Abstract: An equalizer that mitigates both linear and nonlinear distortions for amplitude phase keyed signals that are processed thereby. Algorithms employed in the equalizer are based on correcting received signals based on symbol transitions between successive symbols. The linear portion of the equalizer is programmable and can use any available algorithm. Programmable linear taps of the equalizer may be programmed in a nonlinear manner by using the lookup tables as amplitude dependent equalizers that are used to process one symbol at a time. In the equalizer, each amplitude level has it's own correction factor by using amplitude dependent coefficients. The equalizer can implement both linear and nonlinear equalization. Equalizer corrections are implemented using predetermined values stored in lookup tables. The equalization corrections are determined in an external computer and are loaded into the lookup tables for each amplitude level of the received signals.

Abstract: Cycling apparatus including pivoting handlebars that permit a rider to move the handlebars into either a drop or aerodynamic riding position, or any comfortable riding position therebetween. The apparatus comprises a cycle having a body, a housing is coupled to the body, and first and second handlebars are provided that are used to steer the cycle. Rotating apparatus is coupled to the housing and to the first and second handlebars for rotating the handlebars in unison. The handlebars are rotated between a first position wherein the handlebars are generally orthogonal to the body of the cycle and a second position wherein the handlebars are generally aligned with the the body of the cycle. The rotating apparatus may comprise first and second interlocking gears, a flexible drive coupling, a set of universal joints, or any similar rotating device that permits the handlebars to rotate between the desired positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing one or more suction tubes, hoses, electrical and/or endoscopic cables, and intravenous and cardiovascular bypass tubing during an operation. The apparatus is a surgical attachment device that comprises a member (preferably molded plastic) having at least one opening adjacent a first surface thereof. A first portion of each opening is designed to slidably secure the tubes, hoses or cables. A second portion of each opening immediately adjacent the first surface is smaller than the dimension of the first portion. The first portion of each opening tapers from a narrow dimension at the center of the member to a wide dimension at opposite ends of the member. Each opening has a plurality of inwardly projecting tapered ribs disposed around its internal periphery that taper from their narrowest dimension at the center of the opening to their widest dimension at the ends of each opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing one or more suction tubes, hoses, and electrical and/or endoscopic cables during an operation. The apparatus is a surgical attachment device that includes a slightly flexible member (flexible plastic, for example) having one or more grooves formed therein. A first portion or tunnel of each groove is dimensioned to slidably secure the respective tube, hose, or cable. A second portion of each groove, superficial to the first portion, is slightly narrower than the first portion of each groove. This configuration allows for insertion of the tube, hose, or cable into the tunnels, which is done by transiently deforming the narrower portion of the groove, deforming the tube, hose, or cable, or both, and pushing the tube, hose, or cable into the tunnel.

Abstract: A satellite perigee velocity augmentation method wherein a satellite is steered throughout the perigee velocity augmentation maneuver such that its thrust vector is always oriented approximately opposite to the direction of motion of the satellite. The satellite is pitched around a predetermined axis (e.g. the Y-axis) such that the thrust vector is always pointing approximately opposite to the direction of motion of the satellite. The satellite is steered during the perigee velocity augmentation maneuver in order to achieve the desired attitude wherein the thrust vector is always oriented approximately opposite to the direction of motion of the satellite is accomplished by pitching the satellite around the predetermined axis such that the thrust vector is always pointing approximately opposite to the direction of motion of the satellite. By steering the satellite in accordance with the present perigee velocity augmentation method, overall efficiency achieved is increased.

Abstract: A locking device for quickly attaching a wing to and removing the wing from a body of a missile, for example. The locking device is disposed in an opening in the wing and is adapted to secure the wing to the body of the missile using its attachment rail. The locking device comprises a rotatable cam, a rotatable cam follower for locking the wing to the attachment rail, and a cam latch for locking the cam follower in place. The cam has a opening disposed therein that is suitable for accepting a locking tool, such as an Allen wrench, for example, that is used to rotate the cam, and hence the cam follower, to attach the wing to and remove the wing from a m-fissile. A plurality of springs are respectively employed to retract the the cam follower when the locking device is disengaged, and to secure the cam latch in place when the cam follower is locked in place.

