Abstract: Attitude acquisition methods and systems are provided which reduce the time generally required to acquire spacecraft attitude estimates and enhance the probability of realizing such estimates. The methods and systems receive, over a time span &Dgr;t, successive frames of star-sensor signals that correspond to successive stellar fields-of-view, estimate spacecraft rotation &Dgr;r throughout at least a portion of the time span &Dgr;t, and, in response to the spacecraft rotation &Dgr;r, process the star-sensor signals into a processed set of star-sensor signals that denote star positions across an expanded field-of-view that exceeds any of the successive fields-of-view. The expanded field-of-view facilitates identification of the stars that generated the processed set of star-sensor signals to thereby acquire an initial attitude estimate.

Abstract: A high temperature hybrid-circuit structure includes a temperature sensitive device which comprises SiC, AlN and/or AlxGa1-xN(x>0.69) connected via electrodes to an electrically conductive mounting layer that is physically bonded to an AlN die. The die, temperature sensitive device and mounting layer (which can be W, WC or W2C) have temperature coefficients of expansion within 1.06 of each other. The mounting layer can consist entirely of a W, WC or W2C adhesive layer, or an adhesive layer with an overlay metallization having a thermal coefficient of expansion not greater than about 3.5 times that of the adhesive layer. The device can be encapsulated with a reacted borosilicate mixture, with or without an upper die which helps to hold on lead wires and increases structural integrity. Applications include temperature senensors, pressure sensors, chemical sensors and high temperature and high power electronic circuits.

Abstract: A shutter switch is disclosed the is placed in the path of a millimeter beam and is either opaque or transparent to the beam. The shutter switch comprises a number of waveguides placed adjacent to one another to intercept the beam, a portion of the beam passing through each waveguide. The dimensions of each waveguide are such that transmission of the respective portion of the beam would be cut-off if the all of the waveguide walls were conductive. However, the waveguides have high impedance structures on at least two of their opposing interior walls that allow the beam at the design frequency to be transmitted through the waveguide with uniform density and minimal attenuation. At this design frequency the shutter switch to be essentially transparent to the beam. The high impedance structures can also be changed to a conductive surfaces such that all of the waveguides walls appear conductive and the waveguide takes on the characteristics of a metal rectangular waveguide.

Abstract: A doped Cadmium Oxide (CdO) film has been developed for use in applications requiring conductive, films which are highly transparent to IR radiation. Suitable dopants for the film include any of the Group III elements, namely Boron, Aluminum, Gallium, Indium, or Thallium.

Abstract: A photodetector array includes a plurality of photodetectors, preferably photodiodes, coupled to a respective plurality of addressable interface circuits. At each pixel, a switching circuit configures neighboring ones of the photodetectors into pixels by summing multiple photodetector signals into an aggregated pixel output signal. The switching circuit is electronically switchable to aggregate said photodetector signals according to at least two different selectable pixellization schemes with differing resolution.

Abstract: A waveguide is disclosed that shifts the phase of the signal passing through it. In one embodiment, the waveguide has an impedance structure on its walls that resonates at a frequency lower than the frequency of the signal passing through the waveguide. This causes the structure to present a capacitive impedance to the signal, increasing its propagation constant and shifting its phase. Another embodiment of the new waveguide has impedance structures on its wall that are voltage controlled to change the frequency at which the impedance structures resonate. The range of frequencies at which the structure can resonate is below the frequency of the signal passing through the waveguide. This allows the waveguide cause a adjust the shift in the phase of its signal. An amplifier array can be included in the waveguides to amplify the signal. A module can be constructed of the new waveguides and placed in the path of a millimeter beam.

Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for interleavably processing data signals and error signals in alternating first and second operational phases of successive converter stages of pipelined analog-to-digital converter systems. In particular, converter stages are arranged to interleavably process data signals and error signals in alternating first and second operational phases as they convert input data signals to corresponding digital code. The interleaved methods and structures significantly reduce conversion errors caused by less-than-infinite gain A of converter stage amplifiers. Because this performance enhancement is realized primarily with existing pipelined structure, modification complexity and cost of conventional pipelined systems is substantially reduced. The advantages of the invention are also realized with minimal increase in power consumption and circuit space.

Abstract: Variable-gain amplifiers (VGAs) are provided that realize gain accuracy (e.g., over variations in temperature and fabrication processes) while also providing this accuracy over a wide bandwidth and without the signal-to-noise degradation typically associated with signal attentuating elements. Differential signal and gain amplifiers of these VGAs include current sources which are controlled by a common error signal Serr. The gain amplifier is supplemented by feedback structure that generates the error signal Serr and controls the amplifier's transconductance to be the ratio of at least one of currents and resistors. Because such ratios can be well matched (especially in integrated circuit realizations of the variable-gain amplifiers) and because the current source of the signal amplifier is also controlled by the error signal Serr, this wide-band, low-noise open-loop amplifier's gain is accurately controlled.

Abstract: A grayscale reference generator provides correction voltages to respective connection points on a source driver which drives an array of LCD pixels, to compensate for pixel non-linearity. The generator includes a number of DACs equal to the number of correction voltages. In a preferred embodiment, an analog multiplexer connected between the DACs and the source driver's connection points selectively connects the DAC outputs to the connection points so that the source driver produces the necessary pixel drive voltages as the voltage polarity across the pixels is periodically reversed.

