Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a measuring arrangement for identifying insulation faults and line defects occurring in a modularly set-up voltage source during the production process as soon as possible. Simultaneously to the assembly progress, electrical parameters, such as the leakage resistance and the leakage capacitance, are determined. Furthermore, it is ensured by means of monitoring a connection in the mostly automated production process that the measuring arrangement is properly connected to the voltage source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining a reduction of remaining service lifetime of an electrical device during a specific time period. A measurement system is provided comprising a temperature measurement device, a current measurement device and a voltage measurement device. A temperature value, voltage values and current values are measured by using the measurement device. A harmonic load is determined based on the current values. A reduced maximum operating temperature is determined based on the harmonic load. An amount of transient over-voltages is determined based on the voltage values. A transient aging factor is determined based on the amount of transient over-voltages. A temperature dependent aging factor is determined based on the temperature value and the reduced maximum operating temperature. Finally, the reduction of remaining service life is determined based on the specific time period, the transient aging factor and the temperature dependent aging factor.

Abstract: A motor drive apparatus includes a converter, a DC link capacitor, a plurality of inverters, a diagnosis command unit configured to give a command to one of the plurality of inverters to perform power conversion, an AC voltage detection unit configured to detect a peak value of AC voltage on an AC input side of the converter, a DC voltage detection unit configured to detect a value of DC voltage across the DC link capacitor, a calculation unit to calculate a difference between the value of DC voltage and the peak value of AC voltage, a storage unit configured to store the difference in association with the inverters, and a leakage current determination unit configured to determine that the inverter associated with the largest of the differences stored in the storage unit is the inverter that has caused the largest leakage current.

Abstract: A failure tolerant capacitor device comprises a plurality of capacitor elements connected in parallel. For each capacitor element, there is a detection element and a connection element. The detection element is adapted for detecting a capacitor voltage across the capacitor element falling below a predefined voltage threshold and/or for detecting a capacitor current through the capacitor element raising above a predefined current threshold and for turning off the connection element when the capacitor voltage is below the predefined voltage threshold and/or the capacitor current is above the predefined current threshold. The connection element is adapted for disconnecting the capacitor element from other ones of the plurality of parallel connected capacitor elements when turned off. The detection element and the connection element each include a transistor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate and a connector mounted on or to the substrate. The connector is configured to be physically coupled to an external component. The apparatus also includes a first electrical path electrically coupling one or more circuit components to the connector. The apparatus further includes a second electrical path electrically coupling the connector to a terminal pad. The second electrical path is physically separate from the first electrical path, and the second electrical path is electrically coupled to the first electrical path by the connector. The terminal pad may be configured to receive, over the second electrical path, a signal provided from the one or more circuit components to the connector over the first electrical path. A presence of the signal from the one or more circuit components at the terminal pad may be indicative of a proper electrical connection between the connector and the one or more circuit components.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a disturbance in a power system is provided. The method includes receiving data from a plurality of sensors distributed across the power system; performing a recurrence quantification analysis on the received data to identify a predetermined number of sensors, from the plurality of sensors, that are closest to the disturbance; constructing a plurality of minimum-volume-enclosing ellipsoids based on and enclosing the data received from the identified sensors; extracting one or more parameters from the plurality of minimum-volume-enclosing ellipsoids; inputting the one or more parameters into a multivariate-random-forest regression algorithm to determine the location of the disturbance and a power mismatch corresponding to the disturbance; and presenting, on one or more display units, the determined location of the disturbance and the determined power mismatch.

Abstract: Electric power systems and methods are provided that detect an islanding condition. The systems and methods include components to inject a perturbation current at a power output, based upon a perturbation current signal, and receive a voltage signal from the power output. The systems and methods cross-correlate the perturbation current signal with the voltage signal to provide a cross-correlation signal, and determine an island condition based upon the cross-correlation signal.

