Abstract: An electrical contact assembly comprised of four identical modules arranged in a four-sided formation. Each module comprises of a bottom housing formed with two rows of through holes to allow a row of front and back contact pairs to be inserted, with separators in between each pair to prevent electrical conductance between the pairs. A top housing is then lowered onto the top of these contact pairs. With the aid of a key tool, the rows of contact pairs are inserted into through holes in the top housing. By virtue of different heights between the front and back rows of through holes, the front and back contact rows are inserted one first, and then the other. This allows for easier installation of an assembly with minimal tolerance accumulation.

Abstract: A flexible probe card according to the present invention includes a compression layer; a transport layer coupled to the compression layer; and a contact layer coupled to the transport layer. The compression layer is formed of encapsulated closed cell polyurethane foam. The transport layer includes connectors for coupling the flexible probe card to a tester. The contact interface layer includes embedded conductive wires placed in a fixed grid pattern in a silicon rubber layer without a specific connector pattern associated either with the transport layer or a device under test.

Abstract: OBJECT To improve the strength of a probe guide and improve the abrasion resistance of the probe guide. MEANS FOR SETTLEMENT A guide plate 20 is formed of a silicon plate 22 having guide holes 23 respectively adapted to support contact probes 13, the inner walls of the guide holes 23 include a guide film 25 formed on the inner wall surfaces of corresponding penetration-processed holes 24 of the silicon plate 22, the cross-sectional areas of the penetration-processed holes 24 gradually increase toward a first surface of the silicon plate 22, and the film thickness of the guide film 25 gradually increases toward the first surface of the silicon plate 22. By employing such a configuration, as compared with the tilts of the inner wall surfaces of the penetration-processed holes 24, the tilts of the inner wall surfaces of the guide holes 23 can be suppressed, and the strength of the silicon plate 20 can be improved. Accordingly, the abrasion resistance of a probe guide 100 can be improved.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a substrate including a through-hole and at least one groove around the through-hole, a primary conductor extending into the through-hole and through the substrate, and through which a current to be measured flows, at least one magnetic sensor that is mounted on a first surface of the substrate and detects a strength of a magnetic field generated by the current to be measured flowing through the primary conductor, and at least one magnetic body surrounding the primary conductor and including a portion extending in the at least one groove to be fixed to the substrate.

Abstract: A system for indicators of power meters.

Abstract: A signal inspection apparatus, a signal inspection system, a signal inspection method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a signal inspection program are provided, all of which can appropriately detect discrepancy between multiplexed signals. A signal inspection apparatus includes: an acquisition unit that acquires values of at least two signals among multiplexed signals in a predetermined cycle; a count unit that counts respective changes in the at least two signals in a predetermined time frame; a calculation unit that calculates a difference between the counts of changes; and an output unit that performs an output indicating discrepancy between the signals, if the difference between the counts of changes exceeds an allowable value.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a measurement apparatus for the measurement of a test antenna comprising: a movable stand for supporting the test antenna, a feed antenna having a plurality of radiating elements. The movable stand is located at a predefined distance from the feed antenna. An antenna feed system is provided with a plurality of adjustment components for adjusting the phase and amplitude of a wave front from the plurality of radiating elements such that at the distance the wave front is substantially planar.

Abstract: An automated circuit test system includes a magnetic sensor array configured to measure, at a plurality of locations, a magnetic field induced by a circuit under test. A circuit drive module can energize the circuit under test to induce the magnetic field. Optionally, the circuit drive module detects an electrical response from the circuit under test. Optionally, magnetic field data is combined with electrical response data prior to outputting the test result.

Abstract: A block heater test system for testing continuity in a vehicle's block heater. The block heater test system plugs into the power cord of a block heater to test continuity for the purpose of making sure the block heater can be powered. The block heater test system relies on batteries so no other power source is needed however alternate power sources can be used. An indicator light and/or audible tone indicates a fault in the block heater to the user. The small nature of block heater test system and the weather resident housing allow for easy use during inclement weather.

Abstract: A back-plane connector connects component boards for a cubesat with a processing unit and a board connector electrically connected to the back-plane connector. The board connector mates with complimentary connectors on the component boards. The arrangement facilitates assembly, testing and operational reliability. An image capture system may be included and has an image capture device with a multiplexer for interactive collection and storage of image and video data.

