Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring reduced decode ranges for barcode scanners are disclosed. An example method includes determining a closest focus distance of a plurality of focus distances at which a barcode placed at a furthest limit of a reduced decode range can be successfully decoded; determining a furthest focus distance of the plurality of focus distances at which the barcode placed at a closest limit of the reduced decode range can be successfully decoded; determining a subset of the plurality of focus distances that consists of the closest focus distance, the furthest focus distance, and focus distances between the closest focus distance and the farthest focus distance; and configuring the barcode scanner to only use the subset of focus distances during subsequent attempts to decode barcodes.

Abstract: A lower element ground plane apparatus for maximizing ground plane surface area in an antenna system, the apparatus involving a lower element of a bi-element antenna and an array of monopole antennas coupled with the lower element of the bi-element antenna, the lower element of the bi-element antenna operable as a ground plane for the array of monopole antennas, whereby ground plane surface area is maximized.

Abstract: A lower element ground plane apparatus for maximizing ground plane surface area in an antenna system, the apparatus involving a lower element of a bi-element antenna and an array of monopole antennas coupled with the lower element of the bi-element antenna, the lower element of the bi-element antenna operable as a ground plane for the array of monopole antennas, whereby ground plane surface area is maximized.

Abstract: A spiral antenna apparatus utilizes a noise suppression sheet that is interposed between the spiral antenna element and its ground plane. The noise suppression sheet permits an extremely compact spiral antenna apparatus while lessening antenna performance degradation.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for conditioning a received signal prior to transmission. The signal is separated into different signal components in respective contiguous frequency channels. Each signal component is routed through either time domain or frequency domain processing circuitry and simultaneously a sample of the signal component is routed through control signal generation circuitry. The time domain processing circuitry contains a delay such that if any portion of the signal component exceeds a reference voltage signal, a switch is opened using a control signal generated by the control signal generation circuitry to blank that portion of the signal for that particular frequency channel. The outputs of each frequency channel are then combined into an output signal for transmission. A processor may be used to automatically configure various components within the time domain and frequency domain processing circuitry to prevent excessive power signals from being transmitted.

Abstract: A compact, broadband, aerodynamically streamlined, mechanically rugged antenna for aircraft and other applications has been developed that has a VSWR of 2:1 or better, and has uniform patterns with no nulls over a wide 8:1 bandwidth from 225 MHz to 1.85 GHz. The antenna has an aerodynamically streamlined shape, with a rugged housing capable of withstanding velocities up to Mach 2. In addition to its usage on aircraft, this antenna would be useful in a wide range of applications as a general purpose, wide bandwidth omnidirectional antenna. The antenna achieves its performance capabilities with the use of a double Vivaldi element feed section, an upper extension made of resistive film or R-card, and a shaped boundary between the feed and upper sections of the radiating elements.

Abstract: A compact, omnidirectional, broadband biconical antenna is described, having a first segment with its tip coincident with a horizontal plane, with an elevation angle between 23 degrees and 30 degrees from the horizontal plane; an open second segment joined to a distal end of the first segment, an elevation angle approximately 30 degrees greater than the first segment angle; an open third segment joined to a distal end of the open second segment, an elevation angle approximately 30 degrees greater than the open second segment angle; an open fourth resistive film segment joined to a distal end of the open third segment, an elevation angle approximately equal to the open third segment angle, wherein the segments are mirrored to form a biconical antenna; and a transmission line coupled to the tip of the first segment, interior to the first segment.

Abstract: The subject matter relates generally to a system and method for managing security testing. Particularly, this invention relates to maintaining a security database by correlating multiple sources of vulnerability data and also to managing security testing from plural vendors. This invention also relates to providing secure session tracking by performing plural authentications of a user.

Abstract: An antenna includes a support structure and radiating element. The radiating element includes a dielectric planar substrate having a first and a second surface, at least two conductive spiral arms extending outward from and spiraling about an axis of rotation formed on the first surface, and a feed conductor extending outward from and spiraling about an axis of rotation formed on the second surface. The feed conductor may be substantially aligned with one of the conductive spiral arms. When the support structure is placed upon a substantially planar surface, the radiating element is positioned at height h from the planar surface, wherein height h is about one-fourth the wavelength of the antenna's operating frequency. The antenna may produce an omni-directional antenna pattern in azimuth and a broad antenna pattern in elevation, with both patterns having nulls near the horizon. An external reflector may be operatively coupled to the antenna.

Abstract: The subject matter relates generally to a system and method for managing security testing. Particularly, this invention relates to maintaining a security database by correlating multiple sources of vulnerability data and also to managing security testing from plural vendors. This invention also relates to providing secure session tracking by performing plural authentications of a user.

Abstract: An electromagnetic sensor system. The system includes an electromagnetic excitable structure that generates an acoustic signal when irradiated with electromagnetic energy; an acoustic energy transducer sensor for generating a first output signal that represents the acoustic signal in response to the acoustic energy transducer detecting the acoustic signal; and a processor for determining whether the electromagnetic excitable structure is being irradiated by the electromagnetic energy in response to the processor receiving the first output signal.

Abstract: A nondestructive acoustic emission testing system using electromagnetic excitation, comprises: a) an electromagnetic wave generator for generating electromagnetic waves that stimulate a test sample to generate acoustic energy; b) an acoustic energy sensor for detecting the acoustic energy and generating a first output signal that represents the acoustic energy; and c) a data processor for comparing the output signal with a reference and for generating a second output signal that represents a characteristic of the test sample.

Abstract: A system incorporating an electromagnetic radiating tube uses a plurality of sensors to assess the status of the system and integrates the data produced by these sensors in a way that enhances the effectiveness of the data versus analyzing the data separately. This method has uses in detecting and predicting failures in electromagnetic radiating devices such as microwave tubes, and may also be used for life-cycle monitoring of such devices.

Abstract: The invention is designed to employ one or a multitude of sensors designed to allow operational monitoring of any of a variety of electromagnetic radiating tubes. Monitoring is conducted to detect a degradation in performance which can be used as a factor in deciding whether tube replacement is justified. Contrary to some past approaches that focused on averaged tube outputs, the invention is designed to examine individual tube pulses.

Abstract: Radar tubes are assessed based upon an observation that faulty radar pulses have a significantly increased content of undesired high frequency components in their cathode current sensed at the cathode lead of an operating radar transmitting tube. The invention exploits this observation in a simple, relatively low-cost device that can be built into a radar system to be put under test. The current at the transmitting tube's cathode is high-pass filtered to pass only those frequency components known to be indicative of faulty transmitting tubes. The filter output is converted into an analog output having an amplitude proportional to the amplitude of the high frequency voltage components passing through the filter. The high-pass output is smoothed and is fed to an analog-input, digital-output threshold amplifier. The threshold amplifier provides a TTL output that indicates whether its smoothed input amplitude represents a good radar pulse or a faulty pulse.

Abstract: A plasma generator utilizes a dielectric member for carrying microwave energy from a microwave source directly into the hot zone of a thermally heated semiconductor process reaction chamber. The member carries the microwave energy much like fiber optics carries light so that the microwave energy may be delivered to and emitted at a specific preselected position within the chamber. A plasma can be formed and located directly over or near substrates so that a more highly controlled deposition and/or etching process may take place.