Showing papers by "Agilent Technologies published in 1995"

Microprocessor and debug system

Abstract: A microprocessor (10) has a processor core (20) and a debug module (30). The processor core (20) executes a user program and a monitor program for debugging a user target system (70). The debug module (30) serves as an interface with a debug tool (60), to let the processor core (20) execute the monitor program stored in the debug tool (60). The debug module (30) makes an interrupt or exception request to switch the processor core (20) from the user program to the monitor program.

Miniaturized planar columns for use in a liquid phase separation apparatus

Abstract: Miniaturized planar column devices (2) for use in liquid phase separation apparatus are described. The devices include microstructures that have been fabricated by laser ablation in a variety of novel support substrates. Devices formed according to the methods of the invention include associated laser-ablated features required for function, such as on-device reservoirs (16) or makeup flos compartments, analyte detection means and sample injection means. The miniaturized columns can be used in an apparatus intended for analysis of either small and/or macromolecular solutes in the liquid phase which employs chromatographic electrophoretic, electrochromatographic separation means. The apparatus can include a variety of optional injection means, manifolds, keeper means, post column collection means, and combinations thereof.

Low cost, high thermal performance package for flip chips with low mechanical stress on chip

Abstract: The flip chip package described is comprised of a substrate, a ring structure attached to the substrate, a heat removal structure, and a chip thermally coupled to the heat removal structure. The package lid is comprised of a ring structure and a heat removal structure. The ring structure and heat removal structure are separated until after attachment of the ring structure to the substrate allowing the ring structure to be brazed to the substrate. Brazing the ring structure to the substrate decreases the mechanical stress to the chip. A die attach material, between the first major surface of the die and the first major surface of the heat removal structure, adheres the die to and thermally couples the die to the heat removal structure. The die attach layer is of a predetermined thickness and thus provides a determined low thermal resistance making the thermal performance of the package certain.

Purified thermostable Pyrococcus furiosus DNA polymerase I

Abstract: Purified thermostable Pyrococcus furiosus DNA polymerase that migrates on a non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel faster than phosphorylase B and Taq polymerase and more slowly than bovine serum albumin and has an estimated molecular weight of 90,000-93,000 daltons when compared with a Taq polymerase standard assigned a molecular weight of 94,000 daltons.

Method of programming a desired source resistance for a driver stage

Abstract: The output impedance in a CMOS output driver stage is programmed and compensated by complementary current mirrors that are MOS devices in series with each of the conventional pull-up and pull-down devices. The conduction of these additional complementary devices is controlled according to complementary programming signals that are compensated for variations in manufacturing process parameters as well as for changes in temperature. A P-type programming signal may be referenced to +VDD and be produced from an N-type programming signal referenced to GND by the action of a gate voltage mirror that includes symmetrical N-type and P-type FET's in series. The N-type programming signal may be produced in the first instance from the gate voltage of an N-type FET used in a feedback loop that servos an external programming voltage to track an internally generated reference voltage. That gate voltage exhibits variations that reflect differences attributable to both process variations and to temperature. Those exhibited variations are communicated by a current mirror to a gate voltage mirror that produces the complementary programming signals, and which themselves constitute negative feedback. The complementary current mirrors are of known of gain, which in conjunction with knowing the value of VDD, allows the determination in advance of a definite table of programming resistance values versus output impedances.

Integrated circuit compatible planar inductors with increased Q

Abstract: A planar inductor structure with improved Q compatible with typical integrated circuit fabrication. The structure includes a spiral inductor with a conductive plane between the resistive substrate of the integrated circuit and the spiral inductor which reduces the power loss of the inductor. A pattern of segments may be formed in the conductive material of conductive plane to prevent eddy currents from flowing through the conductive plane and reducing the inductance of the spiral inductor. The Q of the inductor can be enhanced by optimizing the pattern in which the segmented conductive plane is formed. The segmented conductive plane may be fabricated out of metal, polysilicon or a heavily-doped region of the substrate.

Packaged optical amplifier assembly

Abstract: A packaged optical amplifier assembly includes an erbium doped silica based optical amplifying fibre (330) co-pumped and counter-pumped by a pair of laser diodes (336) as optical pumps. The optical pumps (336) are each coupled to an end (332, 340) of the fibre (330) by reflection from a dichroic mirror (328), the optical signal being collimated and arranged to propagate unguided between the input (306) and the first end (332), and the second end (340) and the output (346), and optical pump light from each optical pump (336) being collimated and arranged to propagate unguided between the optical pump (336) and the end of the fibre (332, 340) to which it is coupled.