Abstract: A method is provided for parameter extraction of a semiconductor device with a multi-finger gate. The method includes measuring gate-to-source and gate-to-drain capacitances and performing 3D simulation to compute fringing capacitances, thereby computing an overlap capacitance between the gate and a source/drain extension region, and computing a length of the source/drain extension region according to the overlap capacitance.

Abstract: A system and integrated circuits are disclosed for determining performance metrics over a plurality of cycles of an input signal using on-chip diagnostic circuitry. The system comprises a trigger generation module configured to generate a trigger signal, and diagnostic circuitry coupled with the trigger generation module. The diagnostic circuitry comprises a memory comprising a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of delay elements, each delay element of the plurality of delay elements connected between consecutive data lines of the plurality of data lines. The diagnostic circuitry is configured to receive at least one input signal, and write, upon receiving the trigger signal, values on the plurality of data lines to the memory, thereby acquiring samples of a plurality of cycles of the input signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to interconnect reliability structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a plurality of resistors; and a voltmeter configured to sense a relative difference in resistance of the plurality of resistors indicative of at least one of a via-depletion and line-depletion.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus which comprises: a first array of reliability monitors including first and second reliability monitors, wherein the first and second reliability monitors include first and second switches and first and second conductors, wherein the first and second switches are coupled to first and second conductors, respectively; and first and second comparators coupled to the first and second switches, respectively. Described is an apparatus which comprises: a conductor formed on a metal layer; a switch having a source terminal coupled to the conductor, and a drain terminal coupled to a power supply node, wherein the switch is controllable by a controller; and a comparator having a first input coupled to the power supply node and to the switch, wherein the comparator includes a second input coupled to an adjustable reference.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for improving silicon interposers to include test circuitry for testing stacked die mounted on the interposer. The improvement allows for the stacked die to be selectively tested by an external tester or by the test circuitry included in the interposer.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a method for identifying failure patterns in electronic devices. The method begins when a limit is determined for a parameter of interest. A series of the electronic devices is then tested using the limit of the parameter of interest. Failing devices are then identified and x and y coordinate values are plotted. Pattern recognition may be used to determine if the failures shown on the coordinate plot fit a failure pattern. The limit of the parameter of interest is then regressed in steps to the mean value of the failing devices and the electronic devices are retested. The failure pattern of the retested devices is examined to determine if the failure pattern fits a failure pattern. If the failure pattern fits a failure pattern then the parameter of interest may be found to affect the yield rate of production for the electronic devices.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a first circuit layer that includes a first wireless power transfer (WPT) device, a first chip electrically connected to the first circuit layer, and a first tracking circuit disposed in the first chip. The first WPT device may be configured to extract energy from an electromagnetic signal and provide an output voltage. The first tracking circuit may be powered by the output voltage of the first WPT device and may output tracking data in response to an instruction extracted from the electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A device test architecture and a reduced device test interface are provided to enable efficient testing of embedded cores and other circuits within devices. The reduced device test interface is achieved using a double data rate (DDR) signaling technique between the tester and the device. The DDR test interface allows the tester to interface to test circuits within the device, such as IEEE 1500 and/or IEEE 1149.1 test circuits, to provide high test data bandwidth to the test circuits using a minimum of test interface signals. The test architecture includes compare circuits that allow for comparison of test response data to be performed within the device. The test architecture further includes a memory for storing the results of the test response comparisons. The test architecture includes a programmable test controller to allow for various test control operations by simply inputting an instruction to the programmable test controller from the external tester.

Abstract: A scan chain latch circuit, a method of operating a latch circuit in a scan chain, and a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a data structure defining a scan chain latch circuit for instantiation on a semiconductor die are disclosed. In an embodiment, the scan chain latch circuit comprises a first latch for holding one data value, a second latch for holding another data value, and a multiplexor. The one data value is applied to a first data input of the multiplexor and the another data value is applied to a second data input of the multiplexor. An alternating clock signal is applied to a select input of the multiplexor to control the output of the multiplexor, wherein the output of the multiplexor toggles between the two data values held in the two latches at a defined frequency.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatuses for allowing a controller to select and access different types of access ports in a device. The selecting and accessing of the access ports is achieved using only the dedicated TDI, TMS, TCK, and TDO signal terminals of the device. The selecting and accessing of device access ports can be achieved when a single device is connected to the controller, when multiple devices are placed in a daisy-chain arrangement and connected to the controller, or when multiple devices are placed in a addressable parallel arrangement and connected to the controller. Additional embodiments are also provided and described in the disclosure.

