Abstract: The invention concerns the use of hepcidin for the diagnosis and therapy of disorders of iron homeostasis. Hepcidin can be used in the treatment of disorders resulting from iron overload while inhibitors of hepcidin can be used in the treatment of anemia.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inspection vehicle, a sensor system, a positioning system, a controller, and a support system. The inspection vehicle is configured to move on a surface of an object. The sensor system is associated with the inspection vehicle and is configured to generate information about the object when the inspection vehicle is on the surface of the object. The positioning system is configured to determine a location of the inspection vehicle on the object. The controller is configured to control movement of the inspection vehicle using the positioning system and control operation of the sensor system. The support system is connected to the inspection vehicle and is configured to support the inspection vehicle in response to an undesired release of the inspection vehicle from the surface of the object.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a gas analysis apparatus that measures the moisture concentration in a gas using a radiating unit includes a moisture concentration measurement value calibrated based on the relationship between the intensity of an absorption spectrum of moisture of a concentration to be measured and the intensity of an absorption spectrum of an other component gas that can be measured by the radiating unit, for which the relationship to the intensity of the absorption spectrum of moisture of the measured prescribed concentration is known, and based on the intensity of an absorption spectrum obtained by measuring the other component gas.

Abstract: Provided herein is a carryover-reducing liquid handling probe for an analytical system, incorporating a rigid sheath and a polymer core that extends from the sheath to act as the fluid contact surface.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor is described with improved ageing and hysteresis properties. The sensor may be of a ring type driven by a driver circuit, the sensor further comprising primary and secondary portions having corresponding signal pickoffs. The gain of the primary pickoff signal and the capacitance of the primary portions of the sensor are controlled relative to the gain of the secondary pickoff and the capacitance of the secondary portions of the sensor. Control electronics is provided that enables matching of the relative signals from the respective channels. In this way, temperature hysteresis and ageing effects of materials used in forming the sensor are overcome.

Abstract: A rotation detecting device, which is compatible regardless of whether a process control device for processing an output signal of the rotation detecting device is standard one or new one having high input signal resolving power, and, also, a rotation detecting device equipped bearing assembly having such rotation detecting device, are provided. The rotation detecting device includes an encoder provided rotatably and having a plurality of circumferentially equidistantly arranged to-be-detected poles, and a sensor for detecting the to-be-detected poles. The use is made of a multiplying unit for multiplying the phase of the to-be-detected poles from an output of the sensor. The use is also made of a pulse outputting unit for receiving an output of the multiplying unit or both the output of the multiplying unit and an output of the sensor and output pulses having two multiplying powers different from each other.

Abstract: A method and system for determining an airspeed of an aircraft, known as assisted aircraft, comprises: a) determining a position; b) measuring a ground speed; c) receiving a plurality of messages from a plurality of other assisting, aircraft, each message containing a first item of information, indicating a position of an assisting aircraft, and a second item of information, indicating a wind speed at the position; d) estimating a wind speed at the position of the assisted aircraft by interpolating the wind speed values at the positions of the assisting aircraft obtained in step c); and e) computing a true speed of the assisted aircraft by using the vector difference between its ground speed, measured in step b), and the wind speed estimated in step d). The method can check operation of an anemometric subsystem aboard an aircraft, to compensate for any malfunction and/or to enable automatic piloting.

Abstract: To determine a state of motion of a vehicle comprising an acceleration sensor, a vibration signal is determined as a function of a measurement signal of the acceleration sensor. The vibration signal is representative of vibrations of the vehicle. A determination is made as to whether the vehicle is at a standstill or whether the vehicle is moving, such determination made by comparing the vibration signal with at least one pre-determined threshold value.

Abstract: A sensor device for an electronic apparatus, including a sensing structure for generating a first detection signal, and a dedicated integrated circuit connected to the sensing structure for detecting a first event associated with the electronic apparatus and for generating a first interrupt signal upon detection of the first event. The dedicated integrated circuit detects the first event as a function of changes to the first detection signal over time (i.e., temporal evolution), and in particular as a function of values assumed by the first detection signal within one or more successive time windows, and of a relation between these values.

