Abstract: A posture estimation method includes calculating a posture change amount of an object based on an output of an angular velocity sensor, predicting posture information of the object by using the posture change amount, limiting a bias error in a manner of limiting a bias error component of an angular velocity around a reference vector in error information, and correcting the predicted posture information of the object based on the error information, the reference vector, and an output of a reference observation sensor.

Abstract: A method of scanning a feature with a probe, the probe comprising a cantilever mount, a cantilever extending from the cantilever mount to a free end, and a probe tip carried by the free end of the cantilever. An orientation of the probe is measured relative to a reference surface to generate a probe orientation measurement. The reference surface defines a reference surface axis which is normal to the reference surface and the probe tip has a reference tilt angle relative to the reference surface axis. A shape of the cantilever is changed in accordance with the probe orientation measurement so that the probe tip moves relative to the cantilever mount and the reference tilt angle decreases from a first reference tilt angle to a second reference tilt angle. A sample surface is scanned with the probe, wherein the sample surface defines a sample surface axis which is normal to the sample surface and the probe tip has a scanning tilt angle relative to the sample surface axis.

Abstract: An atomic-force-microscope-based apparatus and method including hardware and software, configured to collect, in a dynamic fashion, and analyze data representing mechanical properties of soft materials on a nanoscale, to map viscoelastic properties of a soft-material sample. The use of the apparatus as an addition to the existing atomic-force microscope device.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention disclose a testing apparatus and a testing device. The testing apparatus includes: a platform body; a supporting plate, fixed on an upper surface of the platform body, and configured to support an array substrate, where the supporting plate includes a plurality of metal plates arranged along a first direction, each of the metal plates extends along a second direction, and the first direction is intersected with the second direction; and a conveying apparatus, configured to convey the array substrate. In the present invention, by disposing a whole block of metal plate in the second direction, and arranging the plurality of metal plates along the first direction to form the supporting plate in the testing apparatus, the flatness of the testing apparatus is guaranteed; and during a test, the testing efficiency may be improved, and a risk of electrostatic discharge is reduced.

Abstract: A probe structure is provided with: a holding plate which has a first surface and a second surface in which at least the first surface is insulated; a plurality of electrodes which are formed on the first surface of the holding plate in such a state that the plurality of electrodes is separated from each other; and carbon nanotube structures which are erected on the electrodes 3. The holding plate is provided with through holes which correspond to the electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: Probe systems and methods are disclosed herein. The methods include directly measuring a distance between a first manipulated assembly and a second manipulated assembly, contacting first and second probes with first and second contact locations, providing a test signal to an electrical structure, and receiving a resultant signal from the electrical structure. The methods further include characterizing at least one of a probe system and the electrical structure based upon the distance. In one embodiment, the probe systems include a measurement device configured to directly measure a distance between a first manipulated assembly and a second manipulated assembly. In another embodiment, the probe systems include a probe head assembly including a platen, a manipulator operatively attached to the platen, a vector network analyzer (VNA) extender operatively attached to the manipulator, and a probe operatively attached to the VNA extender.

Abstract: Measurement apparatus and method for digital data acquisition. A first operation mode is provided for real-time processing of digital data having a reduced sample rate or resolution. Furthermore, a second operation mode is provided for processing the measurement signal off-line with a higher accuracy. In particular, the high accuracy data may be temporarily stored and analyzed upon the operation mode is changed from the real-time mode to the off-line mode.

Abstract: An autoranging ammeter with fast dynamic response allows improved dynamic measurement of rapidly changing direct electrical currents. The ammeter utilizes a low-cost dual threshold comparator mechanism coupled with an analog-to-digital converter and digital processing to rapidly select the appropriate current shunt resistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, a semiconductor system, and a control method of a semiconductor device are capable of accurately monitoring the lowest operating voltage of a circuit to be monitored. According to one embodiment, a monitor unit of a semiconductor system includes a voltage monitor that is driven by a second power supply voltage different from a first power supply voltage supplied to an internal circuit that is a circuit to be monitored and monitors the first power supply voltage, and a delay monitor that is driven by the first power supply voltage and monitors the signal propagation period of time of a critical path in the internal circuit.

