Patents Issued in January 12, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170010309
    Abstract: An integrated current sensor system has a printed circuit board with a magnetic field sensor with a sensor interface. The printed circuit board has a first side on which, isolated from the printed circuit board, a first current conductor is arranged with a longitudinal edge of a portion of the first current conductor being proximate to a sensitive area of sensor. The circuit board has a second side on which a second current conductor is, isolated from the printed circuit board, arranged, wherein a longitudinal edge of a portion of the second current conductor is arranged proximate to the sensitive area. The first and the second current conductor are electrically connected with at least one conductive via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: ams AG
    Inventor: Harald ETSCHMAIER
  • Publication number: 20170010310
    Abstract: Electrical current transducer for measuring an electric current in a primary conductor, including a housing (4), a magnetic core (6) surrounding a central aperture (9) through which the primary conductor extends, and a magnetic field sensing device (8) comprising connection terminals (18). The housing comprises a magnetic core receiving cavity (22) in which the magnetic core is lodged and a connecting interface portion (25) in which the magnetic field sensing is lodged, the connecting interface projecting outwardly from the magnetic core receiving cavity and comprising latching elements complementary to latching elements of a separate connector interface element (11) selectively mountable to the connecting interface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: LEM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SA
    Inventors: Pascal MOREL, Jean-Marie VARDON, Salim SID
  • Publication number: 20170010311
    Abstract: Provided are devices for electrical connectors to provide indication that the electrical connectors are not energized. Devices include a first indicator that includes a first indication technology that is configured to provide a first visual indication corresponding to a voltage of a primary conductor and a second indicator that includes a second indication technology that is different from the first indication technology and that is configured to provide a second visual indication corresponding to the voltage of the primary conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew P. Galla, Harry G. Yaworski
  • Publication number: 20170010312
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring a load current supplied to one or more integrated circuit cores. The apparatus includes a power gating field effect transistor (FET) comprising a gate, a source, and a drain, wherein the source is coupled to a voltage rail, wherein the drain is coupled to a load, and wherein the gate is configured to receive a gating voltage to selectively turn on the power gating FET to allow a load current to flow between the voltage rail and the load; and a differential amplifier configured to generate a current-related voltage related to the load current by applying a gain to an input voltage based on a drain-to-source voltage of the power gating FET, wherein the gain varies inversely with the input voltage in response to variation in temperature or gate-to-source voltage of the power gating FET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Arn Nix
  • Publication number: 20170010313
    Abstract: A configurable electronic test system that is adapted for varying test processes and thermal conditions, consisting of a device handler working with multiple testers and a thermal environment module for controlling the thermal condition during test. The test system can be easily expanded by stacking more testers vertically for more test capacity without requiring an increase in floor space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Boon Hua HOW, Kok Keong ONG, Chiang Huan SAW, See Jean CHAN, Wee Tick LO
  • Publication number: 20170010314
    Abstract: A method of electrical system fault detection and location determination includes measuring a baseline time domain reflectometry (TDR) waveform along a wire path of the electrical system and obtaining an operating TDR waveform along the wire path. The operating TDR waveform is compared to the baseline TDR waveform to derive a difference TDR waveform, and a difference energy is calculated utilizing the difference TDR waveform. The difference energy is monitored over time for peaks in the difference energy and potential electrical system faults are identified via the peaks in the difference energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Drost, Howard A. Winston, Michael G. Mastrianni, Anthony Santo Maniaci, Andrew Palladino
  • Publication number: 20170010315
    Abstract: A test unit according to the present invention includes: a first contact probe contacting with an electrode provided on a front surface of one of contact targets, and contacting with an electrode of the other contact target; a second contact probe contacting with an electrode provided on a back surface of the one of contact targets and contacting with an electrode of a substrate; a first probe holder including a suction holder that sucks and holds the one of contact targets, and accommodating and holding therein the first contact probes; a second probe holder accommodating and holding therein the second contact probes; and a base portion, which is layered over the first probe holder and holds the other contact target at a side thereof layered over the first probe holder; and a gap is formed between the other contact target and the first probe holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Kohei HIRONAKA, Takashi NIDAIRA, Tomohiro YONEDA
