Abstract: High speed transfer of data over any distance can be easily achieved using high speed optical fibers and an optical fiber interface that couples signals transferred using the optical fibers to and from a computer. A specific implementation of the present invention is a fiber optic interface for a Macintosh brand computer that provides a direct fiber optic interface having no parts external to the computer that couples data to and from an optical image storage unit. The fiber optic interface circuit comprises an optical receiver coupled to a fiber optic cable for receiving optical signals from the image storage unit that converts them into corresponding electrical signals. An optical transmitter is coupled to a second fiber optic cable for converting electrical signals derived from the computer into optical signals and for transmitting them to the image storage unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a compression scheme tailored to the compression of large radiological images processed with image processing workstations. The compression scheme is a variation of the CCITT JPEG compression scheme with special care taken to suppress blocking effects of the 8.times.8 discrete cosine transform used therein. In accordance with the present invention, an original image is downsampled, then interpolated back to its original size, resulting in a smoothed image. The difference between the smoothed image and the original image is then compressed using an 8.times.8 discrete cosine transform with 12 bit data. Major artifacts present in the original image are due to the mismatching of the low frequency components of the image at the edges of the blocks. When the low frequencies are removed by subtracting out the low frequency components, the artifacts disappear except in areas having very large dynamic changes.

Abstract: An equipment tracking system that provides for configuration management control over a plurality of pieces of equipment. The system includes a plurality of sets of sensors, a plurality of collectors, each individually coupled to a selected set of sensors, a concentrator coupled to the plurality of collectors, and a computer having a database for storing sensor data is coupled to the concentrator by way of a communication link. Each sensor is attached to a piece of equipment, and each sensor has a unique ID code. Each collector is coupled to a selected set of sensors, and is adapted to read out the ID code of each of the sensors at selected times, and store the changes for those sensors that have changed since the prior reading. The concentrator communicates with the plurality of collectors and causes the collectors to transmit the changed information.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of achieving accurate, unambiguous angle information with a minimum number of antenna elements. The present invention resolves the ambiguities inherent in a long baseline phase interferometer by employing a minimum number of antennas to form shorter baselines. The present invention employs roll motion (antenna rotation) to reorient interferometer baselines and a signal processor to measure the roll angle. Taking interferometer phase data with at least two orientations of the interferometer baselines permits resolution of the ambiguities. This also allows the use of long antenna baselines thereby achieving high angular accuracy with angle ambiguities resolved using only two antenna elements per spatial angle. This reduces system complexity and reduces the required clear aperture area, factors of great significance in missile systems. The invention takes phase data at two or more interferometer baseline orientations and forms a set of simultaneous equations involving the phase ambiguities.

Abstract: Wire bonds are closely spaced about the edge of a semiconductor chip device (150) in an orthogonal array. Even though the wires may have a fan out pattern to their second bond locations, close spacing of the first bond pads is achieved by use of rectangular pads (154) having their long dimensions all perpendicular to the chip edge, making all of the first bonds along lines perpendicular to the chip edge and then bending the wire to extend to the second bond.

Abstract: An electrically scanned phased array with low sidelobes and tapered aperture illumination is disclosed. The array is fed by a uniform corporate feed network (55) and includes a main array aperture formed by main radiating elements (72-75) and first and second ancillary arrays formed by ancillary radiating elements (70-71) and (76-77). For a linear aperture, the outputs from the feed network (55) are phase shifted to steer the beam to one of the available beam locations, and coupled to corresponding ones of the main array radiating elements (72-75) and the ancillary array radiating elements (70-71or 76-77). The beam steering phase shifts invoke uniform phase gradients between the elements of the respective array, and bi-state phase correctors (85-88) are provided to correct for phase gradient discontinuities across the main and ancillary array apertures.

Abstract: A flexible coaxial cable capable of high frequency signal propagation formed from a multilayer configuration having a plurality of adjacent signal traces etched in dielectric material and surrounded by a protective ground layer. Selected ones of the signal traces are designated to be conducting signal lines. A 360-degree signal return line is formed around each of the designated conducting signal traces utilizing signal traces adjacent those serving as conducting signal lines as part of the return line conductor. A 360-degree shield is also formed around the return line, again employing selected signal traces as part of the shield. The return line and shield are created using photo and laser etching, chemical milling and electroplating techniques. The cable allows electrical signal propagation in the gigahertz frequency range without appreciable signal loss and provides high density packaging. The flexible nature of the cable and its structure combine to provide an even variable standing wave ratio.

