49th week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 22 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120306457 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A POWERTRAIN SYSTEM IN RESPONSE TO ACCESSORY LOAD - A powertrain system includes an electric machine mechanically coupled to an internal combustion engine mechanically coupled to a transmission. A method for operating the powertrain system includes determining an engine stall threshold rate during engine operation in a low load condition. A time-rate change in an accessory load is controlled by the electric machine operating in an electric power generating mode in response to the engine stall threshold rate during the engine operation in the low load condition. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306458 | CONVERSION OF SYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR TO SYNCHRONOUS CONDENSER - An approach for converting a synchronous generator to a synchronous condenser is disclosed. In one aspect, a variable frequency driver is used to provide a starting power source to accelerate a synchronous generator decoupled from a turbine to an operational speed to act as a synchronous condenser. In another aspect, the synchronous condenser can be recoupled back to the turbine to form the synchronous generator. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306459 | Power Factor Correction Circuit, Control circuit Therefor and Method for Driving Load Circuit through Power Factor Correction - The present invention discloses a power factor correction circuit, a control circuit therefor and a method for driving a power factor correction circuit. The power factor correction circuit receives rectified power obtained by rectifying AC power, and corrects the power factor thereof. The power factor correction circuit includes an inductor, and it generates a reference signal as a limit for the inductor current. The reference signal is proportional to Comp/Vin, wherein Comp is a signal relating to a feedback signal, and Vin is a voltage signal relating to the AC power or the rectified power. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306460 | Resistance Simulation and Common Mode Rejection for Digital Source-Measure Units - A source-measure unit (SMU) may be implemented with digital control loops. The output voltage and output current may be measured with dedicated ADCs (analog-to-digital converters), and the readings obtained by the ADCs may be compared to a setpoint in a digital loop controller, which may produce an output to drive a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) to maintain the output voltage and/or output current at a desired setpoint. The digital loop controller may also digitally implement simulated resistance with high resolution, accuracy, and range, using Thévenin and Norton power supply models. Simulated resistor values may range from 10Ω to 10Ω for output currents in the 100 mA range, with a sub-200μΩ resolution. The range may be expanded up to 100 kΩ for output currents in the 10 μA range. The Norton and Thévenin implementations may be combined, and a “pure resistance” mode may be created for simulating any desired resistance value. A variation of the general resistance-simulation technique may also be used to compensate for Common Mode Voltage effects in the current measurement path, providing tighter output and measurement specifications at a lower component cost. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306461 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE, CONTROL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT THEREOF, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - There is provided a power supply device including: a first controller operating a pulse width modulation (PWM) control integrated circuit (IC) when a load is connected to an output terminal thereof; a second controller determining whether to operate the PWM control IC according to a change in voltage of an auxiliary capacitor connected to the first controller when a load is not connected to the output terminal; and a constant voltage circuit unit supplying a constant voltage to the first controller and the second controller when the PWM control IC operates. Power consumption can be considerably reduced when a load is not connected to the output terminal of the power supply device. Also, since elements for controlling the power supply device are implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC), a leakage current can be reduced to thus minimize power consumption. In addition, voltage can be supplied to the IC while reducing switching noise. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306462 | Electricity Generation Device and Permanent-Magnet Electric Generator - An electricity generation device includes a permanent-magnet electric generator with three or more phase windings each having an output terminal and connected to a neutral point, and bidirectional semiconductor switching circuits capable of interrupting connections between the respective phase windings and the neutral point. Each switching circuit allows current to flow in both directions. A gate signal generation circuit outputs to one of the switching circuits during a period including the time at which the AC voltage excited in the corresponding phase winding turns from positive to negative and during a period including the time at which the AC voltage excited in the corresponding phase winding turns from negative to positive. A startup gate signal output circuit outputs a startup gate signal to all of the bidirectional semiconductor switching circuits when the permanent-magnet electric generator is to be started. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306463 | RESONANT-RECOVERY POWER-REDUCTION TECHNIQUE FOR BOOST CONVERTERS - The disclosed embodiments relate to a power converter system. This power converter system includes an inductor which is coupled between an input that receives an input voltage V | 2012-12-06 |
20120306464 | Circuit Arrangement with an Adjustable Transistor Component - Disclosed is a circuit arrangement, including a transistor component with a gate terminal, a control terminal, and a load path between a source and a drain terminal, and a drive circuit connected to the control terminal and configured to determine a load condition of the transistor component, to provide a drive potential to the control terminal, and to adjust the drive potential dependent on the load condition. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306465 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE, CONTROL CIRCUIT, ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR POWER SUPPLY - A power supply device that includes a switch circuit to which an input voltage is supplied, a coil coupled between the switch circuit and an output terminal from which an output voltage is outputted. A voltage adding circuit adds a slope voltage to a reference voltage. A control unit compares a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage and the reference voltage and switches the switch circuit at a timing corresponding to a comparison result of the feedback voltage and the reference voltage. A slope adjustment circuit differentiates a current flowing in the coil and adjusts a slope amount of the slope based on a differentiation result of the current. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306466 | STEP-UP DC-DC CONVERTER - A step-up DC-DC converter has a switching element for feeding current to an inductor; a rectifier connected to the output side of the inductor; and a control circuit performing on/off control of the switching element, based on an output voltage and a voltage corresponded to the inductor current. The control circuit further has a first voltage comparator circuit detecting fall of the output voltage down to the first reference voltage; a second voltage comparator circuit detecting that the inductor current reached a predetermined current value; and a voltage generation circuit generating a voltage inversely proportional to an input voltage and feeds the voltage, as a second reference voltage, to the second voltage comparator circuit. The switching element turns on, when the output voltage fell down to the first reference voltage, whereas the switching element turns off, when voltage proportional to the inductor current rose up to the second reference voltage. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306467 | DC-DC CONVERTER, POWER SOURCE CIRCUIT, AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A DC-DC converter includes a control circuit, a switching element, and a constant-voltage generation portion which generates an output voltage on the basis of an input voltage supplied through the switching element. The control circuit includes AD converters which convert the input voltage and the output voltage, a signal processing circuit, a pulse modulation circuit, and a power supply control circuit which controls supply of a power supply voltage to the signal processing circuit in accordance with digital values of the input voltage and the output voltage. The signal processing circuit determines the duty ratio in accordance with the digital value of the output voltage, and the pulse modulation circuit controls the switching element. The signal processing circuit includes a memory device including a memory element, a capacitor for storing data of the memory element, and a transistor for controlling charge in the capacitor. The transistor includes an oxide semiconductor. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306468 | Energy Storage System and Method for Operating Same - An energy supply system including an electrical energy storage system having multiple storage modules, in particular a battery system, an ascertaining device for ascertaining state variables of the storage modules and an energy transmission device for energy transmission between the storage modules and a downstream electrical device. It is provided that the energy transmission device has multiple d.c. chopper converters, which are connected to one another in parallel and/or in series at the output end, and each of the d.c. chopper converters is connectable to a storage module of the energy storage system, and the energy supply system has a trigger device for triggering the d.c. chopper converters as a function of the ascertained state variable of the respective connected storage module. Also described is a method for operating an energy supply system. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306469 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A voltage regulator includes: a normally-on first transistor coupled to an input voltage; an inductor provided between the first transistor and an output terminal; a return circuit provided between a reference voltage and a connection node of the first transistor and the inductor; a drive circuit that supplies a drive signal to a gate of the first transistor; and a negative voltage generation circuit that is coupled to the reference voltage, generates a negative voltage on the basis of a pulse signal generated at the connection node by switching operation of the first transistor, and supplies the negative voltage to the drive circuit. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306470 | DOWN-CONVERTING VOLTAGE GENERATING CIRCUIT - A down-converting voltage generating circuit includes a reference voltage providing unit, an initial setting unit, a driving unit, and a driving force control unit. The reference voltage providing unit provides a reference voltage to a first node. The initial setting unit drops a voltage level of the first node to substantially a level of a ground voltage when an initial setting signal is activated. The driving unit drives a down-converted voltage derived from an external voltage in response to the voltage level of the first node. The driving force control unit is connected to the driving unit, and controls a driving force for driving the down-converted voltage of the driving unit in response to the initial setting signal. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306471 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING ON-LOAD MECHANICAL SWITCHING OPERATIONS - An electrical device comprising: a first current path having a primary switch therein, and means for coupling to an electrical supply; and a diversionary current path having semiconductor switching means therein, the semiconductor switching means being operable to bypass the primary switch; the device being arranged such that, in use, a first current flowing from the supply along the first current path can be diverted, on the operation of the semiconductor switching means, along the diversionary current path, bypassing the primary switch; wherein the diversionary current path comprises a controllable electrical supply operable to supply a second current whilst the semiconductor switching means are in a state of conduction, the second current being such as to cause substantially zero current to flow through the primary switch, such that the primary switch can then be opened under a condition of substantially zero load current. A corresponding method of operating a mechanical switch in such a device is also provided. The disclosure further provides a controllable electrical supply comprising: an electrical source; an amplifier having two output terminals and comprising a plurality of semiconductor devices; and control logic arranged to operate the amplifier such that it can selectively present both current and voltage source behaviour at the terminals. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306472 | Transformer Driver Circuit - Disclosed is a transformer driver circuit, which in one aspect comprises a transformer comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding and a transformer tap, the latter electrically connected to a first voltage source. The primary winding is electrically connected at both ends to respective unipolar controllable current sinks that form part of an integrated circuit. The circuit operates by each current sink selectively sinking current from the end of the primary winding to which it is connected so as to cause current to flow in the secondary winding in a push-pull fashion. The circuit further comprises a load electrically connected to the secondary winding; and protection circuitry operative to protect the integrated circuit from input levels greater than it can handle. In another aspect there is a similar transformer drive circuitry which may or may not be partly on an integrated circuit and have protection circuitry. This aspect comprises control circuitry that provides analogue control signals to the current sinks so as to cause them to sink current in a substantially linear dependence on the signal amplitude of said analogue control signals. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306473 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AND POWER SUPPLY METHOD THEREOF - A power supply device is disclosed for use in electronic equipment. In an embodiment, the power supply device includes: a current transformer with N secondary winding parts connected in series, an energy storage capacitor and a winding selector, in which N is an integral number and N≧2, wherein the winding selector selectively enables one or more serially connected winding parts of the N secondary winding parts to output an electrical current, in response to a state signal indicating the operating state of the electronic equipment; and the energy storage capacitor is charged by the output current, and supplies power to a main circuit of the electronic equipment. In the embodiments of the present invention, there is also provided corresponding electronic equipment and a corresponding method. By way of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to supply electrical energy at relatively low power loss. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306474 | BATTERY CONNECTOR - A battery connector includes: a plurality of terminals, each of which is to be connected to each electrode of a plurality of batteries; a plurality of voltage detection terminals, each of which is connected to respective one of the terminals, and includes a wire connection part to be connected to an electric wire; and a case which contains the plurality of terminals and the plurality of voltage detection terminals therein. Adjacent terminals of the terminals are fixed in the case to be spaced from each other, and an individual wire path of a wire routing part is provided between the adjacent terminals. Each of the voltage detection terminals is fixed so as to incline the wire connection part with respect to the individual wire path and to locate the wire connection part more interiorly than an edge of the case. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306475 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING LOW-COST ELECTRONIC GYROSCOPES AND ACCELEROMETER - Accelerometers have a number of wide-ranging uses, and it is desirable to both increase their accuracy while decreasing size. Here, millimeter or sub-millimeter wavelength accelerometers are provided which has the advantage of having the high accuracy of an optical accelerometer, while being compact. Additionally, because millimeter or sub-millimeter wavelength signals are employed, cumbersome and awkward on-chip optical devices and bulky optical mediums can be avoided. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306476 | PHASE DETECTION APPARATUS FOR ALTERNATOR AND METHOD THEREOF - A phase detection apparatus for an alternator is disclosed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The phase detection apparatus comprises a waveform detector, a threshold voltage generator, and a comparator. The waveform detector is used for detecting a wave peak of a phase signal, and generating a waveform detection signal accordingly. The threshold voltage generator is used for generating a reference signal according to the waveform detection signal. The comparator is used for comparing the phase signal with the reference signal, and generating a comparison signal accordingly. Therefore, the phase detection apparatus for the alternator may reduce the leakage current of a battery in a vehicle. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306477 | RAIL TO RAIL COMPARATOR WITH WIDE HYSTERESIS AND MEMORY - An apparatus comprises an input to receive a voltage, a threshold voltage circuit, a comparison circuit, and an output. The threshold voltage circuit provides an adjustable first threshold voltage at a first output and an adjustable second threshold voltage at a second output. The comparison circuit determines when the input voltage is greater than the first voltage threshold, including when the first voltage threshold is adjusted substantially up to a high supply voltage rail, and determines when the input voltage is less than the second voltage threshold, including when the second voltage threshold is adjusted substantially down to a low supply voltage rail. The output provides a first indication when the input voltage is greater than the first voltage threshold and to provide a second indication when the input voltage is less than the second voltage threshold. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306478 | BEARING CHECK FIXTURE - A hand-held check fixture to indicate excessive play in a pitch change link ball joint is provided. The check fixture can include a first member for attachment to a first portion of the pitch change link, a second member for attachment to a second portion of the pitch change link, and a gage to indicate movement of the first member relative to the second member. The gage is adapted to indicate the clearance between a pitch change link ball bearing and a pitch change link knuckle in the axial direction and/or in the radial direction. The check fixture can assist in evaluating the flightworthiness of each pitch change link on a rotor assembly with relative ease and without requiring the complete removal of each pitch change link from the rotor assembly. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306479 | POSITION SENSOR - A position sensor has at least one guide rail for a guide housing having a magnetic component. On the guide housing, an encapsulation is accommodated which electrically insulates and/or fixes a lead frame assembly and/or a circuit trace assembly. It forms a retainer for the magnetic component. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306480 | ROTATIONAL ANGLE SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF - Using integrated multi-component assembly injection moulding, a two-part magnetic rotational angle sensor system having high sensing accuracy is very efficiently integrally produced in a tool as a functional unit that can be directly applied, comprising a polymer-bonded permanent magnet as a passive transmitter part in the first section, which can be rotated relative to the material of the active sensor receiver part, which material is sprayed thereon and then shrunk, with the potted receiver. For this purpose, injection moulding materials are used that are mutually incompatible for adhesion and lift off from one another over the mutual contact regions due to shrinkage. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306481 | CONVEYOR BELT WEAR DETECTION APPARATUS - A rubber magnet ( | 2012-12-06 |
