Two approaches for on-chip ESD detection include variable dielectric width capacitor, and vertical metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor MOSCAP array. The variable dielectric width capacitor approach employs metal plates terminated with sharp corners to enhance local electric field and facilitate ready breakdown of a thin dielectric between the metal plates. The vertical MOSCAP array is composed of a capacitor array connected in series. Both approaches are incorporated in an example 22 nm fully depleted silicon-on-insulator. Vertical MOSCAP arrays detect ESD events starting from about 6 V with about 6 V granularity, while the variable dielectric width capacitor is suitable for detection of high ESD voltage from about 40 V and above.

A detection apparatus is for detecting interference on signal paths in a differential voltage measuring system with a signal measuring circuit for measuring bioelectric signals with a number of useful signal paths having at least one shield. In an embodiment, the detection apparatus includes at least one analysis unit, connected to the shield and embodied to detect interference in a useful signal path of the voltage measuring system via a signal measured at the shield in the case of interference.

A burn-in chamber is provided, configured to provide the required temperature for a device under test (DUT), including a side wall, a guiding plate, an air flow plate, a partition assembly, and a fan. The air flow plate has a ventilation structure, and the guiding plate is located between the side wall and the air flow plate. The partition assembly is disposed on both sides of the air flow plate. The partition assembly and the air flow plate together form an accommodating space for accommodating the DUT. The partition assembly forms a return channel with respect to the other side of the accommodating space with the side wall. When the fan is active, air from the accommodating space passes through the air flow plate and is guided to the return channel via the guiding plate, and air is returned to the accommodating space through the return channel.

A monitoring set-up to detect supply-line faults for a control unit, including at least two internal current-carrying supply lines, which are redundant with respect to each other, are situated inside of the control unit, and are connected electrically, on one end, to external supply lines, respectively, and, on the other end, to a common, internal supply-potential layer of the control unit; a signal detector, which inductively picks up a flow of current through the individual internal supply lines and outputs at least one corresponding measuring signal; and an evaluation and control unit, which evaluates the at least one measuring signal to detect supply-line faults. A method of detecting supply-line faults for a control unit, using such a monitoring set-up, is also described.

A ring-shaped power supply system includes: a plurality of relays provided apart from each other on a ring-shaped power supply wire; a plurality of detectors, each provided between ones of the relays, for detecting an electrical change caused by a break when such a break has occurred in the ring-shaped power supply wire; and an arithmetic processor that localizes the point of the break in the ring-shaped power supply wire based on electrical changes detected by the plurality of detectors and cuts off ones of the relays located on both sides of the break point.

Methods and apparatuses for detecting tension on a tendon and/or mechanical deformation (e.g., breakage) of one or more steering tendon of a steerable and flexible articulating device. Theses apparatuses may have one or more tendons that are each electrically conductive and configured to steer the apparatus when tension is applied to the proximal end of the tendon. Tension and/or breakage (or other deformation) of one or more of these tendons may be detected by monitoring the electrical resistance of the tendons.

A method for determining the state of an electric energy storage unit is described. An extension of the electrode assembly and/or a force exerted by the electrode assembly, and at least one electric variable of the electric energy storage unit are detected. A first and a second state variables, which represent the first state of the electric energy storage unit, are ascertained using the detected extension and/or the detected force and also a first mathematical model stored in a data memory and the detected at least one electric variable and also a second mathematical model stored in a data memory. This is followed by carrying out a first comparison of the first state variable with the second state variable. The first and/or the second mathematical model and/or the first and/or the second state variables are/is changed depending on the first comparison.

A device includes an EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) filter, a frequency converter coupled to the EMC filter, and a motor coupled to the frequency converter via a motor cable. A leakage current compensator includes a leakage current detector and a compensation current generator configured to generate a compensation current that is directed against the leakage current and is overlaid on the leakage current in such a way that the leakage current is reduced.

One or more external connectors of a conformal wearable battery (CWB) may be controlled to reduce a voltage potential supplied to the connectors when exposed to a conductive liquid. The connectors may be uniform serial bus (USB) connectors or other connectors. One or more unused terminals of the one or more connectors may be pulled to a voltage potential and then monitored for a change in voltage. When the change in voltage satisfies a voltage threshold, the voltage potential supplied to the one or more connectors may be reduced and/or interrupted. The change in voltage may be evaluated against the voltage threshold alone or may be evaluated against the voltage threshold and a time threshold relating to a time after the voltage satisfied the voltage threshold. The voltage of the monitored terminal may be evaluated against one or more voltage thresholds and/or one or more time thresholds. Based on the voltage threshold having been met, the voltage supplied to the connector may be reduced or stopped.

A method and device estimate life consumption for an electronic component for use with an electric motor. The method and device allow maximal/minimal temperature values of semiconductor devices to be continuously monitored to allow on-cycle thermal damage and post-cycle damage to be determined in a parallel manner.