Abstract: This invention concerns a compound formed from a tertiary amine-carboxylic acid salt, where the carboxylic acid and tertiary amine are selected such that the catalyst salt is blocked at room temperature and becomes unblocked at an elevated temperature. The compound is useful as a heat activated urethane catalyst.

Abstract: Frequency modification circuitry may be employed as part of a crystal oscillator circuit to generate a reference signal with adjustable frequency. The frequency modification circuitry may be implemented as part of a crystal oscillator circuit that includes digitally controlled crystal oscillator (“DCXO”) circuitry and a crystal. The frequency modification circuitry may adjust the frequency of the reference signal in response to one or more frequency control signals. In one example, the frequency modification circuitry may include variable capacitors such as one or more continuously variable and/or discretely variable capacitors for providing coarse and/or fine adjustment of the reference signal frequency.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for the automated casting of infrared glass optical components is provided. The system includes a mold for casting infrared glass into lenses, a mold chamber operable to heat the mold to a temperature above the melting temperature of the infrared glass, and a casting chamber operable to fill the mold with molten infrared glass. The method includes heating a mold in a mold chamber to a temperature above the melting temperature of infrared glass, casting molten infrared glass into the mold in a casting chamber; and cooling the mold to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the infrared glass.

Abstract: Multi-tuner receiver architectures and associated methods are disclosed that provide initial analog coarse tuning of desired channels within a received signal spectrum, such as transponder channels within a set-top box signal spectrum for satellite communications. These multi-tuner satellite receiver architectures provide significant advantages over prior direct down-conversion (DDC) architectures and low intermediate-frequency (IF) architectures, particularly where two tuners are desired on the same integrated circuit. Rather than using a low-IF frequency or directly converting the desired channel frequency to DC, initial coarse tuning provided by analog coarse tuning circuitry allows for a conversion to a frequency range around DC. This coarse tuning circuitry can be implemented, for example, using a large-step local oscillator (LO) that provides a coarse tune analog mixing signal.

Abstract: A system and method for forming infrared glass optical components are provided. The system includes first and second mold halves having first and second respective faces. The first and second mold halves are configured to be removably coupled such that the first face and the second face form an interface that defines a lens-shaped cavity. A tapered surface of the first face cooperates with a tapered surface of the second face to enhance centering of the first face with respect to the second face.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing chalcogenide glass are provided that allow for larger quantities of glass to be produced with lower production costs and less risks of environmental hazards. The system includes a reaction container operable to hold chalcogenide glass constituents during a glass formation reaction, a stirring rod operable to mix the contents of the reaction container, a thermocouple operable to measure the temperature inside the reaction container, and a reaction chamber operable to hold the reaction container. The method includes placing chalcogenide glass constituents in a reaction container, heating the chalcogenide glass constituents above the melting point of at least one of the constituents, promoting dissolving or reaction of the other constituents, stirring the reaction melt, maintaining an overpressure of at least one atmosphere over the reaction melt, and cooling the reaction melt to below the chalcogenide glass transition temperature.

Abstract: Memory devices used to control delay line circuitry, and that may be implemented in one embodiment to provide a self-tuning delay line device using empirical calibration technique/s to achieve a desired signal delay. The memory control device may be implemented to store electrical characteristics of the delay line circuitry during testing to enable self-calibration of the delay line circuitry.

Abstract: An isolation system is provided that is suitable for use in telephony, medical instrumentation, industrial process control and other applications. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise a capacitive isolation barrier across which a digital signal is communicated. The system provides a means of communication across the isolation barrier that is highly immune to amplitude and phase noise interference. Clock recovery circuitry may be employed on one side of the isolation barrier to extract timing information from the digital signal communicated across the barrier, and to filter the effects of phase noise introduced at the barrier. Delta-sigma converters may be disposed on both sides of the isolation barrier to convert signals between analog and digital domains. An isolated power supply may also be provided on the isolated side of the barrier, whereby direct current is generated in response to the digital data received across the isolation barrier.

Abstract: Systems and methods that may be employed to visually locate and/or track objects equipped with active RFID tags. The disclosed systems and methods may employ an articulated camera/s, such as closed circuit television (“CCTV”) or other suitable type of articulated camera/s, that is equipped with an antenna array.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) light curable formulation useful for repairing composite materials, comprising: an acrylic oligomer, an acrylic monomer, and a photoinitiator. This formulation may include fiberglass. The photoinitiator can be a combination of a bis-acylphosphine oxide and an alpha hydroxy ketone. The formulation can cure rapidly, such as in about 20 minutes. The cured formulation can have a Tg above 150° C.

