Abstract: A method of sending programming and debug commands, comprises loading control instructions on a processor from an attached tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium, copying the contents of a program image file by the processor from the computer-readable medium across a bus to a programmable device on the same card as the processor, signaling the programmable device to send an instruction to a configurable logic device (CLD) on the same card as the processor via a debug channel.

Abstract: A method for managing the capture of packets in a computing system comprises maintaining a buffer tail pointer in a memory of an instruction executing device, receiving a series of packets at an instruction executing device, for each received packet prepending a header comprising a packet length and a packet pointer set to a current value of the buffer tail pointer, determining a next free memory location by adding the current value of the buffer tail pointer to the length of a previous packet identified by the buffer tail pointer, temporarily writing the packet and prepend header to the next free memory location in a circular packet buffer in a memory coupled to the instruction executing device, and setting the buffer tail pointer to the next free memory location

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing thin lamella for TEM observation. The steps of the method are robust and can be used to produce lamella in an automated process. In some embodiments, a protective coating have a sputtering rate matched to the sputtering rate of the work piece is deposited before forming the lamella. In some embodiments, the bottom of the lamella slopes away from the feature of interest, which keeps the lamella stable and reduces movement during thinning. In some embodiments, a fiducial is used to position the beam for the final thinning, instead of using an edge of the lamella. In some embodiments, the tabs are completed after high ion energy final thinning to keep the lamella more stable. In some embodiments, a defocused low ion energy and pattern refresh delay is used for the final cut to reduce deformation of the lamella.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing thin TEM samples in a manner that reduces or prevents bending and curtaining is realized. Embodiments of the present invention deposit material onto the face of a TEM sample during the process of preparing the sample. In some embodiments, the material can be deposited on a sample face that has already been thinned before the opposite face is thinned, which can serve to reinforce the structural integrity of the sample and refill areas that have been over-thinned due to a curtaining phenomena. In other embodiments, material can also be deposited onto the face being milled, which can serve to reduce or eliminate curtaining on the sample face.

Abstract: A method for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) sample creation. The use of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)—Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) detector in the dual-beam focused ion beam (FIB)/SEM allows a sample to be thinned using the FIB, while the STEM signal is used to monitor sample thickness. A preferred embodiment of the present invention can measure the thickness of or create TEM and STEM samples by using a precise endpoint detection method. Preferred embodiments also enable automatic endpointing during TEM lamella creation and provide users with direct feedback on sample thickness during manual thinning. Preferred embodiments of the present invention thus provide methods for endpointing sample thinning and methods to partially or fully automate endpointing.

Abstract: A method for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) sample creation. The use of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)—Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) detector in the dual-beam focused ion beam (FIB)/SEM allows a sample to be thinned using the FIB, while the STEM signal is used to monitor sample thickness. A preferred embodiment of the present invention can measure the thickness of or create TEM samples by using a precise endpoint detection method. Preferred embodiments also enable automatic endpointing during TEM lamella creation and provide users with direct feedback on sample thickness during manual thinning. Preferred embodiments of the present invention thus provide methods for endpointing sample thinning and methods to partially or fully automate endpointing.

Abstract: A network processor is enabled to retrieve a packet transmission data structure (PTD) from a memory. The NP parses packet data from the PTD and transmits the data over the network as a network packet. The PTD may include repetition information used by the NP to transmit a plurality of packets. The PTD use transmission interval information to control transmission timing of consecutive network packets. The PTD may include modification information used to modify the data packet portion. The modification may include incrementing, decrementing, or storing a random number into any portion of the data packet. The PTD may include flow control information to determine the next PTD to process. The flow control information may include criteria including acknowledgement criteria and time delay criteria. The packet data portion preferably includes all formatting information applicable to the network.

Abstract: An improved method for TEM sample creation. The use of a SEM-STEM detector in the dual-beam FIB/SEM allows a sample to be thinned using the FIB, while the STEM signal is used to monitor sample thickness. A preferred embodiment of the present invention can measure the thickness of or create S/TEM samples by using a precise endpoint detection method that is reproducible and suitable for automation. Preferred embodiments also enable automatic endpointing during TEM lamella creation and provide users with direct feedback on sample thickness during manual thinning. Preferred embodiments of the present invention thus provide improved methods for endpointing sample thinning and methods to partially or fully automate endpointing to increase throughput and reproducibility of TEM sample creation.

