Abstract: In one embodiment, a voltage-controlled oscillator is provided having an output signal whose frequency is responsive to a tuning signal and is independent of amplitude of oscillation. The voltage-controlled oscillator includes: a plurality of differential inverter stages coupled to form a loop, each differential inverter stage having a differential pair of transistors configured to steer a tail current from a current source, the current source sourcing the tail current responsive to a feedback signal; and a control circuit configured to generate the feedback signal responsive to a reference signal such that an amplitude of the output signal is independent of the tuning signal and depends on the reference signal, and the frequency of oscillation is decoupled from the amplitude of oscillation.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a phase locked loop in which leakage current provided to a loop filter of the phase locked loop is adaptive during a calibration procedure involving more than one lock period. In some embodiments, a controller reads the leakage current from a look-up table. For some embodiments, reading the look-up table at a particular lock period depends upon a comparison of a reference voltage to a quantity, where the reference voltage is used in the loop filter to set the range of a control voltage on the voltage-controlled oscillator of the phase locked loop, and the quantity to which the reference voltage is compared is a measurement of the control voltage at a previous lock period. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a temperature compensating solution to reduce changes in PLL damping factor that would otherwise occur with changes in temperature.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer according to the present invention digitally controls an analog oscillator to generate an analog output signal at a desired frequency. A digitizing circuit converts a feedback signal derived from the oscillator output signal to a digitized multi-phase feedback signal. A comparator compares the digitized multi-phase feedback signal to a reference signal generated by the reference signal generator to generate an error signal indicative of the phase error in the output signal. A control circuit generates a control signal based on the error signal to control the frequency of the oscillator output signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for providing an oscillating signal of relatively precise frequency without using a signal provided by a crystal as a reference. Disclosed is a feedback oscillator circuit configured to output an oscillating signal having a frequency defined by a reference signal. The oscillating signal can be sent to one or more circuits including at least one frequency sensitive element. The frequency sensitive element produces an output signal which depends on the frequency of the oscillating signal. A controller controls the reference signal in order to cause an attribute of the output signal to have a value within a desired range.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a local oscillation generator includes a mixing stage for receiving a primary frequency and one of a number of related frequencies. The local oscillation generator further includes a first transconductance stage to provide a first related frequency to the mixing stage when a first switch selectably enables a first power path in the first transconductance stage. The local oscillation generator further includes a second transconductance stage to provide a second related frequency to the mixing stage when a second switch selectably enables a second power path in the second transconductance stage. The local oscillation generator further includes a number of dividers, where an output of a first divider provides the first related frequency to an input of the first transconductance stage, and where an output of a second divider provides the second related frequency to an input of the second transconductance stage.

Abstract: An adaptive frequency calibration unit employing an N-target algorithm for a high speed automatic frequency calibration for CDMA application is provided. The adaptive frequency calibration device calibrating a frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) bank of a phase-locked loop (PLL), the adaptive frequency calibration device includes: a reference frequency divider dividing an output frequency of a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO); a feedback frequency divider dividing an output frequency of a prescaler; a frequency comparator comparing a frequency with the reference frequency divider output and the feedback frequency divider output; and a state machine providing a predetermined bit with a predetermined frequency resolution for the VCO to calibrate the frequency of the VCO bank using the frequency comparison result.

Abstract: The crystal oscillator has a configuration where circuit elements including a crystal unit are arranged on a mounting board comprising external terminals, opening end faces of a concave metal cover are made to touch the surface of the mounting board, clearances from the opening end faces are comprised in the central regions at both ends in the width direction of the metal cover, protruding parts, which extend from the opening end faces and have a protrusion on an inner face, are comprised at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the metal cover, and each of the protruding parts is elastically inserted in a groove provided on both side faces in the longitudinal direction of the mounting board 1 and bonded by solder, wherein the tip side of each protrusion is thrust and bites into a metal film provided in the groove.

Abstract: An oscillator includes: oscillation units (11 through 1n) outputting oscillation signals of different frequencies; a transmission line (15) to which outputs of the oscillation units (11, 12) are connected, the transmission line having a characteristic impedance corresponding to an output impedance of an output terminal (Tout); and a low-pass filter 818) connected between the transmission line (15) and the output terminal.

Abstract: A method for optical pumping of particles and a device for implementing same. The particles (14) are changed from one long lifetime level to another long lifetime level via a short lifetime level by means of interaction with light radiation (16) emitted by a laser source. Prior to this interaction, the light radiation undergoes depolarization in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the direction of propagation thereof, so as to reduce the entrapment of particles (14) in the black state.