Abstract: An abraded wire detection system (“AWDS”) for detecting an abrasion on a wire in a fuel tank is disclosed. The AWDS includes an electrode on the fuel tank, a power source, and a current sensor in electrical series with the power source, wire, and the electrode. The current sensor includes circuitry that detects a current from the wire to the electrode. Additionally disclosed is an aircraft having a fuel tank, a wire within the fuel tank, and the AWDS.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a system manufacturer, system test data for a plurality of electronic systems. Each of the plurality of electronic systems includes a plurality of electronic components. The method also includes determining a relationship between a set of electronic components from the plurality of electronic components and the electronic systems upon which the electronic components of the set of electronic components are assembled and receiving, from a component manufacturer, manufacturing attributes for the set of electronic components. The method further includes selecting a data subset from the system test data corresponding to a subgroup of the set of electronic components. The subgroup includes components from a same fabrication cluster. Additionally, the method includes identifying an outlier relative to the data subset and communicating information about the outlier to at least one of the system manufacturer or the component manufacturer.

Abstract: A method includes receiving system test data for a plurality of electronic systems. Each of the electronic systems includes a plurality of electronic components. The method also includes determining a relationship between a set of electronic components and the electronic systems upon which the electronic components of the set of electronic components are assembled and receiving manufacturing attributes including spatial data for the set of electronic components. The method further includes selecting a data subset from the system test data corresponding to a subgroup of the set of electronic components. The subgroup includes components within an area defined on a substrate according to a spatial pattern and that is fewer than all of the set of electronic components on the substrate. Additionally, the method includes identifying an outlier relative to the data subset and communicating information about the outlier to at least one of a system or a component manufacturer.

Abstract: A test system is a test system for conducting a test including a static characteristic test of a device under test, the test system comprising: a plurality of static characteristic units used for measurement of the static characteristic test; and a replacement unit configured to be able to attach and detach specific units among the plurality of static characteristic units, the specific units selectively used according to a measurement item.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining an output voltage of a transistor (10), the transistor (10) comprising an input electrode (G), a first output electrode (C) and a second output electrode (E), the potential of the first output electrode (C) being higher than the potential of the second output electrode (E), the output voltage being the difference in potential between the first output electrode (C) and the second output electrode (E), the method comprising: a step for measuring the evolution over time of a control voltage of the transistor (10), the control voltage being the difference in potential between the input electrode (G) and the second output electrode (E), and determining the output voltage from the measured control voltage.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an automatic integrated circuit (IC) handler having a change kit. The change kit has a plunger moveably disposable onto an automatic test equipment (ATE). In such embodiments, the ATE is configured to receive an integrated circuit having an optical interface. The plunger has a first position and a second position. In such embodiments, the plunger is out of contact with the integrated circuit when the plunger is in the first position. The plunger includes an optical connector operatively coupled to the optical interface of the integrated circuit when the plunger is in the second position.

Abstract: An isolation system includes a transmit die and a receive die coupled by an isolation channel. The transmit die receives diagnostic data at an input terminal and transmits the diagnostic data over an isolation channel to a receive die. The receive die supplies a signal from an internal node in the receive die identified by the diagnostic data to an output terminal of the receive die. Other diagnostic data received by the transmit die causes the transmit die to supply a signal from an internal node in the transmit die to a terminal of the transmit die.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method of handling devices comprising the steps of, receiving a tray on which devices to be tested are supported, into a flipping station; positioning the tray under a boat, so that the devices which are supported on the tray are sandwiched between the tray and a surface of the boat which can support devices, to form a first stack; flipping the first stack, so that the tray is positioned over the boat, to cause the devices to fall, under the influence of gravity, away from the tray to become supported on the surface of the boat, thereby transferring the devices from the tray to the surface of the boat; moving the boat to a testing station and testing the devices on the boat; receiving the boat of tested devices into the flipping station; positioning a tray over the boat, so that the devices which are supported on the surface of the boat are sandwiched between the surface of the boat and tray to form a second stack; flipping the second stack so that the bo

Abstract: A semiconductor device inspection system (1) includes a laser beam source (2), for emitting light, an optical sensor (12) for detecting the light reflected by the semiconductor device (10) from the light and outputting a detection signal, a frequency band setting unit (16) for setting a measurement frequency band and a reference frequency band with respect to the detection signal, a spectrum analyzer (15) for generating a measurement signal and a reference signal from the detection signals in the measurement frequency band and the reference frequency band, and a signal acquisition unit (17) for calculating a difference between the measurement signal and the reference signal to acquire an analysis signal. The frequency band setting unit (16) sets the reference frequency band to a frequency domain in which a level of the detection signal is lower than a level obtained by adding 3 decibels to a white noise level serving as a reference.

