Abstract: An automatic brightness control provides automatic compensation for the effects of ambient light on a display. A microprocessor interfaced to ambient light sensors, pilot selected brightness controls and a harmonization gain potentiometer, implements a control program and outputs a raster gain signal. A video signal is multiplied with the raster gain signal therefore producing a cathode voltage that provides the automatic compensation.

Abstract: An apparatus to be employed within a precision distance measuring system for estimating pulse time-of-arrival. The apparatus facilitates the use of an Adaptive Fixed Threshold method for such estimation. The invention compensates for pulse time detection errors induced by variations in incident pulse amplitude and shape by adjusting the estimated time-of-arrival. This adjustment is performed as a function of the measured pulse slope between two low-amplitude threshold levels through the use of a predetermined reference table of error adjustment times.

Abstract: Compensation is provided for phase errors resulting from differing path lengths in a receiver system having a multi-element antenna. Variable phase shifters are adjusted to provide phase shifts to the electrical paths so that the effective lengths of the electrical paths are approximately equal.

Abstract: A processing system using a number of distributed memory modules each connected through a sending device to a common serial communication bus. The memory modules each include conventional random access memories (RAMs) and custom designed controllers capable of unloading data encoded in a content induced transaction overlap (CITO) format from the RAM to a the sending device for serial transmission according to a CITO protocol.

Abstract: A pulse-width modulated, bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter having a regulated output, and capable of converting between a high-potential direct current voltage and a low-potential direct current voltage. The converter's magnetic components, as well as several of its semiconductor rectifiers, perform dual functions (one in the step-up mode, and another in the step-down mode), which serves to minimize the total component count, and allows the converter to be both compact and lightweight. Additionally, as the converter maintains a continuous input current during voltage step-up conversion, the generation of signals which might cause electromagnetic interference is reduced.

Abstract: A method and means for monitoring a Microwave Landing System (MLS) that provides statistical independence of the monitoring process from the MLS to insure the integrity of the MLS signal format. The r.f. signal transmissions are received by a monitor receiver and down converted to i.f. signals. The i.f. signals are decomposed into in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components. The I and Q components are applied to a digital signal processor that derives all synchronizing information from the I and Q components and that effectively reconstructs the complete MLS signal format from the I and Q components. The reconstructed signal format is compared with predetermined standards and an alarm is generated if the reconstructed signal format is out of tolerance. The integrity of the monitoring process is insured by periodically substituting i.f. signals that simulate the MLS signal format but that are out of tolerance.

Abstract: A safing and arming device for warheads that can enhance arming safety is described. The device is initially enabled upon detection of an acceleration threshold. Thereafter, an accelerometer and other circuitry are used to generate a digitized profile of the acceleration of a projectile, on which the device is mounted, over a short period of time. Each point of the digitized profile is used to address a memory to read out a binary word bit by bit. The binary word read out of memory is compared to a stored binary word and upon there being a match between the two words a signal is generated to arm the missile warhead. To counteract a sticking accelerometer which can generate a false acceleration profile, extra safety is provided by applying an acceleration bias to the accelerometer at intervals determined by bits of the binary word read out of memory, which bias is effectively removed by choice of the memory locations in which the binary word is stored.

Abstract: A method for the self-aligned thickening of the source and drain contact regions (24,26) in which an amorphous silicon layer (40) is deposited over the gate (16), source contact region (24), the drain contact region (26), and side wall spacer (20) of an FET being fabricated on a substrate silicon layer (14). The amorphous layer (40) is heated to induce epitaxial growth in the source contact region (24) and drain contact region (26). The induced epitaxial growth of the amorphous silicon thickens these contact regions allowing for the subsequent formation of a highly conductive contact silicide for the cases where the available volume of the silicon in the contact areas is limited. The uncrystallized silicon is removed from the side wall spacer (20) of the gate and other insulating areas by a selective wet etch.

Abstract: A method for making a heterojunction bipolar transistor in which the collector (46) is epitaxially grown on the subcollector layer (36) through a hole (42) formed in a layer of insulating material (40) deposited on the subcollector layer (36). A base (48) is epitaxially grown on the collector (46). Because of unequal lateral and vertical growth rates, the peripheral region of the base extends over the layer of insulating material. The n and n.sup.+ layers (50, 52) of the second type of semiconducting material are sequentially grown on the base and an n.sup.+ layer (54) of the first type of semiconducting material is grown on the sequentially grown layers (50, 52). The n.sup.+ layer (54) and the sequentially grown layer (50, 52) are etched to form an emitter mesa over the collector (46) leaving exposed the peripheral portion of the base (48) extending over the layer of insulating material surrounding the hole (42).

