Abstract: A PTAT biasing circuit for use in a bandgap referenced voltage source includes a startup sub-circuit. Prior to activation of a power up indication signal, the speedup circuit forces the PTAT biasing circuit from a degenerate operating point to a normal operating point. Upon detection of a feedback signal denoting the initiation of the PTAT biasing circuit, the startup sub-circuit terminates operation of the startup sub-circuit independent of the activation of the power up indication signal.

Abstract: A voltage reference generator generates a stable reference voltage that is less than the bandgap voltage of silicon for power supply voltages less than 2V, yet provides sufficient voltage headroom to operate a current mirror. In one embodiment, the voltage reference generator has a power supply rejection ratio of at least 60 dB and has comparable noise performance as compared to traditional bandgap cirucits. These advantages are achieved by subtracting a current proportional to a complement of an absolute temperature from a current proportional to the absolute temperature to generate a voltage having a positive temperature coefficient, which is then added to a voltage that is a complement of the absolute temperature to achieve a voltage that has a low temperature coefficient.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to improve a defect caused at the time of starting a midpoint potential generating circuit for use in a semiconductor device. A bias generating circuit supplies a grounding potential as a bias voltage Vbias and sets a midpoint potential of capacitors C1 and C2 to a grounding potential when a supply voltage VDD is lower than a first reference voltage. When the supply voltage VDD is equal to or higher than the first reference voltage, the bias generating circuit supplies the supply voltage VDD as the bias voltage Vbias. When the bias voltage Vbias is equal to or higher than a second reference voltage, the bias generating circuit supplies a voltage obtained by dividing the supply voltage VPP of the booster power supply circuit as the bias voltage Vbias to a node of the capacitors C1 and C2.

Abstract: A low pass filter de-glitch circuit is disclosed herein, it includes a first short pulse resetting circuit, a second short pulse resetting circuit having MOS transistors and a low pass filtering circuit having a capacitor coupled with an inverter. Forgoing circuits are cascode together and then connected to a buffer. The buffer provides two complementary signals which are served as control signals feedbacked to the first short pulse resetting circuit and the second short pulse resetting circuit. Utilizing the driving large current capability the MOS transistors have, the low pass filter de-glitch circuit can reset the capacitor rapidly. Therefore the circuit can filter those glitch signals.

Abstract: A switched-capacitor ripple-smoothing filter includes a first pair of capacitors. The filter is configured such that either capacitor in the first pair may be reset and have a terminal coupled to a first input port and such that the remaining capacitor in the first pair is isolated from the first input port and has the terminal coupled to a first output port while the other capacitor is being charged. The filter further includes a second pair of capacitors, the filter being configured such that either capacitor in the second pair may be reset and have a terminal coupled to a second input port and such that the remaining capacitor in the second pair is isolated from the second input port and has the terminal coupled to a second output port while the other capacitor in the second pair is being charged. Advantageously, the filter is configured such that the capacitors in the first and second pair are reset responsive to the assertion of a single reset signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first and a second amplifier circuit each driven by an input signal. The first and second amplifier circuits generate a first and a second control signal on the output side. The control signals are generated independently of one another and drive a first and second controllable resistor of a third amplifier circuit for generating a third control signal. The third control signal is fed back to the first and second amplifier circuits. Depending on the resistance value of the first and second controllable resistors of the third amplifier circuit, an output signal amplified with respect to the input signal is generated at an output terminal of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is an input amplifier of an integrated semiconductor memory and permits the input signal to be amplified with a gain independent of a level of the DC component of the input signal.

Abstract: A system and method of optimizing the output power of a power amplifier to maintain satisfactory RF response under varying power amplifier operating conditions. The operating conditions include operating temperature, supply voltage, and operating frequency. Existing sensors monitor the aforementioned operating conditions. An application within the wireless device containing the power amplifier continuously or periodically logs the current operating conditions and finds them in a look-up table stored internally. The look-up table is comprised of empirically derived maximum sustainable power output levels for each operating condition. Once the current operating conditions are matched to a set in the table, current power amplifier power output is reset, if necessary, to the maximum sustainable power output defined in the table.