Abstract: A method of testing an IC chip having a plurality of programmable blocks and at least one memory. The method includes configuring a first programmable block of the plurality of programmable blocks with scan test logic for carrying out a scan test on other ones of the plurality of programmable blocks. The method further includes generating scan patterns and expected results for the scan test outside the IC chip. The generated scan patterns and expected results are loaded into the memory. The scan patterns from the memory are injected into the other programmable blocks. An output response of the other programmable blocks to the scan patterns is obtained. The output response is compared with the expected results by the scan test logic within the first programmable block. A scan test result based on the comparison between the output response and the expected results is provided.

Abstract: Computer device(s), apparatus(es), and methods enable and/or perform interface independent test boot of a System on Chip (SoC). A test Direct Memory Access hardware unit (test DMA) and an Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) hardware unit suspend a processor core of the SoC, download a test case, perform a seamless switch into functional mode of the SoC, and execute the downloaded test case. The test DMA may mediate between the ATE and internal memory in the SoC.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an event message generator configured to generate an event message. The apparatus further includes a filter circuit configured to receive the event message and to send a first portion of the event message to a destination device. The filter circuit is further configured to selectively send a second portion of the event message to the destination device at least partially based on an event traffic load associated with the destination device.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for testing and debugging different subsystems of an embedded controller using a testing architecture. The testing architecture can simulate messaging interfaces between internal subsystems of the embedded controller and external subsystems the controllers interacts with to integrate various types of software. A method includes generating test support models for one or more subsystems and establishing a communications network between the test support models and a control module of the embedded controller. A clock signal is generated to initiate processing within the testing architecture between the control module and the test support models. An event model is executed at the test support models using the clock signal and data is generated at one or more of the test support models responsive to the event model. The data can correspond to operational parameters of a respective system the embedded controller.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for testing a stator core of a generator are presented. The apparatus includes a power supply. The power supply provides an excitation current having a base frequency. A frequency convertor is connected to the power supply. The frequency convertor converts the base frequency of the excitation current to an excitation frequency that is greater than the base frequency. An excitation cable connects the frequency convertor to a rotor at two axial ends. The rotor is excited by the excitation current with the excitation frequency as a single excitation winding for simulating an operation state of the generator causing hot spots on the stator core without overheating the rotor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting faults are provided. A method for determining a fault condition for a component of a drivetrain in a wind turbine can include receiving an acoustic signal from an acoustic signal measuring device. The method can further include receiving a vibration signal from a vibration signal measuring device. The method can further include analyzing the acoustic signal to determine an analyzed acoustic signal. The method can further include analyzing the vibration signal to determine an analyzed vibration signal. The method can further include determining a fault condition for the component based at least in part on the analyzed acoustic signal and analyzed vibration signal. The fault condition can further be determined based at least in part on an analyzed electrical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a state of health of a battery pack and a computer-readable medium are provided, the method including: detecting changes of health indicators of every battery unit in the battery pack, determining whether the battery unit has a correction opportunity for a state of charge thereof during a predetermined period of time based on the detected changes of the health indicators, calculating corrected states of charge and one or more of cumulative changes in capacity between every two correction opportunities of a battery unit having two or more correction opportunities, obtaining a first estimated state of health of the battery unit having two or more correction opportunities based on the above data and estimating the state of health of the battery pack based on the first estimated state of health of the battery unit having two or more correction opportunities.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus (10) for monitoring at least one battery cell (20) of a battery system (100), having a sensor element (11) for detecting at least one state variable of the battery cell (20), at least one electrically and/or thermally conductive connecting element (12) connected to the sensor element (11) so that the sensor element can be connected to the battery cell (20) and to an electronic unit (30) of the battery system (100), wherein the connecting element (12) is formed as a flexible printed circuit board (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a cycle test method for at least one rechargeable battery (1) having, in particular, a single-battery emergency lamp (2) as a load, wherein the battery (1) is connected to a supply device (3) for charging/discharging at the location of use, comprising the following steps: i) charging the battery (1) by means of the supply device (3); ii) interrupting the charging for a time, in particular a specified time, in order to lower the temperature of the battery (1); iii) discharging the battery (1) to a specified remaining voltage value; and iv) performing steps i) to iii) multiple times.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for battery modelling. The method includes acquiring battery information from a sensor attached to a battery, the battery information including at least a terminal voltage and a load current; classifying, the battery information as effective data or ineffective data based on a phase of a battery cycle during which the battery information is acquired; identifying one or more parameters of the circuit model associated with the battery based on the effective data; and generating an estimation of a state of the battery using the circuit model having the one or more parameters identified using the effective data. Further, a circuit model is identified using effective data.

