Abstract: A signal switching device connected between at least one electronic device and a testing device includes a switching module and a control unit connected to the switching module. Each electronic device is capable of outputting a first signal and a second signal. The switching module is connected to each electronic device. When the switching device is in a first state, the switching module receives the first signal, and the control unit controls the switching module to transmit the first signal to the testing device. When the switching module is in a second state, the switching module receives the second signal, and the control unit controls the switching module to transmit the second signal to the testing device.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention disclose a synchronous rectification circuit and associated zero-crossing detection method. The synchronous rectification circuit includes a synchronous rectifier having a source, a drain, and at least two gates. The synchronous rectifier having N MOS cells connected in parallel, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Through comparing a voltage signal across the drain and the source of the synchronous rectifier with a first and a second threshold voltage, part of the N MOS cells is turned off once the voltage signal is equal to the first threshold voltage, and the left part of the N MOS cells is turned off once the voltage signal is equal to the second threshold voltage. Thus, the accuracy of zero-crossing detection is improved.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus, in particular a metal sensor, has at least two coils and a magnetic field sensor. The arrangement of coils and magnetic sensor with respect to one another and/or the number of coil turns and/or the winding sense of the coils and/or the coil current is/are selected such that the magnetic field generated by the coils approximately disappears at the location of the magnetic field sensor. A method for detecting objects, in particular a method for finding metal objects, uses at least two coils and a magnetic field sensor, particularly an AMR, GMR or Hall sensor. The arrangement of the coils and the magnetic sensor with respect to one another and/or the number of coil turns and/or the winding sense of the coils and/or the coil current is/are selected such that the magnetic field generated by the coils approximately disappears at the location of the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A structure and method are provided for self-test of a Z axis sensor. Two self-test current lines are symmetrically positioned adjacent, but equidistant from, each sense element. The vertical component of the magnetic field created from a current in the self-test lines is additive in a flux guide positioned adjacent, and orthogonal to, the sense element; however, the components of the magnetic fields in the plane of the sense element created by each of the two self-test current line pairs cancel one another at the sense element center, resulting in only the Z axis magnetic field being sensed during the self-test.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gear absolute position sensor assembly (GAPS) that senses the current absolute, position of the shift lever of a manual transmission. The sensor assembly provides data to an associated electronic controller such as an engine control module (ECM) regarding the current position of the shift lever, such as an engaged gear. The sensor assembly preferably comprises at least one Hall effect or other type of magnetic field (proximity) sensors in combination with an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which is supplied with data from the sensors, decodes the output of the sensors and provides an output identifying a specific engaged gear or neutral for use by vehicle or engine management electronics. The sensors are mounted proximate the shift linkage at a location where they can sense both rotation and translation.

Abstract: A first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor are disposed so that the main sensitivity axis direction of the first magnetic sensor is oriented in the direction of an induction magnetic field from a current flowing through a current line, the main sensitivity axis direction of the second magnetic sensor is oriented in a direction opposite to the direction of an induction magnetic field from the current flowing therethrough, the individual main sensitivity axis directions of the first and second magnetic sensors are oriented in a same direction, and the individual sub-sensitivity axis directions of the first and second magnetic sensors are oriented in the same directions as or directions opposite to the directions of the sub-sensitivity axis components of the induction magnetic fields to which the first and second magnetic sensors are individually subjected from a current flowing through an adjacent current line adjacent to the current line.

