Abstract: An integrated circuit with power gating function is disclosed, comprising a low dropout regulator coupled to a first power line to provide power to the first power line, a switch module connected between a second power line and a voltage source, turned on and off based on a mode signal to determine whether the voltage source provides power to the second power line, and an equalizer connected between the first and second power lines, activated with the switch module based on the mode signal to equalize the voltage of the second power line to that of the first power line when the mode signal permits the voltage source to provide power to the second power line.

Abstract: A switching regulator having an energy saving circuit and an energy saving method is provided to improve the system efficiency under light load conditions. A first control unit outputs an oscillation signal and an energy saving signal in response to the variation of a feedback signal. A second control unit receives the feedback signal and the oscillation signal to output a switching signal to control a switch. An off-time of the switching signal is increased in response to a decrement of the load. The energy saving signal is applied to turn off the switch and the circuits of the switching regulator needn't to work during the off-time of the switching signal for saving energy under light load conditions.

Abstract: A circuit, method, and system for intelligently soft starting switching regulators are provided. The circuit, method, and system provide for a switching circuit operable to couple an input voltage to an output of the switching regulator in response to a control signal, a controller operable to generate the control signal to control the switching of the switching circuit based in part on a reference voltage, and a soft start circuit operable to provide the reference voltage to the controller responsive to the switching of the switching circuit.

Abstract: The present invention presents a DC-DC converter control circuit and a control method capable of reducing errors between an output voltage and a reference voltage due to fluctuations of an input voltage and an offset voltage of a voltage comparator. A control unit 9 includes an integrating circuit 12, a voltage comparator COMP1, and one-shot flip-flop FF1. An integrator 10 calculates an integral value of a difference between an output voltage Vout of a DC-DC converter 1 and a reference voltage Vr, and outputs an output voltage Vx. An attenuator 11 sums up the attenuated output voltage Vx and the reference voltage Vr, and outputs an adjusted reference voltage Vr?. The voltage comparator COMP1 sets a transistor FET1 in a conductive state as the output voltage Vout becomes smaller than the adjusted reference voltage Vr?. The value of the adjusted reference voltage Vr? or a threshold voltage is controlled, so that an average output voltage Vave may coincide with the reference voltage Vr.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter applicable to a wide input voltage range. An error amplifier compares a divided voltage, which is generated by dividing output voltage with a plurality of resistors, and a reference voltage to generate an error signal. A voltage source generates an offset signal by offsetting the error signal. A PWM comparator compares the offset signal with a triangular wave signal to generate a drive signal for controlling activation and inactivation of a first output transistor and a second transistor at a duty corresponding to the comparison result. An offset controller determines the ratio between the output voltage and the input voltage and controls the offset voltage of the voltage source in accordance with the determination.

Abstract: There is provided a power-supply circuit for supplying voltage to a load, having a power supply that generates power-supply voltage, an inverted outputting circuit having a positive voltage terminal for outputting positive voltage based on the power-supply voltage and a negative voltage terminal for outputting negative voltage generated based on the power-supply voltage and having different polarity from the positive voltage and outputting the positive and negative voltage while keeping the same direction in terms of directions of electric current flowing between the positive voltage terminal and the outside and of electric current flowing between the negative voltage terminal and the outside, a step-down output circuit for outputting predetermined step-down output voltage to the outside by connecting the positive and negative voltage terminals to the outside while switching them with a predetermined duty ratio and a step-up output circuit for supplying step-up output voltage whose absolute value is greater t

Abstract: A DC-DC converter has a switching circuit including switching elements at the high-side and at the low-side, an inductor connected to the output end of the switching circuit, a smoothing capacitor connected to the inductor, a switching control circuit for supplying a switching pulse to the switching elements, and a circuit. The circuit detects that a state that the switching element at the high side is switched off and the switching element at the low side is switched on is maintained for a predetermined period or longer. In this case, the circuit forcibly switches off the switching element at the low side.

Abstract: An electronic ballast includes open circuit voltage regulation comprises an filament current sensing circuit 224 operably connected to an output of the electronic ballast and generating a sensed output voltage signal, and a regulating pulse width modulator U3 receiving the sensed output voltage signal and operably connected to control voltage at the output of the electronic ballast, the regulating pulse width modulator U3 having an output voltage threshold limit. The regulating pulse width modulator U3 limits the voltage at the output of the electronic ballast when the sensed output voltage signal exceeds the output voltage threshold limit. The regulating pulse width modulator U3 can limit the output voltage by limiting the pulse width to the high voltage driver and the resonant half bridge. The filament current sensing circuit 224 can sense the output voltage indirectly, such as by sensing tank current, or can sense the output voltage directly.

