Abstract: A charge-coupled imaging device (FIG. 3) is thinned to allow for backside illumination. The device is further enhanced using ion implantation techniques to establish an electrical field (44) at the back surface, which functions to drive free electrons to potential wells generated beneath a gate structure (40) on the front surface. The device structure allows for both front side and backside illumination and is useful as a imaging device in applications where it is necessary to combine images from two different optical sources. The imaging device is particularly useful in terrestrial guidance systems (FIG. 5) where the imaging device is used to detect guide stars from a large guide star field. In such systems, the imaging device must be translated within an X-Y plane in order to cover the entire guide star field. In order to accurately know the position of the imaging device, optical fiducial marks are imaged onto a side of the imaging device opposite the side receiving the guide star photons.

Abstract: A signal processing in the element (SPRITE) thermal imaging system (20) is provided which has an electronic zoom. The system has an optics and scanning assembly (24) that scans energy from a scene (26) onto an array of SPRITE detectors (28) which generate a plurality of analog signals (30) that are proportional to the flux of infrared light received by each of the SPRITE detectors (28). The optics and scanning assembly (24) scans at a rate which is based on an optics and scanning assembly timing scheme and a digital scan converter (32) processes the analog signals (30) and generates a resultant digital output (34) for image production of the scene. The digital scan converter (32) processes the analog signals based upon a digital scan converter timing scheme. A timing and control unit (40) is used for controlling synchronization and alters the timing schemes to increase resolution and sensitivity.

Abstract: An ICR fuser includes a set of fusion rules for combining the outputs of multiple ICR systems. Each ICR system operates on a digital image to extract image component strings and provide a set of multiple candidate character strings and their associated confidence values. Each rule includes a test for determining whether that rule applies to the current ICR system outputs, a membership function for selecting a fused character string, and a confidence equation for assigning it a fused confidence value. The rules partition a decision space into subspaces to reduce the error rate between the fused character string and the image component string.

Abstract: An array of a large number of low quality light collectors measure light generated by arrays of coherent light illuminators and rebounded from a target. The resulting data is utilized to derive the resulting speckle pattern which in turn is Fourier transformed to reconstruct the target image.

Abstract: Data is reformatted in a memory external to the processing elements of a processing array, relieving the processing array of this task and allowing it to perform its data processing functions more efficiently. Data is transferred to or from the multi-channel memory in a wordstream format, with individual data words mapped into the proper memory channels and the proper addresses within each channel in a matrix format. The invention is applicable to two-dimensional reformatting for data transfers between an input/output port and the memory, and to one-dimensional reformatting for data transfers between the processing array and either the memory or the input/output port. Logic circuitry within each channel selects the proper data words for that channel from a wordstream, and the associated address for each selected word, according to the respective positions of the data words in the wordstream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tuned resonant oscillating mass pump, and particularly a pump structure and assembly which can be conveniently and readily mounted inside automotive tires for the purposes of maintaining optimum tire pressure and generating of electrical power from the movement of the tuned oscillating mass in such pumps. The oscillating mass can be a pendulum or a freely moving weight or a ball rolling within an arcuate chamber.

Abstract: An optical display employs a liquid crystal cell with a d.DELTA.n/.lambda. of approximately 0.2-0.8, allowing the cell's optical transmissivity to be modulated by an applied electric field through a dominant non-polarization rotation effect. For visible wavelengths, d.DELTA.n is approximately 0.1-0.4 microns, with a preferred value of about 0.25 microns. Applications include a reflective projection display in which input light is polarized at a greater than 0.degree. and less than 90.degree. angle, preferably about 20.degree., to the input LC directors of a twisted nematic cell; a reflective direct view system in which a quarter-wave plate is substituted for a polarization analyzer; and both a reflective and a transmissive guest-host system in which optical absorption by dye molecules is the dominant modulation mechanism.

Abstract: A nickel-hydrogen energy storage cell includes a hermetic pressure vessel having a wall made of a nickel-base alloy, and a hollow tube made at least in part of palladium and joined to the wall of the pressure vessel such that an interior of the hollow tube is in communication with an interior of the pressure vessel. A heater controllably heats at least a portion of the hollow tube to increase the diffusion rate of hydrogen through the wall of the hollow tube and thereby controllably vent hydrogen from the pressure vessel. The energy storage cell further includes at least one plate set within the wall of the pressure vessel, an electrolyte, and a pair of electrical leads extending from the at least one plate set and through an electrical feedthrough in the wall of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A device for implementing a multimedia communication dissemination system is disclosed herein. The communication system integrates heterogeneous satellite transmission systems, local area computer networks, and the public telephone system to implement a flexible, high-speed communication system. The preferred communication dissemination system includes a broadcast server for broadcasting an information signal, a mobile base station for receiving the information signal broadcast from the broadcast server, and a local area network for distributing information received by the mobile base station. The preferred mobile base station includes a receiver for receiving information signals transmitted from a broadcast server, a network interface for distributing processed information signals, and a software proxy process for processing information signals. A software proxy process controls the dissemination of information through the network.

