Abstract: A method and apparatus for concurrently scanning and filling a memory comprised of at least a first and a second memory partition for use in a video display of the ping-pong type is provided herein. A method according to the present invention includes scanning the first memory partition and concurrently filling the second memory partition, such that a fill pattern is stored in every memory cell in the second memory partition during a time period in which a portion of memory cells in the first memory partition are scanned. A method in accordance with the invention can be incorporated into a video display system with minimal modifications to provide a fast fill or clear of a memory partition.

Abstract: Aircraft survivability system state management is based on system mode, time, altitude, aircraft position, reference radius, and manual aircraft survivability equipment configuration select. The system mode is used with a segment number to begin system configuration sequencing of a segment pointer. A mission aircraft survivability system configuration plan comprises a number of segments of a mission plan. Each segment contains information such as the time, altitude and position for each segment. The segment is displayed in an active configuration and a next configuration on an aircraft survivability equipment display. When the aircraft enters a detection window the segment pointer is updated by an aircraft survivability system mode control processor. The system may be placed in either automatic mode or manual mode.

Abstract: A mission planning costing surface is formed from digital terrain elevation data of a given geographical region and is for use in routing covert flight paths. To form the costing surface, a hideability map is generated from the digital terrain elevation data by assigning line of sight area values to points within the digital terrain elevation data. The hideability map is indicative of hideable areas within the geographical region. The hideability map is then quantized by assigning each of the line of sight area values to one of a set number of quantization levels. A flyability map is formed from the digital terrain elevation data by determining slopeness values for points within the digital terrain elevation data. The flyability map is indicative of flyable areas of the geographical region. The flyability map is quantized by assigning each of the slopeness values to one of the quantization levels.

Abstract: Various video signals provide horizontal sync pulses for generating a horizontal drive signal only during a horizontal sync portion and part of the vertical sync portion of a video signal. The invention generates a horizontal drive signal in the absence of horizontal sync pulses through the use of a phase locked loop (PLL) connected in feedback to horizontal counter logic. The counter logic receives pulses from the phase locked loop and at a predetermined count generates a horizontal drive signal. During the horizontal sync portion of the video drive signal, the frequency of the phase locked loop is determined by a time difference between a second signal derived directly from a horizontal sync pulse and a first signal generated by a predetermined count. The horizontal drive signal is thus synchronized to the horizontal sync pulses.

Abstract: Fluorescent lamp energy efficiency is improved by providing geometric formations on the surface to which the phosphor coating is applied. By such geometric formations, a greater oblique surface area is available for receiving a desirably thin phosphor coating such that greater and more uniform visible light output is obtained from the device for a given energy input, i.e., greater relative to that possible with smooth surfaces receiving the phosphor coating. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior surfaces of an enclosure include V-shaped groove formations for increasing the interior surface area and establishing oblique orientation relative to approaching UV light rays. A UV light source is placed within the enclosure for excitation of a phosphor coating applied to the interior surfaces of the enclosure. The invention is particularly well adapted for use as a backlighting system in an active matrix liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: An active liquid crystal multi-colored display panel structure comprised of triangular triads of colored display pixels which are rotated 90.degree.. The display comprises a plurality of colored pixel electrodes arranged in rows and columns to form a matrix, wherein a row control line is provided every 1.5 rows of electrodes, and wherein three column control lines are provided for each two columns of electrodes. Thus, a matrix of 720.times.720 pixel electrodes requires 480 row control lines and 1080 column signal lines. The active liquid crystal display structure can be directly driven by a video source such that 480 active lines of video signal can be mapped directly onto the 720 rows of pixel elements. A switching circuit is provided for controlling the arrangement of R, G and B pixel signals to the column source lines. The triads of pixel elements provided are rotated 90.degree.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a calibration-free analog processing circuit for use with an outside total temperature probe and an air data computer. Dual matching transistors are used to sink the current. A reference buffer provides operating current to the matching transistors. The output of the dual transistors represents the resistance in the probe and thereby the outside temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for achieving an active matrix liquid crystal display flat panel that optically eliminates bluish or purplish background luminance and fluorescence of the liquid crystal materials. Two polarized layers are placed in a crossed configuration one behind and one in front of an active glass thin film transistor (TFT) layer to block a majority of any background luminance. Two layers of tinted glass are further placed one behind and one in front of the active glass TFT layer to block any remaining background luminance which has leaked through the polarizing layers.

Abstract: A current-to-frequency converter which uses current balancing and pulse width modulation. An analog signal from a measurement instrument, such as an accelerometer, is integrated and transmitted to a pulse width modulator. The output from the pulse width modulator controls feedback signals which in turn control current balancing. The output of the pulse width modulating circuit is also connected to a counter which provides a digital output.

Abstract: An improved method and circuitry for processing high-impedance (current mode) input signals for use in translinear and other mode circuits in a manner that avoids the signal dependent bandwidth variations that occur in the prior art. A non-linear feedback structure using a transconductance gain element is employed to extend the bandwidth and/or suppress bandwidth variations encountered in the prior art. One application of this invention is the extension of Gilbert amplifier topologies, with their attendant normalization and integrated circuit implementation advantages, for operation with very low input signal levels to high bandwidth applications. A further extension in this invention allow this transconductance to be electrically adjusted to allow active bandwidth control or to compensate for signal sources with different input capacitances. The invention is particularly suitable for use as a preamplifier for pairs of sensed photodetector current signals.

