Abstract: In order to make alignable optical waveguides, an alignment structure is formed on at least one opposable end of the waveguides by selective chemical etching of different portions of the waveguides. The waveguides can then be brought into alignment with the alignment structure. Preferably, a pair of complementary alignment structures are formed on opposed ends of adjoining waveguides.

Abstract: A check valve is placed in a conduit for pressurized fluids, and comprises a cylindrical external housing having inlet and outlet ends, a cylindrical internal spigot, and an elastomeric sleeve fitted over the spigot. It is sealed at the second end, and has a plurality of radially directed vent apertures along its length. The elastomeric sleeve is securely fitted to the internal spigot, in the region of the first, inlet end. The elastomeric sleeve has an internal diameter and an elastic memory such that it fits and adheres snugly to the outer periphery of the spigot, and its elasticity is overcome at a positive gauge pressure of between 5 and 20 psi so that pressurized fluid will flow from the vent apertures. Backflow of fluid at substantially zero or negative gauge pressure is precluded.

Abstract: A process for making a integrated circuits of different typed is described wherein sequence of mask steps is applied to a substrate or epitaxial layer of p-type material. The sequence is chosen from a predefined common set of mask steps according to the particular type of integrated circuit to be fabricated. In this way, various types of integrated circuit can be fabricated in a most efficient manner.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing frequency re-use in a cellular, wireless communications system. In a geographic area, which can be serviced by a cluster of four cells in a two by two arrangement, 100% frequency can be achieved over the entire area by utilizing a slanted hub arrangement. In a larger geographic area requiring a greater number of cells, efficient frequency spectrum re-use is achievable by identifying narrow interference slivers in each cell and servicing these slivers in accordance with optional procedures.

Abstract: A turntable for production line applications is provided which is suitable for large surface area applications, such as, for example, in the production of automobiles. The turntable has an annular platform surface around a central vertical structure which houses a vertically orientated drive motor. The platform is preferably supported at its outer edge by a series of rollers or casters, and is supported at its inner edge by a ring bearing. By providing a vertically orientated motor in the central structure, more useable space on the turntable is provided. In addition, the turntable is more easily maintained, and is less prone to accidental damage. As such, a turntable of improved overall efficiency is provided.

Abstract: In order to make a charge couple device including an interconnect layer to contact active areas, a first layer of a first titanium nitride layer on the active areas, and then a series of alternating titanium and titanium nitride layers are deposited to form a composite sandwich structure. This structure is less prone flaking while able to withstand high temperature treatment during fabrication of backside illuminated sensors to improve quantum efficiency and reduce dark current.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a microstructure for micro-fluidics applications, a mechanically stable support layer is formed over a layer of etchable material. An anisotropic etch is preformed through a mask to form a pattern of holes extending through the support layer into said etchable material. An isotropic etch is performed through each said hole to form a corresponding cavity in the etchable material under each hole and extending under the support layer. A further layer of depositable material is formed over the support layer until portions of the depositable layer overhanging each said hole meet and thereby close the cavity formed under each hole. The invention permits the formation of micro-channels and filters of varying configuration.

Abstract: A cell transmission rate controller for use in providing constant bit rate services in an ATM or like network has a predictor for determining the payload size of the next cell, and a plurality of buffers for storing TDM data. A control circuit monitors the buffers and generates a trigger signal to produce a cell when sufficient TDM data has accumulated to fill the next cell.

Abstract: A method of mounting a package such as a Butterfly package to a printed circuit board in order to make efficient use of the board's real estate is described. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the package is mounted on its side such that leads of one side (now the bottom) of the butterfly package are connected either directly to surface mount pads on the PCB or project through and connected to through-holes in the PCB. The leads on the other side (now top) are connected to a flex circuit or ribbon cable. A heatsink can be attached to the package without impinging significantly on the PCB layout.

Abstract: In a method for ultrasonic testing of objects, ultrasound is generated inside or at the surface of the object. The surface of the object is illuminated with a beam from a long-pulse laser oscillator, typically in the range 1 &mgr;s to a few 100 &mgr;s, that is substantially free of intensity fluctuations. The light from the incident beam that is scattered or reflected by the surface of the object is collected and demodulated to obtain a signal representative of the ultrasonic motion. The method allows for the use of a compact and efficient arrangement.

Abstract: According to this invention, silicon-based photodetectors using waveguides formed with silicide regions can have high speed and high efficiency for near IR applications. Utilizing the unique properties of suicides, the proposed method provides a simple and elegant way to implement a photodetector design in which photogenerated carriers travel perpendicular to the direction of light propagation. Therefore, the speed and quantum efficiency of the photodetector may be optimized independently. This device configuration may be implemented in one of the two approaches: (a) waveguides formed through surface silicidation of a silicon-based layer of a substrate (b) waveguides formed through silicidation of ridge waveguide side-walls of a silicon-based layer of a substrate; The use of mature silicon technology promises low cost of production and other benefits.

