Abstract: An evaluation system and retest method uses essential coupling physics of lightning, monitored system geometries, and on-line sensor readings for generating and comparing monitored retest indices to critical retest indices using a retest chain algorithm using pre-launch analyses to then provide real-time retest decisions for spacecraft launch operations following major lightning storms.

Abstract: An improved Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) carrier tracking loop operating at baseband takes advantage of the orthogonality of precoded data GMSK signals and Laurent filtering to provide a carrier phase error signal generated at baseband for carrier phase derotation of the received GMSK signal. The carrier tracking loop also provides demodulated data estimates with performance equal to that of a GMSK serial demodulator. The tracking loop uses data directed feedback to improve noise rejection, but still has fast acquisition by operating at baseband.

Abstract: An NRZ and biphase-L formatted, quadriphase modulated GPS signal transmission communication method provides for the simultaneous modulation of two CDMA spread spectrum codes such as the GPS C/A code and either the P(Y) code, or an arbitrary NEW code modulating a single carrier for GPS use in one or both L1 and L2 bands. The use of NRZ formatting and biphase-L formatting provides spectral separation even though both spread spectrum signals are modulated onto the same carrier.

Abstract: A power sphere has a curved surface upon which are mounted individual indivisible solar cells receiving differing amounts of solar illumination without solar tracking and pointing while providing respective differing amounts of solar power coupled through respective regulators onto a regulated bus for powering a connected load. The respective regulators continue to provide sufficient coupled power onto the bus even in the event of a failure of one or more of the solar cells thereby enabling graceful degradation of power delivery to the load for improved reliability of power delivery, particularly useful in space satellite systems.

Abstract: A system includes a first transducer and a second transducer coupled together through a coupling medium communicating undulating pressure wave from the first transducer to the second transducer for the transfer of electrical power from an external controller energizing the first transducer transducing the power signal into an undulating pressure wave communicated through the medium to the second transducer traducing the undulating pressure wave into an electrical response signal that can be converted into useful power for powering an embedded sensory and actuation control unit. The primary advantage of the system is the transfer of power through a coupling medium without the use of electrical power wires.

Abstract: A high frequency anharmonic oscillator provides a broad band chaotic oscillation with a noise-like spectra. The oscillator output signal is suitable for modulation by data providing for improved secure communication. The chaotic oscillator is based upon a forced second order Duffing equation that is tolerant of delay in the feedback path for high frequency operation.

Abstract: An improved power converter employs two conventional charging and discharging switches operating in a complimentary mode and driven by a switch driver controlled by a power factor correction controller. The power converter is firstly improved with a blocking diode for blocking cross coupled short circuit paths to enable multiple converters to drive respective primary windings of an output isolation transformer, and is further modified with an absorption capacitor for providing a discharge path for a switching capacitor connected across the discharging switch so as to enable zero voltage switching of the discharging switch while employing conventional power factor correction, over voltage protection and current limiting. A plurality of improved power converters can be connected between respective input power sources and respective primary windings of the transformer with each converter independently providing power factor correction without cross coupling short circuit paths.

Abstract: An NRZ and biphase-L formatted, three code hexaphase modulated GPS signal transmission communication method provides for the simultaneous modulation of the C/A code, the P(Y) code and a NEW code all modulating a single carrier for GPS use in one or both L1 and L2 bands. The use of the C/A code and the P(Y) code which are NRZ formatted with a NEW code biphase-L formatted and using hexaphase modulation on the three signals provides for spectral separation between the C/A code signal and the NEW code signal, all three modulated on a single carrier frequency.

Abstract: A dynamic microelectronic cooling wick is displaced from and juxtaposed to a heated substrate for creating a capillary wick providing dynamic capillary pumping action of a cooling fluid for temperature regulation of the substrate. The wick consists of at least two materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion so that the wick flexes in the presence of changing temperature to thereby change the effective radius of the capillary wick to transport the fluid to a substrate hot spot.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switch has a bidirectionally rotating member having two positions for integrated circuit connection. The switch is formed on a circular standoff bearing for rotating the switch in the plane of the substrate using conventional processing techniques. Control traces carry electrical signals generating electrical fields to provide an electro-static force upon the rotating switch member to rotate the switch clockwise or counter-clockwise to position and maintain it in either of two positions. The MEMS switch has wide applications to a variety of microelectromechanical system circuit applications.

Abstract: A three-pair measurement method determines the amplitude and phase transmission response of frequency translating devices including a device under test and two test devices using a vector network analyzer and a controller where one of the devices has reciprocal frequency response characteristics. The characterization of single sideband and double sideband devices such as mixers, is preferably performed by combining data from analyzer two-port swept measurements. The measurement method provides a low-pass equivalent transmission response of the devices.