Analog implementation of a partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) read channel

Abstract: An analog, fully integrated, partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) read channel utilizing a high-performance analog delay line, an analog adaptive equalizer and an analog Viterbi detector is provided, resulting in saved space, performance gains, and lower power consumption. For signal detection and reconstruction used in read operations, the partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) read channel includes a variable gain amplifier coupled to a lowpass filter for input to an adaptive analog equalizer. The adaptive analog equalizer comprises an analog delay line and an analog feedforward equalizer (FFE). An analog Viterbi detector employs maximum-likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) techniques to performs the signal detection function. A decoder/descrambler produces a final reconstructed signal. The analog implementation of a partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) read channel also includes a scrambler/encoder coupled to a write precompensation circuit for output to a separate write head.

Method for simulating a circuit

Abstract: An improved circuit simulator for simulating the response of a circuit to a transient. The stimulating signal is represented by one or more carriers having time varying modulation envelopes. The simulator differs from a harmonic balance simulator in that the currents provided by each of the device subroutines include an additional term at each carrier frequency having the time dependency of the modulation envelope at that frequency. These additional current terms necessitate a time-domain solution of the simulation problem; however, the time steps are now determined by the time variation of the envelope instead of the time variation of the carrier. As a result, the number of time steps needed in the simulation is greatly reduced. The present invention may be implemented by modifying a conventional harmonic balance simulator. The modifications involve adding code to the various device routines to provide the current term corresponding to the modulation envelope. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, either a charge term or a current term that depends on present and past values of the modulation envelope is provided by each device routine. The sum of the charge terms at each carrier frequency is then differentiated to provide the sum of the envelope current terms.

Composite piezoelectric transducer arrays with improved acoustical and electrical impedance

Abstract: Transducer elements having a 2-2 or 1-3 composite structure and driven in a k 31 transverse mode for small-feature size transducer arrays, which provide improved electrical impedance matching to an ultrasonic imaging system and improved acoustic matching to the human body. The transducer element includes a plurality of thin piezoceramic wafers which are electroded on opposing major surfaces. The spaced wafers are separated by a passive polymer layer in a composite structure. Methods of producing the transducer elements are also described.

System for exchanging information in a battery mailbox

Abstract: A system having a battery, a battery support unit, and an electronic device provides for the exchange of information between the battery support unit and the electronic device via a mailbox in memory in the battery. When the battery is placed in the battery support unit, the battery support unit tests the battery for an error condition. If the battery support unit finds an error condition with the battery, it transmits error data to a mailbox located in the battery's memory. When the battery is then removed from the battery support unit and placed in an electronic device, the electronic device can read the error data in the mailbox and take an appropriate action. For example, the electronic device reads the mailbox and find the error data placed there by the battery support unit. In response to finding this error data, the electronic device enables an indicator, such as an indicator that informs a user that maintenance needs to be performed on the battery. The user can continue using the battery, knowing that its operation is likely to be unreliable, or can remove it from the electronic device and insert it into the battery support unit for maintenance. When battery maintenance has been selected, the battery support unit reconditions the battery by performing a predetermined number of charge/discharge cycles, and also performs additional testing on the battery.

Timing in a data communications network

Abstract: A data communication network comprises a local clock (22) within a node (2) of the network which may be synchronized and syntonized by any node in the network. Each node contains a time packet detector (6) that detects and recognizes timing data packets and produces a recognition signal. Each node has a time server (10) that includes the local clock (22). The time server records the time of the recognition signal. The recorded time is used for correcting the local clocks of the various nodes (2) in the network. A transfer device such as a gateway, a bridge or a router may include a time server and a time packet detector to correct for the transit time of a time packet through such transfer device. The time packet detector (6) is connected at the point of final encoding for transmission or recovery of the clock and data.

Apparatus and method for intracavity sensing of macroscopic properties of chemicals

Abstract: The presence of trace materials in a sample is detected using both macroscopic and microscopic properties. A detector includes a light source (25) and an optical resonator (24). The light source (25) may be located either inside the resonance cavity of the resonator (24) or outside the cavity, in which case it may be a semiconductor such as a semiconductor laser or a superluminescent diode. The detector (29) also includes at least one reflective member (24) that has a total internal reflection (TIR) surface (26) and may be a passive device or an active gain element. Light from the light source (25) is preferably focused onto a single point of reflection on the TIR surface (26). The test sample is positioned within the evanescent field region of the TIR surface (26). Optical changes arising within the evanescent field region, such as excitation of fluorescence in the sample, changes in its refractive index, and changes in the resonant frequency of the optical resonator (24), are then detected. These changes are then sensed to determine the amount or at least presence of analyte located at the TIR surface (26).

