Abstract: A shock isolator having a housing securable to a support structure with the housing containing a bell shaped elastomer having a base secured to the housing and an axially offset apex surface secured to a connector to cantileverly support equipment to be isolated from shock with the cantileverly support of apex surface from the base insuring that any displacement of the connector produces a substantial shearing action in the elastomer to effectively damp the effect of a shock on the shock isolator.

Abstract: An optical-interconnect arrangement is disclosed in various embodiments. In one embodiment, an optical-interconnect node includes a an optical-link section and a processor-link section. The optical-link section includes an optical combiner and an optical splitter. The combiner combines an optical signal of a local node with optical signals from other connected nodes, and the combined signals are carried on a common waveguide. Each node has an optical splitter that splits the optical signals for local processing. The processor-link section includes a demultiplexer and a transmitter. The optical signals from a splitter are input to a demultiplexer, which separates and converts the optical signals to respective electrical signals. The transmitter converts a local electrical signal to an optical signal having a wavelength associated with the node.

Abstract: A rear projection system having a display screen and a Fresnel lens wherein each of the incident faces of the viewing segments old the Fresnel lens are angularly positioned so that incoming light rays, which enter each old the viewing segments at different angles, are reflected by each of the segments so that the light rays emerging from each of the viewing segments emerge in a direction parallel to a v viewing axis to thereby limit luminosity differences in images viewable on the display screen.

Abstract: An adhesive layer is applied to the surface of a flat, transparent flexible circuit that contains electrically conductive traces one, or more, electronic components is secured by the adhesive layer to the flexible circuit. A dam is formed that encircles at least a substantial portion of the component. A potting material fills the dam such that it encapsulates at least a substantial portion of the component. At least one via is provided in the flexible circuit and the adhesive layer in which electrically conductive material forms an electrical connection to the component. Additional vias are formed in the flexible circuit and the adhesive layer as required to make electrical connections to the traces of the flexible circuit. The component may be secured to a heat sink and the potting fill material may be removed to that it does not entirely cover the surface of the heat sink so that the surface of the heat sink that is remote from the component allows heat to escape into the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A spring element is made of a spring material and is formed into a generally elliptical shape. Two mounting pins extend in a normal direction through parallel relatively short segments of said elliptically-shaped spring element. The mounting pins are substantially aligned with the shorter of the two axis of the elliptically-shaped spring element so as to extend both inwardly and outwardly of said elliptically-shaped spring element. An elastomeric coating is applied around substantially all of the spring elements and a pair of blocks, each of which surrounds one of the mounting pins receives one of the mounting pins. A number of spring elements are joined together by two parallel, spaced-apart coupling links which contain cavities therein to receive one of the blocks of each of the spring elements.

Abstract: Dense physical and electrical connection of (i) flat flexible multiconductor cables of the printed circuit or ribbon types, to (ii) to spaced-parallel planar modules, particularly to switching modules containing switching chips, is realized by (1) a particular connection geometry in combination with (2) a spring clip connector. Flat flexible multiconductor cables routed through free space either in (i) “X” and, optionally also, “Z” planes, or else in (ii) “Y” planes exclusively, have their conductors' ends stripped and bent 90° so as to lie upon conductive pads, arrayed along lines angled 45° to both the “X” and “Y” planes, located on the substrates of switching modules that are within “Z” planes.

Abstract: Multi-stage switching networks may be constructed and expanded from small to very large networks that are contained within a compact physical volume. This is accomplished by replication of a pre-selected network module containing switches by a rotating, folding and squaring process that substantially reduces the length of connections between switches. This geometry allows very large networks by inductively combining smaller networks into larger networks. In networks constructed with this geometry, the length of the longest connections between switches is proportional to the square root of the number of ports provided by the network.

Abstract: A process is provided for near real-time or real-time software based scan conversion in a general purpose computer. The general purpose computer receives data via a digital network comprising range scaled and window detected radar video and antenna azimuth data in polar coordinate format according to the Andrusiak et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,285. The general purpose computer integrates the polar data into a polar buffer prior to conversion to Cartesian coordinates for display. This process de-couples the polar buffer from the coordinate conversion process so that the polar buffer process keeps up with incoming real-time data. The coordinate conversion process is given some portion of the remaining processor bandwidth such that even if it does not keep up with the real-time rate of the radar, it will display all target information. The polar buffer processing involves integration of the new data with old data in the polar buffer in order to preserve target information until it has been displayed.

Abstract: An expandable network constructed from a plurality of identical network fabric cards which uses a plurality of selected row address bits to route connection paths between adjacent columns of interconnecting switches and a software algorithm for implementing a network of any whole number power of 2 rows or ports by assigning numbers of the network switches and attached nodes are described.

Abstract: A process provides radar scan conversion from radar amplitude data in polar coordinates to rectangular coordinates by a digital computer which receives (r,.theta.) coordinate amplitude data from a radar receiver and which supplies (x,y) coordinate amplitude data which covers a rectangular-shaped display area of a monitor display. A software program generates an aggregate radial scan pattern that consists of a plurality of radials each of which have active lengths that span one or more of a plurality of selected regions of the display such that the region boundaries are square as a result of a modified radial drawing method. Each resolution region is defined by the bisection of the radials forming the previous resolution region and the hole-filled range of the previous resolution region. The display can be generated as an offset display where the antenna center may be offset from the display center.

