Abstract: To provide a discharge lamp ignition device to light high-intensity discharge lamps in which, during alternating current ignition, the fluctuation of luminous flux on the reversal of polarity of the voltage impressed on the lamp is minimized and in which steady lighting characteristics of the discharge at startup are secured, a discharge lamp ignition device has a capacitor Ch connected to a transformer Th and an intermittent voltage impression arrangement Uj to drive voltage impression on the primary winding Ph, with the secondary winding Sh of the transformer Th constituted so that the voltage generated in the secondary winding Sh can be impressed overlapping the output voltage of an inverter Ui between the electrodes of the discharge lamp Ld by interposing it in the path connecting the output of the inverter Ui and the electrode for the main discharge of the discharge lamp Ld.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus used by connecting an illumination head to a power source device, capable of supplying a rated current to individual light emitting devices of the illumination head by using a power source device of an identical rating irrespective of the specification of the illumination head, wherein the illumination head has a current detection resistor for detecting current flowing through the power supply circuit, and the resistance value of the resistor is selected so as to cause a voltage drop equal with a predetermined reference potential when a rated current is supplied to each of the light emitting devices, and the power source device is provided with a current controller for controlling the supplied current such that the potential for the voltage drop caused by the current detection resistor is equal with the reference potential.

Abstract: In a discharge lamp lighting apparatus, in a transient period from the time a discharge lamp is lit in a cold state to the time the discharge lamp reaches a static lighting state, the power applied to the discharge lamp is reduced over time after an initial maximum power that exceeds the rated power. A maximum power regulator circuit is provided to regulate the applied power in the transient period such that the applied power does not exceed an upper limit power line M1 or M2 that is reduced over time after the application of the initial maximum power. In this way, the application of excessive transient power is prevented from continuing longer than necessary in the event of a failure in a load, thus limiting the amount of generated heat and preventing thermal destruction.

Abstract: A light controller capable of varying the brightness of a light emitting diode in a linear manner. The light controller may control a number of lights in a predetermined pattern or in a pattern designed by the user. A remote control may be used to control and interact with the light controller. The light controller may have inputs for audio signals, tachometer signals, or other external signals. The light controller may be coupled to other light controllers to enable the control of additional lights in a synchronized manner. The light controller may be particularly well suited to controlling light emitting diodes and controlling lights in a vehicle accent lighting application, although many other uses may be apparent.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for electrical simulation of a flame that provides for the projection of light that is a mixture of at least two colors. At least one of the two colors of light is projected over time according to a complex light intensity pattern. The complex light intensity pattern is constructed via an aggregation (superimposition) of a plurality of independent intensity transition signals. Each intensity transition signal represents a separate and varying intensity pattern. The complex light intensity pattern creates a perceptually real and pleasing visual effect upon the human eye, much like that created by the flickering of a real combustion flame and employs other than random or pseudo random intensity patterns.

Abstract: A control device, which controls a power-converting module that is coupled to a light-emitting component, includes a duration detecting unit and a control signal generator. The duration detecting unit compares the duration of a predetermined logic state of a pulsating input dim control signal with a reference time period. The control signal generator is enabled by the duration detecting unit so as to generate a control signal that enables the power-converting module to generate a drive voltage for driving the light-emitting component when the duration of the predetermined logic state is not longer than the reference time period. The duration detecting unit disables the control signal generator to disable the power-converting module when the duration of the predetermined logic state is longer than the reference time period.

Abstract: The present invention provides a particle beam accelerator for accelerating charged particles along a traveling direction of the charged particles. The invention provides a particle beam accelerator, in which the charged particle beam deflected by spiral-shaped-deflecting electromagnet 3, is accelerated by an accelerating unit 5, the charged particle beam circulating in an annular vacuum passageway of a vacuum duct 1 a plurality of times differing in orbit. And gap 9 is formed in the accelerating unit 5 of the vacuum duct 1, and gap-constituting face of the vacuum duct 1 is formed to be perpendicular to each of the traveling directions of the charged particle beam orbiting on a first orbit and on a second orbit. In the above accelerator, vibrations of the charged particle beam can be brought under control and loss of the charged particle beam can be reduced.

Abstract: A drive system for an electric vehicle includes a motor for providing a drive torque and an electrically actuated brake for providing a braking torque to the motor. The system includes a controller that receives a plurality of inputs which may include a battery voltage input, a throttle pedal position input, a brake pedal position input, a key switch input, a forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) input, and a brake full-stroke input in addition to the brake pedal input. The controller may generate a drive signal for the motor based on some or all of the inputs.