Abstract: Disclosed is A flow-through electrochemical reactor comprising a body having an internal chamber, and an inlet port and an outlet port in communication with said internal chamber to permit flow of wastewater therethrough, at least one porous anode arranged in said internal chamber such that the wastewater flowing between said inlet port and said outlet port flows through the pores of said at least one porous anode, said at least one porous anode having activity for the destruction of a target substance, and at least one cathode disposed in the internal chamber to permit an electric current to be established between said at least one cathode and said at least one anode, said electric current reducing the concentration of said target substance in the wastewater flowing through the chamber.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for stabilizing porous silicon. A porous silicon structure having a surface terminated with hydrogen atoms is subjected to organic thermal processing to substitute the hydrogen atoms with a protective organic layer. The resulting structure are found to have unprecedented stability.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a dual tone alert signal in a telephone system capable of at least off hook mode operation includes a processing channel for each tone. Each channel consists of a bandsplit filter for extracting the tone of interest and attenuating the other tone; a comparator for comparing the output of said bandsplit filter with a threshold value; and an adaptive threshold generator for generating said threshold value adapted to the amplitude of the output of said bandsplit filter to reject speech and music imitations. The apparatus offers improved talkdown and talkoff immunity.

Abstract: A system for monitoring broadcast channels, includes a device for receiving a plurality of broadcast channels, a central search engine operable to search the received channels for a match with a pre-stored profile, a central memory connected to the search engine for storing the profile, and a plurality of user terminals connected to the search engine over a network. The search engine is responsive to commands from the user terminals to store the profiles to be searched in the memory in association with the identity of the user terminal from which the command was received. A device sends an alert signal over the network when a match is found with a pre-stored profile to the user terminal associated with the pre-stored profile. The alert signal identifies the broadcast channel matching the pre-stored profile.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for implementing virtual path aggregation (VPA) of underlying virtual connections at a switching node of a connection based communications network. A multi-service traffic shaping module (MTSM) at the switch implements algorithms to aggregate the VC and VP connections onto the aggregate VP by representing an aggregate VP as a plurality of circular linked lists or loops and assigning each VC connection to a link or element in the circular linked lists according to traffic descriptors. Weighting factors are used as between loops to dynamically select the next loop to service. Once this loop is chosen, the next VC to be serviced is identified by examining the circular linked list structure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating the vestibular function in a human subject. The subject is constrained in a substantially erect position so that the head moves in unison with the rest of the body. A controlled stimulus in the form of a sudden angular acceleration is imparted to the body, and the subject's ocular response to the controlled stimulus is measured. The vestibular function is evaluated from the ocular response and the angular velocity of the head.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus for use to dispense a material from a squeezable and collapsible tube is provided. The dispenser apparatus comprises a housing unit having a storage portion at the top end, a dispensing portion at the bottom end, and at least one channel which extends vertically from the top end to the bottom end. The dispenser also includes a feeder plate which is downwardly sloping from the storage portion to the dispensing portion, and a dispensing member above the feeder plate. When the dispensing member is in an open position, passage of one tube from the storage portion to the dispensing portion is permitted, and when the dispensing member is in a closed portion, passage of any tube into the dispensing portion is precluded. When in the dispensing portion, material can be dispensed from the tube, and thus converted the full tube to a collapsed, empty shape. Only when the tube has taken on the collapsed empty shape, is the tube removable from the dispensing portion.

Abstract: A communications network which enables service providers to optionally place limitations on the switched connection requests that subscribers may place through the network. This is accomplished by enabling node administrators to configure, on a per subscriber basis. throughput and other connection limits for all incoming and outgoing switched connections a subscriber may attempt to establish or receive. The limits are checked by an edge network node when the call is requested and the call is accordingly established or refused.

Abstract: A bulk Soft Permanent Virtual Circuit (SPVC) trace processor is provided. The bulk SPVC trace processor receives notifications of newly established SPVCs and SPVC re-routing instances. The bulk SPVC trace processor submits SPVC connection trace commands to corresponding trace source network nodes, and retrieves trace transit list information therefrom. The aggregate SPVC transport path information derived from trace transit list information is stored and provided to higher network management and service provisioning functions. The bulk SPVC trace processor may also be employed to trace SPVC portions of Hybrid SPVCs. As SPVC connection tracing is necessary subsequent to a failure, load balancing techniques are used to spread SPVC connection tracing over time, network resources, and network partitions to prevent weighting down the network. Network planning and design functions previously built for Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC) provisioning may be seamlessly upgraded in migrating to (H)SPVC connectivity.