Abstract: A hand-held or vehicle-mounted stabilization system including a platform supported by two or more rotatably-coupled gimbal frames each having a pivot assembly disposed at its rotation axis to couple an actuator to a rotation sensor having a rotation-sensitive sensor axis that is preferably fixedly disposed with respect to the rotation axis, and a controller for accepting the sensor signals and for producing each motor signal needed to dispose the platform in a predetermined angular position with respect to each rotation axis independent of changes in mount orientation. An alternative embodiment includes a controller for accepting an external slew signal sequence and for producing the motor signals needed to move the platform along a predetermined sequence of positions represented by the slew signal sequence.

Abstract: An equine mask and sun visor combination that protects the face and eyes of the horse against several environmental insults simultaneously, including insects, water-born particulates and direct sunlight. A second layer of UV-opaque material is added to a first UV-retarding screen layer to form a sun visor disposed to protect the horse's eyes from direct sunlight and precipitation without blocking the horse's vision. The two distinct mask layers are joined in a manner that forms a single equine mask assembly which neither irritates nor discomforts the horse during long-term continuous wear.

Abstract: A wave power converter employing a flow-controlled duct for capturing and converting useful wave surge energy to electric power over a relatively broad range of surf or river flow conditions. The power converter includes an inclined ramp with several openings for receiving wave or river water and retaining surge water in hydraulic isolation, permitting water to flow into a flow-controlled conduit and a generator for producing electrical power from water flow in the conduit. The power converter apparatus is suitable for low-cost manufacture, offers simple robust operation suitable for underdeveloped regions of the world, may be fabricated from commonly-available components, requires few moving parts and no valuable (lootable) components other than a generator, and is self-flushing for low maintenance operation.

Abstract: An optical local area network includes a passive optical distribution fabric interconnecting a plurality of nodes including a first node and a plurality of remaining nodes, a hub that includes the first node and a control module, and a client network adapter coupled to each of the remaining nodes for responding to the control module. The control module controls timing for each of the client network adapters to transmit signals over the passive optical distribution fabric and distribution of signals to each of the nodes.

Abstract: A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic communication network. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber gateway using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and copper wires or coax cable from the subscriber gateway, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by a subscriber or customer remote device or gateway are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges. Additionally the system is free of monthly meter charges and does not require a separate power network.

Abstract: A stabilization system including a platform supported by two or more rotatably-coupled gimbal frames each having a pivot assembly disposed at its rotation axis to couple an actuator to a rotation sensor having a rotation-sensitive sensor axis that is fixedly disposed with respect to the rotation axis, and a controller including means for accepting the sensor signals and for producing each motor signal needed to dispose the platform in a predetermined angular position with respect to each rotation axis independent of changes in the base orientation. A motion simulator embodiment includes controller means for accepting an external slew signal sequence and means for producing the motor signals needed to move the platform along a predetermined sequence of positions represented by the slew signal sequence.

Abstract: A wave power converter employing independently staged surge energy capture for converting useful wave surge energy to electric power over a relatively broad range of surf conditions. The wave surge power converter includes an inclined ramp with several openings for receiving wave water into several independent chambers for capturing and retaining surge water in hydraulic isolation, a check valve in each chamber permitting water to flow into a conduit and a generator for producing electrical power from water flow in the conduit. The apparatus is suitable for low-cost manufacture, offers simple robust operation suitable for underdeveloped regions of the world, may be fabricated from commonly-available components, requires few moving parts and no valuable (lootable) components other than a generator, and is self-flushing for low maintenance operation.

Abstract: A system and method for performing an in-service optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) and/or insertion loss (IL) measurement(s) using the same wavelength as the data traffic for point-to-point or point-to-multipoint optical fiber networks. The OTDR or IL sessions are multiplexed in accordance with the network protocol in use to avoid any distortion of data transmissions.

Abstract: Processing a received optical signal in an optical communication network includes equalizing a received optical signal to provide an equalized signal, demodulating the equalized signal according to an m-ary modulation format to provide a demodulated signal, decoding the demodulated signal according to an inner code to provide an inner-decoded signal, and decoding the inner-decoded signal according to an outer code. Other aspects include other features such as equalizing an optical channel including storing channel characteristics for the optical channel associated with a client, loading the stored channel characteristics during a waiting period between bursts on the channel, and equalizing a received burst from the client using the loaded channel characteristics.