Abstract: Electric power systems and methods are provided that detect an islanding condition. The systems and methods include components to inject a perturbation current at a power output, based upon a perturbation current signal, and receive a voltage signal from the power output. The systems and methods cross-correlate the perturbation current signal with the voltage signal to provide a cross-correlation signal, and determine an island condition based upon the cross-correlation signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method enabling a self-burn-in test for a power supply device (PSD) of a server system using a multi-phase scheme. The PSD comprises a power-width modulation (PWM) controller, and a plurality of power stages. Each of the plurality of power stages comprises a driver, a high-side MOSFET, and a low-side MOSFET. In one aspect of the present disclosure, upon receiving a test mode command from a controller of the server system, the PWM controller can send a PWM signal to switch a specific power stage to the On state, and send at least another PWM signal that switches other power stage(s) of the plurality of power stages to the Tri-state. During a subsequent self-burn-in test of the specific power stage, low-side MOSFET(s) of the other power stage(s) can function as a load for the specific power stage.

Abstract: A method includes generating a bias signal from a first device, and applying the bias signal to a second device, the first device having (a) a superconducting trace and (b) a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), in which a first terminal of the SQUID is electrically coupled to a first end of the superconducting trace, and a second terminal of the SQUID is electrically coupled to a second end of the superconducting trace, where generating the bias signal from the first device includes: applying a first signal ?1 to a first sub-loop of the SQUID; and applying a second signal ?2 to a second sub-loop of the SQUID, in which the first signal ?1 and the second signal ?2 are applied such that a value of a superconducting phase of the first device is incremented or decremented by a non-zero integer multiple n of 2?.

Abstract: A method of compensating for an effect of temperature includes providing a set of magnetic sensors arranged along a sensing path. Each magnetic sensor is adapted to sense a magnetic field created by a magnetic actuator which can move along the sensing path and to provide a sensing signal indicative of a position and/or a displacement of the magnetic actuator relative to the sensing path. The method includes selecting one or more magnetic sensors from the set of magnetic sensors for use as temperature sensors, estimating a distribution of temperature over at least a portion of the sensing path based on the sensing signals output by the one or more magnetic sensors selected as temperature sensors, and compensating for the effect of temperature on the sensing signals output by one or more magnetic sensors of the set of magnetic sensors using the distribution of temperature that was estimated.

Abstract: A device for detection of magnetic permeability (?) or, alternatively, relative magnetic permeability (?r) or, alternatively relative magnetic susceptibility (?r-) of a sample is described. The device comprises a sample chamber having at least one opening for introduction of a sample or a sample container holding a sample and an electronic circuit. The device also comprises a coil surrounding said sample chamber, and also an electronic circuit adapted to measure the inductance of said coil. The sample chamber, coil and at least one component of the electronic circuit are placed in a temperature controlled zone. Said at least one component in said electronic circuit is/are selected from the group consisting of capacitors, sensors, precision voltage references, precision regulators, low pass and or high pass filters.

Abstract: One example includes a magnetometer system. The system includes a sensor cell comprising alkali metal vapor and a laser system configured to provide an optical pump beam through the sensor cell in a pulsed manner to facilitate precession of the alkali metal vapor in response to an external magnetic field and to provide an optical probe beam through the sensor cell in a pulsed manner based on a precession frequency of the alkali metal vapor. The system also includes a detection system configured to detect the precession of the alkali metal vapor in response to a detection beam corresponding to the optical probe beam exiting the sensor cell and to calculate an amplitude and direction of the external magnetic field based on the detected precession of the alkali metal vapor.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) body coil is provided with a supporting surface for support on an object to be examined and an outer side remote from the support side, wherein at least one light source is fastened to the outer side at a predefined position. A magnetic resonance system has at least one MR body coil and an image acquisition device for acquiring light, which may be radiated by the at least one light source of the at least one MR body coil. A method is used for operating a MR body coil, wherein at least one light source radiates light for positioning the MR body coil. A further method is used for positioning a MR body coil on an object to be examined, wherein at least one light source fastened to a MR body coil radiates light, the light is acquired by an image acquisition device, which includes at least one camera, and at least one position of the at least one light source is determined by the acquisition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a local coil for a magnetic resonance scanner, which has a receiving antenna and a signal converter, and is coupled to a patient table by a signal line in terms of signal communication. The receiving antenna receives an analog magnetic resonance signal in a first signal frequency range, wherein the analog magnetic resonance signal is converted into a digital magnetic resonance signal by the signal converter and is frequency-shifted such that the digital magnetic resonance signal is shifted into a second signal frequency range that does not overlap with, and is preferably higher than, the first signal frequency range.

