Abstract: A STBC-based transmission method and transmission system provides equal protection on all data streams such that all streams operate at the same SNR. STBC and spatial multiplexing are combined in a transmitter which provides equal STBC coding protection on all data streams. Such a combination of STBC with spatial multiplexing for MIMO transmission results in performance enhancements, such as in high throughput WLANs.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting encoded signals over a communication channel is disclosed. The system includes a transmitter, which has a source that is configured to output a message signal, and an encoder that is configured to generate a code word in response to the message signal. The code word is based upon a stacking construction that is generalized for the communication channel. The communication channel is characterized as a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) block fading channel. The transmitter also includes a modulator that is configured to modulate the code word for transmission over the communication channel. Further, the transmitter includes a plurality of transmit antennas that are configured to transmit the modulated code word over the communication channel. The system also includes a receiver, which has a plurality of receive antennas. The receiver is configured to receive the transmitted code word via the plurality of receive antennas.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data in a wireless communication system from a transmitter to a receiver, comprising the steps of modulating data at the transmitter using a first signal constellation pattern to obtaing a first data symbol. The first data symbol is transmitteds to the receiver using a first diversity branch. Further, the data is modulated at the transmitter using a second signal constellation pattern to obtain a second data symbol. Then, the second data symbol is transmitted to the receiver over a second diversity path. Finally, the received first and second data symbol are diversity combined at the receiver. The invention further relates to a transmitter and a receiver embodies to carry out the method of invention.

Abstract: A space-time signal processing system with advantageously reduced complexity. The system may take advantage of multiple transmitter antenna elements and/or multiple receiver antenna elements, or multiple polarizations of a single transmitter antenna element and/or single receiver antenna element. The system is not restricted to wireless contexts and may exploit any channel having multiple inputs or multiple outputs and certain other characteristics. Multi-path effects in a transmission medium cause a multiplicative increase in capacity.

Abstract: A method of combined source-channel decoding of digital data coding discrete values or symbols (i, j, etc.) received by a channel decoder (51) of a digital data decoder (50) from a source (10) over a transmission channel (40) wherein probabilities (p(i), p(i/j)) associated with said symbols are applied to a channel decoding trellis of said channel decoder (51). The probabilities are estimated statistically from occurrences of the symbols estimated by said decoder (50).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a CFR apparatus and method in a communication system.

Abstract: Soft decision sections (503, 506) provisionally decide each modulated signal (502, 505) separated using an inverse matrix calculation of a channel fluctuation matrix at separation section (501). Signal point reduction sections (508, 510, 514, 516) reduce candidate signal points of a multiplexed modulated signal using the provisional decision results (504, 507). Soft decision sections (512, 518) make a correct decision using the reduced candidate signal points and obtain received data (RA, RB) of each modulated signal. This allows received data RA, RB with a good error rate characteristic to be obtained with a relatively small number of calculations without reducing data transmission efficiency.

Abstract: An RF signal, which has been obtained by a quadrature modulation, is corrected without performing quadrature demodulation. There are included an in-phase multiplier, a quadrature multiplier, an adder, a power detector, and an error determining part. The in-phase multiplier outputs an in-phase conversion signal by mixing an in-phase local signal of a predetermined local frequency with an in-phase correction user signal obtained by adding an in-phase user signal to an in-phase correction signal of a sinusoidal voltage outputted from an in-phase correction signal output unit. The quadrature multiplier outputs a quadrature conversion signal by mixing a quadrature local signal, which is different in phase by 90 degrees from the in-phase local signal, with a quadrature correction user signal obtained by adding a quadrature user signal to a quadrature correction signal, which is different in phase by 90 degrees from the in-phase correction signal, from a quadrature correction signal output unit.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a system for detecting a phase-shifted signal at high frequencies in data and clock recovery circuitry. An up-pulse generator, in one embodiment, provides output pulses having a duration exceeding the duration of input pulses upon detection of a phase-shifted signal leading the reference signal. A down-pulse generator provides output pulses having a duration exceeding the duration of input pulses upon detection of a phase-shifted signal lagging the reference signal.

