Abstract: An apparatus and methods for testing a trailer light system including a trailer connector for coupling a first voltage to a first trailer light and a second voltage to a second trailer light, a transmission state detector for determining a vehicle transmission state, and a trailer interface module for detecting an electrical connection to a trailer at the trailer connection, and for applying the first voltage to the trailer connector and the second voltage to the trailer connector in response to the detection of the electrical connection and the vehicle transmission state being in a park state.

Abstract: A temperature indicator includes a first capacitor configured to change capacitance when exposed to a temperature above a first threshold temperature, a second capacitor configured to change capacitance when exposed to a temperature above a second threshold temperature. The first capacitor is electrically connected to the second capacitor. The second threshold temperature is different than the first threshold temperature. The first capacitor and the second capacitor retain their changed capacitance permanently after they return to a temperature below their respective threshold temperature.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor is provided and includes substrate; sensor electrodes on substrate; first switches coupled to sensor electrodes; organic layer covering sensor electrodes; control line drive circuit in first direction; signal line drive circuit in second direction orthogonal to first direction; signal lines coupled to first switches; control lines coupling first switches to control line drive circuit; sensor drive electrode surrounding sensor electrodes; second switches between signal line drive circuit and signal lines; and first number of third switches between signal line drive circuit and first number of second switches, wherein distance of sensor drive electrode from surface of substrate is larger than distance of sensor electrodes from surface of substrate, and wherein first number is less than number of all second switches.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes an output node configured to output a DC signal indicating a rate of change over time of voltage at a measurement target node. The rate-of-voltage change detection circuit includes a first capacitor and a first resistor connected in series between the measurement target node and a reference voltage node, a first rectifier circuit connected between the output node and a connection node of the first capacitor and the first resistor, and a second capacitor connected between the output node and the reference voltage node.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes printed circuit board performance evaluation techniques. In some cases, a printed circuit board performance evaluation process may include determining a first set of electrical properties associated with an interface between components of a printed circuit board, where the interface is disposed on an internal or external layer of the printed circuit board. After selective application of a sheet of dielectric material to a portion of a transmission line in the interface, a second set of electrical properties associated with the interface may be determined. The first set of electrical properties may be compared to the second set of electrical properties to evaluate printed circuit board performance. In other cases, the interface may include a trace inductor, and electrical properties of the interface before and after application of a ferrous material may be compared to evaluate printed circuit board performance.

Abstract: A test circuit includes an amplifier configured to receive an AC signal, and output an amplified AC signal based on the AC signal, a first detection circuit configured to generate a first DC voltage having a first value based on an amplitude of the AC signal, and a second detection circuit configured to generate a second DC voltage having a second value based on an amplitude of the amplified AC signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing defects on a cable, including the following steps: measuring parameters S of the cable; determining the apparent impedance of the cable as a function of the position z along the cable, from one end of the cable ZI(z), as well as from the other end of the cable Zr(z); determining an estimation of the linear resistance R(z) of the cable as a function of the position z along the cable; and detecting a defect on a cable when the estimated linear resistance R(z) deviates from a reference value.

Abstract: An insulating substrate inspecting method includes bringing a lower electrode into contact with lower metal of an insulating substrate including an insulating layer, the lower metal in contact with a lower surface of the insulating layer, and upper metal in contact with an upper surface of the insulating layer, and bringing an upper electrode into contact with the upper metal, and applying an AC voltage to the lower electrode and the upper electrode to detect electromagnetic waves generated at a defect in the insulating layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for measuring the dryness of primer on a substrate in an inline priming system. In implementations, the apparatus comprises a plurality of measurement electrodes spaced laterally to extend across and contact a primed surface of a substrate following application of a primer to the substrate as it is fed through the inline priming system. A resistance measurement unit is provided as part of the dryness measuring apparatus to, in use, measure the surface resistance of the primed substrate between different measurement electrodes across the primed surface of a substrate. A controller is provided in the dryness measurement apparatus, the controller arranged to, in use: receive the measured surface resistance value and to generate, based on the measured surface resistance values, a dryness profile indicative of the dryness of the primer at locations across the substrate in the direction of the spacing of the electrodes.

