Abstract: The battery has two cells of equal voltage (expressed as Volts DC or VDC) and equal electrochemical capacity (expressed as Ampere-Hours or AH). Each cell has one or more hinged and electrically connected modules. Both cells are hinged to each other but are not electrically connected. The modules of the battery can be folded into four basic prismatic shapes and an infinite number of non-prismatic shapes. Each shape is basically two batteries because the equal voltage cells can be connected to the load equipment in electrical series or electrical parallel. An adapter can be connected to the battery to provide additional battery footprints.

Abstract: The operational flexibility of programmable transversal filters is enhanced by incorporating switch arrays to permit passage for a plurality of tap voltages or signals to particular amplifiers in amplifier arrays. Fixed gain amplifiers may be incorporated to overcome the need to calibrate variable gain amplifiers and to reduced the number of amplifiers required.

Abstract: A graphical bitmap image of a scanned test pattern drawing is transformed into a test file in a file format that is readily usable to provide stimuli for computer-aided design (CAD) tools or integrated circuit (IC) testing equipment. A bitmap image of each page of the test pattern drawing is produced as a graphical image of the rows and columns of test pattern data. Non-essential drawing symbols are then removed from the bitmap image, such as the lines used to draw the table. Essential test pattern information is recognized and is converted into a machine readable format by first storing the data in a tabular format having rows and columns which correspond to the rows and columns of the test pattern drawing. The stored test pattern data is then integrated with a machine readable file format which is adaptable to the CAD and IC tool in order to produce the machine readable test file.

Abstract: An optical electronic integrated circuit (OEIC) having optical waveguides as device interconnects. An optical waveguide is formed by depositing, in an oxygen-free atmosphere, a film of semiconductor material on a semiconductor substrate at a temperature that substantially diminishes the porosity of the film and the diffusion of material from the substrate into the film. The semiconductor film, which has an index of refraction greater than that of the substrate, is etched to form the optical waveguide on the substrate. The substrate also supports a plurality of active optical devices between which the optical waveguide extends. The substrate is preferably formed from gallium-arsenide and the waveguide from germanium. The active devices may also include these materials as well as aluminum-gallium-arsenide.

Abstract: A grounding device for conducting current into the earth through protrusions which engage thereinto. The protrusions are integrally affixed on a base plate and extend from only one surface plane thereof. Protrusions having tapered configurations are included for compatibility with the surface and subsurface characteristics of the earth. Structural particulars regarding the base plate and the protrusions are also incorporated to enhance the bearing pressure between the protrusions and the earth. Such particulars may be incorporated to cause flexure in the grounding device that is employed under a wheel of a vehicle which is temporarily grounded therethrough and thereby enhance the bearing pressure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the functionality of circuitry contained within integrated circuit modules. A composite image signal is compiled from signals that each represent the image on one of a plurality of layers that are sequentially exposed across the module. A netlist presenting the components of the circuitry and the interconnections therebetween, is generated from the composite image signal. Components from the netlist are then allocated to specific functions which are compiled to determine the functionality of the circuitry.

Abstract: A multi-mode, common-aperture antenna system capable of simultaneously transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation in at least two frequency bands. The antenna system includes a first beam antenna comprised of a parabolic reflector and four open-ended waveguides that act as an antenna feed. The parabolic reflector focuses radiation along a first beam axis that may be scanned electronically or mechanically. The four waveguides extend from the focus of the parabolic reflector to transceivers that transmit and/or receive radiation in a first mode. The transceivers mount at the rear of the reflector. The antenna system also includes a second beam antenna which operates in a second mode, e.g. optical or infrared (IR) mode. The second beam antenna includes a small opening in the parabolic reflector that acts as an optical aperture for a focusing lens mounted at the rear of the reflector and positioned coaxially with the small opening. An optical apparatus occupies the focal plane of the focusing lens.

Abstract: The battery has two legs of equal voltage (expressed as Volts DC or VDC) and equal electrochemical capacity (expressed as Ampere-Hours or AH). Each leg has one or more hinged and electrically connected modules. Both legs are hinged to each other but are not electrically connected. The modules of the battery can be folded into four basic prismatic shapes and an infinite number of non-prismatic shapes. Each shape is basically two batteries because the equal voltage legs can be connected to the load equipment in electrical series or electrical parallel. An adapter can be connected to the battery to provide additional battery footprints.

Abstract: An optical signal processor is implemented as a monolithically integrated semiconductor structure having optical waveguide devices forming beam splitters, optical amplifiers and optical phase shifters. The monolithic structure photonically controls a phased-array microwave antenna. Phase-locked master and slave lasers generate orthogonal light beams having a difference frequency that corresponds to the microwave carrier frequency of the phased-array antenna. The lasers feed the signal processor, which performs beam splitting, optical amplifying and phase shifting functions. A polarizer and an array of diode detectors convert optical output signals from the signal processor into microwave signals that feed the phased-array antenna. The optical waveguides of the signal processor are fabricated in a single selective epitaxial growth step on a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method and crucible for annealing SiC at high temperatures. The crucible s a vessel having a peripheral wall, at least two compartments separated by an inner wall within the peripheral wall and a lid which separates the compartments from the crucible surroundings while providing a passageway between the compartments. The peripheral wall, inner wall and lid are composed of materials capable of withstanding annealing temperatures. The process disposes an SiC wafer in one of the compartments and SiC powder disposed in another of the compartments. The SiC powder is present to hinder SiC wafer decomposition during annealing of the SiC wafer. The crucible is then heated to a temperature sufficient anneal the SiC wafer, preferably after evacuating air and flowing an inert gas in and around the crucible.

