Abstract: Ion separation in a FAIMS analyzer is affected by the presence of neutral species and solvent vapor. A diffuser element, which is fabricated from a porous material, is disposed within a curtain gas chamber adjacent to the FAIMS ion inlet, such that a flow of a curtain gas is blocked from flowing directly out through a curtain gas orifice. The porous material creates a pressure drop across the diffuser and results in the flow of curtain gas being provided out of the curtain gas orifice, along a direction that is approximately perpendicular to a plane containing the curtain gas orifice. The perpendicular gas flow opposes ions traveling toward the curtain gas orifice from an ionization source, thereby desolvating the ions. Providing a perpendicular curtain gas flow for desolvating ions reduces the ion losses that are normally associated with the curtain gas flow deflecting some of the ions away from the curtain gas orifice and toward a curtain plate electrode.

Abstract: A baggage handling unit for retrofitting an existing passenger boarding bridge having a foundation includes a walkway for coupling a terminal building access port and a rotunda of an existing passenger boarding bridge so as to support passenger movement therebetween. The walkway includes a baggage access port, and a baggage elevating element is mounted adjacent to the baggage access port of the walkway. The baggage handling unit also includes a support having a mounting end configured for engaging the foundation and a support end for supporting the rotunda of the existing passenger boarding bridge at a position that is horizontally displaced from the foundation. A mount is provided for fixedly coupling the baggage handling unit to the rotunda about a point opposite an aircraft engaging portion of the existing passenger boarding bridge, such that the baggage handling unit and the rotunda are structurally attached.

Abstract: The problem of operationally analyzing spread spectrum frequency-hopping transmissions has been known since the invention of frequency-hopping radios. A frequency-hopping radio transmits a communication using small signal segments of data making up the transmission in accordance to a set of predetermined parameters. In this type of transmission each small segment of data is transmitted at a different frequency, one after another, until the transmission is completed. In some cases, it may be desirable to analyze these radio transmissions and to be able to determine radio spectrum usage and provide a mean to report on interference in frequency bands where multiple types of transmissions are possible. A novel method of isolating multiple transmission signals that are transmitted using frequency-hopping and apparatus is thus proposed which receives at least a transmission and performs operations within frequency bands of the received transmission in order to monitor and characterize signal energy therein.

Abstract: A method is proposed for automatically updating and maintaining contact information for various contacts stored in a contact database without requiring an individual to manually update their contacts by using an automated reply process for the maintaining of contact information, as well as only requiring one individual to be a member of the service. Updating of the contacts with the automated reply process installed is more frequent.

Abstract: An automated canopy positioning system for providing solar protection is disclosed. The automated canopy positioning system orients the canopy of the umbrella in relation to the sun so that a shade at a predetermined location is provided thereunder. The system has a canopy for providing shade in response to light impacting the upper surface, a first photodetector for detecting the amount of light in the shaded area and for generating a photocurrent in response to the light incident thereon, a control circuit for receiving the photocurrent and for generating a control signal in dependence thereon, and a positioning mechanism coupled with the canopy for spatially orienting the canopy in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A speech-to-text-to-speech for use with on-line and real time transmission of speech with a small bandwidth from a source to a destination. A speech is received and broken down to phonemes, which are encoded into series of symbols compatible with communication systems and other than a known symbolic representation of the speech in a known language for being transmitted through communication networks. When received, the series of symbols is decoded to restore the phonemes and for reconstituting a speech according to the phonemes prior to being communicated to a listening party.

Abstract: Vertical alignment of a movable bridge with a doorway of an aircraft is achieved by moving a sensor disposed on the movable bridge in a generally downward direction so as to sense a position of an upper surface of the aircraft. The upper surface of the aircraft has a known elevational relationship relative to the doorway of the aircraft, which is used along with the sensed position to align an aircraft engaging portion of the movable bridge with the doorway. The method accommodates different heights of a same model of aircraft resulting from differences in the aircraft loads and is easily implemented using non-contact sensors.

Abstract: An ignition system providing power and duration controlled ignition spark, comprises a spark controller, first switching energy accumulator, storage capacitor, and second switching energy accumulator with an ignition coil. The ignition system utilizes dual means of switching energy accumulation, internal energy transfer, and three means of energy release to the ignition spark, working in all possible combinations managed by means of the spark controller depending on engine operating conditions, and provides continuous bipolar ignition spark. Spark profile is regulated by means of control signals (2) and (3) based on their frequency, duty cycle, interrelation, and running time.

Abstract: Communication nodes for use with a wireless ad-hoc communication network are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication node comprises a transducer, which generates a signal in response to an external signal. The ad-hoc network communication is supported in part by static communication nodes, which defined an organized infrastructure network in order to achieve the various functions of the transducers. In another embodiment, the communication node for use with a wireless ad-hoc network does not include a transducer. Such communication nodes are preferred for use with a less structured network with virtually no infrastructure and allow for being used with expanding and contracting networks. Mobile communication nodes mostly support the propagation of signals. However, pseudo-static or static communication nodes are also used in wireless communication ad-hoc networks.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating ions includes providing a FAIMS analyzer region defined by a space between a first electrode surface and a second electrode surface and extending between an ion inlet end and an ion outlet end. An asymmetric waveform is applied to the first electrode surface and a compensation voltage difference is applied between the first and second electrode surfaces. An output signal is provided from a temperature sensor, the output signal relating to a temperature within the FAIMS analyzer region. In dependence upon the output signal, the temperature within the FAIMS analyzer region is controllably affected. The apparatus supports operation of FAIMS at temperatures different from the temperature of other components in a tandem multi-stage system, and supports the stable operation of FAIMS at different temperatures which increases the separation capability of FAIMS.