Abstract: A mechanism for securing an electrical fan assembly to a frame is provided by a frame constructed with a generally flat frame peripheral section that surrounds a generally four-cornered rectangular opening at a fan support location. Two spaced-apart tabs punched out of the frame project into holes in the corners of the fan assembly, and two spaced-apart U-channel ribs formed from the frame engage the fan assembly housing when it is supported at the fan-support location. The frame has a wall that extends away from the frame which has a pair of spaced-apart slots. A resilient spring clip is associated with each of the slots so that a lip of the spring clip is clamped over a hole in a corner of the front of the fan assembly housing.

Abstract: An apparatus that supports a load and limits shock force from being transmitted through the four elongated struts that are positioned to support the load. The struts are aligned at an acute angle relative to a base when no shock force is applied to the load. The struts pivot to a second smaller acute angle relative to the base when a shock force is applied to the load. A pair of leaf-springs, which may consist of a stack of several leaf-springs, is associated with each pair of struts so that when a shock force is applied to the load, the leaf-springs apply a return force that drives the struts back to the first acute angle alignment with the base. Restraint members coupled to the struts are used to align them at the first angle relative to said base when no shock force is applied to the load.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitter array package for compiling optical data signals through an optical coupling connector is presented. The package includes the laser array that is mounted on a backing plate that has alignment holes in it, which receive alignment pins to align the array with the input end of the optical coupling connector. In one version of the package the input end of the optical coupling connector extends into the housing of the package and is aligned with the laser array. In a second version the optical coupling connector is extended to the housing and is aligned with optical fibers that project a feed-through assembly into alignment with a second optical coupling connector inside of the package, which in turn is aligned with the laser array. In a third embodiment an optical lens is aligned with the laser array and transmits optical data signals through a window insert in the housing of the package to the input end of the optical coupling connector.

Abstract: A fluid-cooling system for the edge-cooling of semiconductor tiles that are arranged into rows and columns and are mounted on one or more panels is constructed with a coolant supply and return pipe and individual coolant supply and return lines for each of the panels. Fluid flows in separate fluid-cooling passageways for each of the columns of tiles. The passageways are coupled between the coolant supply line and the coolant return line for the panel. The passageways follow a winding path that provides cooling for a major portion of the periphery of all of the tiles that are in a column and for a minor portion of the periphery of all of said tiles that are in adjacent columns. The remaining edges of the tiles in the outermost columns of tiles of a panel that are not cooled by the outermost passageways are cooled by passageway segments that direct fluid from said fluid-cooling passageways. The tiles have a rectangular shape and may contain multi-chip semiconductor modules.

Abstract: A system for the distribution of digitized radar video over a digital network is presented. The digital network is located at the low data rate point in the radar scan conversion process resulting in low network bandwidth with no loss of video fidelity. The conversion from analog to digital distribution allows for a totally integrated information network eliminating the need for a dedicated radar distribution network. This approach broadens the use of radar data from traditionally dedicated consoles to all network users. The radar and display system architecture consists of one or more radars and displays. Each radar has a video digitizer and azimuth decoder that is coupled to receive radar analog signals representative of radar data in polar coordinates or other format, which are constructed to provide digital signals representative of said analog signals.

Abstract: Optical transmission is accomplished with a set of transmitter arrays that are each constructed to transmit spatially separated optical data streams that are determined by the positions of each transmitter of said transmitter array and a set of receiver arrays, each of which is constructed to receive one or more of the spatially separated optical data streams. Optical coupling is provided over transmitter and receiver fiber-optic cables and other conventional optical elements, such as lens and prisms, to provide optical paths that maintain the spatial separation of said optical data streams as established by said transmitters.

Abstract: A backplane assembly for a cluster of modules with the backplane assembly comprised of an electrical backplane and an optical backplane which has optical connectors that extend through openings in the electrical backplane to thereby share a connector shell with the electrical backplane with the clearance between the optical connectors and the electrical backplane sufficiently great so as to permit the optical backplane to be attached or detached from the cluster of modules without having to disconnect the electrical backplane.

Abstract: In a system for locating the position of a transmitter, a platform containing an antenna is moved through a measurement path. The frequency received by the antenna is measured at measurement points distributed along a measurement path. The frequency is measured by cross correlating coherent pulses of the received frequency signal. An inertial navigation system on the platform indicates the position of the measurement path. A computer determines estimated locations by non-linear least squares convergence starting from trial locations. The non-linear least squares convergence is based on the frequency equation for the received frequency ##EQU1## in which f.sub.0 is the transmitter frequency, V is the antenna velocity and r is the range of the transmitter. The computer evaluates a cost function derived from the frequency equation, for each location estimated by the non-linear least squares convergence and selects the estimated location with the lowest cost function as the best solution.

Abstract: A computer system and method of operation has a retargeting program and apparatus which permits adding incorrectly targeted processors and a maintenance interface module (MIM) and automatically retargets them for the correct system. Each processor first determines its own system type, and the overall system type. Incorrectly targeted processors wait for retargeting, while correctly targeted processors select a master processor. The master processor retargets all incorrectly targeted processors by transferring an image of its correctly targeted firmware microcode into their RAM to be burned into their firmware. The MIM is retargeted using master processor code. Only accurately targeted or retargeted processors and MIM can be incorporated into the operating system.