Abstract: In a method for calibrating a measuring device by using a case which includes a case main body configured to accommodate the measuring device, a restricting portion configured to restrict translation of the measuring device accommodated in the case main body and reference surfaces provided in the case main body to face the respective sensor electrodes, a plurality of detection values is acquired in a state where translation of the measuring device accommodated in the case is restricted by the restricting portion, the reference surfaces face respective sensor electrodes of the measuring device and a high frequency signal is applied to the sensor electrodes. Then, coefficients in functions used in calculating measurement values are calibrated such that the measurement values become a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display having a number of pixels, source driving circuitry that drives data to the pixels, and data lines that communicatively couple the source driving circuitry with the pixels. The electronic device also includes quality monitoring and calibration circuitry that identifies degradation in the source driving circuitry, one or more of the data lines, or both. The electronic device may be controlled based at least in part upon identification of the degradation.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor and includes a first substrate having a first surface; an insulating layer having a second surface opposed to the first surface of the first substrate, and a third surface opposed to the second surface; sensor electrodes arranged in a matrix in the third surface; and a conductive portion arranged in the first surface of the first substrate and configured to supply a drive signal, wherein a height of the conductive portion is higher than a height of one of the sensor electrodes in a direction perpendicular to the first surface of the first substrate.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing circuit (10) includes a sample-and-hold circuit (SH) coupled to the contact capacitor (Cf); an integrating circuit (100) coupled to the sample-and-hold circuit (SH); a comparator (comp) coupled to the integrating circuit (100); a counter (cntr) coupled to a comparison output terminal and configured to accumulate a cumulative number (Nout) of transitions of the comparator (comp); a voltage boost circuit (104) coupled to the integrating circuit (100) and configured to add a specific value (Vk) to an integrating output voltage (Vout) when the comparator (comp) performs a transition; and a logic circuit (102) coupled to the counter (cntr), where the logic circuit (102) outputs an integration time (Tout) of the integrating circuit (100) when the cumulative number is equal to a predetermined number (Nth), and the integration time (Tout) correlates with a capacitance value of the contact capacitor (Cf).

Abstract: An integrated circuit detection method, apparatus, and system are disclosed, which relate to the field of electronics and resolve a problem of detecting an electrical parameter of an integrated circuit on a printed circuit board in a power-on state. A specific solution is as follows: N detection circuits (101) are disposed, where each detection circuit (101) is connected to a different integrated circuit (102), the detection circuit (101) is provided with a first detection point (a) and a second detection point (b), and the detection circuit (101) is configured to detect the electrical parameter of the integrated circuit (102) that is connected to the detection circuit (101); and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The solution is used in a process of detecting the electrical parameter of the integrated circuit on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The disclosure proposes a cable for connecting to an electronic device. The cable comprising an electrical cord, a connector, a sensor device and an alarm unit. The connector is connected to one end of the electrical cord, and adapted to connect the cable to the electronic device. The sensor device is arranged at the connector and is adapted for collecting sensor data from the electronic device when the connector is connected to the electronic device. The alarm unit is connected to the sensor device and arranged to initiate an alarm based on output data from the sensor device.

Abstract: A simulation apparatus for simulating a peripheral circuit arrangement connected to a regulating device and has a first current controller for influencing a first load current and a second current controller for influencing a first source current. The first current controller is controlled by a model code and used to set the first load current, and the first load current is routed to a first load connection of the regulating device. The second current controller is controlled by the model code and used to set the first source current, which is routed to a first supply connection of the regulating device. The model code influences the model code on the first current controller and the second current controller allows the first load current to be recovered at least proportionally from the first source current and/or the first source current to be recovered at least proportionally from the first load current.

Abstract: A capacitive detection and display device and method is used to simultaneously detect and display an image of an object hidden behind an obscuring surface. An electrode applies an electric field to a chamber having a visual display material which is located between the electrode and the obscuring surface. A sensitivity enhancement device is located within the electric field between the chamber and the obscuring surface to increase the sensitivity of the detection and display device and increase its depth of penetration through the obscuring surface. In one embodiment, the sensitivity device comprises an array of sensitivity electrodes formed on a nonconductive substrate. The shape of a hidden object is visually displayed by the visual display material.

