Abstract: A coupling device and associated method for coupling an unassociated afocal optical assembly to a night vision apparatus in order to alter the optical power normally associated with the night vision. The coupling device includes two separate adapter rings that threadably connect to each other. The first adaptor ring is sized and shaped to threadably engage the night vision apparatus proximate the objective lens of the night vision apparatus. The second adaptor ring is sized and shaped to screw onto the output end of the afocal optical assembly. Accordingly, when the first adaptor ring is joined to the second adaptor ring, the output end of the afocal optical assembly is optically aligned with the objective lens of the night vision apparatus. Consequently, the afocal optical assembly enhances the optical power associated with the night vision apparatus.

Abstract: A pick-up tube of a camera device is optically coupled to an image intensifier tube. An exposure control circuit is provided which monitors the charge supplied to the phosphor screen of an image intensifier device and, thus, to the photodetector of the pickup tube, and which varies the exposure time in accordance with the level of scene illumination and the charge storage capability of the photodetector. The exposure control system also adjusts the gain of the image intensifier in accordance with the scene illumination prior to readout of the photodetector in order to optimize the signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: The present invention is an image intensifier assembly that includes a Generation III image intensifier tube coupled to a single piece fiber optic inverter expander element. The single optical couple to the fiber optic expander element greatly enhances the overall performance parameters of the Gen III tube, as compared to traditional relay lens assemblies. The present invention image intensifier assembly can be directly substituted for a Generation II image intensifier tube assembly in a given application.

Abstract: A night vision goggle device is fabricated for consumer use. The device employs interpupillary and diopter adjustments for each eye of the user. The combined adjustment mechanism incorporates manually operable control knobs located on the housing and one knob for each of the eye pieces. Each control knob is capable of moving both in a forward and rear mode and in a transverse mode. The knob can provide diopter focus adjustment for a front to back motion and for lateral movement or transverse movement the control provides for interpupillary adjustment. The movement of the knob and the removal of pressure or force from the knob enables the optical assemblies to be locked in position by a friction fit.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method of joining a night vision device to a camera device to record images during night time or low light conditions. The present invention includes a substantially rigid mounting plate that connects to the bottom surfaces of both the night vision device and the camera device, whereby the objective lens assembly of the camera device is held in optical alignment with the ocular lens assembly of the night vision device. As a result, the night vision device and camera device are joined together both physically and optically, while each is also independently supported by the mounting plate. The mounting plate is configured to compensate for size differentials between the night vision device and the camera device. Accordingly, the mounting plate aligns the optical axis of the night vision device with the optical axis of the camera device even if these optical axes normally do not align.

Abstract: An improved microwave feedthru apparatus is disclosed which provides enhanced performance over the 1-20 GHz frequency range. In its preferred embodiment the apparatus will be used to transmit microwave signals into and out of monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) packages. The apparatus utilizes a coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line section to guide the microwave signal through the wall of the package, substantially free of any in band resonance effects.

Abstract: The present invention hybrid instantaneous frequency measurement (IFM) compressive receiver processes a wide bandwidth of incoming signals in two processing channels, where a small time delay is introduced to one of the two channels by a time delay stage. A comb generator provides for folding, or collapsing this wide input band into a much narrower bandwidth by overlapping sub-bands of the input band in the same frequency space. A compressive receiver is coupled to the spectrum folding circuitry for accurately measuring the frequency and amplitude of signals in this folded band, which have a sub-band ambiguity due to the folding. Logic circuitry is included for resolving the sub-band ambiguity in order to provide a unique description of the frequencies of input signals in the wide band input frequency range. The hybrid receiver overcomes the limitations of conventional IFM receivers by providing amplitude as well as frequency information for multiple time overlapped input signals with improved sensitivity.

Abstract: A communication system includes a plurality of subscribers each of said subscribers having a transceiver including a transmitter and a receiver. In the system there are means coupled to each of said transceivers to enable said transmitter to transmit a unique waveform having a predetermined time, frequency and phase code and each transceiver includes means coupled to the receiver to enable anyone of said subscribers to receive any transmitted waveform while others of the subscribers including those receiving said waveform can simultaneously transmit other unique waveforms whereby any subscriber can receive any transmitted waveform while simultaneously transmitting another waveform.

Abstract: Voltage translator apparatus to translate TTL or CMOS logic level inputs to 0/-5 V logic levels that is insensitive to temperative and bias supply variation. A unique circuit structure comprises a level shift stage employing transistors configured to level shift a source of operating potential to a controlling potential to be applied to a predriver stage. The controlling potential is a function of the input logic levels. The predriver stage drives an output stage capable of providing complementary 0/-5 V logic outputs. The configuration is such as to afford low power consumption as well as proper operation over wide bias supply and temperature ranges.

