Abstract: Measurement-only topological quantum computation using both projective and interferometrical measurement of topological charge is described. Various issues that would arise when realizing it in fractional quantum Hall systems are discussed.

Abstract: Method and appliance which detects if the interruption of current to an electrified load which is connected to a switched electrified point of an alternating network was by the user volition, or is due to a general electrical blackout, or if there was no interruption of electrification.

Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) has enhanced power quality and communications capabilities. The power meter can perform energy analysis by waveform capture, detect transient on the front end voltage input channels and provide revenue measurements. The power meter splits and distributes the front end input channels into separate circuits for scaling and processing by dedicated processors for specific applications by the power meter. Front end voltage input channels are split and distributed into separate circuits for transient detection, waveform capture analysis and revenue measurement, respectively. Front end current channels are split and distributed into separate circuits for waveform capture analysis and revenue measurement, respectively.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a circuit board with an electronic component mounted thereon. The device, includes a measuring unit, a first database, a determination unit, and a presentation unit. The measuring unit measures an value of state of the electronic component. The first database stores data indicating correlation. The determination unit determines one of ways of applying a load to a junction, based on the value of state of the electronic component measured by the measuring unit, and referring to the first database. The presentation unit presents the determined way of applying the load to the junction.

Abstract: A state switching device for switching the states of a device by detecting a battery voltage of the device is provided. The device includes a voltage dividing circuit to provide an output voltage in proportion to the battery voltage, and a detection unit which includes a voltage detection module, a comparison module, a control module and a state detection module to obtain the device's state. The voltage detection module produces a digital detection voltage according to the output voltage at normal time intervals, the comparison module detects whether the digital detection voltage is lower than a reference voltage corresponding to the state. If yes, the voltage detection module obtains digital detection voltage at abnormal time intervals. The comparison module compares a predetermined number of digital detection voltages with the reference voltage to produce comparison results. The control module determines whether to maintain the device's state according to the comparison results.

Abstract: Due to their exposure to extreme environments, it is expected that parts or all of a solar power system will experience degradation in performance. The degradation may be due to temporary environmental factors, such as cloud cover; damage or localized soiling; a general dirty condition; or ageing of the components. A method is disclosed wherein a remote system may detect degraded performance and determine the cause, thereby enabling a decision as to the appropriate corrective action to be taken, if any.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a multi-channel capacitive sensor for measuring capacitances of sense electrodes to a system reference potential comprises a sample capacitor having first and second terminals. The sensor comprises a first diode having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the sample capacitor and a second terminal coupled to a first sense electrode, and comprises a second diode having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the sample capacitor and a second terminal coupled to a second sense electrode. A control circuit is operable to apply a drive signal to the first terminal of the sample capacitor and apply a bias signal to the respective second terminals of at least one of the first and second diodes so as to selectively prevent the at least one of the first and second diodes from conducting the drive signal to respectively connected sense electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring photovoltaic modules (1, 2), which are used in an arrangement comprising several photovoltaic modules, which are connected in particular in series by means of electrical conducting means (3), wherein a separate microcontroller (5) is associated with the respective photovoltaic module (1, 2), an in particular continual determination of at least one status parameter of the respective photovoltaic module (1, 2) is performed by the microcontroller (5), the data concerning the status parameter are transmitted to an evaluating unit (10), the data intended to be transmitted to the evaluating unit (10) are designed in the form of data blocks (7, 8), the electrical conducting means (3) present for connecting the individual photovoltaic modules (1) are used to transmit the data blocks (7, 8), and the data blocks (7, 8) are transmitted independently of each other so that the probability of data blocks (7, 8) colliding with each other is greater than 0.

Abstract: A motor characteristic inspecting device is capable of inspecting the condition of a motor installed in an apparatus without removing the motor from the apparatus. The motor characteristic inspecting device includes: a vector variation computing section configured to compute a voltage vector variation amount when a mover of a three-phase motor is moved by an external force; a speed variation detecting section configured to detect a speed variation amount; a constant computing section configured to compute a counter electromotive force constant; and a result display section. Armature windings of the motor installed in the apparatus and the motor characteristic inspecting device are electrically connected with power supply lines disconnected from the motor. An external force is applied to the mover of the motor. The condition of the motor is determined based on the computed result displayed on the result display section of the motor characteristic inspecting device.

