Abstract: A broadband radiating element design is disclosed which provides a smooth, continuous transition from a microstrip feed configuration to a flared notch antenna for transmitting or receiving radio frequency signals.

Abstract: A built-in test system employs dual-mode feedback shift registers to supply test vectors and evaluate test responses of functional and interface networks of a logic system. Test responses are supplied to a quotient bit compressor which generates a system response signature for comparison with an expected fault-free signature to produce a system pass/fail status signal.

Abstract: An energy efficient lighting unit is described designed for functional similarity to the incandescent light used in the home. The lighting unit utilizes a metal vapor arc lamp as the main source of light supplemented by a standby filamentary light source. The lighting unit includes means for converting 60 hertz ac to dc, and a dc energized operating network containing a three transistor switch. The transistor switch is used to provide dc and low frequency (120 Hz) energization to the filament, and high frequency energization for both filament and arc lamp. The high frequency energization, which starts and transitions the arc lamp, is discontinued after the arc lamp is started. In the final run state, the arc lamp, which is serially connected with the filament across the dc supply, is ballasted by the filament.

Abstract: An integrated circuit incorporating high voltage semiconductor devices which are controlled by low voltage semiconductor devices is disclosed, including a method for making the same. The low voltage devices which are capable of realizing complex logic functions on the same chip are realized with only one simple extra step in the fabrication process as compared with the process used to fabricate discrete high voltage power transistors. The process addition to implant the low voltage device does not significantly degrade the original capability associated with discrete power transistors. Both laterally developed and vertically developed devices are described. The integrated circuit combines I.sup.2 L logic with power Darlington transistors. A large area ion implantation permits one to fabricate both low and high voltage devices on one substrate. The resulting integrated circuit permits a plurality of loads to be controlled by a simple or complex control function.

Abstract: An energy efficient lighting unit is described designed for functional similarity to the incandescent light used in the home. The lighting unit utilizes a metal vapor arc lamp as the main source of light supplemented by a standby filamentary light source. The lighting unit includes means for converting 60 hertz ac to dc, and a dc energized operating network containing a three transistor switch. The transistor switch is used to provide dc and low frequency (120 Hz) energization to the filament, and high frequency energization for both filament and arc lamp. The high frequency energization, which starts and transitions the arc lamp, is discontinued after the arc lamp is started. In the final run state, the arc lamp, which is serially connected with the filament across the dc supply, is ballasted by the filament. The transistor switch is controlled in its operation by an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A digital phase bit is provided for microwave operation, comprising a pair of FET switches and at least three transmission lines. The FETs when operated in a digital switching mode, present a small impedance when on and a high impedance when off. Each of two of the transmission lines exhibits a series inductive impedance over the operating frequency band and shunts a FET switch, two shunt combinations being interconnected by the third transmission line. When the switches are on, the signal path is effectively through the FET switch alone (and not branched) and a reference phase shift is produced. When the FET switches are off, a signal applied to the phase bit branches at each shunt combination. The inductive reactance of the transmission line and the capacitive reactance of the FET switch of each shunt combination then jointly produce a resonantly enhanced reactance over the band, causing a reflection and a maximum differential phase shift.

Abstract: The invention deals with a method of electroding a poly(vinylidene fluoride) solid in a piezoelectric application. The electroding method entails surface preparation of the poly(vinylidene fluoride) by a variety of steps including plasma etching to create temporary molecular scale surface irregularities followed by sputtering a metallic layer before deterioration of the plasma etched surface. The chromium may be the initial metal sputtered, followed by a sputtered copper layer, followed in turn by at least one heavier electrodeposited conductive layer. The method may be conducted without deterioration of the piezoelectric properties of the material. The method has been found to provide very good adhesion between the electrode and the PVF.sub.2 surface.

Abstract: The invention deals with a method of bonding a poly(vinylidene fluoride) solid to a variety of solid substrates, in an application typically using the piezoelectric properties of the material. The bonding method entails surface preparation of the poly(vinylidene fluoride) by a variety of steps including activation of the surface by plasma etching to cause the surface to wet the adhesive used in the bonding process. The bonding method produces bonds of increased strength and having good electrical properties.

Abstract: An energy efficient lighting unit is described designed for functional similarity to the incandescent light used in the home. The light unit utilizes a metal vapor arc lamp as the main source of light supplemented by a standby filamentary light source. The lighting unit includes means for converting 60 hertz ac to dc, and a dc energized operating network comprising an inverter operating at above audible frequencies (e.g. 30-40 KHz). The operating network produces a sequence for the arc lamp and the standby filamentary light source appropriate to each operating state of the arc lamp.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrophones which require liquid backing of the sensing plate, and more particularly, to compliance enhancing means for use in such hydrophones. In a practical embodiment, in which a compliant sensing plate in the form of a thin diaphragm is employed, liquid backing of the sensing plate is provided to balance the hydrostatic pressure across the sensing plate. To increase the compliance of the hydrophone, reduced by the presence of the backing oil, and to do so in a linear manner, a bellows is introduced into the backing chamber having the desired compliance and pressure rating. The invention is applicable to hydrophones having either compliant or stiff sensing plates. An improvement in hydrophone linearity and sensitivity is obtainable over a significant range of hydrostatic pressures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a PMOS or NMOS driver for a liquid crystal display. The driver is designed for ac excitation of the display with a minimum dc component, and with minimum excitation of "off" segments for optimum display performance. The drive circuitry includes a pair of larger capacity drivers, which exhibit alternate high and low output states, between which the individual segments and the backplane of the display are connected for ac excitation. A pair of lower capacity switches are provided in association with each segment. The first lower capacity switch connects the segment to be activated to one of the drivers, and a second switch, maintained in a state alternate to that of the first switch, disconnects that segment from the backplane. When the segment switches are turned on strongly, as by a voltage doubling input circuit, the desired LCD driver performance is achieved using a non-complementary design of lower cost than the conventional CMOS driver.

