Abstract: An integrated circuit controller for a power converter to be coupled to a distribution network is disclosed. An example integrated circuit controller according to aspects of the present invention includes a switching control circuit that outputs a drive signal to control switching of a switch to regulate an output of the power converter. The integrated circuit controller also includes a cable drop compensator that outputs a compensated reference voltage signal to the switching control circuit in response to a switching signal. The switching signal is responsive to the drive signal. The compensated reference voltage signal is representative of a voltage value that is responsive to a distribution voltage across the distribution network and a load voltage across a load to be coupled to the distribution network. The switching of the switch is responsive to the compensated reference voltage signal and a feedback signal.

Abstract: A sleep mode control circuit and method are provided to pull high the error signal of a DC/DC switching power supply system to a target level when the switching power supply system is in a sleep mode, such that the switching power supply system can be more rapidly waked up from the sleep mode to its normal mode once the loading of the switching power supply system increases. A threshold is given for the output signal of the comparator that is used to determine the duty for the switching power supply system, and the error signal in the sleep mode is thus maintained slightly lower than the minimum voltage for the error signal in the normal mode.

Abstract: A feed controller adopted to be included in a battery drive type device, the feed controller adopted to supply power to a predetermined load from a battery holder that obtains rated electromotive force from plural rated number of batteries having predetermined specification and connected in series while held by the battery holder, the feed controller includes: an outer casing attached to the battery holder in place of one of the plural batteries and having shape and size appropriate for being held by the battery holder; a converter unit disposed within the outer casing to receive voltage corresponding to the sum of the electromotive forces from the other batteries when the outer casing is held by the battery holder in place of the one battery and convert the supplied voltage to output voltage corresponding to the rated electromotive force; a switch unit inserted into a feed path for supplying the output from the converter unit to the predetermined load to open and close the feed path according to a feed contr

Abstract: In one embodiment, a soft-start circuit is configured to form drive pulses that increase in width independently of the current through the power switch during a first portion of the soft-start operation period.

Abstract: A power supply adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC voltage source and an electrical load for generating a DC voltage, the power supply comprising an energy storage capacitor, the DC voltage produced across the capacitor; a charging circuit adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load and to conduct a load current from the source to the load, the charging circuit coupled to the energy storage capacitor for charging the energy storage capacitor; a controllably conductive device coupled in parallel electrical connection with the charging circuit and having a control input for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive, the controllably conductive device adapted to carry the load current from the source to the load when the controllably conductive device is conductive; and a triggering circuit coupled to the control input of the controllably conductive device for causing the controllably conductive device to become conductive wh

Abstract: A device is described for charging an electrical energy storage device, which has an active current-limiting device in a main current path in order to limit a supply current to a predefined maximum current. A voltage transformer device is situated downstream from the current-limiting device for raising the potential of the electrical energy storage device over a supply potential.

Abstract: A power supply system for reducing input ripple voltage, the system including: a first regulator having at least two inputs, one input being a voltage input pin and another input being a synchronization pin; a second regulator having at least two inputs, one input being a voltage input pin and another input being a synchronization pin; a Nth regulator having at least two inputs, one input being a voltage input pin and another input being a synchronization pin; wherein outputs of the first regulator, second regulator, and Nth regulator are connected to a single power bus or correspondingly to separate power buses; a first delay connected to the synchronization pin of the second regulator; a second delay connected to the synchronization pin of the Nth regulator; wherein the first delay and the second delay have different delays configured for enabling the first regulator, second regulator, and the Nth regulator to operate out of phase; and a master clock for providing timing control to the first and second dela

Abstract: A DC/DC converter is supplied such that the desired output setting voltage can be obtained as the load-side output, even when the difference between the power supply voltage and the output setting voltage of the load-side output is large. This DC/DC converter comprises a switching device, a voltage divider, an error amplifier, an oscillator which outputs a oscillation clock, a slope circuit which receives the oscillation clock and outputs a sawtooth waveform voltage having a slope which begins at the leading edge of the oscillation clock, a comparator which compares the sawtooth waveform voltage and the output voltage of the error amplifier, and a logic circuit which is set by the trailing edge of the oscillation clock, and is reset by the output of the comparator.

