Author: claimsbot

1. A method comprising:
determining an impedance of a power distribution network of a load for a range of frequencies; and
adjusting a functionality of the load based on a relationship between the determined impedance of the power distribution network for the range of frequencies and the functionality of the load.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the functionality includes an operating frequency of the load.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining is performed automatically upon a power-on of the load.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the impedance of the power distribution network includes measuring a voltage and a current for each frequency of the range of frequencies for the power distribution network.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the range of frequencies is based on an operational specification of the load.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the load includes a clock mechanism to control an operating frequency of the load.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the load is at least one of a microprocessor, a multi-core microprocessor, a core of a multi-core microprocessor, an electronic load that operates as a function of a power distribution impedance, and combinations thereof.
8. An apparatus comprising:
a variable frequency generator to generate a signal at a plurality of frequencies;
a current sensor to sense a current;
a voltage sensor to sense a voltage; and
a controller to determine an impedance of a power distribution network, wherein the controller is operative to:
determine an impedance of a power distribution network for a range of frequencies; and
adjust a functionality of the load based on a relationship between the determined impedance of the power distribution network for the range of frequencies and the functionality of the load.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the adjusted functionality includes an operating frequency of the load.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determining is performed automatically upon a power-on of the load.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a voltage and a current are measured for each frequency of the range of frequencies for the power distribution network.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the range of frequencies is based on an operational specification of the load.
13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the load includes a clock mechanism to control an operating frequency of the load.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the load is at least one of a microprocessor, a multi-core microprocessor, a core of a multi-core microprocessor, an electronic load that operates as a function of a power distribution impedance, and combinations thereof.
15. A computer storage medium having program instructions embodied thereon, the medium comprising:
program instructions to determine an impedance of a power distribution network for a range of frequencies; and
program instructions to adjust a functionality of the load based on a relationship between the determined power distribution impedance for the range of frequencies and the functionality of the load.
16. The medium of claim 15, wherein the functionality includes an operating frequency of the load.
17. The medium of claim 15, further comprising program instructions to performed the determining automatically upon a power-on of the load.
18. The medium of claim 15, wherein the determining of the impedance of the power distribution network for a range of frequencies includes measuring a voltage and a current for each frequency of the range of frequencies for the power distribution network.
19. The medium of claim 15, wherein the range of frequencies is based on an operational specification of the load.
20. The medium of claim 15, wherein the load includes a clock mechanism to control an operating frequency of the load.
21. The medium of claim 20, wherein the load is at least one of a microprocessor, a multi-core microprocessor, a core of a multi-core microprocessor, an electronic load that operates as a function of a power distribution impedance, and combinations thereof.
22. A system comprising:
a double data rate memory;
a variable frequency generator to generate a signal at a plurality of frequencies;
a current sensor to sense a current;
a voltage sensor to sense a voltage; and
a controller to determine an impedance of a power distribution network, wherein the controller is operative to:
determine an impedance of a power distribution network for a range of frequencies; and
adjust a functionality of the load based on a relationship between the determined impedance of the power distribution network for the range of frequencies and the functionality of the load.
