Abstract: A method for storing time series data comprising storing short period data at an arbitrary sampling period and storing long period data at a sampling period longer than the arbitrary sampling period, in which the time series data are stored in a hierarchically correlated manner. Even when a great amount of data are stored, processes such as reading out, transferring, and displaying requisite data can be efficiently executed at high speed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing improved resolution in the measuring the pulse width of digital signals comprising counting the integral number of measuring clock pulses covered by said digital pulse and triggering a chain of cascaded high resolution delay elements from the trailing edge of said measuring clock pulses. Further, the invention measures the delay count obtained from said chain of cascaded delay elements from the trailing edge of the last measuring clock pulse up to the end of said digital pulse, and adds said measured delay count to said integral measuring clock pulse count to obtain the total width of said digital pulse.

Abstract: Timing errors in digital transmission systems, such as maximum time interval error, are measured with data samples processed in a first stage to produce in real-time a first, time-varying series of measurements for a given parameter over observation intervals of a first magnitude. Each observation interval is many times longer than the sample period of the input series. Subsequent stages derive further measurements, corresponding to increasingly longer observation intervals, derived by treating previous observation intervals as sub-intervals. The first stage derives intermediate results for a predetermined interval and repeats for successive sub-intervals. The intermediate results are stored in a first first-in, first-out (FIFO) data set and updated at least once per sub-interval and the required parameter is derived. The second and subsequent stages similarly derive the required parameter corresponding to increasing observation interval magnitudes and update the measurements as data sets update.

Abstract: A force plate actometer apparatus (30) is provided which is designed for the efficient and accurate testing of in vivo subjects (e.g., rats and mice) under the influence of drugs or other stimuli, and permits simultaneous determination of a number of attributes of movement of the subjects. The apparatus (30) includes a force plate (32), a plurality of transducers (46) supporting the plate (32), and a computer (40) coupled to the outputs of the transducers (46); an enclosure (38) is positioned above the plate (32) so as to confine the test subjects to a predetermined test area. Preferred software programs (4PLATES.PAS and OFFLINP.PAS) permit calculation and recording of test subject movement attributes derived from the variation over time of the location and/or magnitude of force exerted by the test subject on the plate (32).

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for stabilizing resistance measurements in electroporation systems so as to achieve high-accuracy measurements, and for controlling the pulse duration, or time constant, of electroporation pulses. Circuitry is provided to accurately determine the resistance of a sample in the electroporation system, for example a sample provided in an electroporation cuvette. Additionally, a resistance control system is provided to automatically measure the resistance of a sample, determine a capacitance and determine a parallel add-on resistance that substantially provides a desired pulse duration (time constant) for an electroporation pulse.

Abstract: Asynchronous position pulses drive an interrupt to store pulse times via direct memory access; then synchronous sampling and analysis of the stored position pulse timings provides rate detection useful for feedback as useful in motor control.

Abstract: A method derives a frequency of a pulse signal from a line frequency. The method includes measuring a period of a line frequency pulse signal having the line frequency using a measured frequency derived from an oscillator frequency. The method further includes determining if the period of the line frequency pulse signal is within a predetermined tolerance limit. The line frequency is used to derive the frequency of the pulse signal when the period is determined to be within the predetermined tolerance limit, and the oscillator frequency is used to derive the frequency of the pulse signal when the period is determined to be outside the predetermined tolerance limit.

Abstract: A process for recording pulse signals of at least two input channels includes sampling the input channels with a predetermined sampling frequency for events which have occurred, and after detection of an event in at least one of the input channels, or after overflow of a counter, storing the present state of all the input channels in a memory register together with a magnitude characterizing a time interval to the last storage operation. The device for recording pulse signals of at least two input channels according to the process includes a clock oscillator, a sampler that samples the input channels, a counter, and a memory. The detection of a first event in one of the input channels or the overflow of the counter, according to which event occurs first, triggers and operation of storage of the states of all the input channels and of the last counter state at the occurrence of the event.