Abstract: Non-fault disturbance-based method and system for measuring short-circuit capacity of a power grid on site including: connecting or disconnecting a reactive compensation device to or from a power grid point of common coupling, to generate a disturbance on a power grid; obtaining total active power and total reactive power of a load of the point of common coupling before the disturbance; determining a vector difference between a voltage of the power grid point of common coupling before the disturbance and a voltage of the power grid point of common coupling after the disturbance; obtaining a voltage effective value of the power grid point of common coupling before the disturbance; obtaining a capacity of the reactive compensation device; and determining a short-circuit capacity of the point of common coupling according to total active power, total reactive power, vector difference between voltages, voltage effective value, and capacity of the reactive compensation device.

Abstract: Improved power line management is provided by the systems and methods disclosed herein that accurately measures voltage in a power distribution system. In various embodiments, the system may include one or more sensor units, each coupled to the power lines using a capacitive or resistive voltage divider to yield a voltage at a sensor unit that is within a measurable range. In one aspect, this voltage may also be used to power the sensor unit and/or other devices coupled to it.

Abstract: Estimating energy generated by a solar system in a predetermined geographic area comprises, at each predetermined time instant: retrieving measured values of at least one weather parameter and of solar irradiance in the geographic area, the values related to a time slot before the predetermined time instant; performing auto-regression analysis of the measured values; estimating, based on the auto-regression analysis, a relationship between the at least one weather parameter and the solar irradiance; retrieving forecasted values of the at least one weather parameter in the geographic area, the forecasted values being forecasted for a second time slot after the predetermined time instant; performing regression analysis of the relationship between the at least one weather parameter and the solar irradiance of the forecasted values; forecasting solar irradiance in the second time slot based on the regression analysis, and estimating energy generated by the solar system in the second time slot.

Abstract: A method of frequency estimation. A clock output from a frequency synthesizer is received at an input of a ring encoder. The ring encoder generates outputs including a ring encoder output clock and an encoded output which represents LSBs of a clock cycle count of the clock output. A binary counter is run using the ring encoder output clock which provides an output count which represents MSBs of the clock cycle count. Using a reference clock, the encoded output is sampled to provide a sampled encoded output and the output count is sampled to provide a sampled output count. Error correcting is applied to the sampled encoded output to provide a corrected sampled encoded output. The corrected sampled encoded output and sampled output count are combined to provide a combined output which is used for estimating an instantaneous or average frequency of the clock output.

Abstract: A testing system for testing a device under test including a plurality of circuits under test includes a probe card, testing apparatus, and a controller. The probe card includes a plurality of probes temporarily coupled to the circuits under test. The testing apparatus holds the probe card and tests the circuits under test through tine probe card. The controller controls the testing apparatus and executes a testing procedure that includes: measuring the contact resistance values between the probe card and each of the circuits under test; determining a statistical value of the contact resistance values; determining whether the statistical value exceeds a first threshold; when the statistical value does not exceed the first threshold, setting a clean flag to be in a first state; otherwise, setting the clean flag to be in a second state; and performing a clean operation on the probes according to the clean flag.

Abstract: A portable device and associated method are described for use with a system in which a locating signal is transmitted from within the ground during an operational procedure. The locating signal includes a transmission frequency that is selectable from a group of discrete transmission frequencies in a frequency range and the region includes electromagnetic noise that can vary. The portable device includes a receiver having a bandwidth that includes the transmission frequency range and is operable for measuring the electromagnetic noise in the transmission frequency range to establish a frequency content of the electromagnetic noise for use in selecting one of the discrete transmission frequencies that is subsequently transmitted as the locating signal during the operational procedure. The locating signal can be transmitted from a boring tool, a pullback arrangement or an inground cable. A predicted maximum operational depth for a transmitter can be determined prior to the operational procedure.

