Abstract: A method and system for color and monochromatic printing wherein ordered dither and error diffusion processes are combined to provide high quality printed images with good spatial resolution, good gray scale transitions, good low frequency and high frequency responses and a high computational speed. Using this process, gray scale numbers representative of a scanned image are summed for each super pixel of the scanned image and divided by a chosen gray level normalizing factor. This division operation is done to obtain a normalized ordered dither quotient number of drops (dots) to be printed in super pixels and to further obtain an error remainder number of dots to be dispersed to surrounding super pixels. The normalized ordered dither quotient number of dots are printed in pre-assigned individual pixels within printed super pixels, and the error remainder number of drops are diffused to other pre-assigned surrounding or adjacent super pixels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar converter structure and fabrication process therefor which includes a composite zinc selenide fluorescent wavelength shifter (FWS) prepared with anti-reflective (AR) coatings on both major surfaces thereof. One of these AR coatings is adhesively bonded to an AR coating on the sunlight-receiving surface of a gallium arsenide or an aluminum gallium arsenide photovoltaic (PV) solar cell, and the "free-standing" FWS composite wavelength shifter protects the solar cell from proton and ultraviolet radiation damage. The ZnSe wavelength shifter has a spectral response below about 0.47 micrometers and the solar cell has a spectral response above about 0.47 micrometers. The wavelength shifter absorbs radiation in the 0.3 to 0.47 micrometer range and re-emits radiation to the solar cell in a band centered about 0.62 micrometers and well within the pn junction response spectra for the solar cell to thereby enhance its power output.

Abstract: A tray for testing and storage of photovoltaic e.g. solar cells, is described, enabling processing or testing of such cells to be conducted while supported on the tray. The tray comprises a base having a peripheral rim extending upwardly around the upper surface of the base, and serving to at least partially retain one or more of the cells within a pre-defined position on the upper surface. One or more indexing elements are provided on the upper surface of the tray to co-operate with the peripheral rim to define a number of pre-defined cell positions on the upper surface of the tray, for selectively retaining any of a plurality of different sized cells. A vacuum chamber is provided to retain the solar cell in its pre-defined position on the tray. Apertures are provided in the base of the tray and extend to the pre-defined cell positions to permit probes to extend therethrough and into contact with the solar cell.

Abstract: Memory circuits having a floating gate transistor as a non-volatile storage element are constructed with a shunt transistor across the floating-gate transistor which in the event of a short circuit between the floating gate and the transistor substrate causes the memory to go into a predetermined fail-safe condition. The circuits are cross-coupled flip-flops with a driver and a complementary driver or load connected in series in each of the circuits, one driver or complementary driver or load being a floating gate transistor such as a FATMOS. Short circuiting of the floating gate to the control gate of the floating-gate transistor gives the same fail-safe condition.

Abstract: A process of fabricating high density CMOS integrated circuits having conductively interconnected wells. The conductive interconnection is provided by a buried conductor formed in combination with channel stops encircling each of the wells and prior to the fabrication of FET active devices at the surface of the wells. The channel stops, as provided by the process, are automatically aligned with and spaced apart from the source and drain regions of their respective FETs.

Abstract: A buffer is provided for protecting the electron beam collector of a traveling wave tube. The collector comprises an elongated tubular wall, an elongated tubular insulating wall of one type of material, an elongated cylindrical electrode of another type of material coaxially positioned within the insulating wall, and the buffer interposed between the electrode and the insulating wall. The buffer comprises a continuous web of buffer material capable of being bonded to dissimilar insulating wall material and electrode material. The web having an alternating pattern of corrugations, the vertices of the corrugations are generally planar which define two generally parallel, planar surfaces which in turn are adapted for bonding to the insulating wall and the electrode.

Abstract: A heat pipe cooling module assembly (20) for cooling electronic components (28) includes a plurality of heat pipe modules (22) comprising condenser and evaporator sections (24, 26) and working fluid therein. In a preferred embodiment, each evaporator section comprises a sandwich construction of a pair of flat outer plates (34), a pair of wick pads (36) and a separator plate (38) comprising channels extending from the evaporator section into the condenser section.

Abstract: A Segregator Functional Plane capable of dynamically segregating any number, or subset, of a Modular Array Processor's functional planes, either in terms of control or data exchange, or both, from the remainder. This is provided by interspersing a number of Segregator Functional Planes throughout the Array Processor so that a Segregator Functional Plane is architecturally located between each of the adjacent subsets of the Array Processor's functional planes. The Segregator Functional Plane nominally includes an array of pseudomodules that corresponds to the module arrays of the other functional planes of the Array Processor so that a pseudo-module is architecturally present between correspondingly adjacent modules of each Elemental Processor. These pseudo-modules are comprised of switches that may be commonly activated to functionally sever their respective Elemental Processor data bus lines.

Abstract: An interchangeable multi-channel hermaphroditic fiber optic connector (10) for cables (12), having different numbers of optical fibers (18) and contacts (22) therefor, comprises a connector shell (34) having a specifically configured interior surface (38) and a plurality of inserts (26) each having an exterior surface (36) which is configured substantially as the connector shell's interior surface. This substantially similar configuration permits interchangeable insertion of any of the inserts within the connector shell. The inserts have different numbers of cavities (28) in order to accommodate any number of optical fibers and their contacts, without needing to change the entire connector structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for calibrating and testing infrared detection devices is provided. The apparatus comprises a substrate which supports a target pattern of dielectric material which is at least partially absorbing to infrared radiation. A heater is used to supply heat to the substrate. Since the substrate and dielectric material have different emissivities, an apparent temperature difference is perceived by an IR detection device. As a consequence, temperature differences as low as about 0.02.degree. C. and below can be generated for calibrating and testing IR imaging devices.