Abstract: An integrated circuit, a phase locked loop, a voltage tune probe and a method of screening an integrated circuit employing a phase locked loop thereof. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit includes: (1) an input/output port configured to provide an external interface for the integrated circuit, (2) a phase locked loop having a voltage tune line coupled to a voltage controlled oscillator and (3) a voltage tune probe having a first switch coupled to a second switch and a capacitor coupled therebetween. The first switch is coupled to the voltage tune line and the second switch is coupled to the input/output port.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator includes an L-C tank circuit configured to have a first capacitance that increases as a power supply voltage increases, and a capacitance compensation circuit configured to be connected in parallel with both terminals of the L-C tank circuit and to have a second capacitance that decreases as the power supply voltage increases. The voltage controlled oscillator maintains the sum of the first capacitance and the second capacitance constant regardless of the fluctuation of the power supply voltage, thereby maintaining a stable oscillation frequency.

Abstract: The present invention is an oscillator including: first transistors outputting oscillation signals of different oscillation frequencies to collectors; a common node to which outputs of emitters of the first transistors are connected and input; a feedback circuit feeding an output of the common node to bases of the first transistors; and isolation circuits that are respectively provided between the emitters of the first transistors and the common node and cut off high frequency components from the common node.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator has a resonance tank core providing a voltage-dependent resonance frequency, switching units connected with the resonance tank core for changing output voltage levels of the oscillator with a frequency corresponding to the resonance frequency of the resonance tank core. At least two of the switching units have pairs of Darlington transistors which are connected via a Darlington node. Output terminals are used for outputting the output voltage levels.

Abstract: The present invention is an oscillator including: a first resonance circuit including a first variable capacitance diode having a cathode connected to a control terminal, a first capacitor and a first inductor connected between an anode of the first variable capacitance diode and ground; a second resonance circuit including a second variable capacitance diode having a cathode connected to the control terminal, a second capacitor and a second inductor connected between an anode of the second variable capacitance diode and ground; and an oscillation circuit coupled to the first and second resonance circuits and outputting an oscillation output.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for providing an oscillating signal of relatively precise frequency without using a signal provided by a crystal as a reference. Disclosed is a feedback oscillator circuit configured to output an oscillating signal having a frequency defined by a reference signal. The oscillating signal can be sent to one or more circuits including at least one frequency sensitive element. The frequency sensitive element produces an output signal which depends on the frequency of the oscillating signal. A controller controls the reference signal in order to cause an attribute of the output signal to have a value within a desired range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for frequency modulating a PWM involves 1) generating a high frequency carrier signal much greater in frequency than the PWM signal; 2) modulating the high frequency signal to generate a spread spectrum carrier signal; and, 3) retiming a PWM signal with this high frequency SS carrier signal so that the binary transitions of the PWM signal are aligned with the frequency varying carrier signal. In another embodiment, a PWM oscillator is driven by a second, FM oscillator having spread spectrum characteristics. In another embodiment a PWM oscillator is driven and modulated by a counter/frequency divider comprised of modules.

Abstract: A power management device providing a power amplifier with power supply voltage is provided. The power management unit includes a parallel-hybrid amplitude modulator apparatus having a linear part configured to track frequency components of an input signal above a determined threshold frequency and a switching part arranged in parallel with the linear part and configured to track frequency components of the input signal below the determined threshold frequency. Additionally, the power management unit includes a current sensing and controlling part configured to determine the level of a direct current component at an output of the linear part and control the switching part to produce an output signal compensating for the direct current component at the output of the linear part to decrease the absolute level of the direct current at the output of the linear part.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel broadband power limiter having improved frequency characteristics and power capacity, suitable for use with GaAs low-noise amplifier circuits. The power limiter includes a shunt diode circuit and two impedance transformers. The first transformer is a step-down impedance transformer connected between the shunt diode circuit and the input to the limiter, and the second transformer is a step-up impedance transformer connected between the shunt diode circuit and the output of the limiter. The invention further provides a method for limiting the power of an input signal, comprising the steps of: transforming the input signal from the input impedance to an intermediate impedance; shunting a portion of the input signal to ground; and transforming a remaining portion of the input signal from the intermediate impedance to an output impedance.

Abstract: An interconnect module and a method of manufacturing the same. The method of making an interconnect module on a substrate comprises forming an interconnect section on the substrate. The interconnect section comprises at least two metal interconnect layers separated by a dielectric layer. The method further comprises forming a passive device on the substrate at a location laterally adjacent to the interconnect section. The passive device comprises at least one moveable element comprising a metal layer. The method further comprises forming the metal layer and one of the at least two metal interconnect layers from substantially the same material.