Abstract: A timer on a microprocessor includes a vibrator formed by a comparator, a capacitor, three reference voltages, and switched current sources, which charge and discharge the capacitor. The vibrator oscillates at two different amplitudes to generate two timing windows, one at high amplitude and the other at low amplitude. A counter counts incoming clocks and times out after a fixed number of vibrator oscillations. Logic starts the timing windows and subtracts incoming clock measurements taken during the two timing windows. The logic subtraction cancels errors accumulated from the multiple ramps of the capacitor in the vibrator. The subtraction allows more precise measurement of incoming clocks. If the clocks counted exceed a threshold value, the microprocessor shuts down due to over clocking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a data path of a digital circuit uses an even bit pseudo-random calibration pattern. A portion of the pattern is captured in a capture period and used to predict a next arriving portion of the calibration pattern. The next arriving portion of the calibration pattern is captured and then compared to the predicted pattern in a compare period, and the result of the comparison is used to relatively time data arriving in the data path to a clocking signal which clocks in the data. The time duration of the compare period may be varied to ensure that all possible bits of the calibration pattern are used in the calibration procedure.

Abstract: A signal processing technique can be effectively used for source separation, signal enhancement, and noise reduction when using a twin microphone system. The class of stochastic signals for which ratio-estimates can be computed from histograms is defined. This class fits real-world signals of interest such as voice signals. Theoretical computation in closed form of the optimal estimator for this class of signals is disclosed. Two practical implementation solutions are disclosed, as is a practical solution to exploit an echoic environment model. Furthermore, two novel techniques for signal demixing are presented. The application of the optimal estimator and the suboptimal estimator to the case of more than two channels is disclosed.

Abstract: A time stamping method for threshold crossing points of an input signal uses a dithered threshold level. Digital data samples are acquired for the input signal and time marks are determined for the threshold crossings using interpolation. The time marks are stores as the time stamps. A threshold offset value generator generates a distribution of offset values for dithering the threshold value. Time interval values are generated from the time stamps and the number of occurrences of time interval values are accumulated in time bins. A time interval distribution histogram and statistical time interval distribution data, such as the mean, standard deviation and minimum and maximum time intervals may be generated.

Abstract: A process for analyzing a signal which composed of a sequence of discrete amplitude values to which portions with different phase angle contribute. Here, a reshaped signal is formed in which the sequence of amplitude values is changed such that the amplitude values, or instead of them approximation values which have been brought near the amplitude values, follow one another in ascending or descending sequences according to their size.

Abstract: A data handling system that effectively detects and diagnoses manifestations of excessive transducer instability. For example, some embodiments identify shouldering and baseline pop instabilities in a digital servo channel. A preferred method of the present invention involves detecting a precise time at which a first feature in the received signal is encountered. Then, after a preset delay, a first level of the received signal is sampled. Then, after waiting until after a second feature in the received signal occurs, a second level of the received signal is sampled. Finally, at least one digital signal is generated so as to indicate whether an arithmetic combination of the first and second levels falls outside a stability-indicative range. A preferred device of the present invention includes a transducer, a peak detector configured to receive a signal from the transducer, two delay elements, two sampling circuits, and an output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing environment (210) for a wafer fab, and an SPDA data environment (212) for acquiring processing parameters and metrology data of production runs. A computation environment (214) processes the SPDA data to prepare delta graphs (536, 540 and 542) of the present invention. These delta graphs are then analyzed in an analysis environment (216). An MES environment (218) evaluates the analysis and executes a process intervention if the results of the analysis indicate processing or product quality problems in the process run of the manufacturing environment (210). Additionally, the invention provides for SPDA delta graphs of SPC control charts as well as SPC techniques utilizing process control limits based on delta graphs to identify, analyze and trouble-shoot semiconductor processing problems, in order to improve equipment reliability and wafer yield.

Abstract: The time stamping method for an input signal generates time marked digital data values as a reference edge and defines at least a first time stamp in the reference edge. Digital data samples of the input signal are acquired to create a waveform record of the input signal. The digital data samples of a waveform record edge are compared to time equivalent digital data values of the reference edge to generate a error value representative of the difference between the waveform record edge and the reference edge. A time offset value is generated from the error value to vary the time location of the reference edge and the comparison and time offset generating steps are repeated to minimize the error value. The time offset value at the minimum error value is combined with a time location of nearest digital data sample of the waveform record edge to generate a waveform record edge time stamp.