Abstract: A resonant cavity for wireless communication measurements with respect to a device under test is provided. In this context, the resonant cavity is hollow such that the device under test is held inside the resonant cavity, preferably without directly touching the walls. Furthermore, the internal dimension of the resonant cavity is of a size such that higher order modes are generated. In addition to this, the resonant cavity comprises at least one stepped cavity located on an outer portion of the resonant cavity holding the device under test. Further additionally, each of the at least one stepped cavity is resonant at a different frequency band.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a motor vehicle on-board network with a first voltage circuit for supplying electric power to an environment sensor system with a first electrical voltage, wherein an insulation monitor is provided for the first voltage circuit to monitor the insulation resistance of the first voltage circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a portable device for testing the lighting elements of a trailer. The testing device includes a universal connector configured to receive interchangeable connector portions wherein each connector portion is adapted to fit a specific trailer lighting receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for detecting a short circuit of an H bridge, the device including a printed circuit including a power trace connecting the H bridge to a first connection area intended to be connected to a first multipin connector connected to a power supply terminal of a power source, and an earth trace connecting the H bridge to a second connection area intended to be connected to a second multipin connector connected to a reference terminal of the power source. The device further includes a measurement unit for measuring two potentials at two different points of the first connector, as well as two potentials at two different points of the second connector, and a processor configured to detect a short circuit of the H bridge by comparison of the potentials.

Abstract: A vehicle power system includes an inverter, outlets, and circuit breakers. The inverter supplies power to the outlets through the circuit breakers. The inverter, in response to detecting no voltage at designated amount and combination of the outlets, based on the designated amount and combination, generates a signal indicating that one or more of electrical paths to the outlets has failed or one or more of the circuit breakers is open.

Abstract: Power conversion systems, disclosed examples include power conversion systems, ground fault detection apparatus and methods to detect and identify ground faults in a power conversion system using AC coupling to sense a system voltage to determine a leakage flux linkage, and to identify a faulted converter phase based on a phase shift angle of the leakage flux linkage.

Abstract: Unmanned monitoring devices, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), drones or rovers may inspect system components within an area of interest (AOI) such an electric power distribution system including generation, transmission, and distribution elements for autonomous detection of damage to the components. Work orders for repairing the damage are autonomously generated and resources identified within the work orders are autonomously provisioned.

Abstract: A method for locating and clearing phase faults in a micro-grid in off-mode. The method includes determining a surveillance area of a microgrid having at least two busbars to monitor; determining all source feeders and load feeders of the surveillance area; acquiring measurement data comprising current magnitude for all source feeders and load feeders; and monitoring the at least two busbars in the surveillance area for a voltage dip in one of phase-to-phase or phase-to-neutral voltages. The method further includes, on detecting a voltage dip on the monitored busbars, determining a defect phase having a minimum phase-to-neutral voltage; and performing current analysis for the defect phase.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying faulty sections in power transmission lines are described. A first positive sequence voltage and first positive sequence current at a first terminal of a power transmission line are computed based on a first voltage and first current at the first terminal. A second positive sequence voltage and second positive sequence current at a second terminal are computed based on a second voltage and second current. Based on the first positive sequence voltage and the first positive sequence current, a first junction voltage and first junction current from the first terminal at a junction are computed. Based on the second positive sequence voltage and the second positive sequence current, a second junction voltage and second junction current from the second terminal are computed. A ratio of a junction voltage parameter to a junction current parameter is computed. Using the ratio, the faulty section is identified.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining a computationally determined interference electric field describing scattering of radiation by a pair of structures comprising a first structure and a second structure on a substrate. The method comprises determining a first electric field relating to first radiation scattered by the first structure; determining a second electric field relating to second radiation scattered by the second structure; and computationally determining the interference of the first electric field and second electric field, to obtain a computationally determined interference electric field.

Abstract: The invention is a test system for testing silicon wafers or packaged devices. The system includes a tester having multiple testing stacks that each hold a vertical stack of test engines, data buffers, pin drivers, and other resources, which are electrically connected on one side to a wafer or DUT and on the other side to a test host computer via fast data links. Each testing stack is disposed on a top side of a wafer contactor electrically connected to a wafer or a load board electrically connected to a DUT. The system includes a cooling system to remove heat during operation. The system minimizes the data signal path between the pads of the devices being tested and the pin drivers of the tester, the test engines, and the test host computer. High performance is possible by the connection of bottom of each testing stack directly to the wafer contactor.