Abstract: A switching regulator includes a low-side switch having a body diode. During the low-side switch is on, a zero-current sense circuit monitors the inductor current of the switching regulator and triggers a signal to turn off the low-side switch when the inductor current falls down to a zero-current threshold, to prevent reverse inductor current from the output terminal of the switching regulator. A body-diode turn-on time controller monitors the turn-on time of the body diode and adjusts the zero-current threshold according thereto, and the turn-on time of the body diode can be reduced to an optimal interval subsequently. The self-adjustable zero-current threshold is adaptive according to the application conditions, such as the inductor size, input voltage and output voltage of the switching regulator.

Abstract: A controller for a power converter is disclosed. An example circuit controller according to aspects of the present invention includes an input voltage sensor to be coupled to receive an input signal representative of an input voltage of the power converter. A current sensor is also included and is to be coupled to sense a current flowing in a power switch. A drive signal generator is to be coupled to drive the power switch into an on state for an on time period and an off state for an off time period. The controller is coupled to adjust a switching cycle period of the power switch to be proportional to a value of the input signal multiplied by a time period. The time period is the time it takes for the current flowing in the power switch to change between two current values when the power switch is in the on state.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a voltage up-conversion circuit includes a modulated voltage generator circuit, where the modulated voltage generator circuit is configured to receive an input voltage and generate a modulated voltage, and where the modulated voltage generator circuit includes at least one transistor. The voltage up-conversion circuit further includes a switching circuit coupled to the modulated voltage generator circuit, where the switching circuit is configured to couple the modulated voltage to a load capacitor when the modulated voltage is at a high level and decouple the modulated voltage to the load capacitor when the modulated voltage is at a low level. In the voltage up-conversion circuit, the load capacitor reaches a voltage greater a breakdown voltage of the at least one transistor in the modulated voltage generator circuit. The breakdown voltage can be a reliability breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A tuner having one or more digitally controllable tuning components may be coupled to an analog feedback compensation network in a target switching power supply controller to adjust the compensation while the power supply is operating. A communication interface couples the tuner to a host having a software interface to enable a user to adjust the values of the tuning components. The tuner may include components to adjust the values of a feedback network, an input network, a ramp adjust component, etc., on the target controller.

Abstract: There is disclosed a filter for reducing electromagnetic interference generated by a power converter. The filter may include a common-mode inductor having first and second windings on a common core. The first and second windings may be connected between first and second power input lines and first and second inputs to the power converter, respectively. A series combination of a resistor and a voltage limiting device may be connected in parallel with the first winding.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus that measures the average-output-current produced by a switching regulator within an electronic device. The apparatus includes current-sensing-circuitry coupled to a switching field-effect-transistor (FET) within the switching regulator, wherein the current-sensing-circuitry is configured to bypass a small sense current from the conducting current of the switching-FET according to a sense ratio, wherein the conducting current is controlled by a control signal for the switching regulator. The apparatus also includes a current-to-voltage-converter coupled to the current-sensing-circuitry which is configured to convert the sense current into a sense voltage. The apparatus further includes voltage-averaging-circuitry which is configured to produce an average-sense-voltage from the sense voltage. This sense voltage is coupled to the input of the voltage-average-circuitry through a switch, which is gated by the control signal.

Abstract: According to the methods of the invention, a further delayed DLL signal is compared to the reference clock and a delayed reference clock signal is compared to a DLL signal. These two comparisons are performed on the 360° signal and on the 180° signal. The delay introduced by the methods of the invention is preferably adjustable based on the results of a process monitor test. The process monitor test can be run continuously and accounts for process, voltage and temperature. The methods of the invention can also be used to test for clock skew in a clock tree on a chip.

Abstract: A device for measuring electrical current, voltage and temperature in a conductor made of rigid material is disclosed. The conductor is formed from two conductor sections, between which an electrical resistor element is provided that is made of a material having greater resistance than the material of the conductor sections. In the region of the resistor element, a flattened area with a depression is provided, over which a measuring arrangement, through which a portion of the current flowing through the conductor flows, is placed in the manner of a bridge. In the measuring arrangement is arranged in the vicinity of a contact piece by means of which the conductor can be connected in an electrically conducting manner to another conductor such that the heat generated at the contact point is measured.

