Abstract: There is described a method for controlling a system, for example a Diesel engine, that is subject to transient changes of target outputs. The target outputs specify outputs required from the system. “Steady state” information is used to give optimum inputs for the system when the target outputs are substantially constant. A model of the system is used to predict the outputs of the system in response to candidate new values for the inputs of the system. The method combines the steady state information with the predicted response of the system to determine inputs to the system which will cause the system outputs to match the target outputs as closely as possible. For each candidate (in one embodiment), the method calculates the difference between the steady state inputs and a candidate, and the difference between the target outputs and the predicted outputs that would result from the adoption of that candidate, to determine an optimum candidate which is then used to update the inputs to the system.

Abstract: Improved phase locked loops are described which handle momentary breaks in an input communication channel. The phase locked loops provide the capability to “hold” the output clock in a communication system at or very near the last output frequency before the loss of input data. Such phase locked loops include a differential phase detector, an electronic selector circuit, and an operational amplifier based loop filter circuit. The electronic selector circuit provides the differential output of the phase detector at a pair of inputs to the operational amplifier. A voltage controlled oscillator is coupled to an output of the operational amplifier and provides an output frequency for the phased locked loop circuit. The electronic selector circuit is operable to control the input to the operational amplifier to hold an output frequency of the voltage controlled oscillator at a substantially constant frequency.

Abstract: A video camera recorder having a main camera body, electronic components, a cassette holder, a battery and weather cover. The main camera body has a first end that is generally cylindrical in shape. The electronic components are used for operations of the video camera and are housed in the main camera body. The cassette holder is in electrical communication with the electronic components. The battery is in electrical communication with the electronic components. The weather cover selectively covers and protects the electronic components, the cassette holder and the battery from weather. Moreover, the weather cover has a first end that is generally cylindrical in shape and a second enclosed end. The first end of the weather cover is selectively connected to the main camera body to form a weatherproof seal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit with circuits under a bond pad. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit comprises a substrate, a top conductive layer, one or more intermediate conductive layers, layers of insulating material and devices. The top conductive layer has a at least one bonding pad and a sub-layer of relatively stiff material. The one or more intermediate conductive layers are formed between the top conductive layer and the substrate. The layers of insulating material separate the conductive layers. Moreover, one layer of the layers of insulating material is relatively hard and is located between the top conductive layer and an intermediate conductive layer closest to the top conductive layer. The devices are formed in the integrated circuit. In addition, at least the intermediate conductive layer closest to the top conductive layer is adapted for functional interconnections of select devices under the bond pad.

Abstract: A system is described which provides bidirectional transport of data at different data rates for each direction over a shared medium. In one embodiment, the different data rates are accomplished using different modulation techniques. For example, in the downstream direction, quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) 64 is used and in the upstream direction orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is used. The QAM 64 modulation provides for a higher number of bits per hertz in a transmission channel. By using QAM 64 modulation, down stream transmission rates on the order of 30 megabits per second (Mbps) in a 6 MHz channel can be achieved. A number of 6 MHz channels can be combined to provide for even higher data rates.

Abstract: An inertial navigation system is provided. The system includes a gas supported sensor block that is adapted to rotate in three dimensions in a near frictionless environment, a plurality of jet plates adapted to receive two or more pairs of opposing pneumatic nozzles and a plurality of electronically controlled pneumatic valves that provides and controls gas to the opposing pair of pneumatic nozzles. Each pair of opposing pneumatic nozzles is directed at an exterior surface of the sensor block and uses gas flow to move and hold the sensor block in any rotational location without physically touching the sensor block.

Abstract: A splitter for enabling a power signal and a communication signal to be transmitted over a common communication link is provided. The splitter includes a line port adapted to be coupled to a communication line, a power port adapted to be coupled to a power supply to receive a power signal, and a communication port adapted to be coupled to a communication circuit that generates and receives communication signals. The splitter also includes a low pass filter coupled between the power port and the line port, the low pass filter including a coupled inductor, a high pass filter coupled to the communication port, and wherein the communication signals and the power signal are transported on the communication line at the line port.

Abstract: A communication device, particularly, a car-mounted information device, which makes it possible to obtain information of a transmitting source and of a receiving end linked to a navigation function relying upon end-to-end communication by using electronic mail among vehicles. The car-mounted information device comprises a cellular phone terminal connected to an external unit, a car navigation function, a modem function for transmitting and receiving data end to end between the vehicles via the cellular phone terminals, a mail transmitting/receiving function for transmitting and receiving the data using electronic mail, and a car navigation-linking function for processing the information of the electronic mail transmitted and received by linking the information to the car navigation function.

Abstract: A remote assembly is provided. The remote assembly includes multiple line powered remote units, an input power sharing circuit adapted to receive power from each of the multiple line powered remote units and provide a variable output voltage to power auxiliary equipment and a control circuit coupled to the input power sharing circuit, wherein the control circuit is adapted to control the variable output voltage.

