Abstract: A controller for a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor system and method for detecting mass deposition on a QCM sensor. The controller controls a QCM using temperature-, voltage- and current-regulating circuits, a microcontroller, an oscillator, heating and cooling devices and circuits, high voltage grids, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters, data telemetry and uplink circuits, and a remote user. The remote user may be a person, computer, network or data logger. The remote user allows the controller to be reconfigurable during operation. The controller samples and reports data faster and is more reliable over extended periods of operation. Further, the controller is assembled using innovative techniques making it smaller and thus more transportable, easier to incorporate into existing facilities and less expensive to construct and operate. The apparatus may also be assembled in a modular fashion that allows for customization.

Abstract: An inflatable antenna system combining a fixed aperture with an inflatable aperture that greatly increases the reflector size of the antenna system. The fixed portion provides a “risk buffer” in that a moderate gain capability is retained in the event of an inflation failure. In a parabolic dish embodiment, an inflatable annulus is stowed compactly under a fixed dish to fit a variety of spacecraft and launch vehicle envelopes. Moderate gas pressure deploys the inflatable portion, which forms a larger reflector surface. After inflation, the materials that form the inflated reflector surface can be made rigid. A fixed feed system for the smaller fixed dish assures operation of the smaller fixed dish throughout the mission. Moreover, the smaller fixed antenna can receive signals that can be used to derive pointing information used to point the larger inflated antenna in a particular direction thus providing a dual-use capability.

Abstract: A telemetric in vivo bladder urine monitor system is disclosed. The invention includes a small, buoyant recorder that floats in the bladder of an animal and telemetrically relays data to an external receiver. The invention may be used in measuring urinary tract pressure in diagnosing and treating urinary tract infections, anomalous bladder contraction, etc. The invention may also be used as a monitoring system for bed wetting syndrome, artificial bladders and sphincters.

Abstract: Adaptive windowing of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) data to reduce spectral leakage and increase sidelobe rejection. The adaptive windowing is extended to 5 and 7 point convolution formulas. Thus, the present invention extends the non-static shift-variant data adaptive window generated from a spatial variant apodization. The extensions are achieved by using the window structure of multiple cosines. The sidelobe leakage of the adaptive windows is extremely small, the signal-to-noise ration is higher than conventional techniques and spectral detection is possible with higher order windowing.

Abstract: The present invention improves multi-chip module (MCM) testability by using a new technique to detect on-substrate electric field strength. The invention employs a non-invasive, laser-based instrument to probe the MCM structures fabricated with poled polyimide interlayer dielectrics and thin film metallizations on silicon carriers. Circuit element characteristics of MCMs are probed with laser to detect electric field strength. The electrical, mechanical and optical properties of the electro-optical dielectric layers are determined to investigate the effect of the poling and processing operations on the efficacy of the polyimide as both a dielectric layer and an electro-optic material suitable for laser probing.

Abstract: An intravenous feed anchor system (IVFAS) that allows for unconstrained movement of a patient and IV configuration. The IVFAS includes an IV line clamp device for clamping a section of an IV line, an attach device for receiving and securing the IV line clamp device, and a securing device for securing an adjustable tie down to a patient. The IV attach device receives the IV line clamp device in a free floating condition. This prevents excessive motion and forces, caused by reasonable, unexpected or unusual conditions, from removing, or interrupting IV treatment. The IVFAS also keeps the section of the IV line between the anchor and insertion points in close proximity to the patient. This eliminates large IV line loops which have a tendency to snag or get pulled from environmental animate and inanimate objects. The IVFAS is quickly and easily attached and detached.

Abstract: A radar ice sounder which employs parallel Doppler processing obtains more reliable and accurate radar ice sounding. The invention uses both incoherent and coherent techniques, in the same paradigm, to achieve simultaneously high Signal-to-Noise Ratio, high Signal-to-Speckle standard deviation Ratio, and high Signal-to-Clutter Ratio.

Abstract: A vehicular traffic sensor capable of measuring traffic speed and volume in all weather conditions and at a low installed cost. The sensor makes use of multi-path interference of ambient radio frequency (RF) signals. The ambient RF signals can be, for example, control signals constantly transmitted by cellular telephone base stations. As vehicles travel along the roadway, they reflect RF signals in all directions. An antenna mounted near the side of the road will detect signals from the transmitter and signals reflected off the vehicle. Variations in the amplitude of the combination of the two signals can be processed using a method that allows the sensor to determine traffic speed and volume. This information can then be sent directly to a traffic management center. This provides an inexpensive sensor for wide-area traffic monitoring.

Abstract: A networked sensor system that simultaneously acquires, processes, and transmits sensor data under the control of a central processing unit. The system includes sensors connected to sensor processing modules. The sensor processing modules are serially coupled together and to the central processing unit by a fiber optic network. The central processing unit can change the sensor sampling rate by changing a global clock rate, can describe the number and layout of sensor processing modules and their associated sensors allowing for reconfiguration in accordance with a desired application, and can download code to the sensor processing modules for modifying processing functions for a given application. The global clock also allows for synchronous sampling throughout the network. Sensor gain in the sensor processing modules is dynamically programmed by the central processing unit.

