Abstract: An on-board regulated voltage up-convertor for converting a first DC voltage at a first node from an electronic system to a second DC voltage for an integrated device at a second node. The convertor comprises reference generator means for generating a predetermined reference voltage at start-up, voltage regulator means coupled to said first node for regulating said first voltage at a predetermined voltage at a third node, voltage multiplier means coupled to said third node and to said second node for multiplying said predetermined voltage to generate an output voltage substantially equal to said second voltage, feedback means coupled to said second node for feeding said output voltage back to said voltage regulator means to adjust the level of said predetermined voltage at said third node according to how said output voltage is relative to said second voltage.

Abstract: A micromachined rate sensor system includes plural sensing proof masses or plates coupled to multiple electrostatic combs. A comb drive amplifier induces a deflection of the sense plates along a plane defined by the configuration of the sense plates, such that the sensed rotational rate causes an out-of-plane force to act on the sense plates. The motor combs are driven at half NRF by coupling a comb drive amplifier to a half frequency motor oscillator comprising a digital "divide by 2" flip flop, a low pass filter, a multiplier, and a plurality of signal amplifiers. The half frequency oscillator provides the drive voltage at one-half the NRF. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention eliminate undesirable parasitic drive feedthrough at the motor frequency, thus providing for increased efficiency.

Abstract: A circuit for converting a system supply voltage having one of two levels to a voltage for use by an integrated analog circuit connected to the system upon power-up. The circuit uses a diode-connected transistor to generate a reference voltage necessary for a regulator to regulate the supply voltage when the supply voltage is first powered up. The regulated supply voltage is doubled to a voltage level sufficient to activate the integrated analog circuit's bandgap voltage. The activated bandgap voltage is thus switched on to supply a more precise reference voltage to the regulator so that the diode-connected transistor may be de-activated to conserve power. The circuit also provides a bypass path for connecting the supply voltage directly to the integrated analog circuit when the supply voltage is the same level as the necessary voltage for the integrated analog circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety system includes an image sensor and processor that provides a classification of the occupancy status of the passenger seat area to determine whether an airbag should be deployed. The image processing system includes a photodetector array sensor and lens assembly with image processing electronics to acquire a machine vision representation of the passenger seat area within a vehicle. The objects in the field of view are then discriminated to determine whether a rear-facing child carrier is located in the passenger seat, such that the passenger-side airbag can be disabled.

Abstract: A bus bar having reduced parasitic inductance and equal current path legends. A bus bar of the present invention has a first plate connected to a collector of a first transistor, a collector of a second transistor, an emitter of a third transistor and an emitter of a fourth transistor; a second plate including a second plate input connected to a collector of the third transistor and a collector of the fourth transistor; a third plate including a third plate input connected to an emitter of the first transistor and an emitter of the second transistor; and a fourth plate which is connected to the first plate. The first plate, the second plate, and the third plate are disposed such that the lengths of the current paths from the fourth plate through the first transistor to the input of the third plate is equal to the length of the current path from the fourth plate through the second transistor to the input of the third plate.

Abstract: Penetration Enhancing Compounds for use in welding is characterized as comprising select alkali metals and alkali earth metals and halogens.

Abstract: A digitally driven, analog bandpass filter has an analog summer and two analog delay elements connected in a loop. An input signal to the filter is applied to a plus input terminal of the summer, and the output of the second delay elements is applied to a minus input terminal of the summer. The output of filter may be taken either from the output of the summer, or from the output of the second delay element, or from any point in between. Each delay element is driven by a two phase non-overlapping clock, and each element passes a charge from a first capacitor through an op amp to either a second capacitor (first phase) or a third capacitor (second phase). Amplification may be provided by adjusting the ratio of the second (or third) capacitor to the first capacitor. If a differential op amp is used, both sides of the op amp are clocked together, and each side has its own trio of capacitors identical to the trio on the other side.

Abstract: This detector provides a computationally simple digital low power detector of symbol rate, also called baud rate. It uses an approximate Hilbert transform function to create approximate in-phase and quadrature signals. An approximate envelope detector (feature extractor) processes these signals to produce a signal with a strong frequency component at the symbol rate. This signal is then filtered, accumulated, and threshold detected. The approximate in-phase and quadrature signals are formed by a linear sequence of six delay elements, the output of the third delay element being the in-phase signal. A first summer receives the output of the second delay element at a minus input and the output of the fourth delay element at a plus input. A second summer receives the signal input at a minus input and the output of the sixth delay element at a plus input, and drives a right two bit shifter.

Abstract: A synthesizer based upon direct-digital frequency synthesizer techniques of simplistic design and minimized spurious signal levels. The output signals of two frequency hopped direct-digital frequency synthesizers are combined with the resultant signal having a greatly suppressed spurious signal level due to the channel spacing variation of the spur. Alternate embodiments concern the number and functional location of digital-to-analog converters, varying the clock signal and the use of high-pass filters.