Abstract: A filter circuit is constructed as a triplex filter having a high-pass filter, a low-pass filter with attenuation in the passband, and a second low-pass filter without attenuation in the passband. The filter circuit has a frequency response with a high-pass portion, a flat loss portion, and a low-pass portion. Attenuation in the flat loss portion is uniform and is predetermined via selection of filter components. The filter circuit is useful in a bidirectional CATV system in which performance is improved by selectable attenuation of a first source of return path signals but without attenuation of a second source of return path signals.

Abstract: An improved high frequency filter displays the following features: the high frequency filter displays transmission behavior with a coupling impedance resonance having at least one blocking point at a frequency, the blocking point at the frequency being adjustable by presetting and/or preselecting a defined capacitive and inductive coupling between two coaxial resonators, one immediately following the other on a signal path.

Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement (1; 2; 3; 4) for setting a predefined phase difference (phi_target) between a first high-frequency signal (x1; x1p, x1n) and a second high-frequency signal (x2; x2p, x2n), comprising: e) a chain connection of a plurality (N) of basic circuits (10; 20; 30; 40), whereby each basic circuit has a first transmission line (11; 11p, 11n) for transmitting the first signal (x1; x1p, x1n), a second transmission line (12; 12p, 12n) for transmitting the second signal (x2; x2p, x2n), and a controllable phase-influencing means (13; 23; 33; 43), connected to the first transmission line, for controllably influencing the phase of the first signal, f) a phase difference detector (14; 34), which is connected to the output-side basic circuit and is formed to detect a current phase difference (phi_actual) between the first and second signal, g) a control unit (15; 35), which is connected to the phase difference detector and each controllable phase-influencing means (13; 23; 33; 43) and is formed

Abstract: A microstrip structure comprising a conductive layer whose width varies in such a way as to obtain an effective dielectric constant, which presents a sinusoidal shape modulation. The propagation of electromagnetic waves in materials with electromagnetic properties, which varies along their propagation direction having desirable characteristics, such as the presence of frequency bands in which the propagation is allowed and of bands in which the electromagnetic waves are stopped.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of apparatus and a method which allows the reception of broadcast data in both linear and circular polarity data formats and allow data from both formats to be available for selection and usage to generate a user selected channel. The apparatus includes an LNB with a waveguide and processing circuitry to allow the processing of the received data and includes adjustment means to allow adjustment of the phase and/or amplitude of typically the orthogonal components of the received CP format data signal to be achieved in a reliable and efficient manner and thereby allow the provision of receiving apparatus with both LP and CP data available for selection and use.

Abstract: In some embodiments an interconnect includes a waveguide and a transmission line coupled in parallel with the waveguide. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is disclosed. The circuit breaker has a single pole module housing having a 1 W width with a first conduction path and a second conduction path disposed within the single pole module housing. The first and second conduction paths are electrically isolated from each other via an interior wall of the single pole module housing. A first activation mechanism is in operable communication with the first conduction path and a second activation mechanism is in operable communication with the second conduction path. The first activation mechanism is in operable communication with the first conduction path independent of the second activation mechanism and the second conduction path. The second activation mechanism is in operable communication with the second conduction path independent of the first activation mechanism and the first conduction path.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention includes a power relay assembly having a motor assembly and actuator assembly disposed in a housing. The actuator assembly includes at least one bridge assembly having one or more contacts arranged to provide selective electrical connections. The actuator assembly is attached to an armature of the motor assembly. The armature is arranged and disposed to drive the actuator assembly. The motor assembly includes an electromagnetic coil assembly disposed around at least a portion of the armature. A magnetic pole piece is configured adjacent to an end of the coil assembly. The pole piece includes an armature seat configured to attract and receive the armature when the coil assembly is magnetized. The armature seat has a taper configured to provide a substantially constant attractive force along the stroke length.

Abstract: In a terminal of a standard, plug-in or box type molded case circuit breaker, a terminal module assembly for a molded case circuit breaker capable of being removable by easily selecting the terminal type, and a molded case circuit breaker having the terminal module assembly, the terminal module assembly comprising a plurality of terminals provided to selectively have a standard, plug-in or box type and electrically connected to fixed contactors, a plurality of terminal bases provided as many as the number of the terminals and selectively having the standard, plug-in or box type, thus to fixedly support each of the terminals, wherein each terminal is assembled to each terminal base to obtain a terminal module intermediate assembly, and a common supporting base for supporting all of the plurality of intermediate assemblies regardless of the terminal type or terminal base type, wherein the terminal module assemblies having the construction can be attached/detached to/from the molded case circuit breaker.