Abstract: A voltage detector is connected to a connection terminal connected to one phase of an AC output of an inverter through a diode. A removable charge power supply is connected to said connection terminal and another connection terminal. A charge-power-supply connection judging circuit judges whether the charge power supply is or isn't connected, based on a charge power supply voltage detected by a voltage detector. A mode change control circuit outputs switch signal by the result of said judgment. By receiving this switch signal, the inverter controller switches the operation of the inverter between the Motor Drive mode or the Battery Charge mode. Thereby, a motor drive device detects a connecting status of an external charge power supply and steadily switches the operation of the inverter between the Motor Drive mode or the Battery Charge mode.

Abstract: Disk drives such as hard (magnetic) disk drives take a certain amount of time to initialize and “spin up” to the operational rotational speed of the disk or disks, thereby creating a time lapse from power up to when data can first be read from or written to the disk drive. This time lapse can be reduced, whereby some tasks conventionally done sequentially instead are performed in parallel. For example, the motor controller that controls the spindle motor can perform its portion of the initialization beginning at the same time that the remaining electronic components, including the hard disk controller, begin their initialization process including downloading firmware. Additionally, other portions of the initialization process typically performed by firmware can be performed by dedicated circuitry or a bootstrap program in the motor controller and hard disk controller, thereby not requiring the relatively slow downloading of system firmware.

Abstract: An electric start system (20) includes a controller (40) that controls operation of a motor (22) used to start a device such as a gas turbine engine (24). In one example, the controller (40) determines when an acceleration rate of the motor (22) is outside of a desired range and dynamically controls the acceleration rate. In another example, the controller (40) determines when the motor (22) is disengaged from the engine (24) and controls a torque reference value to facilitate smoother reengagement. In another example, the controller (40) provides an initial starting torque value that allows for soft starting capabilities of the motor (22).

Abstract: A method of providing ride-through capability in a chiller/refrigeration system employs a variable speed drive with an active converter stage, a DC link stage and an inverter stage for providing variable frequency and voltage to power at least one motor. An induction motor is coupled to the output of the inverter stage for driving a compressor in the chiller/refrigeration system. The ride-through method comprises operating the active converter to regulate the DC link voltage of the DC link stage to a predetermined voltage level until the current through the active converter equals a predetermined current limit, then transferring regulation of the DC link to the inverter upon reaching the current limit of the converter. The compressor is unloaded, and the power flow through the inverter is reversed to maintain the voltage level of the DC link stage. Pre-rotation vanes, slide valve, or check valve are used to unload the compressor.

Abstract: An integrated control and power driving system moves a read/write head carrying arm over the surface of a disk. The integrated control and power driving system is applicable to a spindle motor, a mass storage disk drive and a voice-coil motor, for example, and includes a first chip and a second chip. The first chip integrates the output power stages driving the motors, and has an interface for outputting feedback signals representing functioning conditions of the voice-coil motor and of the spindle motor, and for receiving digital control signals of the output power stages. The second chip integrates logic drive and control circuitries of the power stages and an interface for receiving the feedback signals output by the first chip, and for transmitting to the first chip the digital control signals.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stepping motor that drives a rotor by rotating in accordance with an input of a drive pulse, a drive pulse profile storage portion that stores the drive pulse profiles corresponding to temporal changes of the drive pulse inputted in the stepping motor at starting, the drive pulse profile storage portion storing at least a first load profile corresponding to the first drive pulse profile for a first load driving the rotor and a second load profile corresponding to the second drive pulse profile for a second load driving the rotor, which is larger than the first load and a profile setting portion that sets the drive pulse profile in accordance with the load for driving the rotor, as the drive pulse profile of pulses inputted into the stepping motor, among the drive pulse profiles stored in the drive pulse profile storage portion.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes: a current instruction calculator, for calculating a current instruction value based on a deviation between a speed instruction value and an estimated speed value; a current controller, for controlling an output current based on the current instruction value; a frequency instruction calculator, for calculating a frequency instruction value based on an output voltage instruction value or an output voltage detection value, wherein, when an induction motor is to be activated, the current instruction value and the frequency instruction value are calculated directly using the speed instruction value, and an output current and an output frequency are controlled in accordance with the current instruction value and the frequency instruction value.

Abstract: A battery charger. The battery charger includes a housing having an outer surface, a battery being supportable on the outer surface, a charging circuit supported by the housing and electrically connectable to a power source and the battery, and a protective structure connected to and extending from the outer surface of the housing, the protective structure extending from the outer surface beyond the battery.