Abstract: A network processor is enabled to retrieve a packet transmission data structure (PTD) from a memory. The NP parses packet data from the PTD and transmits the data over the network as a network packet. The PTD may include repetition information used by the NP to transmit a plurality of packets. The PTD use transmission interval information to control transmission timing of consecutive network packets. The PTD may include modification information used to modify the data packet portion. The modification may include incrementing, decrementing, or storing a random number into any portion of the data packet. The PTD may include flow control information to determine the next PTD to process. The flow control information may include criteria including acknowledgement criteria and time delay criteria. The packet data portion preferably includes all formatting information applicable to the network.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying and measuring adherence to software development requirements is presented. A software agent provides a user with product and technical questions. In turn, the user provides product and technical answers, or attributes, which are stored in a repository. A globalization plan generator uses the product and technical attributes to generate a software development plan. In addition, a globalization verification test generator uses the globalization plan to generate a test plan and measure the success of the software product based upon the test plan.

Abstract: An electronic presentation system and method provides multiple display screens for presentation materials as well as permits dynamic annotations to presentation materials that do not permanently alter the presentation materials. The presentation materials can easily be directed to any one of the display screens and any annotations can be saved for future use or simply deleted.

Abstract: An improved method, apparatus, and computer instructions for evaluating acquisition costs for a software product. A set of questions regarding the software product is presented. The set of questions are selected from a source. Costs for acquiring the software product are identified in response to receiving a user input to the set of questions. A report is generated using the costs, wherein the report is used to evaluate whether to acquire the software product in response to identifying the costs.

Abstract: Changing a user's current password for accessing a computer resource, including establishing a provisional password for the user for accessing the computer resource and replacing the user's current password with the provisional password in dependence upon decision criteria. Typical embodiments also include replacing the user's current password with the provisional password if the user enters the provisional password in a subsequent request to access the computer resource. Further embodiments include replacing the user's current password with the provisional password if the user enters the provisional password in a subsequent request to access the computer resource, and if the subsequent request occurs within a time period. Typical embodiments also include discarding the provisional password if the user does not enter the provisional password in a subsequent request to access the computer resource, and establishing a new provisional password for the user for accessing the computer resource.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas powered turbine which employs a heat exchanger and a catalyst to combust a fuel without the emission of undesired chemical species. A gas powered turbine requires expanding gases to power the turbine blades. Fuel is combusted to produce the required gases. A catalyst is employed to lower the combustion temperature of the fuel. The catalyst is placed on a set of tubes in the heat exchanger such that a portion of the thermal energy may be transferred to the air before it engages the catalyst. After encountering the catalyst, the combusted fuel increases the temperature of the air to an auto-ignition temperature so that no other ignition source is needed to combust additional fuel.

Abstract: The invention allows for the control of the attenuation and the phase of light transmitted through a deposited material. The invention is particularly applicable to the repair of attenuated phase shift photomasks. The transmission and the phase of the repaired area can be controlled. In a preferred embodiment, the phase of light transmitted through the repaired area is controlled by controlling the thickness of a deposited material, and the transmissivity of the repaired area is controlled by controlling the introduction of a contaminant into the repair area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a shield to protect a surface from the impact of hyper-velocity projectiles. The apparatus comprises a foam material that is configured to cover the surface to be protected and is attached directly to that surface. A coating material is typically disposed on the outer surface of the foam material and may penetrate the foam material to a predetermined depth. The foam material and the coating material are selected to form a composite having predetermined values of sonic velocity, toughness, and thermal conductivity. The composite of foam material and coating material can be significantly lighter in weight than a metal shield having equivalent protective characteristics.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for testing software. A set of questions regarding the application is presented, wherein the set of questions are selected from a database. In response to receiving a user input to the set of questions, the application is tested to form identified testing. In response to identifying testing, a testing report is generated using the identified testing, wherein the testing report includes links to testing instructions for the identified testing for the application.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a lightweight heat rejection system suitable for spacecraft applications. The apparatus comprises a manifold configured with an array of heat pipes in thermal contact with a manifold coolant. The heat pipes transfer the coolant heat to associated bumper/radiators external to the manifold. The bumper/radiators are fabricated from a lightweight thermally conductive foam material. The bumper portion protects the heat pipe from space debris and the radiator portion dissipates the heat transferred from the heat pipe through the bumper to the radiator portion. The foam bumper/radiator can be cast over the heat pipe in a relatively simple and economical manufacturing process.

Abstract: A belt for use in a long nip press having an arcuate pressure shoe. The belt has at least one layer having a polymer resin coating on at least one surface thereof. The resin coating has a plurality of grooves arranged therein and wherein a number of the grooves has a length less than a length of the arcuate pressure shoe to reduce ingoing nip spray.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for removing thermal energy from a nuclear reactor, which are fault tolerant. The apparatus includes at least one heat pipe configured to absorb thermal energy produced by the nuclear reactor. In addition, the apparatus includes a first compartment thermally coupled to the at least one heat pipe. The first compartment is configured to contain a first gas. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a second compartment thermally coupled to the at least one heat pipe. The second compartment is configured to contain a second gas and configured to isolate the second gas from the first gas.