Abstract: A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.

Abstract: A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.

Abstract: A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.

Abstract: A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.

Abstract: In a circuit board testing apparatus for performing a four-terminal measurement method on a wiring pattern formed of a plurality of wires on a circuit board, a control part connects in series contact probes to be connected to upstream-side voltage detection terminals or downstream-side voltage detection terminals, via connection terminals, allows a power supply part to apply power between the test points with which the contact probes connected in series are in contact, allows a voltage detection part to detect a voltage between the test points, and makes a determination as to conductive contact states of the contact probes with the test points, based on the detected voltage.

Abstract: A capacitive coupling system includes a plurality of conductive pads situated on a dielectric layer. A plurality of switches are connected between pairs of the conductive pads via conductive linkages. The switches are operable to selectively connect selected pairs of the conductive pads to selectively adjust capacitances between conductor pairs of an electrical connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layer capacitor. The multi-layer capacitor of the present invention includes a main body formed by alternately stacking a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of inner electrode layers, in which all the plurality of dielectric layers are poled in a same direction; a cover layer for covering and protecting the main body from outside; and outer electrodes electrically connected to the inner electrode layers to apply voltage to the inner electrode layers. Since deformation is offset overall in the multi-layer capacitor of the present invention, the piezoelectric effect occurs in an opposite direction in each of adjacent dielectric layers due to the poling process, and thus the present invention has an effect of reducing vibration and noise.

Abstract: A sensor has parallel upper pickup lines in an upper conductive layer, parallel lower pickup lines in a lower conductive layer, parallel drive lines oriented transversely to the upper and lower pickup lines in a middle conductive layer, a first insulating layer separating the upper pickup lines from the drive lines, and a second insulating layer opposite the first insulating layer and separating the lower pickup lines from the drive lines. Upper electrode pairs are defined at locations where an upper pickup electrode crosses a drive line, and each upper electrode pair has an impedance that is sensitive to a first object contacting or in close proximity to the upper electrode pair. Lower electrode pairs are defined at locations where a lower pickup line crosses a drive line, and each lower electrode pair has an impedance that is sensitive to a second object contacting or in close proximity to the lower electrode pair.

Abstract: A method and system for performing electrical tests on complex devices. The method comprises: a first stage that includes generating a model of the device in a digital electronic circuits description language based on stimuli transfer, preparing a stimulus vector and simulating the model with the stimulus vector for obtaining the continuity and insulation test program to be performed to the device; a second stage where the device is connected to a workbench formed by an electrical testing machine and a matrix switch via a connection interface; and a third stage where the test program on the device is executed. The system comprises the workbench and a computer system with software adapted to execute the method.

Abstract: A capacitance detection circuit detects changes in the capacitance of a variable capacitor by using the change in capacitance to change the resonant frequency of a variable capacitor oscillator. The resonant frequency of the variable capacitor oscillator is converted from the time domain to the frequency domain, and then selected frequencies values are compared to known frequency domain values to detect the magnitude of the change in capacitance.

Abstract: A method for real-time monitoring of an operational state of a capacitive sensor capable of being mounted on a rotating machine, and connected to an electronic measuring module via a high frequency transmission line. The method includes generating, within the electronic module, a signal for compensating in capacitance parasitic effects from the transmission line and the sensor, generating, within the electronic module, a signal for compensating in conductance parasitic effects from the transmission line and the sensor, extracting a signal representative of the capacitance compensation and of a signal representative of the conductance compensation so as to determine an operating point of the sensor and analyzing the operating point so as to check if it is located in a predetermined area.

Abstract: A probe card for testing electrical properties of a device under test (DUT) includes a plurality of semiconductor devices, which includes a substrate; and at least one transmission antenna, which is implemented as a chip on film (COF) type and attached to the substrate, wirelessly transmitting at least one of electric power and data to each of the plurality of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system for an engine includes: a PCV tube defining a flowpath extending along an axis; a damage detection circuit associated with the PCV tube. The PCV system also includes a damage detection module that selectively indicates that a fault is present in the PCV tube based on a change in a characteristic of the damage detection circuit and that illuminates a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) when the fault is present.

