Abstract: A GPS receiver comprises a data input/output port for communication of datum-less position fixes in an earth-centered, earth-fixed (ECEF) coordinate style to avoid the errors associated with not communicating the datum choice with latitude longitude data communication formats.

Abstract: A global positioning system (GPS) receiver having a radio frequency (RF) circuitry to receive position signals from a plurality of satellites and to provide an intermediate frequency (IF) signal to a correlator circuitry for generating a pseudo range and a Doppler measurement for calculating a position fix. The GPS receiver further has a power supply system which has at least one battery and an alternative external power connector for connecting to an external power source. The GPS receiver further has a microprocessor having a read only memory (ROM). The microprocessor is electrically connected to the RF circuitry and the power supply system. Since the GPS receiver does not need to constantly process all the GPS position signals that are available to it to provide a useful tool, the ROM includes a program for automatically controlling the power supply to the RF circuitry so that battery power is conserved.

Abstract: For interfacing a random-access (microprocessor-type) device to a sequential-access type device, such as EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture)-bus-memory (RAM) cell array (110), employed is a dual-port random-access-memory (RAM) cell array (110), for storing/retrieving words of data and a set of command and status registers (COMMAND/STATUS REGS) (160). Also employed is a combination of a set of end-address registers (END ADD #1-2) (162), a set of comparators (COMPARATOR) (164), and a set of next-address registers (NEXT ADD #1-2) (166), the combination permitting the sequential-access and random-access dual-port memory buffer (100) to jump from one dual-port random-access-memory (RAM) cell-array (110) sequential address, stored in an end address register (END ADD #1-2) (162) to another dual-port random-access-memory (RAM) cell-array (110) sequential address, stored in a next address register (NEXT ADD #1-2) (166).

Abstract: A decapsulation embodiment of the present invention comprises clamping a device-under-test to a fixture with a non-recessed etch head. The fixture has an etch plate with a hole that defines the area on the device-under-test for the decapsulation. Electrical access is provided to the package pins of the device-under-test. The fixture comprises a support with connections for the pins and the etch-resistant etch plate on top with the hole for locating over the site of the active die within the device-under-test package. The hole is sized to define the proper dissolved opening dimensions for decapsulation and is deep enough to enable decapsulation to start and yet not so deep that fresh etchant solution cannot reach the surface of the device-under-test. The device-under-test is placed on top of the support and covered with a etch plate. The whole assembly is then clamped together.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a wet indexer for receiving a cassette of wafers from a previous processing station that have not been allowed to dry. The wet indexer then keeps the wafers submersed in processing solution before and during indexed transmission to later cleaning stations.

Abstract: A wearable audio reception device includes an elongated flexible enclosure removably attachable to an article of clothing and the radio in turn being removably attachable to the flexible enclosure.

Abstract: A two-sided probe and clamshell fixture embodiment of the present invention comprises a vacuum-actuated bed-of-nails for probing the bottom side of a printed circuit board (PCB) device-under-test (DUT) and a pushrod-actuated bed-of-nails for probing the top side of the printed circuit board device-under-test. The fixture comprises a base, a bottom frame, and a bottom plate that are sealed for vacuum actuation by a gasket. When in place, the DUT completes the vacuum seal and the bottom bed-of-nails which includes a patterned array of spring loaded probe pins reaches through the bottom plate to contact probe points on the DUT. A set of push rods attached to the base push out through the bottom frame and operate a set of gear boxes attached to the outer edges of a top plate within a top frame.

Abstract: A plasma generation system comprises a two-by-two or larger array of alternating magnetic poles set proximate to an insulating window in a chamber containing a process gas. The magnetic poles are ferromagnetic core coils driven by a radio frequency power source at sufficient energies to generate a plasma within the process gas chamber. The magnetic poles are included in ferromagnetic core coils that are wired to the radio frequency power source such that each magnetic pole is surrounded equally in the plane of the insulating window by adjacent magnetic poles of opposite magnetic polarity and uniform magnitudes. In a two-by-two array, the two sets of opposite corners have opposite magnetic polarities.

Abstract: An electronic ballast embodiment of the present invention comprises a half-bridge parallel-loaded series resonant converter (HB-PLSRC) circuit a load is connected across a resonating capacitor with DC blocking capacitors in each of two legs and in series with a resonating inductor. The combination is connected to the junction of two switches wired in series across a DC source input such that the resonant inductor and resonant capacitor are connected across one of the switches. A coordinated manipulation of the switches is then used to charge and discharge the resonant inductor and resonant capacitor are pumped in series resonance. Alternatively, the load is connected through an isolation transformer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a probe membrane with a center contact bump area and a plurality of signal connection sections separated by triangular reliefs in the membrane and terminating in a tangential row of contacts for wire bonding to a probe card. The system of triangular reliefs in the membrane allows the membrane to be puckered up such that the center contact bump area is raised approximately ninety mils above the general plane of the probe card. When the membrane has been fixed in its puckered up position, the triangular reliefs in the membrane form several radial rectangular slits. A translator gimbal attached to the center of the membrane provides stability and contact force for the contact bumps to a DUT. Areas of transparency in the vicinity of the contact bump area allows a user to view the I/O pads of a DUT for alignment with the contact bumps in the membrane.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a GPS receiver including a conversion table memory index for storing latitude-longitude lookup conversions to standardized map coordinates and scale factors.