Abstract: A quenching depth measuring method is used for measuring the quenching depth in a workpiece and includes the steps of: magnetizing the workpiece by disposing, in the vicinity of the workpiece, a magnetizer equipped with an exciting coil; detecting, through a detection coil, an induced magnetic field generated by the magnetization; measuring the induced magnetic field as the output voltage of the detection coil; and specifying the thickness of the quenched hardened layer of the workpiece on the basis of known electromagnetic characteristic information of an unquenched material and a fully-quenched material and an output voltage value measured by the detection coil, the unquenched material being made of the same material as the constituent material of the workpiece and being a material on which a quenching process is not performed, the fully-quenched material being a material on which the quenching process is performed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic field sensor including a die, a coil proximate the die to generate a magnetic field, and a magnetic field sensing element having to detect changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil in response to a ferromagnetic target.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a conductive element, and at least two magnetic field sensors arranged on the conductive element and configured to sense a magnetic field generated by a current through the conductive element, wherein the at least two magnetic field sensors are arranged on opposite sides of a line perpendicular to a current flow direction in the conductive element. The current sensor further includes an insulating layer arranged between the conductive element and the magnetic field sensors, and at least two conductor traces provided on the insulating layer, wherein one end of the conductor traces connects to a respective magnetic field sensor, and the other end of the conductor traces providing a terminal for outputting the sensor signals. The conductor traces are arranged such that they do not extend entirely around the conductive element.

Abstract: A magnetometer with a set/reset coil having portions that cross portions of sensing strips at an angle in order to create a magnetic field in the sensing strip that is at an angle with respect to the easy axis of magnetization of the sensing strip. Each sensing strip may have a portion having a magnetic field created therein that is different from a magnetic field created in another portion of the same sensing strip. As a result, a lower set/reset coil current is needed to initialize the magnetometer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor bridge utilizing magnetic tunnel junctions is disclosed. The magnetoresistive sensor bridge is composed of one or more magnetic tunnel junction sensor chips to provide a half-bridge or full bridge sensor in a standard semiconductor package. The sensor chips may be arranged such that the pinned layers of the different chips are mutually anti-parallel to each other in order to form a push-pull bridge structure. The sensor chips are then interconnected using wire bonding. The chips can be wire-bonded to various standard semiconductor leadframes and packaged in inexpensive standard semiconductor packages. The bridge design may be push-pull or referenced. In the referenced case, the on-chip reference resistors may be implemented without magnetic shielding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fast autocalibrated spin-echo MRT imaging by means of independently coded echo groups, wherein one of the two echo groups is used for recording a reference data set or a training data set, while the other echo group is recorded in subsampled manner.

Abstract: An array arrangement can be provided, that, for example, can include a plurality of triangular antenna arrangements, which can be configured to transmit or receive a magnetic resonance signal(s). A processing arrangement can be configured to generate information associated with a magnetic resonance image based on the magnetic resonance signal(s). A shield arrangement can be configured to shield the triangular antenna arrangements.

Abstract: Nuclear quadrupole resonance measurement using two or more wire loop(s) within a space to define a portal, and driving the wire loop(s) with a baseband digital transmitter generating a chirped or stepped signal, to create a corresponding varying electromagnetic field within the portal. Coherent emissions reflected thereby are detected through a directional coupler feeding the transceiver. The detected coherent emissions are processed with a matched filter to determine presence of a target object within the portal.

Abstract: A method of generating a magnetic resonance image includes: generating composite data by using a plurality of data sets acquired from a plurality of coils, based on coil characteristics of the plurality of coils; generating first interpolation data by interpolating the composite data; generating a plurality of filtered data sets by filtering the first interpolation data with respect to a plurality of frequency bands; and generating the magnetic resonance image by using the plurality of filtered data sets.

Abstract: Described here are a system and method for designing radio frequency (“RF”) pulses for parallel transmission (“pTx”) applications, and particularly pTx applications in multislice magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”). The concept of “SAR hopping” is implemented by framing the concept between slice-selective excitations as a constrained optimization problem that attempts designing multiple pulses simultaneously subject to an overall local SAR constraint. This results in the set of RF waveforms that yield the best excitation profiles for all pulses while ensuring that the local SAR of the average of all pulses is below the regulatory limit imposed by the FDA. Pulses are designed simultaneously while constraining local SAR, global SAR, and peak power, and average power explicitly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-channel (e.g. quadrature) MRI transmit system in which RF power amplifiers having different power capabilities are used in different transmit channels. This results in reduced system costs, due to the avoidance of an unused excess of RF power capability when the power demand for obtaining a homogeneous B1-field (RF shimming) is asymmetric and the asymmetry is qualitatively the same for different imaging applications. The multi-channel transmit unit may also comprise a commutator which enables to selectively connect each RF power amplifier to each drive port of transmit coil arrangement (e.g. a birdcage coil).