Abstract: An on-the-go monitor and control means and method for an agriculture machines includes on-the-go soil sensors that can be used to control tillage and seeding depth. On seeder implements, the sensors provide information that affects uniform plant emergence.

Abstract: An example process for determining electrical path lengths includes: injecting current into a transmission line having a known capacitance per unit of length; determining a rate of change in voltage on the transmission line in response to the current; determining a capacitance of the transmission line based on the change in voltage; and determining an electrical path length of the transmission line based on the determined capacitance of the transmission line and the known capacitance per unit of length.

Abstract: A probe assembly for capacitive testing electrical connections of a low profile component to a circuit assembly. The probe assembly is configured to reduce coupling of noise signals from the circuit assembly to the capacitive probe. The probe assembly includes a sensing member with a geometry that allows the probe to preferentially couple to test signals from the pins of a component under test rather than conductive structures on the circuit assembly, such as pads, and signal traces to which those pins are attached. The sensing member may be a vertical capacitive sense plate such that coupling is to an edge of the plate. The sensing member alternatively may be a horizontal capacitive sense plate with an active area of the probe surrounded by an isolation ring. Measurements made with such capacitive probes may provide test measurements that yield a reliable discrimination between a properly attached pin and an open pin.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a change in a thickness and temperature of a surface of a material are disclosed herein. The system and the method are usable in a thermal protection system of a space vehicle, such as an aeroshell of a space vehicle. The system and method may incorporate micro electric sensors arranged in a ladder network and capacitor strip sensors. Corrosion or ablation causes a change in an electrical property of the sensors. An amount of or rate of the corrosion or the ablation and a temperature of the material is determined based on the change of the electrical property of the sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a differential shield capacitive sensor design. The sensor design uses a differential measurement to measure capacitance and a pair of traces are used to differentially reject the response of the sensor traces and balance any parasitic capacitances. In some embodiments, the sensor design includes a differential sensor design on a bottom side of a flex circuit to differentially balance the environment and reject noise coupling to the sensor. The top side of the flex circuit can include a single ended design for proper environment sensing. The spatial arrangement and size of the sensors may vary depending on the application.

Abstract: A capacitive coupling system includes a plurality of conductive pads situated on a dielectric layer. A plurality of switches are connected between pairs of the conductive pads via conductive linkages. The switches are operable to selectively connect selected pairs of the conductive pads to selectively adjust capacitances between conductor pairs of an electrical connector.

Abstract: A microelectronic short circuit detection module is disclosed that locates and distinguishes among different types of short circuits in touch screen panels. Individual short circuit detection circuits are coupled to force and sense lines throughout a wire matrix within the touch screen. If the line is shorted to a neighboring line or any other line carrying an opposite logic state, its logic state will be corrupted by the short and will be held at a value opposite that of the intended input signal. Comparing the input and the output therefore provides an indicator of a short circuit to another force or sense line in the wire matrix. A pair of pull up/down stages is engaged to detect whether the short is coupled to power or ground. A threshold resistor can be varied to adjust detection sensitivity. By conducting a serial test, matrix coordinates of the short circuit can be identified.

Abstract: A method comprises connecting a testing setup having a plurality of probes to a device under test having a plurality of vias, wherein a probe is aligned with a corresponding via of the device under test and conducting a plurality of via electrical characteristic tests through a conductive path comprising the vias, the probes and a plurality of conductive devices, each of which connects two adjacent probes, wherein the conductive devices are in the testing setup.

Abstract: A capacitive distance sensor is provided having an elongated sensor element. The sensor element comprises a cylindrical carrier body, which is made of an electrically non-conductive material and has a round cross-sectional areas, and a sensor area which substantially surrounds the carrier body in the manner of a sheath and is made of an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: Systems and methods which utilize spread spectrum sensing on live circuits to obtain information regarding a circuit under test are provided. In some embodiments S/SSTDR testing may be utilized to obtain R, L, C and Z measurements from circuit components. In yet further embodiments, these measurements may be utilized to monitor the output of sensors on a circuit.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for controlling sub-system components during power disturbance events. More particularly, various embodiments provide systems and methods for preventing a controller (215) within a sub-system from turning OFF a switching device (220) during power disturbance events related to other sub-systems.