Abstract: A system for detecting and locating a leak through a membrane that includes a detector array, a signal generator, a flexible sheet over-membrane, a conductive felt, and a computer. The detector array includes a boundary wire loop and sensors. The signal generator applies voltage to the boundary wire loop. The conductive felt is applied on top of the detector array. The flexible sheet over-membrane is applied on top of the conductive felt. At least the downward, detector array-facing side of the over-membrane is non-conductive. The computer is in electrical communication with the boundary wire loop, the sensors, and the signal generator.

Abstract: A process is provided for the electronic monitoring of the on-board power supply system, or parts of the on-board power supply system, of a motor vehicle with respect to voltage peaks or voltage drops. The value of the electric voltage is continuously recorded, and a comparator circuit continuously compares a first earlier voltage value with a subsequently determined second voltage value. The comparator circuit keeps available for a predetermined time period the highest voltage value recorded up to that point-in-time.

Abstract: A battery status detecting method for detecting a battery status of a secondary battery that supplies power to an electrical load is disclosed. This method includes measuring a discharge current value of the secondary battery, and estimating the dischargeable capacity or the dischargeable time of the secondary battery with the measured discharge current value based on discharge characteristics of the secondary battery indicating the discharge status of the secondary battery when the voltage of the secondary battery drops to a predetermined voltage specified by the electrical load.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that presents unbalance information obtained from electrical assets in a manner that facilitates management of the electrical assets. In one aspect, a screen view is generated that provides a visual representation of the electrical assets as partitioned into one or more groupings that are each based on a common operational characteristic associated with the electrical assets. The screen view also contains unbalance information that is associated with each of the electrical assets in the one or more groupings and at least one statistical measure that is associated with each of the one or more groupings.

Abstract: A method for calculating insertion indices for a phase leg of a DC to AC modular multilevel converter. Each phase leg includes two serially connected arms, wherein each arm includes a number of submodules, wherein each submodule can be in a bypass state or a voltage insert mode. The insertion index includes data representing the portion of available submodules that should be in the voltage insert mode. The method includes the steps of: calculating a desired arm voltage for an upper arm connected to the upper DC source common bar and a lower arm connected to the lower DC source common bar, obtaining values representing actual total arm voltages in the upper arm and lower arm, respectively, and calculating modulation indices for the upper and lower arm, respectively, using the respective desired arm voltage and the respective value representing the total actual arm voltage. A corresponding apparatus is also presented.

Abstract: A method for analyzing correlations among electrical characteristics of an electronic device and a method for optimizing a structure of the electronic device are disclosed. The electronic device may comprises a plurality of electrical characteristics v1, v2, v3, . . . , vm, wherein the electrical characteristics v2, v3, . . . . , vm constitute a (m?1) dimensional space. For a plurality of discrete measurement points (v2k, v3k, . . . , vmk) in the (m?1) dimensional space, a plurality of corresponding measurement values of the electrical characteristic v1 has already been obtained. The method comprises: performing a Delaunay triangulation operation on the plurality of measurement points (v2k, v3k, . . . , vmk) in the (m?1) dimensional space; calculating a plurality of interpolation values of the electrical characteristic v1 corresponding to a plurality of interpolation points (v2i, v3i, . . .

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a controller, a number of input devices, a number of digital sensors, a number of analog sensors, a number of displays, and a number of alarms. Each input device includes a switching circuit, an input circuit, and a connector. The connector is connected to a digital sensor or an analog sensor. The switching circuit includes an n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET), a p-channel MOSFET, a first resistor, and a second resistor. The input circuit includes an operational amplifier and a third resistor.

