Abstract: A patient monitoring apparatus and method is provided. A plurality of moving average filters each receive a signal sensed from a patient and generates an output signal including a respective cutoff frequency. An extraction processor is coupled to receive the sensed signal and output signals from each moving average filters. The extraction processor determines at least one feature associated with the sensed signal based on at least one of the sensed signal and the output signals from each moving average filter and generates a feature signal including data representative of the determined at least one feature. A classification processor identifies a position of artifacts within the sensed signal based on the feature signal and generates a signal identifying the position of the artifacts.

Abstract: A field device for determining a process parameter value, comprising a measurement device for determining a process parameter value; circuitry for determining the reliability of the process parameter value; and signaling circuitry for providing the process parameter value and an indication of the reliability of the process parameter value to a host system via a current loop. The signaling circuitry is configurable between a first state in which the indication of the reliability is provided as a digital signal and the process parameter value is provided as an analog DC-value, and a second state in which the indication of the reliability is provided as a predetermined analog DC-value. Hereby, the number of unplanned process interruptions may be reduced when the host system is capable of receiving digital signals.

Abstract: A method for testing a device under test (DUT) is disclosed. The method comprises communicating signals wirelessly from a first plurality of patch antennae disposed on a top surface of the DUT to a second plurality of patch antennae disposed on a printed circuited within a handler device, wherein the handler device is operable to place the DUT in a socket of a tester system, and wherein the tester system comprises the handler device and a test fixture. The method further comprises communicating the signals captured by the second plurality of patch antennae using microstrip transmission lines to a patch antenna on the printed circuit board, wherein a first waveguide is mounted to the patch antenna using a first waveguide flange, and wherein the first waveguide flange is coupled to a first end of the first waveguide.

Abstract: Threshold detection for load current on a bus involves generating an output current representative of the load current using a transconductance circuit, sampling the output current during a quiescent phase of the bus to produce a sample current, generating a compensation current that is proportional to the transconductance gain associated with the transconductance circuit, where the compensation current is a function of the sample current, combining the output current, the sample current, the compensation current, and a reference current representative of a threshold value for the load current to produce a combined current, and using a discriminator during an active phase of the bus to output a first value when the sum current exceeds the threshold value and a second value when the combined current is less than the threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory and a memory controller. The memory includes a memory block that includes memory cells connected by word lines. The memory controller is configured to store data in the memory cells, and to identify a suspected short-circuit event in the memory block by recognizing a deviation of a performance characteristic of at least a given word line in the memory block relative to the performance characteristic of remaining word lines in the memory block.

Abstract: A main microcomputer abnormality determination section checks whether or not a voltage value of Vcc based on digital data output from a main microcomputer analog-to-digital converter is equal to or higher than a threshold value to thereby perform abnormality determination for the main microcomputer analog-to-digital converter and Vref. A sub microcomputer abnormality determination section checks whether or not the voltage value of Vcc is equal to or higher than a threshold value based on digital data output from a sub microcomputer analog-to-digital converter to thereby perform abnormality determination for the sub microcomputer analog-to-digital converter and Vref. An abnormality identifying section identifies an abnormality occurring site by using both results of the abnormality determination performed by the main microcomputer abnormality determination section and the sub microcomputer abnormality determination section.

Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosis of a communication channel, wherein a communication signal serves for data transmission and is a frequency-modulated signal. The apparatus includes a receiving circuit, which serves for receiving the frequency-modulated signal. The receiving circuit includes a monitoring unit, which serves for determining a signal parameter of the frequency-modulated signal. The receiving circuit also includes a demodulator, which serves to demodulate the frequency-modulated signal. The receiving circuit also includes a signal processing unit, which is connected with the demodulator and with the monitoring unit, wherein the signal processing unit, at least at times, serves for evaluating the signal parameter of the frequency-modulated signal determined by means the monitoring unit and, at least at times, for evaluating the demodulated signal.

