Abstract: A number of program modules (32,34,36) are sequentially controlled by a procedural user interface (PUI) 38 and an operating system (40) to perform tasks. Transfer of files or other data entities between the modules (32,34,36) and a storage (13) is seamlessly integrated by a sequential information integration service (SIIS) (50). For reading a file from the storage (13), a the PUI 38 or the operating system (40) generates a read command including a filename designation which can include a pathname, complete filename or wildcard characters. The read command can also include one or more arguments such as a user or group access code and an error message to display if the required file is not found. In an automatic mode, the service (50) automatically selects the most recent file corresponding to the filename designation and arguments, or displays the error message if a file meeting these criteria is not found.

Abstract: An athermalized and achromatized optical system (10, 30) has a lens group (12, 32) focusing energy on a focal plane (14, 42). The lens group (12, 32) includes at least two optical elements (22, 24, 26, 34, 36) of different material and a diffractive optical element (28, 40). The system (10, 30) enables athermalization and achromatization of the optical system.

Abstract: An optical assembly (10) includes a first plurality of optical elements (14) providing the viewer a first field of view and a second plurality of optical elements (18) that, when moved into the optical path (16), provides the viewer with a second field of view. A support structure (36) for the second plurality of optical elements (18) includes a permanent magnet (64) that is disposed to cause a switch (66) located on the housing (12) of the optical assembly (10) to close. The changing of the position of the switch (66) results in a signal being provided to identify to the viewer which field of view is being presented by the assembly (10).

Abstract: An electro-optical target comprising an emissivity target and a controlled background source that has a temperature greater than, less than or equal to the temperature of the emissivity target. Appropriate adjustment of the temperatures of the emissivity target and heated controlled background source causes the "apparent" temperature of the emissivity target to be less than the specular ambient or background temperature, effectively emitting a negative temperature (delta T) relative to the background temperature produced by the controlled background source. It is useful to have an electro-optical target that emits a negative temperature (delta T) for minimum resolvable temperature testing of FLIR systems, for example, without cooling any of the components of the electro-optical target.

Abstract: A system and method that provides an electronic indication that unauthorized access has been gained to a system. The mechanisms used by the present invention cannot be forged, bypassed, or subverted. In fact, even persons authorized to access the environment cannot do so without leaving evidence. When an intrusion is detected, a random number is generated. This random number, referred to as an audit count, is then encrypted and stored, and a sequence number is incremented. To recover this information at a later time, a trusted individual inserts an external device containing a decryption key. The decryption key is extracted, and the encrypted audit count and sequence number are decrypted and displayed. Periodic verification that the audit count and sequence number have not changed provides assurance that access has not been gained to the system.

Abstract: An opto-electronic accelerometer and pressure sensor formed on a substrate are disclosed. The sensor includes a light source and a plurality of light detectors exposed on a semiconductor substrate. A cantilever beam extends over the substrate. The cantilever beam is positioned such that it reflects light from the light source as an applied force urges the cantilever beam to deflect relative to the plurality of light detectors. Acceleration or pressure can be determined by the slope change of the cantilever beam and is computed by taking the ratio of illumination between corresponding light detectors. In an alternative embodiment, the cantilever beam includes a proof mass. In a further embodiment, a pressure sensor is coupled with a linkage rod which is connected to the cantilever beam and then connected to a diaphragm which is displaced as a pressure is applied.

Abstract: A packaged electronic structure includes an electronic device, and a package to which the electronic device is affixed. At least a portion of the package is made of a composite material of aluminum nitride dispersed in aluminum. The composite material is preferably prepared by mixing powders of the aluminum nitride and aluminum, and thereafter pressing and sintering the mixture.

Abstract: A method of fabricating self-aligned static induction transistors is disclosed. The method comprises fabricating a silicon substrate having an active area. A guard ring is formed around the active area. Source and gate regions are formed, and a self-aligned relatively deep trench in accordance with the present invention is formed over the gate regions. This is achieved by forming an oxide layer, and forming a polysilicon layer on the oxide layer. A second oxide layer is formed on the polysilicon layer which is then masked by a self-aligning mask. Trenches are etched into the source and gate regions using the self-aligning mask and gate regions are formed at the bottom of the trenches. The transistors are then processed to completion by forming gate, source and drain regions.