Abstract: Scan-chain testing of a semiconductor chip may be performed entirely via a deserializer port. In one illustrative device embodiment, a semiconductor chip includes at least one deserializer having: a serial-to-parallel converter coupled to a pair of differential signal input pins; a scan-chain receiver circuit coupled to at least one of the pair of differential signal input pins in parallel with the serial-to-parallel converter to receive a scan-chain test input data stream; a scan-chain test logic circuit that loads the scan-chain test input data stream into a scan chain and extracts a scan-chain test result data stream from the scan chain; and a scan-chain transmit circuit that drives the pair of differential signal input pins with the scan-chain test result data stream. If multiple SerDes blocks exist on the chip, the deserializer ports may be employed in parallel for input and output of test data streams.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an intelligent monitoring system for an energy switch accessory device, comprising a smart device monitoring unit, a data processing unit, and a data storage unit. A wireless connection and a physical connection of a device are separately checked. Electrical information of a device is obtained through the physical connection. A device is categorized as an ordinary device if the wireless connection of with the device is disconnected while the physical connection with the device is maintained.

Abstract: Implementations of ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) self-test circuits may include: a current transformer coupled to a controller, a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) test loop coupled to the controller, a ground fault test loop coupled to the controller, and a solenoid coupled to the controller. The SCR test loop may be configured to conduct an SCR self-test during a first half wave portion of a phase and the ground fault test loop may be configured to conduct a ground fault self-test during a second half wave portion of a phase. An SCR may be configured to activate the solenoid to deny power to a load upon one of the SCR self-test or the ground fault self-test being identified as failing.

Abstract: A method for checking a control circuit for an inductive load, wherein one or two currents are measured and evaluated. An arrangement for carrying out such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring characteristics of an electric energy device includes generating an external short from the electric energy device. The external short occurs at a known distance from a sensor and has at least one known external resistance. The received signal representing change in electromagnetic field due to the applied external short may be analyzed to determine a signal parameter that is then analyzed in comparison to a lookup table, based on the known conditions inclduig distance, temperature and the external resistance. The output of this analyses in comparison with expected values may be utilized to identify a characteristic of the energy device.

Abstract: A trained neural network model is a neural network model which has been trained based on Nyquist plots of a plurality of modules of which full charge capacity is within a reference range. A processing system determines to which of a first group of modules of which full charge capacity is within the reference range and a second group of modules of which full charge capacity is out of the reference range a module belongs, based on discriminant analysis in which at least one feature value extracted from the Nyquist plot of the module is adopted as an explanatory variable. When the processing system determines that the module M belongs to the first group, the processing system estimates a full charge capacity of the module by using the trained neural network model.

Abstract: A health monitor circuit for an electric machine includes a plurality of sensors, a rectifier, a memory device, and a microprocessor. The plurality of sensors includes a current transformer configured to be electromagnetically coupled to an electrical conductor that feeds a stator winding of the electric machine. The rectifier is coupled to the current transformer and is configured to convert an AC signal generated by the current transformer to a DC signal to supply power for the health monitor circuit. The microprocessor is coupled to the memory device and the plurality of sensors. The microprocessor is configured to periodically collect a stator current measurement from the current transformer and write the stator current measurement to the memory device.

Abstract: A correlation charging method and a charging apparatus, wherein the charging apparatus may determine, based on identifiers of a plurality of application servers in a notification message sent by a CSCF device, whether the charging apparatus receives charging request messages from all the ASs; then send a detection message to a first AS from which the charging apparatus has not received any charging request message, to detect a charging capability of the first AS; and learn of the charging capability of the first AS based on a response message returned by the first AS. In this way, the charging apparatus can learn of charging capabilities of all the ASs, and charge the service based on the charging capabilities of all the ASs in a unified manner.

Abstract: A battery and an electrical battery monitoring device are disclosed having a first group of sensing switches connected in series on a first monitoring circuit, the sensing switches, a second group of electrical sensing switches connected in series on a second monitoring circuit, an input unit to provide an input to the first and second monitoring circuits, a monitoring unit to receive an output from the first and second monitoring circuits, wherein the monitoring unit receives at least two outputs from two measuring points of the first monitoring circuit, the two measuring points being separated by at least one sensing switch. The location of a defective battery cell may be early detected and precisely located by the monitoring of the battery cells in rows and columns.

