Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for controlling light fixtures comprising unique color light sources with independently controllable luminous flux, comprising controlling a luminous flux of each of the light sources, wherein a spectral distribution of light emitted from the light sources upon being controlled according to settings within a plurality of setting is different between settings, and a color of light emitted from the light sources is similar or identical between settings. The methods may improve color rendering where a certain color of emitted light is required, e.g., where a certain prop or costume is better illuminated with one setting compared to another setting, drawing attention to certain objects in a scene, e.g., by choosing a setting which makes a certain object stand out, and/or providing an intriguing optical effect, e.g., by shifting between settings, which makes certain objects appear to change color while others appear to keep same color.

Abstract: A moving sensor management unit is configured to provide, to a user, sensing data generated by a sensing device attached to a mobile object, and includes a run operation information storage unit configured to store run operation information of the mobile object, a run operation information update unit configured to, when a request to change the run operation information is received, update the run operation information stored in the run operation information storage unit, in accordance with the change request, and a first output control unit configured to output, in response to a provision request to provide sensing data that is based on the run operation information, sensing data corresponding to the provision request, to the user.

Abstract: Methods related to an inactive state of a user equipment (UE). In one example, when an amount of data in an uplink buffer is less than a threshold, the data is sent to the network while remaining in the inactive state. In another example, when reselecting to a different cell, the UE attempts to reselect to the different cell and remain in the inactive state. When transitioning to a connected state at the reselected cell, the UE sends a resume request including an identification of the first cell. In another example, when a high priority or a background PLMN search is performed in the inactive state, the results are cached and implemented the earlier of when a timer expires or the UE enters an idle state. In another example, a cell reselection criteria is altered in the inactive state to make it less likely that a cell reselection will occur.

Abstract: The use of a capacitor (22) to serve as the principal impedance in a negative feed-back loop in a voltage amplifier component (21) of a trans-impedance amplifier and actively controlling the amount of charge accumulated within the capacitor appropriately to improve the responsiveness and/or dynamic range of the amplifier. A switch (25) is electrically coupled to the inverting input terminal of the voltage amplifier and electrically isolated from the output terminal (23) of the voltage amplifier. The output voltage of the amplifier is proportional to the accumulation of charge, and the switch is operable to ‘reset’ the charge/voltage on the feedback capacitor, as desired. This arrangement decouples the structure of the switch from the output port of the voltage amplifier, and so avoids leakage currents and/or interfering voltage signals emanating from the switch structure and being felt at the output port of the voltage amplifier.

Abstract: A multi-frequency sensing system for capacitive, presence-sensing technology incorporated into furniture is provided. Embodiments of the sensing system include at least one capacitive sensor coupled to a furniture item for monitoring an amount of change in capacitance with respect to at least one sensing element coupled to the furniture item. The system further includes a landscape analysis component having a plurality of frequency samplers, which generates an average capacitance change associated with the furniture item. Further, the average capacitance change may be used to determine whether the indication of average capacitance change satisfies a capacitance threshold of the furniture item.

Abstract: A measurement processing device includes: a storage section; a first obtaining section configured to obtain a first signal which is outputted from a first device and indicates a measurement result of measurement of a measurement target object; a temporary storage section configured to store the first signal obtained by the first obtaining section; a second obtaining section configured to obtain a second signal which is outputted from a second device and indicates (i) a position of the measurement target object or (ii) an amount of change which is in accordance with the position of the measurement target object, the second device being different from the first device; a storage control section configured to cause the storage section to store measurement information in which the second signal which has been obtained is associated with the first signal which has been stored in the temporary storage section; and an output control section configured to output, to a control device, at least one measurement informat

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for setting a duty cycler adjuster for improving clock duty cycle are disclosed. The duty cycle adjuster may be adjusted by different amounts, at least one smaller than another. Determining when to use the smaller adjustment may be based on duty cycle results. A duty cycle monitor may have an offset. A duty cycle code for the duty cycle adjuster may be set to an intermediate value of a duty cycle monitor offset. The duty cycle monitor offset may be determined by identifying duty cycle codes for an upper and for a lower boundary of the duty cycle monitor offset.