Abstract: A solar cell or solar module is measured during a short pulse of light in such a way that the resulting data for current and voltage at each light intensity is the same as would be measured under steady-state illumination conditions and therefore predictive of the actual performance of the solar cell or solar module in sunlight. A varying voltage is applied to the terminals of the solar cell during a light pulse so that the instantaneous current at a given voltage and light intensity during the light pulse is the same as would be measured under constant illumination at that same given intensity. A constant voltage is modified by a small signal correction that is proportional to the terminal current. Or, the small signal correction is proportional to the light intensity. An analog feedback circuit is constructed using the terminal current or light intensity for feedback in order to provide the requisite varying voltage. The varying voltage may also be supplied by digital synthesis.

Abstract: An electronic device testing apparatus for conducting a test by pressing input/output terminals of an IC to be tested against sockets (50), comprising a pusher (30) provided at least with a pusher base (34) provided to be able to approach and separate with respect to said sockets (50), a lead pusher base (35) fixed to said pusher base (34), a pusher block (31) for pressing against said sockets (50) by contacting said IC to be tested from an opposite face of said socket (50), a load base (32) attached with the pusher block (31), and two springs (36, 38) for giving an elastic force in the direction of pressing the IC to be tested to the pusher block (31) via the load base (32), wherein the load base (32) and the springs (36, 38) are sandwiched with the lead pusher base (35) and the pusher base (34), and the pusher block (31) is detachably attached to the load base (32) via an opening portion provided to the pusher base (34).

Abstract: In order to create a magnetoresistive speed sensor (100) with a permanent magnet (10) and with a sensor (A, B) for a magnetic field for detecting the speed of an object rotating about an x-axis, wherein the magnetoresistive speed sensor (100) is equipped with a measuring direction (ME), in which an external magnetic interference field does not influence the measurement result, it is proposed that the measuring direction (ME) is aligned to be parallel with an x-direction and that two sensors (A, B) are disposed with displacement from one another and normal to the measuring direction (ME).

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device (1) for measuring a magnetic field in the region of a primary part (5) of a permanently excited electrical machine or a corresponding primary part. Said primary part (5) comprises teeth (9). The inventive sensor device (1) comprises a means (13) for conducting a magnetic field, which is especially a sensor metal plate (13), in addition to a spacer (15), and a sensor (17) for measuring a magnetic field (19). A distance (21) between the means (13) for conducting a magnetic field (13) and a side (11) of a tooth (9) of the primary part (5) can be created by means of the spacer (15). The sensor (17), which is especially a Hall sensor (17), is arranged in a region (23) of the means (13) for conducting a magnetic field (13), between said means (13) and the primary part (5).

Abstract: A device for counting rotations of an object in a referential, in which a magnetic sensor linked to the object measures a field associated with the referential in order to generate measuring signals at the rotational frequency of the object. The sensor also functions as an antenna for receiving an electromagnetic wave. A method for controlling a counting device includes receiving measurement signals and a radio-frequency triggering signal from a sensor and sending information representative of the numbering cycles in the measurement signals.

Abstract: A collection of data processing algorithms which, used in concert, are suitable for use in place of a high pass filter stage in an eddy current inspection system and provide for a system optimized to inspect test pieces for elongated defects running parallel to the scan axis. The algorithms use mathematical techniques to eliminate baseline impedance offset between test pieces, correct for offset drift during a scan, and allow for system balancing using only a set of test pieces of unknown quality.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a body, a flippable unit, a pivoting shaft, a first magnetizable element, a second magnetizable element, a magnetic induction sensor IC, and a magnet. The pivot shaft connects the body and the flippable unit. A display is disposed in the flippable unit for showing an image. The magnetic induction sensor IC is disposed in the body. The magnet is disposed at and rotatable with the pivoting shaft. The first and the second magnetizable elements are disposed between the magnet and the magnetic induction sensor IC to enlarge the magnetic field of the magnet such that the magnetic induction sensor IC is capable of detecting change of the magnetic field of the magnet when the flippable unit together with the magnet is pivoted relative to the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor device (10) comprising an excitation wire (11) for the generation of a first magnetic field (B1), a GMR sensor (12) for sensing stray fields (B?) generated by magnetized beads (2), and a compensation wire (13) for the generation of a second magnetic field (B2) that compensates the first magnetic field (B1) in the GMR sensor (12). Preferably, the excitation and compensation wires (11, 13) are disposed symmetrically above and below the GMR sensor (12) and supplied with parallel currents (I1, I2) of equal magnitude. In a second mode of operation, the magnetic fields (B1, B2) can be set such that the substantially compensate in the region containing the beads (2), allowing to calibrate the GMR sensor (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor device (10) comprising wires (11, 13) for the generation of a magnetic field with a first frequency f1 a GMR sensor (12) operated with an input current of a second frequency f2, and a demodulator (26) operated at a third frequency f3. In order to avoid signal corruption by phase noise and to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, the first, second and third frequencies are derived by a supply unit (121) from a common reference frequency fref. Said derivation may for example be achieved with the help of digital frequency dividers. Furthermore, phase detectors (PD1, PD2) may be used in a feedback control loop to assure predetermined relations between the phases of the three frequencies. In another embodiment of the invention, the phase and/or amplitude of a model signal, which is used to process a desired signal component in the output of the sensor, is tracked by an adaptation algorithm, for example a gradient descent.

