Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring earth ground resistivity are provided. A main unit can be configured to couple to each of a plurality of electrodes over a respective wire, perform a resistance measurement over the plurality of electrodes, and transmit an induction signal over one or more of the respective wires indicating a representation of a resistance value calculated as part of the resistance measurement. A remote unit can be configured to detect the induction signal over the one or more of the respective wires using an inductance mechanism, process the induction signal to determine the representation of the resistance value, and render the representation of the resistance value on an interface of the remote unit.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and system is described for diagnosing an operating condition of a conductive particulate matter sensor. The sensor has a substrate with electrical resistance that varies with temperature and two electrodes on the substrate adapted to collect particulate matter between the electrodes, thereby establishing an electrically conductive path through collected particulate matter between the electrodes that can be detected by measuring electrical resistance between the electrodes, Relect. The diagnosis is performed by heating the substrate in the area between the electrodes and using the resistance between the electrodes to determine detecting whether contamination is present on the surface of the sensor. Heat may be maintained on the sensor to attempt to burn off a detected contaminant, and a subsequent resistance reading may be used to determine if the contaminant was successfully burned off.

Abstract: An exemplary implementation of the present disclosure is a power sourcing equipment (PSE) for determining a resistance of a powered cable. The PSE includes a first supply voltage to cause a first current to flow through first and second output terminals of the PSE. The PSE also includes a second supply voltage to cause a second current to flow through third and fourth output terminals of the PSE. The PSE further includes a current modulation circuit offsetting the second current from the first current to create an offset voltage between the second and the first supply voltages to determine the resistance of the powered cable. The current modulation circuit can offset the second current from the first current utilizing a variable resistance switch to adjust the second current.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power converter may have a connector with a pair of power supply contacts and a pair of data contacts. An electronic device may be connected to the connector of the power converter. The power converter may supply DC power to the electronic device using the power supply contacts. The power converter may include control circuitry that has a resistor coupled across the data contacts. When the electronic device and the power converter are connected to each other, each may advertise to the other that capabilities are present that exceed industry standards. At the same time, standard-compliant discovery operations may be performed to probe the value of the resistance of the resistor that is coupled across the data contacts. When extended capabilities are discovered, extended functions may be performed including accelerated charging functions and data communications functions.

Abstract: A method of sensing exposure to one or more of a plurality of environmental factors includes exposing a code circuit to at least some of the environmental factors, the code circuit disposed over a substrate and including a plurality of electrically-connected sensor patches, each sensor patch susceptible to one of the environmental factors, wherein the code circuit has an electrical state. An electrical excitation signal is passed through the code circuit, and a corresponding received electrical signal detected, using a transceiver formed on a transceiver substrate separate from and disposed over the substrate, wherein the transceiver includes a controller and the received electrical signal depends on the excitation signal and the electrical state of the code circuit. Using the controller, the received electrical signal or a representation thereof is automatically stored in a memory. The checking and storing steps are automatically repeated after one or more selected time intervals.

Abstract: A method of controlling and/or predicting the remaining useful life of an active material actuator, such as a shape memory alloy wire, includes obtaining historical actuation data of an inherent system variable, such as electrical resistance, over a secondary variable, such as time, determining a normal operating envelope having upper and lower bounds based on the data, determining a current profile for a given actuation cycle, and comparing the shape of the current profile to the envelope to determine an out-of-bounds event.

