A method can be used for testing a charge-retention circuit for measurement of a time interval having a storage capacitor coupled between a first biasing terminal and a floating node, and a discharge element coupled between the floating node and a reference terminal. The discharge element is configured to implement discharge of a charge stored in the storage capacitor by leakage through a corresponding dielectric. The method includes biasing the floating node at a reading voltage, detecting a biasing value of the reading voltage, implementing an operation of integration of the discharge current in the discharge element with the reading voltage kept constant at the biasing value, and determining an effective resistance value of the discharge element as a function of the operation of integration.

A reading circuit for a charge-retention circuit stage is provided with a storage capacitor coupled between a first biasing terminal and a floating node, and a discharge element coupled between the floating node and a reference terminal. The reading circuit further has an operational amplifier having a first input terminal that is coupled to the floating node and receives a reading voltage, a second input terminal receives a reference voltage, and an output terminal on which it supplies an output voltage, the value of which is a function of the comparison between the reading voltage and the reference voltage and indicative of a residual charge in the storage capacitor. A shifting stage shifts the value of the reading voltage of the floating node, before the comparison is made between the reading voltage and the reference voltage for supplying the output voltage.

Sensor devices and corresponding methods are provided. When a signal path output (COMP OUT) indicates no threshold crossings, diagnosis is performed with a timing based on a clock. In case threshold crossings are indicated, diagnosis is performed with a timing based on threshold crossings.

Sensor devices and corresponding methods are provided. When a signal path output (COMP OUT) indicates no threshold crossings, diagnosis is performed with a timing based on a clock. In case threshold crossings are indicated, diagnosis is performed with a timing based on threshold crossings.

Techniques for force sensing in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device may include a force sensor configured to measure a force applied to a build platform during fabrication. A length of time taken for a layer of material to separate from a surface other than the build platform to which it is adhered may be determined based on measurements from the force sensor. Subsequent additive fabrication operations, such as subsequent motion of the build platform, may be adapted based on the determined length of time.

Techniques for force sensing in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device may include a force sensor configured to measure a force applied to a build platform during fabrication. A length of time taken for a layer of material to separate from a surface other than the build platform to which it is adhered may be determined based on measurements from the force sensor. Subsequent additive fabrication operations, such as subsequent motion of the build platform, may be adapted based on the determined length of time.

Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for a multi-cycle time-based ADC configured to convert an analog signal to a digital value. Methods and apparatus a multi-cycle time-based ADC according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a plurality of VTCs configured to perform multiple voltage-to-time conversions out-of-phase from each other. The integration times for each VTC may be summed to provide a total integration time, which may then be converted to the digital value.

The present invention provides a method of determining an electrical operating time of a circuit breaker (140) in a multiphase electrical system having a subsystem (160) at an electric potential resulting from electrical characteristics of electrical components within the subsystem. The method comprises monitoring (145) the voltage of the subsystem in the first phase, determining a first rate of change from the monitored voltage in the first phase, detecting at least one instance of switching based on the first rate of change, determining an electrical operating time of the circuit breaker based on the detected at least one instance of switching and an instance at which a command for switching was provided to the circuit breaker.

The present invention provides a method of determining an electrical operating time of a circuit breaker (140) in a multiphase electrical system having a subsystem (160) at an electric potential resulting from electrical characteristics of electrical components within the subsystem. The method comprises monitoring (145) the voltage of the subsystem in the first phase, determining a first rate of change from the monitored voltage in the first phase, detecting at least one instance of switching based on the first rate of change, determining an electrical operating time of the circuit breaker based on the detected at least one instance of switching and an instance at which a command for switching was provided to the circuit breaker.

A magnetic levitation device for levitating a marker or suspending the marker away from the device having a housing having an outer portion and a lower portion. The device has an electromagnetic configuration positioned on disc and the disc can move or rotate the marker at a constant or variable speed. The rotating disc is configured with the electromagnetic configuration and a gear assembly.