A cover plate extends over at least part of a solder reservoir and has a slot for a solder wave to extend up above the cover plate. Shield gas is supplied under the cover plate to blanket the solder wave and prevent air from contacting the solder wave and circuit boards passing through the solder wave. Circuit boards are generally supported by conveyor fingers at side edges and the fingers pass through the solder wave. End shrouds are provided at both ends of the solder wave to prevent the entry of air through the conveyor fingers and to ensure that the side edges of the circuit board are uniformly blanketed by shield gas directed to the side edges passing up through the slot in the cover plate. The under surface, front edge, back edge and side edges of a circuit board are therefore uniformly blanketed by shield gas as the board passes through a solder wave.

Today printed wiring boards and circuit boards have smaller wettable surfaces to be solder coated and joined. In co-pending application Ser. Nos. 07/961,781 and 07/860,316 is disclosed gas shrouded wave soldering wherein a solder wave has a cover with a slot for the solder wave to project therethrough and wherein a shield gas, preferably nitrogen and substantially oxygen free, is supplied underneath the cover so that the solder is applied to circuit boards and the like when they are substantially blanketed by the shield gas. In the aforesaid co-pending applications, soldering occurs in a shield gas atmosphere, referred to as an inert gas and this includes nitrogen. The shield gas prevents oxides forming on the liquid solder surfaces, and in another embodiment, a reducing gas such as hydrogen is included in the shield gas in a non-explosive mixture, to provide fluxing to the surfaces to be soldered or solder coated. U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,542 discloses shield gas wave soldering wherein shield gas or a reducing gas blankets the solder wave during the soldering step. The benefits of soldering in an atmosphere which is substantially oxygen free are known.
In our co-pending applications a cover is provided to at least partially cover a solder reservoir and shield gas passing on both sides of the solder wave blankets the solder wave and the solder within the reservoir. By utilizing a cover one is able to reduce the flow of shield gas for blanketing the solder wave and the circuit board or wiring board passing therethrough compared with a tunnel or enclosure. Thus, wettable surfaces to be solder coated such as circuit tracks, pads, component leads, surface mounted components and metallized holes in boards with pins therein are kept substantially free of air. The shield gas which is preferably nitrogen and is substantially oxygen free, is introduced below the cover and passes up through a slot through which the solder wave projects on both sides of the solder wave to blanket the solder wave and also blanket the bottom surface of a circuit board passing through the solder wave as well as the edges of the circuit board.
Circuit boards are conveyed to pass through a solder wave by different types of conveyors. In one embodiment the circuit boards are supported by gripping fingers from two separate parallel conveyors. In another embodiment the circuit boards are supported on pallets, fixtures or frames which in turn are supported either by two separate conveyors gripping side edges, or by a single conveyor. If two parallel conveyors are used with gripping fingers, then there is provision to adjust the distance between the conveyors to take into account variable widths of conveyors or different sizes of pallets, fixtures or frames to support circuit boards.


Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for automatically assisting conversations using a graph database. In order to minimize misunderstanding of words and phrases used by participants during a conversation, phrases from the conversation may be received by conversation assistance application as the conversation takes place. Entities may be extracted from the phrase based on natural language recognition according to a domain context of the participant being assisted. One or more tags may be looked up from a graph database, and may be provided to the participant as a list of hashtags related to the conversation. Links to documents may be extracted based on the tags for the participant for viewing during the conversation.

Tools for electronic communication such as voice video calls, chat and emails have become common. Participants with backgrounds from different domains may casually exchange ideas through conversations using media such as but not limited to texts, voice, sound, and documents in a frequent manner. For instance, a voice phone call, a video call, and a tool for electronic chat may provide means for exchange messages in conversations in real-time, synchronously among participants. In another example, a tool for emails may provide means for having conversations in asynchronous manner.
It is with respect to these and other general considerations that the aspects disclosed herein have been made. Also, although relatively specific problems may be discussed, it should be understood that the examples should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the background or elsewhere in this disclosure.

Automatically assisting conversations using graph database


An imaging lens includes a first lens having positive refractive power; a second lens having positive refractive power; a third lens having negative refractive power; a fourth lens having positive refractive power; a fifth lens; a sixth lens; a seventh lens; an eighth lens; and a ninth lens having negative refractive power, arranged in this order from an object side to an image plane side. The ninth lens is formed in a shape so that a surface thereof on the image plane side has an aspherical shape having an inflection point.

The present invention relates to an imaging lens for forming an image of an object on an imaging element such as a CCD sensor and a CMOS sensor. In particular, the present invention relates to an imaging lens suitable for mounting in a relatively small camera such as a camera to be built in a portable device, e.g., a cellular phone and a portable information terminal, a digital still camera, a security camera, an onboard camera, and a network camera.
In case of a lens configuration comprised of nine lenses, since the number of lenses that composes the imaging lens is large, it has higher flexibility in designing and can satisfactorily correct aberrations. For example, as the conventional imaging lens having a nine-lens configuration, an imaging lens described in Patent Reference has been known.
Patent Reference: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-156011
According to the conventional imaging lens of Patent Reference, it is expected to be able to relatively satisfactorily correct aberrations. In case of the conventional imaging lens, however, a total track length is long relative to a focal length of the whole lens system, so that it is not suitable to mount in a small-sized camera, such as the one to be built in a smartphone. According to the conventional imaging lens of Patent Reference, it is difficult to more satisfactorily correct aberrations, while downsizing the imaging lens.
In view of the above-described problems in the conventional techniques, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging lens that can attain both a small size and satisfactorily corrected aberrations in a balanced manner.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.


A surface of an article is heated and subjected to pressure by operation of a friction stir tool. The pressure of the face of the tool on the article surface, and the speed of rotation of the tool and of its progression along the surface of the article, are controlled to progressively hot-work a specified surface area. The face of the tool may be round and have a profiled, axially extending, smaller diameter pin for higher concentration of frictional heat and load and for plasticizing a surface layer of the workpiece. Such hot work may be applied for reducing surface porosity or for producing another change in the surface microstructure, or for effecting another change in surface material properties.

Many manufactured articles require surface properties that differ from the bulk properties of the material from which the article is made. Some products, such as automotive engine block castings have cylinder surface regions that experience continual frictional contact by reciprocating pistons and require wear resistance of a degree not inherent in the porous surface of the casting. Other articles could be made of lighter weight or lower cost materials, or by a lower cost manufacturing process, if the microstructure of a surface (such as a porous surface) could be altered to provide it with properties more preferred than the bulk properties of the material resulting from the manufacture of the article.
Friction stir welding is a solid-state welding process used, for example, to form a weld seam between abutting metal workpieces. A rotating tool with a profiled tip and of suitably hard material makes contact with the workpieces and is pushed or plunged into the joint region. The friction of the impinging and rotating contact heats and plasticizes the abutting regions of the metal workpieces. The metal is heated to a suitable depth for the weld, often substantially through the thickness of the abutting pieces. Plasticized material flows around the tool and coalesces behind the rotating tool as it is moved along the intended weld seam. Since only the joint area is heated by the moving and rotating tool, the flowing weld metal is re-hardened by heat loss to the adjacent unheated workpiece material.
It is now realized that a rotating tool like that used in friction stir welding could be utilized to hot work or otherwise thermally process a surface layer of an article to obtain desired physical and/or chemical properties in the selectively treated area. In other words, the rotating tool could be used in friction stir thermal processing of a selected surface area of an article.

Friction stir processing for surface properties


An endoscope system comprises a plurality of endoscope components including at least one endoscope light source apparatus for supplying illumination light to an endoscope and at least one video signal processing unit for processing video signals provided by the endoscope, a main control unit for controlling the plurality of endoscope system components, and a main operational instruction unit connected to the main control unit and used to operate the plurality of endoscope system components. The main operational instruction unit includes a display capable of selectively displaying operational instruction input screens associated with functions possessed by the plurality of endoscope system components.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an endoscope system having a control apparatus for centralizing control of a plurality of peripheral equipment of the endoscope system such as a light source apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
An endoscope, which permits observation of an organ in a cavity when an elongated insertional part thereof is inserted into the cavity, and enables various kinds of treatment procedures when a treatment adapter is, if necessary, routed through a treatment adapter channel thereof, has been widely adopted in recent years. An electronic endoscope with a charge coupled device (CCD) or other solid-state imaging device at the distal part of an insertional part thereof has been put to use.
In the field of medicine, for example, when an endoscope is used to undertake a diagnostic or treatment procedure, it is a common practice that an endoscope system is constructed by mounting an endoscope, a light source apparatus, and other equipment required for use in a rack.
The endoscope system is constructed by combining diverse peripheral equipment according to a purpose of use. The diverse peripheral equipment include a light source apparatus for supplying illumination light to a subject via an endoscope, a video signal processing unit for processing image signals provided by the endoscope, an automatic photography unit for photographing optical images provided by the endoscope, a cautery hemostasis unit for cauterizing a lesion for treatment, and a cautery power supply unit for the cauterization.
Typically, the above peripheral equipment are mounted in a rack or the like to construct an endoscope system. In this case, the equipment are operated independently. In this state, observation or treatment is carried out. Since components are designed to be used independently, they must be operated while being accommodated in the rack or the like. Depending on the design of the rack or the arrangement of units, a doctor or an nurse who operates the endoscope system is obliged to stand at an inconvenient position or walk about for operation. This complicates an operating procedure and causes a failure in realizing an environment most suitable for examination or treatment. For an endoscope system comprising a plurality of peripheral equipment, a function is needed to operate peripheral equipment constituting the system at a single station, centralize the control of multiple equipment, and check the operating states of the multiple equipment at the single station.
The present patent applicant has proposed an endoscope system having a chair equipped with operation switches in U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,301. In the system, the switches on the chair are used to operate equipment. This improves the operability in endoscopic examination or treatment.
However, in the conventional system, although the switches are arranged at easy-to-operate positions, peripheral equipment cannot be operated or controlled on a centralized basis. It is therefore impossible to actuate multiple different equipment or operate them in harmony using a single switch. Moreover, since the operation switches are designed for specific units, the location of an operation unit or the combination of peripheral equipment cannot be altered flexibly.
For centralized control of multiple equipment, quite a number of operation switches must be installed in association with the functions of the multiple equipment. It is typically thought that all the operation switches are integrated into an operating means. However, this arises such drawbacks as: it is hard to install many switches at one place; an increase in the number of switches deteriorates operability; an intended switch is not found immediately because of poor visibility.

