Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically testing circuit boards, such as computer system boards and the like. The circuit board device under test (DUT) is loaded into an automated test apparatus (tester), which includes a mechanism for automatically connecting test electronics to various DUT circuitry and I/O ports via corresponding connectors on the DUT. A type of DUT is identified, and a corresponding set of tests are performed to verify the operation of the DUT. Appropriate power signals and sequencing are also applied to the DUT, as defined by it type. Data logging is performed to log the results of the testing. The apparatus includes replaceable probe/connector plates that are DUT-type specific and corresponding universal electronics and cabling to enable a variety of different board types to be tested with the same apparatus.

Abstract: A patient positioning assembly for therapeutic radiation treatment includes a support device for supporting the patient during treatment, and a controller for controlling the motion of the support device so that the treatment target within the patient is properly aligned with respect to a radiosurgical treatment apparatus throughout the treatment. The controller generates motion command signals for implementing corrective motions of the support device. The corrective motions align the target so that the position and orientation of the target, as shown in near real time image data, substantially match the position and orientation of the target, as shown in pre-treatment scans. One or more user interface modules, for example a handheld remote control module and a user interface screen, allows the user to interactively control the motion of the support device, by implementing one or more user selectable functions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for eliminating DC offset in a wireless communication device operable on a continuous basis or on a sampled basis. In a receive channel, the output of a forward variable gain amplifier is fed back to an RC circuit to charge the capacitor (C) to a voltage dependent on the DC offset in the variable gain amplifier output. The voltage on the capacitor is amplified and summed with the input to the variable gain amplifier. The RC circuit is configured to provide a high gain feedback at DC and very low frequencies, but very low gain at signal frequencies. Preferably the output of the forward variable gain amplifier is fed back to the RC circuit with a gain that is inversely proportional to the forward gain. Disconnection of the capacitor and feedback of the capacitor voltage provides sampled operation. Various embellishments and sample applications are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin film stack on a substrate, wherein the thin film stack includes at least a polysilicon layer and an oxide layer; forming a hardmask layer on the thin film stack; forming an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on the hardmask layer; patterning the ARC layer; etching the hardmask layer using the patterned ARC layer as a mask; and etching the thin film stack using the hardmask layer as a mask.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing a secure-private partition on a storage device of a computer system. The secure-private partition is normally invisible to an operating system unless the partition is unlocked. The secure-private partition is configured to unlock so that it is visible to the operating system in response to an unlock request received from a software task having knowledge about a proper handshake for unlocking the partition.

Abstract: A direct memory access (DMA) descriptor table to control DMA of information in a memory is disclosed. The DMA descriptor table includes one or more DMA descriptor lists stored in the memory. Each DMA descriptor lists may include one or more pointers and information regarding the type of data being directly memory accessed. The pointers may point to a starting address in the memory from which to directly memory access data, prior state information, or program code from and to the memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described. The method comprises generating a clock signal comprising regularly spaced clock-timing transitions between a signal high and a signal low to provide timing for a circuit coupled to the clock signal, and periodicity-disrupting transitions between the signal high and signal low, randomly inserted between the clock-timing transitions to disrupt a periodicity of the regularly spaced clock-timing transitions; and transmitting the clock signal to the circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods are described for communicating information between functional blocks of a system across a communications fabric. A first functional block communicates a single request fully describing attributes of a two-dimensional data block across the communication fabric to a second functional block capable of decoding the single request to obtain the attributes of the two-dimensional data block. At least one of the functional blocks transmits data associated with the single request across the communication fabric.