Abstract: One embodiment includes an accelerometer system. The accelerometer system can include a Far-Off Resonance Trap (FORT) control system configured to generate an optical trapping beam. The system can also include a FORT accelerometer detection system including a FORT that is configured to trap a cluster of atoms based on the optical trapping beam. The FORT accelerometer detection system can also include an interrogation system configured to determine motion of the cluster of atoms along at least one axis resulting from an external acceleration in the at least one axis based on a relative phase shift of an optical probe beam through the cluster of atoms. The system can further include an acceleration processor configured to calculate the external acceleration in the at least one axis based on the relative phase shift of the optical probe beam.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes: a supporting structure; two sensing masses, movable with respect to the supporting structure according to a first axis and a respective second axis; a driving device for maintaining the sensing masses in oscillation along the first axis in phase opposition; sensing units for supplying sensing signals indicative of displacements respectively of the sensing masses according to the respective second axis; processing components for combining the sensing signals so as to: in a first sensing mode, amplify effects on the sensing signals of concordant displacements and attenuate effects of discordant displacements of the sensing masses; and in a second sensing mode, amplify effects on the sensing signals of discordant displacements and attenuate effects of concordant displacements of the sensing masses.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrical safety is disclosed. A system and an alternate apparatus also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a test point accessible from an exterior of an enclosure while the enclosure is in a closed state. The enclosure houses one or more electrical components and the closed state prevents a user from touching the one or more electrical components. The apparatus includes a test conductor connected to a point on a conductor connected to an electrical component of the one or more electrical components where the test conductor is within the enclosure. The apparatus includes an impedance connecting the test point to the test conductor. The impedance is within the enclosure. The test point meets an Ingress Protection code rating of 20.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for use in testing circuit boards. A signal sensing device includes one or more probes. Each probe includes a length of rigid coaxial conductor configured to define a sensing pin at one end. A circuit board defines a number of through vias lined in metal and configured to receive the sensing pin of a corresponding probe. The signal sensing device also includes a ground pin. Electrical pathways extending away from adjacent pairs of the through vias can be tested for electrical impedance and other signal propagating characteristics by way of the signal sensing device.

Abstract: A connector system comprising a status monitoring cable system comprising a first cable connector adapted to be connected to a generator connector, a second cable connector adapted to be connected to a UPS connector, a third cable connector adapted to be connected to the modem connector, a jumper, first and second power conductors connected between the first cable connector and the second cable connector, and a sensor module comprising a current detect module and a connector detect module. The current detect module transmits a GEN_ON signal to the modem when a current is present in at least one of the first and second power conductors. The connector detect module transmits a GEN_PRESENT signal to the modem when a current flows through the first cable connector, the generator connector, the jumper, the generator connector, and the first cable connector.

Abstract: A probing device and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method includes first disposing a plurality of space transformers on a reinforcing plate and the space transformer includes several first pads. Then, the space transformer is fixed on the reinforcing plate. Thereafter, photoresist films having a plurality of openings is formed on the space transformer. The first pads are disposed in the openings. After that, a metal layer is formed and covered on the first pad. Later, the photoresist film is removed and the metal layer is planarized to form a second pad. Afterwards, the reinforcing plate is electrically connected with a PCB. Thereafter, a probe head having a plurality of probing area is provided and each probing area is corresponding to one of the space transformer. The probes in the probing area are electrically connected with the internal circuitry of the space transformer.

Abstract: A closed-loop current transducer for measuring a current (Ip) flowing in a primary conductor, the transducer powered by series connected voltage supplies (V_H, V_L) and comprising a magnetic field detector, a signal processing circuit including an amplifier circuit connected to the magnetic field detector, and a compensation coil (WS1) connected to the amplifier circuit and configured to generate an opposing magnetic field seeking to cancel a magnetic field generated by the current flowing in the primary conductor. The amplifier circuit comprises a first switched mode power stage configured to drive the magnetic field generator, and a second switched mode power stage configured to balance the currents of the voltage supplies.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for measuring an intensity of a current includes a first sensor apparatus configured to record an intensity of the electrical current with contact, a second sensor apparatus configured to record an intensity of the electrical current, the second sensor apparatus having a common measurement range with the first sensor apparatus, and a first analog-digital converter configured to convert analog measured values into digitized measured values. The first sensor apparatus, the second sensor apparatus and the first analog-digital converter are arranged on a common circuit carrier.