Abstract: The disclosed systems, structures, and methods are directed to a receiver architecture. The configurations presented herein employ a structure operative to receive a plurality of wireless analog signals, a signal encoding module configured to encode the plurality of received analog signals into a single encoded analog signal based on a coding scheme, a code compression module operative to compress the code scheme. In addition, a spectrum compression module is configured to under-sample the single encoded analog signal to generate a spectrum-compressed digital signal, a spectrum recovery module operative to recover desired information content of the received analog signals from the spectrum-compressed digital signal and to generate a digital recovery signal, and a signal detection module configured to decode the digital recovery signal based on the coding scheme and to output analog signals replicating the received wireless signals containing the desired information content.

Abstract: A new timer object that is associated with a timer event may be identified. A virtual processor that is to be provided the timer event that is associated with the new timer object may be determined. One or more current timer objects that are associated with one or more timer events provided to the virtual processor may also be identified. A new element for the new timer object may be created in a list identifying the one or more current timer objects that are associated with the one or more timer events that are provided to the virtual processor.

Abstract: An electrical measurement system for performing a measurement on a device under test has a main unit, a probe unit connected to the main unit, a first offset generator for generating a first offset influencing the measurement, and a second offset generator for generating a second offset influencing the measurement. The first offset generator has a first analog step size and the second offset generator has a second analog step size. The first and second analog step sizes differ from one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing service level agreement (SLA) definition and validation of SLA parameters are disclosed. An SLA may be defined with parameters and goals to achieve desirable business results for information technology (IT) software updates, configuration changes, security incidents, and other functions performed by IT personnel. Once a proposed SLA definition is available and before it is put into production use, historical data may be applied to the SLA. This historical application of data may be used to determine a level of conformance to the proposed SLA based on real world historical information for a particular customer. Because different corporations have different capabilities and expectations, a one-size fits all SLA may not be appropriate. A timeline visualization with zoom capability and state transition icons is disclosed. Disclosed, visualization techniques of proposed definitions may enhance the accuracy and acceptability of those proposed definitions.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus and a related method. In particular, the apparatus includes a novel image reconstructor to reconstruct cross sectional images of a specimen from interferometric projection data (m). The reconstructor (RECON) is based on a new forward model that accounts for cross-talk of a phase contrast signal into a dark field signal.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data records of a plurality of wind turbines or and a plurality of windfarms to a control center as well as a wind turbine, control center and a system configured to perform the method are disclosed. The method includes dispatching a notification of an updated data record from one of the wind turbines or windfarms to the control center. A decision is then made in the control center as to whether the updated data record is to be requested. A request for the updated data record is dispatched from the control center to the wind turbine or windfarm only if the updated data record is to be requested. The request is received in the windfarm or wind turbine and a reply with the updated data record reply is sent to the control center.

Abstract: A storage device includes a data buffer, a device controller, and nonvolatile memories. The data buffer is configured to transact data from an external device. The device controller is configured to receive a command and an address from an external device, to control the data buffers, and to transact data with the data buffers. The nonvolatile memories are configured to perform write, read, and erase operations under control of the device controller. When a first link training between an external device and the data buffers is performed by the external device, the device controller performs a second link training between the device controller and a data buffer internally without control of the external device.

Abstract: An optical transmission system transmits an optical signal over an optical path. Reflections of the optical signal are received at an optical detector which generates an analog reflection signal. The analog reflection signal includes both a desired portion and an undesired portion. Correlators of an OTDR system generate correlation values based on the analog reflection signal. A subset of the correlation values are associated with locations of the optical path that cause the reflections that result in the undesired portion of the reflected signal. A filter uses these correlation values to generate a cancellation signal that is subtracted from the analog reflection signal, reducing the undesired portion of the signal that must be processed.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for loopback testing are provided. A die incorporates a receiver (RX) to each transmitter (TX) as well as a TX to each RX. This architecture is applied to each bit so, e.g., a die that transmits or receives 32 data bits during operation would have 32 transceivers (one for each bit). Focusing on one of the transceivers, a loopback architecture includes a TX data path and an RX data path that are coupled to each other through an external contact, such as a via at the transceiver. The die further includes a transmit clock tree feeding the TX data path and a receive clock tree feeding the RX data path. The transmit clock tree feeds the receive clock tree through a conductive clock node that is exposed on a surface of the die. Some systems further include a variable delay in the clock path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the efficient characterization of acceleration events in accordance embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, an acceleration characterization telematics system includes an acceleration sensor, a storage device, where the storage device is configured to store an acceleration event characterization application, and a processor, wherein the acceleration event characterization application configures the processor to receive acceleration information using the acceleration sensor, determine short interval filter information using the received acceleration information, determine long interval filter information using the received acceleration information, and characterize an acceleration event in the received acceleration information using the received acceleration information, the short interval filter information, and the long interval filter information.