  • Publication number: 20170010316
    Abstract: This application relates to a circuit for determining whether a first transistor device is in a predetermined operation mode. The circuit comprises comprising: a second transistor device, wherein control terminals of the first and second transistor devices are connected, and one of input and output terminals of the first transistor device is connected to the other one of input and output terminals of the second transistor device, a buffer amplifier connected between the one of input and output terminals of the first transistor device and the other one of input and output terminals of the second transistor device, and circuitry for determining whether the first transistor device is in the predetermined operation mode based on an indication of a current flowing through the second transistor device. The application further relates to a method of determining whether a first transistor device is in a predetermined operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Danilo Gerna, Enrico Pardi, John Kesterson
  • Publication number: 20170010317
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the performance of a plasma transistor comprises: setting a plasma wave velocity, which is adjusted by a gate overdrive voltage, as a first axis; setting an electronic drift velocity, which is adjusted by a drain-to-source voltage, as a second axis; setting a channel length as a third axis; and checking whether the plasma wave transistor is operated as a terahertz emitter according to a change in the performance parameter value of the plasma wave transistor on the basis of a relational expression among the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Kyung Rok KIM, Jong Yul PARK, Sung-Ho KIM
  • Publication number: 20170010318
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor switch and to a method for determining a current in the power path of a semiconductor switch. For this purpose, a semiconductor switch, according to the invention, has a plurality of sense connections, wherein each of said sense connections provides an individual output signal that is proportional to the current in the power path of the semiconductor switch. The evaluation of the current in the power path can be optimized by the appropriate selection of one of the plurality of sense connections in accordance with the current in the power path of the semiconductor switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Stefan Butzmann, Holger Sievert, Peter Feuerstack
  • Publication number: 20170010319
    Abstract: A signal converter circuit includes a sensor connection, two comparator circuits, each having a signal input for an electric connection to the sensor connection, a reference input for an electric connection to a respectively assigned reference signal source and a signal output for a provision of an output signal, with a feedback line being formed between the respective signal output and the respective reference input, and further including two reference signal sources, each of the comparator circuits being configured for comparing a signal level at the signal input to a signal level at the reference input and for outputting a digital output signal as a function of a comparison result between the signal levels, wherein the two reference signal inputs are connected to one another via a coupling line being configured to transmit a presettable fraction of the respective signal level present at one reference input to the other reference input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Roland Kalberer, Martin Hommel
  • Publication number: 20170010320
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing an electronic component is provided. The method begins when a design-for-test (DFT) mode is entered and at least one sensor is enabled. Sensor results are monitored and determine the number of cores or capture domains that may be tested simultaneously. The sensors include a voltage and temperature sensor, and either or both sensors may be enabled during testing. Maximum and minimum voltage levels for each capture domain determine at what value a voltage drop occurs. The number of cores selected minimizes a voltage drop across the electronic component. Maximum and minimum temperatures across the multiple cores of the electronic component determine the number of clocks that may be operated simultaneously during testing. An apparatus includes an electronic device to be tested, test sensors on the electronic device, and an interface to a test fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Dipti Ranjan Pal, Kumar Kanti Ghosh
  • Publication number: 20170010321
    Abstract: Latch-up test device and method are provided, and the method includes following steps. A set operation is performed for setting a basic test value according to a test range and setting a trigger pulse and a predetermined error value by the basic test value. A test on a test chip in a wafer under test is performed by the trigger pulse, and whether the test chip is in a latch-up state is determined. Whether to update a test range and a latch-up threshold value and whether to return to the step of performing the set operation are determined according to a determination result, the latch-up threshold value and the basic test value. When the test chip is in the latch-up state and a difference between the latch-up threshold value and the basic test value is not greater than the predetermined error value, the test on the test chip is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Shih-Yu Wang, Yao-Wen Chang, Tao-Cheng Lu
  • Publication number: 20170010322