20120306482 | Aircraft Fuselage Inspection System - A method and apparatus for inspecting a metallic structure. A first signal is sent into a first location in the metallic structure and a second signal into a second location in the metallic structure at substantially a same time. A first response to the first signal is received. A second response to the second signal is received. The first response is compared with the second response to form a comparison. A determination is made as to whether an inconsistency is present using the comparison. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306483 | ELECTROMAGNET INSPECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A method and apparatus for the inspection of electrically conductive components is described. The described apparatus comprises a sensor module having a magnetiser unit suitable for generating a variable DC magnetic field within the test component and an eddy current probe. The variable DC magnetic field and eddy current probe are configured to perform a partial saturation eddy current test upon the test component. The eddy current probe further comprises a magnetic field sensor that provides a means for measuring the permeability within the test component. Employing the magnetic field sensor provides apparatus that is more accurate and flexible in its modes of operation since such sensors provide a means for the actual permeability of a material being tested to be measured. The described methods and apparatus find particular application in the inspection of tubular components used in the oil and gas exploration and production industries. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306484 | MAGNETIC DETECTION APPARATUS - A magnetic detection apparatus includes an IC device, a casing defining a housing space of the IC device, and a resin mold portion arranged on a first part of an outside surface of the casing. The IC device includes an IC package having a built-in magnetoelectric transducer, and lead wires. The housing space is defined by a second part of an inner wall of the casing. A predetermined portion of the second part of the inner wall is defined as a contact region, with which the IC device contacts. The resin mold portion is arranged other than a predetermined portion of a second part of the outside surface corresponding to the contact region. A position of the magnetoelectric transducer is determined by positions of the contact region and the resin mold portion. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306485 | MAGNETIC FIELD SENSOR - A magnetic field sensor is provided, having a first Hall sensor with a first terminal contact and with a second terminal contact and with a third terminal contact and with a fourth terminal contact and with a fifth terminal contact, and a second Hall sensor with a sixth terminal contact and with a seventh terminal contact and with an eighth terminal contact and with a ninth terminal contact and with a tenth terminal contact, whereby the first terminal contact is connected to the fifth terminal contact and to the sixth terminal contact and to the tenth terminal contact, and the second terminal contact is connected to the ninth terminal contact, and the fourth terminal contact is connected to the seventh terminal contact. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306486 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING A CURRENT FLOWING THROUGH AN ELECTRIC CABLE - A device for measuring a current flowing through an electric cable comprises a printed circuit board, a magnetic field sensor and a ferromagnetic component. The ferromagnetic component comprises two tongues whose front faces are disposed opposite of each other and are separated by an air gap and further comprises at least two feet, with the tongues and/or the feet being bent off. The cable is guidable through an opening which is enclosed by the ferromagnetic component. The ferromagnetic component and the magnetic field sensor are mounted on a surface of the printed circuit board. The magnetic field sensor is sensitive to a magnetic field extending parallel to the surface of the printed circuit board. The tongues of the ferromagnetic component extend parallel to the surface of the printed circuit board ( | 2012-12-06 |
20120306487 | ELECTRICAL CURRENT SENSING CIRCUIT, PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD ASSEMBLY AND ELECTRICAL CURRENT SENSOR DEVICE WITH THE SAME - An electrical current sensing circuit of the present invention comprises a Wheatstone bridge circuit having at least four magnetoresistive elements connecting and a pair of output terminals, the magnetoresistive elements adapted for sensing an external magnetic field with a first direction generated by a carrying-current electrical conductor, and outputting a differential signal; and a negative feedback circuit connecting with the output terminals, actuated by the differential signal and generated a magnetic field with a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, thereby decreasing the impact of the temperature drift to the magnetoresistive element character. The present invention can eliminate the temperature drift under a changing environment and, in turn obtain an accurate output voltage. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306488 | SPIN-VALVE MAGNETORESISTANCE STRUCTURE AND SPIN-VALVE MAGNETORESISTANCE SENSOR - A spin-valve magnetoresistance structure includes a first magnetoresistance layer having a fixed first magnetization direction, a second magnetoresistance layer disposed on a side of the first magnetoresistance layer and having a variable second magnetization direction, and a spacer disposed between the first magnetoresistance layer and the second magnetoresistance layer. The second magnetization direction is at an angle in a range from 30 to 60 degrees or from 120 to 150 degrees to the first magnetization direction when the intensity of an applied external magnetic field is zero. The second magnetization direction varies with the external magnetic field thereby changing an electrical resistance of the spin-valve magnetoresistance structure. A spin-valve magnetoresistance sensor based on the spin-valve magnetoresistance structure is also provided. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306489 | MAGNETIC SENSOR AND PATTERN FOR MAGNETIC SENSOR - A magnetic sensor includes a substrate, and a pattern forming region on the substrate, the pattern forming region having a substantially quadrangle shape. The pattern forming region includes a magnetic detection element pattern that includes a plurality of linear parts arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined inclination angle to two sides of the quadrangle shape, and a plurality of turning parts configured to alternately connect both end portions in a longitudinal direction of adjacent linear parts of the plurality of linear parts. The magnetic detection element pattern further includes a first pattern, and a second pattern with a resistance change ratio less than the first pattern. An area of the magnetic detection element pattern is less than an area of the pattern forming region in a plane view. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306490 | MAGNETIC SENSOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE SAME - A manufacturing method of a magnetic sensor, detecting a physical amount based on a resistance change in each MRE while applying an external magnetic field to MREs, includes: preparing a substrate; forming MREs, including a free magnetic layer having a changeable magnetization direction and a pin magnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction, above the substrate; forming heaters corresponding to MREs; arranging the substrate in the external magnetic field having a magnetic field direction in a first direction parallel to the substrate; and heating with one portion of the heater portions and magnetizing one portion of the pin magnetic layers in the first direction; and arranging the substrate in another external magnetic field having another magnetic field direction in a second direction different from the first direction; and heating with another portion of the heater portions and magnetizing another portion of the pin magnetic layers in the second direction. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306491 | MAGNETIC BALANCE TYPE CURRENT SENSOR - A magnetic balance type current sensor of the present invention includes a magnetic field detection bridge circuit including four magnetoresistance effect elements whose resistance values change owing to application of an induction magnetic field from a current to be measured. Each of the four magnetoresistance effect elements includes a ferromagnetic fixed layer formed by causing a first ferromagnetic film and a second ferromagnetic film to be antiferromagnetically coupled to each other via an antiparallel coupling film, a non-magnetic intermediate layer, and a soft magnetic free layer. The first and second ferromagnetic films are approximately equal in Curie temperature to each other, a difference in magnetization amount therebetween is substantially zero, and the magnetization directions of the ferromagnetic fixed layers of three magnetoresistance effect elements are different by 180 degrees from the magnetization direction of the ferromagnetic fixed layer of the remaining one magnetoresistance effect element. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306492 | PENETRATION TUBE ASSEMBLIES FOR REDUCING CRYOSTAT HEAT LOAD - A penetration assembly for a cryostat is presented. The penetration assembly includes an outer wall member having a first end and a second end and configured to alter an effective thermal length of the wall member, wherein a first end of the tube is communicatively coupled to a high temperature region and the second end of the tube is communicatively coupled to a cryogen disposed within a cryogen vessel of the cryostat. In addition, the penetration tube assembly includes a telescoping inner wall member comprising a plurality of tubes nested within one another, and wherein each tube in the plurality of tubes is operatively coupled to at least one other tube in series. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306493 | ELECTRIC PROPERTIES TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING METHOD AND SYSTEM - The invention relates to a magnetic resonance method of electric properties tomography imaging of an object, the method comprising: applying an excitation RF field to the object via a coil at a first spatial coil position ( | 2012-12-06 |