Abstract: A method on a mobile computing device for detecting, locating and tracing buried assets, is provided. The method includes reading, from one or more sensors communicatively coupled with the mobile computing device, a plurality of analog radio frequency signals from a buried asset, and amplifying the plurality of analog signals. The method further includes converting the analog signals to a plurality of digital signals, encoding the digital signals for transmission, so as to produce a plurality of encoded digital signals, and transmitting the plurality of encoded digital signals to a server via a communications network. The method further includes receiving, from the server, buried asset data including depth measurement data and electrical current measurement data for one or more buried assets, wherein the buried asset data corresponds to the analog radio frequency signals, and displaying the buried asset data in a graphical user interface of the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Sensor modules (12) including accelerometers (20) are placed on a physical structure (10) and tri-axial accelerometer data is converted to mechanical power (P) data (41) which then processed to provide a forewarning (57) of a critical event concerning the physical structure (10). The forewarning is based on a number of occurrences of a composite measure of dissimilarity (Ci) exceeding a forewarning threshold over a defined sampling time; and a forewarning signal (58) is provided to a human observer through a visual, audible or tangible signal. A forewarning of a structural failure can also be provided based on a number of occurrences of (Ci) above a failure value threshold.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed that comprises a controller and an analog to digital converter (ADC) coupled to controller. The speed and/or the resolution of the ADC is configurable to provide optimum performance during the operation of the ADC. In an embodiment a wireless receiver with an adaptively configurable ADC for is provided. The speed and resolution the ADC is configurable depending on the operational mode of the receiver. Accordingly, through the use of an adaptively configurable ADC, power consumption and speed is optimized for each operational mode.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and apparatuses for detecting errors in a computation using state variables. In various embodiments, corrections of the errors through the state variables are also provided. In various embodiments, the disclosed techniques may be used for power and/or energy minimization/reduction, and debugging, among other goals. Other embodiments and/or applications may be disclosed and/or claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting a pulse detection threshold consisting in detecting a pulse when the edge of said pulse envelop crosses the threshold, in allocating (A) a staring value (TH0) to the threshold and in adjusting (B1) the threshold (TH) in such a way that the number of pulses detected on at least one observation window (OWj) satisfies a predetermined criterion in a determined time.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods and apparatus for continuously, independently and in some cases remotely monitoring the operation of a current interrupter used to test a cathodic protection system, or the cathodic protection system itself, for verification of proper operation. Embodiments of the invention include electronic devices that may be temporarily attached to a current interrupter that is being used to test a cathodic protection system, or directly to the cathodic protection system itself. Embodiments of the invention monitor the activity of an interrupter by sampling the output (voltage and time) to identify the cycle(s) of the interrupter. The invention provides truly independent verification since it does not need to know in advance the sequence or cycle times of the current interrupter being monitored. The information obtained by the invention is output so that it may be provided to a user, displayed, downloaded or stored for future reference.

Abstract: A signal monitoring circuit includes a plurality of sensors, a meter chip, a micro control unit (MCU), and a multiplexer. The sensors are adapted for collecting electrical signals of an electrical system, and each of the sensors correspondingly generates an output signal. The multiplexer is adapted for receiving the output signal of each of the sensors. The MCU controls the multiplexer to selectively output one of the output signals. The meter chip receives the selected one of output signals from the multiplexer and generates corresponding meter signals to the MCU.

Abstract: A transmission system for a measurement device on a coordinate positioning apparatus comprises a station (18) mounted on the measuring device (10) and a station (20) mounted on the coordinate positioning apparatus (22), wherein the stations communicate with each other using a spread spectrum radio link, for example frequency hopping. The station on the probe sends a regular signal and on receiving the signal the station on the coordinate positioning apparatus synchronises its clock and sends an acknowledgement signal. Measurement data is either sent in the regular signal or in a measurement event driven signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus or systems for providing security based on innate characteristics of devices are disclosed. A method of providing security associated with communications from a digital device includes observing an analog signal associated with communications from the digital device, characterizing the digital device at least partially based on the analog signal, and providing a security feature at least partially based on the step of characterizing.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a single-pin method of configuring a multi-bit state of a state machine of a circuit comprises: connecting a configuration resistor load having a configuration resistance to a single input pin of the integrated circuit; injecting a configuration current through the input pin and configuration resistor load; in response to injecting the current, generating a sequence of configuration signals indicative of a plurality of results of a plurality of comparisons of the configuration resistance to a plurality of predetermined thresholds, each result corresponding to a threshold; and configuring the multi-bit state of the state machine according to the sequence of configuration signals.