Abstract: A detect/modulate circuit comprises a plurality of modulate resistors connected to a main resistor of a bandgap in series, and each module resistor is connected to a transistor switch in parallel, and each transistor switch is connected to a logic controller, and the logic controller is connected in sequence to a plurality of detect circuits and fuses corresponding to the quantity of the transistor switches. When the detect circuit receives a low-to-high power-on reset signal to detect whether or not the fuse is fused, the detect circuit will issue a voltage level signal “0” for the fuse being not fused or a voltage level signal “1” for the fuse being fused to the logic controller. The logic controller converts the received voltage level signal according to a logic conversion table to control the electric connection of the corresponding transistor switch, so as to fine turn the main resistance of the bandgap.

Abstract: A radiometer system includes a housing and an RF board contained within the housing. Balanced radiometer channels receive an unknown signal and known reference. Each balanced radiometer channel includes at least one quadrature hybrid and amplifier circuit to provide distributed gain and an amplified output signal. A detection circuit receives and detects the amplified output signal forming a detected signal. A controller board is contained within the housing and has an integration circuit and microcontroller that receives the detected signal and performs video signal digitization and conditioning and real-time corrections on any radiometer channels to account for changes in temperature or gain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current sensor of smaller and simpler configuration, capable of measuring a current to be detected with high precision and stability. A current sensor has a V-shaped conductor line and a pair of magnetoresistive elements disposed along with the conductor line so that a resistance value of one of the magnetoresistive elements changes in a direction opposite to that of resistance-value-change of the other magnetoresistive element according to current magnetic fields produced by a current to be detected flowing through the conductor line.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a first magnetic core that surrounds a portion of a conductor as a current path and has gaps therein, each of which is defined by adjacent ends spaced from each other by a first distance, a magnetic sensing element placed in at least one of the gaps, and a second magnetic core placed near the surrounded portion of the conductor to divide the conductor into channels. The second magnetic core is spaced from the first magnetic core by a second distance smaller than the first distance. Therefore, a magnetic resistance of the second magnetic core is smaller than that of the first magnetic core in a magnetic circuit formed by the first and second magnetic cores. As a result, a disturbance magnetic field mainly passes through the second magnetic core.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing the position of an object includes a magnet and a magnetic flux sensor. The magnet has dimensions that include a length, a width and a height. The magnet is adapted to generate a flux field. The flux field has a magnitude of flux and a flux direction. The flux direction changes along at least one of the dimensions. The magnetic flux sensor is mounted adjacent the magnet. The magnet provides a rotating magnetic field vector. A method for magnetizing a magnet to create the rotating magnetic field vector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor device for measuring distance between a stator and a rotor in a machine is of the magnetic type and is intended to be mounted in the stator in order to interact with an opposing surface on the rotor. A sensor body (10) can be moved axially in a housing (11) mounted in the stator by means of an operating mechanism (13) and has a stop (16) at a predetermined distance (e) from its end surface designed to interact with a corresponding stop (17) inside the housing. This distance (e) exceeds the distance (d) between the stop (17) in the hosing and the end of the sensor body (10) by a predetermined distance (c) when the sensor body is in its normal measuring position. These stops (16, 17) make possible a particularly accurate calibration of the sensor device.

Abstract: A rotation angle detecting apparatus includes: a first permanent magnet; a second permanent magnet disposed so as to face the first permanent magnet, the second permanent magnet rotating together with a shaft; an arc-shaped first magnetic member and second magnetic member fixed to the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet; and a magnetic resistor disposed in an air gap formed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member so as to be axially aligned with the shaft, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member each including: a projecting portion pointed at the magnetic resistor; and a wall portion surrounding the magnetic resistor so as to prevent influence from external magnetic fields.

Abstract: A rotational angle detector has a rotary body, a first detecting unit rotating in cooperation with the rotary body, a second detecting unit rotating in cooperation with the first detecting unit, and an auxiliary detecting unit rotating in cooperation with the rotary body and the second detecting unit. The rotational angle detector has a first detecting element, a second detecting element, and a controller. The first detecting element detects rotation of the first detecting unit, and the second detecting element detects rotation of the second detecting unit. The controller detects a rotational angle of the rotary body based on a detection signal supplied from the first detecting element and a detection signal supplied from the second detecting element.