Abstract: An electrically identifiable medical electrode lead. The lead includes a flexible lead body having a distal end and a connector end. The lead also includes a plurality of electrodes disposed near the distal end of the flexible lead body. The lead further includes a connector disposed at the connector end of the flexible lead body, the connector including a plurality of contacts. The lead additionally includes a plurality of conductors supported by and passing through the flexible lead body, the plurality of conductors including electrical conductors that provide paths for electrical current from the connector to the plurality of electrodes. Finally, the lead includes a memory circuit supported by the flexible lead body and being in electrical communication with a contact of the plurality of contacts in the connector.

Abstract: A storage device includes a first measurement unit, a second measurement unit, and a collection unit. The first measurement unit measures electric power consumed in each of a plurality of memory devices. The second measurement unit measures electric power consumed in a control unit controlling access from an information processing apparatus to the plurality of memory devices. The collection unit collects first information regarding the electric power measured by the first measurement unit and second information regarding the electric power measured by the second measurement unit.

Abstract: A measuring system is disclosed for monitoring at least one phase of a system. A measuring module includes a signal acquisition module and a signal further processing module. The signal acquisition module is formed by an ASIC. A printed circuit board includes a voltage sensor and the signal acquisition module includes current sensors and a voltage sensor connection connected to the voltage sensor in an electrically conductive manner, for each phase to be monitored. The signal further processing module is connected to the signal acquisition module and can evaluate current and voltage values which have been determined. The signal further processing module includes, output devices which can be used to output serial data and digital signals for control purposes.

Abstract: To provide a signal processing device which enable the user to rapidly repeat an operation of changing to a different resolution with a fingertip touch in the line of sight to a displayed graph. A display unit 31 that displays a graph, a touch panel 32 that is provided so as to correspond to a display screen 31a and includes a touch sensor for outputting positional information associated with a touch operation, and a parameter data table 44 that stores a plurality of processing parameters corresponding to each positional information item. A control unit 50 includes a processing parameter output unit 54 that reads the processing parameter corresponding to the positional information from the parameter data table 44 and outputs the processing parameter to the processing parameter setting unit 21, if the positional information is input.

Abstract: A non-resistive contact sensor assembly includes an electric field sensor device, a cover, and a biasing structure. The electric field sensor devices has a dry electrode component for receiving an electrical signal from an object of interest by capacitively coupling with the entity. The signal processing component is surrounded or embedded in the cover. The biasing structure is disposed on the outside of the cover and is adapted to press the dry electrode component against a surface of the object interest when biased by an external structure.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for measuring a dielectric constant. The apparatus includes a cavity resonator including a cavity therein, an insertion hole penetrating through the cavity vertically and in which a sample is inserted, and grooves symmetrically formed with respect to the cavity in the insertion hole, a network analyzer configured to generate an electromagnetic signal supplied to the cavity resonator, receive an electromagnetic signal passed through the cavity resonator, and calculate a scattering parameter, a transmission means configured to supply the generated electromagnetic signal to the cavity resonator, a reception means configured to supply the electromagnetic signal passed through the cavity resonator to the network analyzer, and a calculation processor configured to receive the scattering parameter from the network analyzer and calculate a dielectric constant of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the loss factor of an insulator for medium or high voltages is equipped with a tap adapter forming a point for picking up an electrical signal, and comprises a reference capacitor having a first electrode connected to the tap adapter and a second electrode; a first voltage detection module is connected to the first electrode of the reference capacitor for detecting a signal representative of the voltage applied to the reference capacitor; an active electronic device is connected to earth and to the second electrode of the reference capacitor for keeping the potential of the second electrode at a predetermined reference value; a second voltage detection module is connected to an output of the active electronic device in order to detect a signal representative of the electric current that flows through the reference capacitor.

