Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a medical device to ensure usage compliance by a patient are described herein. The method can include the steps of monitoring one or more parameters associated with the operation of the medical device, comparing the monitored parameters with one or more predetermined operational profiles and generating a signal that is indicative of whether the medical device is being used by the patient in substantial conformance with a predetermined usage pattern assigned to that patient. In one arrangement, the use of the medical device by the patient requires voluntary actions on the part of the patient to be in substantial conformance with the predetermined usage pattern.

Abstract: A process for measuring the gradient or an n-th order derivative, in which n is greater than 1, in a direction z, of a component Hx of a magnetic field, the component being invariant, at least locally, in a direction y. The method includes: a) positioning of N (N>n+1) elementary field sensors, each sensor being offset, relative to the neighboring sensors, along y by a distance Ty and along the z axis by a distance ?z, b) measurement of the field by each of the N sensors, and c) calculation of the desired gradient, or the desired nth-order derivative, as a function of the measurements of the field obtained during b).

Abstract: An electrical circuit tester including a resistive load and a testing station for detecting the variable load. The testing station includes at least one electrical current transducer capable of detecting the variable load in an adjacent electrical power circuit. The detection of the variable load is communicated to the testing station and a variable load detection function.

Abstract: A measuring system includes an input that emulates a bandpass filter with no signal reflections. A directional coupler connected to the input passes the filtered input to electrically isolated measuring circuits. Each of the measuring circuits includes an amplifier that amplifies the signal through logarithmic functions. The output of the measuring system is an accurate high dynamic range measurement.

Abstract: A technique for determining performance characteristics of electronic devices and systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by measuring a first response on a first transmission line from a single pulse transmitted on the first transmission line, and then measuring a second response on the first transmission line from a single pulse transmitted on at least one second transmission line, wherein the at least one second transmission line is substantially adjacent to the first transmission line. The worst case bit sequences for transmission on the first transmission line and the at least one second transmission line are then determined based upon the first response and the second response for determining performance characteristics associated with the first transmission line.

Abstract: A method includes, in at least one aspect, receiving a digital voltage signal representing a voltage supplied to a circuit having a load, identifying a first time stamp associated with a voltage value representing an extrema in the digital voltage signal, receiving a digital current signal representing a current drawn by the load in response to the supplied voltage, identifying a second time stamp associated with the digital current signal, the second time stamp being within a threshold time of the first time stamp, and identifying a current value associated with the second time stamp as the current drawn by the load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus measures electrical power usage and quality, while mitigating the effects of noise on measured signals or parameters. Specifically, a digital electrical power and energy meter employs a method in which a processor averages a parameter, such as voltage or current, over a plurality of cycles of a time-varying signal, such as an AC electrical signal. The method employed by the meter samples a parameter over the plurality of cycles and computes the average of the samples corresponding to the same phase angle of the signal to produce an average signal.

Abstract: The battery pack monitoring apparatus is for monitoring a battery pack constituted of battery blocks connected in series and each including battery cells connected in series. The battery pack monitoring apparatus includes a cell monitoring circuits provided respectively for the battery blocks, and a control circuit. Each of the cell monitoring circuits includes a cell voltage detection circuit to detect cell voltages of the battery cells included in a corresponding one of the battery blocks, and a block voltage detection circuit to detect a block voltage of the corresponding one of the battery blocks. The control circuit is configured to detect states of the battery cells based on the cell voltages and the block voltages transmitted from the respective cell monitoring circuits.

Abstract: A system and method for incorporating presence-sensing technology into furniture is provided. More particularly, the invention relates to incorporating a conductive medium into the periphery of a furniture item, such as an adjustable bed, for detecting the presence of a user or other body. The bed includes a mattress with a covering material and a tape edge surrounding the perimeter of the mattress. A capacitive wire is coupled the tape edge, and is adapted to have a voltage based on proximity of an object to the capacitive wire. The bed also includes a processor coupled to the capacitive wire. The processor receives information provided by the capacitive wire, determines when a change in voltage satisfies a threshold, and indicates whether presence is detected. Based on a determination of presence, or lack of presence, a variety of corresponding features of the adjustable bed may be activated.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the health of a DC motor, such as a DC motor on a vehicle. The method includes measuring a current output signal of the DC motor, determining a mean of the measured current signal over a predetermined time period and determining a variance estimation of the mean of the measured current. The method then uses the variance estimation to determine the health of the motor, including an end-of-life prediction of the motor, and uses the mean of the measured current to determine the performance (torque) of the motor.