Abstract: A testing apparatus includes a housing having a port for receiving a discharge end of an electrical discharge device. A discharge-receiving circuit is operatively connected to the port, and is configured to receive a discharge from the electrical discharge device. The discharge-receiving circuit includes a default resistor and at least one supplemental resistor. When in a first setting, the discharge-receiving circuit is configured so as to pass the discharge automatically through at least the default resistor. When in a second setting, the discharge-receiving circuit is configurable so as to selectively pass the discharge through at least one of the plurality of resistors.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for testing an acoustic probe having transducing elements for converting between acoustic and electrical signals. An electrical signal is generated at a frequency with a testing device capable of generating electrical signals over a range of frequencies. The electrical signal is transmitted to at least some of the transducing elements to measure a complex impedance and thereby evaluate a performance of the transducing elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the piston position of a hydraulic or pneumatic piston cylinder unit, wherein the cylinder jacket and the piston form an electrical conducting path and the piston position is determined with the aid of the inductive and/or resistive properties of the conducting path that is formed. In addition, the invention relates to a piston cylinder unit having a measuring device for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: A fluid leakage detection system includes a fluid leakage sensor and an alarming system. The fluid leakage sensor is electrically coupled to the alarming system, and is configured to send signals pertaining to any detected fluid leakage. Further, the fluid leakage sensor includes an electrically non-conductive body and an electrical circuit. The non-conductive body is positioned proximal to a leakage region and it collect and absorbs leaking fluid from the region. The electric circuit includes a first portion embedded within the non-conductive body, and a second portion connected to the first portion. The second portion of the electrical circuit lies exterior to the non-conductive body. The electrical circuit is open-circuited under no fluid leakage detection conditions, and is closed-circuited under leakage detection conditions. The alarm system is configured to generate an alarm signal when the electric circuit is closed-circuited.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to the detection and monitoring of corona effluent. The present embodiments pertain to a corona sensing device that employs a film of organic charge transporting material, as the active component in a corona effluent sensing device, that is disposed onto a patterned electrode bearing support member.

Abstract: Provided is an insulation resistance measuring circuit including: a source resistor unit including a first source resistor connected between a positive terminal of a battery and a second source resistor and the second source resistor connected between a negative terminal of the battery and the first source resistor; a voltage sensing unit sensing a voltage of the first source resistor as a first voltage and sensing a voltage of the second source resistor as a second voltage; and an insulation resistance measuring unit measuring an insulation resistance of the battery through a value obtained by dividing a difference between the first and second voltages by a sum between the first and second voltages.

Abstract: Methods comprising measuring the impedance of the electrode produced by the excitation signal, wherein the impedance indicates presence of liquid at the electrode are disclosed. Computer readable mediums storing processor executable instructions for performing the method, and systems are also disclosed. The systems comprise a processor, memory and code stored in the memory that when executed cause the processor at least to: receive an output voltage signal, superimpose an excitation signal onto the output voltage signal to produce a superimposed signal, connect the superimposed signal to an electrode in a droplet actuator, suppress the output voltage signal, when detecting an impedance of the electrode, and measure the impedance of the electrode produced by the excitation signal, wherein the impedance indicates presence of liquid at the electrode.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a port for connecting the electronic device to other electronic devices and a moisture detector configured to detect an electrically conductive liquid in the first port. The moisture detector is configured to maintain a voltage on a first electrical contact of the port and to detect a short circuit between the first electrical contact and a second electrical contact of the port. The moisture detector determines that the electronic device has been exposed to an electrically conductive liquid if the monitor module detects the short circuit. The moisture detector may also put the electronic device into safe mode if it is exposed to an electrically conductive liquid.

Abstract: A touch panel sensor for sensing a contact position of a target object may include an insulating substrate, electrode patterns formed on the bottom surface of the insulating substrate and for sensing the target object accessing thereto, a window decoration provided on the bottom surface of the insulating substrate in order to block light and including penetration regions through which the respective ends of the electrode patterns are exposed, coloration conduction layers provided in the respective penetration regions in order to block light and electrically connected to the electrode patterns, and wire members electrically connected to the ends of the electrode patterns disposed in the penetration regions through a medium of the coloration conduction layers.

Abstract: Methods for measuring insulation resistance in a photovoltaic (PV) array may include partitioning the PV array into groups of PV panels, isolating a group of PV panels selected for an insulation resistance measurement from other groups of panels by setting bypass selectors on each PV panel in the PV array, and making an insulation resistance measurement for the selected group. If a measured value of insulation resistance for a selected group corresponds to an insulation problem in a PV array component, a separate measurement of insulation resistance may be made for each PV panel in the selected group. Insulation resistance measurements may be made accurately and rapidly for large PV arrays without disconnecting and reconnecting cables between panels. Measurements may be made at frequent, regular intervals to permit changes in insulation resistance to be detected before damage from dielectric breakdown occurs.

