Abstract: A high resolution, high frame rate digital cinematographic camera system having an improved shutter system. An exemplary digital cinematographic camera system comprises a digital camera with an image sensor, a shutter drive motor, and a double shutter system. The double shutter system comprises primary and secondary shutter blades that revolve at differential rates. A preferred double shutter comprises a 1× rotation speed primary shutter blade with an adjustable open angle of 360 degrees minus the equivalent angle read-out time of the image sensor and a 2× rotation speed secondary shutter blade with a fixed open angle of 360 degrees minus the effective clear aperture at the shutter plane. The 2× rotation speed secondary shutter blade has leading and lagging edge rates that are twice the leading and lagging edge speed of the primary shutter blade to provide additional exposure time and readout time.

Abstract: A spacecraft, along with a spacecraft radiator system and spacecraft heat dissipation method are disclosed. The spacecraft comprises a body, a plurality of solar arrays, and the spacecraft radiator system. The spacecraft radiator system comprises first and second opposite facing payload radiators, first and second opposite facing deployable radiators, and one or more coupling or loop heat pipes cross coupling opposite facing payload and deployable radiators so that they function in tandem. By cross-coupling the opposite facing payload and deployable radiators, one of the two radiators acting in tandem is always in the shade during solstice seasons. Consequently, the solar load processed by the radiator system is minimized, thereby, increasing the thermal dissipation capability of the radiator system by approximately 15%.

Abstract: Optical apparatus and optical switching methods that provide optical high data rate switching at a wavelength or packet level using optical tone addressing. Optical signal routing is a result of optically induced total internal reflection at the intersection of an X-junction waveguide structure. The total internal reflection effect is controlled by a high intensity optical pump beam separate from the optical data signal. Total internal reflection may result from a free-carrier induced change in refractive index, which is a nonlinear effect found in common III-V semiconductors and selected polymers. Optical switching networks may be formed using cascaded pluralities of optical waveguide switches.

Abstract: Hot water dispersing systems having a self-resetting heater control switch that prevents heater burn-up if the water tank becomes empty, and a variable volume expansion chamber having a flexible bladder that is designed to withstand a pressure of at least 300 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A hybrid optical and millimeter wave beam acquisition and tracking system and method. A host platform includes an INS and a GPS for generating geolocation data, optical and RF receivers, and a common optical/RF aperture. An interface is coupled to the host platform by way of a mechanical gimbal and includes a beamsplitter, an optical gimbal and optical aperture, and an RF aperture. A CPU on the interface includes an optical track error processor for acquiring the optical beam by systematically searching for a focused light spot in a focal plane of the optical receiver, an RF track error processor for outputting gimbal angles of the mechanical gimbal that are derived from the aperture of the RF receiver that are referenced to the inertial navigation system, and a search and track processor that generates an optical gimbal control signal for the optical gimbal and a mechanical gimbal control signal for the mechanical gimbal for tracking the optical and RF beams.

Abstract: A virtual coherent signal controlled laser oscillator for use in optical phase locked coherent receivers. The present invention employs a fixed laser oscillator in combination with a signal controlled microwave oscillator. A single sideband mixer processes the signals output by the laser oscillator and microwave oscillator to generate a single controlled optical frequency signal.

Abstract: A system for changing the sample rate of a digital signal precisely such that frequency coherence is maintained. The system uses coupled direct digital synthesizers to establish the phase of a resampled clock compared to the original clock. The system implements precision resampling that changes the sample rate of a sampled data signal, while maintaining the frequency coherence of the sampled signal. A precision phase calculation for the relation between an input clock and an output clock enables the precision resampling.

Abstract: Heat dissipating apparatus for use in dissipating heat produced by electronic components of a spacecraft. The heat dissipating apparatus comprises first and second radiator panels each having an outer panel faceskin 18 and inner panel faceskin. A heat pipe matrix is disposed between outer and inner panel faceskins of each radiator panel, and a honeycomb core is disposed between the inner and outer panel faceskins that surrounds the heat pipe matrix. A transverse panel interconnects the first and second radiator panels. A plurality of crossing heat pipes extend between and thermally couple to the heat pipe matrices of the first and second radiator panels. The plurality of crossing heat pipes extend outside the plane of the transverse panel.

Abstract: A compact disk labeling, cleaning and repairing system for use in applying an adhesive label to a surface of a compact disk, and for cleaning and repairing a readable surface of a compact disk. In an exemplary system, a top portion is used for labeling the compact disk and has a side wall with a shape that matches the shape of the compact disk and a flat shelf that forms an upper cavity. A plurality of tabs are formed around the periphery of the side wall that hold the compact disk above the label prior to attachment and which register the compact disk. The flat shelf has a plurality of slots therein that form a plurality of tabs, and a plurality of vertical projections extend away from the tabs to form a hub. The hub is sized to allow a central hole in the adhesive label to register thereto. The slots allow the tabs or hub to flex during application of the label. A bottom portion of the system may be used to clean and repair the compact disk.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that couple standby power to certain non-critical loads to implement load reduction and avoid power shortages and resultant blackouts. A primary power source is coupled to an electrical breaker panel that distributes power to a plurality of loads including non-critical loads, critical loads, and load reduction loads. A secondary power source is coupled to an automatic transfer switch that distributes power to the critical loads from the secondary power source if power is not available from the primary power source. A load reduction transfer switch, wired in parallel to the automatic transfer switch, distributes power from the secondary power source to the load reduction loads to reduce power demand on the primary source only when power from the primary power source is available and during times requiring load reduction. Preferably, the load reduction transfer switch is wirelessly controlled to permit simultaneous load reduction at multiple sites.