Abstract: A method for testing the operating conditions of an electric network, including at least one operating state, including the steps of providing a voltage signal (v(t)) to a network load and measuring the instantaneous current signal (i(t)) circulating in the load, delaying the instantaneous current signal (i(t)) to generate an instantaneous current signal delayed ((i(t+?)) by a predetermined amount of time (?), the predetermined amount of time (?) being a function of the operating state of said load, the method including the steps of calculating, within a predetermined measurement time (Tm), an admittance ratio (G?(?)) between the mean of the product of the voltage signal (v(t)) and the delayed instantaneous current signal (i(t+?)), and the mean of the square of the voltage signal (v(t)), and to compare the value of the admittance ratio (G?(?)) with a range of predetermined values (Gmin,Gmax) to determine the operating state of the electric network.

Abstract: A current monitor is described that indicates a condition of attached electrical equipment. The current monitor can determine a predetermined range in which current being withdrawn by the attached electrical apparatus lies. Based on the determined range, corresponding display electronic elements, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), can be activated. Activated LEDs of a particular color can indicate corresponding conditions of the electrical equipment. The condition of the electrical equipment along with other parameters, such as associated time ranges and other values, can be transmitted via a wired or wireless connection to a software system implemented on a wireless device such that a continuous monitoring and an analysis can be performed remotely. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A monitor (5) monitors an assembled battery (1) having a plurality of cells (11) and a power supply line (2) for connecting the plurality of the cells (11). The monitor (5) includes: a detecting portion (6) for detecting a voltage of each of the cells (11) of the plurality of the cells (11); and a controlling portion (7) for receiving a voltage detection result detected by the detecting portion (6). The detecting portion (6) converts the voltage detection result into an alternating current communication signal and transmits the alternating current communication signal via the power supply line (2) to the controlling portion (7).

Abstract: A method comprises operating a processor at a first power control strategy. Such a method further comprises determining whether a workload of a task running on a processor has fallen below a lower threshold, and changing to a second power control strategy to operate the processor based on determining that the workload of the task has fallen below the lower threshold.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for determining the fineness of a ground material in a mill are provided, wherein the acoustic spectrum of the mill during the grinding process is used for concluding the fineness. The mill comprises a drum in which the ground material is present during the grinding process, said drum being driven by a magnetic drive having at least one magnetic segment during the grinding process, so that a rotating magnetic field generated with the aid of the magnetic drive causes the drum to rotate. In order to determine the acoustic spectrum, a voltage induced in a coil of the magnetic segment is determined at least intermittently. On the basis of a model, using the detected time-dependent induced voltage, conclusions can be drawn about the acoustic spectrum and therefrom about the fineness.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring current in a power over Ethernet (PoE) system are provided. The PoE system includes an integrated circuit component having a controller, an internal transistor, a replica transistor, and an external transistor. Current in the system can be indirectly measured by enabling and disabling the transistors in known ways and then measuring the current through the replica transistor. The actual current in the system can be calculated based on the measured currents, thereby allowing for a PoE system that is capable of measuring current without a resistor in series with the external transistor.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus is capable of separately measuring at least one of the purely resistive component and the reactance component of a measured circuit. The measuring apparatus applies an AC voltage to the measured circuit and detects a current flowing in the measured circuit. When doing so, a first detection signal whose amplitude changes in accordance with an amplitude of a real component of the current and a second detection signal whose amplitude changes in accordance with an amplitude of an imaginary component are generated. The at least one of a purely resistive component and a reactance component of the measured circuit is then calculated using the first detection signal and the second detection signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring the deterioration of a rechargeable battery. A battery monitoring system may be used to store charging information, discharge information and storage information for a rechargeable battery to a data store. The charging information may include a number of charge cycles incurred by the rechargeable battery. The discharge information may include a number discharge cycles incurred by the rechargeable battery. The storage information may include information relating to periods when the rechargeable battery is not being actively charged or discharged. The battery monitoring system may be further used to determine an amount of deterioration of a battery performance characteristic based on the stored charging information, discharge information and storage information.