Abstract: According to the disclosure, the electric motor is electrically commutated with the aid of circuitry, in which the phase current experiences a zero crossing at certain time points per motor phase. Owing to the inductive load portion, the time of said zero crossing of a phase current occurs at different times to the time of the zero crossing that would arise with purely ohmic loads. Without a faulty load condition, the time of said zero crossing is within an expected value range (e.g., expected time window) which can be determined by the circuitry, the ambient conditions and by diverse motor parameters.

Abstract: An abnormality determining apparatus for a motor driven mechanism includes circuitry. The circuitry is configured to acquire time-series data with respect to an input to and an output from a motor which drives the motor driven mechanism, detect data abnormality in the time-series data, and determine, based on the data abnormality, whether mechanical abnormality in the motor driven mechanism occurs.

Abstract: A battery system includes a battery that couples to an electrical system. The battery system also includes a battery control module that electrically couples to the battery. The battery control module monitors at least one monitored parameter of the battery, and the battery control module recursively calculates a first capacity estimation of the battery using two linear regression models based on at least an equivalent circuit model, the at least one monitored parameter, and a Kalman filter.

Abstract: A battery system includes a battery that couples to an electrical system. The battery system also includes a battery control module that electrically couples to the battery. The battery control module performs a parallel current integration process on an initial state of charge using an actual capacity and a candidate capacity of the battery. Additionally, the battery control module performs a directional comparison between an estimated state of charge of the battery and results of the parallel current integration process.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery. A controller is configured to operate the traction battery according to a capacity estimate. The capacity estimate is based on a difference between a current-based estimation and a voltage-based estimation of a change in battery state of charge over a time interval. The difference is evaluated over a predetermined number of time intervals. When more than a predetermined percentage of the differences exceed a threshold, the capacity estimate is updated based on an average of the differences.

Abstract: A method for operating a battery system in a vehicle that includes multiple battery units is described. The method includes classifying an instantaneous aging state of the battery units, first association of the battery units with instantaneous aging classes as a function of their instantaneous aging state, predicting a future aging state of the battery units for a future point in time, second association of the battery units with future aging classes as a function of their future aging state, ascertaining an optimal point in time for replacing battery units based on a cost function, taking into account the instantaneous aging classes and the future aging classes. A battery management system that is configured for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A method for determining a recommended maintenance interval for a fleet of units as a function of the operational profile of each unit within the fleet. Models are created at the failure mode level for each component of interest. Models for all of the individual failure modes are combined to result in an operational metric of interest which a business owning the fleet of units may prefer to hold constant for each unit in the fleet. Design evaluation tools may be utilized to evaluate boundaries. A system for determining the recommended maintenance interval.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a board, a magnetoresistance element group including first and second magnetoresistance elements disposed on the board, and a magnet group including a first magnet corresponding to the first magnetoresistance element and a second magnet corresponding to the second magnetoresistance element. This magnetic sensor can have a small size and high accuracy.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor based on two anti-ferromagnetically coupled magnetic layers separated by multilayer graphene, prepared in a single sputter chamber without a vacuum break.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system uses a superconducting magnet having a primary coil structure and a shielding coil layer. The primary coil structure comprises at least three sets of coils with significantly different inner diameters, forming a three-bore magnet structure. The three bores are coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis, with the largest diameter first bore on one side of the magnet and the smallest diameter third bore on another side of the magnet, as well as a medium diameter second bore located axially between the first and the third bores. The first bore allows access for the head and shoulders and permits the head to enter into the second bore for imaging, while the patient's extremities (hands, legs) may access through the third bore for producing images of the extremity joints. The magnet may also be used for other specialist imaging where use of a whole-body MRI is unwarranted, such as the imaging of neonates.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for determining a B1 field map in a scanner of the apparatus, the B1 field map describing a local field distribution of a B1 field resulting from excitation pulses radiated in a measurement sequence, first and second measured values are acquired from a region in which nuclear spins are excited by an excitation pulse having an assigned flip angle, and a provisional flip angle is determined from the first and second measured values. A correction factor, dependent on the pulse shape of a selected excitation pulse, is then determined, and the provisional flip angle is multiplied thereby to obtain a corrected value for entry into said B1 field map.