Abstract: A satellite command system and method that provides satellite commanding using remotely-controlled modulation of telemetry parameters on-board a satellite. Software is provided on each of the redundant processor units that creates separate DMA command input pathways to the redundant processor units. A command translator is used at a ground station to translate a command that is to be implemented on the satellite into a form ready for modulation. The command information is uplinked to the satellite by remotely manipulating (modulating) a quantity that can be measured by the on-board computer using its telemetry collection functions. The software implemented in processor units recognizes the modulation and processes it to reconstruct the command. The reconstructed command is passed to the processor unit, which then executes the command.

Abstract: Communications apparatus, such as a multibeam satellite communications system on-board a satellite, or terrestrial communications system, and methods that use a data routing technique that is based on the assignment of one or more codes corresponding to a destination beam. In particular, data routing is performed based on a CDMA code. The communications apparatus and methods allow simplified processing of the data address and routing of the data.

Abstract: Auto-calibrating spectrometers and methods that measure transmission or reflection versus wavelength of a sample without need for calibration for long periods of time. Reflection and transmission spectrometers along with auto-calibrating methods for use therewith are disclosed. Light is focused onto a sample using a lens or similar optical element that transmits light towards the sample reflects light impinging upon it, and transmits light reflected from the sample. If one monitors the light reflected from the first lens and sample, very useful information is available related to the system response versus time. The present invention monitors the reflected light from the first lens and sample, and corrects for the system changes over time using this reflected light.

Abstract: A frequency and phase locked loop having improved performance. The loop measures both frequency and phase of a modulated signal to supply a carrier for demodulation of a quadrature amplitude modulated signal (QAM) signal and for many other applications. The addition of the frequency measurement and the use of finite impulse response filters instead of infinite impulse response filters of a phase locked loop permit the loop to lock to the carrier much more rapidly and with a larger offset.

Abstract: Multi-dimensional packet recovery systems and methods that permit recovery of lost packets and packets containing transmission errors that are transmitted over a network. The packet recovery systems and methods transmit a multi-dimensional array comprising rows, columns and hyperdimensional volumes of data packets between a source node and one or more destination nodes.

Abstract: A momentum wheel configuration that may be used on a spacecraft having a momentum bias that prevents zero wheel speeds. The momentum wheel configuration comprises three or more momentum wheels. The momentum wheels are oriented such that their wheel axes are not parallel to each other. The momentum wheels are oriented such that their axial momentum vectors are not coplanar. None of the momentum wheels have their wheel axis parallel to the momentum bias direction of the spacecraft. No two of the momentum wheels are oriented such that their axial momentum vectors are coplanar with the momentum bias direction of the spacecraft.

Abstract: A trellis coded modulation system for use with a plurality of QAM modes that allows a choice of modulation scheme tailored to a communication channel. The system comprises an encoder and a decoder. The decoder uses input and output look-up tables that allow the use of a single decoder/encoder arrangement comprising a Viterbi decoder and a convolutional encoder to map trellis coded modulation to/from multiple modulation constellations. The size of the look-up tables used in the decoder is minimized because recognizable sequences (6 bits) are passed to the Viterbi decoder. The input look-up table provides minimal information about which region the symbol was found. The output look-up table processes the resulting information appropriately.

Abstract: An adjustable support system for use in roofing and object support applications, such as on vehicles. An exemplary system includes first and second offset support members that each comprise a base, a first member rotatably and lockably attached to the base, a second member slidably and lockably attached to the first member, and a transverse member attached to the second member. The transverse members of the first and second offset support members are coupled together and are laterally adjustable with respect to each other. The first and second members and the transverse members are preferably tubular. An alternative embodiment has the transverse member of one support member rotatably attached to the end of a base.

Abstract: Landscape sprinkling systems that incorporate fire sensors, optional moisture sensors, and control electronics that continuously monitor the perimeter of a property for fire and/or smoke, and optionally low soil moisture conditions. When an alarm is detected, the systems automatically turn on selected sprinkler valves to water areas that would be most impacted by a fire or are in need of water. Wireless and wired system embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A high definition digital image projection system that uses modulated lasers to project high resolution images at frame rates that are used in the movie industry. An exemplary system employs digital-to-analog converters that convert digital signals derived from an image memory that correspond to predetermined colors that make up an image into analog signals for the respective color. A plurality of lasers 13a, have their light intensity outputs respectively modulated by the outputs of the digital-to-analog converters. A plurality of optical devices such as color sensitive half-silvered mirrors or sets of prisms having color-sensitive coatings on their respective faces, are used to produce a coaxial set of laser beams. First and second rotating mirrors are used to reflect the coaxial set of laser beams and generate an image for viewing. A mirror rotation synchronization circuit synchronizes rotation of the first and second rotating mirrors.