Abstract: A chopping amplifier and method for chopping an input signal are disclosed. The chopping amplifier and method utilize at least two chopping amplifier stages. A chopping operation of an input signal is segmented across two or more chopping amplifier stages, and the two or more chopping amplifier stages are responsive to a master controller. Chop clock signals of the chopping amplifier stages are staggered so that they have non-overlapping periods and at least one of the chopping amplifier stages is not operating in an open loop at any given time. The non-overlapping periods are periodic so that a master chop clock of the master controller can be operated at a lower chop clock frequency. For every doubling of N number of chopping amplifier stages, magnitudes of chopping artifacts and aliased components are each respectively reduced by 3 dB.

Abstract: A switching amplifier including a PWM circuit 14, a driver 15, a switching output circuit 16 and an LPF 17 is provided with a fluctuation detection circuit 12 for detecting fluctuations in the power supply voltage. The fluctuation detection circuit 12 includes detection resistors 122 and 123 connected in series between a positive power supply 19 and a negative power supply 20. A fluctuating signal RPL occurring at a fluctuation detection terminal 121 is supplied to the inverted input terminal of a differential amplifier 131 of a non-inverted amplifier circuit 13. The non-inverted amplifier circuit 13 inverts the fluctuating signal RPL, mixes the inverted fluctuating signal into the input signal eS, amplifies the mixed signal, and supplying the amplified signal to the PWM circuit 14.

Abstract: A pre-charge apparatus and method for controlling startup transients in a capacitively-coupled switching power stage provide lower cost and improved startup transient performance in Class D amplifiers, as well as in other AC power converter applications. A charging source is activated at startup to control the charging of an external capacitor from a single power supply rail to an operating point voltage equal to the average DC output of the switching circuit, while a control circuit disables the output power stage of the switching converter. The current source may be a constant-current source and/or may be controlled via feedback from the voltage or current at the output terminal of the converter to taper the current level to more accurately control the charging. A discharge circuit can also be provided to discharge the output terminal to an opposite power supply rail before commencing the controlled charging.

Abstract: A method and device for frequency shifting and amplifying an audio signal for use in a parametric loudspeaker system is disclosed. The method includes the operation of receiving an input audio signal and creating a reference signal. The audio signal is compared with the reference signal to derive a compared product signal. The compared product signal is sent to a switching power stage. Nonlinear preprocessing is performed with respect to the input audio signal, and/or a non-triangle wave is created as the reference signal. The input audio signal is shifted and amplified by modulating the reference signal in the switching power stage.

Abstract: An amplifier which comprises an operational amplifier, a semiconductor switch that selectively connects at least one circuit to an input terminal of the operational amplifier, and a device for virtual shorting of both terminals of the semiconductor switch in an isolated state.

Abstract: A power amplification apparatus includes, between a first amplification element for amplifying an input signal and a first output terminal, a second amplification element for further amplifying the input signal amplified in the first amplification element to output to the first output terminal, and a first switch element for controlling the second amplification element to be stop condition. Further, between the first amplification element and a second output terminal, a second switch circuit for controlling the supply of an output from the first amplification element to the second output terminal is provided. When outputting a medium power, the operation efficiency of the power amplification apparatus is improved by reducing a power consumption. Thereby, a total operation efficiency of the power amplification apparatus which outputs either the input signal amplified to a large power or the input signal amplified to a medium power by switching is improved.

Abstract: An amplifier comprises a first transistor for providing signal amplification, and a second transistor for providing distortion compensation, wherein said second transistor is capable of simultaneously providing more than one form of distortion compensation. A first signal path passes through a first transistor to provide signal gain, and a second signal path passes through a second transistor to provide distortion compensation. The amplifier is capable of providing pre-distortion compensation, post-distortion compensation and cubic-polynomial distortion compensation.