Abstract: A ring magnet assembly has a generally cylindrical magnet body defining an air gap having an upper end and a lower end. Upper and lower face plates dispose respectively at an upper portion of the ring magnet and lower portion of the ring magnet. The face plates preferably have a high magnetic permeability. A mass analyzer may be disposed within the air gap. An ion generator may be disposed within an air gap of a ring magnetic assembly of the present invention. A pair of vertically-stacked magnetic ring assemblies may be provided. In that embodiment, a mass analyzer may be disposed within one air gap and an ion generator within another.

Abstract: An ignition coil, which includes a primary coil and a secondary coil, has an electrical insulating member. The electrical insulating member includes an insulating material being a base material. The electrical insulating member further includes a reactive agent being an additive added to the insulating material for causing dehydration-decomposition, so as to enhance durability when being applied with high voltage. Alternatively, a reactive agent is coated on a surface of the electrical insulating body for causing dehydration-decomposition, so as to enhance durability when being applied with high voltage.

Abstract: The configurations of a non-contact power supply and a coupling detection method thereof are provided. The proposed non-contact power supply includes a detachable transformer including a primary side, a current sensor coupled to the primary side and sensing a primary side current and a controller coupled to the current sensor, receiving the current and determining whether the power supply is under a coupling status according to the current.

Abstract: On-die inductively coupled wires and a method of making on-die inductively coupled wires are described. The on-die inductively coupled wires include a first wire to carry a first current, a surface area bounded by a second wire, and, an amorphous soft magnetic layer to couple magnetic flux induced by the first current through the surface area.

Abstract: On-die inductively coupled wires and a method of making on-die inductively coupled wires are described. The on-die inductively coupled wires include a first wire to carry a first current, a surface area bounded by a second wire, and, a layer to couple magnetic flux induced by said the first current through the surface area. The layer comprises regions of dielectric material and regions of soft magnetic material.

Abstract: This invention discloses a monolithic inductor including a body made by compressing a magnetic powder, a coil positioned in the body, and a permanent magnet positioned in the body and in a magnetic circuit formed by applying current to the coil. The monolithic inductor of this invention includes the magnetic body containing the permanent magnet and the coil. The permanent magnet in the magnetic circuit (path of magnetic flux lines) formed by applying current to the coil generates a reverse-bias magnetic field, thereby increasing the operating range of the magnetic body, the saturation current of the magnetic body, and the rated current of the inductor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spiral inductor for use in a semiconductor device. The spiral inductor comprises a dielectric layer formed of a plurality of layers stacked on a semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of curved metal lines formed in the dielectric layers which are serially connected in order to form a circular spiral shape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lamp transformer assembly, transformer winding arrangement and method of assembling a transformer assembly and lamp igniter transformer core. The lamp transformer assembly comprises a transformer core comprising two or more core members, wherein the core members ends are adapted to provide a transformer core with axially distributed air gaps. Furthermore, the transformer assembly comprises a primary and secondary winding, wherein one or more core members and the secondary winding are adapted to provide insertion of the one or more core members within the interior of the secondary winding. The transformer core members are attached to complete the core.

Abstract: Halogen-free, flame retardant, electrically-conductive adhesive materials are disclosed herein, which may be suitable for use with electromagnetic interference shielding devices. In one embodiment the adhesive material may include an adhesive, electrically-conductive material dispersed throughout the adhesive, and flame retardant dispersed throughout the adhesive. The flame retardant may remain distinct from the electrically-conductive material, such that the flame retardant is also substantially free of coating by the electrically-conductive material.

Abstract: A thermostatic element (1) comprises a thermoconductive cup (2) containing a thermo-expandable substance (3) and a piston (4), which is axially displaceable with respect to said cup by the action of the thermo-expandable substance produced during the expansion thereof. The guiding of the piston with respect to the cup and the sealing of the thermo-expandable substance are provided by the same arrangement of a single-piece holder (5) comprising a rigid insert (51) for guiding the piston which is embedded into a flexible envelop (52) impermeable to said thermo-expandable substance and is interposed between the insert, the piston and the cup.