Abstract: A method of determining a parameter includes providing a sensor that provides a sensor analog voltage. A peak detecting circuit for detecting a peak voltage in the sensor analog voltage is also provided. The sensor analog voltage is provided to the peak detecting circuit, and the peak voltage is detected. A microprocessor is provided in sleep mode and is awakened once the circuit detects the peak voltage. The microprocessor samples and records the peak voltage and the microprocessor goes back to sleep.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an element coupled between a first power supply line and a second power supply line, and a capacitor coupled between the first power supply line and the second power supply line. A capacitance value of the capacitor is estimated based on a first value that depends on a period of a change in an input signal input to the element and a change in an output signal output from the element, and a second value that depends on a voltage between the first power supply line and the second power supply line.

Abstract: The method for forming the optimal characteristic curve of a solar cell comprises the steps of: providing a first acceptable error; and determining a current-voltage polynomial regression equation, whose square root of the residual sum of square is less than the first acceptable error for a set of solar cell measured data. The order of the current-voltage polynomial regression equation is gradually increased until the square root of the residual sum of square of the current-voltage polynomial regression equation is less than the first acceptable error.

Abstract: A system for automatic voltage range measurement borne by an electronic device controls a voltage regulator module (VRM) of the electronic device to output a work voltage equaling a work voltage output by the VRM last time added to or subtracted by a voltage difference. When a determination module determines the electronic device has failed to power on or a test of the electronic device for testing hardware of the electronic device has failed after the electronic device is powered on at a work voltage, a limit value of a voltage range boned by the electronic device is ascertained. The limit value is equal to the work voltage this time subtracted or added by the voltage difference.

Abstract: A method of monitoring utility usage receives utility usage data from at least one local utility sensor and uses a local server to determine a utility usage for a selected time period based on the utility usage data. The local server is also used to determine a current utility usage rate. A utility usage display illustrating at least a portion of the utility usage data is transmitted to a web browser or client application of at least one computing device. The utility usage display includes a ticker indicating the determined utility usage and the current utility usage rate. The ticker includes a rotating dial rotating at a rotational speed proportional to the current utility usage rate. The display also includes a usage scale illustrating a difference between the determined utility usage and one or more desired utility usage goals.

Abstract: An intrusion detection and warning system and method capable of pinpointing location of a breaking in attempt wherein the system relies on vibration sensors positioned along a sensor line that is installable on a fence sector, a signal processing unit located on one end of the sensors line and said sector resistor is placed at a second, other end of the sensor line and connected to it. Wherein the system is characterized by an array of parallel formation resistors that are each connected to a vibration sensor. Wherein one end of each of the resistor is connected to the sensors line, the other end is connected to a voltage measurements line. The system defines at said voltage measurements line, a point in which a voltage can be sampled, and wherein in addition, the system includes a sampler that enables sampling the voltage at said define point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for hysteresis in a system, the method comprising: determining a required input to the system from an output of the system using the Preisach model with the input of the Preisach model corresponding to the output of the system, and with the output of the Preisach model corresponding to the input of the system. The system may be an adaptive optics system. The input x may be an input voltage of an actuator that deforms a mirror, and the output y may be a value of a displacement of a mirror.

Abstract: A voltage-converter and a signal processing circuit are disclosed. A voltmeter, a power meter and a three-phase meter each including the voltage-converter and the signal processing circuit are disclosed. Methods of making the voltage-converters, voltmeters, three phase meters and power meters, as well as operating and/or using these apparatus are disclosed. Apparatus including feedback paths with at least one voltage-converters, voltmeters, three-phase meters and/or power meters are disclosed.

Abstract: In order to determine the operational parameters of a high-frequency power amplifier (1) (for example, complex forward and return voltage or power, complex load impedance, reflection or voltage standing wave ratio) on the connecting line (3) between the output of the high-frequency power amplifier (1) and a complex load, in particular, an antenna (4), an analog measured voltage Uu proportional to the complex voltage {right arrow over (U)} on the connecting line and an analog measured voltage Ui proportional to the complex current {right arrow over (I)} on the line (3) is determined by a Buschbeck coupling device. These measured voltages are digitized, and the required operational parameters can then be calculated in a computing unit (7) from these digital values.