20120306494 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - A system including a plurality of coil elements is provided. Each coil element is arranged with a first switch and a second switch. In a first mode, the first switch and the second switch are turned off to split each coil element into a first coil portion and a second coil portion, to transmit first radio frequency signals. In a second mode, the first switch and second switch are turned on to transform each coil element into a loop coil to simultaneously transmit or receive multiple second radio frequency signals. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306495 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INTERCONNECTIONS IN A GRADIENT COIL ASSEMBLY - A gradient coil apparatus for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes an inner gradient coil assembly comprising at least one inner gradient coil and an outer gradient coil assembly comprising at least one outer gradient coil. At least one gradient coil interconnect is coupled to the inner gradient coil and the outer gradient coil. The gradient coil interconnect includes a wire assembly comprising a plurality of conductors. The wire assembly has a first end electrically coupled to the outer gradient coil assembly and a second end electrically coupled to the inner gradient coil. The gradient coil interconnect also includes a reinforcement material disposed around a portion of the wire assembly. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306496 | HIGH-FREQUENCY ANTENNA - A high-frequency antenna unit for a magnetic resonance apparatus includes a high-frequency antenna and a shield unit. The shield unit, the high-frequency antenna, or a combination thereof is formed at least partially from a composite material. The composite material includes at least one electrically conducting material and at least one electrically non-conducting material. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306497 | RF RECEPTION COIL AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS USING SAME - There is provided a technique for improving quality of images obtained with an MRI apparatus by using the geometric structures of the conventional RF transmission coil and RF reception coil and without increasing burden on patients or MRI technicians. A conductor loop of an RF reception coil disposed between a subject and an RF transmission coil is used also as a loop for magnetic field adjustment in order to shield or enhance a rotating magnetic field B | 2012-12-06 |
20120306498 | MULTICHANNEL RF SIGNAL SWITCHING DEVICE AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS HAVING MULTICHANNEL RF SIGNAL SWITCHING DEVICE - A multichannel RF switching device of an embodiment has a connector in which all or some of a plurality of terminals a configured to be connected to a plurality of coil elements, a matrix switch having a plurality of input ports arranged in a line and a plurality of output ports arranged in a line, and a wiring portion connecting the respective terminals configured to be connected to the plural coil elements with a plurality of input ports in use included in the plural input ports one-on-one, the input ports in use amounting to fewer than the total number of the input ports, wherein the wiring portion connects the respective terminals with the input ports in use one-on-one in such away that a separation between adjacent two of all or some of the input ports in use is larger than a separation between adjacent two of the input ports. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306499 | FAILSAFE PROTECTION FROM INDUCED RF CURRENT FOR MRI RF COIL ASSEMBLY HAVING TRANSMIT FUNCTIONALITY - An electrically-controlled failsafe switch is included in an MRI transmit-and-receive RF coil assembly so as to protect it from induced RF currents in the event it is disconnected from an MRI system, but inadvertently left linked to strong MRI RF fields during imaging procedures using other RF coils. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306500 | Antenna Coupling Component Measurement Tool Having a Rotating Antenna Configuration - Disclosed herein are electromagnetic resistivity logging systems and methods that employ an antenna configuration having at most two transmitter or receiver antenna orientations that rotate relative to the borehole. The measurements made by this reduced-complexity antenna configuration enable the determination of at least seven components of a coupling matrix, which may be determined using a linear system of equations that express the azimuthal dependence of the measurements. For increased reliability, measurement averaging may be performed in azimuthally spaced bins. The coupling matrix components can then be used as the basis for determining logs of various formation parameters, including vertical resistivity and anisotropy. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306501 | METHODS FOR MAGNETIC IMAGING OF GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES - Methods for imaging geological structures include injecting magnetic materials into the geological structures, placing at least one magnetic probe in a proximity to the geological structures, generating a magnetic field in the geological structures and detecting a magnetic signal. The at least one magnetic probe may be on the surface of the geological structures or reside within the geological structures. The methods also include injecting magnetic materials into the geological structures, placing at least one magnetic detector in the geological structures and measuring a resonant frequency in the at least one magnetic detector. Methods for using magnetic materials in dipole-dipole, dipole-loop and loop-loop transmitter-receiver configurations for geological structure electromagnetic imaging techniques are also disclosed. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306502 | Circuit for Controlling Current to Light-Emitting Diode (LED) - The present invention discloses a current controlling circuit wherein the circuit ( | 2012-12-06 |
20120306503 | System and Method for Assessing Voltage Threshold Detecting Circuitry Within a Battery Pack - Systems and methods for assessing voltage threshold detection circuitry of individual battery cells within a battery pack supplying power to a vehicle are disclosed. One example system comprises, a plurality of battery cells within a battery pack, a plurality of voltage threshold detecting circuits detecting voltage of the plurality of battery cells, a voltage of a first battery cell of the plurality of battery cells coupled to a first voltage threshold detecting circuit of the plurality of voltage threshold detecting circuits, and a network that selectively couples a second battery cell to the first voltage detecting circuit while the first battery cell is coupled to the first voltage detecting circuit. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306504 | BATTERY IMPEDANCE DETECTION SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD - Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to monitoring battery cells. In accordance with various embodiments, an energy storage cell apparatus includes a current injection circuit that separately inject current into individual ones of a plurality of battery cells that store energy, and an impedance-detection circuit detects an impedance characteristic of each of the plurality of battery cells in response to the injected current. A filter circuit receives impedance data regarding the detected impedance characteristic and separates low-frequency components of the impedance data from high-frequency components of the impedance data. A memory circuit stores data corresponding to high-bandwidth data including both the low-frequency components and the high-frequency components, and an access circuit provides the low-frequency components for the plurality of battery cells to a battery pack controller. The access circuit further accesses and provides the stored high-bandwidth data for a subset of the individual battery cells to the battery pack controller based upon available bandwidth for communicating the high-bandwidth data. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306505 | ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND VERIFICATION METHOD FOR BATTERY MODULE THEREOF - An electrical apparatus including a battery module and a battery verification module is disclosed. The battery module has a verification circuit and an identification resistor. When the battery module is connected to the battery verification module, the battery verification module obtains a type information of the battery module according to the voltage level on a coupled point between a reference resistor and the identification resistor. The battery verification module transmits a verification request to the verification circuit to allow the verification circuit to transmit a verification signal to the battery verification module through a coupled path between the reference resistor and the identification resistor. The reference resistor is built in the battery verification module. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306506 | VOLTAGE MONITORING SYSTEM AND VOLTAGE MONITORING MODULE - In a voltage monitoring system, a voltage monitoring module includes an adjusting current control circuit to generate an adjusting current so that the operating current consumed by the voltage monitoring modules reaches a specified value corresponding to a first operation current setting command, and stops generating the adjusting current according to an operating current switching command; and an operating current measurement circuit to measure the operating current according to the operating current measuring command following the operating current switching command; and in which a module control circuit sends a second operation current setting command based on the operating current that was measured, and the adjusting current control circuit generates an adjusting current so that the operating current reaches a specified value corresponding to the second operating current setting command. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306507 | CELL MONITORING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC STORAGE MODULE, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM STORING COMPUTER-READABLE INSTRUCTIONS FOR DETECTING DISCONTINUITY OF ELECTRIC LINES, AND METHOD OF DETECTING DISCONTINUITY OF ELECTRIC LINES - A cell monitoring device for monitoring cells connected in series in an electric storage module includes electric lines, switches connected in parallel to the cells, respectively, via the electric lines, and a controller. The controller configured to: close and reopen at least two of the switches; measure voltages between the lines connected to the cells after the switches connected in parallel to the cells are reopened; determine the measured voltages as cell voltages of the cells; determine whether at least one of a high abnormality voltage equal to or higher than a first threshold and a low abnormality voltage equal to or lower than a second threshold lower than the first threshold exists among the cell voltages; and determine at least one of the electric lines has lost continuity if at least one of the high abnormality voltage and the low abnormality voltage exists among the cell voltages. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306508 | IN-SITU FLUX MEASUREMENT DEVICES, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS - In-situ flux measurement methods, devices, and systems are provided. According to some embodiments, an in-situ molecular flux device generally comprises a electrically conductive container configured to hold a precursor material, a heat source proximate the electrically conductive container to heat the precursor material to release ions such that an ion current is produced; and a current-measuring device in electrical communication with the electrically conductive container to measure the ion current associated with the heated precursor material. Other embodiments are also claimed and described. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306509 | DIAGNOSTIC CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF TESTING A CIRCUIT - A diagnostic circuit for trouble shooting electronic control units of appliances includes a voltage sensing and signal generation device with an input/output and an input. The circuit includes first terminals for connecting to the load and second terminals for connecting to the two lines of the sinusoidal source. One of the first terminals is connected to the input/output, and another one of the first terminals is connected to the input. A relay is connected between one of the second terminals and the input/output. Another relay is connected between another one of the second terminals and the input. A first diode pair with clamping diodes is connected to the input/output, and a second diode pair first diode pair with clamping diodes is connected to the input. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306510 | Method and System for Assessing Insulation Deterioration in Live Underground Power Cables - A method for assessing insulation deterioration in a live underground power cable may include, in one embodiment, attaching a coupling device to a live underground power cable and using the coupling device to couple a test signal onto the power cable. The power cable may carry a normal AC power signal at a first frequency, while the test signal may have a second frequency different from the first frequency. The test signal may be detected after it has traveled a distance along the power cable. It may then be analyzed to determine a change in velocity and/or attenuation of the test signal as a function of the normal AC power signal. The severity of water trees in the power cable may be inferred based on the magnitude of the change. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306511 | PARTIAL DISCHARGE EXPERIMENT POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR EXTRA-HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER AND METHOD THEREOF - A partial discharge test power supply system for an extra high voltage transformer comprises: an electric motor ( | 2012-12-06 |
20120306512 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR ASSEMBLY - A capacitive sensor assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The capacitive sensor assembly includes a capacitive sensor element which has at least one first electrical conductor element, and a reference conductor element defining an electrical reference potential and being interspaced from the first electrical conductor element. The first electrical conductor element is designed as an outer conductor surrounding the reference conductor element which represents the inner conductor. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306513 | HIGH TEMPERATURE POSITION SENSOR - A position sensor comprises first and second stationary poles with first and second electrodes, and a reference pole positioned therebetween. The reference pole is coupled to a shaft, and includes a semi-metal via that forms a conducting path between the first and second electrodes. The shaft positions the reference pole between the first and second stationary poles, and a resistance of the conducting path varies with a position of the shaft. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306514 | TORSION ANGLE AND ROTATION ANGLE MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A torsion angle and rotation angle measurement device includes an input rotation disk, an output rotation disk, at least two torsion measuring modules and a rotation measuring module. The output rotation disk is coaxially and rotatably connected with the input rotation disk. At least two torsion measuring modules are disposed between the input rotation disk and the output rotation disk. Each torsion measuring module includes a rotary variable resistor and a torsion measuring arm. The rotary variable resistor is disposed on the output rotation disk. The torsion measuring arm is pivotally connected with the rotary variable resistor at a first end thereof, and is slidably connected with the input rotation disk at an second opposite end. When the input rotation disk rotates relative to the output rotation disk, the rotary variable resistor measures an angle indicating the input rotation disk rotating relative to the output rotation disk. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306515 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GRID IMPEDANCE DETECTION - A method and apparatus for monitoring an AC line for impedance change. In one embodiment, the method, comprises superimposing a tone on an AC current coupled to the AC line, wherein the tone is a higher frequency than an AC voltage waveform on the AC line; applying a correlation over a sampled AC voltage waveform, obtained by sampling the AC voltage waveform, to generate a correlated signal; and determining whether at least one change in characteristic of the correlated signal occurs. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306516 | VOLTAGE DETECTION CIRCUIT, ECU, AUTOMOBILE WITH ECU - According to an embodiment, the threshold value generation unit generates a setting voltage and converts the setting voltage to a first current. One end of the first resistor is connected to a detection terminal. When a voltage applied to the detection terminal is greater than or equal to a predetermined factor times the voltage of the higher voltage source, the detection unit causes a constant detection terminal input current to flow from the detection terminal to the first resistor. When the voltage at the detection terminal is less than the predetermined factor times the voltage of the higher voltage source, a higher voltage source voltage is outputted to a detection output terminal, while the voltage at the detection terminal is greater than or equal to the predetermined factor times the voltage of the higher voltage source, a lower voltage source voltage is outputted to the detection output terminal. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306517 | Compensation Methods for Digital Source-Measure-Units (SMUs) - A source-measure unit (SMU) may be implemented with respective digital control loops for output voltage and output current. The output voltage and output current may be measured with dedicated ADCs (analog-to-digital converters). The readings obtained by the ADCs may be compared to a setpoint, which may be set in a digital loop controller. The digital loop controller may be used to produce an output to drive a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) until the output voltage and/or output current and/or a function thereof reach the respective desired levels. The digital loop controller may implement respective integrating functions for the respective digital control loops, and may also implement a compensation function featuring pole-zero pairs to stabilize the respective current/voltage outputs. Coefficients of the compensation function may be calculated based on user programmable parameters corresponding to the gain bandwidth product, compensation frequency, and ratio of the added pole-zero frequencies. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306518 | Fast Current Saturation Recovery for a Digital Source Measure Unit (SMU) - A source-measure unit (SMU) may be implemented with respective digital control loops for output voltage and output current. The output voltage and output current may be measured with dedicated ADCs (analog-to-digital converters). The readings obtained by the ADCs may be compared to a setpoint, which may be set in a digital loop controller (DLC). The DLC may be used to produce an output to drive a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) until the output voltage and/or output current and/or a function thereof reach the respective desired levels. The DLC may perform a threshold check to determine if the output current is outside a specified measurable range, and generate an override signal to drive the DAC to rapidly return the output current to the measurable range. Once the current is within the measurable range, the DAC may once again be driven according to the respective digital control loops for the output voltage and the output current. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306519 | METHOD FOR THE PHASE DIAGNOSIS OF A MULTIPHASE CONVERTER - A method for the phase diagnosis of a multiphase converter for detecting potential errors in individual converter phases is provided, wherein a symmetrical load distribution for the individual converter phases is regulated. During the operation of the converter, the distribution of the load prescribed for each individual phase of the converter is detected at least two different times, at different temperatures, and in any order. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306520 | Method for Panel Reliability Testing and Device Thereof - A device for panel reliability testing and method thereof are proposed. The device includes a connection module, for connecting the panel and an aging module; a reliability chamber control module for sending a voltage regulation command to a bias module and/or a switch control command to the aging module; the bias module, for regulating voltage and transmitting information about voltage regulation to the aging module; and the aging module, for performing an aging operation on the panel depending on the switch control command sent from the reliability chamber control module and the information about voltage regulation transmitted from the bias module. Compared with the prior art, LCD panels undergo the aging testing before being packaged, thereby shortening a time period of manufacturing LCD panels and enhancing production efficiency. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306521 | TEST SYSTEM WITH TEMPORARY TEST STRUCTURES - Electronic device structures such as a conductive housing member that forms part of an antenna may be tested during manufacturing. A test system may be provided that includes a test probe configured to energize the conductive housing member or other conductive structures under test and that includes temporary test structures that may be placed in the vicinity of or in direct contact with the device structures during testing to facilitate detection of manufacturing defects. Test equipment such as a network analyzer may provide radio-frequency test signals in a range of frequencies. An antenna probe may be used to gather corresponding wireless radio-frequency signal data. Forward transfer coefficient data may be computed from the transmitted and received radio-frequency signals. The forward transfer coefficient data or other test data may be compared to reference data to determine whether the device structures contain a fault. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306522 | PROBING TIP FOR A SIGNAL ACQUISITION PROBE - A probing tip for a signal acquisition probe has a non-conductive substrate compatible with thin or thick film processing having opposing horizontal surfaces and side surfaces with two of the side surfaces converging to a point. A contoured probing tip contact is formed at the converging point on the non-conductive substrate with the probing tip contact having first and second intersecting arcuate surface. Electrically conductive material is deposited on the countered probing tip contact using thin or thick film processing for providing electrical contact to test points on a device under test. A resistive element is formed on the non-conductive substrate using thin film processing that is electrically coupled to the probing tip contact and to an input of an amplifier formed on an integrated circuit die mounted on the non-conductive substrate. The output of the amplifier is coupled to a transmission structure formed on a second non-conductive substrate. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306523 | PROBE CARD - There is provided a probe card comprising a plurality of probe tips, each being ball-shaped or pillar-shaped and having a top end in contact with each of target chip pads to be tested; a first space converting unit; a second space converting unit; a frame configured to support the second space converting unit; an interposer unit; and a circuit board. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306524 | High Temperature- Low Leakage Probe Apparatus and Method of Manufacturing Same - In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus for contacting a plurality of contact locations of a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a housing, a support member, a plurality of probe members, and an adhesive substance. The housing has a plurality of apertures that provides a low leakage pathway for high frequency signals to reach the semiconductor device through the plurality of probe members. The plurality of probe members are aligned on the support member and the adhesive substance secures the plurality of probe members to the supporting member. The housing, supporting member, and adhesive substance match in thermal expansion to reduce the error in alignment between the plurality of contact locations and the plurality of probe members over a temperature variance. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306525 | Method and Device for Determining the Quantum Efficiency of a Solar Cell - A method for determining the quantum efficiency of a solar cell ( | 2012-12-06 |
20120306526 | SHUTTLE PLATE HAVING POCKETS FOR ACCOMODATING MULTIPLE SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGE SIZES - An input/output shuttle plate includes a metal plate having a plurality of pockets. The plurality of pockets have a bottom, a sidewall portion and a pocket depth. A first seating surface at a first pocket depth (d | 2012-12-06 |
20120306527 | TESTING LED LIGHT SOURCES - An apparatus for testing light emitting diodes (LEDs) comprising a chamber which is configured to heat or cool LEDs inside the chamber by ambient heating or cooling of the LEDs and an optical sensing unit configured to sense light emitted by the LEDs whilst the LEDs are inside the chamber. A method for testing LEDs is also described. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306528 | CIRCUIT DEVICE HAVING A SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENT - An electrical circuit device includes a semiconductor component which has power terminals and a control terminal electrically insulated from the power terminals, for applying a control voltage, and a control terminal contact surface for contacting the control terminal for measuring the electrical behavior of the semiconductor component. A connection device is provided, via which the control terminal is electrically connectable to a series device, the connection device being transferable from a nonconductive state into a conductive state, in which the control terminal is connected to the series device. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306529 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM - There is provided with an electronic device including: a main board, a plurality of electronic substrates, a first chain, a measuring unit and a controller, in which the plurality of electronic substrates each are mounted on the main board via solder joints, the first chain connects the solder joints in series throughout all of the electronic substrates, comprising a plurality of second chains each being a part of the first chain and connecting the solder joints in each corresponding one of the electronic substrates, the measuring unit measures an electrical resistance of the first chain and electrical resistances of the second chains, and the controller detects, if the electrical resistance of the first chain is equal to or higher than a first threshold value, the second chain having an electrical resistance equal to or higher than a corresponding second threshold value from among the second chains. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306530 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE BOARD LEVEL SECURITY - A system may include a printed circuit board, a first component located on the printed circuit board, the first component having a first unique identifier and a processor located on the printed circuit board, the processor including a one time programming section. The processor may acquire the first unique identifier from the first component and store the first unique identifier in the one time programming section during the first time initialization. Upon subsequent initializations, the processor may acquire the first unique identifier from the first component and compare the first unique identifier to the stored first unique identifier. The processor may allow the subsequent initializations to proceed if the first unique identifier matches the stored first unique. The processor may disallow the subsequent initializations from proceeding if the first unique identifier does not match the stored first unique identifier. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306531 | MEMORY SYSTEM, SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE, AND WIRING SUBSTRATE - A semiconductor device includes a first input terminal receiving a termination resistance control signal, and a termination resistance circuit that is able to be controlled to be turned on or off by the termination resistance control signal. The termination resistance circuit is turned off, irrespective of a level of said termination resistance control signal when the semiconductor device outputs data in response to a read command. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306532 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - An integrated circuit wherein all elements such as a chip area, a cost, a function to change a logic, an operating frequency, flexibility, a throughput and electric power consumption can be improved; and a reconfigurable processor wherein a function of an instruction can be changed, are provided. A high-density logic reconfigurable leaf cell is defined. The integrated circuit is characterized in that: a logic reconfigurable leaf cell module, which is integrated with high density by arranging a plurality of leaf cells regularly to minimize the connection channel area for a signal between the leaf cells, and the reconfigurable processor, which can change the function of an instruction set by inserting the logic reconfigurable leaf cell module into a data path of an instruction execution process circuit, are integrated. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306533 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A programmable analog device and an analog device that can retain data even when supply of a power supply potential is interrupted and consumes less power. In a semiconductor device, first to fourth transistors are used as switches in a unit cell including an analog element, and the output of the unit cell switches between a conducting state, a non-conducting state, and a conducting state through the analog element by controlling the potential of a first node where the first transistor and the second transistor are connected and the potential of a second node where the third transistor and the fourth transistor are connected. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306534 | PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC BASED ON A MAGNETIC DIODE AND APPLICATIONS OF SAME - In one aspect, the invention relates to programmable logic that utilizes one or more of magnetic diodes. By changing magnetic fields generated in the magnetic diodes due to input signals, the programmable logic can be changed from one logic gate to another logic gate. The unique feature leads to field reprogrammable logic devices in which simple instructions can be used to construct a whole new set of logic gates. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306535 | STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR DESIGN AUTOMATION OF RADIATION HARDENED TRIPLE MODE REDUNDANT DIGITAL CIRCUITS - The disclosure relates generally to triple-redundant sequential state (TRSS) machines formed as integrated circuits on a semiconductor substrate, such as CMOS, and computerized methods and systems of designing the triple-redundant sequential state machines. Of particular focus in this disclosure are sequential state elements (SSEs) used to sample and hold bit states. The sampling and holding of bits states are synchronized by a clock signal thereby allowing for pipelining in the TRSS machines. In particular, the clock signal may oscillate between a first clock state and a second clock state to synchronize the operation of the SSE according to the timing provided by the clock states. The | 2012-12-06 |
20120306536 | Nonvolatile Full Adder Circuit - A nonvolatile full adder circuit comprising a full adder electrical circuitry comprising three input terminals for receiving two input and carry-in signals, a sum output terminal, and an carry-out output terminal; first and second nonvolatile memory elements electrically coupled to the first and second output terminal, respectively at their first ends and to an intermediate voltage source at their second ends. The nonvolatile memory elements comprise two stable logic states. A logic state each of the of the nonvolatile memory elements is controlled by a bidirectional electrical current running between its first and second ends. The full adder circuitry is electrically coupled to a high voltage source at its first source terminal and to a low voltage source at its second source terminal, wherein an electrical potential of the intermediate voltage source is lower than that of the high voltage source but higher than that of the low voltage source. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306537 | ULTRA-LOW VOLTAGE LEVEL SHIFTING CIRCUIT - A voltage level shifter having an internal low voltage power supply (VCCL) and an external high voltage power supply (VCCH) includes a first PMOS transistor and a second PMOS transistor each with a source connected to the VCCH, a gate of the first PMOS transistor being coupled to a drain of the second PMOS transistor, and a gate of the second PMOS transistor being coupled to a drain of the first PMOS transistor. The voltage level shifter further includes a first NMOS transistor with a source connected to a ground (VSS) and a gate connected to a first signal swinging between the VCCL and the VSS, and a first blocking device coupled between the drain of the first PMOS transistor and a drain of the first NMOS transistor, such that the voltage level shifter can operate at a lower VCCL. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306538 | Phase Detection Circuits and Methods - A phase detector circuit compares the phases of first and second periodic input signals to generate an output signal. The phase detector includes a circuit that makes two different combinations of the first and the second periodic input signals to generate third and fourth periodic signals. This circuit causes the third periodic signal to be based on a first combination of the first periodic signal and the second periodic signal that imparts a first relative phase shift. The circuit causes the fourth periodic signal to be based on a second combination of the first periodic signal and the second periodic signal to provide a different relative phase shift. The phase detector also includes a comparison circuit that compares a measure of the power of the third periodic signal to a measure of the power of the fourth periodic signal to generate the phase comparison output signal. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306539 | FRACTIONAL-N CLOCK GENERATOR AND METHOD THEREOF - A fractional-n clock generator includes a first digital delay line module, a second delay line module, an address generator and a selector. The first delay line module receives a frequency-divided clock signal and generates first delay signals having different phase differences with respect to the clock signal. The second delay line module receives the clock signal and generates second delay signals having different phase differences with respect to the clock signal. The address generator selects one of the first delay signals as an output signal of the first delay line module and one of the second delay signals as an output signal of the second delay line module. The selector selects one of the output signals of the first delay line module and the second delay line module as an output signal. A delay of the first delay line module is different from that of the second delay line module. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306540 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND METHOD OF TESTING THE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A coupling failure of a supply terminal or a ground terminal is easily detected. A diode is disposed between a supply terminal of a semiconductor device and a first I/O terminal so that the supply terminal is located on a cathode side, and the first I/O terminal is located on an anode side. A determination unit determines whether or not a voltage of the supply terminal is lower than a voltage of the first I/O terminal when a signal of high level equal to a supply voltage is input to the first I/O terminal. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306541 | HIGH-SIDE SIGNAL SENSING CIRCUIT - The present invention provides a high-side signal sensing circuit. The high-side signal sensing circuit comprises a signal-to-current converter, a second transistor and a resistor. The signal-to-current converter has a first transistor generating a mirror current in response to an input signal. The second transistor cascaded with the first transistor is coupled to receive the mirror current. The resistor generates an output signal in response to the mirror current. Wherein, the level of the output signal is corrected to the level of the input signal. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306542 | FREQUENCY SYNTHESIZER, METHOD OF GENERATING OUTPUT FREQUENCY THEREOF AND METHOD OF CORRECTING CONVERSION GAIN THEREOF - A frequency synthesizer includes: a delta sigma modulator that outputs an input value to a sequentially changing digital value; an analog path unit that converts the digital value to an analog value according to a first conversion gain; an accumulator that accumulates a difference between the input and digital values; a digital to analog converter (DAC) that compensates an output value of the accumulator according to a second conversion gain; a correction loop that extracts analog tendency by adding an output of the analog path unit and an output of the DAC and that extracts digital tendency from an output of the accumulator and adjusts the second conversion gain by comparing the analog and digital tendency; and a voltage control oscillator that generates an output frequency by adding an output of the analog path unit and an output according to an adjusted second conversion gain of the DAC. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306543 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING OUTPUT DRIVER - According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes first and second pull-up deriver units, a pull-down driver unit, and a calibration circuit including a comparator. The first and second pull-up driver units adjust a pull-up driver. The pull-down driver unit adjusts a pull-down driver. When calibrating the pull-up driver, the calibration circuit causes the comparator to compare a reference voltage with the output voltage of the first pull-up driver unit based on a reference resistance. When calibrating the pull-down driver, the calibration circuit causes the comparator to compare the reference voltage with the voltage of a connection node between the second pull-up driver unit and pull-down driver unit. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306544 | DRIVING STRENGTH CONTROL APPARATUS, DRIVING STRENGTH CONTROL METHOD AND TERMINAL EQUIPMENT - The embodiments of the present invention provide a driving strength control apparatus and method and terminal equipment. The control apparatus comprises: a signal receiving unit to receive a test signal transmitted by a peripheral device; a signal sampling unit to sample the test signal received by the signal receiving unit to obtain a plurality of rising edges and falling edges of the test signal; an interval measuring unit to measure the time interval between a rising edge and a falling edge, or between a rising edge and another rising edge, or between a falling edge and another falling edge; and a controlling unit to adjust the driving strength imposed on the peripheral device according to the time interval. With the embodiments of the present invention, the driving strengths imposed on the peripheral device may be made identical, preventing signal deviation and improving the quality of compatibility. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306545 | GATE DRIVER - A gate driver turns on/off a switching element Q | 2012-12-06 |