Abstract: Process for the blind demodulation of a linear waveform source or transmitter in a system comprising one or more sources and an array of sensors and a propagation channel. The process comprises at least the following steps: the symbol period T is determined and sampled to Te such that T=ITe (I being an integer); a spatio-temporal observation z(t), the mixed sources of which are symbol trains from the transmitter, is constructed from the observations x(kTe); an ICA-type method is applied to the observation vector z(t) in order to estimate the Lc symbol trains {am-i} that are associated with the channel vectors ?z,j=?z(kj); the Lc outputs (âm,j, ?z,j) are arranged in the same order as the inputs (am-i,hz(i)) so as to obtain the propagation channel vectors ?z,j=?z(kj); and the phase ?imax associated with the outputs is determined.

Abstract: A wireless apparatus which performs a frequency conversion on a received signal with a mixer and an analog filter, and which corrects for distortion of the received signal, which occurs because the analog filter is not an ideal one, using a digital filter disables the filtering of the received signal by the digital filter when determining from the reception power level (or reception amplitude level) of the received signal that the filtering of the received signal by the digital filter will increase the distortion of the received signal.

Abstract: A bandpass sampling receiver is proposed for receiving RF signals, comprising: the first ADC, for converting the RF signal into the first path of digital signal under the control of the first sampling clock signal; the second ADC, for converting the RF signal into the second path of digital signal under the control of the second sampling clock signal; a signal separating unit, for separating the in-phase signal and the quadrature signal in the first path of digital signal and the second path of digital signal; wherein the frequency of said first sampling clock signal and said second sampling clock signal is l/N of that of said RF signal, and N is a natural number.

Abstract: A receiver for a mobile communication system includes a channel equalizer for receiving a burst and generating a soft decision output associated with the burst, a soft decision correction circuit follows the channel equalizer and a decoder receives and decodes a block of bursts. The soft decision correction circuit calculates a correction factor based on the soft decision output for the burst and applies the correction factor to the burst prior to the burst entering the decoder.

Abstract: A VSB reception system includes a sequence generator for decoding a symbol corresponding to the supplemental data and generating a predefined sequence included in the supplemental data at VSB transmission system. The reception system also includes a modified legacy VSB receiver for processing the data received from the VSB transmission system in a reverse order of the VSB transmission system by using the sequence, and a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the data from the modified legacy VSB receiver into the MPEG data and the supplemental data. The VSB reception system also includes a supplemental data processor for processing the supplemental data segment from the demultiplexer in a reverse order of the transmission system, to obtain the supplemental data, thereby carrying out the slicer prediction, decoding, and symbol decision more accurately by using the predefined sequence, to improve a performance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for use in a wireless communication system are disclosed for determining a timing position for channel activity in order to resolve timing ambiguity. A disclosed apparatus includes a processor that determines when channel activity occurs in at least one of an early or a late arrival position in a communication channel estimate and unwraps the channel activity in either the early arrival position or the late arrival position to a corresponding late or early arrival unwrapped channel activity position in the wireless channel estimate. The processor correlates symbol data in the communication signal corresponding to both the channel activity and the unwrapped channel activity to symbol data of the main channel activity. The processor determines whether a correct timing position of the channel activity is one of the early or late arrival positions based on the correlations, thus resolving timing ambiguity. Complementary methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An arrangement (900), method and unit for AFC in a communication system (100) having: a frequency estimator (980) producing a decision-directed frequency estimate from a received signal; and an AFC loop receiving the decision-directed frequency estimate and performing therewith frequency control. The AFC process may use a CRC-decision directed frequency estimate as the final stage in a multi-stage AFC process (preceded by SCH- and midamble-derived frequency estimate stages), such that a verified received data sequence is used to re-construct a local copy of the ideal received data symbols expected at the output of a detector. This local copy is then correlated with the actual detector output and the results used to estimate the frequency error present on the received signal. The AFC process is inherent suited for discontinuous receive (DRX) applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a signal received from a communication path are disclosed. A receiver can receive a signal from a communication path which attenuates at least some frequency components of the signal. The receiver can include an equalization block that adjusts at least some of the frequency content of the received signal, a signal normalization block that provides a normalized signal amplitude and/or a normalized edge slope, and a control block. In one embodiment, the control block controls frequency adjustment in the equalization block for high frequencies but not for low frequencies. For low frequency adjustment, the control block controls the normalized signal amplitude in the signal normalization block. In this manner, controlled adjustment for low frequency content is performed in the signal normalization block.