Abstract: An improved meter and its operation is described. The meter can be a part of a larger automated meter reading process that allows for remote reading of the meter though power line communication. Using a microcomputer core, the meter processes incoming analog data and can calculate several relevant data values need by utility providers. The meter can also be used to monitor and detect tampering dry connect/voltage free devices, such as gas and water meters, connected to the meter.

Abstract: In order to determine various operational parameters of a power amplifier (for example, a complex load impedance or a complex forward and return power or a reflection factor or a voltage standing wave ratio) on a connecting line between an output of the power amplifier and a complex load, complex analog forward and return voltages on the connecting line are determined by an analog coupling device. These analog voltages are digitized and converted down into a baseband by one or more digital down-converters. From these digital values corresponding in absolute value and phase to the complex forward and return voltages and present in the baseband, desired operational parameters may then be calculated by a computer.

Abstract: A self correcting device includes a first flip-flop to receive data and coupled to a clock input; one or more delayed flip-flops used to detect delay variations; a multiplexer coupled to the output of the first flip-flop and the delayed flip-flops, a metastability detector and error check controller to control the multiplexer to select one flip-flop output; and an adaptive voltage swing link coupled to the multiplexer output to generate a voltage swing on the link based on a selected clock skew.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for measuring and characterizing random variations in device characteristics of semiconductor integrated circuit devices, which enable circuit designers to accurately measure and characterize random variations in device characteristics (such as transistor threshold voltage) between neighboring devices resulting from random sources such as dopant fluctuations and line edge roughness, for purposes of integrated circuit design and analysis. In one aspect, a method for characterizing random variations in device mismatch (e.g., threshold voltage mismatch) between a pair of device (e.g., transistors) is performed by obtaining subthreshold DC voltage characteristic data for the device pair, and then determining a distribution in voltage threshold mismatch for the device pair directly from the corresponding subthreshold DC voltage characteristic data.

Abstract: A state detecting apparatus S for detecting a current operating state of an LM (linear motion) system includes an AE sensor 1 generating a detection signal Sae by detecting an AE wave elastically generated when a plurality of balls contained in the LM system revolve in a circulation portion while spinning themselves; and a signal processing unit 4 generating a parameter indicating an intensity of the AE wave based on only the detection signal Sae corresponding to an operating frequency of the ball, and uses the parameter to determine a lubrication state of the LM system. Thereby, it is possible to provide the state detecting apparatus capable of predicting failure occurrence in the LM system; providing an improved maintenance to a user of the LM system and further longer lifetime thereof; and providing a performance guarantee and an improved quality of a device or equipment manufactured using the LM system.

Abstract: A technique for characterizing the noise behavior of a superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) detector as a function of its applied bias voltage Vb by stepping the STJ's bias voltage across a predetermined range and, at each applied bias, making multiple measurements of the detector's current, calculating their mean and their standard deviation from their mean, and using this standard deviation as a measure of the STJ detector's noise at that applied bias. Because the method is readily executed under computer control, it is particularly useful when large numbers of STJ detectors require biasing, as in STJ detector arrays In a preferred implementation, the STJ is measured under computer control by attaching it to a digital spectrometer comprising a digital x-ray processor (DXP) coupled to a preamplifier that can set the STJ's bias voltage Vb using a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) controlled by the DXP.

Abstract: In method for processing a measured-value signal determined in an analog manner and a resolver system for implementing the method, the measured-value signal being supplied to a delta-sigma modulator, which makes a bit stream, particularly a one-bit data stream, available on the output side, in particular, whose moving average corresponds to the measured-value signal, the bit stream being supplied to a first digital filter, which converts the bit stream into a stream of digital intermediate words, that is a multibit data stream, the first digital filter having three serially arranged differentiators, the bit stream being clocked at a clock frequency fS, that is, at a clock-pulse period TS=1/fS, and therefore the stream of digital intermediate words being clocked, and thus updated, at a clock-pulse frequency fD, that is, at a clock-pulse period TD=1/fD, the output signal of the first digital filter being supplied to a second digital filter, the second digital filter having as its output data-word stream the dif

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analysis and design of radiation and scattering objects are disclosed. In one embodiment, unknown sources are spatially grouped to produce a system interaction matrix with block factors of low rank within a given error tolerance and the unknown sources are determined from compressed forms of the factors.