23. The system of claim 19, wherein the adjusted functionality includes an operating frequency of the load.
24. The system of claim 19, wherein the load is at least one of a microprocessor, a multi-core microprocessor, a core of a multi-core microprocessor, an electronic load that operates as a function of a power distribution impedance and combinations thereof.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method comprising:
directing a beam of ultraviolet light to a surface or space to achieve photodissociation of a target material of interest to produce photofragment molecules that fluoresce when excited by the ultraviolet light;
capturing Raman scattering and fluorescence from the surface or space;
generating Raman spectra and fluorescence spectra from the captured Raman scattering and fluorescence; and
analyzing the fluorescence spectra associated with the photofragment molecules and the Raman spectra of the target material to determine presence of the target material of interest on the surface or in the space.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing the fluorescence and generating the fluorescence spectra are performed a period of time after or simultaneously with capturing the Raman scattering and generating the Raman spectra.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing comprises analyzing the Raman spectra and the fluorescence spectra, wherein the fluorescence spectra is associated with fluorescence emitted by nitric oxide produced by photodissociation of a nitro-based explosive target material when irradiated with the beam of ultraviolet light, and wherein determining comprises determining that the nitro-based explosive target material is present on the surfaced or in the space based on the fluorescence spectra and Raman spectra.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing comprises analyzing the Raman spectra and the fluorescence spectra, wherein the fluorescence spectra is associated with fluorescence emitted by hydroxyl radicals produced by photodissociation of a peroxide-based explosive target material when irradiated with the beam of ultraviolet light, and wherein determining comprises determining the presence the peroxide-based explosive target material on the surface or in the space based on the fluorescence spectra and Raman spectra.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing comprises analyzing the Raman spectra of the target material together with the fluorescence spectra that is associated with fluorescence emitted by hydroxyl radicals produced by photodissociation of the material when irradiated with the beam of ultraviolet light, and wherein determining comprises determining presence of an explosive target material on the surface or in the space based on the Raman spectra and the fluorescence spectra.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein directing comprises directing a single pulse of the beam of ultraviolet light to the surface or space, and capturing, generating and analyzing are performed with respect to Raman scattering and fluorescence induced by said single pulse.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein directing comprises directing a pulse of the beam of ultraviolet light at a first wavelength to achieve photodissociation and a pulse of the beam of ultraviolet light at a second wavelength to induce the fluorescence.
8. A system comprising:
a light source that is configured to produce a beam of ultraviolet light directed to a surface or space to achieve photodissociation of a target material of interest to produce photofragment molecules that fluoresce following excitation by the ultraviolet light;
an optical element subsystem that is configured to capture Raman scattering and fluorescence from the surface or space that may be induced by the beam of ultraviolet light;
at least one dispersive element that disperses the Raman scattering and the fluorescence;
at least one detector that generates Raman spectra and fluorescence spectra from dispersed Raman scattering and fluorescence; and
logic that is configured to analyze the fluorescence spectra associated with the photofragment molecules and the Raman spectra of the target material to determine presence of the target material of interest on the surface or in the space.
9. The system of claim 8, and comprising a first dispersive element configured to disperse the Raman scattering and a second dispersive element configured to disperse the fluorescence.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the logic is configured to analyzes the Raman spectra and fluorescence spectra induced by a single pulse of the beam of ultraviolet light.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one detector generates the fluorescence spectra a period of time after or simultaneously with the Raman spectra.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein the logic is configured to analyze the Raman spectra and the fluorescence spectra, wherein the fluorescence spectra is associated with fluorescence emitted by nitric oxide in response to the beam of ultraviolet light, wherein the nitric oxide is produced by photodissociation of the nitro-based explosive material when irradiated with the beam of ultraviolet light, and wherein the logic is further configured to detect the nitro-based explosive material as the target material based on the fluorescence spectra and Raman spectra.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein the logic is configured to analyze the Raman spectra and the fluorescence spectra, wherein the fluorescence spectra is associated with fluorescence emitted by hydroxyl radicals in response to the beam of ultraviolet light, wherein the hydroxyl radicals are produced by photodissociation of a peroxide-based explosive material when irradiated with the beam of ultraviolet light, and wherein the logic is further configured to detect the peroxide-based explosive material as the target material based on the fluorescence spectra and Raman spectra.
14. A method comprising:
interrogating a surface or space with a beam of ultraviolet light;
capturing Raman scattering associated with a target material of interest and fluorescence associated with at least one daughter photofragment molecule produced by photodissociation of the target material of interest;
generating Raman spectra and fluorescence spectra from the captured Raman scattering and fluorescence; and
analyzing the fluorescence spectra and the Raman spectra to determine presence of the target material of interest on the surface or in the space.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein capturing the fluorescence and generating the fluorescence spectra are performed a period of time after or simultaneously with capturing the Raman scattering and generating the Raman spectra.
