Abstract: A commercially attractive arrangement for monolithic integration of a nonlinear optical polymer transverse electro-optic device on an electronic integrated circuit chip. The invention provides for conductive polymer cladding layers immediately adjacent to an optical signal transmitting nonlinear optical polymer core layer. The cladding layers result in a reduced core layer poling voltage, reduced device length, and 5 VDC or less controlling voltage, allowing inclusion into electronic integrated circuit chips of a size compatible with multichip module integration.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a periodic table group III-IV metal semiconductor metal field-effect transistor device is described. The disclosed fabrication arrangement uses a single metalization for ohmic and Schottky barrier contacts, employs selective etching with a permanent etch stop layer, employs a non-alloyed ohmic contact semiconductor layer and includes a permanent non photosensitive secondary mask element. The invention includes provisions for both an all optical lithographic process and a combined optical and electron beam lithographic process. These concepts are combined to provide a field-effect transistor device of reduced fabrication cost, increased dimensional accuracy and state-of-the-art electrical performance.

Abstract: A position tracker uses an inertial angular measurement system, for measuring orientation and linear translation of a helmet on a human head for the synthesis by a host computer of virtual, directional audio over headphones sensors mounted on the helmut, includes a roll gyro sensor, a pitch gyro sensor, a yaw gyro sensor, an absolute roll tilt sensor coupled to a first universal signal conditioner, an absolute pitch tilt sensor coupled to a second universal signal conditioner, and an absolute yaw compensator. A data acquisition system is coupled between the sensors and the host computer for converting analog signals from the sensors into digital, angular orientation data. Each of the gyro sensors includes angular velocity detectors and solid state electronic devices connected to provide angular velocity signals at a given sample rate.

Abstract: An aircraft electrical supply bus supplementing arrangement in which electrical energy is stored in a large capacitor and energy flow between the capacitor and the bus is controlled by a bi-directional electrical converter circuit of the switched inductance type. The varying terminal voltage of the energy storing capacitor, a super capacitor, is coupled to the relatively fixed voltage of the aircraft supply bus by way of the voltage changing capability of the converter circuit switched inductance. Current flow levels in this inductance are controlled with a negative feedback regulator circuit. Energy storage efficiency in the converter is enhanced with respect to weight and physical size of the capacitor element by ability of the converter circuit to accept a widely varying input voltage while generating a relatively constant output voltage.

Abstract: A multiresolution, multirate approach for detecting and following targets. The resolution of data obtained from a target scanning region is reduced spatially and temporally in order to provide to a tracker a reduced amount of data to calculate. Balances of computer processing resources with long-range detection and multiple target tracking are provided. Computer processing resources can be allocated to other systems while still maintaining an accurate tracking function and alternatively, the tracking function can receive a high level of computer processing resources and track at a finer resolution. An ability to recover raw data points from the spatially and temporally reduced values is also provided.

Abstract: A transmission line arrangement providing control of signal losses through the use of conductor cross-sectional surface area-increasing and skin effect-considered bulbous additions to the rectangular conductor cross-sectional shape frequently used in semiconductor device transmission line conductors. The achieved transmission line is especially suited for use in radio frequency integrated circuit assemblies where it also includes a backplane member, encounters signals in the microwave and millimeter wavelength range and involves conductor dimensions measured in micrometers. Control of transmission line characteristic impedance at, for example, 50 ohms is disclosed as is use of semiconductor device-compatible materials and loss comparisons data.

Abstract: A practical, low-energy consumption method of performing an N-point fast rier transform employing mathematically justified manipulation of input data, multirate, parallel and asynchronous circuit techniques. The multirate feature allows an input data sequence to be broken down into its polyphase components. The polyphase components can then be operated upon in a local and parallel manner. Localizing and minimizing loads of a circuit allows operations to be performed only when necessary in an asynchronous manner. The energy consumed in performing an N-point fast Fourier transform of the present invention is less than half that of known systems employing global memory and clocked methodologies. The feature of low energy consumption makes the invention attractive for use in hand-held audio/video devices where energy requirements can be met with a low rate of battery replacement.

Abstract: Gas generator apparatus usable with a ducted rocket propellant having a high exponent burn rate, a burn rate that is burn chamber pressure sensitive to a greater degree than are normally used propellants. The gas generator includes elementary pressure regulating elements and apparatus for damping movement of the pressure regulating elements to remove oscillatory components of motion therefrom. Burn rate operating point determination and the stability characteristics thereof are described along with the effects of variations in propellant burn rate exponent and regulating element parameters.

Abstract: A high voltage high current semiconductor switching device in which the tendency to incur premature electrical breakdown through carrier channels formed slightly below the surface of the semiconductor material is avoided. This avoidance occurs through use of a current dispersing electrically insulating element added at one extremity of the switching device structure. The added current dispersing element may be in the form of a thin oxide layer added at the anode end of the device in the case of a silicon embodiment of the invention. Tunneling conduction is believed to occur in this silicon dioxide layer and such conduction has the effect of dispersing the current through the silicon over a cross-sectional area sufficiently large to prevent the current filamentation, localized heating, thermal runaway and self destruction sequence often encountered in previous arrangements of higher energy semiconductor switches.

Abstract: The present invention is a calibration system that allows one person to perform multiple end-to-end calibrations of a structural dynamic measurement system including mounted transducers, signal conditioning and recorder. Only one person is needed to operate the system at the recorder. The system stimulates structural measurement transducers contained inside of structures using remotely controlled exciters with a measurable acceleration level and the data measured by the transducers is communicated to a recorder.