Abstract: A methodology for acquiring a frequency correction burst using a radio communication device including an RF circuit and digital processing circuitry is disclosed. The radio communication device employs a time period during which an signal acquisition time window is open and during which the RF circuit is activated to receive RF signals intended to be processed by the digital processing circuitry. The acquisition time window is discontinuous and includes N sub-acquisition windows during which the RF circuit is activated, wherein N?2. The N sub-acquisition windows are separated from one another by N?1 non-acquisition time slots, during which the RF circuit is deactivated. In one embodiment, a portion of the digital processing circuitry is deactivated during those times when the RF circuit is activated.

Abstract: A reception system for frequency-modulated, i.e. phase-modulated high-frequency signals, for motor vehicles, having a multi-antenna system having at least two antennas, an individually adjustable phase rotation element, situated in the reception path of the corresponding antenna, in each instance, and a subsequent receiver circuit. There is an individually adjustable switching element for switching through or interrupting the signal flow, respectively, is present in the reception path of every antenna. The reception signals are guided by way of phase rotation elements and the adjustable switching elements which are passed to a linear combination circuit, and wherein the combined signal is passed to the receiver circuit. Furthermore, there can be a level indicator for indicating the level of the combined signal in the form of a level signal and a computer device to which this level signal is passed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a programmable filtering offset may include filtering desired data located at a variable offset from a start of a particular message in a data stream using a programmable hardware filter module. The variable offset may be specified in bits or bytes. The programmable hardware filter module may start filtering from an offset corresponding to the start of the desired data. The programmable hardware filter module may be a variable length filter or a fixed length filter. An offset from the start of a particular message may be determined, where the desired data that may be compared may start after the offset from the beginning of the message. The programmable hardware filter module may be configured with the determined offset.

Abstract: A complex bandpass-notch filter is disclosed. It provides both bandpass filtering and image rejection, in complex frequency domain, along with a quadrature signal generation. Consequently, this complex bandpass-notch filter provides the both functions of a bandpass filter and a passive polyphase filter. The complex bandpass-notch filter can be used for RF receivers and integrated TV and cable tuners. A low-IF single-conversion integrated tuner and a zero-IF direct-conversion integrated tuner incorporating with this complex bandpass-notch filter are disclosed for terrestrial and cable systems.

Abstract: A multi-input multi-frequency synthesizing apparatus and method for a multi-band radio frequency (RF) receiver. The frequency synthesizing apparatus may generate an output from a greater number of high frequency signals by using one multi-input single side band (SSB) mixer. The multi-input SSB mixer may generate a signal whose frequency is an addition of frequencies of two signals selected from a signal selection control unit, or a difference of frequencies therebetween. According to a circuit configuration of the multi-input SSB mixer, the signal selection control unit may select more than two signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for to compensating reference frequency drift in a communications system having a plurality of modems and a headend, where the system requires critical upstream timing. One embodiment of the method includes learning or determining the relative delay of each modem and reporting each modem's unique delay (relative to the closest modem) to the headend. The method further includes the headend monitoring its own reference for frequency drift, the modem broadcasting pertinent frequency drift information to the modems and adjusting the modems' upstream timing to account for each modem's unique distance (i.e., delay) combined with the broadcast stream of frequency drift information.

Abstract: A data communications system is disclosed. The data communications system comprises two clock domains. Each of the clock domains are coupled to receive a source clock signal. The first clock domain includes a first clock signal with a first frequency and the second clock domain includes a second clock signal with a second frequency, each of the first clock signal and the second clock signal are derived from the source clock signal. A ratio of the first frequency to the second frequency is N:M. The first clock domain is configured to initialize a count to N, in response to detecting N is less than 2*M; and initialize the count to M, in response to detecting N is not less than 2*M.

Abstract: Symbol timing synchronization in OFDM communication systems where multiple wireless terminals communicate with a single base station is described. Base station transmitter and receiver symbol timing is fixed. Each wireless terminal operates to independently adjust its transmitter timing. Transmitter timing synchronization at the wireless terminal is slaved to the terminal's receiver timing synchronization. Each wireless terminal first corrects its receiver symbol timing based on a signal received from the base station. The wireless terminal then adjusts its transmitter symbol timing as a function of its receiver symbol timing. When the receiver symbol timing is to be advanced or delayed by some amount, the transmitter symbol timing is also advanced or delayed, respectively, by the same, or substantially the same, amount. Symbol timing adjustment can be made by adding or deleting digital samples from the first or last symbol in a dwell.