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) system 10 includes a scan controller 20 which generates a plurality of like MR pulse sequences TR. Each pulse sequence includes a plurality (m) of RF excitation pulses EXC which selectively excite a nuclear species, a plurality of different spin lock pulses SL1, SL2, SLm before each RF excitation pulse EXC, a plurality of data readout intervals RE1, RE2, . . . , REm. A SAR unit 42 determines a SAR value corresponding to the pulse sequence and determines a shortest repetition time for the pulse sequence based on the SAR value. A plurality of pulse sequences TR are applied, each corresponds to a single phase encode. The pulse sequences are identical except for the phase encode gradients such that a plurality of T1p-weighted images of the examination region are generated. A T1p processor 40 analyzes the T1p-weighted images and generates a T1p map of the examination region according to the analysis.

Abstract: A noise abatement system includes a processor configured to measure noise in an imaging system and generate a switch mode power supply (SMPS) input signal based on the measured noise and an adjustable switched mode power supply configured to receive the SMPS input signal and adjust a switching frequency of the switched mode power supply, based on the SMPS signal, to operate at a frequency that generates harmonics that are outside of an imaging bandwidth of the imaging system. A system and calibration method are also described herein.

Abstract: A whole-body coil for a magnetic resonance tomography device includes one or more compensation capacitors between a high-frequency antenna and an RF shield. The one or more compensation capacitors each have variable capacitance caused by a variation in a distance of the RF shield to the high-frequency antenna.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for measuring an electric potential in the earth, which includes a first sensor are disclosed. The first sensor includes a sensing plate for placement in an environment in close proximity to the earth. The sensing plate has an operative capacitive coupling with the earth and measures the earth's electric potential. The sensor also includes a barrier providing electrochemical segregation between the sensing plate and the earth and an amplifier having at least one stage for receiving and amplifying a first signal carrying the potential measured by the sensing plate. The sensor also includes a first connection carrying the first signal from the sensing plate to the amplifier; and a reference voltage for application to the first stage of the amplifier, the reference voltage providing a reference against which the potential measured by the sensing plate is compared. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An electromagnetic survey acquisition system includes a sensor cable and a source cable, each deployable in a body of water, and a recording system. The sensor cable includes an electromagnetic sensor thereon. The source cable includes an electromagnetic antenna thereon. The recording system includes a source current generator, a current sensor, and an acquisition controller. The source current generator powers the source cable to emit an electromagnetic field from the antenna. The current sensor is coupled to the source current generator. The acquisition controller interrogates the electromagnetic sensor and the current sensor at selected times in a synchronized fashion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100) for detecting underwater geological formations, in particular for the localization of reservoirs of hydrocarbons such as oil and/or natural gas, comprising an electromagnetic transmission device (10) which can be moved within an area to be surveyed (101) through sea surface tow means (14) along an advance direction (A) and at least one electromagnetic reception device (20) positioned in the area to be surveyed (101) and characterized in that the electromagnetic reception device (20) comprises at least one flat structure (20a) consisting of a plurality of linear elements (21) constrained to each other according to a bidimensional lattice configuration and a plurality of reception electrodes (22, 22a), wherein each reception electrode (22, 22a), of the plurality of reception electrodes (22, 22a) is constrained in correspondence with an intersection between pairs of said linear elements (21).

Abstract: In a method for operating a magnetic switching element, at least one connection of at least one sensor device is connected to at least one connection of a coil of the magnetic switching element, and at least one measuring state is established in which the at least one connection of the coil is largely at least temporarily decoupled from a ground, a voltage source, and/or a current source activating the coil, and at least one auxiliary voltage and/or at least one auxiliary current is/are applied to the at least one connection of the coil in the measuring state, and at least one sensor signal is ascertained from at least one electrical potential, at least one potential difference, and/or at least one current flowing at the connections of the coil.