    Abstract: Systems for reliability testing include a picometer configured to measure a leakage current across a device under test (DUT); a camera configured to measure optical emissions from the DUT based on a timing of the measurement of the leakage current; and a test system configured to apply a stress voltage to the DUT and to correlate the leakage current with the optical emissions using a processor to determine a time and location of a defect occurrence within the DUT by locating instances of increased noise in the leakage current that correspond in time with instances of increased optical emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Jifeng Chen, Dirk Pfeiffer, Thomas M. Shaw, Peilin Song, Franco Stellari
  • Publication number: 20170010323
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor wafer inspection apparatus and a semiconductor wafer inspection method that can suppress warpage in a semiconductor wafer due to a temperature difference between the mounting surface of a table and the semiconductor wafer. In a prober of the present invention, a semiconductor wafer is heated to have a second temperature which is equal to or lower than a first temperature in a preheating step using an oven, and then the semiconductor wafer is placed on a mounting surface of a table which is heated to the first temperature. Thus, because a temperature difference between the mounting surface of the table and the semiconductor wafer is reduced in the prober, it is possible to suppress warpage in the semiconductor wafer that occurs right after the semiconductor wafer is placed on the mounting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Takashi ISHIMOTO, Yuji SHIGESAWA, Akira YAMAGUCHI, Takashi MOTOYAMA, Takenori TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20170010324
    Abstract: A vacuum socket includes a lower housing including a concave portion with a first hole, the concave portion having a recessed cross section and a printed circuit board in the concave portion, wherein the printed circuit board includes a second hole coupled to the first hole and pads provided along an edge region thereof, a cover provided in the concave portion to cover the printed circuit board, and a vacuum pad inserted in the first hole, the vacuum pad having a third hole coupled to the second hole, wherein the printed circuit board is electrically connected to a first semiconductor chip loaded between the printed circuit board and the cover, via the pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Jang-Sun Kim, Il Jin, Seungchul Lee
  • Publication number: 20170010325
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptive test time reduction is provided. The method begins with running a predetermined number of structural tests on wafers or electronic chips. Pass/fail data is collected once the predetermined number of structural tests have been run. This pass/fail data is then used to determine which of the predetermined number of structural tests are consistently passed. The consistently passed tests are then grouped into slices within the test vectors. Once the grouping has been performed, the consistently passed tests are skipped when testing future production lots of the wafers or electronic chips. A sampling rate may be modulated if it is determined that adjustments in the tests performed are needed. In addition, a complement of the tests performed on the wafers may be performed on the electronic chips to ensure complete test coverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Arul Subbarayan, Sachin Badole, Archana Matta, Madhura Hegde, Sergio Mier, Shankarnarayan Bhat, Michael Laisne, Glenn Mark Plowman, Prakash Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20170010326
    Abstract: Scan architectures are commonly used to test digital circuitry in integrated circuits. The present disclosure describes a method of adapting conventional scan architectures into a low power scan architecture. The low power scan architecture maintains the test time of conventional scan architectures, while requiring significantly less operational power than conventional scan architectures. The low power scan architecture is advantageous to IC/die manufacturers since it allows a larger number of circuits (such as DSP or CPU core circuits) embedded in an IC/die to be tested in parallel without consuming too much power within the IC/die. Since the low power scan architecture reduces test power consumption, it is possible to simultaneously test more die on a wafer than previously possible using conventional scan architectures. This allows wafer test times to be reduced which reduces the manufacturing cost of each die on the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Publication number: 20170010327
    Abstract: A State of Charge (SOC) estimation device for a secondary battery in which a correlation curve indicating a relationship between an SOC and Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) differs between a charging process and discharging process. The SOC estimation device estimates the SOC based on a relational formula in which as actually measured OCV increases, weights are assigned to the correlation curve indicating the relationship between the SOC and OCV in the discharging process, and as actually measured OCV decreases, weights are assigned to the correlation curve indicating the relationship between the SOC and OCV in the charging process. With the SOC estimation device, when the correlation curve indicating the relationship between the SOC and OCV differs between the charging and discharging processes, not only when the secondary battery is being used but also when use is started after use of the secondary battery is stopped, SOC can be accurately estimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroto NISHIGUCHI, Hisatoshi FUKUMOTO, Shingo YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20170010328
