Abstract: A method and a switch arrangement for operating a micromechanical capacitive sensor having at least one and at most two fixed electrodes and one differential capacitor formed by a movable central electrode that can be deflected by an external force, wherein the deflection of the electrode is measured. A fraction of the force acting on the central electrode, corresponding to the electrostatic restorative force, is compensated. Under closed-loop operation, a selection signal is influenced by a regulator supplementing a restore crosstalk signal so that the created capacitive restorative force acts in a compensatory manner against deflection of the central electrode.

Abstract: A method for checking the reliability of nominal position findings on the basis of propagation time measurements. The method is characterized by the use of inertial systems to increase the measurement redundancy of the available measured values. The dimension of the measurement matrix of the nominal system is advantageously increased for such purpose. The method is primarily suitable for hybrid inertial/satellite navigation systems.

Abstract: A connection between an optical waveguide and an encapsulated optical receiver having a window. An encapsulation-end end element of the waveguide is introduced into a capillary-like collar secured on top of the window which is provided in the encapsulation. The end element is bonded in the collar, which is surrounded by an anti-kink protective sleeve that overlaps the edge of the encapsulation and is preferably composed of one piece of a shrink-fit hose. The sleeve is filled on the inside with a sealing compound in the vicinity of the collar. The resulting connection is particularly resistant and insensitive to changes in temperature, moisture, vibration and shock.

Abstract: Strictly out-of-phase stimulation of the two oscillators of a micro-mechanical rate-of-rotation sensor based on the Coriolis principle, having two-plate like oscillators arranged in layers one above another in two parallel planes and capable of being stimulated to oscillate perpendicular to the planes by means of an electrostatic drive, is achieved by the oscillators each being connected via at least one spring to a couple element formed, in each case, in the same wafer layer. The couple elements are mirror-symmetrically configured with respect to a mid-plane between the oscillators and connected to each other by a coupling web arranged therebetween to form a couple structure for the oscillators.

Abstract: A precision, micro-mechanical semiconductor accelerometer of the differential-capacitor type comprises a pair of etched opposing cover layers fusion bonded to opposite sides of an etched proofmass layer to form a hermetically sealed assembly. The cover layers are formed from commercially available, Silicon-On-Insulator ("SOI") wafers to significantly reduce cost and complexity of fabrication and assembly. The functional semiconductor parts of the accelerometer are dry-etched using the BOSCH method of reactive ion etching ("RIE"), thereby significantly reducing contamination inherent in prior art wet-etching processes, and resulting in features advantageously bounded by substantially vertical sidewalls.

Abstract: An adapter for an endoscopic system. An ocular piece is suitable for substitution for the eye-piece of a conventional endoscope. The ocular piece includes a window that is fitted into the end of a barrel-like member and slightly recessed from the edge thereof. The endoscope-engageable portion of the adapter includes a similar window that is also recessed creating a thin cavity therebetween. A latch mechanism at the end of the endoscope engageable portion of the adapter includes a plate having an interior circular aperture that can be selectively moved between positions that block and permit axial travel between the ocular piece and the endoscope engageable portion. The thin chamber between the windows is filled with sterilized water, preventing loss of optical clarity from the accumulation of liquid particles on window surfaces. The separtion between the windows permits rotation therebetween without damage to optical surfaces.

Abstract: An endoscopic adapter assembly for coupling a video camera head and an endoscope having a proximal end, the adapter includes an ocular adapter for engaging securely the proximal end of the endoscope. An endoscope-engageable portion engages the coupler adapter and a focusing portion is rotatably secured to the endoscope-engageable portion. A camera-engageable portion is rotatably secured to the focusing portion for connecting it to the camera head. The ocular adapter portion includes a window which is complementarily shaped and designed to face and to be aligned with a window of the ocular adapter for maintaining glass-on-glass contact therewith.

Abstract: A Schottky barrier resistive gate switch which may be utilized for microwave switching. First and second metallizations which serve as signal inputs overlie a semiconductive substrate, making contact with a doped region thereof. A gate of high resistivity material which forms a Schottky barrier with the substrate is positioned between the metallizations. The doped region defines a channel, the conductivity of which is adjusted by the regulation of the Schottky depletion region formed therein.

Abstract: A compact liquid crystal display of the type wherein a pixel array formed of liquid crystal material is addressed by an associated array of MOSFET circuits, each circuit including a switching device and an overlying storage capacitor. A plurality of substantially parallel gate buses located orthogonal to and insulated from a plurality of parallel drain diffusions are provided for the application of control and video data to the array. A layer of metallization, located within the backplate, forms a common ground plate for the capacitors of the array, shielding the drain diffusions from incident light and thereby eliminating the need for space-consuming diffusion-to-conductor contact regions.

Abstract: A liquid crystal light valve having an improved counterelectrode structure. The light valve includes a layer of liquid crystal material which lies intermediate a photosensitive substrate of intrinsic semiconductive material and the counterelectrode. The upper surface of the substrate is characterized by a highly doped peripheral channel stop. The counterelectrode comprises electrically insulated inner and outer regions, the inner region substantially overlying only the intrinsic material interior said highly doped peripheral channel stop so that an electrical bias may be selectively applied, greatly enhancing the dark current breakdown voltage of the device.