Abstract: A rotation angle detecting device includes magnetic field forming members such as a permanent magnet and a yoke, a plurality of magnetic sensors disposed in the magnetic field to rotate relative to the magnetic field forming members to provide output signals that are 90 degrees in phase different from each other, a judgment level calculating circuit that provides a judgment level based on the output signals and judging circuit that judges the output signals normal if the judgment level is within a prescribed range and not normal if the judgment level is out of the prescribed range.

Abstract: A liquid level detecting device for detecting liquid level contained in a tank includes a float and an arm that moves in a prescribed manner when liquid level changes, a permanent magnet for forming a magnetic field, a hall IC for generating an electric signal in response to the motion of the magnetic field, a rotary member linked with the arm and the permanent magnet for moving the magnetic field relative to the hall IC as the float and the arm move, a terminal member for connecting the hall IC to an outside control circuit; and a mold body including a resinous holder for holding the hall IC and the terminal member. The resinous holder includes a sheath for insulating the hall IC from heat and mechanical stress generated when the mold body is formed.

Abstract: With a method for the contactless determination of a thickness of a layer (20) made of electrically-conductive material of a component (17), a sensor composed of a coil form (13) and a coil (14) is positioned in the vicinity of the component (17) to be measured. The method is based on a combination of the principles of induction and eddy current. The thickness of the layer (20) is determined using a plurality of measuring and evaluation steps in which the coil (14) is acted upon with a first alternating current frequency f and its inductance and resistance values are evaluated. The distance between the coil form (13) and, therefore, the coil (14), and the component (17) is derived from the resistance value R of the coil (14) acted upon with alternating current frequency f.

Abstract: A flaw detection apparatus for a wire rope of an elevator according to the present invention, which is intended for a wire rope having a nominal diameter of 4 mm to 8 mm, includes a plurality of unit probes 9. Each of the unit probes 9 has a first and a second magnetic poles 10a and 10b of different polarity, and a magnetic sensor 11 of a U-shape disposed between the first magnetic pole 10a and the second magnetic pole 10b. A bottom radius of the magnetic sensor 11 is in a range of 2 mm to 5 mm. A difference between the bottom radius of the magnetic sensor 11 and a half of the nominal diameter of a wire rope 1 is equal to or less than 1.5 mm.

Abstract: Described herein is a magnetoresistive network responsive to a magnetic field of the type comprising a plurality of magnetoresistive elements. According to the invention, the one or more magnetoresistive elements comprise at least one magnetoresistive element in the form of nanoconstriction, said nanoconstriction comprising at least two pads made of magnetic material, associated to which are respective magnetizations oriented in directions substantially opposite to one another and connected through a nanochannel, said nanochannel being able to set up a domain wall that determines an electrical resistance of said nanoconstriction as a function of the position, with respect to said nanochannel, of said domain wall formed in said sensor device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for spatially resolved spin resonance detection in a sample of material are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and systems for spatially resolved impedance measurements in a sample of material. The disclosed methods and samples can be used in screening of plurality of biological, chemical and material samples.

Abstract: A system, method, software arrangement and computer-accessible medium for correcting for a motion of an object are provided. In this system, method, software arrangement and computer-accessible medium, the navigator data and map data can be obtained for the object. Then, the navigator data is compared with the map to generate comparison data. Thereafter, a translation and/or a rotation of the object is corrected in real-time as a function of the comparison data. The navigator can be preferably a clover leaf navigator. In one exemplary embodiment, a scanning sequence can be used to determine a position of the object. For example, this scanning sequence may include a signal portion which includes at least one radio frequency signal, a navigator portion which includes at least one clover leaf navigator, and a spoiler portion provided for reducing a signal magnitude of the scanning sequence. The navigator is provided for allowing a measurement of the rotation and/or the translation of the object.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, comprising a gradient system that can generate at least one spatially varying and optionally time-varying magnetic field for at least one-dimensional local encoding of measuring signals in an area of a test sample to be imaged, is characterized in that the gradient system contains at least one subsystem which can generate a non-bijective spatially varying magnetic field (=NBSEM or ambivalent/non-bijective spacially encoding magnetic field) for local encoding, such that the function of the field strength of such an NBSEM within the area to be imaged has at least one local extreme value (maximum or minimum), such that the area to be imaged is divided along the hyper surface formed by the entirety of all local extreme values of the at least one NBSEM into ng partial areas, with ng?2, that the magnetic field profile has a non-unidirectional distribution within and/or over these partial areas, and that least ng receiver coils are provided which have a differing sensitivit