Abstract: In a feed-forward power amplifier, a main path amplifies a power level of an input signal to generate a path turning signal, an error path receives the input signal and controls a gain or a phase of a second order intermodulation component in the path turning signal to generate an intermodulation compensation signal, and a first synthesizer generates an output signal responsive to the path turning signal and the intermodulation compensation signal, achieving linearity.

Abstract: When n-channel thin film transistors(TFTs) and p-channel TFTs are formed on a polycrystalline silicon film formed on a glass substrate, a process is included in which P-dopant or N-dopant is introduced at the same time to the channel region of a part of the n-channel TFTs and a part of the p-channel TFTs. In one channel doping operation, a set of low-VT and high-VT p-channel TFTs and a set of low-VT and high-VT n-channel TFTs can be formed. This method is used for forming high-VT TFTs, which can reduce the off-current, in logics and switch circuits and for forming low-VT TFTs, which can enlarge the dynamic range, in analog circuits to improve the performance of a thin film semiconductor.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a low noise amplifier using differential inductors. An input matching circuit having first and second differential inductors matches an input resistance at an input having input terminals. A differential amplifier circuit converts the input voltage a current. An output circuit provides an output voltage buffer with a low output impedance at an output having output terminals. A cascode circuit increases isolation between the input and the output terminals.

Abstract: An amplifying device comprising a first terminal to which an alternating signal is inputted; a second terminal connected via an external first resistor to a power supply line; a third terminal to be grounded; a second resistor provided on a signal line in between the second terminal and the third terminal; a differential amplifier, the alternating signal of which being inputted through the first terminal to one input terminal and an output according to the alternating signal being fed back to the other input terminal via a signal line in between the second terminal and the second resistor, and between the one input terminal and the other input terminal, a positive offset voltage higher than a maximum level of the alternating signal being produced in advance; and a third resistor provided between a signal line joining the first terminal and the one input terminal, and a signal line leading to the third terminal.

Abstract: A buffer circuit is arranged for offset cancellation between an input voltage and a buffered voltage. The buffer circuit includes two bias current sources, two p-type transistors, and two n-type transistors. Further, the base-emitter voltages of the two p-type transistors and the two n-type transistors are arranged to form a translinear loop. The translinear loop is arranged to provide the buffered voltage from the input voltage. One of the bias sources is arranged to provide a bias current to one of the p-type transistors, and the other bias circuit is arranged to provide a bias current to one of the n-type transistors. One of the bias current circuits is arranged to actively sense the reverse saturation currents of the p-type transistors and the n-type transistors, and to provide its bias current so that the offset voltage between the input voltage and the buffered voltage is substantially cancelled.

Abstract: In a radio communication system, an electronic component for high frequency power amplifier carries out the detection of output level, required for feedback control of the output power of a high frequency power amplification circuit, by current detection. The electronic component has an error amplifier. The error amplifier compares an output level detection signal with an output level instruction signal, and generates a signal for controlling the gain of the high frequency power amplification circuit according to the difference between them. For the error amplifier, a low-pass amplification circuit is used. The amplification circuit is provided with, between its output terminal and its inverting input terminal, a phase compensation circuit. The phase compensation circuit comprises a resistance element, and another resistance element and a capacitive element in series connected in parallel with the resistance element.

Abstract: An embodiment of an electronic signal amplifier comprises a power source, an input inductor, an output inductor and one or more branches connected in parallel between the terminals of the power source. Each branch comprises a transistor having a control electrode connected to an intermediate terminal of the input inductor, a first main electrode connected to a first terminal of the power source, and a second main electrode connected to a second terminal of the power source via a capacitor. The second main electrode of each transistor of a branch is also connected to an intermediate terminal of the output inductor.