Endoscope system with improved controller


Thermostatic mixing valve has a valve body, a cold fluid inlet, a hot fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. Mixing chamber is located between the respective fluid inlets and the fluid outlet. Thermostatic element is located in or adjacent to the mixing chamber and is arranged to contact a piston at one end and via a mixing tube the valve body at the other end. Piston regulates flow through the fluid inlets into the mixing chamber. The piston is can move due to continued expansion of the thermostatic element after the piston has closed off the second fluid inlet. Valve body has an internal thread with which a thread on mixing tube permits adjustment of the relative position of the thermostatic element within the valve body and hence the set temperature of the thermostatic mixing valve.

Thermostatic mixing valves enable hot and cold fluids, typically water, to be accurately mixed so as to deliver fluid at a desired temperature to the valve outlet. One form of thermostatic mixing valves adopts a "T" pattern in which the hot and cold water enters through inlets in the arms of the "T" and the mixed water exits through an outlet in the base of the "T". Another form of thermostatic mixing valve adopts an "L" pattern in which the hot and cold fluid inlets are orientated at right angles to each other.
Thermostatic mixing valves include hot and cold seats for respectively isolating the flow of hot and cold fluids through the valve. Such seats are typically provided by a hard edge of a piston pressing firmly against a flat face of the valve body to thereby prevent fluid flow. In one form of "T" pattern mixing valves, both the hot and cold seats have been provided in this manner. However, the design of such mixing valves has been complicated by the need to provide a mechanism for allowing for any continued expansion of the thermostatic element after the flow of hot and cold fluids is adjusted. This problem has been addressed by including a spring arrangement adjacent to the leading end of the thermostatic valve (i.e. in the hot seat). The inclusion of such an arrangement requires an extra opening to be formed in the valve body and also increases the part and production costs for the valve.
Another problem with such mixing valves is that to enable adjustment of the set temperature of the mixed water exiting the outlet (and thereby the rest position of the thermostatic element), additional constructional features or components have to be provided. This inevitably increases the cost of the mixing valve.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved thermostatic mixing valve that addresses at least some of the above mentioned problems.


A Portable Automated Water Purifier and Method is disclosed. Also disclosed is a preferred purifier that accepts supply water from a common water spigot and purifies it via a reverse osmosis (or other preferred filtration) process. The purified water is dispensed into a vessel until such time as a non-intrusive level detector indicates that the vessel is fill. The preferred level detector is able to detect the amount of water in the vessel from outside of the vessel, and without the use of a weight scale. The device might detect when the vessel is removed from it's dispensing location, such that the purifier dispensing will be stopped. The preferred purifier includes guides to steady the vessel as it sits in the dispensing location. In another preferred embodiment, a means for filling a beverage preparing device, such as an automatic coffee maker, is included. The alternative purifier is able to selectably dispense into a vessel or into the holding tank of the beverage preparing device, and further includes a timer means for starting the purifier and directing the dispensing into the holding tank.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to water purification systems and methods and more specifically, to a Portable Automated Water Purifier and Method.
2. Description of Related Art
The water supply to the average household today comes from a city water supply. Due to a variety of reasons many people have found the city's supplied water to be inadequate for drinking. In response a number of solutions have become available. One solution involves either the delivery or self-service purchase of bottled water. Bottles are available in a variety of sizes from very large, typically designed for the commercial environment, to the small single serving bottles. Both delivered and self-served bottled water do solve the problem of the bad tasting city supplied water. However, bottled water is typically expensive, and requires storage space be allocated for the full and empty bottles. In addition, should the user ever desire to travel, either in a camping scenario, recreational vehicle, or even in a hotel, they must either pack their bottles and take them with them, or hopefully find bottled water at their destination. Another solution to the city water problem involves the installation of a permanent water purification system. These systems are extremely efficient, easy to use, and provide good tasting water for drinking and for ice. The problem with the installed systems is again that they are expensive and also are permanently installed. Since many families are renters of property rather than owners, they may only be in a particular location for a temporary period. The renter therefore would not desire to install a purification system that may or may not be transportable to a future residence. As such, the renter is relegated to using the bottled water discussed above.
What is needed therefore is a system, like the installed water purification systems, that can take ordinary tap water supplied by the city and purify it to a point suitable for drinking. The preferred system will have the added benefit of being portable, which would enable the user to make a temporary installation of the system wherever they chose, and then removing it and taking it with them when they decide to leave. An added benefit might include the ability to operate the water purifier with a coffee or other automated beverage maker, such that the portable purifier would supply water directly to the coffee or other beverage maker without the need for additional manual steps of filling the pitcher and then transferring the water to the coffee maker.

Portable automated water purifier and method


In an embodiment an oscillator device includes a ring oscillator circuit with at least one delay stage with an output of a last delay stage fed back to an input of a first delay stage, wherein each of the delay stages is configured to receive a charging current and to provide a delay that is dependent on the charging current and at least one of the delay stages includes a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor and a bias circuit including an output terminal coupled to an input terminal of the ring oscillator circuit, wherein the bias circuit is configured to receive a temperature-independent reference voltage and includes a current source with a main NMOS-transistor, the current source configured to provide a control current to the ring oscillator circuit which is proportional to a difference of the temperature-independent reference voltage and a gate-source voltage of the main NMOS-transistor, and wherein the gate-source voltage of the main NMOS-transistor includes a negative temperature coefficient.

A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is one of the most important building blocks in analogue and digital circuits. There are many design requirements for a VCO, which are phase stability, large electrical tuning range, linearity of frequency versus control voltage, large gain factor, etc. With respect to digital or smart phones that use these circuits, low power consumption is a very important design factor.
One kind of low-power voltage controlled oscillators are current-starved oscillators. For example, a reference current of such an oscillator in CMOS-technology can be in the range of only hundreds of nano-amperes in order to generate a 1 to 10 MHz oscillation frequency. However, such current-starved oscillators comprise an oscillation frequency with a negative temperature gradient. This means that the oscillation frequency drops with rising temperature. This is due to the temperature effects of MOS transistors in delay elements of the oscillators, i.e. the mobility of the holes and electrons of the MOS transistors decreases with increasing temperature so that the transistor fully on resistance increases with increasing temperature. At present the inherent temperature dependence of the current-starved oscillators cannot be trimmed off-chip.


A method for handling events in aggregate descendants including creating a process contract by a first process, executing a first operation in the first process, wherein a second process created by the first operation is added to the process contract, receiving a first event affecting the second process in the process contract, handling the first event in the first process, and killing the second process, if the first event is a fatal event.

A general issue when implementing application availability frameworks around an operating system process model (e.g., the UNIX process model) is how to track all of the descendants of an application's initial process. Historically, UNIX-derived operating systems have added new services in an organic fashion in response to new hardware capabilities, new forms of connectivity, or new application types. This approach has resulted in a collection of mostly independent processes providing a set of capabilities on each operating system. With the emergence of network connections and more complex hardware platforms, these processes have grown large networks of implicit or explicit dependencies that are not easily expressed in the process model offered by the operating system.
In typical UNIX-derived operating systems, a process only knows about the first generation of processes that descend from that process. A process is generally unaware of any descendants of this first generation. An approach to track additional levels of descendants is to use debugging or interposition techniques to modify the way an operating system creates one or more processes, such as the fork operation. Another approach is to use the /proc filesystem (i.e., the pseudo filesystem implementation of an operating system process model) to trace every creation (or re-creation) of a process, such as when the fork operation creates offspring. Existing UNIX process collectives, such as the process group, the session, or the task, may also be used to track descendants but these mechanisms either force the initial process to be the leader and the effective administration handle for the collective, or provide no observation model. Generally, when the initial process is the administration handle for the collective, if that process dies, all information regarding the descendants could be lost.

Method for exit negotiation with aggregate application descendents


A process control interface system having a network of distributed triply redundant input/output field computer units. The system includes a plurality of self-contained remotely located triply redundant field computer units connected to decision making redundant process control computers through a bi-directional communication network having at least two concurrently active communication channels. Each of the field computer units include a set of at least redundant field computers for arbitrating both input and output signals. The input arbitration method enables a plurality of selectable default input conditions, such as select HIGH and select LOW, in the event that a majority agreement cannot be reached among valid input signals. The output arbitration method includes a plurality of selectable default output conditions, such as fail SAFE and fail LAST. Each of the default input and output conditions may be rapidly adjusted through software selection. The field computer units also include individual abort circuits for each output signal to be transmitted to a device which affects the operation of the physical process. These abort circuits effectively enforce the output value signals arbitrated independently through each of the three redundant field computers using a voting procedure.