Abstract: A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.

Abstract: In a battery pack which includes a plurality of parallel blocks, each of which comprises a plurality of cells connected in parallel, and which are themselves connected in series, the voltage of each parallel block of the battery pack before and after discharge or before and after charge of a predetermined amount of capacity is detected, and abnormality of the cells connected in parallel within each parallel block is determined based upon the amount of change of voltage of each parallel block.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for predicting the voltage of a battery, in particular a vehicle battery. The method according to the invention makes it possible to predict a voltage drop before it actually occurs as a result of a load. For this purpose, a filtered battery voltage and a filtered battery current are first of all determined from battery data, such as the battery voltage, the battery current, the battery temperature and the dynamic internal resistance. The resistive voltage drop across the dynamic internal resistance is determined from the difference current between the filtered battery current and the predetermined load current. Furthermore, a polarization voltage is calculated as a function of the filtered battery current, and is then filtered. The predicted battery voltage is calculated from the filtered battery voltage, minus the resistive voltage drop and the filtered polarization voltage. A decision on further measures can be made on the basis of this predicted battery voltage.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a switching control port, a battery stack, an output power port, and switch circuitry. The switching control port receives a switch control signal from a battery pack port. The switch circuitry selectively couples the battery stack to the output power port based at least in part on the switch control signal.

Abstract: In a power generation apparatus equipped with an AC energization synchronous generator, when energization of a secondary winding starts to conduct connecting to the network of the AC energization synchronous generator to a network voltage, energization of the secondary winding starts at a fixed frequency and a slip frequency is calculated from a difference between a frequency of the network voltage and a resultant stator voltage frequency. Thereafter, energization starts at the calculated slip frequency and a voltage having a frequency generally coincident with the network frequency is output to the stator to incorporate the generator to the network. A phase is adjusted to make zero a phase difference when the rotation speed changes or the phases become different.

Abstract: A regulator for eliminating noises generated by an automotive power generator is composed of a front-end circuit, a semiconductor power element, a resistor, and a capacitor. The front-end circuit includes a plurality of electronic components for offering control signals generated therefrom. The semiconductor power element is electrically connected with a field coil of the power generator, including a gate electrically connected with the front-end circuit for receiving the control signals that switch ON/OFF the gate. The resistor is electrically connected in series between the gate and the front-end circuit. The capacitor includes an end connected with the gate and the other end thereof grounded. Thus, the semiconductor power element can slow down the ON/OFF switching to be further low-cost and simple-circuit for enhanced quality of the output voltage of the power generator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a supply voltage of a multiple interface card includes a first voltage adjustment unit, a second voltage adjustment unit, an internal circuit, a first voltage controller, and a second voltage controller. The first voltage controller adjusts a first supply voltage to a first internal supply voltage used as an operating voltage of the internal circuit and supplies the first internal supply voltage to the internal circuit. The second voltage adjustment unit adjusts a second supply voltage to a second internal supply voltage used as an operating voltage of the internal circuit and supplies the second internal supply voltage to the internal circuit. The first voltage controller detects the first supply voltage and, according to the first supply voltage, either applies the first supply voltage to the first voltage adjustment unit or blocks the first supply voltage from the first voltage adjustment unit.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a main inductor connected to an input voltage, a main switching element connected in series to the main inductor, a main diode connected to the main inductor and a load, and a main capacitor connected to the main diode and the load, the DC-DC converter changing the input voltage to output a changed input voltage as an output voltage. The DC-DC converter further includes an oscillator connected between the main inductor and the main diode, an auxiliary switching element connected to the oscillator, the auxiliary switching element changing an operation state based on an externally applied control signal to control the oscillator, and a diode unit connected to the oscillator and the auxiliary switching element and controlling current flow based on operations of the oscillator and the auxiliary switching element to change the output voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a multi-phase power system. The power system is of the type having a plurality of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controllers including a first PWM controller and at least one second PWM controller. The first PWM controller generates at least one first PWM output signal based on a cyclic signal having a cyclically recurring parameter, and provides the cyclic signal including the cyclically recurring parameter to the second PWM controller. The second PWM controller generates at least one second PWM output signal based on the cyclic signal, and synchronizes the generation of the first and second output signals using the cyclically recurring parameter within the cyclic signal, thereby maintaining a predetermined phase relationship between the first and second output signals.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for monitoring an external voltage supply (VBAT1, VBAT2) and for reliable locking of a signal (Z2), which is emitted from a logic circuit (8), at a voltage level (VDD, VSS) of an internal voltage supply, wherein the circuit arrangement has a voltage divider (6, 7), which is connected between a first and a second external supply voltage (VBAT1, VBAT2) and produces a potential level (VLOCK) for a switching signal; a controllable switch (13) which separates the internal voltage supply, which has a first and a second internal supply voltage (VDD, VSS), from the logic circuit (8) in order to deactivate the latter as a function of a locking signal (LOCKP) which is produced from the switching signal; and a high-value resistor (14) by means of which the signal (Z2) which is emitted from the deactivated logic circuit (8) is drawn to the level of one of the two internal supply voltages (VSS).