Abstract: System and method of inductively measuring the bio-impedance of a conductive tissue The present invention relates to a system (100) and method of inductively measuring the bio-impedance of a conductive tissue (106). Furthermore the invention relates to a computer program (115) for operating such a system (100).

Abstract: A frequency doubler circuit includes first and second arrangements of switches connected to the positive and negative inputs of a comparator, respectively, and arranged in such a way that first and third voltages during the first phase of a reference clock signal and second and fourth voltages during a second phase opposite to the first phase are applied to the positive and negative inputs, where the first and second voltages and the third and fourth voltages are shifted with respect to each other at a half-period of the reference clock signal and the ratio between slopes of the voltages is fixed with respect to a selected current.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus which performs MR imaging in an SSFP pulse sequence in which RF excitation is accomplished by a phase cycling method is caused; to collect data regarding all the frequency regions in a k-space in an SSFP pulse sequence in a first phase series out of a plurality of phase series; to collect data regarding low frequency regions in the k-space in the SSFP pulse sequence in the remaining phase series out of the plurality of phase series; to reconstruct an image by Fourier transform of the data regarding all the frequency regions collected in the SSFP pulse sequence in said first phase series; to generate frequency data of the k-space by inverse Fourier transform of said image; to separate said frequency data into data of the low frequency regions in the k-space and data of high frequency regions; to add data whose value is 0 to said separated data of the low frequency regions as substitute for the data of the high frequency regions; to add data whose value is 0 to said separated data of the high f

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes an application unit that applies a readout gradient magnetic field in which magnetic field strength thereof varies with time and RF pulses to a subject placed in a static magnetic field in accordance with a predetermined pulse sequence; a receiving unit that receives an MR signal obtained from the subject to which the readout gradient magnetic field and the RF pulses are applied; an AD converter that converts the received MR signal from analog to digital, and samples discrete MR-signal values; a filtering control unit that performs filtering processing on the sampled discrete MR-signal values, including a filter-coefficient setting unit that sets a plurality of filter coefficients to be used for the filtering processing with respect to each point of sampling time at which the filtering processing is to be performed, based on time-shift amounts corresponding to variations in an MR-signal frequency arising from temporal variations in the magnetic field strength, and a product-sum opera

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel self-fastening cage of a magnetic resonance device (MRD) (100) for providing a homogeneous, stable and uniform magnetic field therein, characterized by an outside shell comprising at least three flexi-jointed superimposed walls (1). In a technology of self-fastening cage, the invention teaches an effective multi-streamed MRD comprising a cage including a closed magnetic circuit constructed from strong permanent magnets; and an optional shimming mechanism selected from an array of active shim coils, passive shimming elements or any combination thereof; a contained cavity within which the magnetic field strength is approximately uniform; and a means, such as a plurality of conveyor belts, pipes or any other transportation means by which a plurality of samples are introduced into the region of uniform magnetic field; such that magnetic resonance measurements are made on a plurality of samples within the region of uniform magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has at least one RF coil and a data processing control unit. The RF coil that generates unique information, receives a nuclear magnetic resonance signal, and wirelessly transmits the received nuclear magnetic resonance signal and the unique information. The data processing control unit receives the wirelessly transmitted nuclear magnetic resonance signal and the unique information, and generates image data based on the nuclear magnetic resonance signal in accordance with the unique information.