The present invention generally relates to the interface between a process control computer and its remotely located field instrumentation. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process control interface system which is comprised of a distributed network of triply redundant remote field units that communicate with redundant process control computers over redundant fiber optic paths.
One of the most difficult and elusive goals to achieve in the design of any automated process control system is to provide an accurate, fast and yet highly reliable control system which is capable of withstanding the rugged demands of controlling a physical process non-stop for years at a time, if possible. This is particularly true for the process control applications in a chemical plant where the cost of shutting down a complex large-scale process for computer system repairs may be enormous due to the time, effort and waste incurred in attempting to bring such a process back on line.
In order to achieve maximum economic efficiency and optimum product quality, the demands for more comprehensive process control automation have continued to increase in both quantity and sophistication. As the reliance on computer-based control for the operation of a chemical process increases, it is clear that a number of computers are required to work together in order to accomplish all of the desired control tasks. This, of course, adds further complexity to a control system for which maximum fault tolerance is desired.
In order to increase the reliability of a process control computer system, many attempts have been made to provide a backup computer for one or more of the computers being used to actively control the process. However, a rapid hand-off of control from an active computer to a backup computer is difficult to achieve if the goal is to provide a seamless or transparent transfer to the devices which affect the operation of the physical process. Additionally, the conditions under which a transfer of control should be made may be complex and consume needed processor time during normal operations.
Another approach to this problem is to provide triple redundancy with three actively operating computers. While the provision of three computer processors certainly increases the overall cost of the control system, it does permit the use of "majority voting" for decision making. The benefit of majority voting not only adds to the ability of the computer system to withstand a fault in one of the computers, it also helps to ensure that the decisions being made are accurate. In other words, the agreement of two out of three computers on any particular decision increases the likelihood that the decision is ultimately correct.
Nevertheless, even when triply redundant control is found to be desirable, a myriad of design problems must first be confronted in order to achieve a truly effective triply redundant control system, including the handling of internal failures within different areas of the triply redundant control system. While there have been a number of attempts to appropriately manage the interrelationships between a set of three or more computers, there is still considerable room for advancement in this art, particularly as it relates to large scale chemical process control applications.
Accordingly, it is a principal objective of the present invention to provide a distributed network of triply redundant field computer units which communicate with redundant process control computers to maximize both accuracy and the overall system's tolerance to faults in the process control system that could affect the physical process being controlled.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a distributed network of triply redundant field computer units which enables broadcast downloading of updated software to each of these units without affecting the process being continuously controlled.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a triply redundant field computer unit which permits circuit boards in one of the computers contained in the unit to be replaced without affecting the process being controlled or requiring control to be forced to one or the other of the remaining computers.
It is an additional objective of the present invention to provide a triply redundant field control unit which enables a unique arbitration process of field inputs and outputs to be achieved.
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a triply redundant field computer unit which is capable of automatically aborting potentially erroneous output signals.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a triply redundant field computer unit which enables any two computers contained in the unit to temporarily reset, and if necessary, more permanently reset the remaining computer.
It is still an additional objective of the present invention to provide a triply redundant field computer unit which includes one or more "smart" multi-function input circuits for interpreting raw sensor information and one or more "smart" output circuits for independently determining the manner in which a desired output value is achieved.
It is still a further objective of the present invention to provide a method of testing both digital and analog output circuits which is non-intrusive to the process being continuously controlled.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a triply redundant field computer unit which includes a high current output power supply circuit and a battery backup that may be periodically tested under load conditions.

Process control interface system having triply redundant remote field units


Systems and methods are provided for dynamically allocating a number of bits per cell to memory locations of a non-volatile memory (“NVM”) device. In some embodiments, a host may determine whether to store data in the NVM device using SLC programming or MLC programming operations. The host may allocate an erased block as an SLC block or MLC block based on this determination regardless of whether the erased block was previously used as an SLC block, MLC block, or both. In some embodiments, to dynamically allocate a memory location as SLC or MLC, the host may provide an address vector to the NVM package, where the address vector may specify the memory location and the number of bits per cell to use for that memory location.

NAND flash memory, as well as other types of non-volatile memories ("NVMs"), are commonly used for mass storage. For example, consumer electronics such as portable media players often include raw flash memory or a flash card to store music, videos, and other media.
Conventional flash memory may include arrays of memory cells composed of floating gate transistors. Charge may be stored or left off of each transistor's floating gate in order to store bits of data. For example, the floating gate of a transistor may be charged to indicate a bit value of '0' or may be left uncharged to indicate a bit value of '1.' The charge or lack thereof may affect a transistor's threshold voltage, which a controller for the non-volatile memory may sense by applying a reference voltage to the transistor. Such non-volatile memories that store one bit per cell are commonly referred to as "single-level cell" ("SLC") NVMs.
To increase the storage capacity of a non-volatile memory while maintaining a small NVM size, some current non-volatile memories may store multiple bits of data in each memory cell by varying the amount of charge stored in the floating gate of a transistor. Such NVMs that store more than one bit per cell are commonly referred to as "multi-level cell" ("MLC") NVMs. Since multi-level cells may have lower reliability than single-level cells, some non-volatile memories may have portions of their memory cells pre-allocated for MLC storage and other portions of their memory cells pre-allocated for SLC storage.

Dynamically allocating number of bits per cell for memory locations of a non-volatile memory


The current invention minimizes the energy losses by pointing the geophone's internal system, which consists of a magnet bar, coil, and springs, towards signals reflected from targets.

Seismic data acquisition is one of the geophysical tools used to image and characterize the earth's subsurface geological features. The data being acquired can be used to define regional or local geological structures and provide some detailed geological descriptions, making seismic data acquisition a widely used tool in hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation.
Seismic data acquisition uses sound source waves either generated at the surface, such as seismic vibrators or weight drops, or generated at some depth, such as with dynamite. These sound waves can be divided into 3 major categories, primary, secondary (shear), and surface waves. Hydrocarbon exploration generally utilises either primary or secondary waves. After being generated, primary and secondary waves propagate into subsurface geological layers and at the geological layers boundaries, part of them reflected and the other portions continue penetrating deeper layers. In seismic exploration, it is the reflected seismic waves that are considered as the key signals. Refracted and direct arrival seismic waves may to some degree be considered as signals whereas other types such as ground rolls and air waves are not. In land seismic data acquisitions sensors, such as geophones, are spread on the surface or down hole to receive the reflected waves as signals. The amplitudes of the reflected waves are used to scale the intensities of wave energy.
It is well known that amplitude varies with offset and incident/reflection angle. Seismic waves lose energy due to uncontrolled effects such as far offsets (distance from source), subsurface geology and fluids, and mechanical effects on reflection angles. This energy loss can be minimized through the claimed invention.
Many manufacturers suggest that in normal operation, P-wave geophones will function at an angle of 0-20° from vertical. In practice, under some conditions, P-wave geophones may be able to operate with reasonable accuracy at an angle up to 45° from vertical. To check how a live geophones is planted, a so called "Tilt Test" is run. The Tilt Test correlates known pulse inputs and outputs from a geophone string to a modelled pulse to produce a statistical ratio measuring the amount of deviation from vertical. In static conditions (passive source), extensive measurements were performed to check the effects of tilts on geophones' physical properties such as cutoff frequencies, damping, sensitivities, distortion, etc. These physical properties were observed unaffected when geophones are tiles at 0-30 degrees from vertical and this range can be extended to reach 40 degrees.
It has been found that if a geophone tilted at 40° from vertical and in a direction opposite the incoming signals, this will cause 70% loss in energy (R. Stewart et. al.). If the case is reversed (i.e. if the reflected signal angle is high (but less than critical angle) and the geophone is vertical), then energy losses are expected to be directly proportional to the reflection angles. When a seismic survey is designed, maximum offset is set to image the deepest desired reflector. For example, if the signal reflected at an angle of 45° from the deepest reflector, then geophones located at the maximum offset should be directed toward that angle in order to detect the maximum energy. From field experiments, however, if sensors planted at angles deviated at angles more than 30° but directed towards the reflected signal, it would give similar responses to those, which are planted vertically.
Recording signals reflected at different angles during seismic survey shooting is very difficult and impractical with the current system available in the market. These systems do not provide a way to overcome energy loss due to reflection angles. Consequently, the current systems may not generate a completely accurate seismic signal, which may in turn lead to misinterpreting the information.


The invention relates to image sensors produced on a thinned silicon substrate. To limit the optical crosstalk between adjacent filters and, notably filters of different colors, the invention proposes positioning, between the adjacent filters of different colors (FR, FB, FV), a wall (20) of a material tending to reflect the light so that the light arriving obliquely on a determined filter corresponding to a first pixel does not tend to pass toward an adjacent filter or toward a photosensitive zone corresponding to an adjacent pixel but is returned by the wall to the first filter or the photosensitive zone corresponding to the first pixel. The wall is preferably made of a material with a high reflection coefficient such as aluminium and it is sunk depthwise into the thinned semiconductor layer (16), preferably in p+ diffusions formed in the layer if it is of p-type.