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that determines the actual capacity of a battery. The device determines the charge state of the battery and monitors discharge events. Before additional charge is applied, a minimum useful capacity is recorded based on passed charge values recorded by a battery gas gauge during discharge. Before a low voltage shut down, a full capacity is recorded based on passed charge values. The battery capacity information can be used to provide insights on the timing for battery replacement and for improvement in workflows involving the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Mullen, Mark Alan Howe, Ramon Redondo
  • Publication number: 20170010329
    Abstract: A plurality of batteries connected in series are monitored by a plurality of monitor devices, respectively. The monitor devices are connected in series to communicate under the daisy chain communication system. The daisy chain communication system includes a micro-control unit for producing a binary signal, a communication device for converting the binary signal to a pulsating signal. The communication device produces a special code based on an instructions from the micro-control unit. Each monitor device changes between a communication OFF state and a communication ON state. Each monitor device has a signal detector which operates during the communication OFF state and detects the special code, whereby upon detection of the special code, the signal detector generates a wakeup signal so that the monitor device is changed from the communication OFF state to communication ON state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicants: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd., PANASONIC ASIA PACIFIC PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Hong Meng TANG, Chung Kiong Leslie KHOO, Tien Yew KANG, Muhammad s/o ABUTURAB, Narciso Repollo SEMIRA, Gorou MORI
  • Publication number: 20170010330
    Abstract: A method for locating a battery module among multiple battery modules of a traction battery that are electrically connected to one another, having the following features: an electrical potential is measured at each of the battery modules in real time relative to a potential reference that is common to the battery modules; the potentials are used to subtractively compute voltages between the battery modules; a positional relationship for the battery modules is derived from the voltages; a module controller that is univocally denoted within the traction battery is used to retrieve a voltage dropped across the battery module that is to be located; and the retrieved voltage and the computed voltages are used to locate the battery module on the basis of the positional relationship within the traction battery. Also described is a corresponding apparatus, a corresponding computer program and a corresponding storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Stefan Götz, Hermann Dibos, Malte Jaensch
  • Publication number: 20170010331
    Abstract: A control system for a battery includes a current sensor and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to calculate a first error and a second offset error of the current sensor respectively based on outputs of the current sensor just before a stop of the electronic control unit and at startup of the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to correct an output of the current sensor by using a first error when a temperature of the current sensor at startup of the electronic control unit is higher than or equal to a threshold temperature, and correct the output of the current sensor by using a second error when the temperature of the current sensor at startup of the electronic control unit is lower than the threshold temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryo MANO, Teruo ISHISHITA, Hiroyuki OBATA
  • Publication number: 20170010332
    Abstract: An electric power storage system for a vehicle includes an electric power storage device, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The vehicle includes an ignition switch. The electric power storage device is mounted on the vehicle. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the electric power storage device. The controller is configured to estimate a rest temperature of the electric power storage device at a time when the ignition switch is OFF. The controller is configured to acquire the temperature of the electric power storage device at a time when the ignition switch is ON by using the temperature sensor when the ignition switch is turned ON. The controller is configured to estimate the rest temperature by using an average value of at least two of a plurality of the temperatures acquired during a predetermined period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro KAGAMI, Takuro HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20170010333
    Abstract: The present invention provides an LED lighting device and a method for determining an operation time of the LED lighting device. The LED lighting device includes an LED module configured to emit light; an LED driver configured to supply power and drive the LED module; a micro controller unit (MCU) module that is connected to the LED driver and configured to measure an operation time of the LED lighting device; a display module that is connected to the MCU module and configured to receive the operation time sent from the MCU module and display the operation time; and a power supply module configured to supply power to the MCU module and the display module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: JINXIANG SHEN, FANG CHEN, YEHUA WAN
  • Publication number: 20170010334