Abstract: A storage amount estimation device estimates the storage amount of the energy storage device in which at least one of a positive electrode and a negative electrode contains an active material, at least two electrochemical reactions being generated in the active material depending on a transition of charge-discharge, the hysteresis between a storage amount-voltage value charge characteristic and a storage amount-voltage value discharge characteristic during generation of one of the electrochemical reactions being smaller than the hysteresis during generation of the other electrochemical reaction in the active material. The storage amount estimation device includes an estimator that estimates the storage amount using a voltage reference storage amount-voltage value characteristic obtained based on the storage amount-voltage value discharge characteristic when the one electrochemical reaction is generated more than the other electrochemical reaction.

Abstract: An electricity storage device tester including: a voltage application unit configured to apply to a circuit a direct-current voltage; an ammeter configured to acquire a current value of the circuit; a voltage control unit configured to control an output voltage of the voltage application unit; and a determination unit configured to determine whether the electricity storage device is defective or not based on the value acquired by the ammeter. The voltage application unit includes a plurality of power source devices connected in series with each other. One of the power source devices is a specific power source device which is configured to have a variable output voltage and of which both a maximum value and a step width of the output voltage are smaller than the power source devices other than the specific power source device.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a degradation degree of a secondary battery includes a pulse current applying unit that applies a pulse current; a voltage acquiring unit that acquires a charge voltage and a discharge voltage which are produced at the secondary battery by applying the pulse current; a relative value calculation unit that calculates a relative value between the charge voltage and the discharge voltage; a correlation storage unit that stores a correlation between a relative value between the charge voltage and the discharge voltage, and a degradation degree of the secondary battery; and a degradation degree estimation unit that obtains a degradation degree of the secondary battery from the correlation storage unit, based on the relative value calculated by the relative value calculation unit.

Abstract: In one form, a power supply monitor including a current controlled oscillator circuit, a time-to-digital converter, and an output divider. The current controlled oscillator circuit has an input for receiving a power supply voltage to be measured, and an output for providing a frequency signal having a frequency linearly proportional to the power supply voltage. The time-to-digital converter has an input coupled to the output of the current controlled oscillator circuit, and an output for providing a count signal representative of a number of cycles of a reference clock signal per cycle of the frequency signal. The output divider has an input coupled to the output of the time-to-digital converter, and an output for providing a divided count signal representative of a value of the power supply voltage, and provides the divided count signal by dividing a fixed number by the count signal.

Abstract: A power supply monitoring apparatus includes a first controller to be supplied with electric power via a first power supply path, a second controller to be supplied with the electric power via a second power supply path, a first power supplying and interrupting device configured to switch a connected state and an interrupted state of the first power supply path depending on the electric power supplied from a power supply, and a second power supplying and interrupting device configured to switch a connected state and an interrupted state of the second power supply path depending on the electric power supplied from the power supply. The first controller inspects switching of the connected state and the interrupted state by the second power supplying and interrupting device when the power supply is turned ON. The second controller inspects switching of the connected state and the interrupted state by the first power supplying and interrupting device when the power supply is turned ON.

Abstract: To reduce the rate at which a false alternating current (“AC”) loss alarming signal is generated, but at the same time detect an actual AC loss situation in a timely manner, the disclosed method describes an AC line power loss detection and active verification method. If the AC line input voltage dips momentarily lower than a standard sine wave amplitude, the AC line may not be considered lost as long as it still has energy to drive a load. The method inserts a momentary load across the AC line and compares the AC line voltage before and after the extra load is applied. If the AC power is present, this extra loading will increase the AC loading current momentarily, but will not affect the AC line voltage. However, if the AC power is lost, such loading will lower the AC line voltage, indicating a loss of power.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensing apparatus including a magnetic flux concentrator and a plurality of single direction magneto-resistive sensors is provided. The magnetic flux concentrator has a first and a second end portions opposite to each other. The single direction magneto-resistive sensors have the same pinning direction and are disposed beside the magnetic flux concentrator. The single direction magneto-resistive sensors further include a plurality of first and second single direction magneto-resistive sensors. The first single direction magneto-resistive sensors are disposed beside the first end portion and further include a first and a third portions respectively being disposed two opposite sides of the first end portion. The first and a third portions are coupled to a first full Wheatstone bridge.