Abstract: A measuring device including a control device, at least two ports, at least two measurement channels and at least two display devices. The control device assigns ports to the measurement channels and connects the measurement channels to these ports internally, at least logically. In this context, one display device is assigned to every port. The display devices allocated to the ports display information, which relates to the present assignment and/or utilization of the respective ports.

Abstract: There is provided an electric field probe that can narrow a receiving range to a desired range when measuring a near electric field. An electric field probe includes a rodlike monopole antenna, and a conductive reflective member provided coaxially with the monopole antenna to cover the monopole antenna. The reflective member is open at its bottom in an axial direction of the monopole antenna.

Abstract: Disclosed are a monitoring method and system and an integrated monitoring device for an antenna oscillator of a base station, which are used to monitor whether an anomaly occurs in the antenna oscillator of the base station. The monitoring method for an antenna oscillator of a base station in the present invention comprises: performing wave detection and analog-to-digital conversion on an obtained transmission signal of the antenna oscillator of the base station, to acquire a digital signal of a direct-current signal of the transmission signal; determining the amplitude of changes of the digital signal in a set time length, and when the amplitude of the changes is greater than a preset amplitude change threshold, determining that an anomaly occurs in the antenna oscillator; otherwise, determining that the antenna element is normal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to determination of physical connectivity status of devices based on electrical measurement. An embodiment of a method includes discovering a connection of a first device with a second device, and performing an electrical measurement of the second device by the first device via the connection between the first device and the second device, where performing the electrical measurement includes sensing by the first device of an element of the second device. The method further includes, if the sensing by the first device fails to detect the element of the second device and a predetermined condition for the electrical measurement is enabled, then determining by the first device that the connection with the second device has been lost.

Abstract: A fault detection system for a machine having a plurality of electrical conducting elements insulated from a frame ground of the machine is disclosed. The fault detection system may include a high voltage DC power source, a positive high voltage bus connected to a positive terminal of the high voltage DC power source and providing high voltage electrical power to the plurality of electrical conducting elements, and a negative high voltage bus connected to a negative terminal of the high voltage DC power source and returning high voltage electrical power from the plurality of electrical conducting elements. At least one of the positive and negative high voltage buses may be selectively connected through a plurality of switches to plural zones of the electrical conducting elements, with each of the plural zones being electrically connected in parallel, and selectively connected to the high voltage DC power source by one of the plurality of switches.

Abstract: This technology is directed to a method and apparatus for monitoring or testing defects associated with an ion lens connected within a mass spectrometer. In some implementations, the testing mechanism monitors a connection of one or more ion lenses configured in the mass spectrometer to determine if voltage is effectively applied to the ion lens. The testing circuit of the present technology includes at least one Zener diode added to the voltage divider and monitoring a change in slope of the applied voltage versus the voltage at the read-back circuit. The change in slope may be easily measured.

Abstract: A solar cell testing system includes a multifunctional testing light source, a measuring unit, and an arithmetic unit. The multifunctional testing light source is configured to be switched to output a simulated solar light to a solar cell or asynchronously output a plurality of narrowband lights to the solar cell. The measuring unit is coupled to the solar cell and measures the solar cell's response to the simulated solar light and response to the asynchronously outputted narrowband lights. The arithmetic unit is coupled to the multifunctional testing light source and the measuring unit; it determines the solar cell's conversion efficiency and spectral response based on the solar cell's response to the simulated solar light and response to the asynchronously outputted narrowband lights.

Abstract: An inspecting device serves to inspect a solar cell. The inspecting device includes an irradiation part for irradiating with pulsed light and a detection part having a detector for detecting an electromagnetic wave pulse radiated from the solar cell depending on the irradiation with the pulsed light. The detector detects an electric field intensity of the electromagnetic wave pulse depending on irradiation with probe light emitted from a light source (a femtosecond laser) of the pulsed light. Moreover, the inspecting device includes a delay part for delaying a timing for detecting the electromagnetic wave pulse in the detector. Furthermore, the inspecting device includes an electromagnetic wave pulse analysis part for detecting a negative peak of the electric field intensity in a temporal waveform of the electromagnetic wave pulse.