Abstract: Electric arc monitoring is effected by exploiting the discovery that electric arcs are fractal phenomena in that all essential information that signifies an “arc” is contained in each fractal subset. The fractal subsets are logarithmically distributed over the arc spectrum. Monitoring of arcs is most advantageously effected on a fractal subset of low logarithmic order where the amplitude is higher pursuant to the 1/f characteristic of electric arcs, where cross-induction among neighboring circuits is lower, and where travel between the arc and the arc signature pickup is longer that at the high frequency customary for electric arc detection. Fractal subset information reduces the danger of false alarms. Arc signature portions may be processed in out of phase paths or treated as modulated carriers for monitoring.

Abstract: A memory cell array employs “source-biasing”, wherein a bias voltage is applied to the sources of one or more FETs within a memory cell to reduce their “off” state sub-threshold leakage currents. The source-bias voltage is selectively switched between a small positive bias voltage for “off” FETs, and ground for FETs which are being read. A plurality of source-bias circuits provides the selectively switched bias voltages to the memory cells in the array.

Abstract: A lamp assembly, particularly for an entertainment machine, is made from one or more LEDs soldered to a printed circuit board (pcb). The pcb has an edge region with contacts which is constructed to fit into a lamp holder. The lamp assembly can be used in substitution for a conventional wedge-based push-fit bulb. The pcb edge region may be constructed so that it can only fit one way round in the lamp holder, or the pcb may include circuitry which allows connection either way round (either polarity).

Abstract: An artificial firelog is provided comprising combustible cellulosic material, a combustible wax binder and an amount of sodium bicarbonate effective to reduce emissions of particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO). The sodium bicarbonate comprises about 1% to about 10% by weight of the artificial firelog. Preferably, the sodium bicarbonate comprises about 2% to about 5% by weight of the artificial firelog. Besides substantially reducing PM and CO emissions during combustion of the artificial firelog, the undesirable odor associated with combustion of the wax binder is decreased and the firelog's total burn time is extended. Moreover, the sodium bicarbonate increases the “poke resistance” of the firelog making the log suitable for outdoor use and a natural appearing white ash develops during the course of combustion.

Abstract: A voltage amplifier circuit inhibits excessive output phase shifts from a voltage amplifier that could result in oscillation, while still providing for rail-to-rail outputs. A first output stage that includes a blocking impedance dominates the output for low output values, while a second output stage that excludes the blocking impedance dominates for higher output voltages up to rail-to-rail. The output stages are preferably implemented with CMOS transistors, with the relative sizes of the transistors and the resistance of the blocking resistor selected to enable both phase shift inhibition and rail-to-rail outputs. The first output stage provides more AC feedback, while the second output stage provides more DC feedback for high output voltages.

Abstract: Single crystal SiC at least 200 micrometers thick is employed to detect electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength less than about 10 micrometers via an acoustic absorption mechanism. Applications include IR radiation sensing, contactless temperature sensing and an IR controlled varistor.

Abstract: Correction sensors and methods are provided for reduction of differential-heating signal errors along a differential signal path of an electronic circuit. An exemplary correction sensor includes first and second transistors which are coupled to different sides of the differential signal path and a differential error amplifier that couples a differential correction signal to the differential signal path in differential response to a differential error signal generated by like terminals of the first and second transistors. Bias generators are preferably included to bias at least one set of same terminals of the first and second transistors that differ from the like terminals.

Abstract: An op amp includes a pair of buffer amplifiers interposed between the current switch and the output transistors in an output stage based on the Monticelli architecture. The buffer amps buffer the output transistors' gate capacitances, thereby allowing the output transistors to be nearly any desired size without adversely affecting the op amp's dynamic performance. This enables the op amp's compensation capacitors to set the amplifier's bandwidth, and allows the secondary pole to be at a higher frequency. The buffer amplifiers can also provide gain which effectively multiplies the transconductance of the output transistors and further extends out the secondary pole location. In addition, the buffer amplifiers can be used to provide voltage level translation between the current switch and output transistors, which can provide additional headroom for the op amp's gain stage.

Abstract: The acid copper sulfate solutions used for electroplating copper circuitry in trenches and vias in IC dielectric material in the Damascene process are replaced with a type of plating system based on the use of highly complexing anions (e.g., pyrophosphate, cyanide, sulfamate, etc.) to provide an inherently high overvoltage that effectively suppresses runaway copper deposition. Such systems, requiring only one easily-controlled organic additive species to provide outstanding leveling, are more efficacous for bottom-up filling of Damascene trenches and vias than acid copper sulfate baths, which require a minimum of two organic additive species. The highly complexed baths produce fine-grained copper deposits that are typically much harder than large-grained acid sulfate copper deposits, and which exhibit stable mechanical properties that do not change with time, thereby minimizing “dishing” and giving more consistent CMP results.

Abstract: Electric apparatus having distinct electric terminals has an input power terminal of electrically insulating material, including a base of electric insulating material having a first electric terminal base portion and a second electric base portion spaced from that first electric base portion, and a barrier wall of insulating material on that base acting as an isolator between the first and second electric terminals on these base portions, and preferably also as a standoff for a protective cover. A plurality of electric fuse holders in that or other electric apparatus may be mounted in mutually spaced relationship, and a heat sink including a frame around that plurality of mutually spaced electric fuse holders is in heat-transfer relationship with these electric fuse holders, and includes a cross-piece between each adjacent pair of the mutually spaced electric fuse holders.