Abstract: A second or third-order phase-locked loop with higher loop gain at medium and low frequencies, while avoiding the problem of amplifier saturation caused by high amplifier gain combined with the DC offset of imperfect phase detectors, includes a voltage controlled oscillator and a phase detector for comparing the phase of the reference oscillator and the VCO. In a third-order embodiment, two operational amplifiers are connected in series between the output of the phase detector and the input to the VCO, each amplifier having an associated feedback circuit including a series capacitor and a resistor to provide gain shaping. A Tee circuit is provided from the output of one of the amplifiers to the input of the other, and includes a shunt-connected capacitor to provide low frequency sensitive feedback to reduce the gain of the amplifiers at frequencies approaching DC, thereby preventing saturation and enabling increased loop gain at frequencies thereabove.

Abstract: A package for an integrated circuit is provided with interconnected leads within accessable recesses in the enclosure of the package. The interconnections of the leads is severed to isolate each leads from all other leads.

Abstract: A circuit for use in a temperature compensated large signal current amplifier. As utilized in one embodiment, a camera exposure control compensates film reciprocity errors with a buffer amplifier. Another embodiment of the buffer amplifier includes log compression band-gap temperature compensation.

Abstract: A third order phase-locked loop providing increased gain in the high frequency portion of a predefined bandwidth includes an oscillator providing a reference signal, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) providing a variable signal, and a phase detector for comparing the phase of the reference signal to the phase of the variable signal. The phase detector produces a difference signal for application to an input of the VCO to bring the variable signal into phase with the reference signal. First and second active amplifiers are connected in series between the output of the phase detector and the input to the VCO, operative to provide decreasing loop gain with increasing frequency at the rate of 18 db per octave at frequencies approaching the predefined bandwidth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encapsulating a lead frame in a flat metal strip and a semiconductor device attached thereto having a mold receiving the semiconductor device and lead frame into a cavity. The strip has a thoroughfare over a solid surface to adjacent said lead frame. A depression in the mold over a portion of the thoroughfare contains a pellet of plastic. A runner extends from the depression over the thoroughfare to transfer liquid plastic from the depression into the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing kerf loss and controlling the tension and lateral vibration of an internal diameter saw blade by controlling the temperature of the blade while it is still rotating. The blade temperature is controlled by regulating the temperature of the cutting fluid flow associated therewith. In one embodiment blade tension is periodically measured and, when the tension falls below a predetermined limit, the temperature of the cutting fluid stream is decreased for a period of time until the tension increases to a preselected value.

Abstract: An integratable programmable attenuator includes in one embodiment a plurality of field-effect transistors coupled to a semiconductor resistor at spaced apart locations thereon, the semiconductor resistor forming one of the source/drain regions of each of the transistors. The other source/drain region of each field-effect transistor is selectively coupled to an input of a differential amplifier, the output of which is coupled to one end region of the semiconductor resistor. The gain of the differential amplifier is variable in predetermined steps according to which of the transistors is selected.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus with the aid of which tubular transport containers (10) having a substantially U-shaped hollow cross-section for DIL housings can be aligned prior to their filling or emptying. The apparatus comprises a first storage space (22) for the transport containers to be filled or emptied and a second storage space (65) for filled or emptied transport containers. A transport means (32, 33) is provided with the aid of which the transport containers can be conveyed out of the first storage space into the second storage space. At least one alignment means (50, 51) is provided which is equipped with at least one compressed air nozzle and produces an air flow which is directed from below against a transport container on its way from the first storage space to the second storage space. Under the influence of this air flow the transport container assumes a defined position in which the DIL housings disposed therein can be removed or introduced into said container.

Abstract: An alarm circuit operatively associated with a phase-locked loop provides an error indication when the phases of the referenced signal and voltage controlled oscillator signal lose synchronization for times less than one millisecond. The alarm circuit includes an amplifier connected to receive the phase detector error signal, and an impedance connected to conduct the phase detector error signal to the amplifier. The impedance and amplifier have a frequency response corresponding to a frequency response of an associated receiver circuit, so that short duration deviations in the reference signal frequency which the receiver circuit cannot track produce an error indication and long duration deviations which can be tracked by the receiver circuit do not produce an error indication.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed for driving a piezo ceramic device as used in smoke alarms or other audio warning devices. The circuit detects the resonant frequency of the piezo horn and provides an alternating current at the resonant frequency of the horn for maximum sound output. The circuit has a self starting resonant oscillation characteristic. Two pairs of switches act in concert to alternatingly connect each side of the piezo horn to the supply voltage and ground, causing the maximum voltage swing across the piezo horn to be effectively twice the available power supply voltage.

Abstract: A radio system for automated ship board operation includes a plurality of radio receivers and a plurality of radio transmitters. The system includes an ARQ unit, with which one of the receivers and one of the transmitters is associated. A DSELCALL unit is provided, with which another one of the receivers and another one of the transmitters is associated. A VDT unit is provide upon which radio information and messages can be displayed upon reception and composed for transmission.