Abstract: A novel and useful mechanism for measuring the time duration between asynchronous events. The mechanism utilizes two metastability resolvers, one for detecting the rising edge of the input signal and one for detecting its falling edge. The input signal is typically assumed to have some known nominal clock rate, but its exact frequency and phase (timing of transitions) are not known. Each of the two metastability resolvers comprises two branches of cascaded flip flops, each clocked off the rising edge and falling edge of a fast clock. Each metastability resolver functions to output an edge event signal and a clock phase signal indicating which edge of the fast clock the rising (or falling) edge of the data signal was closer to. The edge event signals are used to start and stop a counter clocked off the fast clock. The clock phase is used to correct (i.e. compensate) the counter value depending on which half cycle of the fast clock the rising and falling edge of the data signal arrived in.

Abstract: The delay between a first signal and a second signal is evaluated by deriving from the first signal substantially aperiodic events, possibly by using a zero-crossing detector on a random signal, and using these events to define respective segments of the second signal. The segments are combined, e.g., by averaging, to derive a waveform which includes a feature representing coincidences of parts of the second signal associated with the derived events. The delay is determined from the position within the waveform of this feature.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating precision time signals includes a source of power line timing information, a source of precision time signals, and a timing circuit. The timing circuit is coupled to the source of precision time signals to receive a precision time signal there from, and is operable to generate clock information based on the precision time signal. The timing circuit is further operable to generate clock information based on the power line timing information.

Abstract: In a sampler for use in measuring a waveform of an electric signal, a measurement target current is given as the electric signal to a sampler chip 11 and is also used to produce a trigger current Itr for determining measurement timing on the sampler chip. A comparator 20 compares a sum of a feedback current, a current derived from the measurement target current, and the trigger current Itr with a threshold value to produce an SFQ pulse when the sum exceeds the threshold value. The SFQ pulse produced by the comparator is observed or counted for a predetermined duration to measure the waveform of the electric signal.

Abstract: A technique for computing RMS values for sampled waveforms. More specifically, a technique for computing RMS values for periodic waveforms, using data taken from a full waveform, a half waveform or some other portion of a waveform is described. Each RMS calculation is based on a different algorithm and provides accurate, real time data.

Abstract: A pulse oximeter (100) includes two or more light sources (102) for transmitting optical signals through an appendage (103) of patient. The sources (102) are operated to transmit code division multiplexed (CDM) signals. That is, the sources (102) are driven by drives (104) in response to signals from a digital processing unit (116) such that the sources (102) are modulated using different code sequences. The code sequences are preferably non-periodic and may be orthogonal to one another. The use of such CDM signals provides certain advantages related to noise reduction.

Abstract: A timer control circuit includes timers that perform count operations. A signal selection circuit selectively passes underflow signals supplied from the timers, based on control signals. A flip-flop is supplied with an output of the signal selection circuit section as a toggle signal.

Abstract: A method for correcting a pre-programmed time of disaggregation of a spin-stabilized projectile. For this purpose the deviation of the actual muzzle velocity from the theoretical muzzle velocity is taken into consideration. The actual muzzle velocity is determined with the aid of the effects of a magnetic field on the projectile indirectly by means of the actual rotation frequency of the projectile, wherein the actual rotation frequency of the projectile is determined during a time-limited calibration phase directly following the firing of the projectile.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of using a low power radar level transmitter to calculate a dielectric constant of a product in a tank. Low Power Time Domain Reflectometry Radar (LPTDRR) circuitry is controlled to calculate a time delay between transmission of microwave energy down a termination extending into the product in the tank and reflection of the microwave energy. In some embodiments, the dielectric constant of the product is calculated as a function of the time delay. In other embodiments, the dielectric constant is calculated by controlling the LPTDRR circuitry to calculate amplitudes of transmit and receive pulses. The dielectric of the product is calculated as a function of the amplitudes of the transmit and receive pulses.