Abstract: A vehicle (100) comprises a water depth sensing apparatus (114) comprising a capacitive resistive sensor.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring insulation resistance of an electric vehicle includes a measuring unit, a voltage detecting unit, and a control unit. The measuring unit includes a first tap, a second tap, a switch, and a measuring resistor. The first tap is to be electrically coupled to a high potential side of a high voltage system. The second tap is to be electrically coupled to a ground side of a low voltage system. The switch and the measuring resistor are connected in series between the first tap and the second tap. The voltage detecting unit is for detecting a voltage formed between the first tap and the second tap. The control unit is operable for controlling ON and OFF states of the switch, and is configured to determine the high potential insulation resistance and the low potential insulation resistance after operating the switch in the ON and OFF states.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a method for measuring a target component in an erythrocyte-containing specimen with high reliability while suppressing the influence of the Ht value of the specimen. [Solution to Problem] In the measurement method of the present invention, first, prior to measurement, a relationship between amounts of the target component and a plurality of signals corresponding thereto is provided. Then, a plurality of signals derived from the target component in the erythrocyte-containing specimen are acquired with a biosensor. With reference to the relationship, the amount of the target component in the specimen is determined based on the thus-acquired plurality of signals.

Abstract: An inductive, conductivity sensor comprising a transmitting coil, a receiving coil and, surrounding the transmitting coil and the receiving coil, a housing, which has, for immersion in a measured medium, at least one housing section, whose housing wall surrounds the transmitting coil and the receiving coil. The housing wall of the housing section surrounding the transmitting coil and the receiving coil has a multi-ply construction, which comprises at least a first ply of a first material and a second ply of a second material different of the first material.

Abstract: A system for testing a magnetic sensor according to one embodiment includes a discharge circuit to cause a discharge event on a magnetic sensor; a bias generation circuit to apply at least one first bias current to the sensor and at least one second bias current to the sensor, the second bias current being different than the first bias current; a resistance determination circuit to determine a resistance of the magnetic sensor at each of the applied bias currents; and a damage determination circuit to determine whether the magnetic sensor is damaged and/or was fixed by a discharge event based on the resistances.

Abstract: A display device and a method of testing the display device. The display device includes a substrate including both a display region on which pixel cells are located and a peripheral region; test pads, main pins connected to the pixel cells, and dummy pins that are respectively connected to the test pads, the test pads, the main pins, and the dummy pins being on the peripheral region of the substrate, and visual test lines on the peripheral region of the substrate. The visual test lines include a first portion connected to the main pins and a second portion connected to the test pads, and the first and second portions are disconnected from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insulation monitoring device that forms a measuring circuit with an unearthed IT power supply system for monitoring an insulation resistance, wherein the measuring circuit can be interrupted by a breaker device arranged in the insulation monitoring device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for performing an initial and/or repeated test of an insulation resistance in an unearthed IT power supply system and for monitoring the insulation resistance by means of an insulation monitoring device. For performing the initial and/or repeated test, the measuring circuit is interrupted by way of a manual switching act that activates a breaker device arranged in the insulation monitoring device.

Abstract: The embodiments described above provide mechanisms for bump resistivity measurement. By using designated bumps on one or more corners of dies, the resistivity of bumps may be measured without damaging devices and without a customized probing card. In addition, bump resistivity may be collected across the entire wafer. The collected resistivity data may be used to monitor the stability and/or health of processes used to form bumps and their underlying layers.

Abstract: A position sensor comprises first and second stationary poles with first and second electrodes, and a reference pole positioned therebetween. The reference pole is coupled to a shaft, and includes a semi-metal via that forms a conducting path between the first and second electrodes. The shaft positions the reference pole between the first and second stationary poles, and a resistance of the conducting path varies with a position of the shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing an electrochemical sensor that detects the concentration of a gas are operative for diagnosing whether or not the sensor is in an error state due to a rise in a resistance in the electrolyte of the sensor. Such detection is made on the basis of a current flowing between a sensing electrode and an opposite electrode or a voltage corresponding to the current. A method for diagnosing an electrochemical sensor having a solid or liquid electrolyte between a sensing electrode and an opposite electrode detects the concentration of the gas to be detected on the basis of a current flowing between the sensing electrode and the opposite electrode, or a voltage corresponding to the current. Whether or not the electrochemical sensor is in an error state is diagnosed on the basis of a resistance of the electrolyte between the two electrodes of the electrolyte.