Temperature control in a portable analytical instrument

Abstract: Sample analysis in a portable analytical instrument, preferably in the form of a gas chromatograph, benefits from temperature control of one or more zones in the instrument by way of thermal energy developed from an energy reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, analytical instrument performs chromatographic analysis and the selected zone comprises a temperature-controlled thermal chamber, or oven (124) which includes a heating unit (118), a temperature sensor (128), and a cooling unit (130). A separation column column (118) is positioned within the oven (124). The energy reservoir comprises a first reservoir (125) of heating fluid in the form of a compressed light hydrocarbon, a second reservoir (126) of a compressed inert gas, or a combination thereof. A controlled temperature in the oven (124) resulting from the operation of the heating unit (118) and/or cooling unit (130) may be effected in response to a control signal generated by a computer (122). A sample mixture passing through the column (118) is thereby exposed to a desired temperature profile according to a selected program so that the sample (111) will separate into its components for subsequent detection by a detector (124).

Method of preparing a sample for analysis by laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract: The present invention is a sample preparation system and method that can be used with all types of analyte materials, that produces homogeneously deposited crystals across a sample surface, and that lends itself to automation. In this system and method, analyte crystallization is caused by lyophilization. A homogeneous analyte/solvent mixture is placed on a sample surface. The mixture is frozen, then the solvent is sublimated through the application of a vacuum. A homogenous distribution of analyte crystals across the sample surface results.

Patient monitoring module

Abstract: A patient monitoring/signal processing module with increased electrical isolation is disclosed. The combination of an inner isolation piece and an isolation film provide signal isolation and electrical over-voltage protection between a lower, isolated portion of the unit defined by a lower housing and the isolation piece and an upper, non-isolated portion of the unit, defined by an upper housing and the isolation piece, increasing the module's ability to survive an over-voltage condition without damage to itself or to the patient to whom it is coupled. The combination of the isolation film and the isolation piece results in a much thinner module than would otherwise have been necessary to achieve the same levels of signal and electrical isolation.

Callable graphical programming language

Abstract: A graphical programming language (GPL) that allows GPL user functions to be callable from other software. The present invention employs a client/server model to allow GPL user functions to be called, much like a procedure from one language is called by a second language. The client is a library of ‘C’ procedure calls. The GPL server is the service. This allows a GPL user function to be called by any application that can link in the ‘C’ library. The ‘C’ client can exist on a separate machine from the GPL service or on the same machine in the presence of a multitasking operating system. When calling a GPL user function, the arguments of the ‘C’ call correspond to the input and output terminals of the GPL user function. The data being sent to the GPL user function is the input data. The data being returned from the GPL user function is the result from the execution of the GPL user function. The input data of the arguments and the results are GPL data types, known as containers. A container is a GPL complex data type that encapsulates all information about the data. Thus, when a GPL function is called from ‘C’ code, the primitive data types in ‘C’ are encapsulated into GPL containers. Conversely, when results are received back from a GPL function call, the primitive data types in ‘C’ are removed from the container so that the ‘C’ code may use the data.

Fluid property sensors incorporating plated metal rings for improved packaging

Abstract: A semiconductor flow sensor provides a self-aligning seal between the sensor and a manifold carrying the fluid being measured. The sensor includes a sensing element and a semiconductor body having a fluid flow region formed therein. The sensing element crosses through a portion of the flow region and is supported by the semiconductor body. A characteristic of the fluid flowing through the flow region is measured by operation of the sensing element. A sealing ring integrally disposed on the semiconductor body surrounds the flow region and further provides a seal between the sensor and a manifold. To ensure accurate placement of the sealing ring with respect to the sensing element, the sealing ring is electroplated to the semiconductor body prior to formation of the flow region. A pressure and temperature stable seal between the sensor and the manifold is achieved by either compression of the sealing ring, or solder bonding of the sealing ring to the manifold. The direction of fluid flow relative to the flow sensor is either perpendicular or parallel to a plane formed by the sensor.