Abstract: A method for obtaining the far field pattern of a phased array MLS antenna using measurements by a monitor located in the near field of the MLS antenna. The near field pattern differs from the far field pattern because of the presence of phase error terms in the measured near field pattern. The method comprises computing the Fourier transform of the complex conjugates of the phase error term of the near field pattern and convolving that transform with the measured near field pattern to obtain the far field pattern.

Abstract: A drum is used to wind and unwind conductors that comprise the elements of an adjustable dipole antenna. The length of the elements is adjusted by rotating the drum. As the elements are unwound, they extend into tubular TEFLON guides that provide support for the elements.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting responses by transponders to interrogation signals originating in the side lobes of an interrogating radar of a secondary radar system. The interrogating radar first transmits a reference signal with the highest power level of the reference signal being directed into a zone of interest to the interrogating radar. The interrogating radar then transmits a control signal having a higher power level than the reference signal in all regions of space except within the zone of interest. The control signal is of substantially longer duration than the reference signal. A transponder receives, detects and measures the peak amplitude of the reference signal and establishes a minimum trigger level (MTL) at a predetermined level below the reference signal peak. The control signal is received, detected and integrated. The peak amplitude of the integrated control signal is compared with the MTL.

Abstract: A connector pin protector manufactured of a flexible material is molded to capture pins of a connector mounted on an electronic assembly. The connector pin protector helps prevent physical damage and contamination to the pins. Also, the material of the connector pin protector is electrically conductive and is therefore capable of maintaining all input pins and output pins of the connector at the same voltage potential therefore reducing the possibility of electrostatic discharge damage through the connector to components of the electronic assembly.

Abstract: Image area data in an uncompressed data field is digitized as binary data and subsectioned into data bit blocks. The subsections are compressed whereby each subsection is represented in terms of its predominant data values plus non-redundant data occurrences. Several predominant values are chosen from the subsection of interest. Each of the predominant values is assigned a bit code and data values from the subsection that are identical to a predominant value are assigned a code corresponding to the predominant value. Uncoded remaining data values and the coded data values are stored in a variable length record so that each data location within the record spatially corresponds to the location of the original data in the uncompressed data field.

Abstract: A stationary interference cancellor utilizes a programmable digital signal processor with cancelling software to provide the required combinations of time delay and filtering to perform interference cancelling. The digital signal processor continually analyzes the information spectrum and builds cancellation filters around stationary undesirable signals. By reducing the size of the delay and by adding an FIR shaping filter and automatic gain control at the output of the circuitry, interference cancelling performance is greatly improved.

Abstract: A phosphor is placed on a light emitting surface of a solid state optical source. The phosphor absorbs the narrow bandwidth light from the optical source, and emits light that has a wide bandwidth. A lens is used to collect and focus the wide bandwidth light.

Abstract: A surveillance fence comprising at least two posts (10) each equipped with electro-magnetic radiation transmitters (12) and receivers (14) which establish two parallel communications links. Each posts (10) communicate with a surveillance computer at a headquarters (20). Only one post (10) communicates directly via cables with headquarters (20). Data is transmitted over the communication links in opposite directions by modulating the electromagnetic energy beams. A message starts at headquarters (20) and is passed along post (10) to post (10) and back again to headquarters (20). Each post (10) can add information to the message as it is passed along. The interruption of the electromagnetic energy beams signals an intrusion whose location and time of occurence is recorded by a processor (16) which initiates an alarm. If a post (10) can not relay its intrusion data, the data is stored until the communications link is reestablished.

Abstract: A distributed network that compensates for the effects of interelement coupling in a multielement antenna array is inserted between the output of an antenna array and the inputs of a receiver system. Within the distributed network are a plurality of couplers interconnected by transmission lines serving as phase shifters. The coupling factors of the various couplers and the lengths of the transmission lines are selected so as to apply voltage components of specific amplitudes and phase to the antenna ports. The values of the amplitudes and phases of these voltage components are such as to neutralize the components of the voltages at the output of the antenna array which are caused by the spatial couplings between the elements of the antenna array.

Abstract: An air-cooled ac generator arrangement is rearranged to take advantage of otherwise wasted space within the generator. The permanent magnet generator is moved to the drive end of the rotor where it is placed under the drive end side winding of the main armature. The permanent magnet generator field now obstructs the passage of air to the drive end bearing so a comparatively small air impeller is added in the otherwise void space between the permanent magnet generator and the main field. Ports are also added to the permanent magnet generator field hub to provide for the required air flow.

Abstract: A high frequency amplifying device comprises a field effect transistor-bipolar transistor darlington pair. Such a device combines the main desirable features of both field effect transistors and bipolar transistors, therefore, having a high input impedance that is typical of FETs and a high transconductance (or high current gain) which is typical of bipolar transistors.