Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to printed circuit board authentication, such as for protecting printed circuit boards against counterfeiting. The authentication can be implemented based on measurements from the PCB used to generate a unique signature for the PCB. The generated signature of the PCB can be evaluated to determine if the PCB is authentic or counterfeit.

Abstract: A probe device, for performing an electrical test of a semiconductor device formed on a semiconductor wafer, includes a mounting table on which the semiconductor wafer is mounted, a driving mechanism configured to bring a probe into contact with an electrode of the semiconductor device mounted on the mounting table, and a temperature control mechanism configured to control a temperature of the mounting table. The mounting table includes a disk-shaped first electrode, a disk-shaped second electrode, and a disk-shaped insulating plate interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode, the second electrode and the insulating plate are fixed to each other at a fixing part provided at their respective centers, and are locked to be movable in a diametric direction at a locking part provided at an outer side of the fixing part in the diametric direction.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a substrate, insulating layers on the substrate, interconnection lines in or between the insulating layers, and pads on the insulating layers. The pads may include signal pads connected to the interconnection lines, and measurement pads disposed spaced apart from the signal pads and electrically connected to corresponding ones of the signal pads by the interconnection lines. Misalignment of probes contacting the semiconductor device may be detected by detecting a signal communicated between one or more of the measurement pads and the signal pads.

Abstract: A test system and method for testing integrated circuits with improved defect localization is disclosed. A laser is used to perturb a device under test (DUT) at a test location. A tester tests the DUT with a test pattern and compares test results with compare vectors in a prior failure log. When a failure signature is matched, a failure signal is generated, indicating that the test location is a failed location. Comparing the test results with the compare vectors in the prior failure log and generating the failure signal when the failure signature is detected reduces artifacts from testing, shortening debug turnaround time.

Abstract: A post-fabrication debug and on-line error checking framework for 2D- and 3D-ICs with integrated memories is described. A design-for-debug (DfD) architecture can include, for an IC with on-chip memory, a debug module connected to a functional bus of the IC. The debug module receives trace data for an interval, generates compact signatures based on the received data, and compares these signatures to expected signatures. Intervals containing erroneous trace data can be identified by the debug module and stored in on-chip memory. A single iteration of signal tracing for debug testing between automated test equipment and the IC is possible.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a reduced pin bus that can be used on integrated circuits or embedded cores within integrated circuits. The bus may be used for serial access to circuits where the availability of pins on ICs or terminals on cores is limited. The bus may be used for a variety of serial communication operations such as, but not limited to, serial communication related test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations of an IC or core design. Other aspects of the disclosure include the use of reduced pin buses for emulation, debug, and trace operations and for functional operations. In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, an interface select circuit, FIGS. 41-49, provides for selectively using either the 5 signal interface of FIG. 41 or the 3 signal interface of FIG. 8.

Abstract: A system for authenticating a rechargeable battery and for detecting counterfeit batteries includes battery characteristics detection circuitry and a battery. Battery characteristics detection circuitry performs an authentication routine on the battery such that battery characteristics of the battery are measured. Battery characteristics include state of health, state of charge, internal resistance, relaxation time, and impedance. The battery is validated by comparing the battery characteristics to validation parameters provided by a manufacturer. If battery characteristics are within ranges of the validation parameters, then the battery is authenticated as originating from a particular manufacturer or batch. If validation fails, then the device is disabled or protected. In one example, validation parameters are stored and compared locally on a device. In another example, the device communicates battery characteristics to a remote entity that performs the validation.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a system and method for providing charging services to mobile client devices. The system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to: estimate a departure time of a future journey associated with a mobile client device; verify one or more electrical characteristics of a battery associated with the mobile client device; determine a target state of charge for the battery at the departure time; and determine a charge scheme to improve an operational life of the battery. The charge scheme has a combining charge cost that satisfies a charge objective of the mobile client device. The combining charge cost includes a weighted combination of a power cost and a battery degradation cost. The charge scheme is configured to charge the battery to achieve the target state of charge at the departure time.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for reducing errors in sensor devices and systems. In embodiments, the sensor devices comprise magnetic field sensor devices, such as ordinary or vertical Hall sensor devices, and the error to be reduced is a residual offset error, though in other embodiments other sensor devices can be used and/or other types of errors can be targeted for reduction or elimination. In one embodiment, at least two such sensor devices not electrically coupled with one another are sequentially operated in a spinning current-type mode such that an individual output signal from each of the at least two sensor devices is obtained. A total output signal can then be calculated, such as by averaging or otherwise combining the individual output signals from each sensor device.

Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a Hall electromotive force signal detection circuit. The third switch circuit selects a terminal position for applying a driving current out of four terminals of the third Hall element and switches the terminal position among the first terminal, the second terminal, the fourth terminal, and the third terminal in this order. The fourth switch circuit switches a terminal position for applying the driving current to the terminal in turn, among the first to the fourth terminal of the fourth Hall element, such that this terminal position is different from that selected by the third switch circuit and faces the terminal position for injecting the driving current in the third Hall element. A chopper clock generation circuit supplies a chopper clock signal with different four phases to the third switch circuit and to the fourth switch circuit.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor with increased sensitivity, lower noise, and improved frequency response is described. The sensor's free layer is ribbon shaped and is closely flanked at each long edge by a ribbon of magnetically soft, high permeability material. Side stripes of soft magnetic material absorb external field flux and concentrate the flux to flow into the sensor's edges to promote larger MR sensor magnetization rotation. Side stripes may be located in the plane of the free layer a maximum distance of 0.1 microns, above a plane that includes a free layer top surface, or below a plane that includes the magnetic sensor bottom surface. Edges of each side stripe may be aligned above or below a portion of the magnetic sensor. Moreover, each side stripe may have a tapered edge such that the side stripes have increasing thickness with increasing distance from the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to xMR sensors, sensor elements and structures, and methods. In an embodiment, a sensor element comprises a non-elongated xMR structure; and a plurality of contact regions formed on the xMR structure spaced apart from one another such that a non-homogeneous current direction and current density distribution are induced in the xMR structure when a voltage is applied between the plurality of contact regions.

Abstract: A sample holder for use with magic angle spinning NMR and similar magnetic resonance analysis techniques which includes a sample holder sealed by an O-ring and a contact seal. The O-ring seals the sample volume during pressurization whereas the contact seal is active during analysis. The O-ring and the contact seal are disposed so that rotation of a plug selective engages one or both of the seals.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to a head coil for an imaging MRT system. The head coil includes a head coil upper part and a head coil lower part. At least the head coil upper part may be tilted relative to the head coil lower part, and an internal connecting cable of the head coil is embodied as a rigid-flex circuit board with a rigid region and a flexible region.

Abstract: A wireless actuator circuit configured to actuate a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch is provided. The wireless actuator circuit includes a transmitter portion and a receiver portion operatively coupled to the transmitter portion. The transmitter portion includes an oscillator device configured to generate a signal at a determined frequency and a first antenna operatively coupled to the oscillator device to receive a modulated signal. Further, the receiver portion includes a second antenna configured to receive the modulated signal from the transmitter portion, a radio frequency power detector configured to detect the modulated signal and a comparator configured to produce a control signal in response to the modulated signal detected by the radio frequency power detector to toggle the MEMS switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gradient coil assembly (122) for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system (110) comprising a set of inner coils (142) and a set of outer coils (144), which are concentrically arranged in respect to a common rotational axis of the set of inner and outer coils (142, 144), wherein the set of inner coils (142) and a set of outer coils (144) can be controlled to generate gradient magnetic fields within an inner space of the gradient coil assembly (122), and at least one coil (152, 154, 156) of the set of outer coils (144) is at least partially made of aluminum. The present invention further provides a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system (110) comprising the above magnetic gradient coil assembly (122).

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, method and/or computer readable medium is configured to obtain bright signal while having acceptable specific absorption rate (SAR) and acceptable scan time in Fast Advanced Spin Echo (FASE) or Single-shot Fast Spin Echo (SS-FSE) imaging used, for example, in non-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (NC-MRA) techniques like fresh blood imaging (FBI). Within RF pulse sequences used to acquire echo data, the TR intervals are varied in the slice encode direction. In some instances, the refocusing pulse flip angles too may be varied for RF pulse sequences such that central k-space have larger refocusing pulse flip angles than slices further towards the ends.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes: an image processor that generates a real-time image and a scout image by using an MR signal that is received from an object; a display that displays slices, which respectively correspond to portions of the object, on the scout image; and an input interface that receives a user input corresponding to at least one of the real-time image and the scout image. The image processor updates the real-time image based on the user input, and the display displays the updated real-time image.