Abstract: Method of magnetic resonance imaging comprising the steps of: exciting magnetic resonant (MR) active nuclei in a region of interest; creating magnetic field gradients in a phase-encode direction for spatially encoding the excited MR active nuclei; the number of phase-encode gradients producing a field of view corresponding to the region of interest; receiving radio frequency data from the region of interest using an array of at least two radio frequency receive coils, and producing from the radio frequency data an image by combining the images Si obtained from the radio frequency signals of the single coils Ci of the array by weighting the said images Si of each coil Ci with the sensitivity Bi of the corresponding coil Ci; an estimated sensitivity Bi (Fourier domain) of each coil Ci of the array being used, which is determined by applying a smoothing filter fi to the k-space data si received from each coil Ci.

Abstract: A split-top RF coil is provided. The split-top RF coil includes a first housing (80) having a first RF coil portion (41) disposed therein and a second housing (84) having a second RF coil portion (42) disposed therein. A plurality of slides (100) are disposed on at least one of the housings and a plurality of slide tracks (101) are disposed the housing opposite the slides for receiving the slides. The first and second housings are mechanically coupled via the slides and slide tracks. The RF coil also includes a plurality of electric connector pins (110) disposed on at least one of the housings and a plurality of pin receivers (111) disposed on the housing opposite the pins for receiving the conductor pins. Electric connections between the first and second coil RF coil portions are made via the pins and receivers.

Abstract: An imaging system 2 is provided comprising a primary gradient coil assembly 52 and a shield coil assembly 42. The shield coil assembly 42 is connected in series to the primary gradient coil assembly 52. The shield coil assembly 42 comprises a first gradient shield coil 82 and a second gradient shield coil 84. The second gradient shield coil 84 is connected in parallel to said first gradient shield coil 82.

Abstract: A device for guiding energy in a subsurface electromagnetic measuring system is provided, the device including a transmitting member for transmitting an electromagnetic signal into a subsurface medium, an energy-guiding member disposed in magnetic communication with the electromagnetic signal, and a receiving member for receiving a return signal induced from the subsurface medium. A method of guiding energy in a subsurface measuring system is also provided, the method including transmitting an electromagnetic signal into a subsurface medium, modifying the electromagnetic signal using a magnetic field, and then receiving a modified return signal induced from the medium using a receiving member.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the charge of a battery, characterized in that a gain crossover frequency (f±) for an impedance of the battery excited by an alternating current signal is established, and the gain crossover frequency (f±) is assigned to the charge of the battery, whereby the gain crossover frequency (f±) is a frequency of the alternating current signal at which an imaginary portion of the impedance of the battery vanishes.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system (BMS), which utilizes a minimum amount of input data (time, voltage, current, temperature and conductance, for example) to periodically determine a vehicle battery status or condition is provided. The BMS combines electronic hardware and software to give logical and critical data to assess and control a battery-based electrical system. The BMS can include processing circuitry (a microprocessor, for example), which is coupled to a voltage sensor, a current sensor, a temperature sensor, etc., that provide the necessary input data for the microprocessor, which executes program code, to determine the vehicle battery status or condition. A method of monitoring a battery in an operating vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A system for recharging and testing a rechargeable battery having first and second terminals which includes a microprocessor having at least a first port; a charger coupled to the first port and a connector for attachment to one of the terminals of the associated battery; and a comparator coupled to the charger and to the first port. The comparator compares a voltage at the first terminal of the associated battery and a reference voltage and produces respective first and second outputs. The first output is produced when the voltage at the first terminal is below a first predetermined value and the second output is produced when the voltage at the first terminal is above a second predetermined value. The charger charges the battery in response to the first output and not charging the battery in response to the second output.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a system that includes a network analyzer for determining a property, such as dielectric permittivity of a sample material as a function of frequency, the apparatus including: a cylindrical chamber for receiving the sample; a coaxial connector having a first relatively small diameter end coupleable with the analyzer and a second relatively large diameter end communicating with a side of the cylindrical chamber, the connector having inner and outer coaxial conductors; the inner conductor of the connector having a diameter that tapers outwardly from the first end to the second end, and the outer conductor of the connector having an inner surface whose diameter tapers outwardly from the first end to the second end. The chamber can accommodate relatively large samples, such as standard earth formation coring samples.

