inspections (e.g. a smog check).

Abstract: A vehicle theft prevention system and a method thereof. The system includes an Electronic Control Unit and a vehicle information terminal. The ECU is mounted with a controller that generates a vehicle motion detection message by receiving abnormal detection signals from various sensors detecting the orientation and location of the vehicle and outputs the message through a Control Area Network communication interface. A vehicle information terminal includes a Central Processing Unit, constant voltage circuit part, and CAN communication interface. The CPU is equipped with a Global Positioning System module and mobile communication module. The system thus constructed executes a vehicle motion informing function to prevent vehicle theft even when the vehicle ignition key is turned off.

Abstract: A method for distance measuring using at least two contact-less distance sensors, e.g., ultrasound sensors, is provided, which distance sensors each have one emitter for emitting measuring pulses (MI) and one receptor for receiving measuring pulse echos (ME). The distance from an obstacle that reflects the measuring pulse (MI) is determined from the time difference between the measuring pulse (MI) and the received measuring pulse echo (ME). A first measurement is performed, which involves alternatingly emitting by the at least two distance sensors the measuring pulses (MI) offset in time by a first offset, and subsequently receiving the measuring pulse echos (ME) by the distance sensors. In addition, a verification measurement is performed, which involves alternatingly emitting by the at least two distance sensors the measuring pulses (MI) offset in time by a second offset, which is different from the first offset in time used in the first measurement.

Abstract: A vehicle has a display device which widens the field of view (visible area) reflected by a side mirror or a back mirror mounted on the vehicle. To enable a driver driving the vehicle to confirm safety even when it is difficult for the driver to visually recognize some of objects surrounding the vehicle, a liquid crystal display device or an EL display device is provided in the side mirror (door mirror), the back mirror (room mirror) or in an interior portion of the vehicle. A camera is mounted on the vehicle and an image from the camera is displayed on the display device. Further, information read from a sensor (distance measuring sensor) having the function of measuring the distance to another vehicle, and a sensor (impact sensor) having the function of sensing an externally applied impact force larger than a predetermined value is displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A security verification method for verifying whether improper settings that indicate composite errors of security settings exist in an object system, which is an object of examination, includes steps of: reading data transfer paths that represent data movement in the object system and that are generated based on program operation information that describes operations of a program that is used in the object system, integrating the access rights of data transfer paths that have been read; and searching for improper paths among the data transfer paths for which access rights have been integrated based on security verification policies in which improper paths, which are paths of data movement that are improper from the standpoint of security, have been set in advance.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for identifying faults in a network that has generated a plurality of fault alarms is provided. A plurality of object/alarm pairs are generated and an identification vector is assigned to each pair. The pairs are processed based on a set of rules to generate for each pair an alarm propagation vector that identifies that pair together with any other pairs from the plurality of pairs. The alarm propagation vectors are processed to determine which pairs have alarm propagation vectors that are not sub vectors of any of the alarm propagation vectors of the other pairs. Any pairs thus determined are identified as being linked to potential root causes of network problems.

Abstract: A monitoring system for cargo containers coming into the United States from foreign countries, to detect any harmful contents, within the close container, which would prove dangerous to the American people. The system includes a unique flexible plastic strip in which are embedded, 1) a global positioning computer chip, 2) a power source, 3) an encrypted strip serial number computer chip, and thousands of nano detection devices.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a television system having an internal microphone for implementing a voice-messaging system. Using the microphone, the television system detects a message spoken by a user of the television system, and records the message to a memory. Some embodiments of the invention may also record metadata about the message. Embodiments of the invention alert an intended recipient of the message using the audio output or video output of the television system, and subsequently reproduce the message using the audio output of the television system. Other embodiments of the invention are described in the specification and the claims.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining if or where a person (10) is located within an area (5), wherein a foot transceiver (8) connected to the person (10) activates one or several identifiable transponders (6) placed in the area (5), after which the activated transponder(s) (6) emit an identifiable signal, preferably via the foot transceiver (8), onto a main receiver/transmitter (14), each of the received signals then being referred to a known position.

Abstract: A sealing cap with an anti-counterfeit and identification capability comprises a cap body, an identification chip with a signal emitting device generating an identification signal, and a destructive device, characterized in that the cap body is electrically connected with the signal generating device and serves as an antenna of a relatively large area and in that the destructive device after dismounting of the cap destroys the capability to emit radiation and thus prevents said identifying chip from being dismounted and reused.

Abstract: The system of the present invention includes a large-zone RFID reader, a plurality of small-zone RFID readers, and a plurality of RFID tags. The large-zone RFID reader covers areas which are not covered by the small-zone RFID readers. The output power of the small-zone RFID readers is controlled by the large-zone RFID reader based on RFID tag operation patterns of the small-zone RFID readers. The system reliability is improved by a method that uses reliable RFID tags, RFID reader beacon signals, and RFID tag's repetitive transmitting signals to detect tag failures. The system security is provided by a method that uses integrated crypto engines in both the RFID tags and RFID readers.

Abstract: A system for generating a magnetic field for excitation of a leadless marker assembly. The system of at least one embodiment includes a source generator that generates a plurality of alternating electrical signals each having an independently adjustable phase. A plurality of excitation coils are configured to simultaneously receive a respective one of the alternating electrical signals at a selected phase to generate a magnetic field. The phase of the alternating electrical signal for each excitation coil is independently adjustable relative to the phase of the alternating electrical signal for the other excitation coils so as to adjust the magnetic field from the respective coil. The magnetic fields from the excitation coils combine to form a spatially adjustable excitation field for excitation of the remote leadless marker assembly.

