According to an embodiment, a time reference device is provided. In the embodiment, the time reference device, includes a corrodible element, wherein a corrosion of the corrodible element advances with advancing time, and a sensor configured for providing a sensor signal, the sensor signal depending on a physical property of the corrodible element; wherein the physical property of the corrodible element changes with a corrosion of the corrodible element and the physical property of the corrodible element is at least one of an electrical property, a magnetic property, and an optical property. A barrier may be provided for defining a permeability for a corrosive substance to the corrodible element.

According to an embodiment, a time reference device is provided. In the embodiment, the time reference device, includes a corrodible element, wherein a corrosion of the corrodible element advances with advancing time, and a sensor configured for providing a sensor signal, the sensor signal depending on a physical property of the corrodible element; wherein the physical property of the corrodible element changes with a corrosion of the corrodible element and the physical property of the corrodible element is at least one of an electrical property, a magnetic property, and an optical property. A barrier may be provided for defining a permeability for a corrosive substance to the corrodible element.

An EEPROM memory cell includes a dual-gate MOS transistor in which the two gates are separated by an insulation layer. The insulation layer includes a first portion and a second portion having lower insulation properties than the first one. The second portion is located at least partially above a channel region of the transistor.

An EEPROM memory cell includes a dual-gate MOS transistor in which the two gates are separated by an insulation layer. The insulation layer includes a first portion and a second portion having lower insulation properties than the first one. The second portion is located at least partially above a channel region of the transistor.

The present disclosure relates to a device for determining an arrival time of a signal pulse, comprising a comparison means configured such that it compares the time course of a signal pulse (V(t)) with two reference values (V1, V2) and triggers a time analysis means (TDC) of the device when the signal pulse (V(t)) reaches a reference value (V1, V2), wherein the time analysis means (TDC) is configured such that it determines the time between the first and the second triggering, and wherein the device is configured such that it determines an arrival time of the signal pulse by means of the determined time and by means of the reference values (V1,V2). The device can be used to determine an arrival time of a signal pulse in a technically simple manner. The present disclosure also relates to a method for determining an arrival time.

In aspects, the present invention discloses a method of determining an electrical operating time of a circuit breaker (140) in a multiphase electrical system having a subsystem (160) connectable to a power source (110) through a circuit breaker (140) operated by a controller (130). The controller is connected to a current transformer (120, 150) for measuring current of the subsystem in a one phase. The method comprises monitoring the current of the subsystem in the one phase, determining a first rate of change from the monitored current in the one phase, detecting an instance of switching in an another phase based on the first rate of change, and determining an electrical operating time of the circuit breaker in the another phase based on the detected instance of switching and an instance at which a command for switching in the another phase was provided to the circuit breaker.

Systems and methods for detecting the failure of a precision time source using an independent time source are disclosed. Additionally, detecting the failure of a GNSS based precision time source based on a calculated location of a GNSS receiver is disclosed. Moreover, the system may be further configured to distribute a time derived from the precision time source as a precision time reference to time dependent devices. In the event of a failure of the precision time source, the system may be configured to distribute a time derived from a second precision time source as the precision time signal during a holdover period.

Systems and methods for detecting the failure of a precision time source using an independent time source are disclosed. Additionally, detecting the failure of a GNSS based precision time source based on a calculated location of a GNSS receiver is disclosed. Moreover, the system may be further configured to distribute a time derived from the precision time source as a precision time reference to time dependent devices. In the event of a failure of the precision time source, the system may be configured to distribute a time derived from a second precision time source as the precision time signal during a holdover period.

Electromechanical apparatus including a wheel set and an analogue indicator member which are integral in rotation, a stepping motor, and a capacitive device for detection of the angular position of the wheel set, including a rotor, a stator and an electronic measuring circuit, the stator including a first pair of electrodes having a first capacitance and a second pair of electrodes having a second capacitance, the rotor being adapted such that the values of the two capacitances depend on the angular position of the rotor, and an electronic measuring circuit being provided for generating an output signal representative of a difference between the respective values of the first and of the second capacitance.

The present disclosure relates to a converter (1) converting a voltage (Vin) into time. The converter comprises a direct path (100) including a first injection-locked oscillator (104) and a first circuit (106). The first circuit is configured for receiving an output signal (sens) of the first oscillator and a reference signal (0), and for providing at least a first pulse signal (out) determined by a phase shift between the output signal (sens) of the first oscillator and the reference signal (0). The converter further comprises a feedback loop (102) comprising a second circuit (108) configured for integrating said at least one first pulse signal (out).