Abstract: A printed circuit board connection system provides multiple voltage level interconnection to each individual printed circuit board of a multiple board system via a common circuit board connector mounted on a backplane. Power supply and logic signals at each required voltage level are supplied to electrically isolated regions of the backplane, and are then connected via edge connectors to process control circuits on the respective printed circuit boards. A circuit board extraction handle includes an automatic disabling switch actuator to facilitate circuit board maintenance while power is on.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a threshold amplifier suited to integrated circuit fabrication of a process employing CMOS technology. The threshold amplifier is designed to sense current producing a first or a second logic level as a function of a current threshold. The amplifier comprises a p-channel device and a n-channel device serially connected across the bias supply. The gate to source voltages of the two devices are respectively controlled by a diode connected p-channel device similarly serially connected across the bias supply with a diode connected n-channel device, the source of the latter being returned to ground via a current carrying resistance also in the second series path. The output level which is taken at the drain inter-connection between the devices in the first series path depends on the relative conductivity of the two devices which is in turn affected by the induced voltage drop in the source connected resistance in the second series path.

Abstract: An optical grating hydrophone employs a dual grating construction and two pairs of optical fibers to provide a reliable output signal without the need for mechanically adjusting the system bias. A bias compensation circuit selects the output signal to be received based upon the output signals from the two optical cable pairs.

Abstract: Surface acoustic wave devices with precisely set frequencies are produced by laser trimming metallization strips on the device while monitoring the device frequency and/or phase shift. The trimming strips may be metallizations added during device manufacture or after device manufacture, or they may include selected ones of the reflecting gratings.

Abstract: Antenna arrays with more than one radiating element often require a calibration or adaptive technique to monitor the individual antenna currents and provide some form of correction. This invention is directed to a system of directional couplers and transmission lines usually placed between the transmitter and element matching network that develops a signal which is proportional to the actual antenna element radiating current. This includes mismatches and mutual impedance effects. A knowledge of the matching network is required. The system can be used in any guided transmission line system (i.e., waveguide, coax, stripline, microstrip, etc.

Abstract: A tape recorder is described which is substantially fully integrated and which performs the required functions of a tape recorder in either the recording or playback mode. The tape recorder is readily converted from the record to the play mode of operation by simple switching means which operate to control selected current sources on the integrated circuit to activate or inactivate the functional blocks of the integrated circuit involved in the selected mode of operation. By the use of a temperature compensated reference in the emitter path of a differentially connected transistor pair to stabilize the current in two current mirrors not simultaneously operated, one may stabilize current sources associated with either mirror. The arrangement thus permits a highly economical method of mode control while at the same time preserving high temperature stability in all of the controlled functional elements.

Abstract: A fabrication technique for monolithic microwave integrated circuits employs silicon-on-sapphire wafers. Active and passive elements are formed together in a series of implant and deposition steps. Electrically isolated islands of semiconductor material are defined upon the substrate. Multiple metallization deposits are employed to simultaneously interconnect the individual circuit elements and form passive elements upon the integrated circuit. The technique allows mass production of integrated circuits with considerable raw material savings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixer for use at high microwave frequencies (typically 21.8.times.23.2 GHz) in a low cost communications application. The invention utilizes low cost microwave components, including a low cost compartmented waveguide, shared by the signal and local oscillator and extensive microstrip circuitry. The provision of a pair of novel 1/4 wave impedance transformers coupled into the waveguide compartments provides efficient antenna and local oscillator input filtering, and efficient coupling from the waveguide sections to the microstrip circuitry. The mixer operation is carried out in the microstrip circuitry, which contains a hybrid coupler, a balanced diode detector, and the required mixer output filter. The arrangement is of low cost, and provides a low noise figure (7 db including the preamplifier), good band selectivity (15 db return loss over the communications band), and low local oscillator radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pipeline processors having testing means for identifying malfunctioning modules and for testing the self-testing means themselves. The testing employs the parity check principle and provides an on-line test of memory modules and an off-line test at the processor clock rate of both memory and arithmetic modules. The means for testing include a parity encoder associated with each module and a comparator which couples parity "comparison values" to a priority encoder, operating at the high speed clock rate of the pipeline processor. The test results are then supplied to a RAM, also operating at the clock rate of the pipeline processor. With the test results in the memory, a microcomputer is provided to search the memory at a slower rate for the highest priority failed module.