Abstract: Method for the estimation of one or more parameters of a propagation channel with a priori knowledge of the signal in a system comprising one or more sensors, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

Abstract: A method and system for performing sequence time domain reflectometry over a communication channel to determine the location of line anomalies in the communication channel is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system generates a sequence signal and transmits the sequence signal over an optical channel. The system receives one or more reflection signals over the optical channel and performs reflection signal processing on the reflection signal. In one embodiment, the optical reflection is transformed to an electrical signal and correlated with the original sequence signal to generate a correlated signal. The time between the start of the reflection signal and a subsequent point of correlation and the rate of propagation reveals a line anomaly location. A circulator, beam splitter, or any other similar device may direct the reflection signal to the apparatus configured to perform reflection signal processing.

Abstract: In a logic analyzer or similar binary signal-analyzing instrument, hardware circuitry, such as an ASIC, or other dedicated hardware, is used to perform waveform compression and summarization more rapidly than it could be done by software alone. The hardware is used to perform the compression of the data and to summarize its behavior for visual display. In one embodiment, the hardware starts from a given memory address and compares current timestamp values with final timestamp values to determine the length of the timeslice. Within the timeslice, all of the data is compared to determine whether it remains the same throughout the timeslice or whether it changes. The same approach can be used on violation data, such as glitches and setup and hold violations.

Abstract: To provide accurate measurement of rotational velocity and an adequate bandwidth for servo control as a function of the measurement over a wide range of velocities, the present invention utilizes unique speed computation algorithms based on a combination of fine and coarse shaft velocity measurements from a tachometer. The preferred embodiments utilize control signals derived from the velocity measurements to control motor speed, for example, to provide servo control of a digital tape drive. The preferred embodiments utilize an optical encoder coupled to a reel-shaft to generate tachometer pulses as the shaft rotates. The coarse measurement may actually take two different forms for different speed ranges. In one range, this measurement involves counting the number of pulses in a sampling interval. In the other range, the coarse measurement entails counting the number of sampling intervals per detection of a tachometer pulse.

Abstract: A security apparatus and a method for determining the distance between a computer (72) and a token (70) carried by a user (52) for allowing the user (52) to access the computer (72). The computer (72) is connected to a first transceiver (16) having at least one antenna for emitting and detecting a radio frequency (RF) signal, and to a microphone (76) for detecting an audio signal (24). The computer (72) is also connected to a counter (26) for measuring a time interval (28) between a transmitted RF signal (20) and audio signal (24) from the token (70). The token (70) is connected to a second transceiver (30) having at least one antenna for emitting and detecting a RF signal (20) and a loudspeaker (74) for emitting an audio signal (24).

Abstract: A method and device are provided for controlling the status of an internal memory of a recorder for data carriers for compensating for differences in speed between a data processing/transmitting device and the recorder. At least in the working phase of the recorder, the time is measured, the number of issued record commands is counted, and between checks and/or after a check of the status of the internal memory, an actual status is determined after a predetermined or predeterminable time or time intervals since the last check, recording speed, amount of internal memory, and number of record commands issued.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for estimating and correcting the amount of clock skew in end-to-end network timing measurements is disclosed. Measured delays are combined with their time of measurement to create ordered pairs. These ordered pairs represent points within a Cartesian plane. The convex hull of these points is determined, and an optimal line segment from the resulting polygon is selected and extrapolated to create an affine function estimating clock skew over time. The optimal line segment of the polygon is one that optimizes a selected objective function. The objective function is selected so as to be an appropriate measurement of the accuracy of the resulting linear function as an estimate of the actual clock skew.

Abstract: Relevant logic cells and waveforms of a circuit are automatically identified, traced and displayed by using conventional simulation, schematic viewing and waveform viewing tools. The input and output waveforms to and from each logic cell and a transition and a transition time point of each waveform are derived. The output waveform and a selected transition time point identify a predictive input waveform and its transition time, which cause the output signal transition at the selected transition time point. The predictive input signal is the output signal of a preceding, predictive logic cell, thereby identifying the preceding predictive logic cell. Repetitions of this procedure are performed with each new identified predictive logic cell to automatically derive a series or logic cone of cells.