Abstract: Apparatus that provides working storage for large image and data processing systems. The apparatus comprises a computer bus, a high speed backplane bus, a local area network, a central processing unit coupled to the computer bus, an Ethernet local area network interface coupled between the computer bus and the local area network, a plurality of bidirectional input/output interface cards coupled to the computer bus and the backplane bus, and a plurality of disk modules coupled to the computer bus and the high speed backplane bus. Each interface card comprises a plurality of bidirectional input/output ports coupled to a plurality of user workstations, a fiber optic interface, and a FIFO buffer. Each disk module comprises a plurality of storage units, one of which provides for storage of parity bits and the remainder of which provides for storage of data, and a distribution card coupled to the plurality of storage units.

Abstract: An equalizer employed with a receiver for cancelling an interfering signal due to low cross-polarization isolation. The present equalizer provides a simple and inexpensive cross-polarization interference cancellation system. The equalizer uses an error signal generated in an adaptive baseband equalizer to determine the magnitude of an interfering signal and inputs a cancelling signal to the co-polarized channel until power in the error signal derived from the adaptive baseband equalizer is minimized. In the equalizer, the determination of the magnitude of the interfering signal is performed at baseband (after demodulation but prior to data detection) and the cancellation is performed at RF, prior to dispersive microwave elements. The equalizer enhances the capability for transmitting two unique signals in the same frequency allocation on orthogonal polarizations. The equalizer operates even if the modulations and data rates on the two channels are different.

Abstract: An image generator architecture in which tri-level fixed interleave processing provides medium grain parallelism for polygon, tiling, and pixel operations. Input data at each stage are divided into spatially distributed subsets that are interleaved among parallel processors using a fixed, precalculated mapping that minimizes correlation of local scene complexity with any one processor. The present tri-level fixed interleave processing architecture divides a processing task into a pseudo-random, fixed interleaved pattern of regions that are assigned to different processors. Each processor processes many of these randomly located regions. The assignment of processors to regions is a fixed repeating pattern. The highest level of fixed interleave processing is the allocation of fixed-size database regions (area modules) to polygon processors. The next level relates to image sub-region fixed interleave processing.

Abstract: A programmable PCM/TDM demultiplexer including an FA function unit including Frame Alignment Logic (FAL) hardware controlled by a Programmable Frame Alignment Controller (PFAC), and accompanied by a DECommutation and dejustification (DEC) function unit including Output Logic Hardware (OLH) controlled by a Programmable Decommutator Sequencer (PDS) controlled in turn by a Programmable Decommutator Sequencer Controller (PDSC).

Abstract: A missile loading system for loading a missile onto a missile launcher disposed on a vehicle. The missile comprises fore and aft missile hangers that each have upper and lower hooks that have a predetermined separation distance therebetween. The improvement provided by the present invention comprises a launch rail disposed on the missile launcher that has two cut-outs disposed a predetermined distance apart that equals the separation distance between the fore and aft missile hangers on the missile. A plurality of load detent mechanisms (fore and aft) are provided that each comprise a body having the shape of the launch rail, and a lip by which the missile is secured, and an opening disposed therein. A plurality of holes are disposed in the body that are used to secure the load detent mechanism the cut-outs in the launch rail. A spring-loaded member having the shape of the launch rail is rotatably secured in the opening of the body.

Abstract: A vector modulator that sums outputs of a plurality of quadrature-phase-shift-key (QPSK) modulator elements, each controlled by two digital input signals and a single local oscillator. The local oscillator provides a periodic sinusoidal output signal, and the modulator elements process the periodic sinusoidal output signal and the digital input signals. The state of the respective digital input signals determines which of four phase states are present at the output of the QPSK modulator. A plurality of summing devices are coupled to outputs of the modulator elements, and one summing device provides an analog constellation output signal of the vector modulator. A plurality of attenuators are provided for amplitude weighting output signals from the plurality of modulator elements.

Abstract: An equalizer employed with a receiver for cancelling an interfering signal due to low cross-polarization isolation. The present equalizer provides a simple and inexpensive cross-polarization interference cancellation system. The equalizer uses an error signal generated in a residual carrier detector to determine the magnitude of an interfering signal and inputs a cancelling signal to the co-polarized channel until power in the error signal is minimized. In the equalizer, the determination of the magnitude of the interfering signal is performed at baseband (after demodulation but prior to data detection) and the cancellation is performed at RF, prior to dispersive microwave elements. In the receiver, co- and cross-polarized signals are received and amplified. A copy of the cross channel input signal is supplied to each receiver channel. An RF vector modulator is used to control the phase and amplitude of the cross-polarized signal prior to summation with a desired co-polarized signal.