An image sensor on thinned silicon can be produced as follows: starting from a semiconductor wafer (silicon in principle, or silicon-on-insulator) on the front face before which operations are performed involving masking, implantations of impurities, depositions of layers of various provisional or definitive compositions, etching of these layers, heat treatment and so on; these operations make it possible to define an array of photosensitive pixels and electrical signal processing circuits associated with these pixels; the wafer is then bonded via its front face to the front face of a supporting substrate; most of the thickness of the semiconductor wafer is eliminated (such is the thinning operation), leaving on the front face of the support substrate a thin semiconductor layer comprising the photosensitive zones and the associated circuits; also, subsequently, various layers are deposited and etched on the rear face of the duly thinned semiconductor layer including, for example, an opaque metallic layer and a layer of color filters in mosaic form (for the color sensors).
It will be understood that, with this method, light does not arrive through a stock of insulating and conductive layers that might have been deposited (in CMOS technology, or another technology) on the photosensitive zones during the manufacturing of the semiconductor wafer. On the contrary, the light will arrive from the side of the rear face of the sensor, where appropriate pass through the color filters and directly reach the photosensitive zones without having to pass through the stack of insulating and conductive layers.
The residual thickness of the silicon after thinning is approximately 3 to 20 microns.
However, in practice, it is observed that there are crosstalk phenomena between adjacent pixels. The aim of the present invention is to further reduce the crosstalk defects, notably the colorimetry defects due to the crosstalk between adjacent pixels. This problem is all the greater when the surface area of the pixels is smaller.
The crosstalk can have optical causes (dispersion of photons to adjacent pixels as explained above) but also electronic causes; electronic crosstalk originates from the dispersion of electrons that are generated in a photosensitive zone corresponding to a determined pixel and that should be collected by an electrode corresponding to this pixel but that are in reality attracted by an electrode of a neighboring pixel because of the existence of electrical fields that are poorly controlled within the photosensitive zones.

Color image sensor with improved optical crosstalk


A programmable gate array comprised of a number of configurable functional blocks. Each configurable functional block has a number (m) of inputs. A global interconnect matrix interconnects the configurable functional blocks. The global interconnect matrix provides for routing any combination of signals entering the matrix to any configurable functional block, up to and including the maximum number (m) of inputs of a configurable functional block. Each configurable functional block includes a product term array connected to the m inputs. The product term array can perform a logical AND of up to m bits. A compare term array is also connected to the m inputs. The compare term array can perform an identity compare of up to m/2 bits. A number n of macro cells are provided in each configurable functional block wherein the number n is less that the number m. An allocation circuit allocates the outputs of the compare term array and the product terms to a macro cell, any compare term being allocable in place of a product term to the macro cell.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to data processing system integrated-circuit chips, and more particularly to programmable logic devices.
2. Background Art
Programmable logic devices are integrated-circuit chips on which large numbers of logical AND and logical OR circuits are fabricated capable of being interconnected through instructions that can be varied to suit the user's needs. Depending upon the manufacturer, these devices may be referred to as a Programmable Logic Array (PLA.TM.), a Programmable Array Logic (PAL) or a Programmable Logic device (PLD). PLDs devices are in the 300- to 500-gate density. The 22V10 is a PLD manufactured by Intel, AMD, and other companies.
Recently, a family of devices called Field Programmable Gate Arrays with a density of 5,000-10,000 gates have been developed. The lower the density, the faster the device can operate; that is, a faster Time Propagation Delay (TPD) through the device. As the density of the devices increases, however, the TPD becomes larger and larger for a given technology.
It is desirable to have a device that keeps the best features of the smaller devices, i.e., the predictability, the high performance, and the lower cost while approaching the density and the richness of features of higher-end devices. Therefore, in between the high-density, slower devices and the lower density, faster devices a family of devices called Complex PLDs have been developed, which are basically a number of small PLDs in one package. A complex PLD known as the Intel iFX780.TM. has eight blocks, each similar to a small PLD, all connected to a global interconnect matrix so that a large number of I/O signals are available on a bus. Each of the eight blocks is similar to a conventional PLD. Each has a fan-in of 24 and a fan-out of 10, with programmable features. Each of the eight blocks takes from the matrix the signals that it needs and can produce up to 10 outputs that are made available at device pins. This results in a high-density package pin count of up to 132 pins.
In many logic design applications using a complex PLD, a comparison of two words having a large number of bits is necessary, such as match a fetch address with the contents of a cache directory. The speed at which this comparison is performed is critical, since the purpose of a cache is to improve memory access response time. Too slow a time propagation delay through the compare circuit would defeat this purpose.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a high-speed wide compare logic in a programmable logic device.

High-speed comparator logic for wide compares in programmable logic devices


The present invention includes an improved apparatus (10) for treating a liquid with a gas having a generally cylindrical outer housing (24) and a coaxial inner housing (40) defining both an outer and an inner chamber (26, 46) and a plurality of inlets (70, 80) for introducing a fluid and a gas therein to generate a helical current throughout both chambers (26, 46). The present invention further includes a re-circulated fluid outlet (100) and a primary fluid outlet (104) for removing mixed fluid and gas that is disposed radially outwardly in a bottom portion of the inner chamber (46).

In many prior art systems of mixing gasses and liquids, a gas is introduced into a liquid whereupon the gas/liquid mixture is forced to flow downwardly as a helical current through an outer chamber of a contact tank to a lower end thereof, and then back up through a center tube that extends upwardly from a lower region of the contact tank to an outlet conduit at the upper end of the contact tank. In the system taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,995, the gas is introduced into a stream of untreated liquid and then the mixture is introduced into the contact tank. Some of the gas/liquid mixture in the contact tank is re-circulated and new gas is introduced into the re-circulated mixture. Furthermore, new untreated liquid is introduced by itself into the upper end of the contact tank.
Furthermore, in some prior art systems a gas/liquid mixture is introduced into a lower portion of an outer chamber in such a way that it forms an upwardly flowing helical current in the outer chamber. A gas removal outlet is provided in an inner chamber defined by an inner housing, radially inwardly of and axially below a passageway at the top of the inner housing that connects the outer chamber with the inner chamber. A liquid outlet conduit is provided below a bottom wall of the inner housing. An outlet in the bottom wall of the inner housing connects the lower end of the inner chamber to the outlet conduit.
Additionally, in some prior art systems the lower portion of the outer housing is often formed to include an inlet chamber. The gas/liquid inlet conduit is directed to discharge into the inlet chamber at a tangent thereby producing the helical current and enabling efficient mixing of the distinct phases. Furthermore, the lower portion of the outer housing may also include an outlet conduit.
There is a need in the prior art systems for an improved apparatus for treating a liquid with a gas wherein the helical current provides for efficient mixing of the two phases and wherein the less efficiently mixed portions are withdrawn from the apparatus for recirculation and reintroduction thereto. Often the mixture of gas and liquid produced by prior art devices is not sufficiently homogeneous to produce efficacious results. The need for even mixing is particularly acute when the gas/liquid mixture is, for example, ozone gas mixed with water which is commonly used as a cleaning and sanitizing agent in a wide variety of industrial applications.

Apparatus for treating a liquid with a gas


The invention provides novel XAF nucleic acid sequences. Also provided are XAF polypeptides, anti-XAF antibodies, and methods for modulating apoptosis and detecting compounds which modulate apoptosis.