Abstract: A reduced 1/f low frequency noise high electron mobility transistor is obned based on the realization that in modulation-doped heterostructure transistors the inherent bandbending in the high bandgap material spacer layer allows certain trap energy levels to cross or approach the Fermi level at or near the 2DEG interface. For the case of AlGaAs/GaAs HEMTs or AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs pseudomorphic HEMTs the composition of the spacer layer is graded to provide for the conduction band energy to have a negative slope near the spacer layer/2DEG interface. This bandbending pulls interface trap energy levels away from the Fermi level and significantly reduces f.sub.t (1-f.sub.t) and the spectral density of the 1/f low frequency noise.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique method for safely and effectively moving the passive layer from the anode of a battery, so that the battery will function safely and properly. Batteries that are stored for long periods of time develop passive layers over their anodes. The present invention removes this passive layer by applying a series of controlled electric pulses to the anode. When a controlled electric charge discharges at the anode, it removes a portion of the passive layer at the discharge region of the anode. Each pulse is separated from a subsequent pulse by a resting time period. This resting period allows the anode to recover, so that the subsequent pulse will discharge at another location. These pulses are applied to the anode until the entire passive layer is safely removed, thus allowing the battery to function properly.

Abstract: A magic sphere having an equatorial gap, with a radial magnetic field in equatorial gap. The radial magnetic field can flow inward, toward the center of the magic sphere, or outward, away from the magic sphere. In a further embodiment, the magic sphere produces a periodically radial magnetic field. In another embodiment, a magic sphere with an azimuthally periodic radial magnetic field that flows in the outward direction periodically magnetizes a magnetically hard ring in the outward direction. Then, a magic sphere with an azimuthally periodic radial magnetic field that flows inwardly, periodically magnetizes the ring in the inward direction. The result is a permanent magnet that has a radial magnetic field, where the direction of the field periodically alternates from the inward to the outward direction.

Abstract: An optical electronic integrated (circuit (OEIC) having optical waveguides s device interconnects. An optical waveguide is formed by depositing, in an oxygen-free atmosphere, a film of semiconductor material on a semiconductor substrate at a temperature that substantially diminishes the porosity of the film and the diffusion of material from the substrate into the film. The semiconductor film, which has an index of refraction greater than that of the substrate, is etched to form the optical waveguide on the substrate. The substrate also supports a plurality of active optical devices between which the optical waveguide extends. The substrate is preferably formed from gallium-arsenide and the waveguide from germanium. The active devices may also include these materials as well as aluminum-gallium-arsenide. When using these materials, the germanium film is deposited in an oxygen-free environment at about 100 degrees centigrade.

Abstract: A feedback circuit for passing uniformly constant current relative to cha storing devices is disclosed. An open circuit is disposed between two terminals in a feedback loop and these terminals are interconnected through the charge storing devices to close the open circuit, when the uniformly constant current is to-flow for the purpose of either charging or discharging such devices. The feedback loop is included in a voltage regulator which in the preferred embodiments, is comprised only of an operational amplifier and a resistance.

Abstract: The invention is a magic sphere having an equatorial gap, with a radial metic field in the equatorial gap. The radial magnetic field can flow inward, toward the center of the magic sphere, or outward, away from the magic sphere. In a further embodiment, the magic sphere produces a periodically radial magnetic field. In another embodiment, a magic sphere with an azimuthally periodic radial magnetic field that flows in the outward direction periodically magnetizes a magnetically hard ring in the outward direction. Then, a magic sphere with an azimuthally periodic radial magnetic field that flows inwardly, periodically magnetizes the ring in the inward direction. The result is a permanent magnet that has a radial magnetic field, where the direction of the field periodically alternates from the inward to the outward direction.

Abstract: A method and crucible for annealing SiC at high temperatures. The crucible is a vessel having a peripheral wall, at least two compartments separated by an inner wall within the peripheral wall and a lid which separates the compartments from the crucible surroundings while providing a passageway between the compartments. The peripheral wall, inner wall and lid are composed of materials capable of withstanding annealing temperatures. The process disposes an SiC wafer in one of the compartments and SiC powder disposed in another of the compartments. The SiC powder is present to hinder SiC wafer decomposition during annealing of the SiC wafer. The crucible is then heated to a temperature sufficient anneal the SiC wafer, preferably after evacuating air and flowing an inert gas in and around the crucible.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite electrode material for use in high rgy and high power density electrochemical capacitors, and to the electrochemical capacitor containing the electrodes. The electrodes are comprised of materials with high specific capacitance and electronic conductivity/high porosity. Specifically, the electrode is comprised of RuO.sub.2.xH.sub.2 O powder and carbon black or carbon fiber.

Abstract: Piezoelectric resonator structures and circuits therefor are provided to p the energy available for vibrational deformation in a resonator, between the driving electrodes of the resonator structure. Field trapping electrodes are disposed to enclosed the driving electrodes in the resonator structures which are arranged in circuits to derive electric fields between the field trapping electrodes in an opposite direction to that of an electric field between the driving electrodes.

Abstract: An optical signal processor is implemented as a monolithically integrated semiconductor structure having optical waveguide devices forming beam splitters, optical amplifiers and optical phase shifters. The monolithic structure photonically controls a phased-array microwave antenna. Phase-locked master and slave lasers generate orthogonal light beams having a difference frequency that corresponds to the microwave carrier frequency of the phased-array antenna. The lasers feed the signal processor, which performs beam splitting, optical amplifying and phase shifting functions. A polarizer and an array of diode detectors convert optical output signals from the signal processor into microwave signals that feed the phased-array antenna. The optical waveguides of the signal processor are fabricated in a single selective epitaxial growth step on a semiconductor substrate.