Abstract: A photo FET device having a large area backside optical energy reception surface is disclosed. The photo FET device is fabricated in the source gate and drain upward configuration and then inverted onto a new permanent substrate member and an original surrogate substrate member removed in order to expose the active area backside optical energy reception surface. Electrical characteristics including curve tracer electrical data originating in both dark and illuminated devices and devices of varying size and both depletion mode and enhancement mode operation are also disclosed. Fabrication of the device from gallium arsenide semiconductor material and utilization for infrared energy transducing in a number of differing electronic applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: A periodic table group III-IV metal semiconductor metal field-effect transistor device is described. The disclosed device includes single metalization for ohmic and Schottky barrier contacts, an elective permanent etch stop layer, a non-alloyed ohmic contact semiconductor layer and a permanent non photosensitive secondary mask element. The invention may be achieved with one of an all optical lithographic process and a combined optical and electron beam lithographic process The disclosed field-effect transistor device is of reduced fabrication cost, increased dimensional accuracy and state of the art electrical performance.

Abstract: A broadband gigahertz frequency range radio receiver useful in electronic warfare and other applications for incoming signal detection and identification purposes. The receiver is based on Fourier transform examination of incoming signal characteristics and provides real time accomplishment of these tasks by way of using a simplified one-bit digital representation of the incoming signals and a resulting reduction of the computational load associated with the Fourier transform operation. The receiver precedes the Fourier transform operation with signal processing which may include, for example, a limiting amplifier and two bandpass filters. Two incoming signal accommodation is provided, a characteristic which is particularly improved over the characteristics of popular presently used receivers in this field.

Abstract: A two-dimensional, electrically-multiplexed robotic tactile sensor realized by capacitively coupling a piezoelectric film such as a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer film to a monolithic silicon integrated circuit. The disclosed integrated circuit incorporates 64 identical sensor electrodes arranged in a symmetrical 8.times.8 matrix and physically adjacent electronic amplification for each sensor electrode signal. The response of a typical tactile sensor is linear for loads spanning the range of 0.8 to 135 grams of force and provides a response bandwidth of 20-25 Hz. Stability and response reproducibility limitations often associated with piezoelectric-based tactile sensors are resolved by a pre-charge voltage bias sequence for the PVDF film which initializes the pre-and post-load sensor responses. Recognition of sharp-edge, square, trapezoid, isosceles triangle, circle, toroid, slotted screw, and cross-slotted screw shapes using the sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: An antenna test body for providing azimuth and elevation rotation having a rotating cylinder contained within said test body and an arc sector under the test body capable of providing elevation rotation. The test body provides a phase stationary center point under rotation of both azimuth and elevation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing small size, high gain corner reflection of radio frequency signals for use in military and commercial applications. Conventional corner reflector practice is combined with electronic amplifying reflection devices such as the superregenerative amplifier to provide an array of antennas and amplifiers spread over each planar surface of a corner reflector. The specific antenna used may be selected from a plurality of various antenna types depending on the application. As in a conventional corner reflector, the amplified signal is reflected at the same angle and in the opposite direction of the incident signal.

Abstract: A simplified, low-cost analog system for displacing the perceived source of a stereophonic studio signal from an inherent location within the listener's head to selected fixed alternate locations such as thirty degrees on either side of and a few feet in front of the listener. The disclosed system employs selected analog filters including ear canal resonance-simulating pinna related filters and signal delaying multiple poled Bessel filters to displace the apparent sound source to the predetermined external locations. The audio filter elements are preferably implemented with operational amplifiers with the pinna related filter enhancing frequencies around 5 KHz, and with the output of the pinna related filter being sent directly to one audio channel, and the output of the delay filter is sent to the other channel. Two signal channels can be processed simultaneously using a symmetrical circuit for the other input channel and mixing together the outputs.

Abstract: A method for communicating graphic data such as plotted two-dimensional curves to a user such as a sight impaired person is disclosed. The disclosed arrangement uses haptic or tactile stimulation of a user's extremity such as is relied--upon in the Braille code fingertip communication already known to many sight impaired persons. Computerized control over a Braille character-like display and use of the computer mouse as a data selection input device; are included in the invention. The invention also includes provision of data enhancement and data interpretation aids including axis names, multiple curve identifications, grid line identifications and the addition of audio information such as tick sounds and spoken utterances to supplement the tactile communication. A computer-based embodiment of the invention is disclosed, this in the form of hardware block diagrams, software flow diagrams and computer code listing, the latter being primarily in microfiche appendix form.

Abstract: A video camera system combining a charge coupled device (CCD) with a rotating prism optical element is disclosed. The rotating prism optical element moves an optical image on the transducer surface of the CCD array in precise synchronism with a CCD array clock which is transferring charge between transducer sites of the array. Since charge transfer occurs in synchronism with image movement, the exposure of transducer sites to image blurring or smearing additional optical energy is eliminated. The disclosed apparatus is particularly useful for high-speed, high-resolution, military, possibly airborne, camera systems. The invention also contemplates resolution of color images, with the use of color selective filters over adjacent columns of the CCD imaging array. The invention additionally contemplates utilizing a rotating prism optical element with other types of detectors.

Abstract: A laser radar system in which a laser beam is used to illuminate a target region of interest. The density of the laser radiation at the target plane is low enough that the reflected energy from diffusing portions of the target is not detectable by the laser radar receiver. Target reflections from retroreflective portions of the target such as glint signal reflections are also not initially detectable by the radar however these reflections are of such greater signal strength that the radar system is arranged to respond to the glint signals after they are enhanced by optical processing which includes re-illumination of the target glint area by a phase conjugated and parametrically amplified enhancement of the original reflected glint signal. Plural uses and alternate arrangements of the invention are included.