This invention relates to apoptosis, tumor necrosis factor-xcex1 (TNF-xcex1) mediated signalling, cell cycle and tumor growth suppression.
Apoptosis is a morphologically distinct form of programmed cell death that is important in the normal development and maintenance of multicellular organisms. Dysregulation of apoptosis can take the form of inappropriate suppression of cell death, as occurs in the development of cancers, or in a failure to control the extent of cell death, as is believed to occur in acquired immunodeficiency and certain neurodegenerative disorders.
Some baculoviruses encode proteins termed xe2x80x9cinhibitors of apoptosis proteinsxe2x80x9d (IAPs) because they inhibit the apoptosis that would otherwise occur when insect cells are infected by the virus. These proteins are thought to work in a manner that is independent of other viral proteins. The baculovirus IAP genes include sequences encoding a ring zinc finger-like motif (RZF), which may be involved in DNA binding, and two N-terminal domains that consist of a 70 amino acid repeat motif termed a BIR domain (Baculovirus IAP Repeat).
We have recently discovered a mammalian family of IAP polypeptides. These polypeptides include the human proteins HIAP-1, HIAP-2, and XIAP and their murine homologs. A related protein, NAIP, has also been found. The mammalian IAP levels have been shown to be increased both in cancer cells and cells which survive events known to induce apoptosis (e.g., ischemia). The IAPs have also been shown to block apoptosis triggered by diverse stimuli. These results are consistent with a role for the mammalian IAPs as inhibitors of apoptosis.
The IAP family is now known to include at least two Drosophila proteins, in addition to the original four mammalian homologues (Hay et al., Cell 83: 1253-1262, 1995). Although we and others have established that the IAPs can suppress apoptosis in tissue culture model systems their mechanism of action is still under investigation.
We have discovered a novel family of genes, the XAFs. Members of the XAF gene family encode proteins that interact with IAPs and are associated with apoptosis. Our discovery allows the development of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic compounds and methods for the detection and treatment of diseases involving apoptosis.
In a first aspect, the invention features substantially pure nucleic acid encoding a XAF polypeptide.
In a second aspect, the invention features substantially pure nucleic acid corresponding to at least ten nucleotides of a nucleic acid encoding a XAF polypeptide, where the nucleic acid is antisense nucleic acid and the antisense nucleic acid is sufficient to decrease XAF biological activity. In various embodiments of this aspect, the antisense nucleic acid corresponds to at least fifteen nucleotides of a nucleic acid encoding a XAF polypeptide, at least thirty nucleotides of a nucleic acid encoding a XAF polypeptide, or at least 100 nucleotides of a nucleic acid encoding a XAF polypeptide. In other embodiments, the XAF biological activity is decreased by at least 20%, 40%, 60%, or 80%. In yet another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the antisense nucleic acid is in a vector where the vector is capable of directing expression of the antisense nucleic acid in a vector-containing cell.
In a third aspect, the invention features a vector that includes a substantially pure nucleic acid encoding a XAF polypeptide, where the vector is capable of directing expression of the polypeptide in a vector-containing cell.
In another related aspect, the invention features a cell that contains a substantially pure nucleic acid encoding a XAF polypeptide. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the nucleic acid is expressed in the cell. In various preferred embodiments, the cell is present in a patient having a disease that is caused by excessive or insufficient cell death and the cell is selected from the group that includes a fibroblast, a neuron, a glial cell, an insect cell, an embryonic stem cell, a myocardial cell, and a lymphocyte.
In a fifth aspect, the invention features a transgenic animal generated from a cell genetically engineered to lack nucleic acid encoding a XAF polypeptide, where the transgenic animal lacks expression of the XAF polypeptide.
In a related aspect, the invention features a transgenic animal generated from a cell that contains a substantially pure nucleic acid that replaces DNA encoding a XAF polypeptide, where the nucleic acid is expressed in the transgenic animal.
In various embodiments of this aspect, the XAF polypeptide is from a mammal (e.g., a human or a rodent). In another embodiment, the nucleic acid is genomic DNA or cDNA, and is operably linked to regulatory sequences for expression of the polypeptide where the regulatory sequences include a promoter (e.g., a constitutive promoter, a promoter inducible by one or more external agents, or a cell-type specific promoter). In other preferred embodiments, the XAF polypeptide is selected from a group that includes XAF-1, XAF-2 N terminus, XAF-2L and XAF-2S. In another embodiment, the XAF-1 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 2 or the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 1, and may include a deletion of the nucleic acids encoding the carboxy terminal amino acids 173 to 317 of XAF-1 (SEQ ID NO.: 8); or a deletion of the nucleic acids encoding the amino terminal amino acids 1 to 172 of XAF-1 (SEQ ID NO.: 7). In another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the XAF-2 N terminus polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 4 or the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 3. In another embodiment, the XAF-2L polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 10 or the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 9. In yet another embodiment, the XAF-2S polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 12 or the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 11.
In a seventh aspect, the invention features a method of identifying a compound that modulates apoptosis. The method includes: (a) providing a cell that has a XAF gene; (b) contacting the cell with a candidate compound; and (c) monitoring expression of the XAF gene, where an alteration in the level of expression of the XAF gene indicates the presence of a compound which modulates apoptosis. In one preferred embodiment of this aspect, the alteration that is an increase indicates the compound is increasing apoptosis, and the alteration that is a decrease indicates the compound is decreasing apoptosis. In various embodiments of this aspect, the cell is transformed and the cell is not able to induce apoptosis by expression of p53.
In a related aspect, the invention features another method of identifying a compound that is able to modulate apoptosis that includes: (a) providing a cell including a reporter gene operably linked to a promoter from a XAF gene; (b) contacting the cell with a candidate compound; and (c) measuring expression of the reporter gene, where a change in the expression in response to the candidate compound identifies a compound that is able to modulate apoptosis. In one preferred embodiment of this aspect, the alteration that is an increase indicates the compound is increasing apoptosis, and the alteration that is a decrease indicates the compound is decreasing apoptosis. In various embodiments of this aspect, the cell is transformed and the cell is not able to induce apoptosis by expression of p53.
In a ninth aspect, the invention features a method of identifying a compound that is able to inhibit XAF-mediated apoptosis that includes: (a) providing a cell expressing an apoptosis-inducing amount of XAF; (b) contacting the cell with a candidate compound; and (c) measuring the level of apoptosis in the cell, where a decrease in the level relative to a level in a cell not contacted with the candidate compound indicates a compound that able to inhibit XAF-mediated apoptosis. In various embodiments of this aspect, the cell is transformed and the cell is not able to induce apoptosis by expression of p53.
In a tenth aspect, the invention features a method of identifying a compound that is able to induce XAF-mediated apoptosis that includes: (a) providing a cell expressing an apoptosis-inducing amount of XAF; (b) contacting the cell with a candidate compound; and (c) measuring level of apoptosis in the cell, where an increase in the level relative to a level in a cell not contacted with the candidate compound indicates a compound that able to induce XAF-mediated apoptosis. In various embodiments of this aspect, the cell is transformed and the cell is not able to induce apoptosis by expression of p53.
In related aspects, the invention features other methods of identifying a compound that is able to modulate apoptosis
One such method includes: (a) providing a cell expressing a TRAF polypeptide, a XAF polypeptide, and a reporter gene operably linked to DNA that includes an NF-xcexaB binding site; (b) contacting the cell with a candidate compound; and (c) measuring expression of the reporter gene, where a change in expression in response to the compound indicates that the compound is able to modulate apoptosis. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the TRAF is selected from a group that includes TRAF2, TRAF5, and TRAF6. In various embodiments of this aspect, the cell is transformed and the cell is not able to induce apoptosis by expression of p53.
A second such method includes: (a) providing a cell expressing a TRAF polypeptide, a XAF polypeptide, an IAP polypeptide, and a reporter gene operably linked to DNA that includes an NF-xcexaB binding site; (b) contacting the cell with a candidate compound; and (c) measuring expression of the reporter gene, where a change in expression in response to the compound indicates that the compound is able to modulate apoptosis. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the IAP is XIAP. In another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the TRAF is selected from a group that includes TRAF2, TRAF5, and TRAF6. In various embodiments of this aspect, the cell is transformed and the cell is not able to induce apoptosis by expression of p53.
A third such method includes: (a) providing a cell having: (i) a reporter gene operably linked to a DNA-binding-protein recognition site; (ii) a first fusion gene capable of expressing a first fusion protein, where the first fusion protein includes a XAF polypeptide covalently bonded to a binding moiety capable of specifically binding to the DNA-binding-protein recognition site; (iii) a second fusion gene capable of expressing a second fusion protein, where the second fusion protein includes a XAF polypeptide covalently bonded to a gene activating moiety; (b) exposing the cell to the compound; and (c) measuring reporter gene expression in the cell, where a change in the reporter gene expression indicates that the compound is capable of modulating apoptosis. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the cell is a yeast cell.
A fourth method for detecting a compound capable of modulating apoptosis includes: (a) providing a cell having: (i) a reporter gene operably linked to a DNA-binding-protein recognition site; (ii) a first fusion gene capable of expressing a first fusion protein, where the first fusion protein includes a XAF polypeptide covalently bonded to a binding moiety capable of specifically binding to the DNA-bindingprotein recognition site; (iii) a second fusion gene capable of expressing a second fusion protein, where the second fusion protein includes an IAP polypeptide covalently bonded to a gene activating moiety; (b) exposing the cell to the compound; and (c) measuring reporter gene expression in the cell, where a change in the reporter gene expression indicates that the compound is capable of modulating apoptosis. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the IAP is XIAP. In another preferred embodiment, the cell is a yeast cell.
A fifth such method includes: (a) providing a cell having: (i) a reporter gene operably linked to a DNA-binding-protein recognition site; (ii) a first fusion gene capable of expressing a first fusion protein, where the first fusion protein includes an IAP polypeptide covalently bonded to a binding moiety capable of specifically binding to the DNA-binding-protein recognition site; (iii) a second fusion gene capable of expressing a second fusion protein, where the second fusion protein includes a XAF polypeptide covalently bonded to a gene activating moiety; (b) exposing the cell to the compound; and (c) measuring reporter gene expression in the cell, where a change in the reporter gene expression indicates that the compound is capable of modulating apoptosis. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the IAP is XIAP. In another preferred embodiment, the cell is a yeast cell.
A sixth such method includes: (a) providing a first XAF polypeptide immobilized on a solid-phase substrate; (b) contacting the first XAF polypeptide with a second XAF polypeptide; (c) contacting the first XAF polypeptide and the second XAF polypeptide with a compound; and (d) measuring amount of binding of the first XAF polypeptide to the second XAF polypeptide, where a change in the amount relative to an amount not contacted with the compound indicates that the compound is capable of modulating apoptosis.