Abstract: A characterization method of a light beam includes separating the light beam into first and second sub-beams; propagating the first and second sub-beams over first and second optics respectively; the first sub-beam, which forms a reference beam, and the second sub-beam, which forms a characterized beam, being separated by a time delay ?; recombining the reference and characterized beams so that they spatially interfere and form a two-dimensional interference pattern; measuring the pattern to obtain a temporal interferogram; calculating the Fourier transform in the frequency domain of a spatial point of the interferogram, the Fourier transform having a frequency central peak and first and second frequency side peaks; calculating the Fourier transform in the frequency domain for the first or second time side peaks calculating the spectral amplitude and the spatial-spectral phase for the first or second frequency side peak of the Fourier transform in the frequency domain.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to data communication. According to a specific embodiment, the present invention provides technique for loss of signal detection. A loss-of-signal detection (LOSD) device determines an analog signal indicating signal strength by subtracting a threshold offset voltage from an incoming signal. The analog signal is then processed by a switch network of an output stage circuit, which provides a digital output of loss of signal indication at a low frequency (relative to the incoming signal frequency). There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: A device includes an upper limit input to provide an upper limit value, a lower limit input to provide an upper limit value, a control signal input to receive a control signal from a controller, an output, and circuitry coupled to the upper limit input, the lower limit input, and the control signal input to provide an output signal on the output that is constrained by the upper limit value and the lower limit value and that follows the control signal derivative if possible.

Abstract: A data interface circuit wherein calibration adjustments for data bit capture are made without disturbing normal system operation, is described. A plurality of DLL capture and delay circuits for sampling a trained optimal sampling point as well as leading and trailing sampling points are defined. A first stream of data bits is input to the data interface circuit and using a first calibration method and a first set of values is established. A second stream of data bits is input to the data interface circuit during normal system operation. A second calibration method is performed that is different from the first, establishing a second set of values. Several fringe timing points are sampled. A drift amount is compared with a drift correction threshold value and the first optimal sampling point is shifted in time by the drift amount to revise the first optimal sampling point.

Abstract: A probabilistic digitizer for extracting information from a Josephson comparator is disclosed. The digitizer uses statistical methods to aggregate over a set of comparator readouts, effectively increasing the sensitivity of the comparator even when an input signal falls within the comparator's gray zone. Among other uses, such a digitizer may be used to discriminate between states of a qubit.

Abstract: A system is described for time synchronizing digitized measurement signals, such as vibration signals. The digitized signals, which are acquired asynchronously by multiple distributed measurement units, indicate the operational condition of a machine or a process. To measure the phase of the digitized signals relative to a pulse tachometer input, the time between the leading edge of the tachometer pulse and the digitized samples is measured. To achieve phase-coherent synchronization across the distributed measurement units, a local synchronization signal is embedded into the data produced by the measurement units. The systems uses the synchronization signal to align the data in post processing, which phase aligns the data and aligns the data in absolute time. The synchronization signal may be encoded with a timestamp to provide additional timing information.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method are provided for generating a graphical display region for display of a plurality of pixels of a display device, comprising generating a timeline axis for display in the graphical display region, receiving requester event data for a plurality of requester events from a requester device relating to a request and storing the requester event data, including a time of occurrence for each requester event, and fulfiller event data for fulfiller events from a fulfiller device and storing the fulfiller event data, calculating a time scale for the timeline axis such that requester events and fulfiller events are displayable at a position along the timeline axis proportional to their respective time of occurrence, and a respective axial position for requester indicia representing the requester events and fulfiller indicia representing the fulfiller events at a position along the timeline axis proportional to their respective time of occurrence.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device may be integrated in a chip of semiconductor material. The memory device may include circuitry for receiving a measure instruction for obtaining a numerical measure value of a selected one among a plurality of predefined memory operations of the memory device. The memory device may also include circuitry for enabling the execution of the selected memory operation in response to the measure instruction. The execution of the selected memory operation may generate a corresponding result. The memory device may further include circuitry for providing at least one time signal, different from the corresponding result, relating to the execution of each memory operation, and circuitry for determining the measure value according to the at least one time signal of the selected memory operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for time synchronization in a MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical system) based system having a MEMS processor and a plurality of MEMS devices. In a specific embodiment, the method includes, in the MEMS processor, transmitting a synchronization signal to the plurality of MEMS devices and saving a local time upon transmitting the synchronization signal. The MEMS processor also receives sampled data and time information from the plurality of MEMS devices, when the data and information become available. The method also includes, in one or more of the MEMS devices, receiving the synchronization signal from the MEMS processor and storing a local time upon receiving the synchronization signal. The MEMS device also performs a sensing operation and stores sampled sense data and sense time information.