Abstract: Measuring device for checking an electrical circuit breaker includes a current generating unit designed to generate a measurement current for a continuity measurement of a switching contact of the circuit breaker. The measuring device furthermore includes a measuring unit for registering a measurement signal at the circuit breaker, an energy supply unit for supplying a control drive of the circuit breaker with electrical energy, and a control unit, which has a timer. The control unit is able output to the control drive, via the control output, a signal for opening or closing the circuit breaker, and to determine a time-based switching behaviour of the circuit breaker in dependence on the measurement signal. Further, the control unit is designed, in the case of the circuit breaker being closed, to determine the resistance of the switching contact in dependence on the measurement current and the measurement signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring device (10) for measuring a resistance of a switching contact (5) of an electrical circuit breaker (1). The measuring device (10) comprises a high-current generating unit (11) for generating a measurement current for the resistance measurement, and a measuring unit (12) for registering a measurement signal at the circuit breaker (1) during the opening or closing of the switching contact (5), and for determining a time-based resistance course of the switching contact (5) during opening or closing, in dependence on the measurement current and the measurement signal.

Abstract: An electric storage device management system includes a voltage sensor, a memory, and a controller. The voltage sensor detects a voltage across an electric storage device having a correlation between an open circuit voltage (OCV) and a state of charge (SOC) including a slight change region and a sharp change region. The memory stores information on correlation between OCV and SOC in the sharp change region. The controller is configured to: determine an OCV based on a voltage detected by the voltage sensor; determine whether the defined OCV is within the sharp change region; determine an SOC corresponding to the defined OCV based on the stored information stored if the defined OCV is within the sharp change region; determine the determined SOC as an estimated SOC; and prohibit the determining of the SOC as an estimated SOC if the defined OCV is out of the sharp change region.

Abstract: A battery system with at least one module includes a plurality of battery cells. A cell voltage detecting circuit is associated with each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The cell voltage detecting circuits of the at least one module are connected to a multiplexer. An output of the multiplexer is connected to a communication bus via an analog-digital converter. The communication bus is connected to an evaluating unit. The multiplexer is additionally connected to at least one auxiliary voltage source that is known to the evaluating unit. In a method for monitoring a battery system with at least one module including a plurality of battery cells, a voltage of each of the battery cells is detected and fed to an evaluating unit via a cell voltage detecting unit. An output signal of the cell voltage detecting unit is tested for plausibility.

Abstract: An ESD test method for testing an object is disclosed. The object is activated and controlled to separate from a horizontal plane by a pre-determined distance. A first discharge voltage is provided to an external metal portion of the object. A first error is determined to have or have not occurred during the operation of the object each time after the first discharge voltage is provided to the external metal portion. The object is processed to eliminate the first error and then the first discharge voltage is provided to the external metal portion when the first error occurs during the operation of the object. The first error is induced by a hardware structure of the object. The object is moved to contact with the horizontal plane and a specific action is executed when the first error has not occurred during the operation of the object.

Abstract: For the purpose of determining a stray capacitance of an AC current generator a differential current is measured as a current sum over a plurality of lines carrying a current of the AC current generator, an electric signal which depends on generator voltages present at the AC current generator with respect to earth potential and which is in phase with a leakage current component of the differential current is generated. The electric signal is scaled by multiplying it by a scaling factor; and the scaled electric signal is subtracted from the differential current to obtain a remainder. The scaling factor is repeatedly updated such that the effective value of the remainder reaches a minimum at the present value of the scaling factor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media provide electric supply equipment 200 configured to perform diagnostics. The electric supply equipment 200 may include a receptacle 210 for forming a closed circuit loop. The electric supply equipment 200 includes a connector 203 for charging devices, such as electric vehicles 101. The connector 203 may include one or more conductors, some of which may be wrapped with insulation. When the connector 103, 203 is not used for charging, the connector 203 may be connected to a receptacle 210 of the electric supply equipment 200. Thus, the electric supply equipment 200, via the receptacle 210, may form a closed loop circuit with the conductors. Further, the electric supply equipment 200 may include a diagnostic unit 250 for performing diagnostic tests on the conductors. In particular, the diagnostic unit 250 may access ends of the conductors via the receptacle 210.