Abstract: Processing methods and apparatus that process magnetometer data derived from an array of magnetometer sensors and outputs both the position and velocity of a magnetic dipole. In the method and apparatus, (a) a set of actual magnetic field measurements of a magnetic dipole is collected using the array of magnetic sensors. Then (b), a trajectory for the magnetic dipole is hypothesized. Then (c), a set of estimated magnetic field measurements is determined that would be formed by a magnetic dipole moving along the hypothesized trajectory. Then (d), the actual magnetic field measurements are compared with the estimated magnetic field measurements. Then (e), based on the comparison, a new trajectory for the magnetic dipole is hypothesized. Steps (c) through (e) are repeated until agreement between the actual magnetic field measurements and the estimated magnetic field measurements is deemed sufficiently close. The trajectory is displayed for viewing on a display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling the use of optical techniques for temperature measurement of a semiconducting substrate coated with an optically opaque overlayer. A reflective mirror structure is inserted between the semiconducting substrate and the optically opaque overlayer. The reflective structure prevents the overlayer from absorbing light transmitted through the semiconducting substrate and instead reflects the light, thereby restoring the substrate front-surface reflectivity required for temperature measurement analysis by optical techniques such as absorption edge reflectance spectroscopy.

Abstract: An ultrasound detection system that is relatively insensitive to rough workpiece surfaces, suppresses low frequency noise, and provides high sensitivity without the need for active stabilization. An optical probe beam is reflected and phase modulated by a workpiece surface that is being vibrated by ultrasound. A time-delay interferometer optically interferes the phase modulated probe beam with a time-delayed replica of itself. The optical interference generates optical interference fringes that move in accordance with the workpiece surface velocity. The interference fringes are detected by a non-steady-state photo-electromotive-force (NSS-photo-EMF) detector that generates an output signal when the frequency of fringe motion exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A scanning detection system. The inventive system includes a detector arrangement for scanning a target surface over a predetermined angular range and providing a plurality of sampled signals in response thereto. The detector outputs are sampled and aggregated to provide a first output having a constant spatial resolution independent of the scan angle of the detector. The detector outputs are also aggregated to provide a second output having fine radiometric sensitivity. In a specific implementation, constant resolution is achieved by co-adding a variable number of adjacent detector samples where the number of adjacent samples co-added is dependent on the scan angle. Fine radiometric sensitivity is achieved by co-adding a fixed number of adjacent samples. Thus, dual capabilities of constant resolution and high sensitivity are achieved in a cost effective manner.

Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding an audio signal into a bit stream, and for recreating the audio signal from the bit stream are disclosed. In an embodiment of an encoder, a first encoder (10) symbolically encodes a substantially vocal audio signal to form a first encoded signal. A second encoder (12) symbolically encodes a substantially nonvocal audio signal to form a second encoded signal. A multiplexer (14) multiplexes the first encoded signal and the second encoded signal to form the bit stream. In an embodiment of a decoder, a demultiplexer (80) extracts an encoded vocal signal and an encoded nonvocal signal from the bit stream. A first decoder (82) forms a decoded vocal signal based upon the encoded vocal signal. A second decoder (84) forms a decoded nonvocal signal based upon the encoded nonvocal signal. A mixer (86) combines the decoded vocal signal with the decoded nonvocal signal to form the audio signal.

Abstract: The angular and/or spectral bandwidth of a holographic lens assembly can be widened to accomodate highly diverging and/or wide spectral bandwidth illumination sources, respectively. Each lens in the lens assembly is comprised of a plurality of angularly customized holograms (an angularly customized hologram set). Each of the individual holograms in an angularly customized hologram set has an acceptance angle range that is centered on a discrete peak acceptance angle. The separation between the holograms' peak acceptance angles is chosen so that the acceptance angle ranges of the individual holograms overlap. The resulting cumulative acceptance angle range of each angularly customized hologram set provides a holographic lens assembly that has a wider angular bandwidth than prior holographic lenses.