Abstract: A photon-counting spatial light modulator that has an avalanche photodiode structure and is designed to operate in Geiger mode is sensitive to a single photon of light. An avalanche photodiode having an applied electric field is excited by an optical wave comprising one or more photons whose energies exceed the band-gap energy of the photodiode material. This localized electrical excitation alters the refractive index of the material through various effects, most notably the transient thermo-optic effect and the photorefractive effect. A second optical wave is incident during or shortly after the electrical excitation, and comprises photons whose energy is less than or nearly equal to the band-gap energy. This second optical wave is then used to read out the avalanche-induced variation in refractive index.

Abstract: A multiband direction finding antenna comprised of numerous antenna elements, of coplanar location. The antenna elements associated with lower band frequencies are provided with chokes, so that unchoked sections do not exceed one-quarter wavelength of the high-band, highest frequency.

Abstract: A bandwidth-enhanced antenna system for operating on one of a plurality of selected frequency bands includes a whip or wire antenna element having band selection wires and a contiguous set of inductors arranged in series, each of the inductors being sufficiently separated from one another and being arranged such that the resonant frequency of any of said inductors is greater than the highest operating frequency of the plurality of frequency bands. Selector means is included provide a band select signal, and a plurality of switches each having a first terminal connected to a corresponding one of the inductors and a second terminal connected to the feed-end of the antenna element. The switches are responsive to the bandwidth select signal to allow communication using a selected one of the plurality of the frequency bands. An impedance matching network may be used for coupling an external receiver or transmitter to the feed-end of the antenna element.

Abstract: A pollution control system for an internal combustion engine comprises a mechanism for separating air from the environment into nitrogen enriched air and oxygen enriched air. The nitrogen enriched air is introduced to an internal combustion engine, thereby reducing engine combustion temperature and concomitantly reducing oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x). A mechanism is also provided for introducing oxygen enriched air to the exhaust products of the internal combustion engine, the mixing of the exhaust products with oxygen enriched air minimizes pollution.

Abstract: A dual filament fluorescent lamp where the individual filaments are disposed along diameter lines of a fluorescent tube and are disposed on differing planes at differing heights within the tube with a predetermined separation between the tube filaments and the filaments being disposed in a perpendicular fashion when viewed from above. The primary filament is disposed above the secondary filament and it has a larger diameter that the secondary filament.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating excited singlet delta oxygen by effecting a chemical reaction between chlorine and basic hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A modular radar system using both FM/CW and pulse waveforms for automotive collision avoidance applications.

Abstract: A novel supply discriminator circuit is disclosed for detecting the level of a supply voltage during power-up of a system for configuring an integrated analog circuit such as a PCMCIA card. The circuit compares a reference voltage with a divided down supply voltage and latches the result a predetermined delay later. The delay thus provides timing for the supply voltage to stabilize after power-up to assure accurate detection, as well as noise immunity from other devices.

Abstract: A spatial power combiner includes a circularly corrugated horn 26, a meniscus lens 28, an amplifier array 16, and a layer of microwave absorbing material 34 on a housing interior 32. The lens 28 receives polarized microwave radiation from the horn 26 and collimates it, renders it in phase and with nearly uniformly amplitude, and distributes it across the lens aperture. The amplifier array 16 amplifies the radiation and re-radiates it, orthogonally polarized, to the lens 28, which focuses it back down the horn 26. An array of parasitic micropatches 24 between the lens 28 and amplifier array 16 provides impedance matching. A quarter-wave anti-reflecting coating 30 covers both surfaces of the lens 28. The microwave absorbing material 34 reduces or prevents resonance of higher order modes.

Abstract: A quasi-passive regenerative fuel cell system in accordance with the invention utilizes hydrogen that is stored in a metal hydride form. Advantageously, this embodiment reduces the system's operating pressures from roughly 21 MPa (3,000 psia) to roughly 2.1 MPa (300 psia), when fully charged, and eliminates the need for gaseous oxygen storage altogether. All oxygen consumed by the fuel cell system can be extracted directly from the surrounding air. All oxygen produced by the electrolyzer is, in turn, vented back into the atmosphere.

Abstract: The flying wedge clutch assembly is a speed actuated coupling device that provides low speed axial load and torque transmission and disengages for increased shaft motion at higher speeds. The flying wedge clutch assembly is a compact and lightweight design, roughly equivalent to a conventional ball bearing assembly in a typical turbopump application. Advantageously, the flying wedge clutch assembly can be used in high speed rotating machines with radial hydrostatic bearings eliminating the speed and life limitations normally attributed to rolling element bearings.