A seventh method for detecting a compound capable of modulating apoptosis includes: (a) contacting a XAF polypeptide immobilized on a solid-phase substrate; (b) providing the XAF polypeptide with an IAP polypeptide; (c) contacting the XAF polypeptide and the IAP polypeptide with a compound; and (d) measuring amount of binding of the XAF polypeptide to the IAP polypeptide, where a change in the amount relative to an amount not contacted with the compound indicates that the compound is capable of modulating apoptosis. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the IAP is XIAP.
An eighth such method includes: (a) providing an IAP polypeptide immobilized on a solid-phase substrate; (b) contacting the IAP polypeptide with a XAF polypeptide; (c) contacting the IAP polypeptide and the XAF polypeptide with a compound; and (d) measuring amount of binding of the IAP polypeptide to the XAF polypeptide, where a change in the amount relative to an amount not contacted with the compound indicates that the compound is capable of modulating apoptosis. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the IAP is XIAP.
In various preferred embodiments of the seventh to eighteenth method aspects of the invention, the XAF is XAF-1; the XAF is the N-terminus of XAF-2; the XAF is XAF-2L, or the XAF is XAF-2S. In other embodiments, the XAF is from a mammal (e.g., a human or a rodent).
In a nineteenth aspect, the invention features a method of increasing apoptosis in a cell by administering to the cell an apoptosis inducing amount of XAF polypeptide or fragment thereof.
In related aspects, the invention includes methods of increasing apoptosis by either providing a transgene encoding a XAF polypeptide or fragment thereof to a cell of an animal such that the transgene is positioned for expression in the cell; or by administering to the cell a compound which increases XAF biological activity in a cell (e.g., by administering a polypeptide fragment of a XAF polypeptide, a mutant of a XAF polypeptide, or a nucleic acid encoding a XAF polypeptide, a mutant thereof, or a polypeptide fragment thereof).
In preferred embodiment of the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first aspects of the invention, the XAF is selected from a group that includes XAF-1, XAF-2 N-terminus, XAF-2L, and XAF-2S. In various preferred embodiments, the XAF is from a mammal (e.g., a human or rodent); the cell is in a mammal (e.g., a human or rodent); the cell is in an mammal diagnosed as having a condition involving insufficient apoptosis, (e.g., a cancer such as breast cancer, uterine cervical carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, ovarian epithelial cancer, pediatric medulloblastoma, lung carcinoma, prostate cancer); and the cell is a peripheral blood leukocyte (e.g., a lymphocyte), a muscle cell (e.g., a myocardial cell), an intestinal cell, an ovarian cell, a placental cell, or a thymus cell (e.g., a thymocyte).
In a twenty-second aspect, the invention features a method of inhibiting apoptosis in a cell, by administering to the cell an apoptosis-inhibiting amount of XAF polypeptide or fragment thereof.
In related aspects, the invention features a method of inhibiting apoptosis in a cell by providing to the cell a transgene encoding a XAF polypeptide or fragment positioned for expression in the cell; and a method of inhibiting apoptosis by administering a compound which decreases XAF biological activity (e.g., an antibody which specifically binds to a XAF polypeptide (e.g., a neutralizing antibody), a polypeptide fragment of a XAF polypeptide, a mutant form of a XAF polypeptide, an antisense nucleic acid complementary to the XAF coding sequence, a negative regulator of the XAF-dependent apoptotic pathway, or a XAF antisense nucleic acid).
In a preferred embodiment of the twenty-second, twenty-third, and twenty-fourth aspects of the invention, the XAF is selected from a group that includes XAF-1, XAF-2 N-terminus, XAF-2L, and XAF-2S. In various preferred embodiments, the XAF is from a mammal (e.g., a human or rodent); the cell is in a mammal (e.g., a human or rodent); and the mammal bearing the cell is an mammal diagnosed as having a condition involving excessive apoptosis (e.g., AIDS, a neurodegenerative disease, a myelodysplastic syndrome, or an ischemic injury (caused by, e.g., a myocardial infarction, a stroke, or a reperfusion injury, a toxin-induced liver disease, physical injury, renal failure, a secondary exsaunguination or blood flow interruption resulting from any other primary diseases)). In other preferred embodiments, the cell is a muscle cell (e.g., a myocardial cell), a peripheral blood leukocyte (e.g., a lymphocyte, such as a T lymphocyte (preferably, a CD4+ T lymphocyte)), an intestinal cell, an ovarian cell, a placental cell, a thymus cell (e.g., a thymocyte), or a breast cell.
In the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth aspects, the invention features methods of diagnosing a mammal for the presence of disease involving altered apoptosis or an increased likelihood of developing a disease involving altered apoptosis. The methods include isolating a sample of nucleic acid from the mammal and determining whether the nucleic acid includes a XAF mutation, where the presence of a mutation is an indication that the animal has an apoptosis disease or an increased likelihood of developing a disease involving apoptosis; or measuring XAF gene expression in a sample from an animal to be diagnosed, where an alteration in the expression or activity relative to a sample from an unaffected mammal is an indication that the mammal has a disease involving apoptosis or increased likelihood of developing such a disease. In preferred embodiments, XAF gene expression is measured by assaying the amount of XAF polypeptide or XAF biological activity in the sample (e.g., the XAF polypeptide is measured by immunological methods), or XAF gene expression is measured by assaying the amount of XAF RNA in the sample.
In one preferred embodiment of the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth of the invention, the XAF is selected from a group that includes XAF-1, XAF-2 N-terminus, XAF-2L, and XAF-2S. In another preferred embodiment, the mammal is a human.
In a twenty-seventh aspect, the invention features a kit for diagnosing a mammal for the presence of a disease involving altered apoptosis or an increased likelihood of developing a disease involving altered apoptosis that includes a substantially pure antibody that specifically binds a XAF polypeptide.
Another such kit includes a material for measuring XAF RNA (e.g., a probe). in a preferred embodiment, the material is a nucleic acid probe.
A third such kit includes both a substantially pure antibody that specifically binds a XAF polypeptide, as well as a material for measuring XAF RNA. In a preferred embodiment, the kit also includes a means for detecting the binding of the antibody to the XAF polypeptide. In another preferred embodiment, the material is a nucleic acid probe.
In a thirtieth aspect, the invention features a method of obtaining a XAF polypeptide, including: (a) providing a cell with DNA encoding a XAF polypeptide, the DNA being positioned for expression in the cell; (b) culturing the cell under conditions for expressing the DNA; and (c) isolating the XAF polypeptide.
In preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the XAF is XAF-1, XAF-2 N terminus, XAF-2L, or XAF-2S. In another preferred embodiment, the DNA further includes a promoter inducible by one or more external agents.
In a thirty-first aspect, the invention features a method of isolating a XAF gene or portion thereof having sequence identity to human XAF-1. The method includes amplifying by polymerase chain reaction the XAF gene or portion thereof using oligonucleotide primers wherein the primers (a) are each greater than 13 nucleotides in length; (b) each have regions of complementarity to opposite DNA strands in a region of the nucleotide sequence of FIG. 1; and (c) optionally contain sequences capable of producing restriction endonuclease cut sites in the amplified product; and isolating the XAF gene or portion thereof.
In a related aspect, the invention features a method of isolating a XAF gene or portion thereof having sequence identity to human XAF-2L or XAF-2S. The method includes amplifying by polymerase chain reaction the XAF gene or portion thereof using oligonucleotide primers wherein the primers (a) are each greater than 13 nucleotides in length; (b) each have regions of complementarity to opposite DNA strands in a region of the nucleotide sequence of FIG. 37A; and (c) optionally contain sequences capable of producing restriction endonuclease cut sites in the amplified product; and isolating the XAF gene or portion thereof.
In another related aspect, the invention features a method of isolating a XAF gene or fragment thereof from a cell, including the steps of: (a) providing a sample of cellular DNA; (b) providing a pair of oligonucleotides having sequence homology to a conserved region of a XAF gene; (c) combining the pair of oligonucleotides with the cellular DNA sample under conditions suitable for polymerase chain reaction-mediated DNA amplification; and (d) isolating the amplified XAF gene or fragment thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the above three aspects, the polymerase chain reaction is reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (e.g., RACE).
In yet another related aspect, the invention features a method of identifying a XAF gene in a mammalian cell that includes: (a) providing a preparation of mammalian cellular DNA; (b) providing a detectably-labeled DNA sequence having identity to a conserved region of a second known XAF gene; and (c) contacting the preparation of cellular DNA with the detectably-labeled DNA sequence under hybridization conditions that provide detection of a gene having 50% or greater nucleotide sequence identity to the detectably-labeled DNA sequence; and identifying the XAF gene. In one preferred embodiment of this method for detecting a XAF gene, the DNA sequence includes at least a portion of XAF-1. In another preferred embodiment, the DNA sequence includes at least a portion of XAF-2L. In another preferred embodiment, the DNA sequence includes at least a portion of XAF-2S.
In a thirty-fifth aspect, the invention features a method for identifying a XAF gene that includes the steps of: (a) providing a mammalian cell sample; (b) introducing by transformation into the cell sample a candidate XAF gene; (c) expressing the candidate XAF gene within the cell sample; and (d) determining whether the sample exhibits an altered level of apoptosis, where an alteration in the level of apoptosis identifies a XAF gene. Preferably, the alteration is an increase in apoptosis and the cell is a leukocyte, a fibroblast, an insect cell, a glial cell, a myocardial cell, an embryonic stem cell, or a neuron.
In other aspects, the invention features a XAF nucleic acid for use in modulating apoptosis, a XAF polypeptide for use in modulating apoptosis, the use of a XAF polypeptide for the manufacture of a medicament for the modulation of apoptosis, and the use of a XAF nucleic acid for the manufacture of a medicament for the modulation of apoptosis. Preferably, the XAF is selected from a group that includes XAF-1, XAF-2 N terminus, XAF-2L, and XAF-2S.
In a fortieth aspect, the invention features a substantially pure antibody that specifically binds a XAF polypeptide, or a fragment or a mutant thereof. In one preferred embodiment of this aspect, the XAF polypeptide is selected from a group that includes XAF-1, XAF-2 N terminus XAF-2S, and XAF-2L. In other preferred embodiments, the XAF polypeptide is from a mammal (e.g., a human or a rodent), and the antibody is a polyclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody, or a neutralizing antibody.
By xe2x80x9cXAFxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cXAF proteinxe2x80x9d, or xe2x80x9cXAF polypeptidexe2x80x9d is meant a polypeptide, or fragment thereof, which has at least 30%, more preferably at least 35%, and most preferably 40% amino acid identity to either the amino-terminal 131 amino acids of the human XAF-1 (SEQ ID NO.: 2) or the amino-terminal 135 amino acids of human XAF-2L (SEQ ID NO.: 10) polypeptides. It is understood that polypeptide products from splice variants of XAF gene sequences are also included in this definition. Preferably, the XAF protein is encoded by nucleic acid having a sequence which hybridizes to a nucleic acid sequences present in either SEQ ID NO.: 1 or SEQ ID NO.: 9 under stringent conditions. Even more preferably the encoded polypeptide also has XAF biological activity. Preferably, the XAF polypeptide has at least three zinc finger domains. More preferably, the XAF polypeptide has at least six zinc finger domains, at least five of which occur within 150 amino acids of the N-terminus.
By xe2x80x9czinc fingerxe2x80x9d is meant a binding domain capable of associating with zinc. A preferable zinc binding domain has the amino acid sequence 5xe2x80x2 Cxe2x80x94X2-5xe2x80x94Cxe2x80x94X11-18xe2x80x94C/Hxe2x80x94X2-5xe2x80x94C/H 3xe2x80x2 (SEQ ID NO.: 6), wherein xe2x80x9cXxe2x80x9d may be any amino acid. A more preferable zinc binding domain has the amino acid sequence 5xe2x80x2 Cxe2x80x94X1-2xe2x80x94Cxe2x80x94X11xe2x80x94Hxe2x80x94X3-5xe2x80x94C 3xe2x80x2 (SEQ ID NO.: 7), wherein xe2x80x9cXxe2x80x9d may be any amino acid. Even more preferably, a zinc binding domain has the amino acid sequence 5xe2x80x2 Cxe2x80x94X2xe2x80x94Hxe2x80x94X11xe2x80x94Hxe2x80x94X3xe2x80x94C 3xe2x80x2 (SEQ ID NO.: 8), wherein xe2x80x9cXxe2x80x9d may be any amino acid. Most preferably, a zinc binding domain is one found in a XAF polypeptide.