Abstract: An adaptive method controls the operation of multiple beam antenna systems used in communication satellite transponders. This method adaptively controls the coverage area assignments, frequency assignments, transmitted power level assignments, and component allocation assignments of these multiple beam antenna transponders in response to the existing and time varying demands for satellite resources. The method adaptively controls and manages the operation of the satellite transponders to optimize the overall capacity of the communication satellite.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a micromachined reflector antenna onto a substrate firstly etches a reflector aperture surface defining a dish cavity in an oxide layer and secondly rotates a hinge over the reflector aperture surface with the hinge being used as the reflector central feed. The micromachined reflector can be made into an array of reflector antennas and integrated onto a single substrate with front end receiver circuits operating as a high frequency receiver on a chip reduced in size and cost and operating at hundreds of GHz.

Abstract: The turbo coding system combines: a) repetitive turbo encoder bit partitioning and decoder bit deletion; with b) error-floor mitigating encoder non-flushing the second constituent encoder with the second a-posteriori probability (APP) decoder starting backward recursion from any possible states as a powerful improvement to conventional turbo coding. The repetitive turbo encoding process repeats the bits of the systematic root sequence and appends flushing sequence prior to interleaving and encoding by the second constituent turbo encoder for providing an interleaved repetitive second encoded output for turbo decoding. The error-floor mitigating turbo encoding process does not flush the second constituent encoder to the zero ending state so that turbo decoding forward recursion may be end in any possible state and backward recursion may start from any possible state to avoid potential mismatches between the forward and backward recursions.

Abstract: A three-pair measurement method determines the amplitude and phase transmission response of frequency translating devices including a device under test and two test devices using a vector network analyzer and a controller where one of the devices has reciprocal frequency response characteristics. The characterization of single sideband and double sideband devices such as mixers, is preferably performed by combining data from analyzer two-port swept measurements. The measurement method provides a low-pass equivalent transmission response of the devices.

Abstract: A system includes a first transducer and a second transducer coupled together through a coupling medium communicating undulating pressure wave from the first transducer to the second transducer for the transfer of electrical power from an external controller energizing the first transducer transducing the power signal into an undulating pressure wave communicated through the medium to the second transducer traducing the undulating pressure wave into an electrical response signal that can be converted into useful power for powering an embedded sensory and actuation control unit. The primary advantage of the system is the transfer of power through a coupling medium without the use of electrical power wires.

Abstract: A linear roller washer bearing in a bolt interface assembly allows relative differential thermal expansion and contraction motion between a component plate and a base plate fastened together by a bolt without inducing large strains and stresses upon the bolt. The roller washer bearing functions as a thin spacer between the component and base plates enabling high preload tightening of the bolted assembly while enabling relative bidirectional motion of the plates. The roller washer bearing is a multiple roller assembly with thin rollers arranged unidirectionally and horizontally in parallel between the top and bottom washer plates. The rollers roll back and forth to enable relative back and forth alternating unidirectional motion of the component and base plates while the full strength of the bolt remains available to the support the component plate without creating high friction shear forces.

Abstract: The turbo encoding process does not flush tail bits of the second constituent encoder at the end of a block systematic data so that this second constituent encoder is not placed in a known zero ending state but placed in any possible ending state from which backward recursion starts at all possible beginning states during decoding to estimate the systematic data while avoiding potential mismatches between the forward and backward recursions during decoding, and between the systematic and second parity-check tail bits during decoding. The modified a posterior probability second decoder implements the backward recursion starting from all possible states. Significant bit error rate improvement is had without a significant error floor in the range of interest. Iterative decoding provides iterative results that are subject to majority voting selection for improved estimations of the decoded systematic data sequence.

Abstract: Non agglomerating hollow sub-micron size, 0.5 to 2.0 um, indium oxide microspheres are produced using an aerosol pyrolysis method using an indium compound, preferably, an indium acetate precursor, which is dissolved in water, without the use of chlorine or other dangerous chemicals, to generate an indium constituent such as, acetate dihydroxy indium (III), formed in droplets which, when heated by furnace temperatures of 650-700.degree. C., form the indium oxide microspheres particles suitable for polymer loading as a polyimide matrix particularly useful as antistatic coatings.

Abstract: Frequency stabilization of an atomic system is improved by closed loop stabilization of the power level of an atomic excitation signal. A second harmonic atomic Rabi response varies with excitation power level so that power modulation of the atomic excitation and demodulation of the second harmonic response produces a power error signal for closed loop power level control using a voltage controlled attenuator. The atomic system also includes conventional frequency stabilization closed loop control using a voltage controlled oscillator. Both power and frequency modulation of the excitation signal generate a complete atomic response from which both power and frequency error signals are generated for both power and frequency closed loop stabilization.