Abstract: A method for preventing frequency distortion in a multimode system which includes a main device, a subordinate device, a control circuit and a clock generator. The main device generates a main clock enable signal and a main frequency control signal. The subordinate device generates a sub clock enable signal. The control circuit generates a frequency control signal and a clock generator enable signal according to the main clock enable signal, sub clock enable signal and the main frequency control signal. The clock generator generates a main clock signal and a sub clock according to the clock generator enable signal and the frequency control signal.

Abstract: Alignment of a receiver clock signal with a transmitter clock signal based upon a received data signal is disclosed. Some embodiments generate, based upon of phase bits and valid phase bits, a phase signal having a voltage level selected from at least three voltage levels. One voltage level corresponds to shifting the receiver clock signal in a first direction. Another voltage level corresponds to shifting the receiver clock signal in a second direction. The other voltage level corresponds to repeating a previous shift of the receiver clock signal.

Abstract: A receiving device (50) is provided to allow appropriate clock regeneration even for a VBR TS when a stream including video and audio data, such as an MPEG2 TS, is transmitted or received in real time through a network having jitter. When the received packet data is stored in a memory (53) and the packet data is output in accordance with time information added to the received packet data, a clock frequency deviation between a sending device and a receiving device is calculated on the basis of the integration result of the amount of the received packets temporarily stored in the memory (53), the number of the received packets which have been processed, and the measurement result of the integration time used for integrating the amount of the received packets. A read timing offset of the received packet is obtained on the basis of the calculation result of the clock frequency deviation.

Abstract: The phase-locked loop according to the invention comprises a frequency acquisition loop. The frequency acquisition loop comprises a counter that is operable to count the number of periods of an oscillator signal occurring during a predetermined period of time that is derived from a reference signal period of a reference signal. The oscillator signal has an oscillator signal frequency and an oscillator signal phase. The frequency acquisition loop also comprises a subtractor that is operable to compare the counted number of periods with a desired division factor, wherein N=fVCOlocked/fref and wherein fVCOlocked denotes a desired frequency of the oscillator signal in a locked state of the phase-locked loop and fref denotes the frequency of said reference signal. The comparison results in a subtractor output frequency value. The phase-locked loop further comprises a phase acquisition loop.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, this invention creates the process of cold fusion with the creation of electromagnetic scalar waves and the deuterium loading of cathode in the invention. This process of combining the deuterium loading and current flow of the cathode with the electromagnetic scalar waves are used to allow temporary changes of the columbic barrier and the van der walls forces to lower levels that will allow fusion of the deuterium atoms in the helium atoms and the release of energy that is involved. Once all these conditions are met cold fusion will occur.

Abstract: Method producing a design for a nuclear fuel element, the method including: inducing, with antiprotons, nuclear fission in a transuranic material, such as depleted uranium; measuring leakage of radioactive byproduct produced by the fission; and producing, responsive to the measuring, a design for the nuclear fuel element. Apparatus, manufactures, and products produced by the method can be encompassed.

Abstract: A two-part integrated head assembly (100) is disclosed wherein the lower portion (110) attaches to, and is supported by, the reactor vessel closure head (90), and the upper portion (160) is fluidly connected to the lower portion, but is supported externally from the reactor vessel closure head. In the disclosed embodiment, the upper portion includes transverse support beams (170) that engage containment walls (92), for example steam generator walls, to support the upper portion. A duct (150) releasably connects a fan plenum (165) in the upper portion with an annular plenum in the lower portion, such that fans (166) can draw heated air from around the CEDMs (95). In one embodiment, a chiller (168) is provided in the fan plenum to cool the air prior to expelling it in containment. A missile shield (169) is also provided in the upper portion.

Abstract: A method for inspection and maintenance of an inside of a nuclear power reactor is provided, which can perform positioning of a remote operated vehicle relative to an inspection target surface in a nuclear power reactor in a short period of time with high accuracy, and enhance the positioning repeatability for the remote operated vehicle, thereby enabling performance of the inspection and maintenance for the inspection target surface securely and satisfactorily. For the inspection or maintenance for the inspection target surface 1a in a nuclear power reactor by using the remote operated vehicle 30, a detection mark 3 is formed in advance by providing a notching, marking, punching or engraving process to the inspection target surface 1a before performing inspection or maintenance of the inside of the nuclear power reactor by using the remote operated vehicle 30. Then, the remote operated vehicle 30 is driven to move in the nuclear power reactor filled with water.