Abstract: A time delay circuit is disclosed and includes a delay line with a first delay circuit and at least a second delay circuit connected downstream. An interpolation circuit is used to generate intermediate signals derived by delayed successive signals in the delay line.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention a variable rate analog-to-digital converter can be used in conjunction with an anti-aliasing filter to allow the use of lower sampling rates, and accordingly, generally lower power consumption. For example, a lower sampling rate can be used when it is determined that no undesirable signals are present and a higher sampling period can be used when an undesirable signal is present. Determining the presence of an undesired signal can be based on signal-to-noise ratio, over-sampling, bit error rate, using a detector, etc. An undesirable signal can be any signal that is close in frequency to a signal of interest or signals farther away in frequency that has a relatively high amplitude. Sampling rate can be varied in a binary fashion, stepwise, continuously, etc.

Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) for monitoring at least one power parameter in a power system is disclosed. The IED comprises at least one voltage input operative to be coupled with at least one power line in the power system and operative to sense at least one voltage in the power system. The IED further comprises at least one current input operative to be coupled with the at least one power line and operative to sense a current flowing through the at least one power line. The IED further comprises at least one analog to digital converter coupled to the voltage input and the current input and operative to produce digital samples indicative of the voltage and current. The IED further comprises a processor coupled with the at least one analog to digital converter and operative to calculate the at least one power parameter. The IED further comprises a power supply operative to supply power to the IED.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for monitoring usage of multiple electrical devices. The apparatus comprises multiple non-invasive current sensors for sensing current in respective conductors associated with the electrical devices. Such conductors may for example be the electrical power supply leads to the devices. The apparatus further includes multiple analogue to digital conversion functions for digitizing the output from the respective current sensors. A microprocessor is arranged to receive the digitized current sensor and is programmed to create usage data relating to the respective electrical devices. Such usage data may include cumulative elapsed running time. The microprocessor has an associated memory in which the usage data is stored in association with corresponding data identifying the electrical devices. The system further includes an interface through which the usage and identifier data are extractable, to provide usage information for the respective electrical devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide analog-to-digital converter techniques. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an analog-to-digital converter architecture is disclosed that utilizes optical techniques to convert an analog electrical signal to a digital electrical signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide various optical techniques. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a pulse position modulation discriminator architecture is disclosed for discriminating temporal positions of PPM-encoded optical pulses by converting them from time modulated to frequency modulated signals. As another example, time division multiplexed optical signals may be translated to wavelength division multiplexed optical signals. One or more of the architectures disclosed herein may be implemented, for example, to provide PPM to FM or time to wavelength conversion for receiver or transmitter applications.

Abstract: Electronic devices, and methods, for transmitting, transferring and/or conveying a multi-bit digital signal as a voltage signal via a single pin. Devices and methods according to the invention substantially reduce the pin count of a device because inputting of a multi-bit digital signal preferably does not use more than one input pin. In addition, the speed of transmission is improved because the multi-bit digital signal is transmitted as a voltage signal substantially at one time as opposed to serially.

Abstract: Electronic devices, and methods, for transmitting, transferring and/or conveying a multi-bit digital signal as a voltage signal via a single pin. Devices and methods according to the invention substantially reduce the pin count of a device because inputting of a multi-bit digital signal preferably does not use more than one input pin. In addition, the speed of transmission is improved because the multi-bit digital signal is transmitted as a voltage signal substantially at one time as opposed to serially.