Abstract: An inverter device for feeding electrical energy from a DC-power source into a power grid includes a pair of bus lines to be connected to the DC-power source; a plurality of capacitors connected in series between the bus lines; a surveying topology surveying an integrity of the plurality of capacitors, and to provide a signal indicating a loss of integrity of one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; a voltmeter measuring a voltage drop over the plurality of capacitors; a DC/AC-inverter; and a controller. in case of the signal indicating a loss of integrity of one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors, the controller compares the voltage drop over the plurality of capacitors to a lost integrity threshold voltage value, and reduces a current load to the plurality of capacitors by reducing the power uptake of the DC/AC-inverter, when the voltage drop exceeds the lost integrity threshold voltage value.

Abstract: A system and method for low-cost, fault tolerant, EMI robust data communications, particularly for an EV environment.

Abstract: In a component-embedded circuit substrate having a plurality of capacitors embedded therein, the capacitors are connected in parallel, inspection electrodes are formed, and the inspection electrodes connect to respective terminal electrodes of the capacitor through via conductors. At the terminal electrodes of the capacitor, the connection position of the via conductors for connecting the inspection electrodes differs from the connection position of via conductors for connecting respective terminal electrodes of the capacitor.

Abstract: A method for detecting an internal failure in a capacitor bank connected to a power system, wherein the capacitor bank includes a plurality of capacitor units that are divided into two Y sections. Each phase in each of the Y sections defines a leg and each leg includes series and/or parallel-connected capacitor units. The internal failure may occur in one or more capacitor elements or units or involve one or more legs. The method includes measuring the phase current in one of the phases, calculating the root mean square value, denoted by RMS, of the measured phase currents, measuring the unbalanced current between the two sections, calculating the RMS value of the measured unbalanced currents, and detecting the phase angle between the measured phase current and the measured unbalanced current.

Abstract: A method of determining the dominant output wavelength of an LED, includes determining an electrical characteristic of the LED which is dependent on the voltage-capacitance characteristics, and analyzing the characteristic to determine the dominant output wavelength.

Abstract: A capacitance sensing circuit comprises a capacitive device having a capacitance, the device initially being at a first voltage level. The capacitance sensing circuit is capable of applying one or more pull-up currents to the device during one or more corresponding pull-up periods of time, for changing the first voltage level into one or more corresponding pull-up voltage levels; applying a measurement current to the device; and measuring a measurement period of time, during which one of the pull-up voltage levels changes into a second voltage level. A method of sensing a capacitance of a capacitive device comprises applying a first voltage to the device; applying one or more pull-up currents during corresponding pull-up times, for changing the first voltage into corresponding pull-up voltages; applying a measurement current; and measuring a time, during which one pull-up voltage changes into a second voltage.

Abstract: A system includes a capacitor, a plurality of notification devices connected in parallel with the capacitor, and a controller. The controller is capable of determining capacitance of the capacitor during charge-up of the capacitor, and the controller is capable of determining the wiring impedance of the emergency notification circuit during discharge of the capacitor.

Abstract: A system and method for testing capacitance of a load circuit connected to an output pin of a driving circuit In one embodiment, the method may comprise driving a voltage at the output pin to a first voltage; a predetermined current to the output pin; comparing the voltage at the output pin to a reference voltage; and when the voltage at the output pin matches the reference voltage, generating an estimate of capacitance present at the output pin based on a number of clock cycles occurring between an onset of a timed voltage change period and a time at which the voltage at the output pin matches the reference voltage.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for analyzing the state of oil-filled electrical devices. The apparatus simulates the state of an oil-filled electrical device in which copper wire wrapped in insulating paper is immersed in insulating oil. The apparatus for analyzing the state of oil-filled electrical devices includes a first paper-covered copper wire and a second paper-covered copper wire, which are adjacent to each other; a tank which holds the first and second paper-covered copper wires as well as insulating oil extracted from the oil-filled electrical device, thereby immersing the first and second paper-covered copper wires in the insulating oil; and a capacitance measurement unit which measures the capacitance between the first and second paper-covered copper wires. The first and second paper-covered copper wires includes copper wire and insulating paper wrapped therearound.