Abstract: A current sensor which can cancel an effect of a varying external magnetic field at a low cost is provided. A current sensor includes a magnetic field detecting element configured to detect a magnetic field generated due to a current flowing through a bus bar. An induced current is generated in a first coil due to an external magnetic field generated around the magnetic field detecting element. A second coil is connected to the first coil and configured to generate, upon flow of the induced current, a magnetic field that cancels the external magnetic field generated around the magnetic field detecting element.

Abstract: A component carrier with an integrated magnetic field sensor is disclosed. The component carrier includes a plurality of electrically conductive layer structures and/or electrically insulating layer structures; an excitation coil and sensor coils arranged on and/or in the layer structures; a first magnetic structure above the excitation coil and sensor coils; and a second magnetic structure below the excitation coil and sensor coils.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic field sensor integrated circuit including a lead frame having a first surface, a second opposing surface, and a plurality of leads. A substrate has a first surface supporting a magnetic field sensing element and a second surface attached to the first surface of the lead frame. A magnet has a first surface and a second, opposing surface, and is configured to generate a magnetic field. A spacer is positioned between the first surface of the magnet and the second surface of the lead frame with a thickness selected to establish a predetermined distance between the first surface of the magnet and the magnetic field sensing element, the predetermined distance selected to provide the magnetic field signal as a sinusoidal signal.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a substrate having a surface and a plurality of magnetoresistance elements supported by the surface of the substrate. Each magnetoresistance element has a respective width parallel to the surface, and each width may be a smallest dimension parallel to the surface. A first width of a first magnetoresistance element of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements may be different from a second width of a second magnetoresistance element of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements. A processing circuit may be coupled to the plurality of magnetoresistance elements to receive a signal representing a detected magnetic field from at least one of the magnetoresistance elements.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include magnetic sensor devices having a mixed oxide passivation layer. Magnetic sensor devices according to certain embodiments include a magnetic sensor element and a passivation layer having two or more of zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide and tantalum oxide. Also provided are magnetic sensor devices having an encapsulating passivation layer. Magnetic sensor devices according to certain embodiments include a substrate, a magnetic sensor element and a passivation layer that encapsulates the magnetic sensor element. Methods for making a magnetic sensor with a passivation layer are described. Methods and systems for detecting one or more analytes in a sample are also described. Aspects further include kits having one or more of the subject magnetic sensor devices and a magnetic label.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a radio-frequency coil for a magnetic resonance device, comprising: antenna units, conductor end ring segments connecting the antenna units, and capacitors. Here, a single antenna unit is curved in a plane parallel to a direction of a static magnetic field B0 (the positive direction of the z axis); the cross sections of all the antenna units in a x-y plane are spaced apart from each other at an angle and distributed symmetrically in a radial array; adjacent antenna units are connected with the end ring segments and the capacitors at two ends; the coil as a whole is an open dome shape surface structure and is sufficiently conformal to the surface of an object to be scanned.

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) comprising a main magnet (104) for generating a main magnetic field within an imaging zone (108). The magnetic resonance imaging system further comprises an RF coil (114) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (164) from the imaging zone, wherein the RF coil comprises multiple RF ports (124, 412, 414, 416, 500, 502, 702, 1004, 1006). The RF coil comprises a switch unit (120) for at least one of the multiple RF ports to individually couple or uncouple the at least one of of the multiple RF ports from the RF coil. The magnetic resonance imaging system further comprises a radio-frequency system (125) for supplying radio-frequency power to each of the multiple RF ports and an RF matching detection system (122) for measuring impedance matching data (166) between the radio-frequency system and the RF coil.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to perform diffusion weighted imaging, the low-field MRI system including a plurality of magnetics components including a B0 magnet configured to produce a low-field main magnetic field B0, at least one gradient coil configured to, when operated, provide spatial encoding of emitted magnetic resonance signals, and at least one radio frequency (RF) component configured to acquire, when operated, the emitted magnetic resonance signals. The method comprises controlling one or more of the plurality of magnetics components in accordance with at least one pulse sequence having a diffusion-weighted gradient encoding period followed by multiple echo periods during which magnetic resonance signals are produced and detected, wherein at least two of the multiple echo periods correspond to respective encoded echoes having an opposite gradient polarity.