Abstract: A method for generating at least one acquisition template for an acquisition of magnetic resonance signals, an acquisition template generating unit, a magnetic resonance apparatus and a computer program product. At least one acquisition template is generated with an acquisition template generating unit. The at least one acquisition template has a plurality of spiral-like spokes in a k-space, each spoke having a plurality of spiral points.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, including a radio frequency (RF) transmitter configured to transmit a plurality of excitation RF pulses to an object, and to transmit a refocusing RF pulse to the object within a repetition time (TR) period after transmitting the plurality of excitation RF pulses; and a controller configured to control the RF transmitter to transmit a plurality of first additional gradient magnetic fields corresponding to the plurality of excitation RF pulses in order to spoil a plurality of free induction decay (FID) signals produced by the plurality of excitation RF pulses, and to transmit a plurality of second additional gradient magnetic fields corresponding to the plurality of excitation RF pulses in order to generate a plurality of spin echo signals corresponding to the spoiled plurality of FID signals; and an RF receiver configured to acquire the generated plurality of spin echo signals.

Abstract: An MRI method includes detecting movement of an object while a protocol is executed to capture an image of a region of the object, and outputting information indicating occurrence of the movement, based on a value of a movement amount.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for performing an adjustment of the MR system, an examination object under is divided into at least one excitation volume. First adjustment parameters for the at least one excitation volume of the object, and second adjustment parameters for the at least one excitation volume of the object, which differ from the first adjustment parameters are determined. First MR signals are acquired from the at least one excitation volume using the first adjustment parameters. Second MR signals are acquired from an excitation volume using the second adjustment parameters. A first MR image of the at least one excitation volume is reconstructed using the first MR signal. A second MR image of the at least one excitation volume is reconstructed using the second MR signal.

Abstract: A phantom calibration body (12) for calibrating diffusion MRI device (16) that mimics a material such as a mammalian tissue is disclosed. The phantom calibration body (12) includes a homogeneous aqueous solution (30) that contains a mixture of low molecular-weight and high molecular-weight polymers housed in a container (14) that is placed in the diffusion MRI device (16) for obtaining one or more diffusion MRI images of the phantom calibration body (12). A measure of diffusivity is calculated for each of the one or more diffusion MRI images in order to calibrate the diffusion MRI device. Methods of using the phantom calibration body (12) to calibrate diffusion MRI device (16) are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated electron spin resonance (ESR) circuit chip includes a chip substrate, a transmitter circuit, and a receiver circuit. The transmitter circuit and receiver circuit are disposed on the chip substrate. The transmitter circuit includes an oscillator circuit configured to generate an oscillating output signal and a power amplifier (PA) circuit configured to generate an amplified oscillating output signal based on the oscillating output signal. The receiver circuit receives an ESR signal from an ESR probe. The receiver circuit includes a receiver amplifier circuit configured to generate an amplified ESR signal based on the received ESR signal, a mixer circuit configured to receive the amplified ESR signal and to down-convert the amplified ESR signal to a baseband signal, and a baseband amplifier circuit configured to generate an amplified baseband signal based on the baseband signal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided to estimate angle of arrival of wireless signals. An electronic device may include two or more antennas that receive a wireless transmission. The wireless transmission includes a first frequency signal at a first frequency and a second frequency signal at a second frequency. The electronic device includes angle of arrival logic that may determine one or more angles of arrival of the wireless transmission to the electronic device using phase difference on arrival based on each of the first and second frequency signals.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating a position of an electronic label in an area are provided. A plurality of devices is distributed over the area. Information is obtained about signal strengths recorded at the respective devices when attempting to receive a wireless signal transmitted by the electronic label. Weights are formed for positions associated with the devices, based on the signal strengths recorded at the corresponding devices. The position of the electronic label is estimated as a weighted average including the positions, wherein the positions are weighted by the weights. In some embodiments, information is instead obtained about signal strengths recorded at the electronic label when attempting to receive wireless signals transmitted by the respective devices. The present method may for example be employed to estimate a position of a product in a retail store.

Abstract: A method of positioning a group of subordinate communications units relative to a coordinating communications unit, the method comprising the following steps: the coordinating unit transmitting a specific identification table to each subordinate unit; each unit transmitting its UWB signature; each unit analyzing the received UWB signatures and determining the distances between that unit and each of the other units; each subordinate unit transmitting to the coordinating unit the distances between that subordinate unit and each of the other units; and the coordinating unit determining the relative positions of the subordinate units.