Abstract: An amplifier bias system. The amplifier bias system includes a battery voltage supply coupled with an amplifier transistor to be biased; an output node coupled with a gate of the amplifier transistor; and a current source coupled with the battery voltage supply, wherein the current source provides a current to a node in response to the battery voltage supply. The amplifier bias system further includes a first transistor coupled between the battery voltage supply and the output node, the first transistor having a gate coupled with the first node; a second transistor coupled with the first node, the second transistor having a gate coupled with the output node; and a current load coupled with the output node.

Abstract: A method for transforming single-ended signals outputted from a low-noise amplifier of a wireless transceiver into differential signals. The method includes: providing a transformer according to a default requirement of the wireless transceiver; transferring the single-ended signals provided by the low-noise amplifier to a first end of a primary end of the transformer, and coupling a second end of the primary end of the transformer to a power source; grounding a center tap of a secondary end of the transformer; and outputting the differential signals from two ends of the secondary end of the transformer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers for reducing the peak voltage that transistors are subjected to. A power amplifier is provided with first and second switching devices and an inductor connected between the switching devices. The switching devices are driven such that the switching devices are turned on and off during the same time intervals.

Abstract: The smart lock-in circuits basically include a sensor, two stacked PMOS transistors, two stacked NMOS transistors, and a feedback line. If the sensing voltage does not reach the expected voltage compared to the midpoint voltage of the sensor, the output voltage of the sensor turns on the corresponding transistor, which provides a current to its output until the voltage at feedback reaches the midpoint voltage. The time to reach the midpoint voltage at a filter is simply equal to the charge stored at the filter divided by the current, which can be scaled by a device aspect ratio of the transistor. Consequently, all smart lock-in circuits provide an initial loop condition closer to the expected loop condition according to schedule.

Abstract: A gain compensator compensates for the gain variation of a varactor-tuned voltage tuned oscillator (VCO) in a phase lock loop (PLL). The VCO includes a parallel LC circuit having multiple fixed capacitors that can be switched-in or switched-out of the LC circuit according to a capacitor control signal to perform band-select tuning of the VCO. The gain compensator compensates for the variable VCO gain by generating a charge pump reference current that is based on the same capacitor control signal that controls the fixed capacitors in the LC circuit. The gain compensator generates the charge pump reference current by replicating a reference scale current using unit current sources. The number of times the reference scale current is replicated is based on the fixed capacitance that is switched-in to the LC circuit and therefore the frequency band of the PLL.

Abstract: A local oscillator (LO) generator for driving a bank of mixers that provides precise phase relationship between multi-phase LO outputs comprises a shift register using slave-master-slave flip-flop elements. The LO generator can be used over a wide operating frequency range. The LO generator is suitable for driving a multi-phase LO clock input to a harmonic suppression mixer. A pattern generator produces a pattern signal and a reclocking signal that determines the frequency of the LO signals and the phase delay between the LO output phases.

Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a compensated microelectromechanical oscillator, having a microelectromechanical resonator that generates an output signal and frequency adjustment circuitry, coupled to the microelectromechanical resonator to receive the output signal of the microelectromechanical resonator and, in response to a set of values, to generate an output signal having second frequency. In one embodiment, the values may be determined using the frequency of the output signal of the microelectromechanical resonator, which depends on the operating temperature of the microelectromechanical resonator and/or manufacturing variations of the microelectromechanical resonator. In one embodiment, the frequency adjustment circuitry may include frequency multiplier circuitry, for example, PLLs, DLLs, digital/frequency synthesizers and/or FLLs, as well as any combinations and permutations thereof.