Abstract: A system having unified diagnostics where an electrical energy storage device may supply an actuator. Various techniques may be used to determine energy storage capacity and actuator current usage. Measured storage capacity and actuator current may indicate the health of the energy storage device and the actuator, respectively. Also, operation of a service switch for the actuator may be checked relative to its state.

Abstract: This method determines the value of a characteristic quantity (U1dc, U2dc) of a system for powering a load which comprises M DC-DC converters, connected in series to the terminals of the load and at the output of a DC current power supply, and at least one storage capacitor. This determination method comprises the measurement of a plurality of values of a first characteristic quantity (Ic) with a first high resolution, the measurement with a low resolution of a value of a second characteristic quantity (U1dc, U2dc), and a determination with a second high resolution of a value of the second characteristic quantity (U1dc, U2dc) from the plurality of values measured with the first high resolution of the first characteristic quantity (Ic) and from the value with the low resolution of the second characteristic quantity (U1dc, U2dc). The first and second high resolutions are at least 10 times greater than the low resolution.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting the type of a media plug inserted into a corresponding jack. In an exemplary embodiment, the output of a first power amplifier for driving a media plug terminal, e.g., the right headphone or left headphone, is selectively coupled to a reference voltage. Measurements of the voltage at a microphone terminal of the media plug may be alternately made for the reference voltage being at a first value and a second value. In an embodiment, the first power amplifier output voltage may be varied by opening or closing a switch. Alternatively, the first power amplifier output voltage may be directly set by an input voltage to the first power amplifier. By detecting changes in the voltages measured at the microphone terminal, it may be determined whether the media plug is of a North American type or European type.

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: A voltage measuring circuit includes a rectifier to receive an alternating current (AC) voltage to be measured and to provide a rectified output; a comparator for comparing the rectified output and producing therefrom a square wave having a pulse width indicative of the rectified output exceeding a threshold; a calculation circuit for converting a measurement of the pulse width into a measurement of the voltage and optionally an opto-isolator interconnecting the comparator to the calculation circuit. The rectifier may provide operating power to the comparator and an input side of the opto-isolator, from the AC voltage signal being measured. The remainder of the measuring circuit may powered by a source isolated from the voltage to be measured.

Abstract: A combiner that calculates energy produced by each panel feed during the daytime, and calculates a resistance value needed to calculate the energy by injecting a known current into each panel feed at nighttime and measuring the resulting voltage across a resistive element in each panel feed. A voltage tap across the protection device in each panel feed allows logic and control circuitry to measure the voltage across each protection device. At nighttime, a known current is injected into each panel feed and the voltage across each protection device is measured. Plugging the current and voltage into Ohm's Law, a resistance of each protection device is calculated, then that resistance value is used during the daytime to calculate energy produced by each string in real time and to monitor each string's performance. When an individual string's performance wanes, an alarm is indicated to help the operator troubleshoot which individual panel(s) within the string is responsible for that string's underperformance.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a magnetic balance sensor and a switching circuit. The magnetic balance sensor includes a feedback coil which is disposed near a magnetic sensor element varying in characteristics due to application of an induction field caused by measurement current and which produces a canceling magnetic field canceling the induction field. The switching circuit switches between magnetic proportional detection and magnetic balance detection. The magnetic proportional detection is configured to output a voltage difference as a sensor output. The magnetic balance detection is configured to output, as a sensor output, a value corresponding to current flowing through the feedback coil when a balanced state in which the induction field and the canceling magnetic field cancel each other out is reached after the feedback coil is energized by the voltage difference.