Abstract: The test body is placed on the top board. The support section has a support post, a hinge section and a receiving member. The hinge section is linked to the edge of the shorter direction of said top board at one edge of the support post and performs a hinge movement in said shorter direction. The receiving member holds said test body and supports RF coils, when it is positioned on the other edge of the support post and said support post is caused to stand up by the hinge movement. The support section is positioned on both edges of said shorter direction of said top board.

Abstract: A local coil arrangement for magnetic resonance imaging has a number of supporting connection devices for placement of the local coil arrangement on a patient bed, with each supporting connection device embodying a vibration damping device.

Abstract: A passive type shield coil, disposed to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, for shielding of a magnetic flux of a gradient magnetic field at an inner circumference side generated by a gradient coil for generating the gradient magnetic field, and set at an outer circumference side of the gradient coil, has a coil body formed of a portion including a superconducting material and a portion including a non-superconducting material.

Abstract: An arrangement and an associated method are described in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a path in which region a cable is buried. The boring tool and the cable transmit a boring tool locating signal and a cable locating signal, respectively. Intensities of the boring tool locating signal and the cable locating signal are measured along with a pitch orientation of the boring tool. Using the measured intensities and established pitch orientation, a positional relationship is determined to relative scale including at least the boring tool and the cable in the region. The positional relationship is displayed to scale in one view. The positional relationship may be determined and displayed including the forward locate point in scaled relation to the boring tool and the cable. Cable depth determination techniques are described including a two-point ground depth determination method.

Abstract: Discriminating between a cable locating signal and a false cable locating signal is described. A reference signal, which contains a locating signal frequency impressed on it, is transmitted in a way which provides for detection of a phase shift between the locating signal and the false locating signal. Based on the phase shift, a receiver is used to distinguish the locating signal from the false locating signal.

Abstract: A boring tool is moved through the ground in a region which includes at least one electrically conductive in-ground line and which is subject to static magnetic fields including the magnetic field of the earth.

Abstract: An airborne electromagnetic survey system for conducting geological mapping is disclosed. A transmitter closed loop structure is used in the system and is designed for connection to a towing airborne vehicle. The transmitter loop structure comprises a plurality of interconnected loop segments, and transmitting means are fitted to at least one of the loop segments for generating and transmitting an earthbound primary electromagnetic field effective for geological surveying. Sensing means are fitted to the loop segments for receiving and sensing a vertical component of a secondary resulting electromagnetic field which arises from an interaction of the primary electromagnetic field with ground bodies that are traversed by the sensing means, while simultaneously nulling the primary electromagnetic field.

Abstract: An underwater EM measurement system, which is substantially smaller, much simpler to use, and more robust than prior systems, is formed as a sensor package integrated into a single pressure vessel includes two magnetic sensors including induction coils disposed substantially horizontally so as to measure fields in orthogonal directions. The package also includes two electric field sensors including electric potential antennas adapted to couple to a water potential via a capacitive electrode having a conducting material and an electrically insulative layer formed of an insulating material. The capacitive electrode has a capacitance to the medium of greater than 1 mF. Preferably, the insulating material is a metal oxide.

Abstract: In a multicomponent logging tool, a coil is electrically isolated by open circuiting another, substantially orthogonal coil.

Abstract: The patent describes an electric switchgear (10) with a pole of the switchgear filled with insulating gas, and it is provided with a monitoring device (14) for the insulating gas in the switchgear pole and with a test connection (28) for a testing device to test the monitoring device (14). A device (20) is provided that has a test connection (28). The device (20) is connected to the monitoring device (14) and the switchgear pole. The device (20) has a valve (23), with which the switchgear pole can be detached from the monitoring device (14).

Abstract: A method for monitoring a battery includes the steps of activating a power conservation mode of an electrical system of a motor vehicle, measuring a duration of activation of the power conservation mode of the electrical system, and measuring a quiescent voltage of a vehicle battery of the motor vehicle. A battery status is determined based on the duration of activation of the power conservation mode and based on the quiescent voltage of the vehicle battery. Information indicative of the battery status is provided such that the information is perceivable outside the motor vehicle. A flashing pattern of a light emitting diode may for example indicate the battery status. A motor vehicle having a battery monitoring configuration is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device and a measuring method for investigating particles which are suspended in a carrier liquid, including several measuring electrodes for carrying out electrical measuring of the particles. It is proposed that during electrical measuring, the particles be fixed in a field cage (4).