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to regulate the output power of a power supply. An example regulator circuit includes a feedback circuit coupled to generate a feedback signal in response to an output of a power supply. The feedback circuit includes a voltage regulation circuit, a current regulation circuit and a transition region regulation circuit coupled to sense the output of the power supply and generate first, second and third regulation signals, respectively. The feedback signal is responsive to the first, second and third regulation signals. A switch coupled to an energy transfer element coupled between an input and the output of the power supply. A controller is coupled to the switch to control switching of the switch to regulate the output of the power supply in response to the feedback signal.

Abstract: A human-portable utility locator system for locating and tracing a buried utility line characterized by an electromagnetic field emission. The locator may include a horizontal spaced sensor pair for detecting the horizontal field asymmetry of the emitted field in one or more independent frequency bands, which is employed to assist in determining an accurate “virtual depth” measurement for producing detection events. An event detector may be disposed to detect events corresponding to extremum in the B-field gradient with respect to time and a user interface (UI) coupled to the event detector signals the detected event to a user. In a preferred embodiment, one pair of spaced-apart 3D magnetic sensor arrays is disposed substantially orthogonal to another intermediate spaced-apart pair of sensors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micro sensor for monitoring the cleaning and drying processes for very high aspect ratio micro channels in dielectric films oriented parallel to the fluid-solid interface during the manufacture of ICs, MEMS and other micro-devices. The micro sensor can be used to monitor “vertical” micro features common in microelectronics fabrication or “horizontal” micro features found in MEMS or microfluidic fabrication. By forming the micro channels parallel to the interface, the channels can be made with much higher and well controlled aspect ratios. In addition, multiple sensors can sense the impedance at various points along the micro features. The addition of a guard reduces the effects of any parasitic capacitance, which extends the measurement bandwidth of the sensor.

Abstract: A device is provided for measuring a current flowing in an electrical conductor with a magnetic circuit for coupling to the electrical conductor. The magnetic circuit has an air gap, and a magnetic field sensitive component is disposed in the air gap. The magnetic field sensitive component measures the magnetic field generated by the electrical conductor. Two control cores are disposed in the air gap to control an effective size of the air gap. The control cores each have a control winding for magnetic saturation of the respective control core to control the effective length of the air gap. The magnetic field sensitive component is disposed between the control cores.

Abstract: An on-chip resistor is calibrated with a sense circuit that compares a resistance associated with an off-chip resistor to the on-chip resistor via a current-mirror circuit and a comparator. A digital counter circuit evaluates the comparison and adjusts its count such that a variable digital control signal is provided to the on-chip resistor circuit. During the calibration of the on-chip resistor circuit, the resistance of the on-chip resistor can be matched to the resistance of the off-chip resistor according to a scaling factor (e.g., 1×, 2×, 2.5×, 10×, etc.) as may be desired. Once the resistance associated with the on-chip resistor circuit is sufficiently adjusted, another on-chip resistor (e.g., a terminating resistor of another circuit) can be adjusted from the counter value. Various other circuits can be disabled during the calibration of the on-chip resistor such that additional sources of error (e.g., supply variation, ground bounce, noise, etc.) are minimized.

Abstract: A fixture for clamping and fixing a circuit board is provided. The fixture includes a base and a moving element. The base includes a first supporting board and a second supporting board disposed on the first supporting board. At least one positioning bump is disposed on the second supporting board, and at least one hole is formed on a side of the first supporting board. The moving element includes at least one guide rod which passes through the hole of the base, such that a clamping space is formed between the moving element and the base. Circuit boards with different dimensions can be fixed in place by adjusting the width of the clamping space. Furthermore, a plate element is disposed on the second supporting board and thereby fixed to the circuit board. The clamping space is adjusted by the moving element and thereby made larger and more flexible, thus the clamping space is suitable for circuit boards of different styles and dimensions.