Abstract: A current sensor, which senses current passing through a harness via a terminal of a battery, includes a resistor through which current passes, a current sensing circuit which measures the current passing through the resistor based on a potential difference between two positions along the direction in which current is passed through the resistor, a power supply circuit which supplies power to the current sensing circuit, and at least one capacitor which is connected to at least one of an input terminal and an output terminal of the power supply circuit to smooth input/output voltage. The resistor includes a flat energizing path, and the capacitor is disposed in an area other than a plane of projection of the energizing path on a board on which the current sensing circuit and the power supply circuit are mounted.

Abstract: A meter arrangement includes a measuring unit. The measuring unit is configured to be coupled to a phase of a power line, to measure at least one parameter of the phase and to provide data representing the measured parameter. A control unit is coupled to the measuring unit and is configured to process the data provided by the measuring unit. A data communication channel is configured to couple the measuring unit and the control unit and provides a path for data transmission between the units. The data communication channel includes a magnetic transfer device. A power channel is configured to couple the measuring unit and the control unit. A path for energy transmission is provided between the measuring and control units. The power channel includes a magnetic transfer device.

Abstract: A previously calibrated 01 alternating data signal from the driver of an output circuit is input to an input circuit. The voltage amplitude of the input signal is measured. The measured voltage amplitude is compared with the output amplitude of a driver, and an error is stored in a memory as a correction value. A phase and the amount of jitter are measured by using a clock with a specified phase and a specified amount of jitter. The measured phase and amount of jitter are compared with a specified phase and a specified amount of jitter, and an error is stored in a memory as a correction value. In a test, the amplitude and amount of jitter of an input signal from an alien IC are measured, and the measured amplitude and amount of jitter are corrected by a correction value stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method of estimating force output of a solenoid assembly including a solenoid coil and a corresponding armature upon which the solenoid coil exerts a magnetic solenoid force is provided. The method includes a step of measuring a plurality of data points of current being drawn by the solenoid coil resulting in a plurality of measured current values, a step of measuring a plurality of data points of voltage being supplied to the solenoid coil resulting in a plurality of measured voltage values, and a step of estimating the magnetic solenoid force exerted upon the corresponding armature based on the pluralities of measured voltage and current values, resulting in an estimated force value.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system, method, and storage device simulate a periodic voltage waveform in a network model of the integrated circuit design. The method then determines resultant current values in each segment of nets of the integrated circuit design resulting from the periodic voltage waveform and performs a Fourier transform of the periodic voltage waveform to generate a frequency domain representation of the periodic voltage waveform. The frequency domain representation comprises multiple Fourier terms, each of the Fourier terms is a frequency that is a multiple of the base frequency. Next, the method performs an AC analysis of the resultant voltage at each frequency of the multiple Fourier terms. The AC analysis provides an electrical current value for each of the frequencies of the Fourier terms for each of the nets. This allows the method to compute a root mean square current through each of the nets based on the AC analysis.

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 an indication of whether there is a presence of abnormal operation associated with each of the one or more groupings.

Abstract: A source-measure unit (SMU) may be implemented with respective digital control loops for output voltage and output current. The digital control loop associated with the output that is being regulated may be the setpoint control loop while the digital control loop associated with the other output may be the compliance control loop. The digital loop controller may switch between the setpoint control loop and the compliance control loop without generating a mode-change glitch, by maintaining a single integrator. The compliance methods may differ in how and when the decision is made to select which of the measured signals provides the error signal to the integrator. Thus, there may be no issue with integrator wind-up, which might be the case if there were two complete control loops operating continuously.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system that determines a condition associated with an integrated circuit disposed on a circuit board are described. During operation, the system receives electromagnetic-interference (EMI) signals from one or more antennas while the integrated circuit is operating, where the one or more antennas are disposed on the circuit board. Then, the system analyzes the received EMI signals to determine the condition.