20120306546 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A semiconductor device configured that its differential pair is made operable in both states of high speed with a high consumption current and low speed with a low consumption current. A differential circuit includes differential pair transistors and a tail current source for supplying a tail current that is switchable so that an amount of current flowing in the differential pair transistors may be switched between at least two sates of different levels. The differential pair transistors have a characteristic that, with a decrease of currents flowing in the differential pair transistors, a value of σ(ΔI/gm) decreases monotonously, where σ denotes a standard deviation, ΔI denotes a difference of the amounts of current of the differential pair transistors, and gm denotes transconductance of the differential pair transistors. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306547 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCAL OSCILLATION DISTRIBUTION - A circuit includes an oscillation generation circuit, a distribution circuit, and a transceiver circuit. The oscillation generation circuit is configured to generate a first oscillation signal having a first frequency. The distribution circuit includes a voltage to current stage, a transmission portion and a current to voltage stage. The voltage to current stage is configured to receive the first oscillation signal, and convert the first oscillation signal into a current form. The transmission portion is configured to transmit the first oscillation signal in the current form. The current to voltage stage is configured to receive the first oscillation signal in the current form and generate a second oscillation signal having a sub-harmonic frequency of the first frequency, such as half of the first frequency. The transceiver circuit is configured to operate in a frequency band responsive to the second oscillation signal. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306548 | INITIALIZATION CIRCUIT FOR DELAY LOCKED LOOP - An initialization circuit in a delay locked loop ensures that after power up or other reset clock edges are received by a phase detector in the appropriate order for proper operation. After reset of the delay locked loop, the initialization circuit assures that at least one edge of a reference clock is received prior to enabling the phase detector to increase (or decrease) the delay in a delay line. After at least one edge of a feedback clock is received, the initialization circuit enables the phase detector to decrease (or increase) the delay in a delay line. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306549 | SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a constant current circuit and a start-up circuit. The constant current circuit includes a first current mirror circuit including a first and second transistors; and a second current mirror circuit including a third transistor connected to a first node and a fourth transistor connected to a second node. The start-up circuit includes a fifth transistor that supplies start-up current to the constant current circuit via the second node; a sixth transistor that uses a potential of the first node as a control voltage; a seventh transistor that is connected to a third node into which current from the sixth transistor flows and that has a diode-connected configuration; a capacitor connected to a fourth node into which current from the seventh transistor flows; and a latch circuit that controls the fifth based on a potential of the fourth node. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306550 | SEMICONDUCTOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A semiconductor apparatus comprises a power-up signal generation section configured to generate a power-up signal, a driver configured to drive and output the power-up signal, and a main circuit block configured to perform predetermined functions in response to an output from the driver, wherein the power-up signal generation section and an input terminal of the driver are connected by a disconnectable element. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306551 | CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING FALSE LOCK AND DELAY LOCKED LOOP USING THE SAME - The present invention relates to a false lock prevention circuit and method which is used to cause a delayed locked loop (DLL) to escape from false lock such as harmonic lock or stuck lock, when the false lock occurred in the DLL, and a DLL using the same. The false lock prevention circuit includes a harmonic lock detector configured to detect harmonic lock and a stuck lock detector configured to detect stuck lock. The harmonic lock detector includes a plurality of flip-flops configured to sample a plurality of delayed clocks and a logic unit. The harmonic lock detector compares a reference clock signal with the plurality of delayed clock signals, and detects whether or not the positive edges deviate from one cycle of the reference clock signal. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306552 | APPARATUS AND SYSTEM OF IMPLEMENTATION OF DIGITAL PHASE INTERPOLATOR WITH IMPROVED LINEARITY - An apparatus comprising: a first control switch driven by a first bit value; a first weighted switch driven by a first clock signal; a first intermediate node coupled between the first control switch and the second weighted switch; a first precharge transistor coupled to the first intermediate node, wherein the precharge transistor is driven by an inverse of the clock signal; a second control switch driven by an inverse of the bit; a second weighted switch driven by a second clock signal; a second intermediate node coupled between the second control switch and the second weighted switch; a second precharge transistor coupled to the second intermediate node, wherein the second precharge transistor is driven by an inverse of the second clock signal; and a capacitor coupled to the first control switch, the second control switch, the first precharge transistor and the second precharge transistor. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306553 | TIME DIFFERENCE ADDERS, TIME DIFFERENCE ACCUMULATORS, SIGMA-DELTA TIME-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTERS, DIGITAL PHASE LOCKED LOOPS AND TEMPERATURE SENSORS - A time difference adder included in a system-on-chip (SOC) includes a first register unit and a second register unit. The first register unit is configured to receive first and second input signals having a first time difference, and generate a first output signal in response to a first signal. The second register unit is configured to receive third and fourth input signals having a second time difference, and generate a second output signal having a third time difference with respect to the first output signal in response to the first signal. The third time difference corresponds to a sum of the first time difference and the second time difference. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306554 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ALTERING THE TIMING OF A CLOCK SIGNAL - Clock signal timing cells, clock signal timing circuits, clock circuits, memory devices, systems, and method for altering the timing of a clock signal are disclosed. An example method for altering the timing of an output signal provided responsive to an input clock signal includes adjusting a transition of an edge of the output signal from one voltage level to another based at least in part on a bias signal. An example clock signal timing cell includes an inverter and a bias controlled inverter coupled in parallel to the inverter. The bias controlled circuit is configured to provide an output signal wherein a transition of a clock edge of the output signal between first and second voltage levels is based at least in part on a bias signal. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306555 | Duty cycle adjusting system - A duty cycle adjusting system includes a detection circuit, a first clock signal adjusting circuit connected with the detection circuit, and a second clock signal adjusting circuit connected with the detection circuit, wherein the detection circuit detects a duty cycle of a first output signal outputted by the first clock signal adjusting circuit and a duty cycle of a second output signal outputted by the second clock signal adjusting circuit, and outputs a first detection signal and a second detection signal, the first and second output signals are a pair of differential clock signals, the first and second detection signals are adapted for respectively adjusting rising edges of the pair of differential clock signals. No peripheral circuit is needed to provide the bias in the duty cycle adjusting system. The duty cycle adjusting system has the simple structure and can be independently applied to the clock path. | 2012-12-06 |
20120306556 | DOUBLE EDGE TRIGGERED FLIP FLOP - A dual edge triggered flip flop circuit uses clock signals that are delayed from a first clock signal and from one another by respective intervals. A first set of the plurality of clock signals are used to operate a first latch circuit to allow first data to be conducted to a storage element for a period of time after a rising edge of a first clock signal. The clock signals are further used to operate a second latch circuit to allow second data to be conducted to the storage element for a period of time after a falling edge of the first clock signal. | 2012-12-06 |