Abstract: Electronic devices, and methods, for transmitting, transferring and/or conveying a multi-bit digital signal as a voltage signal via a single pin. Devices and methods according to the invention substantially reduce the pin count of a device because inputting of a multi-bit digital signal preferably does not use more than one input pin. In addition, the speed of transmission is improved because the multi-bit digital signal is transmitted as a voltage signal substantially at one time as opposed to serially.

Abstract: The method for compensating undesired variations in an electrical signal generated by a sensor of an optical code reader comprises the steps of generating an envelope signal starting from the electrical signal generated by the sensor and normalizing the electrical signal with respect to the envelope signal. Preferably, the envelope signal is filtered with a low-pass filter before being normalized so as to eliminate steps and edges which may cause distortions during normalization, and the normalized signal is amplified in a controlled way so as to supply an output signal ranging between two values having preset amplitudes. Normalization is carried out by dividing, point by point, the electrical signal by the envelope signal, in the case of continuous analog processing; alternatively, in presence of discrete-time signals, normalization is carried out by subtracting the envelope signal from the electrical signal.

Abstract: A process transmitter suitable for coupling to a process loop. The process transmitter includes a power regulator adapted to receive a power signal on the process loop and to provide a first signal having a first voltage. Digital components of the process transmitter are electrically coupled to the power regulator to receive power from the first signal. A step-up converter is electrically coupled to the power regulator and receives the first signal. The step-up converter outputs a second signal having a second voltage larger than the first voltage. Analog components of the process transmitter are electrically coupled to the step-up converter to receive power from the second signal.

Abstract: To develop a method according to WO 01/45232 in such a manner that it supplies good results in every case, in a method for detecting and digitally transmitting measured analog output values of a number of transducers to a protection or field device, the measured analog output values of each transducer (ECT1 . . . EVTBB) are converted into measured digital values (Md) at a sampling rate which is higher by a factor (m) than the minimum sampling rate, and are transmitted, the factor (m) being an integer divider of the number (n) of the filter coefficients of in each case one FIR filter (FIR) with filter coefficients of the value 1 in a data concentrator (26) for each transducer (ECT1 . . . EVTBB). The measured digital values (Md) are transmitted as a message to a data concentrator and from buffers (Buf1) associated with each transducer (ECT1 . . .

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating coded high-frequency signals, having a converter, which converts non-electrical primary energy available from the surroundings into electrical energy, an element with a nonlinear characteristic curve, which is coupled to the converter, and a coding device coupled to the element with a nonlinear characteristic curve.

Abstract: An analog-digital, radiation-hardened, low-power Smart Sensor Data Acquisition and Control chip, specifically designed and developed for Spacecraft/Instrument Housekeeping and Controls. Sensor data (Temperatures, Voltages, Currents, Pressure, Digitals) are continuously measured, digitized, stored, and transmitted, and Control Actions (DACS, Timers, Digitals) are activated, through a standard bi-directional, digital serial bus (I2C). The chip also offers a Custom or Standard (like PCI) parallel bus interface for parallel readout internally communicating to the serial bus. The chip essentially eliminates spacecraft harness, and greatly simplifies system design.

Abstract: Apparatus for data communication includes a transmitter, which is adapted to generate a sequence of symbols at a variable symbol rate, responsively to a stream of digital data, and to convert the sequence to an analog data signal for transmission over a communication medium. A receiver includes an analog/digital converter (ADC), which is adapted to receive and digitize the data signal at a variable sampling rate so as to generate a sequence of digital samples, and digital processing circuitry, which is coupled to process the digital samples so as to extract the stream of digital data therefrom. The transmitter and the receiver are adapted to negotiate over the communication medium so as to set the sampling rate of the ADC and to determine the symbol rate responsively to the sampling rate.