Abstract: A highly stable voltage variable crystal controlled oscillator adapted for stand-alone use or for use with an atomic clock for further stabilizing the oscillator. A novel Colpitts crystal oscillator configuration is employed and utilizes an FET amplifier and bipolar emitter follower configured for power gain without phase shift in the feedback circuit. The oscillator output signal is derived through the crystal which then acts as its own low pass filter to improve the purity of the output signal. A novel buffer/amplifier circuit including a grounded gate FET amplifier and coupling transformer assure frequency stability despite wide ranging load impedance variations. A resilient thermal foam material is used to enclose the temperature and shock sensitive components of the oscillator to provide further frequency stability and rugged construction.

Abstract: A device to aid in locating a hanger or support on a wall for supporting an object to be mounted at a desired location includes a bracket which temporarily attaches to the frame with a top portion overhanging the top of the frame and a back portion disposed behind the frame. A protrusion extends from the back portion in the direction of the frame to engage the wire or string of the frame, and a frame engaging screw is provided on the top portion to produce tension in the wire or string of the frame in a fashion similar to that existing when the frame is hung. A pin is provided in a channel in the device for producing a mark onto the wall onto which the frame is to be hung, the channel extending from a forwardly accessible location in the top portion to the exact location in the back portion at which the hanger must be attached to the wall to produce the desired location of the hung frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing the resonance frequency of a rubidium frequency standard utilizes control of the intensity of the rubidium-87 lightbeam between the rubidium lamp and rubidium vapor cell. Resonance frequency stabilization is achieved by the present invention by providing adjustment of pumping light intensity until the sensitivity of resonance frequency to changes in cell temperature is minimized and the cell operating temperature is at its turning point, that is, where resonance frequency shift versus temperature goes through a zero slope. By utilizing the invention, the light crossover point, that is, a point of convergence of the family of curves of frequency deviation versus temperature for different levels of rubidium lamp excitation discharge current, can be set equal to the cell turning point.

Abstract: An improved oscillator circuit primarily for use as an RF source circuit for igniting a light discharge in a rubidium lamp used in a rubidium vapor cell frequency standard. A number of novel features are disclosed including an adjustable power capability dependent on current sensed feedback providing power adjustment over at least a 5-to-1 ratio; lamp heater monitoring for high oscillator power operation during warm-up; and light intensity monitoring for feedback bypass and high oscillator power operation whenever inadequate light discharge is detected.

Abstract: Apparatus for front lighting a display includes a light distributing wedge, spaced from the front of the display to be lighted, through which the display can be viewed. A light source is provided aside the wedge to direct light to an inter space between the wedge and the display. A reflective surface is provided at the wide end of the wedge to reflect light incident upon it. Thus, light from the light source is directed onto the display through various reflecting and refracting paths, including directly onto the display from the light source, reflected from the interior surface of the wedge onto the display, and refracted and reflected within the wedge to be emitted in the direction of the display.

Abstract: An automatic wire bonder for bonding at least one wire between a first predetermined location on a workpiece and a second predetermined location on a substrate on which the workpiece is carried includes a wire feeding head, and means for moving the head, in x, y, and z directions, relative to the workpiece, x and y being at least parallel to the plane of the workpiece and z being an elevation direction above the workpiece. Means are included for determining a z direction measurement between the first and second predetermined locations. The bonder is computer controlled to automatically dispense the wire and to configure it to a predetermined configuration to include a partially circular portion and an adjacent straight portion to be bonded between the first and second predetermined locations. The shape of the partially circular portion and the length of the straight portion are automatically determined by at least the z direction measurement.

Abstract: An adjustable frequency synthesizer primarily for use in an atomic frequency standard of the type used for stabilizing a frequency source by locking it to the hyperfine transition resonance of an atomic frequency resonator. The synthesizer is programmable by an externally applied code to provide the proper frequency, electromagnetic resonance field to the atomic frequency resonator. The synthesizer also provides a phase locked frequency modulating signal to produce the resonance deviation signal in the resonator. The broad range and fine frequency increments of the synthesizer permit accommodation of a wide range of resonance frequencies in the atomic frequency resonator to obviate resonator gas pressure and magnetic field variations which would otherwise decrease the production yield of such resonators.

Abstract: A lamp assembly primarily for a rubidium frequency standard and having an improved lamp housing configuration including a cast metal housing which acts as an RF shield for the lamp ignition helical coil resonator. The lamp is heated by both a conventional bipolar heater transistor and a heater blanket made of Nichrome etched Inconel encased in a Kapton impregnated fiberglass laminate material, to reduce warm-up time and more reliably distribute the heating function.

Abstract: An improved device for fastening a separable zipper includes specially adapted terminals disposed at the respective ends of opposed rows of zipper teeth and a specially adapted slider supported by one of the terminals. The slider is provided with an annular disc which can be inserted in a cooperating aperture of the other terminal by movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the zipper rows. A second embodiment of the invention includes specially adapted terminals and two sliders, the sliders being disposed in back-to-back relationship and supported on one of the terminals, the sliders including an annular disc separable into semicircular halves for guiding the sliders into nesting engagement with the other terminal by movement in the direction substantially perpendicular to the zipper rows.