Abstract: A variety of methods, controllers and algorithms are described for fusing sensor data obtained from different vehicles for use in the at least partial automatic control of a particular vehicle. The described techniques are well suited for use in conjunction with a variety of different vehicle control applications including platooning, convoying and other connected driving applications including tractor-trailer truck platooning applications.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus, comprises a light irradiating unit configured to irradiate an object with light; a probe configured to receive an acoustic wave generated from the object and convert into an electrical signal; a characteristic information acquiring unit configured to acquire characteristic information relating to the object based on the electrical signal; an area information acquiring unit configured to acquire information relating to a reachable area of the light; a location detecting unit configured to acquire an operator location; and a determining unit configured to determine whether the operator location is in a first state where the operator location overlaps with the reachable area of the light or a second state where the operator location does not overlap with the reachable area of the light.

Abstract: A personal area radar is provided to permit a user to be aware of their surroundings. This may be in 360 degrees or any other suitable coverage area and angle. The personal area radar can show objects to the user through fog, smoke, precipitation, darkness and with full 360 degree field of view capability, significantly improving the user's overall situational awareness. They may also be used to view things that are behind solid objects such as in or behind walls or underground. These systems may be highly integrated phased array radar systems mounted on a helmet. They may use small, high frequency radars able to detect solid objects (and/or semi-solid objects) such as people, improvised explosive devices (IED), or other solid objects. These methods and systems may provide the user with 360 degrees view and awareness of objects regardless of external conditions such as weather, darkness or other obstructions.

Abstract: A radar apparatus includes a signal generation unit and a temperature sensing means. The signal generation unit is arranged to generate radar signals at an output power and has an output for the radar signals. The temperature sensing means has an output and is arranged to produce an output signal indicative of a temperature of at least part of the radar apparatus. The output of the temperature sensor is coupled to the signal generation unit. The signal generation unit is configured so the output power is a first power when the output signal is indicative of a temperature within a first temperature range and is a second power lower than the first power when the output signal is indicative of a temperature within a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range.

Abstract: Provided is a safety scanner capable of easily grasping the correspondence relationship between a distance measurement position on a scanning plane and a real space. The safety scanner includes a distance measurement section that obtains distance measurement information corresponding to a distance optically sensed and a scanning angle of a detection light, an intrusion sensing section that senses an intruder within the protection area on the basis of the distance measurement information and a area designation information, a marker identification section that identifies a marker movably disposed within the detection area, and the distance measurement information of the marker as an area generation information for determining the protection area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laser light transceiver which is configured so as to include a polarization changing unit 2 for outputting a laser light beam outputted from a transmission light source 1 toward a direction corresponding to the polarization of the laser light beam while changing the polarization of the laser light beam with respect to time. As a result, the laser light transceiver can transmit a laser light beam, whose power is not decreased, in two eye directions without mechanically scanning with the laser light beam.

Abstract: Provided is a safety scanner capable of obtaining uniform optical performance for a view angle of 180° or more. The safety scanner includes an optical rotator that emits detection light from a light source to a detection area and causes the detection light to perform scanning in a circumferential direction, a light receiving element that receives reflected light from an object within the detection area through the optical rotator, a casing that houses the light receiving element. The casing includes a canopy part, a bottom part facing the canopy part, and a coupling part that couples a rear end of the canopy part to a rear end of the bottom part. The protective cover includes a window formed in a circular arc shape, corresponding to an optical path of the detection light and the reflected light, having a central angle larger than 180° with respect to the rotation axis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiment of an adaptive ladar receiver and associated method whereby the active pixels in a photodetector array used for reception of ladar pulse returns can be adaptively controlled based at least in part on where the ladar pulses were targeted. Additional embodiments disclose improved imaging optics for use by the receiver and further adaptive control techniques for selecting which pixels of the photodetector array are used for sensing incident light.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scanning ladar transmitter that employs an optical field splitter/inverter to improve the gaze characteristics of the ladar transmitter on desirable portions of a scan area. Also disclosed is the use of scan patterns such as Lissajous scan patterns for a scanning ladar transmitter where a phase drift is induced into the scanning to improve the gaze characteristics of the ladar transmitter on desirable portions of the scan area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scanning ladar transmitter that employs an optical field splitter/inverter to improve the gaze characteristics of the ladar transmitter on desirable portions of a scan area. Also disclosed is the use of scan patterns such as Lissajous scan patterns for a scanning ladar transmitter where a phase drift is induced into the scanning to improve the gaze characteristics of the ladar transmitter on desirable portions of the scan area.