Abstract: A power input efficiency measurement method includes: providing a power source to supply to a power input system that has a power converter; measuring a current at a primary side of the power converter; measuring a voltage at the primary side of the power converter; and calculating the primary-side current and the primary-side voltage to obtain power efficiency of the power input system. In a preferred embodiment, a current transformer unit is applied to measure the primary-side current while a negative-voltage conversion circuit is applied to measure the primary-side voltage.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes: a sensor device adapted to selectively monitor a plurality of sensors including an electrical sensor adapted to monitor at least one electrical parameter associated with a circuit and a heat sensor adapted to monitor heat, wherein the sensor device includes a wireless transceiver within the sensor device adapted to transmit measurement information from the selected sensor; and a receiver indicator device adapted to wirelessly receive the measurement information from the sensor device, and provide an indication based on the measurement information to a user operating the receiver indicator device.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a trip mechanism and at least one capacitor configured to store electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy to the trip mechanism. The circuit protection device also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one capacitor and configured to measure a charge property of the at least one capacitor, compare the measured charge property to a threshold, and output a signal indicative of the comparison.

Abstract: Methods and devices to measure threshold voltages of electro-mechanical systems devices are disclosed. The threshold voltages are determined based on which of multiple test voltages cause the devices to change states. State changes of the device are detected by monitoring integrated current or charge used to drive the test voltages.

Abstract: A test structure for precise characterization of an MOS stack has two semiconductor devices DT1 and DT2 comprising MOS transistors. The dimensions (length Li, width Wi) of the transistors of the first device Ti and the dimensions (length L?i, width W?i) of the transistors T?i of the second device are selected so that the sum of the lengths of the transistors on the one hand, and the sum of the widths of the transistors on the other hand, are respectively equal in the two devices, and so that the surface area difference Sequiv between the two devices is nonzero. An associated measurement method is used to calculate the curve of the difference capacitance between the two devices as a function of the voltage by means of a capacimeter. By placing each of the devices as the load of a suitably controlled CMOS inverter, this curve can be recorded by a dynamic measurement method based on measuring the current in each inverter.

Abstract: A method of detecting a change in current is provided which includes irradiating light on at least one photoelectric conversion material layer, and detecting an increased change in current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer. A photoelectric conversion apparatus is also provided and includes a photoelectric conversion element including a photoelectric conversion material layer, and a current detection circuit electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element. In the photoelectric conversion apparatus, the current detection circuit detects an increased change in current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer.

Abstract: A method and device characterize linear properties of an electrical component having n>1 ports. The linear properties of the component are described in a matrix relating a voltage applied to the ports to a current through the ports. A frequency dependence of the matrix is approximated to preserve eigenvalues of the matrix by a pole-residual model. The method includes: (a) obtaining a set of values of the matrix at discrete frequencies, and obtaining eigenvalues and eigenvectors for each value; (b) fitting a set of vector equations to the eigenvalues and eigenvectors with a first set of pole frequencies; and (c) calculating a second set of pole frequencies by a vector fitting process for all modes of an element of the matrix. Steps (b) and (c) are repeated using the second set of pole frequencies in step (c) in a subsequent step (b) until a stop condition is met.

Abstract: Multiple non-defective samples of a DUT are selected. A quiescent power supply current (IDDQ) is measured for each of test vectors which are switched, for each of the non-defective samples. Statistical IDDQ values are measured in increments of the test vectors, and first array data is created including identifiers for the test vectors and the statistical IDDQs as elements. The first array data is sorted using the IDDQ value as a key so as to create second array data. The difference in quiescent power supply current is calculated by making difference between adjacent current elements of the second array data, so as to create third array data including the identifiers for the test vectors and the differences of current value as the elements. The third array data is sorted using the difference in current value as a key, and creates fourth array data.

