Abstract: A microlens structure such as a solid immersion lens structure is a radiation transmissive pliant elastomer cast to a desired shape and smoothness. A method for construction of a solid immersion lens structure includes providing a mold defining a lens shaped cavity in which a solid immersion lens is cast, casting a translucent liquid elastomeric material into the lens cavity, permitting the elastomeric material to set to form the solid immersion lens portion and removing the solid immersion lens portion from the mold. A specific material for use as the solid immersion lens is a translucent silicone elastomer of a refractive index greater than n=1.4, such as General Electric RTV 615.

Abstract: A directional coupler type optical modulator with traveling-wave electrodes includes a first directional coupler region, a waveguide wave coupling region, a second directional coupler region, and a set of noncrossing traveling-wave electrodes disposed along the outside of the waveguides. The electrodes of each directional coupler are connected to the traveling-wave electrodes via air-bridges. The waveguide structures are of the P-I-N type having a common N-type conducting layer which provides delta-beta operation of the directional coupler, and both cross and bar states are controlled by a single input signal.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a spatial filter and orthogonal transform section. The spatial filter obtains a new luminance value of each pixel of an input image on the basis of a first coefficient having a first filter characteristic which forms the desired spatial frequency adjustment filter characteristic in cooperation with a second filter characteristic, thereby generating a two-dimensional intermediate image which has the adjusted spatial frequency characteristic of the input image.

Abstract: A MEMS device having a fixed element and a movable element wherein one or the other of the fixed element and the movable element has at least one radially-extended stop or overdeflection limiter. A fixed overlayer plate forms an aperture. The aperture is sized to minimize vignetting and may be beveled on the margin. Overdeflection limitation occurs during deflection before the movable element can impinge on an underlying electrode. The overdeflection limiter may be conveniently placed adjacent a gimbaled hinge.

Abstract: In an electrostatically controlled deflection apparatus, such as a MEMS array having cavities formed around electrodes and which is mounted directly on a dielectric or controllably resistive substrate in which are embedded electrostatic actuation electrodes disposed in alignment with the individual MEMS elements, a mechanism is provided to mitigate the effects of uncontrolled dielectric surface potentials between the MEMS elements and the electrostatic actuation electrodes, the mechanism being raised electrodes relative to the dielectric or controllably resistive surface of the substrate. The aspect ratio of the gaps between elements (element height to element separation ratio) is at least 0.1 and preferably at least 0.5 and preferably between 0.75 and 2.0 with a typical choice of about 1.0, assuming a surface fill factor of 50% or greater. Higher aspect ratios at these fill factors are believed not to provide more than marginal improvement.

Abstract: A small single-sided compliant probe is provided that includes a conductive tip, which is positioned on a supporting surface in a manner that allows a tip on the probe to move flexibly with respect to the supporting surface in close proximity to adjacent probes in an array. The probe tip moves vertically in response to the force of a mating contact pad as it biased against the tip. Mechanical compliance of the probe allows electrical contact to be made reliably between the probe and a corresponding contact pad on a microelectronic device, where the mechanical compliance accommodates variations in height of the contact pad.

Abstract: An array apparatus has a micromachined SOI structure, such as a MEMS array, mounted directly on a class of insulative substrate, such as low temperature co-fired ceramic or a thermal-coefficient of expansion matched glass, in which is embedded electrostatic electrodes disposed in alignment with the individual MEMS elements, where the electrostatic electrodes are configured for substantial fanout. In a specific embodiment in order to compensate for differences in thermal-expansion characteristics between SOI and ceramic, a flexible mounting is effected by means of posts, bridges and/or mechanical elements which allow uneven expansion in x and y while maintaining z-axis stability. Methods according to the invention include fabrication steps wherein electrodes are fabricated to a post-fired ceramic substrate and coupled via traces through the ceramic substrate to driver modules.

Abstract: The algorithm used for training a state machine has been disclosed in another application. The objective of this application is to reduce this theoretical framework to a more concrete structure. The structure disclosed involves the use of nodes to perform the function of state equations and calculating the value of particular state variables. After the nodes where classified as either Lead-Type Nodes or Non-Lead-Type Nodes, this classification was used to define a structure of nodes to build a State Machine Block. This State Machine Block model also restricts the location of system inputs and system outputs. The internal structure of a node is discussed with the components being a Function Block and a Complex Impedance Network. The Function Block is typically a multivariable power series and the Complex Impedance Network is a linear circuit of resistors and capacitors. Such a Complex Impedance Network is referred to as an Electrical Component Model.

Abstract: A system reduces power dissipation for a plurality of line driver circuits. The system comprises a power source for providing a voltage source for the plurality of line driver circuits and a voltage regulator coupled between the power source and the plurality of line driver circuits. The voltage regulator receives an output of the power source and provides a constant predefined voltage to an input of the plurality of line driver circuits. Having a constant predefined voltage input to the plurality of line driver circuits reduces their average power dissipation.

Abstract: A FIFO buffer arrangement is disclosed that is capable of buffering and transferring data between multiple input and output datapaths of varying widths. All of the input and output buses may be used to transfer data concurrently. Data that are written to the FIFO via any of the input buses may be extracted from the FIFO via any of the output buses. The FIFO efficiently carries out all necessary width conversions when performing the data transfers.