Abstract: A method for confining circuit cards to different locations within a housing is provided. The housing includes a frame having an array of slots, each containing one of the circuit cards. In one embodiment, the receptacle has a cam that is selectively engageable with the frame for clamping the circuit cards within the frame. In another embodiment, a shaft is rotatably attached to the receptacle. The shaft has a head at one end and a nut opposite the head. A resilient element is disposed on the shaft between the head and the nut. The resilient element is axially compressible between the head and nut to bulge generally perpendicularly to the axial direction into engagement with the frame for clamping the circuit cards within the frame.

Abstract: A range finder for hunting applications. In one embodiment, a method of using a range finder is disclosed. The method comprises coupling the range finder to a weapon having an associated scope. Positioning at least part of a display of the range finder in front of a select portion of the associated scope. Activating the range finder. Determining the distance to a target and displaying the distance to the target through optics of the scope.

Abstract: A method of automatic permanent virtual circuit connection activation is provided. The method includes detects initiation of communication between a first and a second network element at a first reference point. The method further receives at least one virtual circuit identifier of the first network element and learning at least one virtual circuit identifier of the second network element. In addition, the method creates a translation connection between the first and second network elements.

Abstract: A circuit that uses a bi-directional buffer as follows: First a tri-state output buffer is connected to a functional clock and a bi-directional port is connected to a test clock. The bi-directional buffer is configured to receive control signals to selectively block and unblock the tri-state output port connected to the functional clock. In addition, the bi-directional port connected to a test clock is connected to the internal logic of the device. When the tri-state output buffer connected to the functional clock is blocked, the test clock transmits a clock signal to the internal logic of the device. When the tri-state output buffer connected to the functional clock is unblocked, the functional clock transmits a clock signal to the internal logic of the device.

Abstract: A reconfigurable aperture with an optical backplane. In one embodiment a reconfigurable aperture antenna is disclosed. The reconfigurable aperture includes a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL) and a receiver for each VCSEL. Each receiver is adapted to reconfigure a portion of an aperture in response to an optical feed from an associated VCSEL.

Abstract: A method for controlling the data rate of a virtual connection. Data packets are received for transmission on the virtual connection. The method comprises buffering the data packets in a buffer. A counter signal is generated to indicate the beginning of timeslots in a measurement window. The number of timeslots needed to transmit the data packets with a selected data rate is determined. The method further accesses data from at least one table to determine the spacing between timeslots in the measurement window used to request access to a data bus based on the number of timeslots needed to achieve the selected data rate. Further, access to a data bus for the data packets in the buffer is requested based on the data accessed from the table. The method further transmits the packets when access to the bus is granted.

Abstract: In a semiconductor substrate with a top surface, a PN junction between a first region of one conductivity type formed by masked diffusion into a semiconductor from the surface and a second region of opposite conductivity type formed into a first portion of the first region from the surface. The improvement comprising edges of the first region being spaced from associated edges of the second region such that the doping concentration of the first region at the surface intersection of corners of the junction between the first and second regions is lower than it is at some other location in the first region.

Abstract: A communication system includes primary and secondary interface cards. A switching circuit allows both of the interface cards to selectively communicate over a medium without inducing reflection. Further, an automatic detection system is provided to allow a management circuit to identify which interface card is coupled as the primary or secondary card.

Abstract: A port isolator apparatus includes an optical isolator circuit that electrically isolates an input circuit from a high-speed output circuit. The input circuit uses a transistor to control the current flow of a data signal into the optical isolator. The optical isolator generates, from the data signal, an output signal that controls the high-speed output circuit in the regeneration of the output signal. The output signal is substantially similar to the input data signal. The input circuit and the optical isolator circuit are coupled to one power and ground circuit while the high-speed output circuit is coupled to a second power and ground circuit that is isolated from the first power and ground circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and Methods for the self-alignment of separated regions in a lateral MOSFET of an integrate circuit. In one embodiment, a method comprising, forming a relatively thin dielectric layer on a surface of a substrate. Forming a first region of relatively thick material having a predetermined lateral length on the surface of the substrate adjacent the relatively thin dielectric layer. Implanting dopants to form a top gate using a first edge of the first region as a mask to define a first edge of the top gate. Implanting dopants to form a drain contact using a second edge of the first region as a mask to define a first edge of the drain contact, wherein the distance between the top gate and drain contact is defined by the lateral length of the first region.

Abstract: A DC to DC buck pulse width modulator converter circuit includes an input, a high side output and a low side output. A high side switch is electrically connected between a common output node and a voltage supply, and controls a flow of current therethrough dependent upon the high side output. A low side switch is electrically connected between the common output node and ground, and controls a flow of current therethrough dependent upon the low side output. A virtual ground amplifier includes a second input electrically connected to ground. A current feedback resistor is electrically connected intermediate the common output node and a first input of the virtual ground amplifier. A variable impedance component is electrically connected to an output of the virtual ground amplifier and to the first input of the virtual ground amplifier. The impedance of the variable impedance component is varied dependent upon the output of the virtual ground amplifier.