Abstract: A diamond matrix metallic mesh suppresses RF energy, and particularly side lobe energy, in a phased array antenna, while passing main beam energy. The metal mesh emulates the structure of the bond segments joining the carbon atoms in a diamond structure. The wire diamond lattice structure is placed above an array of radiating elements to absorb side lobe energy. The wire lattice structure is fabricated through use of complementary forms which compress a wire into a required unit shape. Many unit shaped wires are placed in a form which hold the wires in the proper position. Other unit shaped wires are rotated 90 degrees and attached in place to the held wires. Additional unit shaped wires are added to form the basic interlocking cube structure of the diamond lattice.

Abstract: A method of providing accurate elevation data from three or more complex SAR images. A SAR vehicle is operated to produce a number of SAR images at different grazing angles. The present method provides precise elevation maps derived from the SAR images. In a multiple channel variant of the present invention, more than two antennas collect SAR data from various grazing angles, increasing sensitivity while resolving the ambiguity problem in a mathematically optimum manner. A multiple pass variant of the present invention collects data from more than two passes, and from various grazing angles (interferometric "baselines"). The multiple pass approach and associated processing preserves the high sensitivity of the long-baseline available from dual pass IFSAR while resolving the ambiguity problem in a mathematically optimum manner. Accuracy and ambiguity resolution are improved with each additional pass or channel. The method processes raw SAR data to produce a plurality of complex images therefrom.

Abstract: A light source system (10) for collecting and directing light. The light source system (10) includes light cubes (12) including an enclosure (22) substantially surrounding a light emitter (26). The enclosure includes a body (22) enclosing a cavity (24). A plurality of light pipes (32) are disposed to extend through the body into the interior of the cavity, so that the light pipes (32) carry light from inside to outside the cavity. By utilizing a plurality of these light cubes (12), the intensity of light can be controlled by combining light from a plurality of such light sources into a combiner unit (16) which combines the light from all of these sources into a single path. The intensity of light in the combiner output can be controlled by selectively turning on or off one or more of the light sources. The present invention thereby provides a high intensity light source which is rugged and easy to manufacture at low cost. The modular design provides built in redundancy and light intensity control.

Abstract: A remote ground terminal for transmitting a modulated data signal to a satellite. The remote ground terminal comprises a source of data signals, a demodulator for receiving a data signal and coupling the data signal to a transmitter, and for producing a power control signal during the period the data signal is present at an input of the demodulator. The power control signal is coupled to the transmitter and controls the operation of the transmitter such that the transmitter only receives power when the demodulator produces the power control signal. During the period the transmitter receives power, it functions to provide and modulate a carrier signal in accordance with the data signal received from the source of data signals.

Abstract: An aviator's helmet-mounted display includes a visor/combiner module (14) which is configured for use with an essentially standard aviator's flight helmet (12). The helmet-mounted display also includes a conformal image source and relay optics (ISRO) module (30) which is removably attachable to the aviator's helmet. This ISRO module (30) projects an image inwardly from outside the visor/combiner module through a transparent window portion (44) thereof and out and inner surface (48) of an angulated transparent viewing portion (18,20) of the visor/combiner module (14). The image is focused at infinity and is partially reflected from the inner surface (48) to an eye (50) of the aviator so that the image is superimposed on the aviator's view of an outside scene viewed through the viewing portion (18,20).

Abstract: A ceramic sensor comprising a thin film of Cu.sub.x Mn.sub.3-x O.sub.4 is provided that quantitatively measures the partial pressure of CO and hydrocarbon gases in a flowing system. The sensor is specific to both CO and hydrocarbon gases and is negligibly affected by the presence of the common automobile exhaust vapors NO and H.sub.2 O, within the operational temperature range from about 250.degree. to 450.degree. C. The CO/hydrocarbon sensor of the invention has other applications, such as monitoring CO and hydrocarbon levels in laboratories, mines, and industrial smoke stacks, and may be used in environments up to about 700.degree. C.