Abstract: A stepped printed circuit board for a probe card and for clamping by a testing machine is disclosed. The stepped printed circuit board includes a main body and a protruding body. The main body has a conductive circuit pattern arranged therein and a border area for the clamping of the testing machine. The protruding body is joined to a bottom side of the main body beyond the border area and defines with the bottom side of the main body an elevational difference. The protruding body has a conductive circuit pattern arranged therein and electrically connected to the conductive circuit pattern of the main body.

Abstract: A design-for-test (DFT) circuit for an integrated circuit (IC) for enabling accurate quiescent current testing. The IC includes a voltage supply pin, a ground pin and an internal voltage regulator coupled between the voltage supply and ground pins for providing an internal output voltage. The DFT circuit includes a voltage storage device which couples to the voltage regulator to temporarily maintain the internal output voltage when the voltage regulator is disabled. The mode control circuit detects a quiescent current test mode, disables the voltage regulator and decouples the voltage regulator from the voltage storage device when the quiescent current test mode is detected. The DFT circuit may include an enable circuit which generates a freeze signal when the quiescent current test mode is detected, and at least one switch which decouples the voltage regulator from the voltage storage node. The DFT circuit is particularly useful for low pin-count ICs.

Abstract: A DUT contactor integrated into a DUT or probe board is presented. The DUT contactor integrated into a DUT/probe board may comprise a raised metallization contact layer on one surface of a multi-layer printed circuit board.

Abstract: A test head for an integrated circuit tester includes a main chassis defining a chamber that is open at the top. Tester modules are installed in the chamber, each tester module being removable as a unit from the chamber and including a tester module chassis, multiple pin electronics cards, and a tester module interface structure exposed at the top of the chamber. A test head interface structure is engageable with the tester module interface structures of the tester modules for connecting the tester module interface structures to a device interface unit.

Abstract: A probe sensing pad used to detect a position of a probe needle includes a probe area, at least two sensing regions contacting peripheral portions of the probe area, sensing elements of different electrical characteristics connected to corresponding sensing regions, and at least one isolation region for electrically insulting the sensing regions. The position of the probe needle relative to the probe sensing pad may be rapidly detected and automatically corrected toward a desired contact site of the probe sensing pad depending upon the voltage measured by a probe needle contacting the probe sensing pad. That is, the measured voltage will have a first value if deflected in a first direction, a second value (different from the first) if deflected in a second direction, and so on. The position of the probe needle can be corrected based on this measurement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for checking the quality of the metallization of a printed circuit, and also includes the printed circuits produced. According to the invention, the checking process consists in providing a checking circuit (1) comprising n through openings (7-1 . . . 7-6, 8-1 . . . 11-6), called vias, on the one hand provided with an internal peripheral wall clad with a metallized layer (12), and on the other hand electrically connected in series between two electrical terminals (16-18, 20-22), in applying a current of predetermined intensity between the two electrical terminals of the checking circuit (1), in measuring the corresponding voltage difference, and in comparing the measured value with a threshold value representative of the voltage difference obtained for a metallized layer of minimum predetermined thickness deposited on the peripheral wall of each via, so as to validate the printed circuit when the measured value is less than the threshold value.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for correcting thermally-induced field deformations of a lithographically exposed substrate. First, a model is provided to predict thermally-induced field deformation information of a plurality of fields of the substrate. The pre-specified exposure information used to configure an exposure of the fields is then modified based on the thermally-induced deformation information as predicted by the model. Finally a pattern is exposed onto the fields in accordance with the pre-specified exposure information as modified. The predicting of thermally-induced field deformation information by the model includes predicting of deformation effects of selected points on the substrate. It is based on a time-decaying characteristic as energy is transported across substrate; and a distance between the selected points and an edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: preparing a semiconductor module including: a semiconductor substrate having an electrode; a test pad electrically connected to the electrode; a land electrically connected to the test pad; and an external terminal provided on the land; and testing an electrical characteristic by bringing a probe into contact with the test pad.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing unpackaged semiconductor dice having raised ball contact locations is disclosed. The apparatus uses a temporary interconnect wafer that is adapted to establish an electrical connection with the raised ball contact locations on the die without damage to the ball contact locations. The interconnect is fabricated on a substrate, such as silicon, where contact members are formed in a pattern that matches the size and spacing of the ball contact locations on the die to be tested. The contact members on the interconnect wafer are formed as either pits, troughs, or spike contacts. The spike contacts penetrate through the oxide layer formed on the raised ball contact locations. Conductive traces are provided in both rows and columns and are terminated on the inner edges of the walls of the pits formed in the substrate.