Abstract: A transversal filter allrate equalizer for use at intermediate frequency. The equalizer includes a signal divider coupled to receive the intermediate frequency input signal and a transversal filter comprising a plurality of analog delay lines and a plurality of multiplying circuits. The plurality of analog delay lines are coupled to the signal divider for producing a time-shifted replica of an intermediate frequency input signal. The plurality of multiplying circuits are respectively coupled to the delay lines for weighting the time-shifted replicas of the input signal by complex numbers, W.sub.i. A signal combiner is coupled to the plurality of multiplying circuits for recombining the time-shifted and weighted replicas of the input signal to produce an equalized output signal. The delay lines operate at an intermediate frequency, and produce a time delay for the modulation and a phase shift for the carrier. The phase shift may be compensated for by adjusting the phases of the tap weights, W.sub.i.

Abstract: Adaptive equalizers and processing methods wherein data required to implement an adaptation algorithm is sampled at a rate that is significantly lower than the symbol rate. The adaptation algorithm is processed at this reduced rate, in that updated tap coefficients, sample timing errors and symbol clock error signals are computed at this reduced rate. An advantage of the adaptive equalizer and processing method of the present invention is that the adaptation algorithm may be implemented in equipment that operates at a clock rate that is much less then the symbol rate. In particular, the adaptation algorithm may be computed using software that is resident in inexpensive general purpose digital processor, such as a personal computer, for example.

Abstract: A programmable, closed-loop control system that provides for control under normal and seismic conditions. The present system integrates monitoring and control functions and provides for reconfigurable control of these functions. The seismic monitoring and control system optimally controls valve-type fluid flow systems. Separate control algorithms may be programmed by a user to control the system under both normal and seismic conditions. In its broadest aspects, the present system comprises a sensor for sensing a predetermined condition and for providing output signals indicative thereof, a switch, and a programmable controller coupled to the sensor and switch. The controller includes a seismic sensor for detecting a seismic disturbance and providing output signals indicative of the seismic disturbance.

Abstract: A fiber optic data distribution system for distributing image data between a data storage system and a plurality of image workstations using embedded control signals and a fiber optic link. The data storage system, a host computer, and a plurality of image workstations are all coupled together by way of a local area network. The host computer includes network software and associated files that provide control information and functions for the distribution system. The host computer controls access to the distribution system by setting up the data storage system and workstations and initiating data transfer to and from the workstations. The data distribution system includes a distribution circuit that comprises a high-speed logical switch that is capable of data transfer rates on the order of 100 megabits per second. The distribution circuit is also an electrical to optical converter which transforms electrical signals stored in the data storage system into optical signals and vice versa.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing charge skimming and variable integration time in focal plane arrays formed in a silicon substrate. The present invention provides for pulsing a field plate that lies over a diode disposed in the substrate in order to provide for charge skimming and variable integration time. The field plate is normally dc biased to suppress diode edge leakage. No additional structure is needed in the silicon substrate, and basic readout clocking is unaffected. Any interline transfer focal plane array can benefit from using the principles of the present invention.

Abstract: High speed transfer of data over any distance can be easily achieved using high speed optical fibers and an optical fiber interface that couples signals transferred using the optical fibers to and from a computer. A specific implementation of the present invention is a fiber optic interface for a Macintosh brand computer that provides a direct fiber optic interface having no parts external to the computer that couples data to and from an optical image storage unit. The fiber optic interface circuit comprises an optical receiver coupled to a fiber optic cable for receiving optical signals from the image storage unit that converts them into corresponding electrical signals. An optical transmitter is coupled to a second fiber optic cable for converting electrical signals derived from the computer into optical signals and for transmitting them to the image storage unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a compression scheme tailored to the compression of large radiological images processed with image processing workstations. The compression scheme is a variation of the CCITT JPEG compression scheme with special care taken to suppress blocking effects of the 8.times.8 discrete cosine transform used therein. In accordance with the present invention, an original image is downsampled, then interpolated back to its original size, resulting in a smoothed image. The difference between the smoothed image and the original image is then compressed using an 8.times.8 discrete cosine transform with 12 bit data. Major artifacts present in the original image are due to the mismatching of the low frequency components of the image at the edges of the blocks. When the low frequencies are removed by subtracting out the low frequency components, the artifacts disappear except in areas having very large dynamic changes.