Abstract: An RF choke resonator assembly has a cylindrical magnetic field shielding case with openings at two ends thereof, a magnetic field shielding plate and a winding skeleton, and a capacitive plate inside the case. The magnetic field shielding plate closes the opening at one end of the case, and has a through-hole allowing a cable to pass there through. The cable is wound on the winding skeleton. The capacitive plate is disposed opposite the magnetic field shielding plate in the case, separated therefrom by the winding skeleton, and is electrically connected to the case in a closed manner. The capacitive plate has a through-hole allowing the cable to pass there through. The capacitive plate is remote from the other opening case end opposite the opening closed by the magnetic field shielding plate. An insulation space is formed at that other opening, having a length in the axial direction greater than or equal to one quarter of the length of the magnetic field shielding case in the axial direction.

Abstract: A coupler includes a first and second coupler element, with a respective first and second transmission element. In an embodiment, a first signal contact for connection to a signal conductor is arranged on a first end of the first transmission element; a second signal contact for connection to a signal conductor is arranged on a first end of the second transmission element; the first transmission element forms a plurality of first U-shaped curves between the first end and a second end; and the second transmission element forms a plurality of second U-shaped curves between the first end and a second end. The first transmission element is configured, in operation, to transmit a signal supplied at the first signal contact to the second transmission element via directional coupling and the second transmission element is configured, in operation, to receive and output the signal via the second signal contact.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) includes: an outer shell (211); an inner vessel (212) disposed within the outer shell; a cold head (260) having a first stage (261) disposed within the outer shell, and having a second stage (262) for contacting an interior of the inner vessel; a vent (215) extending from the interior of the inner vessel to the exterior of the outer shell; first and second heat exchangers (302a, 302b); a first thermal shield (213) disposed between the inner vessel and the outer shell; and a second thermal shield (214) disposed between the inner vessel and the first thermal shield. The first thermal shield is thermally connected to the first stage of the cold head and the first heat exchanger and is thermally isolated from the inner vessel and outer shell. The second thermal shield is thermally connected to the second heat exchanger and is thermally isolated from the inner vessel, outer shell, first thermal shield, and cold head.

Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method, system, and sensing device for downhole measurements. The NMR device for characterizing a subterranean zone comprises a tool body, a magnetic element, and a radio frequency coil. The tool body comprises an uphole end and a downhole end, where a longitudinal axis extends through the uphole end and downhole end. The magnetic element is located within the tool body and generates a static magnetic field (B0) in a longitudinal direction at a region of the subterranean zone. The radio frequency coil is located within the tool body and generates a radio frequency magnetic field (B1). The magnetic element and the radio frequency coil enable a side-looking NMR mode.