Abstract: A fast magnetic resonance imaging method and system, the method comprising: applying a periodic radio-frequency pulse train to drive the magnetization vector of an imaging volume into a steady state (102); acquiring a free induction decay (FID) signal and an echo signal alternately in a steady-state free precession sequence (104); conducting an FID signal imaging and a T2-weighted imaging (106). Alternate acquisition of the FID signal and the echo signal in the steady-state free precession sequence effectively increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the acquired signals and reduces the sensitivity of the sequence to motions.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance scan sequence is executed in which nuclear spins are prepared in a preparation region with preparation parameters. The scan sequence provides first image data that image a scan region. The first image data are based on magnetic resonance data acquired with ultrashort echo times. The first image data are combined with reference image data that map the scan region, in order to obtain a resultant image.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging diagnostic apparatus includes a generating unit which generates a slice gradient magnetic field, a phase-encode gradient magnetic field and a read-out gradient magnetic field that extend in a slice axis, a phase-encode axis and a read-out axis, respectively, a setting unit which sets a dephase amount for weighting a signal-level decrease resulting from flows in the arteries and veins present in a region of interest of a subject, with respect to at least one axis selected form the slice axis, phase-encode axis and read-out axes, and a control unit which controls the generating unit by using a pulse sequence for a gradient echo system, which includes a dephase gradient-magnetic-field pulse that corresponds to the dephase amount set by the setting unit for the at least one axis.

Abstract: A method for correcting for main magnetic field (B0) inhomogeneity in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner is disclosed. The method includes applying a first and a second three-dimensional volumetric navigator after an acquisition of a volume in a scanning sequence and before the next volume is acquired. From a resultant pair of navigator images, a magnetic field map is obtained by complex division of the pair of navigator images, and the field map is used to determine parameters to adjust the MRI scanner to compensate for B0 inhomogeneity. The navigators may excite only a portion of an entire object to be imaged, so that adjustment of the MR scanner can be done slice-by-slice or slab-by-slab. Motion correction can also be implemented by comparing the first navigator to a stored reference image and updating for motion before acquisition of the next volume in the scanning sequence.

Abstract: A system and method of using differential optical signals to track the orientation of a solar surface or surfaces is proposed. Two dispersive prisms or gratings arranged in a mirror-symmetric fashion are used to decompose light into its constituent colors, and the gain of a differential amplifier circuit based on the difference of the frequencies of single color collimated light produced by the two prisms or gratings is used to maintain the on-sun orientation of the solar surface or surfaces. The invention provides for a high-precision, low-cost solar tracking system. Preferably, the signal processing and tracking of solar surfaces is performed by a mobile robot that travels to multiple solar surfaces to minimize cost.

Abstract: A system and methods for calculating an attitude and a position of an object in space are disclosed. Measurements in relation to an object, stars, and a signal timing are received at a combined orbit and attitude determination system to provide received measurements. An estimated separation angle error, an estimated position error, and an estimated attitude error are estimated based upon the received measurements to provide estimated errors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor network, Machine Type Communication (MTC), Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, and technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the above technologies, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. An apparatus and method for measuring a distance between wireless devices using a first signal transmitted/received between the wireless devices in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes: receiving the first signal for distance measurement transmitted from a first of the wireless devices; receiving a signal reflected by a reflector after being transmitted from the first of the wireless devices; and based on the received first signal and the received reflected signal, estimating a distance between the second of the wireless devices and the reflector.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that includes an aircraft secondary radar transponder activity detector that monitors an aircraft's transponder transmissions and activates an emergency locator transmitter to begin transmitting should the aircraft transponder transmissions cease to help locate an aircraft that may have become undetectable by conventional aircraft surveillance and tracking systems.

Abstract: A wireless device includes a transceiver and a positioning system. The positioning system a channel model adaptation module having channel model adaptation logic configured to update, for each of a plurality of access points applied to determine a position of a wireless device, a channel model. The channel model adaptation logic having a reference power update module with reference power update logic is configured to update a reference power value corresponding to each access point. A channel model update module with logic is configured to update a path loss exponent value applied to each access point.

Abstract: When an optical motion detector of a room device detects movement in a room in which it is installed, the room device transmits a radio message including its position. Upon receiving the radio message, a mobile device measures the signal strength to determine whether it is high. If the movement detected by the optical motion detector correlates chronologically with movement detected by an inertial movement sensor of the mobile device, the mobile device concludes that the mobile device is located in the room or in proximity of the position of the room device. The identity of the mobile device is protected, as no server or other device is required for positioning to which the mobile device would have to disclose the identity, position or sensor information thereof.