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor system, includes a plurality of magnetic field sensors and a controller. The plurality of magnetic field sensors are arranged in an array, each magnetic field sensor configured to measure a magnetic field at the magnetic field sensor. The controller is configured to receive magnetic field signals from each of the plurality of magnetic field sensors so as have an array of measured magnetic field values corresponding respectively to the magnetic field sensors. The controller is further configured to: transform each of the measured magnetic field values to a common coordinate system to provide an array of transformed magnetic field values; estimate a spatially correlated background noise based on the array of transformed magnetic field values; and subtract the spatially correlated background noise from the transformed magnetic field values to provide noise removed magnetic field values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: James Michael KRAUSE, Arul MANICKAM
  • Publication number: 20170010335
    Abstract: A self-calibrating magnetic field monitor is disclosed. In one embodiment, a magnetic field sensor repeatedly generates an electronic signal related to the magnetic field. In addition, a calibration module generates a relative baseline signal based on an average value of the electronic signals for a given time period. A comparator compares the electronic signal with the relative baseline signal and generating an output signal if a difference in the comparing is greater than or equal to a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Broadband Discovery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Cory J. STEPHANSON
  • Publication number: 20170010336
    Abstract: A protective sleeve structure for a proximity sensor contains a body made of non-magnetic material, and the body includes a fitting portion arranged on a first end thereof to fit with a sensing end of the proximate sensor, wherein an outer surface of the body is located at a non-sensing area of the proximity sensor, the body also includes a passageway defined on a second end thereof and located at a sensing area of the proximity sensor to pass an inducing element through the passageway, such that the inducing element triggers the proximity sensor. Accordingly, the protective sleeve structure stops metal substances attaching in the sensing area of the proximity sensor by using its body to avoid triggering the proximity sensor unintentionally. Preferably, the protective sleeve structure is simplified greatly and is manufactured easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: YAW-DER HWANG
  • Publication number: 20170010337
    Abstract: An optical pumping and isotropic measurement magnetometer. The magnetometer is all-optical in the sense that resonance between Zeeman sub-levels is induced by modulating the intensity or the frequency of the pump beam. Resonance is detected either using the pump beam itself or an unmodulated probe beam. The pump beam is linearly polarised and its polarisation direction is kept constant relative to the direction of the magnetic field to be measured, so that a measurement independent of the orientation of the field can be made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Sophie Morales, Mathieu Baicry, Francois Bertrand, Matthieu Le Prado, Jean-Michel Leger, Umberto Rossini, Jaroslaw Rutkowski
  • Publication number: 20170010338
    Abstract: Measuring a sample includes providing a magnetic field at the sample using an electromagnetic field resonator. The electromagnetic field resonator includes two or more resonant structures at least partially contained within dielectric material of a substrate, at least a first resonant structure configured to provide the magnetic field at the sample positioned in proximity to the first resonant structure. The sample is characterized by an electron spin resonance frequency. A size of an inner area of the first resonant structure and a number of resonant structures included in the electromagnetic field resonator at least partially determine a range of an operating resonance frequency of the electromagnetic field resonator that includes the electron spin resonance frequency. Measuring the sample also includes receiving an output optical signal from the sample generated based at least in part on a magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic field resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Khadijeh Bayat, Marko Loncar
  • Publication number: 20170010339
    Abstract: A system and method for system for performing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) process using an MRI system is provided. A coil system includes a substrate configured to follow a contour of a portion of a subject to be imaged by the MRI system and at least one coil coupled to the substrate and forming a spiral pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew S. Rosen, Mathieu Sarracanie, Najat Salameh
  • Publication number: 20170010340
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to simultaneously excite multiple different slice locations. A multiband (MB) radio frequency (RF) pulse waveform is combined with an RF pulse waveform that results in periodic excitation of the slice locations, such as a power independent of a number of slices (PINS) RF pulse waveform. Before combination, the MB RF pulse waveform is preferably transformed to traverse the excitation k-space trajectory defined by a plurality of slice-encoding gradient blips. The combined RF pulse waveform is used to generate an RF excitation field generated while the plurality of slice-encoding gradient blips are played out. The portions of the combined RF pulse associated with the MB RF pulse are played out during the gradient blips, and the portions associated with the PINS RF pulse are played out between the gradient blips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Cornelius Eichner, Lawrence L. Wald, Kawin Setsompop