Abstract: A cryostat (10') with a heat exchanger (13'); a valve (25') for controlling the flow of fluid through said heat exchanger (13'); and a snap disk (30') for actuating the valve (25'). In a specific embodiment, the snap disk (30') is constructed of at least two different materials (32', 34'), each having a different coefficient of thermal expansion. The snap disk (30') is mounted upon an orifice block (38') and coupled to a needle valve (25') by a connecting rod (40'). The needle valve (25') engages an orifice (16') in the orifice block (38'). The orifice (16') is in communication with the tubing (14') of a heat exchanger (13') via a channel (44') in the orifice block (38'). The geometry of the snap disk (30') is such that when the disk changes state, it snaps due to the thermal properties thereof. This ensures fast response with abrupt closure characteristics and considerable travel. In addition, the snap disk (30') allows for a simplified cryostat design with minimal weight and cost.

Abstract: A mesh material for a spacecraft antenna reflector is disclosed. The mesh material has a base material made from a dielectric fabric. A conductive material, such as nickel, is applied to the dielectric mesh. The type and thickness of the conductive material is adjusted to regulate the final conductivity of the reflective surface to a predefined range. The present invention utilizes a range that reduces PIM while at the same time maintains a high degree of RF reflectivity. The preferred range is 0.01 to 10 ohms per square.

Abstract: A method of detection and tracking of targets using multiple angle-only sensors is disclosed. The method is computationally efficient and is capable of detecting and tracking multiple targets in true three dimensional space. The method comprises distributing a set of modules in space and associating those modules with bearing lines from each sensor to each target. Through repetitive iterative associations between modules and bearing lines, the modules converge on the targets present.

Abstract: A membrane probe (10, 12, 14, 16, 58, 144) for testing integrated circuits (56,138) while still on the wafer upon which they are manufactured includes a flexible visually clear and self planarizing membrane (26) having circuit traces (20) and ground shielding planes (14), terminating resistor (152) and active buffer chips (172) formed thereon. Probe contact pads (36,38) electroplated on areas of the traces, and connector pads (32) plated on the membrane facilitate rapid detachable connection to a test fixture (50). The probe has a configuration, dimension and structure like that of the wafer itself so that automated pick and place equipment (136,142) employed for handling the wafers (138) may also be used to handle the probes (144). An unique test fixture (50) is adapted to receive and detachably secure a selected probe to the fixture.

Abstract: A workpiece is heated by first forming an ionized gas plasma around the workpiece. A positive potential is applied to the workpiece to accelerate electrons from the plasma into the workpiece. The workpiece is uniformly surface heated by the energy directed into the workpiece by the electrons. The workpiece is cooled by providing a flow of a pressurized liquid material such as carbon dioxide having a triple point. The liquid material is expanded through a nozzle to form solid particles that contact the surface of the workpiece and remove heat from it by subliming.

Abstract: In a pollutant destruction apparatus with at least one corona discharge reactor, one or more inner electrodes are deposited on the interior dielectric surface of each reactor, preferably by metal vapor deposition, to provide structural support and heat dissipation for the inner electrodes.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is protected from reverse engineering by connecting doped circuit elements of like conductivity with a doped implant in the substrate, rather than with a metallized interconnect. The doped circuit elements and their corresponding implant interconnections can be formed in a common fabrication step with common implant masks, such that they have an integral structure with similar dopant concentrations. The metallization above the substrate surface can be designed to provide further masking of the interconnects, and microbridges can be added to span strips of transistor gate material in the interconnect path.

Abstract: A steering mechanism (17) in which axial motion of an optical structure (12) is constrained electrically through a closed loop servo control system. The steering mechanism includes three magnetic actuators (19a, 19b, 19c) each having a push rod (20a, 20b, 20c) magnetically coupled thereto for being translated by the magnetic actuator along a translation axis (A). Each of the push rods has an end coupled to a peripheral region (1a, 1b, 1c) of the optical structure for exerting a displacing force thereon in response to the push rod being translated along the translation axis. A non-contact displacement sensor (10c) provides a feedback signal for the closed loop servo control system.

Abstract: A plasma heating apparatus for heating a workpiece includes a chamber of sufficient size to receive a workpiece therein and a source of a reduced gas pressure within the chamber of from about 0.01 to about 100 millitorr. The plasma heating apparatus further includes a plasma source of an enveloping plasma. Optionally, a workpiece voltage may be applied between the workpiece and the wall of the chamber, and a source of a reactive gas can be provided to backfill the chamber, and radiant heaters can be provided to independently heat portions of the workpiece. In operation, the plasma source produces a plasma that surrounds and heats the workpiece. The plasma and the heating of the workpiece are tailored to achieve controllably uniform or nonuniform heat treatment and/or surface treatment of the workpiece.

Abstract: Mixing and modulating methods are described for nonlinear optical amplifiers (30) which can generate intermodulation products of radio-frequency signals in an optical carrier signal (26) without the penalty of an optical conversion loss and without the need for radio-frequency mixers, electro-optic modulators and expensive polarization-maintaining optical fibers. The radio-frequency signals can be applied to either a bias port (36) or an optical input port (32) of the optical amplifier and are used to upconvert and downconvert signals in phased-array antenna and remote antenna embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A digital waveform generator reads out simulated .DELTA..SIGMA. ADC data for a desired periodic analog waveform from a memory and converts it, using a low-resolution high speed DAC, into a synthesized analog waveform. The .DELTA..SIGMA. digital waveform generator is preferably designed to take advantage of the natural evolution of device technologies. The memory is fabricated with older technologies, which tend to be slower but have a much higher integration. The DAC is implemented in more recent technologies, which are faster but have less integration. A speed up buffer or buffers in intermediate speed intermediate integration technologies may be included to provide a bridge between the low speed memory and the low integration DAC.