Abstract: A non-contact inspecting device for a panel, which has a plurality of signal inputting sensors, a plurality of signal detecting sensors and a control circuit. The signal inputting sensors are configured in a first detecting bar, and the signal detecting sensors are configured in a second detecting bar. When the device inspects the panel, the control circuit controls the signal input sensors of the first detecting bar to provide a detecting signal and controls the corresponding signal detecting sensors of the second detecting bar to receive the detecting signal synchronously, thereby relatively reducing tact-time.

Abstract: Long existing performance, noise, and power consumption problems of prior art output drivers are solved by using n-channel transistors as pull up transistors and/or p-channel transistors as pull down transistors for high performance output drivers. Output drivers of the present invention can be fully compatible with HSTL or SSTL interfaces without using termination resistors. High resolution switching applications are also made possible without consuming much power. Output drivers of the present invention provide excellent solutions to support high performance interface while consuming much lower power.

Abstract: An inverter circuit (500) having a drive transistor (102) that operably couples to a voltage bias input (101) (and where that drive transistor controls the inverter circuit output by opening and closing a connection between the output (105) and ground (104)) is further operably coupled to a feedback switch (401). In a preferred approach the feedback switch is itself also operably coupled to the voltage bias input and the output and preferably serves, when the drive transistor is switched “off,” to responsively couple the voltage bias input to the drive transistor in such a way as to cause a gate terminal of the drive transistor to have its polarity relative to a source terminal of the drive transistor reversed and hence permit the inverter circuit to operate across a substantially full potential operating range of the drive transistor.

Abstract: A time required for an output voltage of a source follower to rise from Low to a predetermined voltage depends on a bias voltage. Therefore, by setting a converged voltage of an output voltage to be high by increasing the bias voltage, the time required to rise up to the predetermined voltage can be reduced. Therefore, a first source follower which is biased so that the converged value of the output voltage becomes a predetermined Hi voltage when an input data signal goes from Low to Hi, and a second source follower which is biased so as to become the Hi voltage after a period of one clock when an input data signal goes from Low to Hi, are used. The two source followers are operated with appropriate timing.

Abstract: A voltage buffer circuit is disclosed for receiving an input voltage and generating an output voltage. The voltage buffer circuit includes a voltage buffer stage and a voltage output stage. The voltage buffer stage buffers the input voltage and generates a first voltage. The voltage buffer stage includes a first circuit. The voltage output stage is coupled to the voltage buffer stage for receiving the first voltage and generating the output voltage. The circuit structure of the voltage output stage corresponds to the circuit structure of the first circuit.

Abstract: An arrangement for read-out of information stored on an optical information carrier (30) is disclosed. Light from a master laser (10) is reflected from the information carrier (30) and injected into a slave laser (20) in polarization state that is generally orthogonal to the free-running polarization of the slave laser. The amount of injected light required to switch the polarization of the slave laser depends upon the wavelength difference between the master laser and the free-running slave laser. By controlling the wavelength difference between the two lasers, the arrangement is capable of reading different gray-levels from the information carrier (30).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of controlling and tuning clock phase alignment with a dual loop of a hybrid phase and time domain for clock source synchronization in electronic devices are described. The coarse calibration unit generates a plurality of output signals, the output signals having a plurality of fixed phase intervals therebetween. At least one of the fixed phase intervals is equal to complete 360 degrees which are divided by the number of the output signals to cover the phase range of complete 360 degrees. The first fine calibration unit connected to the coarse calibration unit delays the output signals generated from the coarse calibration unit by coupling a programmable delay circuit to adjust the phase of a feedback signal toward the phase of a reference signal.

Abstract: A charge pump and loop filter circuit of a phase locked loop includes a resistor, first and second capacitors, first and second input current sources for supplying first and second currents to the circuit, a first output current source for outputting the first current from the circuit, and a second output current source for receiving the second current from the circuit. The charge pump also contains a plurality of up pulse switches and down pulse switches for controlling current flow through the circuit such that only a fraction of the current that flows through the resistor flows into and out of the first capacitor for charging and discharging the first capacitor. The size of the first capacitor can be reduced accordingly based on the amount of current used to charge and discharge the first capacitor.

Abstract: This invention provides a charge pump circuit used in phase-locked loop (PLL) having the function of power management for portable application. According to different applications, power management adjusts the power consumption modes of this PLL that will also correspond to different jitter degree. There are three kinds of modes contained in the PLL: the first mode is normal mode having the larger power consumption and smaller jitter, second mode is low power mode having moderate power consumption and moderate jitter, and third mode is the traditional mode having the smaller power consumption and the larger jitter.