Abstract: An automation testing system for testing a motherboard includes a frame, a first jig plate, a second jig plate, a platform, a first driving mechanism, a second driving mechanism and a console computer. The frame includes a track, a debug docking board is detachably disposed on the first jig plate for docking with the motherboard, the platform is slidably installed on the track and disposed between the first jig plate and the second jig plate, and the platform is for holding the motherboard. The console computer controls the first driving mechanism to drive the platform to move in a first direction along the track, and controls the second driving mechanism to drive the second jig plate to move in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: In an integrated circuit, a clock monitor circuit detects when an analog clock signal output by an on-chip crystal oscillator has stabilized. The clock monitor circuit uses an envelope follower circuit to monitor the envelope of the analog clock signal and compare the amplitude of the envelope with a predetermined amplitude value. When the predetermined value is reached and the envelope has remained steady for a predetermined time, an oscillator okay signal is generated. If an oscillator okay signal is not detected within another predetermined time, then an oscillator failure signal may be generated.

Abstract: Techniques and devices for measuring phase noise in radio frequency (RF), microwave, or millimeter signals based on photonic delay.

Abstract: The On-Chip Clock (OCC) circuit is for testing an integrated circuit having logic blocks connected in scan chains. An OCC controller is configured to receive a plurality of clock signals and output a plurality of shift/capture clock signals for use by the scan chains of logic blocks, the plurality of shift/capture clock signals including at least two consecutive at-speed capture clock pulses. An OCC monitor is configured to provide a verification of OCC operation based upon the at least two consecutive at-speed capture clock pulses. The OCC monitor may include a plurality of registers configured to provide delayed pulses based upon the at least two consecutive at-speed capture clock pulses, a counter configured to count differences between the delayed pulses, and an output register coupled to the counter and configured to provide a static data verification (e.g. output on an integrated circuit pad) for the test engineer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a scan chain that scans out latch signals of a plurality of latches; a first switch that selects any one of an output signal of a combinational circuit and a signal of the scan chain; a first latch that is inserted into the scan chain and receives an output signal of the first switch; a second latch that receives an output signal of the combinational circuit; and a second switch that selects any one of a latch signal of the first latch and a latch signal of the second latch and supplies the selected one to a combinational circuit in a following stage.

Abstract: A fan-out wafer comprises a first IC die having at least a first boundary scan cell (BSC) and a second BSC. The first BSC is coupled to a first demultiplexer. The second BSC is coupled to a first pad. A second IC die has at least a third BSC coupled to a second demultiplexer, and a second pad connected to the first pad. A first master path connects the first demultiplexer to the second demultiplexer. A first slave path connects the first demultiplexer to the second demultiplexer. The first pad and second pad are located between the first master path and the first slave path.

Abstract: There is provided a low-cost electronic control unit that is capable of performing its hardware check every start and stop of the electronic control unit. A monitoring and control circuit section that is an integrated circuit element built in the electronic control unit includes a self-test circuit configured with a built-in self-test control block, scan chain circuits and mask circuitry, and performs a self-test using the built-in self-test control block and a partial combination of the scan chain circuits at start of the operation. In the shipment inspection of the integrated circuit element alone, an external test is performed by a checker microprocessor using an entire combination of the scan chain circuits. Thus, the electronic control unit of low-cost configuration is capable of performing a scan test by making use of part of the scan chain circuits designed for the component inspection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a transition test of a source synchronous interface is disclosed. A system includes a source synchronous transmitter and source synchronous receiver. The source synchronous transmitter includes a first scannable flop having an output coupled to a data input of a second scannable flop in the source synchronous receiver. During a transition test, the source synchronous transmitter is configured to transmit data from the first scannable flop to the second scannable flop, along with a clock signal at an operational clock speed. The first scannable flop is coupled to feedback circuitry configured to cause transitions of the transmitted data. The second scannable flop may capture the transmitted data. The captured data may be subsequently used to determine if the desired transitions were detected by the second scannable flop.

Abstract: A sensor for monitoring battery current includes a shunt and a current source. The shunt has a resistance with an actual value. The current source is configured to provide a known value of current through the shunt. A controller is configured to generate a measured value of the current through the shunt as a function of a measured value of voltage drop across the shunt caused by the current through the shunt and an assumed value of the resistance of the shunt. The controller is further configured to detect the assumed value of the resistance of the shunt as being different than the actual value of the resistance of the shunt when the known and measured values of the current differ.