Abstract: An electronic device has a chassis, and a printed wiring board (PWB) having a hole. A fastener is installed in the hole thereby securing the PWB to the chassis. A pair of conductive traces is formed in the PWB. A cap, being an amount of conductive glue, covers a part of the fastener and fills an electrically insulating gap between the two traces, to thereby form a conductive path that connects the two traces. A sensing circuit is coupled to the traces, to detect a change in impedance of the path and signal a tamper event alert. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to powerline communications (PLC) in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) environment. A communications signal is applied to a power line by a PLC transmitting device. A receiver is provided that evaluates communications signals based on the power coupled to the power line by the transmitting device. In one present embodiment, PLC signal voltage and current levels are multiplied together to evaluate signal power to reproduce received PLC signals.

Abstract: A terminal discriminating apparatus and a terminal discriminating method using the same are provided. The terminal discriminating apparatus includes: a measurement unit for measuring a pull-up voltage and a pull-down voltage of each of candidate terminals to be discriminated; a discriminating unit for comparing the pull-up voltages, pull-down voltages, and the differences between the pull-up voltages and pull-down voltages for the candidate terminals to discriminate the types of the candidate terminals; and an output unit for outputting results of the discrimination of the candidate terminals transferred from the discriminating unit. The types of the candidate terminals can be discriminated by comparing the pull-up voltage, the pull-down voltage, and the differences between the pull-up voltages and the pull-down voltages for the candidate terminals.

Abstract: An overlay mark including at least one first overlay mark and at least one second overlay mark is provided. The first overlay mark includes a plurality of first bars and a plurality of first spaces arranged alternately, and the first spaces are not constant. The second overlay mark includes a plurality of second bars and a plurality of second spaces arranged alternately, and the second spaces are constant. Besides, the second overlay mark partially overlaps with the first overlay mark.

Abstract: An oscillator provides a reference signal having a phase. A tunable reactive circuit, including an induction coil, is driven by the fixed frequency reference signal of the oscillator with coil adapted to be positioned adjacent the specimen to generate an oscillating signal corresponding to the condition of the specimen. The tunable reactive circuit provides an output signal having a parameter indicative of the condition of the specimen. A resonant control circuit compares the reference signal to the oscillating signal and provides to the tunable reactive circuit a resonance control signal representative of the comparison. The resonance control signal tunes the tunable reactive circuit, which may be a series RLC circuit, so that the frequency of the oscillating signal is substantially constant.

Abstract: A microorganism number-measuring apparatus includes: measurement container including measurement liquid; rotary driver; bacteria-collection signal generator; measurement signal generator; output amplifier for amplifying outputs of signal generators and; I/V amplifier; impedance measuring unit for measuring impedance of liquid; microorganism number-computing unit for computing the number of microorganisms present in liquid; solution conductivity-computing unit for computing conductivity of liquid; and warm-up section for warming up at least one of I/V amplifier and output amplifier. Warm-up section computes a warm-up signal based on the conductivity computed by conductivity-computing unit. Warm-up section computes the warm-up signal having a current the same in magnitude as that flowing through measurement electrode by using the measured solution conductivity, and applies the signal to at least one of I/V amplifier and output amplifier.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power converter may have a connector with a pair of power supply contacts and a pair of data contacts. An electronic device may be connected to the connector of the power converter. The power converter may supply DC power to the electronic device using the power supply contacts. The power converter may include control circuitry that has a resistor coupled across the data contacts. When the electronic device and the power converter are connected to each other, each may advertize to the other that capabilities are present that exceed industry standards. At the same time, standard-compliant discovery operations may be performed to probe the value of the resistance of the resistor that is coupled across the data contacts. When extended capabilities are discovered, extended functions may be performed including accelerated charging functions and data communications functions.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device are disclosed for measuring a current. The device measures a temperature between a first sampling point and a second sampling point on a metal structure carrying a current to be measured. The device outputs a first signal according to the measured temperature and a second signal after sampling and filtering the first signal. The device detects the first voltage signal at the first sampling point and the second voltage signal at the second sampling point. The device samples and filters a difference between the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal and outputs a third voltage signal. The device restores the second signal to a temperature value representing a temperature between the first sampling point and the second sampling point and calculates a resistance value between the first sampling point and the second sampling point according to the temperature value.