Abstract: The invention concerns a wideband modulator using a PLL synthesizer, which can match the frequency characteristic and prevent degradation in modulation accuracy even in the presence of a variation in the manufacture of circuit components. In a wideband modulator which modulates the division ratio of a frequency divider by using a modulating signal generated by a modulating signal generator and outputs a modulated carrier signal from a VCO, calibration data from a calibration data generator are input via a selector. The amplitude value of an ac component of each modulating signal, either appearing on the output of a loop filter or demodulated by a demodulator, is converted to a digital value by way of an A/D converter. The difference between the two is detected and a control signal FCR to eliminate the difference is generated in order to correct the frequency characteristic of a PLL or a pre-distortion filter.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator 1, a variable frequency divider 2, a phase comparator 3, and a loop filter 4 form a Phase Locked Loop (PLL). A sigma-delta modulator 5 sigma-delta modulates data obtained by adding a fractional part M2 of the frequency division factor data with modulation data X by using an output signal of the variable frequency divider 2 as a clock. An output signal of the sigma-delta modulator 5 is added to an integral part M1 of the frequency division factor data, and the resultant data becomes effective frequency division factor data 13 of the variable frequency divider 2. An output signal of the sigma-delta modulator 5 also becomes control data 14 after passing through a D/A converter 6, a low-pass filter 7, and an amplitude adjustment circuit 8. The control data 14 is inputted into a frequency modulation terminal of the voltage controlled oscillator 1.

Abstract: Novel concepts are proposed for line terminations of coplanar lines that are as anechoic as possible, having a neutral wire and two outer conductors that are situated at least from section to section on both sides of the neutral wire, the line termination including at least one resistor element, via which the neutral wire is connected at its end with the two outer conductors. A connection at the end between the two outer conductors exists independently of the at least one resistor element. Alternatively or in supplementation to this, at least one resistor element of the line termination is situated at a slanting angle to the neutral wire, i.e. at an angle which is either greater or less than 90°.

Abstract: With an antenna duplexer having balanced terminals, there has been a problem that the amount of leakage of common-mode signal components in the balanced terminals is large. A balanced high-frequency filter designed to solve this problem comprises a balanced high-frequency element and a phase-shifting circuit which includes a transmission line and placed between output terminals, and which is series resonance circuit having a length set to ?T/2 (?T: the wavelength at a frequency in a transmission frequency band) and capable of resonating with common-mode signal components at a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: In a T network tuner, a variable shunt capacitor is provided between the signal input and ground that is ganged to the variable input matching capacitor. The operation is mechanically arranged such that, as one decreases the capacitance of the variable input matching capacitor, one increases the capacitance of the shunt capacitor to assist in high frequency matching, both to increase the maximum matchable load resistance and to decrease the minimum matchable load resistance. The variable shunt capacitor therefore assists at the high frequency ranges to bring the antenna impedances down to the transmitter output impedance, thus to establish an extended matching range tuner capable working between 160 and 10 meters.

Abstract: A filter element (28) having planar (48) or cavity (30) geometry having applied thereto a coating (38, 39, 50, 53) of temperature super conducting (HTS) material in which the filter element (28) or coating of HTS material is provided with a porous structure (49A) or has associated therewith a plurality of cooling passages (29, 40, 42, 55) for passage of refrigerant when the filter element (28) is connected to a refrigeration circuit. A refrigeration circuit includes a compressor (18) connected to a heat exchanger assembly (19) located in an evacuated housing (20), wherein the heat exchanger assembly (19) includes an influent line (22), a first heat exchanger unit (21) in communication with the influent line (22), a throttle valve (23) which is in communication with the filter (28), a second heat exchanger unit (25) in communication with the filter (28) and a return line (26) to the compressor (18).

Abstract: The coupler of the present invention includes a plurality of core members that are disposed between the semi-conductive ground jacket and neutral conductor of a standard URD MV cable. The core members are series wound by a transformer conductor, which forms a secondary winding that is coupled to the primary of a transformer, which provides impedance translation and/or isolation. The secondary of the transformer is coupled to a connector for communicating data signals through the coupler.

Abstract: The length of a transmission line delay circuit is halved by inserting a directional coupler in the signal path ahead of the transmission line and either open circuiting or short circuiting the other end of the transmission line. The signal traveling through the directional coupler and through the transmission line is reflected back at the end of the transmission line, and the reflected signal is carried to the coupled output of the directional coupler. Since the signal travels through the transmission line twice, the delay time is doubled. Therefore, for a given delay requirement, the length of transmission line required is only half of the length required for prior art transmission delay lines.