P-I-N photodiode with transparent conductor n+layer

Abstract: The elimination of the spatial variation in the frequency response of large area p-i-n photodiodes is disclosed using indium tin oxide (ITO) n+ material as a transparent contact overlayer. The I-V, C-V, and frequency response characteristics are shown for p-i-n photodiodes fabricated with and without the ITOn+ contact overlayer to demonstrate the superior performance of the indium-tin-oxide p-i-n photodiode. Also, a p-i-n photodiode can be structured using an ITOn+ window layer to extend the operating range to shorter optical wavelengths, for example, from 1.0 μm down to 0.4 μm.

Method of making electric field emitter device for electrostatic discharge protection of integrated circuits

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge device having a small separation between two traces wherein a voltage above a desired threshold will discharge across the separation through the mechanism of cold cathode electric field emission. Conditions which permit quantum mechanical tunneling of electrons across the emitting cathode/vacuum potential barrier, such as low emitter work function, electric field enhancing geometry, and cathode/anode separation size, determine the voltage necessary for discharge by this mechanism. One device has a first conductive trace formed on an insulating layer and then masked and etched to leave an undercut with a sharp point. A second conductive trace is formed in the undercut opposite the point, resulting in a three-dimensional cross section having a very small separation. A second device has the point formed by depositing a metal layer over a spacing in a dielectric layer, and then etching out the dielectric layer.

Test for determining polarity of electrolytic capacitors within electronic assemblies

Abstract: A method of determining whether an electrolytic capacitor is properly connected or reversed in an electronic assembly. In a first embodiment, a non-contacting probe is placed near but not touching the body of the device under test (DUT). One terminal of the DUT is driven by a stimulus (voltage source or current source) while the other terminal is connected to a reference voltage. A voltage is measured at the probe relative to the reference voltage and the device is properly oriented if the measured voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold. In a second embodiment, current through the probe is measured instead of voltage at the probe. In a third embodiment, a non-contacting probe is placed near but not touching both leads of the DUT. Each DUT lead is alternately driven by a stimulus and alternately connected to a reference voltage. For each of the two lead test configurations, a voltage at each DUT lead is measured and current through the non-contacting probe is measured. Two algebraic electromagnetic coupling coefficients are computed from the four voltage measurements and the two current measurements. The relative size of the electromagnetic coupling coefficients determines the measured polarity of the DUT. An alternative configuration for any of the embodiments is to drive the probe instead of a terminal of the DUT.

Method for intracavity sensing of macroscopic properties of chemicals

Abstract: The presence of trace materials in a sample is detected using both macroscopic and microscopic properties. A detector includes a light source and an optical resonator. The light source may be located either inside the resonance cavity of the resonator or outside the cavity, in which case it may be a semi-conductor such as a semi-conductor laser or a superluminescent diode. The detector also includes at least one reflective member that has a total internal reflection (TIR) surface and may be a passive device or an active gain element. Light from the light source is preferably focussed onto a single point of reflection on the TIR surface. The test sample is positioned within the evanescent field region of the TIR surface. Optical changes arising within the evanescent field region, such as excitation of fluorescence in the sample, changes in its refractive index, and changes in the resonant frequency of the optical resonator, are then detected. These changes are then sensed to determine the amount or at least presence of analyte located at the TIR surface.

Method for measuring the sensitivities and interference wave properties fo receivers

Abstract: A system enables highly accurate measurements to be performed automatically on test receivers, with good efficiency, irrespective of bit error rate vs. reception input level. The system is provided with two means for estimating the reception input level at which the bit error rate of a receiver will be a prescribed value. The estimation error in the first estimation means is estimated; when said error is smaller than the allowed value, the reception input level is estimated by the first estimation means, and when said error is larger than the allowed value, the operation is switched automatically to the second estimation means, and the reception input level is estimated by the second estimation means. In the first estimation means, the characteristic of the bit error rate is modeled by a second-order approximation equation and the reception input level Lx corresponding to the prescribed bit error rate Bs is obtained by calculation. The second-order approximation equation is obtained by the least squares method, after measuring the bit error rates corresponding to the reception input levels La-Le. The second estimation means uses a first-order approximation.