  • Publication number: 20170010341
    Abstract: A rotation determiner determines whether an antenna azimuth (AZ) angle rotates beyond a rotation range within a predetermined time based on a predicted orbit value. When the antenna AZ angle rotates beyond the rotation range, an orbit determiner determines whether an estimated satellite position is within a drivable range that the AZ angle rotates from a reference value beyond the rotation range. When the AZ angle rotates beyond the rotation range and the estimated satellite position is within the drivable range, three-axis control is executed, and the AZ angle is kept at a predetermined value. When the AZ angle rotates beyond the rotation range and the estimated satellite position is not within the drivable range, or when the AZ angle does not rotate beyond the rotation range, two-axis control is executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya UEGO, Yuji SAKAI, Masakazu SAITO
  • Publication number: 20170010342
    Abstract: One or more bits are used in peer discovery signals to signal a device's ability and/or willingness to participate in a cooperative manner with regard to one or more mobile device location determination related operations. In some embodiments, the one or more bits are located at predetermined locations within a header portion of a peer discovery signal. Different bits, in some embodiments, are associated with different specific cooperative location determination related operations. The peer discovery signal is transmitted, e.g., broadcast, periodically or on some predetermined basis by a mobile wireless communications device. In this manner, a device listening to the peer discovery signals can determine other devices' willingness to perform particular location discovery related operations with very little signaling overhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Aleksandar Jovicic, Junyi Li, Cyril Measson, Thomas Richardson
  • Publication number: 20170010343
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and methods for tracking the positions and behaviors of moving objects such as animals. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more tracking unit, one or more base nodes, one or more remote data hubs, and one or more remote processor with display. Each tracking unit (e.g. attached or inserted into the tracked animals) could transmit acoustic signal with a unique signature. The base nodes, after time stamping the received signals, relate the signals to the remote processors where the signals will be processed and the 3-dimensional spatial coordinates of the tracking units, and hence the animals, can be identified. Further processing of the positional information would reflect the activities and behaviors of each animal. Additional sensors included in the tracking unit provide further information about the states of the animals such as temperature, heart rate or blood pressure etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Chi Shing CHAN, Aijun CAO
  • Publication number: 20170010344
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a method for mitigating radar interference. The method may include receiving time domain signals from a radar device and transforming the time domain signals to time-frequency domain signals. The method may include comparing each time-frequency domain signal with one or more surrounding time-frequency domain signals to determine which of the time-frequency domain signals have interference. The method may include repairing the time-frequency domain signals having interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Andrew Corbett
  • Publication number: 20170010345
    Abstract: It is common practice in modern radar to utilize some type of downconversion to an intermediate frequency or baseband before analog-to-digital conversion takes place. Several microwave components are needed for this downconversion process, including a tunable local oscillator, bandpass filters, amplifiers, and other signal conditioning devices. The present invention eliminates many microwave components in the radar receiver by sampling the received signal directly, without downconversion or mixing. The manipulation of the received signals that was formerly done with microwave hardware is now done in a digital signal processor. In addition to simplifying the receiver hardware, this invention will also lead to better utilization of the frequency band, less interference from adjacent bands, improvements in system reliability and stability, reduction in system operation and maintenance costs, and will facilitate future system modifications and upgrades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Richard L. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20170010346
    Abstract: A test bench for testing a distance radar instrument for determining distance and speed of obstacles, comprising a radar emulation device comprising at least one radar antenna and a computer unit with a model of the surroundings, wherein the model of the surroundings comprises data (x, v) of at least one obstacle with a relative position and speed from the distance radar instrument, wherein the radar emulation device emits a suitable reflection radar signal on the basis of the relative position and speed predetermined by the model of the surroundings at least partly in the direction of the distance radar instrument after receiving a scanning radar signal from the distance radar instrument such that the distance radar instrument detects an obstacle with a predetermined relative position and speed, wherein the radar emulation device extends over an angular range in front of the distance radar instrument such that the obstacle with relative position and speed can be simulated in this angular range with mutually