Abstract: A method and gap analyzer device configured to determine a gap in a turbo-machine is provided. The gap analyzer device includes a housing configured to receive a rechargeable battery; a voltage multiplier unit configured to increase a voltage of the rechargeable battery to a predetermined value; a voltage stabilization unit configured to stabilize the voltage having the predetermined value; an output port configured to output the voltage having the predetermined value to a probe; an input port configured to receive from the probe a signal indicative of the gap of the turbo-machine; a processor unit configured to determine a voltage associated with the signal; a display configured to display the determined voltage; a common port connected to the voltage stabilization unit, the voltage multiplier unit and the display; and a switch electrically connected between the processor unit and the battery for switching on and off the gap analyzer device.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to sufficiently supply power to three-dimensionally stacked LSI chips and to dispose common through vias in chips of different types. Also, another object is to propose a new test method for power-supply through silicon vias.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to electrically and optically characterize a multijunction solar cell. The apparatus can have as many light sources as there are subcells in the multijunction solar cell. Each light source has an optical spectrum that falls within the bandgap energy of a corresponding subcell. Each light source has a controllable intensity level.

Abstract: A method of the present invention using a prediction process including a battery equivalent circuit model used to predict a voltage and a state of charge of a battery. The equivalent circuit battery model includes different equivalent circuit models consisting of at least an ideal DC power source, internal resistance, and an arbitrary number of representative parallel resistors and capacitors. These parameters are obtained a priori by fitting the equivalent circuit model to battery testing data. The present invention further uses a correction process includes determining a corrected predicted state of charge of the battery; and storing the corrected state of charge of the battery in a storage medium. In the present invention, an expectation of the predicted voltage of the battery and an expectation of the predicted state of charge of the battery are obtained by an unscented transform with sigma points selected by a Gaussian process optimization.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a solar panel. The system comprises an apparatus to be coupled electrically to two solar panels. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory having stored thereon instructions for calculating a ratio of respective operating parameters of the two solar panels. The apparatus further can include an output device, such as to display the ratio of the respective operating parameters of the solar panels. The apparatus may further comprise two loads coupled to the processor to be electrically coupled to the respective solar panels.

Abstract: A metrology system monitors radio frequency (RF) power at a plurality of locations in a circuit. The system includes a plurality of RF sensors that generate respective analog signals based on electrical properties of the RF power, a multiplexing module that generates an output signal based on the analog signals, and an analysis module that generates messages based on the output signal. The messages contain information regarding the electrical properties that are sensed by the plurality of RF sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a frequency measurement apparatus which is arranged in such a way as to obtain an amplitude, chord length and rotation phase angle of a voltage rotation vector by means of an integration method, and furthermore, obtain a change rate of the rotation phase angle, and a rotational acceleration change rate of the rotation vector, and measure a dynamic frequency by determining a frequency change rate for every step.

Abstract: An intelligent electronic device IED has enhanced power quality and communications capabilities. The IED can perform energy analysis by waveform capture, detect transient on the front-end voltage input channels and provide revenue measurements. The IED splits and distributes the front-end input channels into separate circuits for scaling and processing by dedicated processors for specific applications by the IED. Front-end voltage input channels are split and distributed into separate circuits for transient detection, waveform capture analysis and revenue measurement, respectively. Front-end current channels are split and distributed into separate circuits for waveform capture analysis and revenue measurement, respectively.

Abstract: Electrical networks are formed to produce an approximation of at least one desired performance characteristic, based on the recognition that fabrication variations introduce slight differences in electronic sub-networks which were intended to be identical. These fabrication differences are turned to an advantage by providing a pool of sub-networks, and then selectively connecting particular combinations of these sub-networks to implement networks that approximate the desired performance characteristics. The sub-networks are of like kind (e.g., resistors) and have a like measure.