Abstract: A simple yet effective and robust identification method is presented using process step responses for process identification that can provide a continuous transfer function with time-delay without iteration. A cascade relay provides accurate and reliable more points on the process frequency response. The internal model principle is employed to design single-loop controller of PID or high-order types with best achievable control performance for controller tuning, e.g. both single and multivariable cases are covered. The process identification and control design portions can be easily integrated into a control system auto-tuning package. Further, a general control scheme for disturbance rejection is given which can significantly improve disturbance rejection performance over conventional feedback systems with time delays. Practical issues such as noises, real-time implementation and tuning guidelines are also provided.

Abstract: A logging system 2 is described in which an input signal value is compared by a signal processor 12 to a trigger-band 34 and an inner-band 36 centered about a previously logged value 34 and changing at a previously determined rate of change. When the trigger-band is exceeded at point 40, intermediate points are logged representing the maximum and minimum points since the last logged point and the point at which the inner-band was left. The intermediate points enable a more accurate subsequent reconstruction of the actual signal to be made from the logged values.

Abstract: The location of a termination in a properly terminated LAN can be remotely detected. The cable's skin effect produces a detectable signature at the sending-end when a step function, for example, reaches the termination. Accordingly, a network analysis device is connected to the network to inject the step function onto the network cabling. The voltage response of the cabling to this is first digitally sampled and then analyzed in a system controller. The system controller reviews the sampled data for an inflection point and then locates the termination by reference to the delay between when the signal was placed on the cable and the detection of the inflection point.

Abstract: A distance measurement apparatus includes a transmitting device for transmitting a forward electromagnetic wave. A receiving device operates for receiving an echo wave caused by reflection of the forward electromagnetic wave at an object, and converting the received echo wave into a first received signal. A scattered-wave detecting device operates for detecting a scattered wave reaching the receiving device and caused by reflection of the forward electromagnetic wave at an obstacle which occurs prior to the reflection of the forward electromagnetic wave at the object. A cancel-signal generating device operates for generating a cancel signal to cancel a scattered-wave-corresponding component of the first received signal generated by the receiving device in response to the scattered wave detected by the scattered-wave detecting device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to characterize an input communication signal as being a voice, tone or noise signal is provided. The apparatus and method involve measuring variations of pitch over time from a sampled input signal. A minimum value of Average Magnitude Difference Function (AMDF) over a pitch range and an average variation value of the AMDF over sampled intervals are used to determine whether the signal is a voice signal, a tone or noise. Historical data of these values is maintained in a dual buffer arrangement and is used in the determination of signal type by detecting transitions.

Abstract: An adaptive delay learning algorithm is presented that reduces the amount of delay before making test measurements in an automated test that requires a delay of any type to be completed before a measurement is made in order to remove the possibility that a tester component lying in the measurement path has not achieved a ready state. In the execution of an automated test, a current delay time is set to an initial delay value. Test execution does not begin until the current delay time elapses. If, upon execution, the test fails, the current delay time is set to a different delay time, and the test is reexecuted only after the updated current delay time has elapsed.

Abstract: A cross-connect panel for a computer network is disclosed that provides a mechanism for connecting to the signal transmission media of the network. In the typical scenario, the inventive cross-connect panel replaces the common cross-connect panel that receives the various cables running between the remote nodes and the hub, switch, or other network communications device. The panel has a series of panel-node connectors that are adapted to receive the signal transmission media from the network nodes. The cross-connect panel also has panel-device connectors that in most embodiments will be of a standard type to connect to the network communications device. The panel-node connectors and the panel-device connectors are electrically interconnected to each other via a backplane to complete the communications links. The panel further includes a monitoring port that is also preferably connected to the backplane to provide physical layer access to the communications links.

Abstract: Measuring gate pulse is generated that rises in synchronism with one of first and second clock signals and falls in synchronism with the other of the first and second clock signals. Then, a pulse width of the generated measuring gate pulse is measured by counting clock pulses higher in frequency than the first and second clock signals. When counted values indicative of respective pulse widths of an adjacent pair of the measuring gate pulses generated in succession coincide with each other, it is determined that the frequencies of the first and second signal are the same, but when the counted values of the adjacent pair of the measuring gate pulses do not coincide with each other, it is determined that the frequencies of the first and second signal are not the same.