By xe2x80x9cXAF biological activityxe2x80x9d is meant any one or more of the biological activities described herein for XAF-1, XAF-2L, or XAF-2S, including, without limitation, the ability to bind an IAP (e.g., a XIAP), or another XAF polypeptide; the ability to cause apoptosis when transfected into a cell (particularly in a HeLa cell); the ability to enhance the NF-xcexaB inducing activity of a TRAF; and the ability to specifically bind a XAF-1, XAF-2L, or XAF-2S specific antibody.
By xe2x80x9cmodulating apoptosisxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9caltering apoptosisxe2x80x9d is meant increasing or decreasing the number of cells that undergo apoptosis (than would otherwise be the case) in a given cell population. Preferably, the cell population is selected from a group including T cells, neuronal cells, fibroblasts, myocardial cells, or any other cell line known to undergo apoptosis in a laboratory setting (e.g., the baculovirus infected insect cells or an in vivo assay). It will be appreciated that the degree of modulation provided by a XAF polypeptide or a modulating compound in a given assay will vary, but that one skilled in the art can determine the statistically significant change or a therapeutically effective change in the level of apoptosis which identifies a XAF polypeptide or a compound which modulates XAF or is a XAF therapeutic.
By xe2x80x9chigh stringency conditionsxe2x80x9d is meant hybridization in 2xc3x97SSC at 40xc2x0 C. with a DNA probe length of at least 40 nucleotides. For other definitions of high stringency conditions, see Ausubel, F. et al., 1994, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 6.3.1-6.3.6, hereby incorporated by reference.
By xe2x80x9cIAPxe2x80x9d is meant an amino acid sequence which has identity to baculovirus inhibitors of apoptosis. Mammalian IAPs include, without limitation, NAIP, HIAP1, HIAP2, and XIAP. Preferably, such a polypeptide has an amino acid sequence which is at least 45%, preferably 60%, and most preferably 85% or even 95% identical to at least one of the amino acid sequences of a baculovirus IAP.
By xe2x80x9cinhibiting apoptosisxe2x80x9d is meant any decrease in the number of cells which undergo apoptosis relative to an untreated control. Preferably, the decrease is at least 25%, more preferably the decrease is 50%, and most preferably the decrease is at least one-fold.
By xe2x80x9cpolypeptidexe2x80x9d is meant any chain of more than two amino acids, regardless of post-translational modification such as glycosylation or phosphorylation.
By xe2x80x9cpharmaceutically acceptable carrierxe2x80x9d means a carrier which is physiologically acceptable to the treated mammal while retaining the therapeutic properties of the compound with which it is administered. One exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is physiological saline. Other physiologically acceptable carriers and their formulations are known to one skilled in the art and described, for example, in Remington""s Pharmaceutical Sciences, (18th edition), ed. A. Gennaro, 1990, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa.
By xe2x80x9csubstantially identicalxe2x80x9d is meant a polypeptide or nucleic acid exhibiting at least 50%, preferably 85%, more preferably 90%, and most preferably 95% homology to a reference amino acid or nucleic acid sequence. For polypeptides, the length of comparison sequences will generally be at least 16 amino acids, preferably at least 20 amino acids, more preferably at least 25 amino acids, and most preferably 35 amino acids. For nucleic acids, the length of comparison sequences will generally be at least 50 nucleotides, preferably at least 60 nucleotides, more preferably at least 75 nucleotides, and most preferably 110 nucleotides.
Sequence identity is typically measured using sequence analysis software with the default parameters specified therein (e.g., Sequence Analysis Software Package of the Genetics Computer Group, University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center, 1710 University Avenue, Madison, Wis. 53705). This software program matches similar sequences by assigning degrees of homology to various substitutions, deletions, and other modifications. Conservative substitutions typically include substitutions within the following groups: glycine, alanine, valine, isoleucine, leucine; aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, glutamine; serine, threonine; lysine, arginine; and phenylalanine, tyrosine.
By xe2x80x9csubstantially pure polypeptidexe2x80x9d is meant a polypeptide that has been separated from the components that naturally accompany it. Typically, the polypeptide is substantially pure when it is at least 60%, by weight, free from the proteins and naturally-occurring organic molecules with which it is naturally associated. Preferably, the polypeptide is a XAF polypeptide that is at least 75%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 99%, by weight, pure. A substantially pure XAF polypeptide may be obtained, for example, by extraction from a natural source (e.g., a fibroblast, neuronal cell, or lymphocyte) by expression of a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a XAF polypeptide, or by chemically synthesizing the protein. Purity can be measured by any appropriate method, e.g., by column chromatography, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or HPLC analysis.
A protein is substantially free of naturally associated components when it is separated from those contaminants which accompany it in its natural state. Thus, a protein which is chemically synthesized or produced in a cellular system different from the cell from which it naturally originates will be substantially free from its naturally associated components. Accordingly, substantially pure polypeptides not only includes those derived from eukaryotic organisms but also those synthesized in E. coli or other prokaryotes. By xe2x80x9csubstantially pure DNAxe2x80x9d is meant DNA that is free of the genes which, in the naturally-occurring genome of the organism from which the DNA of the invention is derived, flank the gene. The term therefore includes, for example, a recombinant DNA which is incorporated into a vector; into an autonomously replicating plasmid or virus; or into the genomic DNA of a prokaryote or eukaryote; or which exists as a separate molecule (e.g., a cDNA or a genomic or cDNA fragment produced by PCR or restriction endonuclease digestion) independent of other sequences. It also includes a recombinant DNA which is part of a hybrid gene encoding additional polypeptide sequence.
By xe2x80x9cTRAFxe2x80x9d is meant a member of the TRAF family of proteins. TRAF family members each possess an amino terminal RING zinc finger and/or additional zinc fingers, a leucine zipper, and a unique, conserved carboxy terminal coiled coil motif, the TRAF-C domain, which defines the family. TRAF1 and TRAF2 were first identified as components of the TNF-R2 signaling complex (Rothe et al., Cell 78: 681-692, 1994). Preferred TRAF polypeptides are TRAF2, TRAF5, and TRAF6.
By xe2x80x9ctransgenexe2x80x9d is meant any piece of DNA which is inserted by artifice into a cell, and becomes part of the genome of the organism which develops from that cell. Such a transgene may include a gene which is partly or entirely heterologous (i.e., foreign) to the transgenic organism, or may represent a gene homologous to an endogenous gene of the organism.
By xe2x80x9ctransgenicxe2x80x9d is meant any cell which includes a DNA sequence which is inserted by artifice into a cell and becomes part of the genome of the organism which develops from that cell. As used herein, the transgenic organisms are generally transgenic mammals (e.g., rodents such as rats or mice) and the DNA (transgene) is inserted by artifice into the nuclear genome.
By xe2x80x9cknockout mutationxe2x80x9d is meant an alteration in the nucleic acid sequence that reduces the biological activity of the polypeptide normally encoded therefrom by at least 80% relative to the unmutated gene. The mutation may, without limitation, be an insertion, deletion, frameshift mutation, or a missense mutation. Preferably, the mutation is an insertion or deletion, or is a frameshift mutation that creates a stop codon.
By xe2x80x9ctransformationxe2x80x9d is meant any method for introducing foreign molecules into a cell. Lipofection, calcium phosphate precipitation, retroviral delivery, electroporation, and biolistic transformation are just a few of the teachings which may be used. For example, biolistic transformation is a method for introducing foreign molecules into a cell using velocity driven microprojectiles such as tungsten or gold particles. Such velocity-driven methods originate from pressure bursts which include, but are not limited to, helium-driven, air-driven, and gunpowder-driven techniques. Biolistic transformation may be applied to the transformation or transfection of a wide variety of cell types and intact tissues including, without limitation, intracellular organdies (e.g., and mitochondria and chloroplasts), bacteria, yeast, fungi, algae, animal tissue, and cultured cells.
By xe2x80x9ctransformed cellxe2x80x9d is meant a cell into which (or into an ancestor of which) has been introduced, by means of recombinant DNA techniques, a DNA molecule encoding (as used herein) a XAF polypeptide.
By xe2x80x9cpositioned for expressionxe2x80x9d is meant that the DNA molecule is positioned adjacent to a DNA sequence which directs transcription and translation of the sequence (i.e., facilitates the production of, e.g., a XAF-1 polypeptide, a recombinant protein or a RNA molecule).
By xe2x80x9creporter genexe2x80x9d is meant any gene which encodes a product whose expression is detectable. A reporter gene product may have one of the following attributes, without restriction: fluorescence (e.g., green fluorescent protein), enzymatic activity (e.g., luciferase or chloramphenicol acetyl transferase), toxicity (e.g., ricin), or an ability to be specifically bound by a second molecule (e.g., biotin or a detectably labeled antibody).
By xe2x80x9cpromoterxe2x80x9d is meant a minimal sequence sufficient to direct transcription. Also included in the invention are those promoter elements which are sufficient to render promoter-dependent gene expression controllable for cell type-specific, tissue-specific or inducible by external signals or agents; such elements may be located in the 5xe2x80x2 or 3xe2x80x2 or intron sequence regions of the native gene.
By xe2x80x9coperably linkedxe2x80x9d is meant that a gene and one or more regulatory sequences are connected in such a way as to permit gene expression when the appropriate molecules (e.g., transcriptional activator proteins) are bound to the regulatory sequences.
By xe2x80x9cconserved regionxe2x80x9d is meant any stretch of six or more contiguous amino acids exhibiting at least 30%, preferably 50%, and most preferably 70% amino acid sequence identity between two or more of the XAF family members, (e.g., between human XAF-1 and another human XAF).
By xe2x80x9cdetectably-labeledxe2x80x9d is meant any means for marking and identifying the presence of a molecule, e.g., an oligonucleotide probe or primer, a gene or fragment thereof, or a cDNA molecule. Methods for detectably-labeling a molecule are well known in the art and include, without limitation, radioactive labeling (e.g., with an isotope such as 32P or 35S) and nonradioactive labeling (e.g., chemiluminescent labeling, e.g., fluorescein labeling).
By xe2x80x9cantisense,xe2x80x9d as used herein in reference to nucleic acids, is meant a nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to the coding strand of a gene, preferably, a XAF gene.
By xe2x80x9cpurified antibodyxe2x80x9d is meant antibody which is at least 60%, by weight, free from proteins and naturally occurring organic molecules with which it is naturally associated. Preferably, the preparation is at least 75%, more preferably 90%, and most preferably at least 99%, by weight, antibody, e.g., a XAF-1, XAF-2 N-terminus, XAF-2L, or XAF-2S specific antibody. A purified antibody may be obtained, for example, by affinity chromatography using recombinantly-produced protein or conserved motif peptides and standard techniques.
By xe2x80x9cspecifically bindsxe2x80x9d is meant an antibody that recognizes and binds a XAF polypeptide but that does not substantially recognize and bind other non-XAF molecules in a sample, e.g., a biological sample, that naturally includes protein. A preferred antibody binds to the XAF-1 peptide sequence of FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO.: 2). Another preferred antibody binds to the XAF-2 N-terminus peptide sequence of FIG. 35 (SEQ ID NO.: 4). Yet another preferred antibody binds to the XAF-2L peptide sequence of FIG. 37 (SEQ ID NO.: 10). Still another preferred antibody binds to the XAF-2S peptide sequence of FIG. 38C (SEQ ID NO.: 12). A more preferred antibody binds to two or more of XAF-1 (SEQ ID NO.: 2), XAF-2 N-terminus (SEQ ID NO.: 4), XAF-2L (SEQ ID NO.: 10) and XAF-2S (SEQ ID NO.: 12).
By xe2x80x9cneutralizing antibodiesxe2x80x9d is meant antibodies that interfere with any of the biological activities of a XAF polypeptide, particularly the ability of a XAF to participate in apoptosis. The neutralizing antibody may reduce the ability of a XAF polypeptide to participate in apoptosis by, preferably 50%, more preferably by 70%, and most preferably by 90% or more. Any standard assay of apoptosis, including those described herein, may be used to assess potentially neutralizing antibodies.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, and from the claims.