Abstract: A stereo image enhancement system, in which difference signal components in relatively quieter difference signal frequency bands are boosted to provide an improved stereo image, is provided with a stereo input that is synthetically derived from monaural signal (L+R). Simulated sum (L+R).sub.s and simulated difference (L-R).sub.s signals are provided from a monaural input (L+R) by sending the input through a phase shifter and splitter (12) that provides 0.degree. and 90.degree. outputs with a constant 90.degree. phase separation between the two at all audio frequencies. The leading one of the two output signals from the phase shifter is employed as a simulated sum signal, and the other as a simulated difference signal. The simulated difference signal has different frequency components, each delayed by different amounts relative to corresponding components of like frequency of the simulated sum signal.

Abstract: An improved LCMOS display device employing a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having an epitaxial silicon layer lying over an implant-generated dielectric layer. MOS device and capacitor elements used to activate the display are formed and interconnected in the epitaxial silicon. The implant-generated dielectric layer and underlying silicon substrate also serve as capacitor elements, thereby simplifying the structure and fabrication of the display device and providing improved operation through improved isolation of the MOS device elements formed in the epitaxial silicon from the substrate.

Abstract: A wide dispersion baffle for a vertically oriented loudspeaker includes a first semi-conical reflective section that is concave toward the speaker and has a semicircular rim positioned at the periphery of the speaker. It extends at an angle of about 45.degree. to the radiation axis of the speaker to its apex on the speaker axis. A second semi-conical reflective section is convex toward the speaker and extends from the apex of the first semiconical section at substantially the same 45.degree. angle with respect to the speaker radiation axis. Sound emanating from the vertically directed speaker is reflected by both the concave and convex semi-conical reflector sections in a pattern centered about a substantially horizontal plane, but the sound is reflected through widely diverging angles in such horizontal plane. Baffle arrangements can provide horizonal dispersion patterns of any angular width between about 180.degree. and 360.degree..

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) carrier wave is successively divided and the divided parts are non-linearly, phase modulated in response to a modulating signal. The modulating signal is linearized so that the output of the circuit is linear with the modulating signal and then drives differential drivers to control voltage controlled phase shifters in pairs to differentially phase shift the divided RF signals. These phase shifted signals may be efficiently amplified in non-linear, Class C, RF power amplifiers. After amplification the signals are differentially re-combined in an inverse binary tree of hybrid combiners to produce a synthesis output signal. This synthesis output signal is equivalent to the amplitude modulation, and the amplification, of the RF input signal. By operation of the circuit apparatus in accordance with the invention, amplitude modulation at wide bandwidths including hundreds of megahertz may typically be accomplished on microwave RF signals of high power levels including several kilowatts.

Abstract: Apparatus for gripping and removing integrated circuits, including four heatable jaws movable into gripping relation with soldered integrated circuit leads. The heatable jaws are mounted to respective leveler plates, each of which is suspended from a base member by a pivotable gripper arm and three flexure arms. Individual air cylinders are selectively actuable to pivot the gripper arms and thereby achieve inward motion and gripping action of the jaws. A second embodiment employs a cam follower mechanism rather than air cylinders to actuate similarly-mounted jaw elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power divider/combiner using two parallel plate radial transmission lines having parallel plate spacing of less than .lambda./2 and which operates in a higher order mode, preferably the first higher order circumferential mode TE.sub.11. High isolation between amplifiers coupled to the radial transmission lines at their circumferences is achieved by coupling an arrangement of circulators between the amplifiers and the radial transmission lines. This isolation arrangement reduces the effects of any spurious signals that are generated by means such as imperfections and imbalances in any active devices coupled to the radial line and permits de-energizing amplifiers as desired for lowering power output without degrading performance.

