| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20100283993 | Automated Soil Measurement Device - A system and a method are disclosed for combining a soil sample and extractant in a mixing chamber to produce a liquid extractant-soil mixture. A portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture is directed from the mixing chamber through a sample measurement chamber coupled to the mixing chamber. The sample measurement chamber is coupled to a light source so that light propagates from the light source through the portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture to an optical detector which generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The sample measurement chamber may include an attenuation cell having a specified optical path between a first measurement window and a second measurement window and angular surface directing particulates in the liquid extractant-soil mixture away from the attenuation cell. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100283994 | Measurement of Nitrate-Nitrogen Concentration in Soil based on Absorption Spectroscopy - The nitrate-nitrogen concentration in soil is estimated based on the nitrate-nitrogen 200 nm absorption peak. In one embodiment, a device measures the attenuation spectrum of a soil-extractant mixture over a wavelength range that includes wavelengths in the vicinity of the 200 nm absorption peak (the spectral operating range) and then determines the nitrate-nitrogen concentration based on the attenuation spectrum. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20110181347 | MEMRISTOR-PROTECTION INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR PROTECTION OF A MEMRISTOR DURING SWITCHING - A memristor-protection integrated circuit. The memristor-protection integrated circuit includes a first current-bias circuit, a second current-bias circuit, an inverter, and a current limiter. The first and second current-bias circuits are configured to be coupled to first and second power-supply rails, respectively. The inverter is coupled to the first current-bias circuit and to the second current-bias circuit, and is configured to couple at least one memristor to at least one of the first current-bias circuit and the second current-bias circuit in response to an input signal applied to the inverter. The current limiter is coupled to the first current-bias circuit and coupled to the second current-bias circuit, and is configured to limit current flowing through the memristor. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110260134 | Thermally Stable Nanoscale Switching Device - A nanoscale switching device provides enhanced thermal stability and endurance to switching cycles. The switching device has an active region disposed between electrodes and containing a switching material capable of carrying a species of dopants and transporting the dopants under an electrical field. At least one of the electrodes is formed of conductive material having a melting point greater than 1800° C. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110267220 | SENSOR NODE POSITIONING IN A SENSOR NETWORK - Systems and methods for positioning sensor nodes in a sensor network are described. A system can include multiple base nodes. The base nodes can have a differential global positioning system. The global positioning system can be used to determine a precise location of the base nodes. Sensor nodes can be placed in locations with respect to the plurality of base nodes using measurement data from at least one of the base nodes. A positional device can provide the position measurement data relative to the base nodes to a user for use in placing the plurality of sensor nodes. A communications system enables electronic communication between the base nodes and the sensor nodes. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110289787 | NODE PLACEMENT APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD - A node placement apparatus, system and method employ an optical source to define a grid for placement of nodes. The node placement apparatus includes a structure that provides a predetermined height and the optical source positioned at the predetermined height. The optical source is configured to produce an optical beam having a predetermined declination angle. The optical beam is configured to provide illumination of a plurality of discrete points on a surface to define the grid. The system further includes the nodes. The method of node placement includes locating the optical source above a fixed point on and at the predetermined height above the surface, illuminating the plurality of discrete points with the optical beam, and positioning a node at a selected discrete point of the plurality of discrete points illuminated by the optical beam. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110303011 | SENSOR APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING COUPLING CHARACTERIZATION - A sensor apparatus, a sensor system and a method employ coupling characterization of a sensor housing to a local environment. The apparatus includes a vibration sensor and a vibration actuator attached to and enclosed by the sensor housing in a spaced apart relationship. The vibration actuator is configured to vibrate the sensor housing with a vibration signal to excite a coupling between the sensor housing and the local environment. A response of the sensor housing to the vibration signal is indicative of a coupling characteristic of the coupling. The system further includes a coupling structure. The method includes coupling the sensor housing to the local environment, vibrating the sensor housing with the vibration actuator and detecting the response that is indicative of the coupling characteristic. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110317469 | NON-VOLATILE SAMPLER - A non-volatile sampler including a row line for receiving an input signal to be sampled, the row line intersecting a number of column lines, non-volatile storage elements being disposed at intersections between the row line and the column lines; a bias voltage source connected to the column lines, the bias voltage source for selectively applying a bias voltage to at least one of the non-volatile storage elements to cause the at least one of the storage elements to store a sample of the input signal at the instance the bias voltage is applied. | 12-29-2011 |