Edge emitter as a directional line source

Abstract: A broadband line source that is directional, rugged, compact, spatially and temporally uniform, stable, without the need for warmup, and relatively easy to implement. The source can be in single-color or multi-color, and it can be used, for example, in a scanner. In one embodiment, the line source includes a first thin-film electroluminescent stack with at least a bottom electrode, a top electrode, and a first active film between the two electrodes. The active film generates radiation in an area that has a width and a length, with the length being larger than the width. The length of the area sets the length of the line radiation, which is substantially homogenous along the line. In another embodiment, three of such stacks are encapsulated through thin-film processes by a cap, which sits on a substrate. The cap has one side surface that is more transmissive to radiation. The generated radiation is directed by the cap to be emitted at the more transmissive side surface to produce a single-color or a multi-color line source.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for Sequential Determination of Trace Metals in Rain and River Waters Using Electrothermal Vaporization

Abstract: The sequential determination of 14 trace metals, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Sb and Pb, in rain and river water samples has been investigated using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with a graphite rod electrothermal vaporizer (ETV) in the presence of the mixed modifier of palladium nitrate and magnesium nitrate. The sensitivity enhancements due to the presence of the modifier were observed for all analyte elements. Detection limits as high as 0.52, 0.13, 0.89, 0.35, 1.76, 0.5, 0.9, 0.5, 0.04, 1.03, 0.28, 0.07, 0.1 and 3.78 pg, respectively, for Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Sb and Pb have been achieved. For the determination of trace metals in both rain and river water samples by this method, the repeatibility of sample solution were very good, i.e. from 1% to 7% (as a coefficient variation) and the recoveries of elements were good enough, i.e. from 81% to 106%, by using a standard addition method. There was no difference between the res...

Method and apparatus for preserving the sensitivity of a thermionic ionization detector

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the analysis of one or more analytes present in a sample that may be dissolved in a hostile solvent and carried in a first fluid. The first fluid is combined with a first detector fluid to provide a fluid mixture which flows across the surface of an ionization source (211). The analytes are ionized by means of an ionization process in which electrical charge is transferred from the ionization source (211) and converted into gas phase ion species. The ion current is collected and measured at a collector electrode (213) adjacent to the ionization source (211). The flow of the first detector fluid is reduced during the presence of the solvent at the ionization source (211) so as to suppress a chemical reaction that heretofore would degrade the sensitivity of the detector (24; 201).

Apparatus and method for mapping a custom routine to an interface button

Abstract: The present invention is a method for accessing a user defined custom routine through a graphical interface of an application program. The method comprises the steps of: (a) linking the user defined custom routine to the application program; (b) displaying a means for accessing the user defined custom routine on a graphical interface; and (c) transferring control to the user defined custom routine when a user activates the means.

Method of making a bipolar stripe transistor structure

Abstract: This invention pertains to a lateral bipolar transistor comprising an emitter, a base and a collector. The transistor exhibits improved function and overall size reduction, due to the base and emitter structure. An island forms both the base and emitter regions in the transistor structure with the base region being above the collector region, below the emitter region, and surrounded by a dielectric region. The emitter is surrounded by emitter isolation walls, which are formed approximately 0.2 microns above the plane of the dielectric region, such that any manufacturing variances will not cause the emitter isolation walls to contact the dielectric region and pinch-off the base region from the base junction region. This structure also allows the size of the base-emitter junction to be decreased without increasing the parasitic characteristics of the transistor.

Detection of a target substance in a sample

Abstract: The presence of trace materials in a sample (30) is detected using both macroscopic and microscopic properties. A detector includes a light source (25) and an optical resonator. The light source may be located either inside the resonance cavity of the resonator or outside the cavity, in which case it may be a semi-conductor such as a semi-conductor laser or a superluminescent diode. The detector also includes at least one reflective member (24) that has a total internal reflection (TIR) surface (26) and may be a passive device or an active gain element. Light from the light source is preferably focussed onto a single point of reflection on the TIR surface. The test sample is positioned within the evanescent field region of the TIR surface. Optical changes arising within the evanescent field region, such as excitation of fluorescence in the sample, changes in its refractive index, and changes in the resonant frequency of the optical resonator, are then detected. These changes are then sensed to determine the amount or at least presence of analyte located at the TIR surface.

Multiple lead analog voltage probe with high signal integrity over a wide band width

Abstract: A probe head includes integrated circuit chip inputs, a ground plane on a circuit board, and hundreds of probe leads comprising traces on the circuit board connected between the inputs and a circuit under test. Each trace is about 3 mils wide. There is a DICLAD polytetrafluoroethylene dielectric material of dielectric constant of about 2.2 between the ground and traces. Every other trace is electrically connected to the ground plane. Input resistors are buried in the circuit board and there is an on-chip input divider network. The customer defines the grounded pins of a circuit to be tested. Probe leads corresponding to the grounded pins are connected to the ground plane, maximizing the connections between the grounds of the probe and the circuit under test and minimizing unequal ground potentials.