Abstract: An electronic protective relay emulates an electromechanical protective relay so that operation of the two types of relays can be coordinated in providing protection in an electric power distribution system. The electronic protective relay incorporates a digital processor which increments a variable delay tally as an inverse current function and a fixed delay tally by a corresponding proportionate amount. During each running of the routine, only the smaller of the two tallies is increased so that they are forced to track one another. When both tallies reach a trip value, a trip signal is generated. The processor also applied a reset function when the measured current is below a pickup value. In accordance with the preferred reset feature, the variable delay tally is reduced using an inverse current function and the fixed delay is reduced by the same amount.

Abstract: Timing errors in digital transmission systems such as MTIE (340) in Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) systems are measured with data samples (225) processed in a first stage (260) to produce in real-time a first, time-varying series of measurements (300) for a given parameter over observation intervals of a first magnitude, each observation interval being many times longer than the sample period of the input series. Subsequent stages (280, 280′) derive further series of measurements, corresponding to increasingly longer observation intervals, derived by treating previous observation intervals as sub-intervals. The first stage (260) derives intermediate results for a pre-determined interval and repeats for successive sub-intervals, the intermediate results stored in a first first-in, first-out (FIFO) data set (300) and updated at least once per sub-interval and the required parameter derived (335).

Abstract: A phase delay correction system for use in a shape measurement is capable of removing the distortion of a restored shape and the mechanical positional deviation caused by a phase delay occurring during signal processing, and enables a Fourier series processing procedure to be adopted as is. A detector performs a relative scan of an object to be measured at a constant speed. A signal processing unit converts a shape detection signal obtained by the scan to digital data, and processes the digital data.

Abstract: A logging system 2 is described in which an input signal value is compare by a signal processor 12 to a trigger-band 34 and an inner-band 36 centre about a previously logged value 34 and changing at a previously determined rate of change. When the trigger-band is exceeded at point 40, intermediate points are logged representing the maximum and minimum points since the last logged point and the point at which the inner-band was left. The intermediate points enable a more accurate subsequent reconstruction of the actual signal to be made from the logged values.

Abstract: A circuit for programmably generating a delay in a frequency monitor. In one embodiment, the circuit includes a delay cell. A delay cell controller is coupled to the delay cell. The delay cell controller is adapted to selectively control whether the delay cell is activated such that the frequency monitor can be programmably configured to have a selected delay associated therewith.

Abstract: A method for determining conditioned entropies for a prescribable plurality of future sampling times for a set of samples based upon an information flow. A classification of a time series is implemented on the basis of the information flow. The information flow reflects nonlinear correlations between the samples. A classification is thus possible between those time series whose samples are non-linearly correlated and those time series whose samples are stochastically independant.

Abstract: A method for presenting information and a digital storage oscilloscope are disclosed in which primary measurements of a signal are performed and displayed. Parameters are also derived for the signal based upon the primary measurement data. These derived parameters are then also displayed as a function of time on the display, preferably with a common time axis. This enables the oscilloscope operator to correlate features found by reference to the derived parameters directly to the primary measurements of the signal. Moreover, since the data from the primary measurements are stored in the oscilloscope, multi parameter calculation and parameter recalculation can be performed.

Abstract: A signal-testing device used with a tester for testing a first signal and a second signal includes a selected signal generator receiving first signal and second signal for generating a selected signal the state of which is changed when first signal and second signal are in specific states, and a signal selector for selectively outputting one of first and second signals in response to the selected signal state. The present invention also provides a signal-testing method including steps of a) generating a selected signal having a plurality of pulses in response to a first signal and a second signal, b) obtaining a plurality of time differences between times when two inter-adjacent respective pulses respectively reach a specific voltage, c) obtaining a plurality of absolute values between two inter-adjacent respective time differences, and d) obtaining a phase difference by dividing by 2 an average value of the absolute values.

Abstract: A wireless seismic survey system is structured as a hierarchy of cell network layers, each higher level cell network layer covering a bigger area than a lower level cell network layer and receiving data from the lower level cell network layer. This hierarchical structure functions to concentrate collected data to a level that can be communicated to a central collection point, either through wireless, cable or other media. By defining cells to cover predetermined areas, transmission frequencies and/or transmission time slots or codes can be reused by cells sufficiently spaced apart to avoid co-channel interference, thereby increasing the amount of usable bandwidth.