Abstract: A SOC correcting system in a parallel structure of multiple packs in which a plurality of sub-packs having serially connected cells are connected in parallel. The system includes sub BMSs connected to each of the sub-packs a main BMS connected to each of the sub BMSs to collect the SOCs calculated in each of the sub BMSs and to transmit a final SOC to a vehicle SOC to a vehicle controller. When an average SOC to each SOC of the sub-packs is less than 50%, the main BMS determines a minimum value among the SOCs of the sub-packs as a final SOC, and when the average SOC to each SOC of the sub-packs is 50% or more, the main BMS determines a maximum value among the SOCs of the sub-packs as a final SOC.

Abstract: A differential transformer type magnetic sensor includes a first coil layer, a second coil layer, and an insulating layer formed between the first coil layer and the second coil layer. The first coil layer includes a detection coil and a first drive coil. The second coil layer includes a reference coil and a second drive coil. The first drive coil and the second drive coil are electrically connected together so that a direction of drive current flowing in the first drive coil is the same as a direction of drive current flowing in the second drive coil. The detection coil and the reference coil are electrically connected together so that a direction of induced current flowing in the detection coil is reverse to a direction of induced current flowing in the reference coil.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a clock-signal control circuit controlling intensity-signal output, which is output from a signal processing circuit, to be stopped in at least a forward outage time and a backward outage time. The forward outage time is previous to an apex point of a triangular wave and having 1 to 5% of a triangular wave period. The backward outage time is subsequent to the apex point of the triangular wave and having 1 to 5% of a triangular wave period.

Abstract: By providing a first magnet and a second magnet on wall surfaces of a hollow section where paper money is conveyed such that different magnetic poles face each other, a gradient magnetic field is formed wherein both a magnetic field component in an opposing direction to the magnets and a magnetic field component in a conveyance direction of the paper money include a zero point. An AMR element is provided between the paper money and the first magnet. The AMR element is enclosed by a multi-layered substrate and covered with resin. The AMR element is provided in an area where the magnetic field intensity is weak, which is where the magnetic field intensity in the gradient magnetic field in the conveyance direction is near zero. The paper money passes through an area where the magnetic field intensity of the gradient magnetic field is strong.

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: Disclosed is a compact superconducting magnet device for generating an intense and homogeneous magnetic field component Bz along an axis Oz in a zone of interest ZI successively includes, starting from the axis Oz, at least two coaxial superconducting helical coils formed around circular cylinder sections of axis Oz delimited by end circles. The lateral ends of the helical coils are arranged, to within the thickness of the coils, in the vicinity of one same sphere of radius c whose center O is placed on the axis Oz at the center of the zone of interest ZI and which encompasses the magnetic device assembly. The azimuthal current densities j1, j2 of the helical coils are of opposite sign. The lengths of the helical coils are of decreasing length.

Abstract: A method for operating a magnetic resonance facility is proposed. The magnetic resonance facility has a number of power-consuming components. The power consumption is determined for each component. Operation of the components is controlled based on at least one criterion so that a predetermined threshold value for the overall power consumption of the magnetic resonance facility is not exceeded.

Abstract: In a method, magnetic resonance system and a reconstruction device for generation of magnetic resonance image data of an examination subject, raw magnetic resonance data are acquired in k-space, the raw magnetic resonance data including measurement values at multiple readout points that are arranged along multiple different trajectories in k-space. A displacement value is determined for each trajectory on the basis of the measurement values of a collection of multiple trajectories. Readout points of the raw magnetic resonance data are displaced by the displacement value, and image data are reconstructed from the displaced raw magnetic resonance data.

Abstract: Described here are a system and method for generating uniform antipodally symmetric point sets that define diffusion-weighting directions or three-dimensional radial k-space trajectories for magnetic resonance imaging. The point sets are generated robustly and efficiently using a constrained centroidal Voronoi tessellation endowed with a pseudometric. This pseudometric is derived from a measure of the electrostatic energy of points distributed on a hemispherical surface.