Abstract: A Phase Interpolator (PI) may be employed as a precisely-controlled delay element in a transmit path, for example in clock forwarded serial links. Methods and circuits are disclosed for estimating a delay needed to correct duty-cycle/and or phase errors of the received clock. These corrections or delta values may be transmitted back to the transmitter side, preferably expressed directly in terms of PI phase codes, for convenient adjustment in the transmitter clock circuitry. Various techniques also are disclosed for measuring and mitigating the effects on PI integral non-linearity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic apparatus and an electronic system. The electronic apparatus includes: at least one programmable electric conductive unit configured to switch a good conductor mode and a normal conductor mode according to a control signal when it contacts with a second electronic apparatus so as to transmit predetermined information to the second electronic apparatus contacting with the electronic apparatus; a control unit configured generate the control signal having a predetermined frequency; and a feedback information receiving unit configured to receive feedback information transmitted by the second electronic apparatus, the feedback information being transmitted in response to the reception of the predetermined information.

Abstract: A continuously adaptive timing calibration function for a data interface is disclosed. A first calibration method is performed for a mission data path, typically at power-on, to establish an optimal sample point. Reference data paths are established for a second calibration method that does not disturb normal system operation. Data bit edge transitions are examined at fringe timing points on either side of the optimal sample point. Assuming that a timing change for the edge transitions indicates a drift of the optimal sample point, when a drift amount is determined to be greater than a correction threshold value the optimal sampling point for the mission path is adjusted accordingly. At no point does the continuous calibration function determine that any data bit is invalid since the optimal sampling point is always maintained. Also, at no point does continuous calibration require successive alternating data bit values such as 1-0-1 or 0-1-0.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for managing the power consumption and performance of a processing device. Power consumption and utilization ratios for a processing device may be continuously measured. The measured power consumption and utilization ratios may be compared to target power consumption and utilization ratios to adjust an operating frequency of the processing device. In one implementation a power controller may take the target and measured power consumption as inputs to generate a power output and a utilization controller may take the target and measured utilization ratios as inputs to generate a utilization output. The lower of the power output and the utilization output may be selected and used to adjust the operating frequency of the processing device. The power and utilization controllers may implement a proportional-integral control scheme.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electronic device, and which includes obtaining, via a camera of the electronic device, an image of a plurality of users viewing a display unit of the electronic device; receiving a predetermined gesture made from a first user for obtaining gesture control authority of the electronic device; displaying a graphic item corresponding to the first user who made the predetermined gesture; displaying a control graphic item indicating a current gesture control authority of the electronic device; receiving a first gesture input for changing a display state of the control graphic item; selecting the graphic item according to the changed display state of the control graphic item according to the first gesture input; and handing over the gesture control authority to the first user corresponding to the selected one graphic item.

Abstract: A method and a system performing selected timing comparisons in a digital electronic design includes propagating from signal sources to timing comparisons of one or multiple signal labels. The signal label includes signal source identifiers and signal path cycle adjust information. Timing comparisons are determined in which signal label values at each input of the timing comparison are required to compute the selected timing comparisons. The propagation back from the timing comparisons are needed signal labels, followed by the propagation and computing timing data from the signal source applied to the propagated signal labels corresponding to the required signal labels.