Abstract: A bistatic radar system may include a transmitter, a target at a first known position, a receiver at a second known position, and a transmitter position determination unit. The receiver is configured to receive one or more reflected radar signals transmitted from the transmitter and reflected off the target. The receiver is configured to receive one or more direct radar signals transmitted from the transmitter. The transmitter position determination unit is configured to determine a position of the transmitter based on a determination of a distance between the first and second known positions and a determination of a first angular difference between the reflected radar signal(s) and the direct radar signal(s) that are received by the receiver.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for using known geographical information in directional wireless communication systems. In some aspects, an estimated position of a receiver relative to a transmitter may be determined based at least in part on known geographical information, and a desired beam direction for wireless communication from the transmitter to the receiver may be searched for based at least in part on the estimated position of the receiver.

Abstract: A method of direction finding (DF) positioning based on a simplified antenna platform format in a wireless communication network is proposed. A receiver receives antenna platform format information of a transmitter having multiple antenna elements. The antenna platform format information comprises an antenna platform format indicator, antenna platform position and orientation information, a number of antenna elements, and switching delay, phase center, and polarization information for each antenna element. The receiver receives a plurality of direction finding sounding signals transmitted from the transmitter via the multiple antenna elements. The receiver performs a DF algorithm based on the plurality of DF sounding signals and the antenna platform format information and thereby estimating a DF solution. Finally, the receiver determines its own location information based on the estimated DF solution.

Abstract: A system comprises a target node having an unknown location and at least three reference nodes within communication range of the target node. Each of the reference nodes has a known location. At least one of the reference nodes is configured to initiate a two-way time of flight transaction with one or more of the other reference nodes by transmitting a respective request to the one or more other reference nodes. Each of the reference nodes is configured to transmit a reply in response to a received request. The target node is configured to observe the request and reply of each two-way time of flight transaction and to determine a respective time differential between when the target node received each respective request and its corresponding reply of each observed two-way time of flight transaction.

Abstract: Beacon devices transmit beacon messages to alert an application on a mobile user device of the Beacon device's proximity. A Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) field may indicate the power level at which the beacon message was received at the mobile device. Where the transmission power of the beacon device is standardized, the application can infer the distance between the mobile user device the beacon device based upon the RSSI field. By considering successive RSSI values over time while the mobile device is in motion, in conjunction with GPS information for the mobile device, the location of the beacon device relative to the mobile device may be inferred. Multiple mobile devices may be used together to infer the beacon device's position.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include vehicle positioning. In at least certain aspects, light sources can be disposed around a vehicle providing 360-degree coverage. Each of the light sources can be referred to as a beacon and can be configured to emit modulated light conveying information that can permit vehicle positioning. In addition, 360-degree camera coverage about the car can be provided by functionally coupling a respective camera with each of such beacons. In other aspects, the embedded beacons can be operated in various modes, including a mode in which at least one of the embedded beacons can emit light in order to augment existing ambient light in order to assist with driving under certain environment conditions; and a second mode in which several of the embedded beacons can emit modulated light that can be accessed by other vehicles in order to determine cooperatively the relative position of the vehicles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an example for determining a projectile trajectory with at least two sensors. In one example, the projectile trajectory is estimated using a first sensor having a first angular range. Further, the projectile trajector is estimated using a second sensor having a second angular range. The first sensor and the second sensor are disposed on a platform at different spatial locations. Furthermore, a discrepancy in the projectile trajectory is determined when the projectile moves from the first angular range to the second angular range. The discrepancy is created due to the different spatial locations of the first sensor and the second sensor. An actual projectile trajectory is determined by compensating for the discrepancy in the projectile trajectory using the estimated discrepancy.

Abstract: An example of a lighting device including a light source, a modulator and a processor. The processor is configured to control the light source to emit light for general illumination and control the modulator to modulate the intensity of the emitted light to superimpose at least two sinusoids. Frequencies of the at least two sinusoids enable a mobile device to infer the physical location of the lighting device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices may enhance the apparent sample rate of data collected using Nyquist sampling from a system, such as Continuous Wave (CW) Light detection and ranging (“Lidar”), Radio detection and ranging (“Radar”), or Sound Navigation and Ranging (“Sonar”), that has been modulated with a repeating waveform, such as linear swept frequency, by reordering of the data in the frequency domain. The enhancement of the apparent sample rate may result in a highly interpolated range profile where the data resolution may be enhanced by a factor equal to the number of repeats in the signal being processed, and may result in a highly detained range measurement with a high precision. The various embodiments may combine data from multiple modulation repeats into a single highly interpolated pulse, which may result in a real-time finer range measurement from CW Lidar, Radar, or Sonar systems.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed of using a Frequency-Modulated-Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar unit for data communication by receiving a signal with a phase encoded data channel, and processing the signal with the phase encoded data channel to simultaneously determine data and timing information.