Abstract: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are adhered to the underside of sheet labels, to form assemblies which can be applied to articles. Pressure sensitive adhesive labels are removed from a liner which then runs on a loop, back to nip rollers, where the labels are re-attached to the liner. The labels are re-attached at a downstream point on the liner, in combination with tags, to form the assemblies. The assemblies on the moving assembly web are read by optical and radio frequency systems; and, defective assemblies are removed by a diverter which strips the selected defective assembly from the web and carries it away on a defect liner. RFID tags are adhered to linerless label web at spaced apart locations, to form assemblies which can be cut from the web at the point of application.

Abstract: A security system and method for the limited monitoring of visitors to a country or territory has an input component such as a keyboard or electronic reader configured for receiving information pertaining to a visitor's stay in a country or territory. The information includes the scheduled departure of the visitor. A controller communicates with the input component, and a database communicates with the controller for storing the information pertaining to the visitor's stay. The controller is configured for polling the database to determine if the visitor has departed as scheduled, and for sending an alert if the visitor has not left as scheduled.

Abstract: On a basis of information obtained by reading information for specifying articles carried by a user from identification tags attached to the articles by means of a sensor, a list of the articles carried by the user at the time point is formed. The list is stored every time the list is formed, and the event that the user has lost the article and the lost article are specified on the basis of two or more lists. Upon specifying the lost article, the user is notified of information concerning the lost article.

Abstract: A radio IC tag reader includes an antenna capable of conducting radio communications with an IC tag on which predetermined data is recorded, the IC tag being attached to an article. An antenna sheath for housing the antenna is formed as a flat body and both sides of the flat body are placed in an open state.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for preventing the unauthorized removal of paper rolls, such as cash register receipt paper rolls used by retailers, as well as the anti-theft paper roll and methods of preparation therefor. The method comprises affixing to the paper roll an electronic sensor, wherein the sensor emits a detectable signal; and detecting the presence of the sensor when it passes through or near a detection point at the retailer's location. In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor is an adhesive strip, affixed to the core of the paper roll, wherein the core of the paper roll comprises a flat surface integrally formed therein, onto which the sensor is affixed.

Abstract: A method and a system for protecting the power semiconductor components used in the powerstages of power electronics devices, such as frequency converters, wherein calculation modeling the degree of heating of the semiconductor junction of the power components (V11–V16) is used, wherein the degree of heating of the power components between the measurable outer surface or cooler and the internal semiconductor junction is determined on the basis of the dissipation power and a thermal network model of the component, wherein the temperature of the outer surface of the power component or the temperature of the cooler is measured, wherein the modeled temperature of the semiconductor junction is the sum of the measured temperature of the outer surface or cooler and the calculated degree of heating, and wherein, based on the modeled junction temperature, an alarm is issued or some other protective action is taken.

Abstract: Upon detection of a flammable gas condition, an intelligent thermostat regulates operation of appliances that have sources of ignition which could be the source of or may ignite the flammable gas. This hazardous condition is detected by a flammable gas detector and is communicated to the intelligent thermostat by wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat then communicates with these appliances either via wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat may also provide a visual warning user interface screen to inform the occupant of the hazardous condition, and may signal smoke detectors in the dwelling to sound an audible flammable gas warning. Alternatively, the flammable gas detector may signal the smoke detectors in the dwelling to sound an audible flammable gas warning directly.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and battery including a state-of-charge indicator (SOCI) to monitor and display the amount of charge within the battery. The SOCI is capable of operating in a hibernate mode, an active mode, and/or a sleep mode. The battery may be manufactured, shipped and/or stored with the SOCI operating in a power-saving hibernate mode. The SOCI may exit the hibernate mode and begin operating in active mode if a physical key connected to the battery is removed. In addition, the SOCI may operate in a sleep mode while the battery is not being used to conserve power. Furthermore, the invention provides a method of making a battery including a SOCI to monitor and display the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: Methods and systems of enforcing a demand reset in a meter that communicates via a wireless network. When billing data is received by a server, it is accompanied by a demand reset counter. The counter is compared to a counter stored on the server. If they received counter is less than the server counter, it is determined that the meter missed a demand reset. The server then instructs the meter to perform a billing read and to perform a demand reset to ensure that accurate demand data is received by the server.

Abstract: A method and system updates a network of sensors remotely through the use of a communication link. The sensors to be updated as well as data files to perform the updating are selected at a base station. The selected sensors are notified of the upcoming update by the base station and may accept or reject the update. The sensors that approve the update then receive data files through the communication link. The sensors notify the base station of any missing data files, which are then retransmitted to all sensors that may be missing data files from the first transmission. After the sensors receive all data files, the update is initiated.

Abstract: An environmental data recorder for recording environmental factors acting on micro-well plates. The environmental data recorder has sensors for sensing environmental factors and it has a microcontroller programmed to receive and process inputs from the sensors. The sensors and microcontroller are housed in a recorder housing unit. The recording housing unit has exterior dimensions that are approximately equal to the exterior dimensions of the micro-well plates enabling the recorder housing unit to be handled by the same robotic device handling the micro-well plates. In a preferred embodiment, the environmental data recorder's sensors are a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and an accelerometer.