Abstract: A precipitation static sensor includes a bottom flexible dielectric layer (e.g., a layer of urethane tape) configured to be attached to a wing or other external surface of an aircraft, a flexible conductive layer (e.g., a layer of aluminum tape) formed over a portion of the first flexible dielectric layer, and a conductor (such as a twisted-pair wire) coupled to the flexible conductive layer. A top flexible dielectric layer is formed over a portion of the bottom dielectric layer and a portion of the flexible conductive layer, thus forming an exposed detector region. In accordance with a further embodiment, multiple such precipitation static sensors are used and coupled to a meter device (e.g., a picoammeter), which may also be coupled to a data acquisition and display for providing a visual indication of the charge accumulated by the precipitation static sensors.

Abstract: In a method and system for testing a presence of a crack (240) in a device under test (DUT) (190), a test system includes a bridge circuit (BC) (120) coupled to an electrical signal source (ESS) (110) capable of generating an electrical signal (102). The BC (120) includes four impedances that are coupled in a bridge structure having two floating nodes (132, 134). The DUT (190) includes a test bond pad (TBP) (192) and an access bond pad (ABP) (194). An impedance measurable across the TBP (192) and the ABP (194) is selectable as one of the four impedances. A stimulus (140) is provided to the DUT (190) to induce stress. A sensor (130) coupled across the two floating nodes (132, 134) detects a change in a value of the electrical signal measured across the two floating nodes (132, 134) in response to the stimulus (140). The change is triggered by the presence of the crack (240) under the TBP (192) caused by the stress, the crack (240) changing the impedance.

Abstract: A method of conditioning tantalum capacitors on printed wire assemblies is disclosed. According to the method, each of the capacitors on an assembly is subjected to the same conditioning level during testing. To condition the tantalum capacitors, surge currents are induced in the capacitors in a controlled manner as a means of aging the capacitors so that they can be used without de-rating rating with low failure rates. The level of voltage, timing and current levels are set by circuitry used to perform the testing. The same circuits that are used with the capacitors in a system application are also used for the tantalum capacitor test circuit during the conditioning process.

Abstract: A system for determining a distance between a showerhead of a semiconductor processing system and a substrate-supporting pedestal is provided. The system includes a showerhead having a showerhead surface from which reactive gas is expelled and a pedestal having a pedestal surface that faces the showerhead surface. A first capacitive plate is disposed on the pedestal surface. A second capacitive plate is disposed on the showerhead surface. A third capacitive plate disposed on one of the showerhead surface and the pedestal surface, but spaced from the first and second capacitive plates. Capacitance measurement circuitry is operably coupled to the first, second and third capacitive plates.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity switch has an electrically conductive sensor surface, which is covered by an electrically non-conductive covering plate and which serves as a part of a capacitor with a capacitance that varies with proximity. The proximity switch includes a reference sensor surface for generating a reference signal for determining an actuation state of the proximity switch. Signal portions of the reference signal are proportional to the capacitance of a reference capacitor formed with the reference sensor surface, and the capacitance of the reference capacitor is determined by surrounding conditions of the sensor surface.

Abstract: A switched capacitance detection circuit is responsive to changes in the fringing capacitance of a capacitive proximity sensor having at least one capacitive sensor element. In cases where the sensor has a single sensor element, the switching frequency of the detection circuit is controlled to maintain measurement accuracy in the presence of sensor moisture while minimizing power consumption and electromagnetic radiation. In cases where the sensor has multiple sensor elements, the capacitance values for each sensor element are differenced, absolute-valued and summed to form an output in which common-mode effects due to sensor moisture, temperature and sensor aging are canceled out.

Abstract: A two-dimensional position sensor is formed by drive electrodes (52) and sense electrodes (62, 64, 66) both extending in the x-direction and interleaved in the y-direction. The sense electrodes comprise several groups, two of which co-extend in the x-direction over each different portions of extent in the x-direction. The drive and sense electrodes are additionally arranged to capacitively couple with each other. In use, drive signals are applied to the drive electrodes and then the resultant sense signals received from the sense electrodes measured. The position of a touch or stylus actuation on the sensor is determined in the x- and y-directions as follows. In the x-direction, the position is determined by an interpolation between sense signals obtained from co-extending pairs of sense electrodes, and in the y-direction by interpolation between sense signals obtained from different sequences of drive signals applied to the drive electrodes.