Abstract: A load calculation device for determining the maximum electrical load that can be applied to an electrical circuit includes determines the temperature differential (?T) between a section of the electrical circuit and the ambient air temperature in which the section of the electrical circuit resides. The actual electrical load applied to the electrical circuit is also determined as is the design load of the electrical circuit. The maximum electrical load that can be applied to the electrical circuit is then determined based on the temperature differential and the electrical load applied to the electrical circuit and the circuit designed load. The load calculation device may be applied to an electrical joint and may be used to calculate the maximum temperature differential allowed for a given current to be applied at the electrical joint. This is particularly beneficial in connection with detecting and preventing electrical joint failure.

Abstract: A current switch self-calibrates when a reset control is actuated and displays an expected current in the monitored conductor, one or more trip points of the current switch and the last known current in the monitored conductor.

Abstract: A fan of a computing system is associated with a performance characteristic. It may be determined whether a component associated with the computing system is installed based on the performance characteristic.

Abstract: A system includes an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), one or more power supplies, and a processing device. The processing device to execute instructions which cause the processing device to determine a total output current of the one or more power supplies, enable the UPS, determine an output current of at least the UPS, determine a current sharing percentage for at least the UPS, and compare the current sharing percentage for the UPS with an expected current sharing percentage range.

Abstract: A device for detecting a fault of at least one street lamp of a plurality of street lamps which are connectable in common to an AC power supply is proposed. The proposed device allows detecting whether a fault has occurred based on obtaining measures representative of the total active and reactive power supplied by the AC power supply to the plurality of street lamps, and detecting variations in these measures. Optionally, also the type of fault can be determined based on detected variations in the power measures.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus report energy usage status by a networked device. In response to a request, a set of power usage data is retrieved from a non-volatile memory located within the networked device, the power usage data having been previously stored in the non-volatile memory in advance of positioning the networked device for normal use. The set of power usage data includes information related to energy usage of the networked device. The networked device calculates a best estimate of the energy usage status of the networked device based on the set of power usage data retrieved from the non-volatile memory, without measuring electrical parameters of a power source of the networked device during normal use. The best estimate of the energy usage status by the networked device is then sent over the network as a reply to the energy usage status request.

Abstract: A module is provided for measuring current flowing in a conductor of a low-voltage distribution board. The module includes a current sensor for detecting the current, a microprocessor circuit for processing an output signal from the current sensor, and a module housing which accommodates the current sensor and the microprocessor circuit. The module housing has an opening for passing the current conductor, an interface with two current connections, and a connection element for releasably fastening the module in the low-voltage distribution board. To enable the module to be simply installed in the low-voltage distribution board and ensure operational reliability of the module, the passage opening extends from a side of the module housing bearing the interface, through the current measuring module, to an opposite side of the module housing, and the module is DC-isolated from the current conductor after it has been installed in the low-voltage distribution board.

Abstract: Embodiments pertain to devices and systems having simulator circuitry, particularly to simulator circuitry configured to simulate an electric vehicle and test an electric vehicle charger. A test unit is configured to simulate a GFI current via modulator and to simulate electric vehicle loads via switched and combined resistor loads. The test unit provides for reprogramming of the electric vehicle charger via a pilot line. The test unit self-confirms its usability via associating received codes.

Abstract: An electrical characteristics test for a semiconductor integrated circuit using a Kelvin contact method can be conducted in a pre-process without obstructing the reduction in size of a semiconductor chip or without complicating the circuit design. A probe card in a testing apparatus includes probes for Kelvin contact, the probes for Kelvin contact including a coil probe and a POGO pin probe disposed inside the coil probe, and a probe for two-terminal measurement. Electrode pads formed in each chip area over a wafer are in a relation of A=B<2A, given that the area of one of the electrode pads with which the probe for Kelvin contact comes into contact is B and the area of the other electrode pad with which the probe for two-terminal measurement comes into contact is A.