Abstract: A methodology for testing a computer system using multiple test units, each test unit being associated with its respective core function circuitry. The core circuitry and its respective test unit are located in a primary integrated circuit component of the computer system, such as a processor, memory, or chipset. The on-chip test units communicate with one another and with other parts of the system, to determine whether a specification of the computer system is satisfied, without requiring a processor core of the computer system to execute an operating system program for the computer system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses relating to current and gain adjustment in an amplifier. A gain of an amplifier, e.g., closed loop gain, may be increased or decreased based on a swing of a received signal. A current of an internal amplifier stage may be increased or decreased in relation to the increasing or decreasing of the gain to provide adjustments to bandwidth and/or frequency response. In one embodiment a programmable gain amplifier having operational amplifier has a variable feedback resistor increased/decreased in steps and a bias current of a differential stage of the operational amplifier may be increased/decreased in proportional steps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for outbound wave subtraction using a variable offset amplifier is described. The method includes calibration of a bi-directional signaling circuit in order to calculate one or more offset codes for cancellation of an outbound wave within a bi-directional communications link. Once the one or more offset codes are calculated, it is determined whether a dual inbound wave is received by the bi-directional signaling circuit. Once received, an offset code from the one or more calculated offset codes is selected according to a value of an outbound wave within the dual inbound/outbound wave. Finally, the outbound wave is cancelled from the dual inbound wave at an output of a variable offset amplifier using the selected offset code.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for improving signal transmission on a wireless device such as a personal digital assistant, wireless messaging device, or cellular phone. An initial transmission power level is selected based on received signal strength. If subsequent transmissions at the initial power level are unreliable, then the power is increased by a predetermined amount. Power level increases continue until signal transmission is reliable or the highest power level is reached. One embodiment of the system maintains its heightened power level across multiple communication dialogs.

Abstract: An operational amplifier circuit that provides negative feedback and high gain is described. Specifically, the circuit comprises a first gain stage, a second gain stage, a feedback circuit, and a biasing circuit.

Abstract: A method for coordinating messages between an internal e-mail account and an external e-mail account is described comprising: retrieving specified e-mail messages from the external e-mail account and storing the messages in the internal e-mail account; mapping internal identification (“ID”) codes assigned to the e-mail messages by the internal e-mail account to external ID codes assigned to the e-mail messages by the external e-mail account; detecting that an operation has been performed on a particular e-mail message on the internal account; determining an external ID code for the particular message based on the mapping; and transmitting an update to update the external account, the update including the external ID code to identify the particular e-mail message and an indication of the operation performed in the internal account.

Abstract: A framework is used for delivering data to and from a system. The framework consists of different delivery vehicles or forms to carry different types of data to and from the system. The data contains configuration information. When storing the configuration information, the framework allows the configuration information from the system to be filled in the forms. The configuration information is converted into a Generalized Markup Language (GML) format.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for producing electromagnetic radiation is provided. The apparatus may include a chamber wall enclosing a plasma emission chamber to contain a plasma emission gas. A first electrode may be within the plasma emission chamber. At least one second electrode may within the plasma emission chamber. The at least one second electrode may be rotatable about an axis thereof and positioned within the plasma emission chamber such that when a voltage is applied across the first electrode and the at least one second electrode, a plasma is generated between the first electrode and the at least one second electrode.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate, then forming a trench within the first dielectric layer. After forming a second dielectric layer on the substrate, a first metal layer is formed within the trench on a first part of the second dielectric layer. A second metal layer is then formed on the first metal layer and on a second part of the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method permitting compact ways to update relationships between entities in an audiovideo sequence, or serial set of sequences, the method comprising: writing a description between the entities, the description containing relations; determining the relations that may be represented by parameters, each parameter having a numerical value; and obtaining from the user, one or more of the following: (a) the numerical value for the parameter; (b) a description of the parameter containing the numerical value; and (c) a description capable of setting the parameter dynamically.

Abstract: A cache memory configured to store media data to be output as a media stream includes a session data file configured to store properties of the media stream, wherein the properties may include encoding scheme, duration, and others, and a plurality of data object files, each data object file individually and directly accessible by a file system, each data object file comprising a data object configured to store only a portion of the media data.

Abstract: A detector for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) energy uses incidence reflectance of the EUV beam off the detector to both capture a small but controllable fraction of the EUV energy and to redirect most of the energy to its target. In one embodiment, a reflective coating of material on a sensor surface is used. In another embodiment, a multi-layer reflector on a sensor is used. A method of making the multi-layer reflector/sensor is also described.