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Andre Rolfsmeier, Frank Schütte, Albrecht Lohöfener, Carsten Grascher, Michael Rozmann
  • Publication number: 20170010347
    Abstract: A test bench for testing a distance radar instrument for determining distance and speed of obstacles, comprising a radar emulation device comprising at least one radar antenna and a computer unit with a model of the surroundings, wherein the model of the surroundings comprises data (x, v) of at least one obstacle with a relative position and speed from the distance radar instrument, wherein the radar emulation device emits a suitable reflection radar signal on the basis of the relative position and speed predetermined by the model of the surroundings at least partly in the direction of the distance radar instrument after receiving a scanning radar signal from the distance radar instrument such that the distance radar instrument detects an obstacle with a predetermined relative position and speed, wherein the radar emulation device extends over an angular range in front of the distance radar instrument such that the obstacle with relative position and speed can be simulated in this angular range with mutually
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Frank Schütte, Albrecht Lohöfener, Carsten Grascher, Michael Rozmann
  • Publication number: 20170010348
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing data describing target measurements using a processor (102) in a system (100) having at least one on-board sensor (106) on a vehicle. The method includes obtaining data from an on-board sensor (106), obtaining data from a sensor (108) off-board the vehicle, activation approximating (312) a target alignment error between the on-board and off-board sensor data, receiving target alignment error data in respect of at least one other sensor set comprising at least two sensors, estimating (316) a bias using the received target alignment error data and correcting the approximated target alignment error using the bias, and performing (320) a data fusion process on the obtained off-board sensor data and the obtained on-board sensor data using the approximated target alignment error to produce target measurement data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Colin Anthony NOONAN
  • Publication number: 20170010349
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a data obtaining unit that obtains a plurality of data items each indicating a result of observation from a plurality of radars for observing surroundings, converts the plurality of data items into data items in a polar coordinate format, and stores them in a storage unit, an axial position converting unit that performs conversion on the plurality of data items in the polar coordinate data format stored in the storage unit so that their axial positions will be the same, generates the plurality of data items on which axial position conversion has been performed, and stores them in the storage unit, a data superimposing unit that superimposes the plurality of data items on which the axial position conversion has been performed to generate superimposed data, and a coordinate converting unit that converts the superimposed data into data in a Cartesian coordinate format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yuki KAJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20170010350
    Abstract: Systems and methods for load aware radar altimeters are provided. In one embodiment, a method for a load aware radar altimeter comprises: transmitting from a radar altimeter on an aircraft at least one RF radar pulse having a frequency of f0; receiving a first return RF signal from a signal modifying target device attached to a load suspended below the aircraft, wherein the first return signal is a modified version of the at least one RF radar pulse; calculating a range from the aircraft to the signal modifying target device as a function of a propagation delay between transmitting the at least one RF radar pulse and receiving the first return RF signal; and desensitizing the radar altimeter to return RF signals having a frequency of f0 within a load window calculated as a function of the range from the aircraft to the signal modifying target device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Winstead
  • Publication number: 20170010351
    Abstract: A method and a system for detecting geological structure of an extraterrestrial solid planet by using a single-transmitter and multiple-receiver (STMR) radar are provided. The method comprises obtaining the detection of thickness distribution and geological structure of each geological layer on the extraterrestrial solid planet by using a STMR mode, and calculating information of the dielectric coefficients and the depth of the respective geological layer. There are two detection channels having different depths of detection and detection resolutions, in which a first channel operates in a HF/VHF band for detecting geological structure of rocks on the extraterrestrial solid planet, and a second channel operates in a UHF band for detecting geological structure of regolith on the extraterrestrial solid planet. These two detection channels can cooperate with each other, ensuring accuracy and reliability of the detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Guangyou Fang, Yicai Ji, Bin Zhou, Qunying Zhang, Wei Lu, Shaoxiang Shen
  • Publication number: 20170010352