Abstract: An instrument removal system for removing detector cables from a nuclear reactor includes a removal cart and a disposal cask. in an exemplary embodiment, the removal cart includes a base including a plurality of wheels coupled thereto, a motor mounted on the base, and a drive shaft operatively coupled to the motor. A disposal spool is removably mounted on the drive shaft, and the disposal spool includes a notch sized to receive the detector cable. A housing is mounted on the base, with the housing enclosing the disposal spool. Also, an entrance port is located in the housing to permit the detector cable to enter the housing.

Abstract: A neutron absorbing coating for use on a substrate, and which provides nuclear criticality control is described and which includes a nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and gadolinium alloy having less than about 5% boron, by weight.

Abstract: The adapter (12) and the mechanism housing (13) are made in a single piece, in the form of an integrated housing that is attached by means of the adapter tube (12) in a penetration opening (9a, 9b) of the vessel head (10). The tubular sheath (14) comprises a threaded part (14a) that is screwed into a tapped part (13c) at the end of the integrated housing (15), in a perfectly coaxial disposition. A sealing weld (18) is made between two respective sealing lips of the integrated housing (15) and of the tubular sheath (14). The weld joint (18) is made by melting a filler metal between two joining end parts of the sealing lips by an automatic orbital welding method. The step for mounting and welding the tubular sheath (14) onto the integrated housing (15) may be carried out on the nuclear reactor site with a faultless production of the welded joint (18).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for constructing, from a computerized tomography (CT) scan, an image relating to a physical structure. Projection data associated with the image is obtained and divided into a plurality of subsets. Filtered back projection (FBP) is then applied to each subset in the plurality of subsets. The image is constructed based on the application of the FBP to each subset in the plurality of subsets.

Abstract: Enhancement of the resolution of tomograms obtained by conventional scanning (axial scanning), cine-scanning, helical scanning or variable-pitch helical scanning by the X-ray CT apparatus using a multi-row X-ray detector or a two-dimensional X-ray area detector of a matrix structure is to be realized by a simple method. An X-ray CT apparatus is realized in which a multi-row X-ray detector or a two-dimensional X-ray area detector of a matrix structure with a small amount of processing work, and image reconstructing device capable of providing high-resolution tomograms by image reconstruction is provided.

Abstract: An adaptive CT data acquisition system and technique is presented whereby radiation emitted for CT data acquisition is dynamically controlled to limit exposure to those detectors of a CT detector assembly that may be particularly susceptible to saturation during a given data acquisition. The data acquisition technique recognizes that for a given subject size and position that pre-subject filtering and collimating of a radiation beam may be insufficient to completely prevent detector saturation. Therefore, the present invention includes implementation of a number of CT data correction techniques for correcting otherwise unusable data of a saturated CT detector. These data correction techniques include a nearest neighbor correction, off-centered phantom correction, off-centered synthetic data correction, scout data correction, planar radiogram correction, and a number of others.

Abstract: Known reconstruction techniques from coherent scattered x-rays apply non-exact reconstruction techniques. According to the present invention, a relatively wide spectrum of wave-vector transfers q of the scattered x-ray photons is acquired. The projection data is interpreted as line integrals in the x y-q space and the projection data is resorted to correspond to an acquisition along any source trajectory. Due to this, an exact helical reconstruction algorithms may be applied and redundant data may be used to obtain a better image quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer tomography method, in which a periodically moving object, especially a heart, is irradiated by a beam bundle. In that process, intermediate images of one and the same subregion of the object are reconstructed using measured values from time intervals from different periods. That is, in each case exactly one period can be allocated to each intermediate image. The time intervals in the individual periods are adjusted in such a way that, after a reconstruction of the intermediate images using measured values that lie in the adjusted time intervals, a similarity measure applied to the intermediate images of the same subregion is minimized. This method can be applied to one, several or all subregions of the object that are reconstructable using measured values from time intervals from different periods. Finally, a computer tomography image is reconstructed, wherein exclusively measured values from the adjusted time intervals are used.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for facilitating enhanced computed tomography (“CT”) scanning is provided including a scanned object (130) disposed on a translating table (120) capable of rotating the object (130) and moving the through the CT system (100). Certain values regarding the scanning system geometry and a target metric are provided (510 and 520). Given these values and the target metric, the system determines (530) a scanning procedure as a predetermined function of the target metric and the scanning system geometry dependant values. Further, the system may resample (720) the scanning data into an output array according to a predetermined sampling algorithm.

