A spark detector indicates the presence of a spark by analyzing sound waves generated when an electrical spark is produced from an electrical spark generator located on an igniter rod. The spark detector includes an acoustic sensor that is in communication with the igniter rod to determine the time for the spark sound wave to travel through the igniter rod to the acoustic sensor. If a spark is not detected, the spark detector may output a signal indicating at least one of (i) the spark was not detected, (ii) to replace the electrical spark generator immediately, or (iii) replace the electrical spark generator soon such as at the next scheduled maintenance. Furthermore, the spark detector may be calibrated based on current temperature of the igniter rod based upon time of propagation of a pulse sound wave, generated by a pulse-echo generator, to reflect off an end of the igniter rod.

A low-profile impedance tuner uses a cam-driven piston-like vertical movement of a metallic tuning probe inside a low loss slabline, controlled by an eccentrically centered disc (cam), which is attached to the axis of a stepper motor and rotates parallel to the slabline walls. The structure combines the benefits of low profile rotating tuning probe control with the benign reflection factor phase trajectory of block tuning probes; this is critical for accurate interpolation and impedance synthesis (tuning) strategies using a limited number of calibration points, especially at high microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies.

Various aspects of the disclosure relate to evaluating the electromagnetic impedance characteristics of a material under test (MUT) over a range of frequencies. In particular aspects, a system includes: an electrically non-conducting container sized to hold the MUT, the electrically non-conducting container having a first opening at a first end thereof and a second opening at a second, opposite end thereof; a transmitting electrode assembly at the first end of the electrically non-conducting container, the transmitting electrode assembly having a transmitting electrode with a transmitting surface; and a receiving electrode assembly at the second end of the electrically non-conducting container, the receiving electrode assembly having a receiving electrode with a receiving surface, wherein the receiving electrode is approximately parallel with the transmitting electrode, and wherein the transmitting surface of the transmitting electrode is larger than the receiving surface of the receiving electrode.

A position and orientation system and method is provided. A magnetoresistance sensor is provided having a sensor array configured to measure magnetic fields and a metallic coil positioned within the magnetoresistance sensor. In certain embodiments, the magnetic coil may be used to generate a known magnetic field that, when measured by the sensor array, may be used to determine or update a calibration constant for the system.

A position and orientation system and method is provided. A magnetoresistance sensor is provided having a sensor array configured to measure magnetic fields and a metallic coil positioned within the magnetoresistance sensor. In certain embodiments, the magnetic coil may be used to generate a known magnetic field that, when measured by the sensor array, may be used to determine or update a calibration constant for the system.

A motor drive device includes a power source unit rectifying AC voltage to DC voltage and to smooth the DC voltage by a capacitor, a motor drive amplification, a power source voltage measurement unit, an insulation resistance deterioration detection unit having a contact unit connecting one end of the capacitor to the ground and a current detection unit provided between the other end of the capacitor and a motor coil, and detecting a deterioration in an insulation resistance of the motor based on a detected signal obtained from a closed circuit formed by the contact unit, the capacitor, the motor coil, and the ground by using the current detection unit, and a failure detection unit detecting a failure in the insulation resistance deterioration detection unit based on the detected signal in the insulation resistance deterioration detection unit and a voltage value measured by the power source voltage measurement unit.

A motor drive device includes a power source unit rectifying AC voltage to DC voltage and to smooth the DC voltage by a capacitor, a motor drive amplification, a power source voltage measurement unit, an insulation resistance deterioration detection unit having a contact unit connecting one end of the capacitor to the ground and a current detection unit provided between the other end of the capacitor and a motor coil, and detecting a deterioration in an insulation resistance of the motor based on a detected signal obtained from a closed circuit formed by the contact unit, the capacitor, the motor coil, and the ground by using the current detection unit, and a failure detection unit detecting a failure in the insulation resistance deterioration detection unit based on the detected signal in the insulation resistance deterioration detection unit and a voltage value measured by the power source voltage measurement unit.

An integrated circuit includes a magnetic sensor and a magnetic field generating coil. A control circuit on the integrated circuit responds to an activation indication received by the integrated circuit to cause activation of generation of a first magnetic field by the magnetic field generating coil. The control circuit responds to a subsequent activation indication to generate a second magnetic field different from the first magnetic field. The first magnetic field may have a polarity opposite to a polarity of the second magnetic field. A communication interface may be used to communicate one or more indications associated with an expected magnetic field strength, such as coil resistance, and a measured magnetic field strength measured by the magnetic sensor. The magnetic field generating coil may be coaxial with the magnetic sensor and the magnetic field generating coil may have an inner diameter greater than a diameter of the magnetic sensor.

A Hall sensor is disclosed. The Hall sensor comprises a first Hall element, configured to detect a component of a magnetic field in a first direction a using a sensitive area of the first Hall element. The Hall sensor further comprises a second Hall element, configured to detect a component of the magnetic field in a second direction b using a sensitive area of the second Hall element. The Hall sensor further comprises a conductor track, configured to generate a calibration magnetic field. The calibration magnetic field has a significant component on the sensitive area of the first Hall element in the second direction b. The calibration magnetic field further has a significant component on the sensitive area of the second Hall element in the first direction a.

A Hall sensor is disclosed. The Hall sensor comprises a first Hall element, configured to detect a component of a magnetic field in a first direction a using a sensitive area of the first Hall element. The Hall sensor further comprises a second Hall element, configured to detect a component of the magnetic field in a second direction b using a sensitive area of the second Hall element. The Hall sensor further comprises a conductor track, configured to generate a calibration magnetic field. The calibration magnetic field has a significant component on the sensitive area of the first Hall element in the second direction b. The calibration magnetic field further has a significant component on the sensitive area of the second Hall element in the first direction a.