16. The method of claim 14, interrogating comprises directing a pulse of the beam of ultraviolet light at a first wavelength to achieve photodissociation and a pulse of the beam of ultraviolet light at a second wavelength to induce the fluorescence.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein interrogating comprises directing a single pulse of the beam of ultraviolet light to the surface or space, and capturing, generating and analyzing are performed with respect to Raman scattering and fluorescence induced by said single pulse.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein analyzing comprises analyzing the Raman spectra and the fluorescence spectra, wherein the fluorescence spectra is associated with fluorescence emitted by a daughter photofragment molecule produced by photodissociation of an explosive target material when irradiated with the beam of ultraviolet light.

1. A circuit for power amplification, the circuit comprising:
a. a power amplifier, the power amplifier having an input port and an output port, the power amplifier having at least one transistor, and a current mirror is coupled between a base terminal of the at least one transistor and a ground node; and
b. a protection circuit connected as a negative feedback loop around the power amplifier, the protection circuit including:
i. a detector circuit configured to detect an output voltage from the output port, wherein the detector circuit provides a driver signal when the output voltage exceeds a predefined threshold;
ii. a driver circuit configured to receive the driver signal from the detector circuit, wherein the driver circuit is configured to adjust a gain and phase margin of the negative feedback loop to maintain stability, and wherein the driver circuit includes a filter circuit that provides a filtered signal; and
iii. an attenuator circuit coupled with the input port and the driver circuit, wherein the attenuator circuit is configured to receive the filtered signal from the filter circuit and attenuate an input voltage at the input port, wherein attenuation in the input voltage results in reduction of the output voltage below the predefined threshold.
2. The circuit of claim 1 further comprising a resistor coupled to the current mirror, wherein the resistor and the current mirror are configured to provide temperature compensation for the power amplifier.
3. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the input port is coupled to an input matching circuit, wherein the input matching circuit comprises a high pass filter circuit.
4. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the output port is coupled to an output matching circuit, wherein the output matching circuit provides impedance transformation.
5. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the detector circuit comprises one or more stacks of diodes, and wherein the number of diodes in each of the one or more stacks and the number of stacks determine the predefined threshold.
6. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the driver circuit further comprises an amplifier coupled to the filter circuit and the detector circuit, the amplifier being configured to conduct current based on the driver signal received from the detector circuit.
7. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the attenuator circuit is a tee attenuator circuit.
8. A method of protecting a power amplifier from damage due to voltage breakdown, the method comprising the steps of:
a. detecting an output voltage at an output port of the power amplifier; and
b. providing a negative feedback signal at an input port of the power amplifier for reducing the output voltage of the power amplifier below a predefined threshold, the step of providing the negative feedback signal comprising:
i. providing a driver signal when the output voltage exceeds the predefined threshold, the driver signal being provided by a detector circuit, the detector circuit having one or more stacks of diodes, the number of diodes in each of the one or more stacks and the number of stacks determining the predefined threshold;
ii. providing a filtered signal based on the driver signal; and
iii. attenuating an input voltage at the input port based on the filtered signal.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the filtered signal is provided by a filter circuit, the filter circuit being coupled to a transistor, and wherein the transistor conducts when the driver signal is received from the detector circuit.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the attenuation is performed by a tee attenuator.
11. A protection circuit for a power amplifier, the power amplifier having an input port and an output port, the protection circuit comprising:
a. a detector circuit configured to detect an output voltage from the output port, the detector circuit providing a driver signal when the output voltage exceeds a predefined threshold;
b. a driver circuit configured to receive the driver signal from the detector circuit, the driver circuit including a filter circuit that provides a filtered signal; and
c. an attenuator circuit coupled with the input port and the driver circuit, the attenuator circuit being configured to receive the filtered signal from the filter circuit and attenuate an input voltage to the input port, and wherein a reduction in the input voltage results in a reduction of the output voltage below the predefined threshold, and
wherein the power amplifier comprises at least one transistor and a current mirror is coupled between a base terminal of the at least one transistor and a ground node.
12. The protection circuit of claim 11 further comprising a resistor coupled to the current mirror, the resistor and the current mirror being configured to provide temperature compensation for the power amplifier.