Abstract: A method monitors a vacuum interrupter for leakage or loss of vacuum. The vacuum interrupter includes a line side, a load side and separable contacts electrically connected therebetween. The line side has a line side voltage and the load side has a load side voltage. The method includes determining whether the separable contacts of the vacuum interrupter are intended to be open or closed, comparing the line side voltage to the load side voltage, and determining the leakage or the loss of vacuum when the separable contacts of the vacuum interrupter are intended to be open and when the load side voltage is within a predetermined amount of the line side voltage.

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device that can inspect the connection states of power source terminals and grounding terminals of a test LSI at a low cost and in a short time, and an inspection method for the same. Switches SW1 to SW3 are provided between a plurality of power source terminals PD1 to PD3 and a power source line 10 inside the test LSI 4. A switch SWT is provided between the power source line and a grounding line 11 inside the test LSI. When inspecting the connection state of a certain power source terminal, the switch connected between the power source terminal and the power source line is closed, the switch SWT between the power source line and the grounding line is closed, and remaining switches are opened. A voltage is supplied between the power source terminal and a grounding terminal, and whether or not the power source terminal is in the connected state is determined by whether or not a current flows.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wideband SSFP, wherein a standard balanced SSFP MRI sequence is played with repetition times of alternating lengths, TR and TRs, where TRs<TR. The result is significantly improved tradeoff between signal bandwidth and available acquisition interval lengths. This is particularly important as it enables the combination of balanced SSFP with high field imaging for many applications such as cardiac, musculoskeletal and abdominal imaging.

Abstract: A method for generating an MR image of an object situated in an examination volume of an MR apparatus begins with the acquisition of a plurality of echo signals having at least two different echo-time values (t1, t2, t3). The echo signals are generated from high-frequency pulses and magnetic-field gradient pulses by an imaging sequence. An intermediate MR image (5, 6, 7) is then reconstructed for each echo-time value (t1, t2, t3). By analyzing these intermediate MR images (5, 6, 7), local relaxation times (T2*(x)) and/or local frequency shifts (??(x)) are determined by taking account of the respective echo-time values (t1, t2, t3). Finally, a definitive MR image (11) is reconstructed from the echo signals (1) in their entirety.

Abstract: The use of a circuit to adjust the resonance frequency of a high temperature superconductor self-resonant transmit, receive, or transmit and receive coil results in improved performance. The circuit is useful in a frequency detection system, especially in a nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an MRI apparatus which prevents from developing body move artifacts on the image to improve the image quality. In the navigator sequence a scan unit emits first RF pulse so as to excite first slice plane area which is out of the imaging area and is intersecting the navigator area including the epiglottis, then it emits second RF pulse so as to excite second slice plane area which is out of the imaging area and is intersecting the first slice plane area in the navigator area including the epiglottis. Thereafter a body move detector detects the displacement of epiglottis due to the deglutition movement based on the navigator echo data, a raw data selector unit selects as raw data the imaging data thus obtained in the imaging sequence based on the displacement of epiglottis, then the image of the slice plane including the esophagus in the subject is generated from the imaging data thus selected.

Abstract: An exemplary method for correcting inhomogeneities of the static magnetic field generated by the magnetic structure of a machine for acquiring nuclear magnetic resonance images includes determining the number, the position and the magnetic moment of dipoles compensating inhomogeneities of the magnetic field to be positioned on a positioning grid such that a function is minimized. The total magnetic moment of compensation dipoles for compensating the magnetic field inhomogeneity can be minimized in addition to minimizing a norm of the difference between an inhomogeneity vector of each of the magnetic field components and the linear combination of effect vectors corresponding to the magnetic field component of compensation dipoles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining to which battery cell in a string of battery cells between a pair of busses a test instrument is connected. Knowing the average voltage of the battery cells in the string, the voltage from one of the busses to the side furthest from that bus of the cell of interest is measured, and that measured voltage is compared with a voltage range calculated as a multiple of the average voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conductor inspection apparatus capable of detecting a state of an inspection-target electric conductor with a high degree of accuracy in a non-contact manner. The inspection apparatus includes a signal supply section 510 for supplying an inspection signal to an inspection-target conductor 520, and two sensor plates 570, 580 disposed approximately parallel to each other in the vicinity of the conductor 520. The inspection apparatus is designed to inspect a configuration of the conductor 520 disposed opposed to the sensor plate 570, in accordance with a measured signal level from the sensor plate 570.