Abstract: A duplexer having a filter and an isolation part which are integrally formed including a substrate, a transmitter filter integrated on the substrate to pass signals only in a frequency band for transmission, a receiver filter integrated on the substrate to pass signals only in a frequency band for reception, and an isolation part integrally formed with either one of the transmitter filter and the receiver filter to isolate the signals passed through the transmitter filter and the receiver filter from each other. Since the isolation part is integrally formed with either one of the transmitter filter and the receiver filter, the duplexer can be manufactured in a small size by simplified processes.

Abstract: An antenna system comprises an antenna assembly having an angle of electrical tilt and a plurality of antenna elements each arranged to receive signals through a respective transmission line. Each transmission line is shortened or lengthened by moving a coupling link along two transmission line parts which the link couples: this adjusts signal phase supplied to each antenna element individually, and controls the angle of electrical tilt of the antenna assembly.

Abstract: A phase shifter device comprising a substrate defining a slot line waveguide having first and second ends and being operably coupled to a microstrip waveguide and a shorting patch is described. The microstrip waveguide and shorting patch are moveable along the slot line waveguide so as to vary the distance between the first end of the slot line and the intersection of the slot line waveguide and microstrip waveguide whilst maintaining a substantially constant separation between the microstrip waveguide and the shorting patch. A separation between the microstrip waveguide and shorting patch equal to one quarter of the effective wavelength of the radiation carried by the device is described. The device is described for use in various phased array antenna systems.

Abstract: A high Q RF cavity resonator loaded with a ceramic disc, the resonator comprising an inner conductive post having a length less than a quarter wavelength. The resonance frequency of the resonator is tunable by changing a distance between a) an outer plate and b) a ceramic disc and an end cap where the ceramic disc is located between the outer plate and the end cap. The resonance frequency can be tuned when the outer plate, ceramic disc, and end cap are in contact with each other by varying a pressure between the contact surfaces of the ceramic disc, the end cap and the outer plate. Temperature compensation allows the resonator to hold a resonance frequency despite changes in temperature, and can be achieved by selecting thermal coefficients of expansion of components holding or placing the ceramic disc and end cap relative to the outer plate.

Abstract: A stripline structure. The stripline structure includes a stripline transmission line, a first ground plane, a first dielectric layer overlaying the first ground plane, a conductive trace overlaying the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer overlaying the conductive trace, a second ground plane overlaying the second dielectric layer, multiple first conductive vias, and multiple second conductive vias. Each first conductive via and each second conductive via electrically connects the first ground plane to the second ground plane. The multiple first conductive vias are located along a first line parallel to the conductive trace, and the multiple second conductive vias are located along a second line parallel to the conductive trace. The first line and the second line are located on opposite sides of the conductive trace.

Abstract: This invention provides a superconducting magnet apparatus capable of preventing or restraining the heat invading into the apparatus and reducing the refrigeration load of an external refrigerator, at the time of changeover of a switch in transiting to a persistent current mode, and capable of quick changeover operation. In the superconducting magnet apparatus of the present invention (1), in transiting to a persistent current mode, a thermal superconducting switch (41) placed in a low-temperature domain and a mechanical switch (42) placed in a mid-temperature domain are turned on. Since the mechanical switch (42) is placed in the mid-temperature domain, even if a heat load is generated through the drive mechanism (60), it is not necessary to cool the mechanical switch to an extremely low temperature.