13. The protection circuit of claim 11, wherein the detector circuit comprises one or more stacks of diodes, wherein the number of diodes in each of the one or more stacks and the number of stacks determine the predefined threshold.
14. The protection circuit of claim 11, wherein the driver circuit further comprises an amplifier coupled to the filter circuit and the detector circuit, the amplifier being configured to conduct current based on the driver signal received from the detector circuit.
15. The protection circuit of claim 11, wherein the attenuator circuit is a tee attenuator circuit.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1-10. (canceled)
11. An ultrasound system comprising:
a probe operable to transmit ultrasound signals to a target object containing a periodically moving object and to receive ultrasound echo signals reflected from the target object;
a processor operable to generate volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals;
a display unit to display a 3-dimensional ultrasound image constructed based on the volume data; and
a user input unit to receive user inputs regarding reference image setup information and M-mode line setup information associated with the 3-dimensional ultrasound image,
wherein the processor is configured to generate a reference image representing a plane cut through the 3-dimensional ultrasound image using the volume data, the cut plane designated based on the reference image setup information and to generate a M-mode line on the reference image which is designated based on the M-mode line setup information, and
M-mode images are generated and displayed based on the M-mode line on the reference image which is designated using the 3-dimensional ultrasound image.
12. The ultrasound system of claim 11, wherein the user input unit is further configured to receive rotation information upon the 3-dimensional ultrasound image, and
the processor is configured to control a rotation of the 3-dimensional ultrasound image displayed on the display unit based on the rotation information so that the reference image and the M-mode line can be designated by a user using the 3-dimensional image rotated to any one of a plurality of viewing angles.
13. The ultrasound system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to determine a moving period of the moving object and interpolate the volume data to contain a same number of frames in each moving period.
14. A method comprising:
using a probe to transmit ultrasound signals to a target object containing a periodically moving object and receiving ultrasound echo signals reflected from the target object;
generating volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals;
displaying a 3-dimensional ultrasound image constructed based on the volume data;
receiving user inputs regarding reference image setup information and M-mode line setup information associated with the 3-dimensional ultrasound image;
generating a reference image representing a plane cut through the 3-dimensional ultrasound image using the volume data, the cut plane being designated based on the reference image setup information;
generating a M-mode line on the reference image which is designated based on the M-mode line setup information; and
displaying M-mode images based on the M-mode line on the reference image which is designated using the 3-dimensional ultrasound image.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
receiving a user input regarding rotation information upon the displayed 3-dimensional ultrasound image; and
rotating the displayed 3-dimensional ultrasound image based on the rotation information so that the reference image and the M-mode line can be designated by a user using the 3-dimensional image rotated to any one of a plurality of viewing angles.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
determining a moving period of the moving object; and
interpolating the volume data to contain a same number of frames in each moving period.
17. An ultrasound system comprising:
a probe operable to transmit ultrasound signals to a target object containing a periodically moving object and to receive ultrasound echo signals reflected from the target object;
a processor operable to generate volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals and a period of the moving object;
a display unit to display a 3-dimensional ultrasound image constructed based on the volume data; and
a user input unit to receive a user input as to M-mode line setup information associated with the 3-dimensional ultrasound image,
wherein the processor is configured to generate a reference image representing a plane cut through the 3-dimensional ultrasound image using the volume data, and to generate a M-mode line on the reference image based on the M-mode line setup information, and
M-mode images corresponding to the M-Mode line on the reference image are generated and displayed.
18. A method comprising:
transmitting ultrasound signals, by a probe, to a target object containing a periodically moving object and receiving ultrasound echo signals reflected from the target object;
generating volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals and a period of the moving object;
displaying a 3-dimensional ultrasound image constructed based on the volume data;
receiving a user input as to M-mode line setup information associated with the 3-dimensional ultrasound image;
generating a reference image representing a plane cut through the 3-dimensional ultrasound image using the volume data;
generating a M-mode line on the reference image based on the M-mode line setup information; and
displaying M-mode images corresponding to the M-Mode line on the reference image.