Abstract: An offset map is determined in advance by a preliminary measurement process. A phase map is generated by execution of a long ? pulse sequence. A magnetic field map is calculated based on a phase map and a phase offset map. A shim adjustment is performed based on the magnetic field map. The offset map is calculated based on a first phase map acquired by execution of a first pulse sequence, a second phase map acquired by execution of a second pulse sequence, and a ratio ? related to phase evolution periods.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging method comprises performing imaging where more than one polarizing magnetic field strength is used during scanning and processing at least one image resulting from the scanning to yield an enhanced contrast image.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance measurement sequence, an inversion pulse is applied that acts on a longitudinal magnetization of a first spin species and a second spin species, for example on a water portion and a fat portion. An excitation pulse is applied after a predetermined time period. At least one manipulation pulse is subsequently applied, respectively with associated gradient pulse.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance slice multiplexing method and apparatus, measurements are performed repeatedly subject to the assignment of additional phases to the respective slices, the additionally assigned phases being changed with reach repetition such that at least one central k-space region is sampled completely in each of the repeated acquisitions. A calibration dataset is determined from the measurement data acquired completely in the central k-space region. The calibration dataset is used when reconstructing image data for the simultaneously excited slices from the acquired measurement data.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of at least one ferromagnetic particle in an object or a liquid matrix with an MRI system (50). An MRI measurement sequence is applied to a measurement volume (52), in which the particle is situated. At least two projections are recorded per spatial direction, wherein a read gradient is switched in each case for recording a one-dimensional projection in each case. A preselected parameter is modified for each of the two projections and the spatial position of the ferromagnetic particle is ascertained with the aid of the two projections. This facilitates a more reliable and precise determination of the position of a ferromagnetic particle or a bunch of ferromagnetic particles in a liquid matrix, wherein this position is determined in a very short time and requires the application of only a very low pulse in the process.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for generating an approximated trace-weighted MR image of a subject, at least three diffusion-weighted MR images of the subject are created, based on different diffusion encoding directions and diffusion gradient fields with essentially equal diffusion encoding strengths. A weighting factor is determined by an optimization method based on spatial inhomogeneities of the diffusion gradient fields for each image point of the at least three diffusion-weighted MR images. Based on the weighting factors, the at least three diffusion-weighted MR images are combined to generate the approximated trace-weighted MR image. Furthermore, an ADC map is determined based on approximated trace-weighted images and the effective diffusion encoding strength. Furthermore, a trace-weighted MR image is synthesized with nominal diffusion encoding strength based on a trace-weighted image with effective diffusion encoding strength.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes sequence control circuitry and processing circuitry. The sequence control circuitry executes two pulse sequences, thereby acquiring two pieces of data, each of the two pulse sequences being a pulse sequence in which the sequence control circuitry acquires data after applying a short inversion time recovery (STIR) pulse while concurrently applying a gradient magnetic field for spatial selection and each of the two pulse sequences being executed in two different timings by the sequence control circuitry. The processing circuitry generates an image by performing a subtraction processing between the two pieces of data acquired by the sequence control circuitry.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a device for determining a piece of information on a position of a transmitter, comprising an antenna device, a signal processing device and a data processing device. Thus, the antenna device comprises several different directional characteristics, the directional characteristics each relating to at least a set of spatially different receive sensitivities of the antenna device. The antenna device receives signals from the transmitter with different directional characteristics, the signal processing device processing the signals received and establishing a respective amplitude value of a field strength. The data processing device establishes the information on the position of the transmitter based on the directional characteristics and the amplitude values having been established for the associated signals received. Additionally, a corresponding method is disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for estimating angle of arrival of a radio signal in a radio communications network. A method is performed by a receiving radio transceiver device. The method comprises obtaining measurements of the radio signal as received in two receive beams covering a given angular sector. The two receive beams are created by analog beamforming in an antenna array. The receive beams have different complex beam patterns and at any angle within the given angular sector at most one of the complex beam patterns has gain below a threshold. The method comprises estimating the angle of arrival of the radio signal by comparing a complex amplitude of the measurements in the two receive beams to a discriminator function.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a device for determining a piece of information on a position of a transmitter, having an antenna device and a data processing device. The antenna device receives signals emanating from the transmitter and has a distinguished directional characteristic which relates to a set of spatially different receive sensitivities of the antenna device. The distinguished directional characteristic has a sensitivity minimum associated to a spatial detection region. The data processing device evaluates the signals received from the antenna device with the distinguished directional characteristic, as regards the position of the transmitter relative to the detection region. In addition, a corresponding method is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for distinguishing devices (1, 2) receive position information from position sensors (13, 23) defining positions of the devices (1, 2), and receive direction information from direction sensors (14, 24) defining directions of the devices (1, 2), and analyze the direction information. The devices (1, 2) can be distinguished from each other, even in case they are located closer to each other than the accuracies of their position sensors (13, 23). First devices (1) comprise first drivers (11) for driving first loads (15), and first controllers (12) for controlling the first drivers (11) and for receiving first position signals from first position sensors (13) and for receiving first direction signals from first direction sensors (14). The first direction sensors (14) may comprise first light detectors (16).

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.