Abstract: A magnetic retaining device for attaching a work piece to a machine tool includes a magnetic housing having two housing members secured together and having different magnetic poles, and a magnetic core rotatably received in the magnetic housing and having two core members having different magnetic poles. The magnetic force of the housing members may be offset by the core members when the core members are received in the housing members of different magnetic poles, and may be increased when the core members are received in the housing members of the same magnetic poles, in order to selectively and stably retain the work piece to the machine tool.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation system, includes a base module having a plurality of coils spaced in a matrix configuration. The system also includes a platform module having a plurality of focusing magnets and a plurality of lifting magnets. Activation of the plurality of coils by way of an electric current supplied to the plurality of coils creates a magnetic field strength which provides a force that levitates the platform module over the base module. The system also includes a position and orientation sensing and feedback system provided on the platform module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembling structure of field coil, which has a simple mounting structure for a diode and a resistor to cut an off-noise of an electromagnetic clutch and to prevent damage of peripheral parts due to surge voltage generation when power source applied to an electronic coil body is cut off, thereby improving a mounting efficiency, reducing a manufacturing cost by reduction of the number of parts, and realizing an automatic production. The assembling structure of field coil includes an electronic coil body (101), a core ring (110) and a sleeve (120) having a first and second terminals (131) (132), and a case that has a receiving part (135) and a first and second connection parts (136) (137).

Abstract: A high frequency magnetic thin film characterized by comprising a first layer made of a T-L composition (here, T is Fe or FeCo, and L is one or more of C, B, and N) and a second layer comprising a Co-based amorphous alloy arranged on either of the surfaces of the first layer. The high frequency magnetic thin film is a multilayer film of a plurality of the first layers and a plurality of the second layers or desirably is a multilayer film of alternately laminated first and second layers. The high frequency magnetic thin film of the present invention exhibits the properties such that the real part (??) of the complex permeability is 400 or more at 1 GHz, a quality factor Q (Q=??/??) is 4 or more, and a saturation magnetization is 14 kG (1.4T) or more.

Abstract: An overheat protection device for a movable body surface includes a thermal fuse having a fuse element which melts at a predetermined temperature, bridges electrodes in a pair and melts at a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature to break an electrical connection between the pair of electrodes, and a pair of long elastic bodies, to each of which one of the electrodes is electrically connected at an end or its periphery of the elastic body through a lead. At least one of pairs of upper surfaces and lower surfaces of the elastic bodies are spatially on a same plane.

Abstract: A sensor system has an AlN substrate, a W layer on the substrate, a signal source adapted to apply an electrical actuating signal to the W layer, and a sensor adapted to sense the response of the W layer. The W layer can comprise a thin film, with various types of optional protective layers over the film. Applications include sensing temperature, fluid flow rates, fluid levels, pressure and chemical environments. For a planar heater, the W layer comprises a plurality of conductive strands distributed on the substrate, with the strands generally parallel and serpentine shaped for a rectangular substrate, and extending along respective lines of longitude that merge at opposite poles of the substrate for a circular substrate.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensing element according to the invention includes an insulating layer and a sensing layer. The sensing layer is configured to generate an electrical signal as a function of a physical quantity applied thereto and has a surface that includes a first and a second area. The first area is completely covered with the insulating layer so that the physical quantity is to be applied to both the insulating layer and the sensing layer through the first area; the second area is exposed to an application direction of the physical quantity without being covered with the insulating layer and being subject to application of the physical quantity. With such a structure, easy and reliable electrical connection of the physical quantity sensing element with external devices and circuits is ensured. In addition, several practical methods of fabricating the physical quantity sensing element according to the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thick film patterned resistor on a substrate and to a method of forming it. The method involves providing a substrate with opposed surfaces, where one surface is coated with a layer of a resistor composition. A photoresist is applied over the layer of the resistor composition, and a desired pattern in the photoresist is formed, where the pattern leaves certain regions of the resistor composition layer uncovered by the photoresist. The resistor composition layer which is uncovered by the photoresist is etched under conditions effective to leave a mass of loosely bound resistor particles at regions of the resistor composition which are not covered by photoresist. The mass of resistor particles is then removed from the substrate to produce a thick film patterned resistor on the substrate.