Abstract: A transport stream and channel selection system for digital video transmissions and associated method are disclosed that use predictive analyses to tune additional digital transport streams that contain desirable or optimal groupings of multiplexed channels. An analysis is made of which channels are multiplexed together at any given time to determine which transport streams provide a desirable and/or optimal combination of multiplexed channels, and a wide variety of information and algorithms can be used in determining the transport streams and channels to select. Thus, in addition to having available the channels multiplexed with the currently selected channel, a plurality of other channels multiplexed together in additional digital transport streams are made available for pre-processing. As such, the available channels for use in providing predictive pre-selection and for use in reducing delay experienced by a user in changing channels are greatly enhanced.

Abstract: A spectroscopy system is provided which is optimized for operation in the VUV region and capable of performing well in the DUV-NIR region. Additionally, the system incorporates an optical module which presents selectable sources and detectors optimized for use in the VUV and DUV-NIR. As well, the optical module provides common delivery and collection optics to enable measurements in both spectral regions to be collected using similar spot properties. The module also provides a means of quickly referencing measured data so as to ensure that highly repeatable results are achieved. The module further provides a controlled environment between the VUV source, sample chamber and VUV detector which acts to limit in a repeatable manner the absorption of VUV photons. The use of broad band data sets which encompass VUV wavelengths, in addition to the DUV-NIR wavelengths enables a greater variety of materials to be meaningfully characterized.

Abstract: On-chip calibration signal generation circuitry is disclosed for filter tuning for radio-frequency communications and associated methods. On-chip circuitry generates a calibration signal that is used to help set a tuning control signal that is received by a tunable front-end filter. In one embodiment, local oscillator (LO) generation circuitry is used to generate the calibration signal. In operation of this embodiment, the LO generation circuitry is tuned to the desired receive channel, or to a frequency at some offset value from the desired receive channel, and the output of the LO generation circuitry is then used as a calibration input signal for a tunable front-end filter. This calibration signal is passed through the receive path circuitry, and the resulting signal is then analyzed to help set a tuning control signal for the tunable front-end filter.

Abstract: A communication system for a computer includes apparatuses and methods for providing commands and data between a host computer and a multi-channel modem via a single host-to-modem physical channel using multiple logical channels. The communication system suitably includes a logical channel upon which each modem receives command data. Signals asserted on the logical channel corresponding to commands for a particular physical channel are automatically treated as commands. Signals on noncommand logical channels are processed as data to be transferred. Consequently, each physical channel of the modem may be controlled without requiring an escape sequence.

Abstract: Collecting samples to adjust a signal includes providing a shutter in an opened position to allow a detector of an infrared camera to detect infrared radiation and generate a signal corresponding to the infrared radiation. A first touchup iteration is initiated by moving the shutter to a closed position, and samples of a reference frame are collected according to a collection instruction. The shutter is then moved to the opened position. If there is a change in a state of the infrared camera, the collection instruction is adjusted in response to the change. A second touchup iteration is initiated by moving the shutter to the closed position, and samples are collected according to the adjusted collection instruction. A modification of the signal is determined in accordance with at least some of the samples.

Abstract: Digital phased array architecture and associated method are disclosed that eliminate the necessity of utilizing analog phase shifters in the receive and transmit signal paths. Desired delays are instead generated by adjusting the timing of sampling signals sent to analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs) in the receive and transmit signal paths.

Abstract: A write protection mechanism may be implemented that is external to a non-volatile memory device and/or that is external to controller/s that interface with the non-volatile memory device, thus providing increased security over unauthorized and/or undesirable write cycles to the memory device. Write protection security may be further enhanced by providing a write protection control signal that is external to the non-volatile memory and attached memory controller/s, thus preventing accidental or intentional override.

Abstract: A signal source identification system and associated method are disclosed that utilize wavelet-based signal processing to facilitate signal source identification. In particular, the wavelet-based signal processing enables the extraction of fingerprint type signatures for signal sources using wavelet packet processing, and supplementary signal processing can be used to further enhance the accuracy of the system. This signal source identification system can be used for identifying signal sources within a received data signal, used for providing security features by verifying the identify of a transmitting device, and/or used in other environments where it is desirable to identify or differentiate among signal sources. Other features and variations can be implemented, if desired.

Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating lens assemblies (e.g., for purposes of zoom and/or focus lens operations) that may be implemented, for example, in any camera lens or other lens application that employs one or more actuatable lenses.

Abstract: Enterprise test configuration and data management systems and associated methods are disclosed for test, measurement and automation environments that allow management, configuration and analysis of test systems and associated data across enterprise-wide test operations. These systems and methods are directed to the production process from the test and test station point of view and provides a variety of mechanisms for test configuration and data management for test stations (or automated test equipment (ATEs)) including the capability of managing data about each test station, hardware resources, software resources, test configuration, test steps, acquired measurements, test execution, and/or other information related to the tests, the test stations or the units-under-test (UUT).