Abstract: A system for aligning one end of a passenger loading bridge to an aircraft having a doorway is provided. A transmitter is disposed within a space of a side-wall of an aircraft, the side-wall including an inner wall defining an interior surface of the side-wall and an outer wall defining an exterior surface of the side-wall, the inner wall and the outer wall disposed in a spaced-apart arrangement one relative to the other, so as to define the space therebetween. The transmitter is for providing an electromagnetic signal including a homing signal for use during an operation for aligning the one end of the passenger loading bridge to the doorway of the aircraft. A receiver is disposed about a point having a known location relative to the one end of the passenger loading bridge, for receiving the electromagnetic signal transmitted from the transmitter, and for providing an electrical output signal relating to the electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for monolithic integration of active devices within passive semiconductor waveguides and the application of this method for use in InP-based planar wavelength division multiplexing components of optical communication systems. The epitaxial device is grown in a single run and comprises a number of layers, such that the lower part of the structure acts as a single mode passive waveguide while the upper part of the structure contains a planar PIN diode. The PIN structure is present only in the active waveguide portion and absent in all the passive waveguide portions. The active and passive waveguide portions have substantially similar guiding properties with the exception of a mode tail above a top surface of the passive waveguide portion within the active waveguide portion.

Abstract: A method of controlling an asymmetric waveform that is generated as a combination of a plurality of sinusoidal waves, including two sinusoidal waves having a frequency that differs by a factor of two. The method includes the steps of sampling the generated asymmetric waveform to obtain a set of data points that is indicative of the generated asymmetric waveform. Each data point of the set of data points normalized. The method further includes the steps of determining at least a value relating to the normalized data points of comparing the determined at least a value to template data relating to an ideal asymmetric waveform, and of effecting a change to the generated asymmetric waveform in dependence upon the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for tracking motion phase of an object. A plurality of projection data indicative of a cross-sectional image of the object is received. The projection data are processed for determining motion projection data of the object indicative of motion of the object based on the attenuation along at least a same line through the object at different time instances. A motion phase of the object with the object having the least motion is selected. Finally, projection data acquired at time instances within the selected motion phase of the object are selected for tomographical image reconstruction. Reconstructed images clearly show a substantial improvement in image quality by successfully removing motion artifacts using the method for tracking motion phase of an object according to the invention. The method is highly beneficial in cardiac imaging using X-ray CT scan.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for generating a periodically varying electrical signal for creating a periodically varying electrical field between electrodes of an ion mobility spectrometer. The apparatus includes an output port. A first tuned circuit is provided for being electrically coupled to an external power source and for, in isolation, providing a first periodically varying electrical signal having a first frequency. The first tuned circuit is coupled to the output port for providing an output electrical signal having a component at the first frequency thereto. A second tuned circuit is provided for being electrically coupled to an external power source and for providing a second periodically varying electrical signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency. The second tuned circuit is coupled to the first tuned circuit for varying the output electrical signal about the first periodically varying electrical signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for aligning a door of an aircraft to a passenger loading bridge. A final parking position of the aircraft is defined as being immediately adjacent to a position of the passenger loading bridge, such that when the aircraft is stopped at the final parking position, the passenger loading bridge requires only a telescopic extension of less than about 1 meter to complete the alignment operation. To this end, an indicating device that works cooperatively with an aircraft-engaging end of the passenger loading bridge is provided for displaying human intelligible instructions for use by a pilot of the aircraft to guide the aircraft to the final parking position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a ceramic armor plate. A backing element having a known two-dimensional size is provided. A plurality of ceramic armor tiles are placed side by side to form a layer of ceramic armor tiles on a front surface of the backing element, and the layer of ceramic armor tiles is affixed to the backing element. An abrasivejet cutter is used to cut continuously through at least two adjacent ceramic armor tiles of the affixed layer of ceramic armor tiles, and through a corresponding portion of the backing element affixed thereto, so as to delineate a portion of a ceramic armor plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to real time spectral analysis of wide-band sampled signals, in particular to a method and system for real time digital spectral analysis of wide-band sampled signals using parallel processing techniques. The center frequency of each received wide-band signal is shifted by a small fraction ? of its bandwidth. After sampling and digitizing, the wide-band signals are de-multiplexed into N parallel sample streams for parallel processing. The sample streams are digitally FIR filtered and sub-band signals are determined by decimating the sample streams by a factor of 2k·N;k=0,1, . . . , wherein only every 2k·Nth;k=0,1, . . . sample is retained and the others are discarded. These sub-band signals may then be processed using various methods of spectral analysis such as cross-correlation, auto-correlation or phased array applications. Any finite-length FIR filter has a finite transition band.

Abstract: A method of separating ions, including a first species of ion and a second species of ion that are transmitted through an analyzer region under substantially identical electrical field conditions, is provided. The method includes separating ions within an analyzer region according to the FAIMS principle, such that the first species of ion and the second species of ion are selectively transmitted along a time-averaged first direction through a portion of the analyzer region between the ion origin end and the ion detection end. Subsequently, the first species of ion and the second species of ion within the analyzer region are separated according to a difference in low field ion mobility values, such that relatively more of one of the first species of ion and the second species of ion is transmitted to an ion detection end than is transmitted absent separating the first species of ion and the second species of ion within the analyzer region according to a difference in their low field ion mobility values.