Abstract: The rate of temperature change of an infrared detector produced by a cooling source in a typical Joule-Thomson cryostat (or other cooling device such as closed cycle cooler) is reduced by interposing a thermal filter between the detector and cooling source. The thermal filter comprises at least two layers of a first material having a good heat conductivity and high heat capacity, such as copper, separated by a layer of a second material having a high thermal resistance, such as an adhesive, e.g., a silicone rubber. The thermal filter of the invention is a thermal analog of an electrical filter which smooths out voltage or current oscillations.

Abstract: Trade-off between dynamic range and sampling rate in a charge coupled device is virtually eliminated in the serpentine charge coupled device of the present invention. In this device, for each charge packet transferred in a first direction, a plurality of n charge packets are transferred in a second transverse direction in the serpentine register. Accordingly, for a given charge transfer rate in the first direction, the charge coupled device clock frequency is increased by a factor of n. The serpentine register is formed on the semiconductive substrate having two parallel channel stops extending in a first direction and a plurality of parallel interlaced channel stop fingers extending in a second direction which are alternately connected to the two parallel channel stops.

Abstract: An improved missile guidance system is provided which automatically compensates for jitter motion of the optical sight of a video tracker. The invention is adapted to receive video data input from an infrared detector or conventional camera. The invention includes circuits for filtering, gating, and digitalizing the incoming data as well as a formatter for directing successive frames into memory. Two memories are provided; the contents of which are sampled by matching logic as the second memory is being loaded. The matching logic thereby compares one frame of data to another at plurality of positions and provides a signal to an address latch when the best match is obtained. The format circuitry provides the position information to the address latch where it is stored for further processing. The output of the address latch is filtered to eliminate any signals representative of intentional tracking motion.

Abstract: A U-shaped body (12) receives a plunger assembly (31) including a pair of push rods (30) which are rigidly secured together by a beam (32). Springs (36) normally bias the plunger assembly rearwardly so that the rod ends and slides (40) coupled thereto are normally positioned at terminal portions (18) at the end of the U-shaped body. Movement of plunger assembly beam (32) toward the body extends plates (46) of the slides outwardly against a connector half (20a) for separation thereof from its mating connector half (20) in a straight-line motion to prevent bending of any electrical contacts or breakage of the connector body. A strain relief (49) and the straight-line motion also reduces the possibility of damage to any electric or electronic devices coupled to either connector half.

Abstract: A novel ethynylation process is disclosed which provides an expanded series of novel ethylnyl-terminated aromatic compounds having base sensitive substituents and which facilitates the economic preparation of prior art ethynyl-substituted aromatic compounds.

Abstract: Liquid crystals are induced to assume substantially perpendicular alignment on the surfaces of substrates used to fabricate electro-optical device by causing long chain alcohols to react in the vapor phases with surface OH.sup.- inherently found on oxide coatings provided on the substrates. The process facilitates liquid crystal alignment in prefabricated electro-optical cells.

Abstract: A dielectric waveguide is disposed adjacent to a diode array which allows for coupling of energy therebetween. The waveguide has a core section and a cladding section encompassing a core section except in a portion thereof. The diode array is disposed adjacent to the exposed core portion at a proximity which allows evanescent coupling of energy between energy traversing the waveguide and the diodes of the diode array. A variety of microwave devices may be provided by this arrangement which include a signal source, detector, harmonic generator, upconverter, down-converter, or power combiner, depending upon the types of signals and manner of application of the signals applied to the waveguide and to the diode array.

Abstract: Flexible or conventional wire cables are terminated and interconnected at connectors with only a pressure type contact. Two cable terminations are fabricated from identically chemically milled thin metallic wafers, in which one wafer is plated with metallic buttons. The two wafers are placed opposing each other and pressed between pressure plates with contact made only by the buttons. A compression pad of silicone rubber is placed between the plates so as to prevent deformation beyond the elastic limit of the buttons by plastic flow and to evenly distribute forces between contacting wafers whose surfaces may be irregular.

Abstract: An improved laser power supply is disclosed. The invention is designed to provide the high electric field required for starting a laser in addition to the capability of automatically readjusting after laser action is initiated to provide an optimum impedance match for high efficiency energy transfer. The invention includes variable means for matching the impedance of a laser cavity with a source of RF energy. In addition, means are provided for sensing a change in the impedance of the laser cavity. The sensed change is then utilized to vary the impedance of the matching elements to provide and maintain an optimal coupling between the laser cavity and the RF source.

Abstract: A photoconductive film reader comprises a disc with a read head attached to its bottom surface at an edge point and rotated over the photoconductive film at a sufficiently high velocity so that the read head floats aerodynamically on the film, the read head having means for sensing the information stored as electrostatic charge on the film. The film has a reset strip of a predetermined amount of charge prerecorded along one of its edges, resetting of the read head electronics being coincident with the passage of the read head over the reset strip. The floatation of the read head on the film reduces the effect of film modulations on the film-to-read head spacing and allows the spacing to be well defined and controllable.