Abstract: An ABS adhesive for joining ABS articles, such as pipes, comprises: (a) about 10 to 35 wt % ABS resin; and (b) about 40 to 60 wt % dibasic esters and, optionally, at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of 0 to about 30 wt % methyl ethyl ketone and 0 to about 10 wt % acetone. The VOC level of the ABS adhesive composition of the invention is at or below the allowed maximum value of 350 g/1. The lap shear strength ranges from about 400 to 700 psi, which is deemed adequate for most non-pressure applications, such as drain, waste, and vent uses, and pool and spa applications.

Abstract: A plural port memory system utilizing a memory having a write port and a separate read port wherein the write port includes a write data line, a write address, and a write enable line and wherein the read port includes a read data line, a read address, and a read enable line. The plural port memory system includes: a plurality of interfaces for reading from and writing to the memory, each interface having a read request line and a write request line; and a controller coupled to each of the read and write request lines, and the read and write enable lines for arbitrating access to the memory by the plurality of interfaces.

Abstract: A system architecture based on optical heterodyne transmission of signals from input (12) to antenna array (26), and vice versa, is provided. The system is based on conventional concepts of coherent, multichannel switching systems. The coherent optically controlled phased array antenna system of the invention comprises a transmitter system (10) and a receiver system (46). Due to their similar device requirements, it is possible that the same system can be switched from transmit to receive without introducing undo complexity into the architecture.

Abstract: An output buffer circuit is disclosed that operates in low voltage applications but can be programmed using standard programmers at high voltage. The output buffer circuit provides for detecting a program verify logic signal from the programmer and slowing the output driver transistors when that signal is detected. In so doing, the noise problems associated with the higher voltages of programming a EPROM device are eliminated while at the same time allowing the output buffer circuit to operate at the required performance levels during normal operation.

Abstract: A local interconnect silicide structure (30) for connecting silicon regions (16) to silicon regions (20) separated by oxide regions (24) comprises a first portion of titanium silicide/titanium nitride/titanium silicide contacting the silicon regions and a second portion of titanium/titanium nitride/titanium silicide contacting the oxide regions. The silicide structure is also useful for connecting source/drain regions (14) and polysilicon interconnects (28). Two separate heating steps are employed, separated by an etch step to form the interconnects (34, 36). The first heating step forms (a) titanium silicides with single or polycrystalline silicon, using a first titanium layer (30a) at the bottom of the silicide structure and (b) titanium silicides with amorphous silicon (30d), using a second titanium layer (30c) on top of the titanium nitride layer (30b) on which the amorphous silicon is deposited and then patterned.

Abstract: A system for allowing a content addressable memory (CAM) to operate with first and second power voltage levels including: a first input voltage for providing a first bias to the content addressable memory; a second input voltage for providing a second bias to the content addressable memory; and a selection device coupled to the first input voltage and the second input voltage for decoupling the first input voltage from the content addressable memory and coupling the second input voltage to the content addressable memory in response to coupling the second power voltage level to the content addressable memory.

Abstract: A system is provided for use in a network providing security to ensure the prevention of unauthorized receipt of data. The system utilizes a jamming sequence to prevent unauthorized ports from receiving certain data. Repeaters utilized in the network are provided with the capability to detect a particular data sequence to provide the improved features.

Abstract: A step-up converter is utilized to convert a first lower input voltage to a second higher output voltage. The circuit includes a soft start capability such that ringing due to excessive voltage and current is substantially eliminated. In addition, this converter includes an overcurrent protection mechanism if a load failure or other overcurrent condition occurs.

Abstract: An improved helix antenna including a single unitary antenna having plural radiating elements extending radially from a common junction. A microstrip balun is connected to the plural antenna elements at the common junction. In a particular embodiment, the antenna includes four radiating elements arranged in a helical pattern and mounted such that a longitudinal axis extending through the axial center of the antenna is coincident with a longitudinal axis of the microstrip balun. One or more of the radiating elements includes a semi-circular loop to create phase relationships necessary for a circularly polarized beam pattern. The microstrip balun includes a transmission line and a ground plane on opposite sides of a dielectric substrate. The transmission line and the ground plane are tapered for impedance matching between the input and the output thereof.

Abstract: A instruction fetch circuit which allows portions of the instruction to be decoded and executed independently. The invention includes a first register for storing a digital data word having first and second bytes. The first register provides first and second outputs of the first and second digital bytes respectively. A first multiplexer circuit is included for selecting and storing either of the first or second outputs of the first register and providing a first intermediate output corresponding thereto. A second multiplexer circuit is included for selecting and storing either of the first or second outputs of the first register or the first intermediate output of the first multiplexer circuit and providing a second intermediate output corresponding thereto. Control circuitry is included for selectively activating the first register and the first and second multiplexer circuits to present portions of the instruction for decoding. Additional multiplexer circuits are included to handle larger instructions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel source array comprising a plurality of sources of optical illumination that are at once both individually coherent and mutually incoherent. A primary application of such a source array is to provide the requisite optical source beams in a novel architecture and associated apparatus for the development of highly multiplexed photonic interconnection networks and holographic optical elements with maximum optical throughput efficiency and minimum interchannel crosstalk, based on parallel incoherent/coherent holographic recording and readout principles that are described herein. In one embodiment, the source array is configured from a plurality of coherent sources of illumination; in a second embodiment, a single source of coherent illumination is expanded to illuminate a phase modulator array, within which each separate phase modulator is driven at a distinct oscillation frequency such that the set of resultant modulated beams exhibits mutual incoherence.