Abstract: A method to increase capacity of a passive element to accommodate inrush current is mounting a metal pad in a circuit to evenly distribute the current over a greater area so heating caused by the current to be distributed over a greater area. The passive element has two electrodes attached on a ceramic disc and connecting respectively to two terminals. The metal pad is mounted between one of the electrodes and the corresponding terminal to increase the contact surface between the electrode and the terminal. Then the current passing from the metal pad to the electrode is distributed evenly. Therefore, when the inrush current passes through the circuit, the electrode will not be melted easily to ensure the passive element working normally most of the time.

Abstract: A system for validating refillable fuel cartridges is provided. The system includes a first device (302) and a second device (304). The first device is a refillable fuel cartridge that can be used in an electronic device (100). The first device includes a first access controller (306), a first transceiver (308), and a first fuel container (312). The first access controller authenticates the second device by using a first pre-specified authentication technique. The first transceiver receives an authentication query from the second device and the first fuel container stores fuel. The second device includes a second access controller (316), a second transceiver (318), and a second fuel container (322). The second access controller authenticates the first device by using a second pre-specified authentication technique. The second transceiver receives an authentication query from the first device and the second fuel container stores fuel.

Abstract: When a door locking operation is conducted in a vehicle, an in-vehicle device executes a vehicle compartment checking to check whether a mobile unit exists in the vehicle compartment. When the in-vehicle device receives a response from the mobile unit, the in-vehicle device transmits a search signal to the mobile unit, prohibits the door locking, and activates a buzzer, etc. The mobile unit can be prevented from being blocked in a vehicle compartment. When the mobile unit receives the search signal, it blows the buzzer, thereby making it possible to indicate the location of its existence.

Abstract: A method for providing varying levels of security access to an engine controller using security levels and seed and key programs to calculate access codes for the levels of security access.

Abstract: The invention relates to an identification method carried out as follows. A surface structure and an inner structure of a body member are measured (ST1-ST4, ST7) so as to obtain a surface-structure measurement result (FPM) and an inner-structure measurement result (BVPM), respectively. The surface-structure measurement result (FPM) is compared (ST5) with a surface-structure reference result (FPR) that distinguishes an individual from other individuals. The inner-structure measurement result (BVPM) is compared (ST8) with an inner-structure reference result (BVPR) that is associated with the same individual and that distinguishes the individual from other individuals. The body member may be, for example, a finger. In that case, the surface structure comprises a fingerprint and the inner structure comprises a blood-vessel pattern.

Abstract: A portable electronic device including first and second housing portions (102, 104) pivotally coupled to a link (402). The first and second housing portions pivot in unison relative to the link by virtue a recess of the first housing portion engaging a protrusion of the second housing portion and a protrusion of the first housing portion engaging a recess of the second housing portion when the first and second housing portions pivot relative to the link.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring one or more wireless channels of an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) network are disclosed. For example, the method reads one or more RFID reference tags periodically to obtain RFID reference tag reading results for each time interval. The method then processes the RFID reference tag reading results for monitoring the one or more wireless channels of the RFID network.

Abstract: An RFID system according to one embodiment includes an electronic device being powered by a battery; an RFID device in electrical communication with the electronic device; and a mechanism for estimating a remaining potential energy of the battery, wherein a flag is set on the RFID device when an estimated remaining potential energy of the battery is below a predefined threshold. In an RFID system according to another embodiment, the RFID device stores an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device. An RFID device according to yet another embodiment of the invention includes an interface for providing a direct physical connection to an electronic device that is powered by a battery; a memory for storing an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device; and circuitry for sending the indication stored in the memory to a remote device via an air interface.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based display system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electronic display device having a visual display device; and an RFID device having a memory, the RFID device being in electrical communication with the electronic display device via a direct physical connection, wherein data received by the RFID device from a remote device is stored in the memory of the RFID device, the data being communicated to the electronic, display device via the direct physical connection. Methods are also presented.

Abstract: Methods of radiofrequency identification and analysis are disclosed. In one aspect, a method may include transmitting a wireless interrogation signal. Corresponding wireless response signals may be received from each of a plurality of transponders. Then, analysis of interrelationships between different types of objects each associated with one of the transponders may be performed. Software and apparatus to perform such methods are also disclosed. In another aspect, a method of radiofrequency identification may include accessing additional information about one or more objects that are each associated with a different one of the transponders from a peripheral database.

Abstract: A control device, method and system for controlling data exchange between entities and item identification devices associated with said control device; said entities having an associated data exchange means for exchanging data with item identification devices; said data exchange means being arranged to provide authentication data indicative of the entity with which they are associated; and said control device comprising means for enabling exchange of data between said item identification devices and the entity with which said data exchange means is associated in accordance with an applicable access policy for that entity.