Abstract: A data/voice modem embodiment of the present invention comprises an asynchronous-to-synchronous data converter for interface with a GPS receiver, a minimum space keyed modem, and a continuous tone controlled sub-audible squelch controller that modulates a radio transceiver interface with a discrete tone such that both voice and data may share a common radio channel. The data/voice modem periodically keys-up the radio transmitter through its interface and transmits a packet of information that contains user position and velocity obtained through the GPS transceiver interface and adds a user identification code and time tag. Incoming message packets from the radio transceiver that are sent from other similarly equipped mobile units are used to supply individual network member absolute positions and velocities, and this information is stored by user identification number as goal or waypoint equivalents.

Abstract: A rawinsonde system embodiment of the present invention includes a digital GPS snapshot buffer and a serial communications controller for transmitting message frames formed of a combination of digital GPS data from the snapshot buffer and digitized hardwired meteorological data input from a humidity-temperature-pressure instrument. The message frames are telemetered at a relatively low rate over a meteorological radio band to a ground station. Substantially all of the conventional GPS digital signal processing is performed by the ground station, including carrier recovery, PRN code locking, pseudo-range extraction, ephemeris data extraction, almanac collection, satellite selection, navigation solution calculation and differential corrections. Ground processing further includes Kalman filter wind velocity calculation.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a GPS receiver comprising a GPS downconverter, a fast acquisition unit, a GPS digital signal processor (DSP), a static random access memory (SRAM) and a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO). The fast acquisition unit samples intermediate frequency signals from the GPS downconverter at 5.17 MHz and writes the samples to the SRAM memory. The memory then supplies the samples back out at a rate of 10.34 MHz. The GPS DSP is such that PRN code and code phase searches are conducted at two times the real-time transmission rate of a GPS satellite. Once a code lock is obtained, Doppler, code, code phase and ephemeris data are stored by a GPS processor. If lock is lost, past code phase and Doppler are projected forward in time using ephemeris and other relevant GPS satellite knowledge to constrain a new search to re-establish lock.

Abstract: An arc lamp embodiment of the present invention comprises a triplet set of annular reflectors that gather light from an arc created between an anode and a cathode into essentially parallel beams that exit along the longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical lamp through a sapphire window. A first of the three reflectors has a concave parabolic shape that reflects light out along the lamp axis in one bounce. A second of the three reflectors has a concave elliptical shape with a rear projecting focus and is back to back with the first reflector such that the open bowls of the reflectors face in opposite directions along the axis of the lamp. A third of the three reflectors has a convex parabolic shape that receives light bounced from the second reflector and gives it a second bounce out through an opening in the first reflector and then through the window, parallel to the lamp axis.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a combined GPS and dead-reckoning (DR) navigation sensor for a vehicle in which a pair of modifications are made to an otherwise conventional Kalman filter. Process noise is adapted to cope with scale factor errors associated with odometer and turning rate sensors, and correlated measurement error processing is added. When only two Doppler measurements (PRRs), or three with an awkward three-satellite geometry, are available, DR error growth can nevertheless be controlled. The measurement error correlations in the conventional Kalman filter covariance propagation and update equations are explicitly accounted for. Errors induced by selective availability periods are minimized by these two modifications.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of portable satellite terminals (PSTs) and a network control unit (NCU) in mutual communication by a communications satellite. Integrated services digital network (ISDN) basic rate interfaces (BRI) are provided at each PST and NCU such that commercially available equipment may be connected and link access procedure D-channel (LAPD) protocols are supported end-to-end. CCITT Recommendation V.42 link access procedure-modem (LAPM) with the selective frame reject option is used to carry whole LAPD frames within the information fields of LAPM frames over the satellite link. Protocol conversion units are employed at each PST and NCU to convert LAPD to LAPM and back again.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp fixture embodiment of the present invention comprises a frame module, a ballast module, a socket housing module and a reflector module that all interconnect via a standardized connection system. The ballast module is attached to a ballast plate and snaps onto a junction box wrapper that has a junction box baseplate. The frame module snaps onto the junction box wrapper together with the socket housing module. The reflector module also attaches directly to the frame module.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a series pass transistor with its emitter arranged to receive a source of DC power, its collector arranged to supply a DC load, and its base connected to the junction of a capacitor to ground and an inductor to the collector. An output capacitor from the collector to ground is alternatively included. In a second embodiment of the present invention, an operational amplifier is inserted in the base circuit to increase the effective circuit gain.