Abstract: A processor controlled fluorescent lamp dimmer circuit is shown for use in an aircraft display system utilizing a fluorescent lamp in the backlight system of individual LCD display devices. By use of a processor control dimming circuit in control over each LCD display, greater flexibility, e.g., as by adjustment in software parameters, is made possible in the operation of a dimmer control circuit. The dimmer control circuit reacts to such conditions as ambient light within the aircraft cockpit, fluorescent lamp light energy output, and fluorescent lamp temperature to provide substantially consistent actual and perceived luminance on the LCD display as a function of such detected conditions. Furthermore, the processor control achieves the desired luminance without over-driving, and therefore deteriorating, the lamps. As a result, the pilot of the aircraft enjoys a more reliable and consistent LCD display and need not be distracted by variation in luminance of the LCD display in operation of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interpreting spectral data in an optical sensor for a variety of uses, such as the manufacture of paper. A probe is inserted into paper pulp during the manufacturing process. The probe emits light into the pulp which is then reflected back and received. This reflected light is segmented into N different wavelengths over the visible spectrum. An N signal array is created which is used in a mathematical model to accurately depict a brightness and consistency of the paper pulp.

Abstract: A camera system primarily for infrared radiation having a focal plane array of microbolometer elements in a vacuum package with inexpensive thermoelectric temperature stabilization is shown. The stabilization temperature may be selected by a designer or a user over a wide range of temperatures, but room temperature use is primarily expected. The microbolometers are passive elements and the readout scheme involves a sweep of the array with a short duration pulse-high level bias current.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for normalizing spectral data for an optical sensor. The sensor is comprised of a probe, a color sensor, a series of reflective targets, and a data processing means. Before the sensor is put into operation, a model is created, the use of which can normalize spectral data output by the color sensor for a variety of defined parameters. During operation of the sensor, the model maybe updated by rotating the targets individually in front of the probe. The targets have known reflectivities and the difference between the actual reflectivity and the spectral data is used to update the model.

Abstract: A stiffening device for an electronic assembly which engages each circuit card assembly (CCA) in approximately its center of area. Each CCA which is positioned within an electronic enclosure has a collar which surrounds a hole through its center of area. A shaft is passed through the electronic enclosure and pins engage each of the collars. The shaft and pin assembly rigidly connects each of the CCA's to the body of the electronic enclosure. This has the effect of reducing the vibrational deflection and potential damage to each CCA, allowing the electronic enclosure to survive a much higher vibrational and shock environment.

Abstract: A control moment gyroscope for providing directional control in a spacecraft. The control moment gyroscope has a rotor which is electrostatically or magnetically supported within a gimbal housing so as not to touch any of the interior surfaces of the housing. The housing is mounted on a gimbal support which in turn is mounted on the spacecraft. Connected to the gimbal housing is a torque motor which rotates the housing around a gimbal axis. In order to induce a direction changing torque on the spacecraft, the rotor is first spun about its rotor axis. A torque is then induced on the rotor about the output axis. This induced torque will cause the rotor to precess about the gimbal axis which the torque motor follow. The torque induced around the output axis is transferred directly to the spacecraft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding a specially encoded bit stream without the use of an external clock. A bit stream is encoded so that the relative lengths of the pulse widths between the transitions in the bit stream are indicative of the type bit being transmitted. A decoder receives the bit stream, measures the lengths of the pulses between the transitions, determines the type of bit by comparing the lengths, and stores the bit in a shift register. The bits can then be output in parallel form.

Abstract: An intangible sensor for measuring intangible properties of a substance and a method for making the sensor is described. The intangible sensor may be embodied in a mapping neural network model. The intangible sensor herein is a device that quantitatively measures complex intangible properties of a sample of a substance. The term intangible implies a subjective connotation such as in the taste, creaminess or softness of a substance or product and therefore can only be subjectively defined. Although an intangible property is known to be a function of certain measurable physical properties of a substance, there are no known definitions of this function. The intangible sensor herein can implement this function simply without having any detailed knowledge of or making any analysis of the function.

Abstract: A control system for an active hand controller, for example, uses a control stick connected to and controlled by a motor. Electronics are provided to control the motor to eliminate oscillations due to motor torque and high gain due to breakout at the control stick when the control stick is at about its null position. Both hardware as well as software implementations can provide position dependent dampening to the control sticks such that when the control stick is located about a null position, a higher rate of dampening is provided than when the control stick is located outside the null position, when a lower rate of dampening is provided. The system provides a stable active hand controller control stick without degraded force and feel characteristics of the system.

Abstract: A three axis attitude orientation system for a spacecraft in orbit which employs a single UV sensor. The single sensor provides roll and pitch information by locating the centroid of the earth and using this as a reference point. The system determines yaw by tracking the position of stars which appear in the field of view around the earth. three axis attitude is determined through ultraviolet imaging of the earth's limb and adjacent stars. A non-conventional wide angle optics assembly and intensified CCD array are utilized for this purpose.