Abstract: An instrument of measuring motion of a vibratory system, such as an ultrasonic bonder, employs a laser (10) that receives within its lasing cavity light transmitted (24) to the object (26) to be monitored and retroreflected (24), so that oscillations within the laser cavity experience interference peaks corresponding to the phase relation between the outgoing and incoming laser beams (24). The interference peaks of the beam within the cavity are counted to provide an indication of motion of the reflecting object. Sensitivity is enhanced by choosing a front reflector (14) of the laser cavity to have a transmissivity at the frequency of interest that is selected to achieve maximum interference peak values. The laser cavity length is selected to cause the laser to have no more than two modes at the output frequency of interest, thereby avoiding beat frequencies that approach the frequency of vibration of the mechanical system of which motion is being observed.

Abstract: A fiber optic feedthrough connector 10, typically mounted in a panel 13 through which contact is to be made, carries a double-ended terminus 47 hermetically sealed, anchored in, and extending through a wall portion 17 of the connector 10. An optic fiber 24 extends axially through the double-ended terminus 47 and is terminated at opposite ends in a pair of alignment bushings 57. Alignment inserts 21, 23 extending from opposite ends of the connector 10 serve both to protect the double-ended terminus 47 and to provide means for keyed engagement with connectors on opposite sides of the panel 13 in which the connector 10 is mounted.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism (11) comprising a receptacle (13) having an open cavity (31) therein, a plug (15) receivable in the cavity (31), and a rotatable coupling member (17) drivingly coupled to the plug (15) and coupling the plug (15) to the receptacle (13). A locking member (19) is mounted on the coupling member (17) for rotation with the coupling member (17) and for translation relative to the coupling member (17). A spring (21) acts between the locking member (19) and the coupling member (17) and urges the locking member (19) to translate with the coupling member (17). Translation of the locking member (19) is limited so that the spring (21) is compressed to store energy. A cam track (33) and a cam follower (105) have interlocking members which are driven into interlocking relationship by the stored energy in the spring (21) when the locking member (19) and the receptacle (13 ) are in a predetermined angular position relative to each other.

Abstract: An automatic ultrasonic wire bonder employs a compliant motion servo (17, 119, 239, 200) on its Z axis drive to maintain a known, constant and steady force applied by the bonding tool (13) to the wire. The tool is resiliently mounted to a carriage (15) that is driven by a force control servo (17, 119, 238, 200). During bonding, the tool is pressed against the wire, and effects of variations in tool tip Z axis position caused by vibration, wire deformation during bonding and other factors of the equipment are minimized by a servo that precisely controls and maintains a fixed position of the carriage relative to the wire to thereby maintain a preselected force between the bonding tool tip and the wire.

Abstract: Direct field sound, represented by the sum of left and right stereo input signals, is projected in a narrow dispersion pattern from a front radiating speaker 28,32 and reverberant field sounds, represented by difference between left and right stereo input signals, is projected from speakers 26,30 having a wide dispersion pattern. Direct field and reverberant field sounds are acoustically combined in space to create an improved representation of stereo sound.

Abstract: An RF laser structure (10) is disclosed which includes an elongated laser excitation cavity (27) and an electrode structure (20) for suppressing extraneous RF discharges outside of the laser cavity. The electrode structure includes an electrode (41) adjacent the elongated laser cavity (27) and extending along the laser cavity; a conductive structure (43, 45) adjacent and conductively coupled to the electrodes (41) for shielding the electrode and for providing smooth conductive surfaces; and a dielectric filler (47) encapsulating the electrode and the conductive structure, and for controlling the electric field generated by the electrode structure so that extraneous discharges are suppressed. Also disclosed is a method for making a laser electrode structure which includes the steps of forming an electrode adjacent the elongated laser cavity, and encapsulating the electrodes with a dielectric potting material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a parallel plate radial transmission line having parallel plate spacing of less than .lambda./2 and which utilizes a specific higher order mode, preferably the first higher order circumferential mode. Undesired modes are suppressed by mode supression slots formed in one or both of the parallel plates and which are oriented parallel to the current flow lines of the particular mode that is used. These slots have a negligible effect on the mode being used but they couple out other modes that are generated by means such as by imperfections and imbalances in any active devices coupled to the radial line. A centrally located feed is used to launch circularly polarized energy of the TE.sub.11 mode in the particular circumferential mode in the radial line. The feed may also receive circularly polarized energy of the particular circumferential mode in the radial line, linearly polarize that received energy and conduct it in the TE.sub.11 mode.