Abstract: The detonation of one or more explosive charges and propellant charges by a detonator in response to a fire control signal from a command and control system comprised of a command center and instrumentation center with a communications link therebetween. The fire control signal is selectively provided to the detonator from the instrumentation center if plural detonation control switches at the command center are in a fire authorization status, and instruments, and one or more interlocks, if included, are in a ready for firing status. The instrumentation and command centers are desirably mobile, such as being respective vehicles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method and an apparatus for testing an optical network, which may be applicable to an integrated OTDR and the field of optical network technologies. The method includes obtaining a maximum test time of a single group test; dividing a total test time into at least two groups of single group test time that is not greater than the maximum test time when the total test time is greater than the maximum test time of the single group test; performing the single group tests in sequence according to each single group test time; and instructing optical network equipment to restore to a normal working state when the single group test time corresponding to each single group test ends.

Abstract: A control device and a transceiver unit are presented. The control device encompasses at least one microcontroller and a digital interface, the digital interface encompassing a transceiver unit and at least one interface controller, the control device being designed selectably for a first mode in which the at least one interface controller communicates via an interface with the microcontroller, or for a second mode in which the at least one interface controller is integrated into the microcontroller.

Abstract: Monitoring street lighting infrastructure using special signaling devices and techniques for locating key components of the infrastructure and assessing their status. The integrity of common powerline connections may also be assessed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods and devices for application of determining position information for mobile devices. In specific implementations, measurement of a signal travel time and a signal's strength may be combined to characterize a transmission power of the signal's transmitter. The characterized transmission power may be applied to affect expected signal strength signature values for use of the signal's transmitter may be updated in order to enhance a location based service where location may be effected by accuracy of a transmitter's power.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a pulse frequency measurement device and method and a control system, the device including: a hardware counter configured to perform a counting operation on an input pulse sequence to output a counting result; and a processing unit configured to obtain number of pulses from the counting result outputted by the hardware counter and measure a first time period during which the obtained number of pulses occupy, in which the processing unit includes a frequency calculation module configured to calculate a frequency of the input pulse sequence based on the obtained number of pulses and the first time period. According to the invention, it is possible to achieve adaptive pulse frequency measurement and multi-channel sampling for multiple input pulse sequences with a relatively low cost while ensuring the accuracy of the measurement result.

Abstract: A touch device includes a plurality of sensors, a storage module and a processing module. The sensors are placed on a substrate for detecting acoustic waves and generating electrical signals. The storage module stores a plurality of templates of delay measurement for a plurality of locations on the substrate. The processing module is coupled to the sensors and to the storage module for calculating a received delay measurement and comparing the received delay measurement to the plurality of templates of delay measurement to estimate touch location. A detection method for the touch device is also provided.

Abstract: A method for recording pulse signals which allows the reconstruction of a time reference. The time of every pulse signal event can be determined by counting sampling result bits preceding the respective sampling result bit using the known sampling frequency. For this purpose, every period of the sampling frequency is associated with a bit representing the respective sampling result and the sampling result bits are stored one by one and per channel in data blocks. The sampling frequency is preferably higher than a pixel clock, a sampling result bit associated with a flank of the pixel clock being marked. The pixel clock can thus be synchronized with the individual events exactly per sampling period. The invention further relates to the field of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy using confocal microscopes or laser scanning microscopes.

Abstract: A method detects a threshold crossing instant at which a signal crosses a threshold, by: sampling the signal at plural sampling instants spaced from one another by a sampling period; detecting consecutive first and second sampling instants at which the signal has a first signal value lower than or equal to the threshold, and the signal has a second signal value higher than the threshold, respectively; calculating a first interval indicative of a time between the threshold crossing instant and the first sampling instant; setting a reference signal having a reference amplitude representing the first interval relative to a reference scale; generating a signal with a delay depending on said reference signal; generating a threshold crossing detection signal at an instant delayed by a second interval; calibrating the reference scale of the reference amplitude so that the second interval is substantially equal to the first interval.