Abstract: A flexible, self-supporting fiber optic cable. The inventive cable includes a plurality of optical fibers and a plurality of strands of metallic wire coextensive with the optical fiber along the longitudinal axes thereof. The cable is particularly well-suited for aesthetic sculptural illuminated applications including fiber optic trees. The fiber optic trees include a self-supporting fiber optic cable including multiple strands of optic fiber which is twisted along the length thereof. The twist is effective to: 1) cause light to escape from the fiber along the length thereof and 2) create the appearance of a branch or other supporting member of a plant or tree. The optical fibers are supported by strands of wire coextensive therewith. When light is input to the fibers, an aesthetically pleasing illuminated optical sculpture in the shape of a tree is created.

Abstract: A system and device is provided that enhances the interactivity of multimedia information across a communications network or in combination with other networks including telecommunication and cable broadcasting. The system includes a plurality of multimedia call processing system, an interactive call processing system, and a plurality of interactive multimedia devices (IMDs). This system has the advantage of providing compression and/or transmission algorithms to maximize enhancement of the multimedia information.

Abstract: A time-multiplexed, optically-addressed, crossbar switch (38) is provided using a two-dimensional, optically-addressed, reflective spatial light modulator (O-SLM) (20). Since the optical addressing is time-multiplexed, only N addressing lines are required for an N.times.N crossbar, rather than the N.sup.2 lines needed in the prior art. This reduction in addressing lines makes possible the development of enormous crossbar switches, such as 100.times.100, for the first time. In addition, since data paths remain entirely in the optics domain, data speeds can reach the multi-gigabit level. In the switch, a row (40) of N inputs (42) at the "read" wavelength is spread over one axis of the O-SLM. The light is refocused along the other axis to an output array (48) of detectors (50), so that each input has the potential to talk to any one output. The O-SLM is normally off, i.e., non-reflective, so that the output is, in the absence of an input signal, zero.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predistorting digital signals so as to minimize radiation of harmonic signal energy during data transmission. The programmable waveshaping apparatus of the present invention is operative to predistort a binary encoded waveform to be transmitted over a transmission line. A pulse discriminator circuit is disposed to indicate the receipt of each pulse within an input sequence of short and long pulses included within the encoded waveform. Upon receipt of each short and long pulse an input logic network generates first and second sets of control signals, respectively. The logic network synthesizes the control signals based on information relating to sampled approximations of filtered versions of the short and long pulses. The inventive waveshaping apparatus further includes a programmable electrical source array for generating a sequence of line driving signals in accordance with each set of control signals.

Abstract: An antenna configuration system for determining the bearing angle of a radio frequency signal includes a plurality of loop antennas and at least one sense antenna. Through the utilization of combining networks with the loop antennas, in-phase and out-of-phase output signals are summed with the signal from the one sense antenna. The summed signal is sent to an adaptive processing system to allow for the determination the bearing angle of the radio frequency signal.

Abstract: A high speed bus driver circuit is disclosed that minimizes output signal oscillation by maintaining the clamp voltage at specified levels. The driver circuit includes a pair of voltage preference circuits that are designed to deliver the appropriate clamp voltages even at the best case speed corners, the circuit prevents simultaneous turn on of drive transistors, equalizes the propagation delay and provides for first access for tristating the bus driver transistors.

Abstract: Organic optoelectronic devices, such as a modulator (54) and a photodetector (73) comprising alternating layers (58) of two crystalline planar organic aromatic semiconductors (60 and 62), have been grown by organic molecular beam deposition. These organic substances have been deposited in ultra-thin layers only 10 .ANG. in depth using organic molecular beam deposition methods. Due to the anisotropic character of these organic materials,, the devices formed using these methods possess unique electronic and optical properties. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) and 3,4,7,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA). While the inventors have identified PTCDA and NTCDA as excellent materials for the manufacture of organic optoelectronic IC devices, the broad scope of the present invention encompasses the use of any planar organic aromatic semiconductor which readily forms a crystalline structure.

Abstract: An output buffer circuit is disclosed that minimizes ground bounce problems. The buffer circuit provides for an output pull-down pre-driver circuit that can be controlled by a programmable signal to minimize the ground bounce. By placing a strong and weak transistor on the gate of the output driver transistor and providing control circuitry for disabling the stronger transistor appropriately, an output signal is provided that can be driven quickly or slowly to its active level. By disabling the stronger transistor, ground bounce problems associated with high to low transitions of output drive transistor are significantly reduced.