Abstract: Pointer justification event induced low frequency jitter is attenuated during desynchronization of a synchronous input data stream into a plesiosynchronous output data stream. The output data stream has a clock rate T and is made up of tb byte multi-frames containing a nominal number tdb of data bits (tdb=772 and tb=104 for T1 data; tdb=1024 and tb=140 for E1 data). An integer number pc of phase adjustment commands are provided (in the preferred embodiment, pc=12 for T1 data and pc=9 for E1 data). A count having a total value pjT, where 1≦pjT≦tb, is maintained of the total number of positive pointer justification events previously encountered in the data stream. A separate count having a total value pcT, where 1≦pcT≦tdb*pc, is maintained of the total number of previously issued phase adjustment commands. If a positive pointer justification event is detected in the data stream, pjT is incremented by one.

Abstract: A current sense circuit for sensing a current in a subscriber loop comprising a transformer having a first and second winding coupled for sensing a differential current in a loop, a sense winding for producing a sense current in response to a magnetic flux induced in the transformer due to the differential current, an amplifier circuit for receiving the sense current and wherein the sense current is indicative of a signal on the loop, and the amplifier being configured such that a transformer introduces a low insertion loss at a frequency of operation of the loop.

Abstract: A forward error correction system for reducing the transmission error in a data transmission is provided. The system comprises an encoder for encoding data, an interleaver for interleaving the encoded data to an output data stream and a first buffer for storing the interleaved data. A transmitter is operatively associated with the first buffer for transmitting the interleaved data. A deinterleaver receives and deinterleaves the transmitted interleaved data and a second buffer operatively coupled with the deinterleaver stores the deinterleaved data. A decoder operatively coupled with the second buffer decodes the deinterleaved data. The deinterleaved data is decoded without intermediate storage, reducing the storage requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus for deployment in an outdoor environment for extending the electrical communication distance of digital data signals includes electrical isolation means for various electromagnetic effects and a high speed pulse reshaper and repeater. The isolation means includes low capacitance electric pulse suppression means so that maximum signal distance can be achieved without loss of usable pulse shape and isolation transformers on differential signal pairs that retain magnetization at elevated temperatures so that signals are not blocked. As a further feature, extended logic is included whereby the type of signals can be distinguished, thus allowing the apparatus to be daisy-chained with like apparatus or used between a termination and a line.

Abstract: An image photographing apparatus for storing interleaved data having a number of discrete analog values which is output from an image sensing section and digitized by an A/D conversion section includes an analog semiconductor memory device and a control section. The analog semiconductor memory device stores the interleaved data from the image sensing section as analog data. The control section writes the interleaved data output from the image sensing section upon photographing in the analog semiconductor memory device, reads out the written interleaved data from the analog semiconductor memory device, and outputs the data to the A/D conversion section.

Abstract: A mechanical system for handling large and thin glass plates of dimensions as much as 2 m by 2 m by 0.5 mm, such as used to manufacture LCD panels in LCD panel testers, provides for positioning of the repair and inspection equipment by using lightweight hollow chucklets in air-bearing and vacuum contact with the glass plate under test, balanced on a rail along the center of mass for translation without warping. The elimination of a heavy rigid platform results in significantly reduced hardware costs, flexibility in processing and improved positioning performance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for driving a two-axis MEMS mirror using three non-contact actuation elements or electrodes. A differential bi-directional mirror control uses unipolar drive voltages biased at a suitable value. Transformation functions map two-axis tip-tilt commands to three actuation drive signals for selected electrode orientations and sizes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for the closed loop attenuation of optical beam power in a multiple-axis free-space-coupled single-mode fiber-optic transmission system. In a specific embodiment involving two tip-tilt mirrors to couple optical power from an input fiber to an output fiber, the four mirror axes arc actuated in such a way as to produce either a static or time-varying set of induced mirror angles that yield a desired time history of optical loss. The attenuation technique uses the DC level of the measured output power to adjust the amplitude of the induced mirror angles.

Abstract: An apparatus for exercising a curious animal such as a housecat comprises a laser pointer mounted on a shaft driven by a geared motor mounted on a pedestal. The rotatable shaft is preferably generally vertically disposed and the direction of the pointer is preferably obliquely downward so that activation of the motor causes the spot beam of the laser to track around the pedestal with a vector of motion to attract a cat into interaction with the spot beam. In a further specific embodiment, the laser pointer may be mounted on the head of an oscillatory air circulation fan with a pedestal. The oscillation of the spot beam, together with the air movement of the oscillatory fan, further stimulates activity in a cat while conveniently inducing convective cooling.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for calculating a new luminance value of a central pixel to adjust the spatial frequency characteristics of an input image includes a plurality of subfilters, totalizer, and adder. The subfilters are arranged in parallel with each other for a plurality of pixel groups each made up of one or more pixels in a submatrix. The subfilters multiply the sums of the luminance values of pixels included in corresponding pixel groups by predetermined coefficients corresponding to desired spatial frequency adjustment filter characteristics, and output the products for each submatrix made up of M×M (M is an odd number of 3 or more) pixels centered on pixels constituting an input image for a two-dimensional input image made up of many pixels that are arrayed in a matrix and represent luminance values at positions. The totalizer totals outputs from the subfilters, and outputs the sum as the adjustment amount of the spatial frequency characteristics.