Abstract: Provided is a pulse processing device that accelerates signal processing and prevents counting loss. Provided also is a radiation measuring device in which counting loss is prevented and counting capacity is increased by installing the pulse processing device. The processing device is in a form of a pulse processing device including a pulse detection unit that outputs a linear pulse signal in response to a physical event, a high-speed AD conversion unit that converts the linear pulse signal into digital pulse data, a threshold data setting unit that outputs preset threshold data, a peak value data detection unit that compares the digital pulse data with the threshold data and outputs the maximum digital pulse data, from among the digital pulse data continuously exceeding the threshold data, as maximum peak value data, and a signal processing unit that inputs the peak value data as a pulse wave height.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining a power flow are described herein. One method includes determining a temperature of a circuit conductor while the circuit conductor is conducting a current, and determining a power flow associated with the circuit conductor based, at least in part, on the determined temperature.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining a harmonic are described herein. One method includes determining a temperature of a circuit conductor while the circuit conductor is conducting a current, and determining a harmonic associated with the circuit conductor based, at least in part, on the determined temperature.

Abstract: A method of performing and correcting a timing analysis performed by a data processing apparatus on a circuit formed of a plurality of cells to account for the reverse Miller effect. The timing analysis steps includes identifying cells on and in parallel with a signal path that are driven by a same signal and determining an output transition time and a delay using the characterization data for the cell. The correcting steps includes providing further characterization data for some of the cells; correcting the output transition time for some of the cells by increasing the output transition time by an amount dependent upon the Miller capacitance for the cell and using the correction to the output transition time to correct an input transition time for a next cell; and calculating a time taken for a data signal to travel along the signal path from the delay times.

Abstract: In a receiver of electromagnetic or other waves, scaling of received frequencies in proportion to the respective source distances, so as to reveal the source distances and permit isolation of signals from a particular source by simple spectral filtering. Phase differences between transmitted frequencies due to the common source path lead to chirp eigenfunctions registering in the receiver as scaled frequencies. The chirps are extracted by implementing exponentially varying path delays in autocorrelators and diffractive spectrometers say using a medium with variable refractive index. Analogous exponentially varying phase shifts are applied to successive samples in the kernel of discrete Fourier transform implementations. Advantage lies in enabling distance-dependent frequency scaling in autocorrelation spectroscopy, as well as in conventional diffractive or refractive spectrometers or digital signal processing with uniform sampling.

Abstract: Adjusting processor performance based on processing profiles. The method may determine that a process has entered a processing state after an idle state. In response to entering the processing state the processing time of the processor may be monitored. In response to the processing time exceeding a first threshold of time, the performance of the processor may be increased from a first level to a second level. In response to the processing time exceeding a second threshold time, the performance of the processor may be decreased from the second level to a third level. In response to the processing time exceeding a third threshold time, the performance of the processor may be increased from the third level to a fourth level. In response to the processing time exceeding a fourth threshold time, the performance of the processor may be decreased from the fourth level to a fifth level.

Abstract: A method of generating a noisy receive signal for testing the performance of a mobile wireless communication device is described. A signal generator unit generates a transmit signal that frequency hops among a set of carrier frequency channels in a cyclic pattern having a time duration T. A wireless channel emulator unit generates a receive signal by modifying the transmit signal and also generates an interference signal by modifying the receive signal. The wireless channel emulator unit delays the interference signal relative to the receive signal by an integer multiple of the time duration T. The receive signal and the interference signal are combined by a combiner unit to generate the noisy receive signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a multi-bit delta-sigma time digitizer circuit includes a delay array including delay selection circuits respectively including a delay element and a multiplexer, a phase comparator calculating a time difference, an integrator integrating the time difference output, a flash A/D converter executing digital conversion, a ring oscillation circuit including the delay array, a counter measuring a number of clock signal pulses, a memory storing a delay value of the delay element, and a processor correcting an output result of the A/D converter based on the delay value when the rising timing interval is measured.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining variation in a predetermined physical property of a circuit. The apparatus includes monitored circuitry for generating output pulses, and configured such that each output pulse has a pulse width which is indicative of the current value of the predetermined physical property. Circuitry is then configured to receive both the output pulses generated by the monitored circuitry and an oscillating timing reference signal. With reference to the oscillating timing reference signal, the counter circuitry produces for each output pulse an associated count value indicative of the pulse width of that output pulse. Circuitry then compares the associated count values for at least two output pulses, in order to produce a comparison result used to determine the variation in the predetermined physical property. This provides a flexible mechanism for monitoring variations in a physical property on the fly during use of a data processing circuit.