Abstract: An autonomous sensor system is provided for powering sensors using thermoelectric modules driven by thermal energy. The system includes solid-state thermoelectric (TE) modules for the conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy. The TE modules are composed of p-type and n-type semiconductors that are interdigitated so that the p-type and n-type elements form thermocouples. The TE modules derive electrical power from thermal energy available in the immediate environment. The system also includes sensors that are powered by the TE module, wherein a corresponding free space signal is generated.

Abstract: For the safe evaluation of sensor signals, singular further processing is permitted by producing a redundancy signal in accordance with a prescribed algorithm when the sensor signals are actually generated. The redundant single-channel nature is made possible by virtue of safety-conforming data processing and data transmission being carried out on a single channel by virtue of a downstream processing device deriving dual-channel signals therefrom, by reversing the algorithm, and testing them for plausibility by reciprocal result comparison.

Abstract: A structural monitoring system comprises a plurality of modular, battery powered data acquisition devices which transmit structural information to a central data collection and analysis device over a wireless data link. The data acquisition devices each comprise mechanical vibration sensors, data acquisition circuitry, a digital wireless transmitter, and a battery for providing electrical power to the device. The central data collection device comprises a digital wireless receiver that receives data sent from the data acquisition devices, and a microprocessor for processing the data. A more powerful computer may be interfaced with the central device to provide more sophisticated analysis after a natural hazard or other extreme event. A methodology for operating the monitoring system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A communications system including a radio frequency identification device including an integrated circuit having a single die including a microprocessor, a receiver coupled to the microprocessor, and a backscatter transmitter coupled to the microprocessor, the integrated circuit having a digital input, and the receiver being configured to receive wireless communications from a remote interrogator; and an analog to digital converter external of the single die and having a digital output coupled to the digital input of the integrated circuit, and having an analog input configured to be coupled to an analog measuring device, wherein the radio frequency identification device is configured to transmit a signal indicative of the analog input using the backscatter transmitter. A communications method including coupling an analog to digital converter to a radio frequency identification device.

Abstract: A cable drive circuit allows a transmitter in a process control system to drive signals across a capacitive length of cable. The cable drive circuit uses a charge pump to store charge, which is then used in conjunction with open drain outputs to transmit logic signals across a cable to a peripheral at the other end of the cable. A microcontroller or other device specifies the number of communication pulses to send across the cable before allowing the charge pump to recharge. By transmitting communication pulses for a small percentage of the time the average current is minimized, making the circuit suitable for operation under the 4-2OmA standard for two-wire devices.

Abstract: Wireless integrated miniature sensing stations which can be organized into a communicating network allow sensitive detection and analysis of vibration, infrared radiation, sound, or other physical signals indicative of an intruder or condition to be monitored over a wide area. The sensing stations operate on low power and include a sensor or sensors, a digital signal processor, a microprocessor, and a wireless transceiver for communication. Network communication is facilitated by multiple relayed transmissions from station to station.

Abstract: An engineering unit converter system for converting an analog measurement into an engineering value. An analog measurement of a physical quantity is transformed into a digital value. The digital value is then split into a high order digit and a lower order digit. The high order digit is used as an address to a memory device for fetching a line segment coefficient and a line segment offset coefficient. The lower order digit is multiplied with the line segment coefficient in a multiplier resulting in a product. The product is added to the line segment coefficient offset resulting in a sum whose value is an engineering unit. One embodiment is directed to converting temperature measurements into engineering units via thermocouples. This embodiment includes: thermocouple devices, resistance thermal devices or positive temperature coefficient thermistors, adders, multipliers, and memory devices (readable and writable memory devices).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting DC offset in a frequency to voltage converter. An analog frequency to voltage converter receives a frequency signal and outputs a voltage signal having a level that is indicative of the frequency of the frequency signal. The frequency signal is also input into a digital processor which converts the frequency signal into a reference signal that is fed back and summed with the voltage signal. The processor integrates the difference between the reference signal and the output signal to drive the output signal to be equal to the reference signal thereby nullifying DC offset in the output signal. The invention can be applied to controlling the DC bus voltage in a variable frequency AC drive.