Abstract: An example method for a beamforming network for feeding short wall slotted waveguide arrays. The beamforming network may include six beamforming network outputs, where each beamforming network output is coupled to one of a set of waveguide inputs. Further, the beamforming network may include a cascaded set of dividers configured to split electromagnetic energy from a beamforming network input to the six phase-adjustment sections. The cascade may include a first level of the cascade configured to split the electromagnetic energy from the beamforming network input into two first-level beamforming waveguides, a second level configured to split the electromagnetic energy from each of two first-level beamforming waveguides into two respective second-level beamforming waveguides, and a third level of the cascade configured to split the electromagnetic energy from one of two respective second-level beamforming waveguides into two respective third-level beamforming waveguides.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture make Geolocation of a source transmitter more difficult or impossible. Scatterers common to a source transmitter and an intended receiver are identified using a variety of techniques, such as iterative time reversal (ITR) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) of a scatter matrix. The source transmitter then uses time reversal and knowledge of the signatures of the scatterers to focus its transmissions on one or more of the scatterers, instead of the intended receiver. The source transmitter may have multiple antennas or antenna elements. The source transmitter and/or the intended receiver may include antenna elements with Near-Field Scatterers to enable spatial focusing below the diffraction limit at the frequencies of interest. The source transmitter may be a plurality of ad hoc nodes cooperating with each other.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where closed loop feedback control is used to finely control mirror scan positions.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where the scanning ladar transmission system includes a spinning polygon mirror for targeting range points according to a dynamic scan pattern.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where a dynamic scan pattern for a scanning ladar transmission system includes interline skipping and detouring.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where a scanning ladar transmission system employs a spiral dynamic scan pattern.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where a dynamic scan pattern for a scanning ladar transmission system includes a macro pattern having a base pattern embedded therein.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where a scanning ladar transmission system employs pulse modulation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used for real-time wide-field-of-view ranging with a time-of-flight lidar sensor having one or a plurality of laser emitters and one or a plurality of photodetectors. When a plurarity of laser emitters are used, they are preferably copackaged or are in the form of an integrated multi-emitter chip or emitting multi-chip module in a single package, and when a plurarity of photoreceivers are used, they are preferably copackaged or are in the form of an integrated multi-photoreceiver chip or photoreceiving multi-chip module in a single package. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises any combination of (a) no moving external parts in contact with the environment, (b) wireless energy and data transfer between the static and the moving parts of the lidar, and (c) protective body, sealant and/or damage-resistant tamper-resistant theft-resistant cage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scanning optical system and radar that can suppress longitudinal distortion and spot rotation of a spot light radiated on an object. A light flux emitted from a light source is reflected on a first mirror surface of a mirror unit, then, proceeds to a second mirror surface, further is reflected on the second mirror surface, and is projected so as to scan on an object correspondingly to rotation of the mirror unit. The light flux emitted from the light projecting system is made longer in a sub scanning angle direction than in a scanning angle direction in a measurement range of the object and satisfies the following conditional expression, |·1?90|×|·|·255 . . . (1); in the expression, ˜1 is an intersection angle (°) between the first mirror surface and the second mirror surface, and · is a rotation angle (°).

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed ladar point cloud compression. For example, a processor can be used to analyze data representative of an environmental scene to intelligently select a subset of range points within a frame to target with ladar pulses via a scanning ladar transmission system. In another example embodiment, a processor can perform ladar point cloud compression by (1) processing data representative of an environmental scene, and (2) based on the processing, selecting a plurality of the range points in the point cloud for retention in a compressed point cloud, the compressed point cloud comprising fewer range points than the generated point cloud.

Abstract: A method of measuring the phase of a response signal relative to a periodic excitation signal, comprises the steps of producing for each cycle of the response signal two transitions synchronized to a clock and framing a reference point of the cycle; swapping the two transitions to confront them in turns to the cycles of the response signal; measuring the offsets of the confronted transitions relative to the respective reference points of the cycles; performing a delta-sigma modulation of the swapping rate of the two transitions based on the successive offsets; and producing a phase measurement based on the duty cycle of the swapping rate.