Abstract: A method for detecting a state of charge (SOC) of a battery is disclosed. The method includes inputting a pulse to the battery for receiving a response curve of the battery associated with the pulse inputted to the battery, determining a set of parameters for preparing a simulated curve, comparing a difference between the response curve and the simulated curve, determining whether the difference between the simulated curve and the response curve is less than a predetermined threshold before further utilizing the parameters to determine the SOC from a corresponding relationship.

Abstract: A string monitor comprises a modular base unit and one or more sensor modules which may include sensor modules for measuring DC voltage and current.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes: a battery that stores electric power to be supplied to a traction motor; a current sensor that measures a charging current and a discharging current flowing to and from the battery; and a controller configured to monitor a measurement value of the current sensor during a period of time, during which a main switch of the electric vehicle is at an ON position and a power generation motor is at a stop, and configured to, when the measurement value indicates that the charging current is flowing to the battery, output, to at least one of a display unit and a memory, data indicating that the charging current is flowing.

Abstract: Activity sensing in the home has a variety of important applications, including healthcare, entertainment, home automation, energy monitoring and post-occupancy research studies. Many existing systems for detecting occupant activity require large numbers of sensors, invasive vision systems, or extensive installation procedures. Disclosed is an approach that uses a single plug-in sensor to detect a variety of electrical events throughout the home. This sensor detects the electrical noise on residential power lines created by the abrupt switching of electrical devices and the noise created by certain devices while in operation. Machine learning techniques are used to recognize electrically noisy events such as turning on or off a particular light switch, a television set, or an electric stove. The system has been tested to evaluate system performance over time and in different types of houses. Results indicate that various electrical events can be learned and classified with accuracies ranging from 85-90%.

Abstract: A temperature rise of a semiconductor switching element, which is part of a power conversion device such as an inverter, is estimated by an extremely simple method to assess the degradation and remaining lifetime of the semiconductor switching element. In a heat generation amount calculation unit 12 in a calculation processor 3, current command values Id* and Iq* and voltage command values vu*, vv* and vw* are used to calculate a chip loss. First, current values iu*, iv* and iw* of all output phases are estimated from the current command values. The ON/OFF loss of the chip is represented by a function of an estimated value for a current flowing in each output phase, and the loss can be derived by integration with a PWM carrier frequency f. In addition, with respect to a conduction loss, it is necessary to integrate a conduction time with the estimated current value and a saturation voltage, which is a function of the estimated current value.

Abstract: An atomic flux measurement device for measuring the amount of dissociated atomic flux produced by discharge and emitted from a plasma generation cell into a vacuum camber. The atomic flux measurement device includes a counter electrode body including a pair of first and second sheet-like electrodes that are arranged substantially parallel to each other with a predetermined spacing between them, a direct-current power supply configured to maintain the first sheet-like electrode at a negative potential so that atoms attached to the inner surface of the sheet-like electrode undergo self-ionization and to apply a direct-current voltage between the first and second sheet-like electrodes so that a current flows between the first and second sheet-like electrodes, and a direct-current ammeter configured to measure a current flowing due to electrons emitted by the self-ionization of the dissociated atoms attached to the inner surface of the first sheet-like electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus is described, including: a signal processing circuit adapted to process an input signal to obtain an output signal; a sensor element for sensing a predetermined physical quantity, wherein the sensor element is adapted to generate a sensor signal in response to the predetermined physical quantity; wherein the signal processing unit is adapted to process the input signal to obtain the output signal depending on the sensor signal; and wherein the apparatus further comprises an evaluation circuit adapted to evaluate the sensor signal and to generate an indication signal indicating an abnormal operating condition in case the sensor signal does not fulfill a predetermined normal operation criterion.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for use in measuring current through a conductor are provided. One example current device includes a first sensor configured to measure a first magnetic flux provided from a conductor and to generate a first signal proportional to the first magnetic flux, and a second sensor configured to measure a second magnetic flux provided from the conductor and to generate a second signal proportional to the second magnetic flux. The second sensor is spaced apart from the first sensor by a predetermined distance. The current device further includes a processor configured to determine, based on the first signal, the second signal and the predetermined distance, a radius between the conductor and at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor.