Abstract: A back end of the line (BEOL) fuse structure having a stack of vias. The stacking of vias leads to high aspect ratios making liner and seed coverage inside the vias poorer. The weakness of the liner and seed layers leads to a higher probability of electromigration (EM) failure. The fuse structure addresses failures due to poor liner and seed coverage. Design features permit determining where failures occur, determining the extent of the damaged region after fuse programming and preventing further propagation of the damaged dielectric region.

Abstract: Improvements on the basic method used for BEAMing increase sensitivity and increase the signal-to-noise ratio. The improvements have permitted the determination of intrinsic error rates of various DNA polymerases and have permitted the detection of rare and subtle mutations in DNA isolated from plasma of cancer patients.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a battery management unit (BMU) coupled to a battery pack of an xEV. Further, the BMU is configured to determine an energy remaining value for the battery pack based, at least in part, on a minimum cell temperature and a minimum cell state of charge percentage (SOC %) determined by the BMU for the battery pack.

Abstract: A circuit that includes a bridge rectifier configured to convert a sensed input signal into a rectified output signal and a regulator configured to convert the rectified output signal into a voltage source signal. The circuit further includes a variable period timer configured to be powered by the voltage source signal and to convert the rectified output signal into a low duty cycle timer signal in which 50% is a low duty cycle and the low duty cycle timer signal has a frequency that is correlated to an input voltage level of the sensed input signal, wherein the voltage sensing circuit is configured to operate on input voltage levels of sensed alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) input signals over one or more determined dynamic ranges.

Abstract: A battery module may include a plurality of rechargeable batteries; a receiving member that inserts the rechargeable batteries; a protective circuit module that is fixed on the receiving member and that is electrically connected to the rechargeable batteries; a circuit connector that is connected to the protective circuit module and that has a plurality of terminals; and a battery connector that is electrically connected to the rechargeable batteries and that is coupled to the circuit connector.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) includes at least one electrochemical cell (106) and at least one pass element (104) serially coupled with the electrochemical cell. A control circuit (102) is operable to open the at least one pass element when a charger (105) or power supply (107) is connected to the electrochemical cell for at least a predetermined time and to measure an open circuit voltage of the at electrochemical cell to determine a state of charge. The control circuit can then close the pass element to charge the electrochemical cell, determine an amount of the charge, and store an estimated energy capacity of the electrochemical cell based upon the open circuit voltage and the amount.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an accelerated lifetime estimation device for predicting the lifetime of a secondary battery, and a method thereof. The accelerated lifetime estimation device can accurately estimate a normal lifetime of the secondary battery while reducing an evaluation time period of the secondary battery.

Abstract: A current detection apparatus for detecting a current from a battery flowing through a harness. The apparatus includes a resistor having a current carrying member disposed between a terminal of the battery and the harness, a circuit board provided thereon with a current detection circuit for detecting a current flowing through the resistor, and a casing having a recessed portion for accommodating the circuit board, a cover for closing an opening of the recessed portion. The circuit board includes a solder junction between the circuit board and a terminal protruding from an inside bottom of the recessed portion and passing through a through hole arranged on the circuit board, and an open end of the recessed portion that can be engaged with the cover is non-parallel to the circuit board so that at least a portion of the circuit board including the solder junction lies outside of the recessed portion.

Abstract: A reading circuit for a magnetic-field sensor, generating an electrical detection quantity as a function of a detected magnetic field and of a detection sensitivity, is provided with an amplification stage, which is coupled to the magnetic-field sensor and generates an output signal as a function of the electrical detection quantity. In particular, the reading circuit is provided with a calibration stage, integrated with the amplification stage and configured so as to control a feedback loop in such a way as to compensate a variation of the detection sensitivity with respect to a nominal sensitivity value.

Abstract: A beam that passes through a plurality of gas cells a number of times is led to a deflection meter from a light ejecting section, detection of a deflected surface angle is performed and a strength of a magnetic field is measured by a structure in which the plurality of the gas cells is arranged along a light beam between two reflection units or light concentrating units that have a light beam incidence section and a light beam ejecting section and are opposite to each other, and a laser beam that is incident from the light beam incidence section passes through the plurality of the gas cells and then is multiply reflected by both reflection units.

Abstract: Isotropic sensor 1, which comprises three sensor units 2, provided with a lead wire winding 3 surrounded by a conducting screen 4, the screen 4 being interrupted in two first zones I1, I2 diametrically opposite, there being in one of said zones I1, I2 the terminals VB for measuring the currents induced, wherein the two ends of each screen segment 41, 42 in the first two zones I1, I2 are connected two by two by means of conductors 5, 6 and comprises two second zones I3, I4 of interruption disposed at a halfway point of each screen segment 41, 42, in such a way that it is possible to measure at high frequencies simultaneously, independently and with precision, both magnetic field B and electric field E.

Abstract: The present invention relates devices and methods using swipe detection. A swipeable computer of the present invention comprises a capacitive detector having an output, a switchable magnetic field sensor having an output, a memory unit, and a logic unit. The memory unit stores a standard capacitance change and a standard magnetic field change. The logic unit is electrically connected to the capacitive detector output, the switchable magnetic field sensor, the switchable magnetic field sensor output, and the memory unit. The logic unit of the swipeable computer is adapted to determine if the capacitive detector output corresponds to the standard capacitance change, to enable the switchable magnetic field sensor if the change in capacitance corresponds to the standard capacitance change, and to determine if the switchable magnetic field sensor output corresponds to the standard magnetic field change.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for contactless measurement of a relative position of a magnetic field source, which produces a magnetic field and a magnetic field sensor in relation to each other. The present invention further relates to a corresponding displacement sensor. According to the present invention, the magnetic field sensor detects at least two spatial components (Bz, By) of the magnetic field and a position signal is produced from the measured components. The method comprises the following steps of calculating the position signal based on a quotient of the two magnetic field components; and correcting, before the quotient is calculated, the magnetic field component, which extends in a movement direction between the magnetic field source and the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A system for perfusion and diffusion MR imaging of a portion of patient anatomy includes an RF (Radio Frequency) signal generator for generating RF excitation pulses in anatomy and enabling subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data. A magnetic field gradient generator generates anatomical volume select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in a three dimensional (3D) anatomical volume. The RF signal generator and the gradient generator acquire within a single MR imaging scan, perfusion image data of the 3D volume, at least partially in the presence of contrast agent, and diffusion image data of the 3D volume.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging configuration and methodology to straighten and otherwise homogenize the field lines in the imaging portion, creating improved image quality. Through use of calibrated corrective coils, magnetic field lines can be manipulated to improve uniformity and image quality. Additionally, when the apparatus is composed of non-ferromagnetic materials, field strengths can be increased to overcome limitations of Iron-based systems such as by use of superconductivity. A patient positioning apparatus and methodology allows multi-positioning of a patient within the calibrated and more uniform magnetic field lines.

Abstract: A local coil for an imaging system, in particular an MRI scanner, is provided. The local coil is an MRI scanner local coil within which the head of a patient may be positioned, and that includes at least one shim coil. A conductor of a shim coil of the at least one shim coil is disposed in a region for a molded nape section of the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring spectrally-resolved three-dimensional data with a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system without frequency-encoding gradients are provided. An MRI system is directed to produce a radio frequency (“RF”) pulse that rotates net magnetization about an axis, after which a first phase-encoding gradient is established along a first direction, a second phase-encoding gradient is established along a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction, and a third phase-encoding gradient is established along a third direction that is orthogonal to the first and second directions. Spectrally-resolved data are acquired at a point in k-space that is defined by the first, second, and third phase-encoding gradients, and is acquired by sampling a magnetic resonance signal at a plurality of time points during a period of time in which no magnetic field gradients are established by the MRI system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for beamforming algorithms for transmit-receive parallel magnetic resonance imaging (“pMRI”) applications are described. For any transmit configuration (e.g., using a single or multiple transmit elements) a weighted sum of the complex image data from each receiver is formed with a spatially-varying weighting. The weighting factor is obtained by solving an optimal refocusing problem at a set of points in the image space, which can include all the pixels in the image. The optimal refocusing of the transmit-receive configuration accounts for the spatially-varying SNR in deriving the coefficients of the weighted sum at every image pixel.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (300, 400, 500, 600) includes a magnetic resonance imaging system (301). The medical apparatus further includes a memory (330) containing instructions (350, 352, 354, 456, 458, 460) for execution by a processor (324). Execution of the instructions causes the processor to acquire (102, 202) baseline magnetic resonance data (332) and reconstruct (104, 204) a first image (334) using the baseline magnetic resonance data. Execution of the instructions further causes the processor acquire (106, 212) undersampled magnetic resonance data (336), which is undersampled in k- space in comparison to the baseline magnetic resonance data. Execution of the instructions further causes the processor reconstruct (108, 214) a second image (338) using the undersampled magnetic resonance data and the first image. The second image is reconstructed using an image ratio constrained reconstruction algorithm (354). A temperature map (340) is calculated (110, 216) using the second image.

Abstract: In a SPACE (Sampling Perfection with Application optimized Contrasts using different flip angle Evolutions) or equivalent magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence, the dephasing gradient is generated (activated) so as to occur immediately in front of the second refocusing pulse, thereby eliminating the long time duration that occurs in conventional SPACE or equivalent sequences between excitation and readout. This long time duration has been identified as a source for flow-related artifacts that occur in images reconstructed from data acquired according to conventional SPACE or equivalent sequences. By eliminating this long time duration, such flow-related artifacts are substantially reduced, if not eliminated.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for projecting an estimated direction of arrival of sound onto a plane that does not include the estimated direction are described.

Abstract: An ultra wideband (UWB) or short-pulse RF system is disclosed that can be used to precisely locate or track objects (such as personnel, equipment, assets, etc.) in real-time in an arbitrarily large, physically connected or disconnected, multipath and/or noisy environment. A system implementation includes multiple zones or groups of receivers that receives RF signals transmitted by one or more timing reference tags and one or more objects having associated object tags. Each zone or group may share a common receiver. By combining a multiple reference tag system with a virtual group of receivers, i.e., a zoning technique or system, a cost-effective system can be provided that offers scalability and flexibility to monitor a significantly expanded coverage area.

Abstract: A power-supply device for supplying electrical power to a radar device that transmits and receives a continuous wave and detects an object reflecting the continuous wave on the basis of a spectrum of a beat signal of the transmitted and reflected waves. The power-supply device includes a power supply section that generates electrical power in a predefined voltage range through a switching section being turned on and off in response to a switching signal, and a switching signal output section that, outputs the switching signal whose frequency is set within one of assignable bands. This leads to a radar system comprised of the radar device and the power-supply device, capable of securely preventing erroneous detection of a frequency peak of the switching signal as a frequency peak of the object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide calibration of a system using a cable check configuration and a calibration test configuration. A short to ground reflects an injected signal to characterize a first signal path in the cable check configuration. Switch setting can then be adjusted to inject a signal that is coupled to an array element and received from a feed. The signal paths can be characterized to enable in-field calibration testing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic observation apparatus includes: a first conversion unit that converts an ultrasonic signal as a time domain signal reflected from a specimen into a frequency domain signal; a regression analysis unit that calculates a regression expression for the frequency domain signal; an attenuation correction coefficient calculation unit that calculates an attenuation correction coefficient which is obtained by dividing a difference between first-order coefficients in the regression expressions at two points having different reception depths by a difference between the reception depths at the two points; an attenuation correction processing unit that performs attenuation correction processing on the frequency domain signal based on the attenuation correction coefficient; a second conversion unit that converts the frequency domain signal after the attenuation correction processing, into a second time domain signal; and an image data generation unit that generates ultrasonic image data based on the second tim

Abstract: Provided is an object information acquiring apparatus that generates image data inside an object on the basis of an acoustic wave propagating inside the object, which uses an object information acquiring apparatus having an acoustic detector receiving the acoustic wave, an object information distribution processor generating an object information distribution representing a property of inside of the object by using the acoustic wave, a reliability distribution generator generating a reliability distribution by using the object information distribution, a similarity distribution generator generating a similarity distribution indicating similarity between template data indicating a relation between a real image and an artifact in the image data, and the object information distribution, and a combination processor performing combination processing of the reliability distribution and the similarity distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus and method capable of producing a tissue Doppler image without repeatedly transmitting ultrasound signals by the ensemble number to each scan line. An ultrasound beam is transmitted in a non-sequential manner and a plurality of receive beams received in response to each transmission of the transmit beam are grouped into an increment data group of a scan line index increasing direction and a decrement data group of a scan line index decreasing direction. Auto correlation is performed on the increment data group of the scan line index ascending order and decrement data group of the scan line index descending order, weights are applied to respective auto correlation values for the increment and decrement data group, and then the auto correlation values with the weight applied are summed to compute a mean phase. At least one of velocities, powers and variances in response to the mean phase is outputted to produce TDI.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a fish finding sonar system. Specifically, this invention relates to a sonar device pairing with a remote computing device to provide information to an angler about what is under the surface of the water. Embodiments of the present invention include a sonar device and a remote computing device configured to allow the sonar device to wirelessly communicate with the remote computing device and the remote computing device to connect to a database to register and receive information about real-time fishing hotspots.

Abstract: LiDAR (light detection and ranging) systems use one or more emitters and a detector array to cover a given field of view where the emitters each emit a single pulse or a multi-pulse packet of light that is sampled by the detector array. On each emitter cycle the detector array will sample the incoming signal intensity at the pre-determined sampling frequency that generates two or more samples per emitted light packet to allow for volumetric analysis of the retroreflected signal portion of each emitted light packet as reflected by one or more objects in the field of view and then received by each detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for compensating for a beam angle of a multi-layer LiDAR includes: a beam angle calculation unit configured to calculate a distance d calculated by using ground data detected by a ground data detection unit and a beam angle of the multi-layer LiDAR by using a mounting height of the multi-layer LiDAR stored in a storage unit. When the beam angle calculated by a beam angle calculation unit is in a threshold range, a beam angle selection unit selects the calculated beam angle as the beam angle, when a beam angle compensation unit compensates for the initial beam angle by using the beam angle selected by the beam angle selection unit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting weather conditions including fog using vehicle onboard sensors are provided. An example method includes receiving laser data collected from scans of an environment of a vehicle, and associating, by a computing device, laser data points of with one or more objects in the environment. The method also includes comparing laser data points that are unassociated with the one or more objects in the environment with stored laser data points representative of a pattern due to fog, and based on the comparison, identifying by the computing device an indication that a weather condition of the environment of the vehicle includes fog.

Abstract: Position, navigation and/or timing (PNT) solutions may be provided with levels of precision that have previously and conventionally been associated with carrier phase differential GPS (CDGPS) techniques that employ a fixed terrestrial reference station or with GPS PPP techniques that employ fixed terrestrial stations and corrections distribution networks of generally limited terrestrial coverage. Using techniques described herein, high-precision PNT solutions may be provided without resort to a generally proximate, terrestrial ground station having a fixed and precisely known position. Instead, techniques described herein utilize a carrier phase model and measurements from plural satellites (typically 4 or more) wherein at least one is a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite. For an Iridium LEO solution, particular techniques are described that allow extraction of an Iridium carrier phase observables, notwithstanding TDMA gaps and random phase rotations and biases inherent in the transmitted signals.

Abstract: A GNSS receiver design is tested, which design includes software for generating position/time related data (DPT) based on raw digital data (dRAW) when the software is executed in a processing unit of the receiver. GNSS signals (SRF) are received via a radio frequency input device while moving the radio frequency input device along a route trajectory. The received GNSS signals (SRF) are fed to a radio-frequency front end of a Representative example of a receiver unit built according to the design to be tested. The radio-frequency front end produces raw digital data (dRAW) representing the received GNSS signals (SRF), and the raw digital data (dRAW) are stored in a primary data storage as a source file (Fsc). The source file (Fsc) is read from the primary data storage, and the source file (Fsc) is processed by means of the software to generate at least one set of position/time related data (DPT).

Abstract: Information such as altitude or speed limits for a specific geographic region can be utilized to improve position and velocity estimation for a mobile device using inequality constraints. The inequality constraints can be used as pseudo-measurements when needed to improve position and velocity estimation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a cross coupled position engine architecture for sensor integration in a Global Navigation Satellite System. In one embodiment, a data processing engine for processing inertial sensor data within a positioning system receiver is disclosed. The data processing engine includes a first input for receiving the sensor data, and a second input for receiving a positioning data. The data processing system also includes a memory and a processor. The processor of the data processing system is coupled to the memory and to the first and second input. The processor of the data processing system is configured to calculate a net acceleration profile data from the inertial sensor data and from the positioning data. The net acceleration profile data calculated by the processor of the data processing system is used for the Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to subsequently calculate a position and a velocity data.

Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix in which each pixel includes a conversion element configured to convert radiation into a charge and a switch element configured to transfer an electric signal based on the charge, a plurality of wirings arranged in the pixel array, and a detecting unit configured to detect radiation irradiation to the pixel array, in which the detecting unit includes a detecting circuit configured to detect the radiation irradiation to the pixel array on the basis of a plurality of currents flowing through the plurality of wirings detected for each of the plurality of wirings.

Abstract: To provide a radiation imaging apparatus and a radiation imaging system that can detect radiation with high accuracy, the radiation imaging apparatus includes: a detection unit in which conversion elements that convert radiation into an electric signal are arranged in a matrix shape; a radiation detection unit configured to detect an irradiation state of radiation; a drive circuit configured to drive the detection unit in accordance with the irradiation state detected by the radiation detection unit; and a radiographing kind setting unit configured to set a radiographing kind, wherein the radiation detection unit changes a radiation detection capability in accordance with the radiographing kind set by the radiographing kind setting unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a scintillation assembly. The assembly may include a scintillator having a surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer contacting at least a portion of said surface, and a reflector proximal to the scintillator surface and adhered to the scintillator surface by the pressure sensitive adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer exhibits a TTV of 0.01 mm or less.

Abstract: To provide an imaging device that is highly stable when exposed to radiation such as X-rays. The imaging device includes a substrate, a pixel circuit, and a scintillator which are stacked in order. The pixel circuit includes a light-receiving element and a circuit portion electrically connected to the light-receiving element. The substrate is provided with a heater. A transistor in the pixel circuit is heated by the passage of a current through the heater at times other than imaging, thus, degradation of the electrical characteristics of the transistor due to X-ray irradiation can be recovered.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated radiation detector includes a photodetector and a scintillator deposited directly on the photodetector. Preferably the photodetector is silicon and the scintillator is a rare earth phosphor. The rare earth phosphor is crystal lattice matched to the silicon by a transitional layer epitaxially grown therebetween.

Abstract: Provided is a radiation detector, including: a two-dimensional light receiving element including a plurality of pixels; and a scintillator layer having multiple scintillator crystals two-dimensionally arranged on a light receiving surface of the two-dimensional light receiving element, in which: the scintillator crystal includes two crystal phases, which are a first crystal phase including a material including a plurality of columnar crystals extending in a direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the two-dimensional light receiving element and having a refractive index n1, and a second crystal phase including a material existing between the plurality of columnar crystals and having a refractive index n2; and a material having a refractive index n3 is placed between adjacent scintillator crystals, the refractive index n3 satisfying a relationship of one of n1?n3?n2 and n2?n3?n1.

Abstract: Embodiments incorporate a method and apparatus for detection of radiation. Embodiments detect fast and/or thermal neutrons. Embodiments detect neutrons in high backgrounds of gamma rays. Embodiments can have high sensitivity and/or high gamma discrimination. Embodiments include a given single material that detects fast neutrons and simultaneously detect gamma rays with moderate energy resolution. Embodiments utilize liquid, viscous liquid, gel, and/or solid scintillating materials. Embodiments incorporate a scintillating matrix, such as a liquid, having a highly polar matrix, such as a liquid solvent, dissolved dyes, and a high concentration of a dissolved organo metallic compound. The use of a single material for a large area detector of fast neutrons and gamma rays can provide material and cost benefits.

Abstract: Measurements of electric charges obtained by the impact of ionizing radiation on a semiconductor detector are grouped in a histogram. Calibrations and data otherwise obtained are used to obtain acceptance probabilities of measurements, which are used to construct a histogram of events by weighting the measurements so as to exclude the influence of some factors (such as diffused radiation) or on the contrary to enhance this influence.

Abstract: A PET apparatus and a timing correction method of this invention select two target gamma-ray detectors which count coincidences, select a reference detector which is one detector out of the two selected gamma-ray detectors, select a gamma-ray detector different from the other, opposite detector, and when repeating the selection, make a time lag histogram concerning two gamma-ray detectors selected in the past a reference, and correct a time lag histogram concerning gamma-ray detectors selected this time based on the reference. By repeating an operation to make the corrected time lag histogram concerning the two gamma-ray detectors a new reference, an optimal time lag histogram can be obtained without repeating many measurements and computations.

Abstract: Gain values of PMTs of a PET scanner's detectors are balanced based on detected radiation from a radioactive calibration source placed in an FOV of the scanner. A time alignment is performed for scintillator crystals of the detectors based on TOF computations based on gamma photons associated with the radioactive calibration source. Baseline data is acquired using intrinsic background radiation of the scintillator crystals, without any object in the FOV. A first set of data, based on the baseline data, is stored in a memory of the scanner. After the acquisition of the baseline data, test data is acquired using intrinsic background radiation of the scintillator crystals, without any object in the FOV. A calibration status of the scanner or of an environment surrounding the scanner is automatically checked based on a comparison between the stored first set of data and a second set of data.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting vignetting distortion in an imaging sensor of a multi-camera flat panel X-Ray detector. A scintillator converts X-Ray radiation generated by an X-Ray source into detectable radiation. A displacement unit generates, during a calibration phase, relative displacement between the X-Ray detector and an X-Ray source at a plane parallel to the scintillator. The imaging sensor acquires, during the calibration phase, a first and a second partial images, the first partial image is acquired before the relative displacement is generated, and the second partial image is acquired after the relative displacement is generated. A relative displacement measurement unit measures the relative displacement. Coefficients of a preliminary inverse vignetting function are calculated based on differences between corresponding pixels of the two partial images.

Abstract: A liquid mixture is used to test and validate test devices for inspecting objects or persons, said mixture containing glycerol and sodium hydroxide, in a weight ratio of glycerol to solid hydroxide between 6.5 and 3.8, and containing water.

Abstract: A system and method of characterizing properties of a medium from a non-linear interaction are include generating, by first and second acoustic sources disposed on a surface of the medium on a first line, first and second acoustic waves. The first and second acoustic sources are controllable such that trajectories of the first and second acoustic waves intersect in a mixing zone within the medium. The method further includes receiving, by a receiver positioned in a plane containing the first and second acoustic sources, a third acoustic wave generated by a non-linear mixing process from the first and second acoustic waves in the mixing zone; and creating a first two-dimensional image of non-linear properties or a first ratio of compressional velocity and shear velocity, or both, of the medium in a first plane generally perpendicular to the surface and containing the first line, based on the received third acoustic wave.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a marine vibrator and methods of using. Embodiments of the marine vibrator may comprise a containment housing; a piston plate, wherein an internal volume of the marine vibrator is at least partially defined by the containment housing and the piston plate, the internal volume containing a first gas at a first gas pressure; a fixture coupled to the containment housing; a mechanical spring element coupled to the piston plate and the fixture; a driver coupled to the piston plate and the fixture, wherein the driver is configured to move the piston plate back and forth; and a compliance chamber in contact with the first gas, wherein the compliance chamber comprises a second gas at a second gas pressure.

Abstract: A method of performing a seismic survey including: deploying nodal seismic sensors at positions in a survey region; activating a plurality of seismic sources; and using the nodal seismic sensors to record seismic signals generated in response to the activation of the plurality of signals.