Abstract: Polymer matrix composites have a through-thickness-thermal conductivity whose value is realized in applications such as composite spaceborne electronics enclosures where heat dissipation is entirely dependent on thermal conduction to a heat sink. The technique involves interlaminating a high thermal conductivity pitch fiber/epoxy and a low thermal conductivity carbon fabric epoxy within a sandwich of copper foil outer plies. Once the copper is laminated on the surface, it is etched from areas not exposed to the heat. A hole may be drilled transversely through the laminated composite and the walls of the space defining the opening are copper plated. The high thermal conductivity of the copper allows heat transfer from the heat source through the opening to the high thermal conductivity fibers which then transfer the heat to a heat sink.

Abstract: An automatic battery power switch circuit which switches from n to n+m cells, where n and m are integers, in a battery. The circuit delivers a relatively constant voltage over a wide range of load current conditions. One embodiment switches based on load current. Another embodiment switches based on the output voltage of the circuit. The circuit provides a high speed automatic switch used in devices that require at least two power states, that can function as a voltage regulator, and that can significantly prolong functional battery life.

Abstract: The device assists those who are visually handicapped and, in particular, warns blind or visually impaired travellers that they have entered a potentially dangerous area proximal to the edge of boarding platforms of the type typically found in public railway transit systems. An InfraRed Integrated Information System consists of an array of infrared transmitters and a portable detector/warning device to be held by the blind traveller. The transmitters create a beam of infrared light which bathes the section of the platform proximal to the platform edge. As the traveller moves into the region of the platform covered by the emission, the sensors in the warning device are activated and by audio, tactile or other stimuli alert the traveller of entry into the danger zone.

Abstract: A portable syringe dispenser system capable of holding one or more syringes containing different types of fluid medicine therein. Filled syringes, holding enough fluid medicine for multiple injections, are placed into syringe holders in the dispenser and inserted into a sterile mixing chamber. The dosage of each type of fluid medicine in each syringe is independently adjusted employing a dose adjusting indicator system. An activation system allows all doses of the fluid medicine to be simultaneously injected through a replaceable sterile needle. The sterile needle can remain on the dispenser system. The sterile needle maintains its sterility by sealing it with a sealing cap. This allows the needle to be reused. In addition, a dosage/time recording unit can be attached to the portable syringe dispensing system to accurately record at least the time, date and amount of fluid medicine injected. A plurality of these recordings can be made.

Abstract: An optical interface incorporated into a multi-channel telemetry device used principally to provide data representing physiological conditions in a human subject. Information is transmitted without the need of a bio-compatible electrical connection via an optical link which conveys calibration parameters and commands to control the operation of the telemeter. The optical link is configured to reside completely on an integrated circuit chip. Of the three channels designed into the chip by means of appropriate electronic circuitry, one of the channels measures temperature and the other two channels are dedicated to develop generic information selectively derived from other physiological conditions. Calibration information that is programmed into the telemeter by means of the optical interface is retrieved by time division multiplexing with one of the generic channels.

Abstract: A device which assists those who are visually impaired or handicapped and, in particular, a system for warning blind or visually impaired travelers that they have entered a potentially dangerous area proximal to an edge of boarding platforms of the type typically found in railway and other types of transit systems. An Infrared Integrated Indicating System (IRIIS) includes an array of optical emitters and a portable detector/warning device to be held by a visually handicapped traveler. The emitters create a beam of light which bathes a section of the platform proximal to the platform edge. As the visually handicapped traveler moves into a region of the platform covered by the beam of light, a first indicator, such as sensors in the warning device, is activated and by audio, tactile or other stimuli, alert the visually handicapped traveler of entry into a hazard zone. A second indicator provides additional confirmation to the visually handicapped traveler that doors are open as he or she prepares to board.

Abstract: An algorithm applied in the radiological treatment of tumors which minimizes a cost function which is quadratic in the residual between the prescribed dose distribution and the calculated resultant dose. Possible treatment arcs must be stipulated and the algorithm includes an automatic technique for multiple iso-center selection. One overall strategy can be specification of an unrealistically large number of beams (or arcs) and systematic deletion of those beams having the smallest recommended weights until a practical solution is obtained. Tumor, non-tumor, and avoidance areas can be defined. Constrained matrix immersion results in optimum weights and dosage in the treatment of the tumor.

Abstract: A delay compensated Doppler radar altimeter which eliminates the relative delay curvature associated with the energy reflected by a scatterer located in the along-track direction of an aerial platform for which a most accurate estimation of scatterer elevation is desired. By Doppler shifting each return, the range indicated for each scatterer over its illumination history is equal to the minimum range x.sub.h experienced when the relative velocity between the aerial radar and the ground is effectively zero. Compensating each signal so that its entire along-track history can be used for elevation estimation leads to an advantage of more than 10 dB in gain improvement over existing systems, and less degradation from surface topography.