Abstract: A single-use replaceable (one-shot) conductometric sensor film for use with a conductometric sensor, such as flammable vapor sensors, is provided that detects one or more volatile organic compound chemical analytes. Such sensor films exhibit a sustained change in resistance after exposure to the target analytes. The sensor film compositions undergo substantially inelastic deformation after a detection event and thus exhibit a sustained resistance change, ensuring only one-time use for certain applications. Methods of sensing analytes using the single-use sensor film compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A monitoring device for a suspension-and-traction apparatus of an elevator system that includes at least one electrically conductive cord contains a measurement apparatus for determining a resulting resistance. The measurement apparatus is connected to the cord with contacting elements contacting opposite ends of cord. Damage to the suspension-and-traction apparatus is detected by a contact point that can register protruding conductive parts of the cord and, in another embodiment, the contacting elements each contain a plurality of mutually differing resistance elements such that each of at least two electrically conductive cords of the suspension-and-traction apparatus is connected to the monitoring device through two of the resistance elements.

Abstract: A contact resistance test structure, a method for fabricating the contact resistance test structure and a method for measuring a contact resistance while using the contact resistance test structure are all predicated upon two parallel conductor lines (or multiples thereof) that are contacted by one perpendicular conductor line absent a via interposed there between. The test structure and related methods are applicable within the context of three-dimensional integrated circuits.

Abstract: Provided are test vehicles for evaluating various semiconductor materials. These materials may be used for various integrated circuit components, such as embedded resistors of resistive random access memory cells. Also provided are methods of fabricating and operating these test vehicles. A test vehicle may include two stacks protruding through an insulating body. Bottom ends of these stacks may include n-doped poly-silicon and may be interconnected by a connector. Each stack may include a titanium nitride layer provided over the poly-silicon end, followed by a titanium layer over the titanium nitride layer and a noble metal layer over the titanium layer. The noble metal layer extends to the top surface of the insulating body and forms a contact surface. The titanium layer may be formed in-situ with the noble metal layer to minimize oxidation of the titanium layer, which is used as an adhesion and oxygen getter.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented comprising a lock out member configured to be implemented into a medical device, in particular a dispense interface, attachable to a second medical device, in particular a main body, wherein said lock out member is configured to prevent a second attachment of said medical device to said second medical device, wherein said lock out member has at least a first area with a first cross-sectional area, wherein said lock out member has at least a second area having a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area, such that an electric resistance is defined between opposite ends of the lockout member and wherein said lock out member, at least in the second area, is made of a conductive material.

Abstract: A touch panel includes a substrate, a touch device layer, a sensing circuit structure, and a planarization layer. The substrate includes a sensing region and a peripheral region that surrounds the sensing region. The touch device layer is disposed on the sensing region of the substrate. The sensing circuit structure is disposed on the peripheral region of the substrate, and the sensing circuit structure includes a plurality of sensing lines. The sensing lines are electrically connected to the touch device layer. The planarization layer is located on the substrate. Here, the planarization layer includes a color-resist material that has a dielectric coefficient ranging from about 3 to about 5, and the planarization layer covers the sensing lines located in the peripheral region.

Abstract: A mattress has a sensor pad affixed on a top surface thereof. The sensor pad has (i) a matrix array of plural pressure sensors, (ii) plural row conductors, and (iii) plural column conductors. Each intersecting row and column conductor provides an electrical signal from a corresponding sensor when pressure is applied thereto. The sensor pad has plural through-holes therein disposed between the plural row conductors the plural column conductors, respectively. Preferably, at least one patient-mounted physiological sensor is configured to provide an output signal corresponding to a patient physiological parameter. An electronic unit is mounted inside the mattress and is configured to receive signals from the sensor pad. The electronic unit has a data storage unit preferably storing (i) patient identification information, (ii) patient physiological information, and (iii) mattress information.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical parameters for an electrical system measures a first and second parameters of the electrical system between connections to the electrical system. A processor determines a third electrical parameter of the electrical system as a function of the first parameter and the second parameter.

Abstract: An electronic sensing system has a transceiver with input and output pads, an excitation circuit connected to the output pad, and a detection circuit connected to the input pad. An electrically-conductive sensor patch has an electrical state that changes with exposure to a corresponding environmental factor. The detection circuit detects an electrical state of the input electrical-connection pad in response to the excitation signal and the electrical state of the sensor patch. A stack of one or more layers in order is disposed over the sensor patch in the detection region. Each layer is susceptible to a respective environmental factor, so that the sensor patch changes electrical state in response to exposure of the layer stack to the respective environmental factors of the one or more layer(s) in the selected order and subsequent exposure of the sensor patch to the corresponding environmental factor.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a supporting body, a first deformable element and a second deformable element, and a mobile element set between the first and second deformable elements and rotatable with respect to the fixed supporting body. A generator causes a current to flow through at least one of the first and second deformable elements, which function as resistors, so as to generate an electrical position signal proportional to deformation of the first and second deformable elements and indicative of angular position of the mobile element. The electrical signal is processed to determine mobile element angular position. A drive signal is generated in response to the electrical signal for the purpose of driving oscillation of the mobile element.

Abstract: An electronic sensing system has a transceiver with input and output pads, an excitation circuit connected to the output pad, and a detection circuit connected to the input pad. An electrically-conductive sensor patch has an electrical state that changes with exposure to a corresponding environmental factor. The detection circuit detects an electrical state of the input electrical-connection pad in response to the excitation signal and the electrical state of the input pad. Several electrically-conductive sensor patches are distributed over the substrate so that they are exposed to an external environmental factor substantially contemporaneously, each having a conductance susceptible to a respective environmental factor. The output pad is electrically connected to the input pad through the sensor patches in series, so that the detection circuit detects an electrical state of the input pad in response to the excitation signal and the respective conductances of the sensor patches.

Abstract: Touch screen structures may have an on cell resistive touch sensor made up of a a polarizer film or analyzer. The polarizer film has a first high resolution grid pattern printed on it by at least one master plate and a second flexible, optically isotropic transparent substrate carrying a second high resolution pattern may also be used and assembled to the first pattern. The patterns are plated with conductive material and assembled so that the first and the second conductive patterns engage when the substrate is pressed.

Abstract: Methods and structures are described for determining contact resistivities and Schottky barrier heights for conductors deposited on semiconductor wafers that can be combined with combinatorial processing, allowing thereby numerous processing conditions and materials to be tested concurrently. Methods for using multi-ring as well as single-ring CTLM structures to cancel parasitic resistance are also described, as well as structures and processes for inline monitoring of properties.

Abstract: A soot sensor for the detection of soot particles in an exhaust gas flow, having interdigitally engaged measurement electrodes applied on a substrate. An electrical resistance between the measurement electrodes is a measure of soot load of the exhaust gas flow. The measurement electrodes are divided into two regions, a first region in which no soot particles can be deposited and a second region where soot particles are deposited from the exhaust gas flow. The first region and the second region are exposed simultaneously to the other conditions prevailing in the exhaust gas flow.

Abstract: An open ended coaxial probe is disclosed that can be used to measure the dielectric properties of solids. According to some embodiments, the probe is specially designed to make good contact with solids having flat or non-flat surfaces. This design relies on forcing a good contact between the solid surface with both the center conductor and outer conductor of the coaxial probe. A method is also described in which the coaxial probe is used to monitor the dielectric permittivity of cylindrical samples such as rock cores drilled from a well. Also described are methods of using the coaxial probe to provide a continuous log of the dielectric permittivity of a rock core.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has an antifuse element and a measurement unit. The antifuse element stores information according to whether the antifuse element is in the broken or unbroken state. The measurement unit determines a resistance value related to the resistance value of the broken antifuse element.