Abstract: An isolation monitor is disclosed in which a switchable bias voltage is imposed on a chassis ground. An isolation voltage is measured when a bias voltage is applied. When there are no electrical faults, the isolation voltage swings up and down to known values. When a fault occurs, the isolation voltage will not to swing to the known values, and thus the isolation resistance can be measured and alarm generated if the isolation resistance falls below a threshold value.

Abstract: A sensor in the form of an elongated flexible tape has a plurality of signal paths made from electrical wire or optical fiber which extend between one end and another end of the tape. The electrical wires or optical fibers are disposed in spaced relation across the width and along the length of the tape, and are terminated in connectors at the endpoints of the tape. One connector includes a multiplexer to which an input signal is applied for propagation along the signal paths, The other connector includes an AND gate which provides an output signal which changes in the event of a break in any one or more of the signal paths, thereby indicating an alarm condition. The connectors may be integrated into a signal detector to interface with communication links. The tape is a material that is non-conductive and in which the wires or optical fibers may be woven, disposed or embedded in some manner.

Abstract: A method for testing a mask article includes the steps of electrically connecting the mask article to an electrical sensor, applying a bias voltage to a plurality of testing sites of the mask article with a conductor, measuring at least one current distribution of the testing sites with the electrical sensor, and determining the quality of the mask article by taking the at least one current distribution into consideration.

Abstract: A method for testing a mask article includes steps of electrically connecting the mask article to an electrical sensor, applying a bias voltage to a plurality of testing sites of the mask article with a conductor, measuring at least one current distribution of the testing sites with the electrical sensor, and determining the quality of the mask article by taking the at least one current distribution into consideration.

Abstract: A method for testing a mask article includes steps of electrically connecting the mask article to an electrical sensor, applying a bias voltage to a plurality of testing sites of the mask article with a conductor, measuring at least one current distribution of the testing sites with the electrical sensor, and determining the quality of the mask article by taking the at least one current distribution into consideration.

Abstract: An electric field sensor includes one or more sensing electrodes connected to an integrated amplifier that bootstraps all parasitic capacitances at the sensor input to provide for a very high input impedance without the need for neutralization or other adjustments and calibration. The integrated amplifier for the electric field sensor further includes low-noise ESD/biasing structures to stabilize the DC-potential of the sensor with a minimum amount of added noise, leakage and parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: A stud detector has a voltage source, a first device, and a second device. The first device serves to generate a voltage that is galvanically decoupled from the voltage source. The second device serves for the potential-free transmission of a control signal.

Abstract: A physical parameter is measured via an electronic circuit connected to a two capacitor sensor. The circuit includes an amplifier connected to the common capacitor electrode, a logic unit for digital processing amplifier data and supplying a digital measuring signal, a digital-analogue converter for supplying a measuring voltage based on the digital measuring signal, a switching unit for alternately supplying the measuring voltage to the first and second fixed capacitor electrodes, and a regulated voltage for negative biasing or a low voltage for positive biasing from a voltage supply source. A first phase consists in biasing the first fixed electrode with the measuring voltage from first binary word and reference voltage, and the second fixed electrode with low voltage, and a second phase consists in biasing the second fixed electrode with measuring voltage from second binary word, which is reverse of the first binary word, and the reference voltage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes modifying a voltage at a capacitance of a touch sensor to a first voltage level. The method also includes modifying the voltage at the capacitance to a second voltage level, resulting in a first current. The method also includes modifying a voltage at an integration capacitor to a charging-voltage level based on the first current. The method also includes determining whether a touch input to the touch sensor has occurred based on the charging-voltage level.

Abstract: A method for sensing the actuation and/or release voltages of a electromechanical system or a microelectromechanical device include applying a test pulse to the device and sensing its state. In one embodiment, the device is part of a system comprising an array of interferometric modulators suitable for a display. The method can be used to compensate for temperature dependent changes in display pixel characteristics.