Abstract: An echo cancellation apparatus is included in a variable rate modem. The echo cancellation apparatus includes a local echo canceler, a remote echo canceler and a quadrature echo canceler unit. The local and remote echo cancelers both operate to cancel echoes in a similar manner employing topped delay lines or transversal filters wherein the taps of each delay line are adjusted to accommodate both local and remote echo cancellation. The local echo canceler and the remote echo canceler share many programs in common. However, the remote echo canceler operates with a phase lock loop which essentially derives a signal obtained from the quadrature and local echo cancelers which signal is further correlated with the output residuals from the local echo canceler to develop samples applied to the remote echo canceler and to derive a frequency which is indicative of a offset carrier frequency to enable the remote echo canceler to cancel remote echoes.

Abstract: An evaporator for containing a second material which is to be evaporated onto a remotely located surface after a first evaporation of a first material, comprises a tubular member having crimped ends for preventing the second material from combining with the first material during the first evaporation thereof and an aperture for allowing the escape of the second material from the evaporator during evaporation of the second material, the aperture being formed on a flattened area of the tubular member.

Abstract: A telephone long distance service is provided using speaker verification to determine whether a user is a valid user or an impostor. The user claims an identity by offering some form of identification, typically by entering a calling card number on the phone's touch-tone keypad or by a magnetic strip on the card which is read by the telephone. Unrestricted, extemporaneous speech of a group of customers are digitized, analyzed in accordance with a PCM circuit, and characterized as a non-parametric set of speech feature vectors. The extemporaneous speech of the long distance telephone service user claiming the identity of a service customer via his card number is digitized and analyzed in a like manner.

Abstract: Reticle apparatus that is affixed to the output surface of an image intensifier tube fiber optic element in a night vision goggle system. One embodiment provides for an illuminated reticle pattern. The reticle pattern is etched into a glass substrate which is then filled by a light reflective material. At least one light emitting diode (LED) is positioned adjacent to the edge of the substrate. Light from the LED is then received by the edge of the substrate which then illuminates the reticle pattern. An alternate embodiment provides for a reticle pattern that is affixed to an output surface of a fiber optic element wherein the output surface is curved. The reticle pattern is formed on a clear, flexible substrate that is able to conform the curvature of the output surface. The substrate is affixed to curved output surface by an adhesive that is coated on the flexible substrate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tunable notch filter which has a bandpass characteristic and where a tunable notch is added to the bandpass filter by placing a resonator outside the input or output probe of the bandpass filter. The bandpass filter is a resonant type of filter and comprises a plurality of parallel, spaced apart resonators. The tunable notch resonator is positioned near the input or output probe and operates to direct a substantial amount of energy from the filter at the frequency at which the notch resonator is tuned. In this manner a notch is created within the bandpass characteristic of the filter and which notch resonator can be tuned to provide the notch anywhere in the filter passband or above or below the band edges.

Abstract: A test system for measuring the characteristics of an active circuit employs a pulsed bias technique for periodically biasing the input control port of the active circuit into the active region of operation. Biasing is achieved with a bias voltage that is periodically pulsed ON and OFF. An RF source is pulse modulated ON and OFF synchronously with the pulsed bias voltage and applied to the input control port of the active circuit. The pulsed RF occupies a portion of the time interval encompassed by the pulsed bias voltage. These voltages are combined and applied to the input port of the active circuit which operates only during the presence of the pulsed bias voltage and which is OFF during the absence of the pulsed bias voltage. A DC supply is utilized to bias the output port. The amplified RF power is then measured at the output port of the circuit, after the RF power has been separated from the DC bias by a non-reciprocal device.

Abstract: The present invention is a vacuum housing for an image intensifier tube, wherein the vacuum housing is unistructurally formed from a dielectric material and retains a photocathode, microchannel plate (MCP) and anode within an evacuated environment. The vacuum housing is manufactured as a single, solid component, thereby having no seams which may leak and compromise the evacuated environment. The various electrically operative elements of the photocathode, MCP and anode engage separate metalized surfaces formed within the vacuum housing. The electrically operative elements of the photocathode, MCP and anode within the vacuum housing are empowered by coupling the various metalized regions to sources of electrical potential external for the evacuated environment.

Abstract: An image intensifier tube having a conductive coating for draining away accumulated electrons that cause the image intensifier tube to lose resolution. The conductive coating is formed on the insulating surface of the image intensifier tube microchannel plate. The conductive coating is formed from the evaporation of cathode sublimation products which include barium, nickel and tungsten.

Abstract: A high resolution multiple channel imaging spectrometer employing a pair of reflective gratings to create and separate, respectively, a spectrum of discrete spectral channels having high throughput and good channel isolation.

Abstract: An active circuit comprising a component coupled between an input terminal and an output terminal, the component requiring power to operate, and a bypass path which causes a signal to propagate from the input terminal to the output terminal via the component when the component is operating under power and which causes the signal to bypass the component, when the circuit loses power, and propagate from the input terminal to the output terminal via a section of transmission line, the bypass path comprising a bypass circuit having at least two FETs, the two FETs providing high and low impedances, the high impedance being provided when the component is operating, thereby causing the signal to propagate from the input terminal to the output terminal via the component and the low impedance being provided when the circuit loses power, thereby causing the signal to propagate from the input terminal via the section of transmission line to the output terminal.