Abstract: A sensor system comprising a sensor operable to provide an output signal representative of a sensed parameter is provided. The sensor system also comprises a control system coupled to the sensor, wherein the control system is operable to change a physical characteristic of the sensor based on the output signal representative of the sensed parameter.

Abstract: An on-chip signal waveform measurement apparatus mounted on an IC chip measures signal waveforms at detection points on the IC chip. A reference voltage generator successively generates reference voltages different from each other based on a predetermined timing signal, and Signal probing front-end circuits are mounted to correspond to the detection points, respectively, and each buffer-amplifies a voltage at each detection point, compares the buffer-amplified voltage with each reference voltage, and digitizes a comparison result into a binary digital output signal. A multiplexer time-division-multiplexes the binary digital output signals from the signal probing front-end circuits. A data processing unit calculates a judgment output probability for a detected voltage at each detection point detected by the respective signal probing front-end circuits, by counting a number of times of a predetermined binary value of the multiplexed binary digital output signal.

Abstract: A method for calculating frequency-dependent impedance in an integrated circuit (IC) having transistors coupled together by a line follows. First, partition the line into a plurality of rectangles of constant material. Then, solve for the minimum dissipated power in the plurality of rectangles. Finally, determine the frequency-dependent impedance from the minimum dissipated power.

Abstract: A prober which tests an object to be tested under temperature control is provided. This prober includes a stage base, Z stage, X-Y stage having a frame structure, substrate fixing mechanism arranged on the X-Y stage, a probe card arranged to oppose the substrate fixing mechanism, and a probing stage fixed on the Z stage and arranged in the frame structure of the X-Y stage such that its axis coincides with an extension line vertically extending from the probe center of the probe card. The probing stage includes a probing elevating mechanism, and a temperature controller to heat and cool the object to be tested. The probing stage supports the substrate of the object to be tested from the bottom surface, and controls the temperature of the object to be tested.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for distributing signals through a jig-plate in a computer system. The jig-plate contains alignment features that assist in positioning semiconductor chips in relation to the jig-plate. In addition, the jig-plate contains one or more embedded signal routing layers. These metal routing layers provide one or more signal routes for the distribution of signals through the jig-plate to semiconductor chips which have been aligned with the jig-plate. Note that routing the signals through the jig-plate facilitates the distribution of the signals without requiring that the signals be routed through the semiconductor chips in the jig-plate.

Abstract: A power solid-state device is pulsed from a controlled pulse source, which generates heat in the chip. Similar or identical pulses are applied to a software or equivalent electrical hardware temperature simulator, for predicting the chip temperature. The output of the simulator is monitored, and the controlled pulse source is inhibited in the event that the predicted chip temperature exceeds a limit. A delay may be introduced between the pulse generation and application to the chip. Additional temperatures associated with the chip heat sink may be combined with the chip temperature.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a probe card for testing dice on a wafer includes a substrate, a number of cantilevers formed on a surface thereof, and a number of probes extending from unsupported ends of the cantilevers. The unsupported ends of the cantilevers project over cavities on the surface of the substrate. The probes have tips to contact pads on the dice under test. The probe card may include a compressive layer above the surface of the substrate with a number of holes through which the probes extend.

Abstract: Probes for electronic devices are described. The probe is formed by ball bonding a plurality of wires to contact locations on a fan out substrate surface. The wires are cut off leaving stubs. A patterned polymer sheet having electrical conductor patterns therein is disposed over the stubs which extend through holes in the sheet. The ends of the wires are flattened to remit the polymer sheet in place. The wire is connected to an electrical conductor on the polymer sheet which is converted to a contact pad on the polymer sheet. A second wire is ball bonded to the pad on the polymer sheet and cut to leave a second stub. The polymer sheet is laser cut so that each second stub is free to move independently of the other second studs. The ends of the second stubs are disposed against contact locations of an electronic device, such as an FC chip, to test the electronic device.

Abstract: A test probe for executing high-frequency measurements comprises: a coaxial high-frequency wave guide containing an inner conductor and an outer conductor for delivering a primary electrical potential and a secondary electrical potential, respectively, a supporting structure conductively connected to at least the outer conductor and to at least two contact elements for creating a contact with an electronic circuit to be tested. The support structure is provided with conductive paths for the transmission respectively of a high-frequency signal from the inner conductor and a high-frequency ground potential from the outer conductor to at least one contact element and each conductive path is conductively connected to the inner or outer conductor. The support structure has at least one U-shaped cut-out with a width essentially equivalent to an outer diameter of the wave guide and sides of the U-shaped cut-out are connected to the outer conductor.