Abstract: A respiration phantom that may be used to perform quality assurance on a radiation delivery system. The respiration phantom includes a human-like skeletal structure, at least one deformable component, and a respiration actuator. The deformable component is positionable at least partially internal to the human-like skeletal structure, has a shape resembling an organ of a human anatomy, and attenuates radiation substantially similarly to the organ of the human anatomy. The respiration actuator is positioned to deform the deformable component with a respiration-like motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a projection image directly from data acquired by a CT scanner, the method comprising: acquiring an amount of data corresponding to an object that is scanned by the CT scanner, wherein the amount of data is generated by an x-ray source that projects a fan beam of x-rays toward a detector array on an opposite side of a gantry of the CT scanner as the object is passed through an opening in the gantry, the acquired amount of data comprising a reconstruction volume; selecting a viewing direction of the object; selecting a portion of a surface intersecting the reconstruction volume, wherein the selected portion comprises an imaging surface inside the reconstruction volume and corresponding to the viewing direction of the object; dividing the imaging surface into a plurality of rows and columns, thus creating a grid of points corresponding to the imaging surface; determining, for each point in the grid, a data point in the acquired amount of data corresponding to an x-ray sourc

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a projection image directly from data acquired by a CT scanner, the method comprising: acquiring an amount of data corresponding to an entire object that is scanned by the CT scanner, wherein the amount of data is generated by an x-ray source that projects a fan beam of x-rays toward a detector array on an opposite side of a gantry of the CT scanner as the object is passed through an opening in the gantry; selecting an imaging plane, the imaging plane corresponding to a view of the object; dividing the imaging plane into a plurality of rows and columns, thus creating a grid of points corresponding to the imaging plane; determining, for each point in the grid, a data point from the acquired data corresponding to an x-ray source position wherein a ray from the x-ray source to the grid point is closest to a perpendicular orientation with respect to the imaging plane, and a detector position where the ray intersects the detector array; and presenting a projection image corres

Abstract: The present invention provides an X-ray attenuation correction method, image generating apparatus, X-ray CT apparatus, and image generating method for correcting for the attenuation of X-ray beam at the boundary where the X-ray absorption rate of a subject is changing. Boundary information comprised of the boundary position where the X-ray absorption rate is changing and the magnitude of change is extracted from the projection information of the subject, then the boundary information is used to multiply the amount of scattered X-ray by the amount corresponding to the magnitude of change at the boundary position, to correct for the attenuation of X-ray at the boundary position. The attenuation of X-ray at the boundary position may be corrected for along with the scattered X-ray correction of the projection information, allowing alleviating artifacts developed in a tomographic image.

Abstract: A CT detector includes a scintillator module including at least one scintillator configured to be impinged with radiographic energy from a radiographic energy source, at least one indexing pin connected to the scintillator module, and a collimator assembly having at least one comb, wherein the collimator assembly defines a relative position of the at least one comb, and wherein the at least one comb has a plurality of teeth configured to engage the at least one indexing pin.

Abstract: A CT detector capable of energy discrimination and direct conversion is disclosed. The detector includes multiple layers of semiconductor material with the layers having varying thicknesses. The detector is constructed to be segmented in the x-ray penetration direction so as to optimize count rate performance as well as avoid saturation. The detector also includes variable pixel pitch and a flexible binning of pixels to further enhance count rate performance.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus has a tube fitted out with an X-ray emitting focus that emits intensities of X-radiation crossing the object for a multiplicity of preliminarily determined main directions of emission, along a path. The apparatus shifts the X-ray tube along a path relative to the object. The apparatus has an X-ray detector that acquires a multiplicity of data of X-ray image data representing the multiplicity of main directions of emission. The apparatus distributes the preliminarily determined intensities of X-radiation non-uniformly on the multiplicity of main directions of emission. The apparatus also processes the multiplicity of data of X-ray image data in order to obtain both a 2D image and a 3D image of the object.

Abstract: An x-ray source assembly and method of operation are provided having enhanced output stability. The assembly includes an anode having a source spot upon which electrons impinge and a control system for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to an output structure. The control system can maintain the anode source spot location relative to the output structure notwithstanding a change in one or more operating conditions of the x-ray source assembly. One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.