    Abstract: A method and system for generating a high resolution two-dimensional (2D) radar image, by first transmitting a radar pulse by a transmit antenna at an area of interest and receiving echoes, corresponding to reflection the radar pulse in the area of interest, at a set of receive arrays, wherein each array includes and a set of receive antennas that are static and randomly distributed at different locations at a same side of the area of interest with a random orientation within a predetermined angular range. The the echoes are sampled for each receive array to produce distributed data for each array. Then, a compressive sensing (CS) procedure is applied to the distributed data to generate the high resolution 2D radar image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Dehong Liu, Ulugbek Kamilov, Petros T. Boufounos
  • Publication number: 20170010353
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method for processing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image data includes acquiring a multi-polarization SAR image of a terrestrial region, pre-processing the SAR image to remove or reduce radiometric and geometric errors, and separating the SAR image into a plurality of channels, each channel representing an image associated with a different polarization mode. The method also includes calculating a characteristic of the region for each polarization channel, acquiring ground data and estimating the characteristic of the region based on the ground data, estimating a correlation of the calculated characteristic for each polarization channel with the estimated characteristic based on the ground data, selecting one or more polarization channels having a correlation exceeding a selected value, and generating a SAR image including only the selected polarization channels based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Khalid A. SOOFI, Sarah E. TERRY, Manuel A. PRADO
  • Publication number: 20170010354
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a weather radar apparatus includes the following elements. The feature quantity calculator calculates, based on the weather information for the targets in an observation range, a feature quantity of each of the targets. The allocator performs transmit allocation in pulse unit or pulse pair unit to the targets based on the feature quantity. The allocation halt instruction unit instructs the allocator to halt transmit allocation to a target satisfying a certain condition. The beam controller generates a control signal to control a beam direction and transmit timing based on a result of the transmit allocation. The transmit signal generator generates a transmit signal based on the control signal. The array antenna transmits the transmit signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Tomomi AOKI, Kazuaki Kawabata, Yasuhiko Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20170010355
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for processing a radar return signal to estimate reflectivity values. An example weather radar system includes one or more antennas configured to transmit a radar signal generated by a transmitter and deliver a radar return signal to a receiver. The example weather radar system further includes one or more processors configured to sample the radar return signal, determine a first signal power measurement of the sampled radar return signal based on Doppler signal processing, determine a quality of the first signal power measurement, and estimate reflectivity values of the sampled radar return signal based on the first signal power measurement when the quality is above a threshold. The example weather radar system further includes memory configured to store the estimated reflectivity values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Paul E. Christianson, Robert J. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20170010356
    Abstract: Measuring machine and method for acquisition of small scale 3D information using a camera and a laser distance measuring unit with a laser source emitting a laser light beam having an oval or line-like cross-section onto a surface of an object to be gauged so that it is reflected to a detecting portion of a laser light sensor, and provide distance information based on the reflected laser light of said oval or line-like laser beam detected by the detecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Mehmet DEMIREL, Johan STIGWALL, Pascal JORDIL
  • Publication number: 20170010357
    Abstract: A transmit light signal is emitted toward a target at an emission time. An optical subsystem of a receiving system receives a return light signal which is converted to a return electrical signal. At least one attenuator applies an attenuation to at least one of the return light signal and the return electrical signal. The attenuation varies, as time passes, after emission of the transmit light signal, according to a time-dependent attenuation function such that the attenuation is maximum at a critical time elapsed since an emission time of the transmit light signal. The critical time is dependent on at least one geometrical parameter of the optical subsystem. A receive time is determined from the return electrical signal. The emission time and the receive time are used to calculate a measured distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Johan Lekås, Set Svanholm, Alex Slawomir Kosakowski
  • Publication number: 20170010358
    Abstract: A method of detecting a wind event utilizing Doppler lidar includes causing a Doppler lidar unit to operate in a course scan mode in which a lidar beam is scanned along several directions. Line-of-sight wind speed measurements are generated at each direction and a derivative with respect to distance of the line-of-sight wind speed measurements is calculated at each of the directions. A predicted angular position of a wind event is determined, and the lidar unit may then operate in a fine scan mode in which only a limited sector is scanned. The potential wind event is then quantified utilizing data obtained using the fine scan mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: GRADY J. KOCH, Bruce W. Barnes