Abstract: A capacitive touch sensor includes multiple first-axis traces, multiple second-axis traces, an insulation layer and multiple metal traces. Each first-axis trace includes multiple first touch-sensing pads and first connecting lines connected therebetween. Each second-axis trace includes multiple second touch-sensing pads and second connecting lines connected therebetween. At least one of the first connecting line and the second connecting line is a metal printing line.

Abstract: A substance detection sensor includes an insulating layer; two electrodes spaced in opposed relation to each other on the insulating layer; and conductive layers formed between the two electrodes on the insulating layer so as to electrically connect the two electrodes, and of which a swelling ratio varies depending on the type and/or amount of a specific gas. The conductive layers are formed by dividing into plural layers between the two electrodes.

Abstract: The present document relates to chip sockets which for testing integrated circuit chips. A chip socket carries an integrated circuit chip comprising a plate for mounting onto a front side of a PCB, a plurality of electrical PCB connectors in a first area on a backside of the plate, wherein the plurality of electrical PCB connectors is adapted for electrically connecting the chip socket to a corresponding plurality of connectors on the PCB and a corresponding plurality of chip connectors on a front side of the plate, wherein the plurality of chip connectors is electrically connected to the plurality of electrical PCB connectors respectively; wherein the plurality of chip connectors connect the chip socket to a corresponding plurality of connectors of the integrated circuit chip, wherein the plate comprises a recess at its backside.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for using a device's power and ground terminals as a test and/or debug interface for the device. According to the present disclosure, messages are modulated over DC voltages applied to the power terminals of a device to input test/debug messages to the device and output test/debug messages from the device. The present disclosure advantageously allows a device to be tested and/or debugged without the device having any shared or dedicated test or debug interface terminals.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for facilitating the use of a burn in board comprising integrated circuits. An apparatus may comprise a burn in board and a plurality of integrated circuits connected to the burn in board. Each integrated circuit may be configured to at least connect to a plurality of components to be subjected to a burn in process at room temperature; receive at least one signal for testing the plurality of components during the burn in process; and transmit the at least one signal to each of the plurality of components. Corresponding systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A continuous variable spacing probe pin device, including first and second probe pins. The first and second probe pins are configured to measure a property of a conductive layer. In a first configuration, the first and second probe pins include respective first portions arranged to contact the conductive layer to measure the property. In a second configuration, the first and second probe pins include respective second portions arranged to contact the conductive layer to measure the property. A first area for each respective first portion is different from a second area for each respective second portion.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a chuck to support a solar cell in hot spot testing is provided. This embodiment of the chuck comprises a base portion and a support portion disposed above the base portion. The support portion is configured to support the solar cell above the base portion and to define a cavity between a bottom surface of the solar cell and the base portion that thermally separates a portion of the bottom surface of the solar cell from the base portion.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an electronic component includes arranging, across boundaries of a first substrate region, wires for electrically connecting a piezoelectric resonator element arranged in the first substrate region and a lid arranged in a second substrate regions to a sheet substrate, performing, after arranging the piezoelectric resonator element and the lid in the substrate regions, input and output of a signal to and from the piezoelectric resonator element via the lid connected to the wires, and dividing the sheet substrate in each of the boundaries.

Abstract: A testing device includes a laser source, a current testing device, and a processor. The processor includes a user interface, a control unit, a calculation unit, and a data generation unit. The user interface receives user inputs to determine control parameters. The control unit controls the laser source to emit a laser beam on a photoelectric conversion die according to the control parameters. The laser beam has an optical output power value P. The control unit also controls the current testing device to measure a current value I output by the photoelectric conversion die after the laser beam irradiating on the photoelectric conversion die. The calculation unit calculates a photoelectric conversion efficiency F according to the formula: F=P/I. The data generation unit processes the photoelectric conversion efficiency F which indicates the electro-optical property of the photoelectric conversion die.