Method of identifying a compound that modulates XAF-mediated apoptosis


An optical fiber feedthrough is characterized by an isolator disposed completely within the feedthrough tube.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical isolator and, in one application, to an optical fiber feedthrough assembly having an isolator therein.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An isolator is an optical device operative to permit passage of light in one direction but to prevent the passage of light in the opposed direction. The central component of an isolator is a material, typically a crystalline material, which is capable of rotating the plane of polarization of light passing through in response to the application of an external field, typically a magnetic field. On each facial surface of the crystal is provided a polarizer. Each polarizer has a different plane of polarization associated with it.
Early optical isolator technology used a ferromagnetic rare earth garnet material such a yttrium iron garnet material. Presently, however, the material of choice for an isolator is an epitaxially grown bismuth iron garnet ("BiG") material. Isolator technology is discussed in Electronic Times, 21 Nov. 1991.
Light is coupled into and from the polarizer surfaces of the isolator using a lens. U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,011 (Emkey et al.) discloses an arrangement whereby a graded index optical fiber may be mounted to the end of a single mode fiber to serve as a lens.
Presently available opto-electronic apparatus utilize active opto-electronic devices, such as solid state lasers or diodes. The active opto-electronic device is mounted within a suitable sealed housing. Light impulses emitted from or directed onto lasers or diodes, respectively, are carried between linked transmitters, receivers, or other opto-electronic apparatus on optical fiber links. The passage of the optical fiber into the respective housing of the opto-electronic apparatus is facilitated using a structure known as a feedthrough assembly. The housing and feedthrough provide a degree of environmental isolation between the inside and outside of the housing. Representative opto-electronic apparatus and/or feedthrough assemblies are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,119,363 (Camlibel), U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,031 (Eales), U.S. application Ser. No. 07/453,831, filed Dec. 19, 1989 (now abandoned), U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,806, U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,276, U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,410, and U.S. application Ser. No. 07/725,777, filed Jun. 17, 1991 (now abandoned).
It is known to use an isolator to prevent back reflections of light from affecting active opto-electronic components. However, the relatively large size of presently available isolators and, owing to the high material cost, their relatively high expense (on the order of $2000) are perceived disadvantages attendant with their use.
In view of the foregoing it is believed advantageous to provide a miniature isolator, and in particular, an isolator element sized for receipt within a feedthrough assembly.

Optical isolator in an optical fiber feedthrough


This application provides an uplink power control method and apparatus. A network side device sends a plurality of pieces of configuration information of an RACH to UE, and indicates, by using a scheduling message of the RACH, identifier information of the configuration information of the RACH used by the UE. The UE calculates a transmit power of the RACH based on the configuration information that is of the RACH and that is corresponding to the identifier information, and sends a random access preamble to the network side device based on the transmit power of the RACH.

A random access channel (RACH) uses an open-loop power control manner for a power setting. When receiving a random access preamble sent by UE by using the RACH, a base station may use a beamforming technology. In addition, the base station may use different receive beams to receive one or more preambles sent by a user.
Because different receive beams are corresponding to different beamforming gains, the different receive beams may be corresponding to different target receive powers of the base station and different preamble formats used by the user. When the UE sends the preamble, the base station may perform adaptive switching on the receive beams based on quality of receiving the preamble, for example, the base station is switched from a receive beam 1 to a receive beam 2. For example, when reciprocity of a transmit beam and the receive beam of the base station does not exist, when receiving the preamble sent by the UE, the base station needs to poll a plurality of candidate receive beams, to select an optimal receive beam to receive the preamble. In this case, the different receive beams may be corresponding to different power control parameters of the preamble.
However, an existing RACH power control mechanism is usually based on fixed omnidirectional antenna transmission or fixed receive beam transmission. For a scenario in which a receive beam rapidly changes, if the existing power control mechanism is still used, power control of the RACH is not precise enough, thereby affecting an access success rate of an uplink RACH.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Uplink power control method and apparatus