Abstract: An array antenna feed system which provides a constant beamwidth over a large bandwidth of operating frequencies. In transmitter applications, the applied signal is divided into correction and basic signals by a frequency sensitive splitter. The magnitudes of the basic and correction signals provided by the splitter vary sinusoidally with frequency and are displaced a quarter cycle from each other on the frequency scale. The correction and basic signals are combined in series or corporate coupler arrays to drive the individual antenna elements. Coupler coefficients are predetermined to make the complex addition of the correction and basic signals provide a resulting synthesized signal which gives the desired voltage distribution for the same beamwidth at the operating frequency limits. In receiving applications, the splitter functions to combine the correction and basic signals from the coupler array and transfer a combined signal to the receiver circuitry.

Abstract: A high resistance, low noise, multi-layer, thin film photoconductive, infrared detector operable to be easily coupled to charge couple devices; having an enhanced photoconductive gain due to the use of a bias voltage across a depletion layer of n-doped HgCdTe resulting in the flow of electron charge in the bulk of depletion region and the flow of electron holes along the surface of the depletion region. In one embodiment of this invention an additional layer is incorporated into the structure having specific thickness, of 1/4 of the wavelength of the energy received. This additional layer of material behaves as resonant cavity enhancing the quantium efficiency. In a further embodiment, a configuration for a high resistance photoconductor detector structure is disclosed utilizing a cylindrical topography to circumvent lateral edge problems in the high resistance photoconductive structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airborne trailing cable-antenna which is multi-sectional. The cable-antenna comprises an electromagnetic radiating portion for the transmission of electromagnetic energy and a non-radiating portion which because of its weight, length, density and other aerodynamic characteristics provides the physical length necessary for the propagation of the radiated electromagnetic energy in a vertical polarized plane. This improved, multi-sectional, trailing, airborne cable-antenna facilitates the transmission of electromagnetic energy in a vertical polarized plane at higher frequencies not previously possible.

Abstract: A high density, multi-chip module applicable to VHSIC technology utilizing individually hermetically sealed microelectronic chip packages operable to be pretested, breadboarded and burned in prior to final module assembly. This microelectronic module comprises a multiplicity of interconnected chips in a high density fully heat sinked configuration, resulting in high clock speed and low power dissipation. This module further facilitates a short design cycle because no dedicated hard tooling is required. A packaging density is achieved which is about two and one-half times greater than the density achieved utilizing surface mounted leaded chip carriers with leads on 20 mil centers. This is because the packages are reduced in size after testing. This density increase results in a chip-to-chip line capacitance approximately half of conventional packaging due to the fact that the path lengths across the ceramic packages and across the P.C. board are reduced.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory array and signal processing system which provides an improved signal to noise ratio. The basic memory complex associated with the storage of a single binary digit is a quad of memory elements or cells which are addressed in complementary fashion. The enhanced read-out signal discrimination is had by utilizing a double-correlated double-sampling differential signal processing system in which complementary data is serially passed through the same path with repeated high-speed differencing which greatly reduces nonuniformity fixed patterns as well as correlated low frequency temporal noise.

Abstract: A mode scheduling system for selecting track or search dwells in a track-while-scan radar. Targets to be tracked are classified according to acceleration levels and then arranged into priority classes based upon the acceleration. A relative update frequency for the targets in the priority classes is established. The track and search dwells are made during a repetitive dwell period having a predetermined number of track dwell intervals. Track dwells are scheduled during these intervals to satisfy the update frequency requirements. When all of the track dwell positions are not needed, search dwells are substituted for some of the track dwells. Search dwells are also inserted between track dwells, as needed, to maintain a minimum amount of search time regardless of the number of targets being tracked.

Abstract: A laser communication system in which a filter-detector is provided which has a high acceptance angle and a narrow bandwidth. The filter-detector contains vaporized selected atomic species or a molecular composition dissociable to the selected atomic species. The selected atomic species electronic ground state is not absorptive of the laser output wavelength, but the selected atomic species exhibits a metastable or long-lived energy state which when populated absorbs the laser output wavelength. A subsequent transition produces fluorescence from the atomic species as a function of the laser output.

Abstract: An oblique observation attachment for use in conjunction with a microscope comprising a repositionable planar mirror and a plano-elliptical mirror; or a second planar mirror incorporated into an elliptical track follower in a predetermined configuration operable in a three axis cartesian coordinate system to provide hands-free, fixed focus, optical inspection of populated planar subjects on an X-Y oriented stage such as the soldered joints of hybrid micro-electronic circuits or printed circuit wiring boards.

Abstract: A digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) system for storing and retrieving radio frequency signals in a digital memory. The system includes a digital memory, digital converters at the input and output of the digital memory, and input and output mixers. The RF signal to be stored is applied to the input mixer along with a modulated local oscillator signal to produce an IF signal which is converted into digital values for storage in the digital memory. When the stored digital values are retrieved from the memory to reproduce the RF signal, they are converted back into an analog IF signal which passes through a low-pass filter before being applied to the output mixer. The local oscillator signal, modulated with the same waveform used in storing the digital values, is also applied to the output mixer to provide the reconstructed RF signal. A pseudo random, discrete digital valued waveform is used to phase modulate the local oscillator signal in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: An improved target sighting device operable to converge on targets whose initial velocity has caused its image to move a significant fraction within the field of view during the period between detections utilizing less electrical circuitry and only one focal plane detector array. A detector array and associated signal processing system for incorporation within an electro-optical tracking system, the detector array comprising both fine track and coarse track detector elements wherein fine track and coarse track detector elements are further interconnected to hybrid fine track and coarse track signal processing algorithms. The resultant signals from the fine track and coarse track detections on the hybrid array will result in commands to gimbals about reflecting means or about a receiver telescope allowing the reflective means or receiver telescope means to be repositioned towards the target with greater accuracy.

Abstract: Robotic systems for assembling electronic components require that the components be stored in an orderly manner at locations known to the robot. Generally, it is required that at least two storage locations be provided. More specifically, the components must be stored and presented to the robot in an orderly fashion for assembly operations and a storage location must be provided for components which the robot is unsuccessful in assembling. The invention which is the subject matter of this patent provides a convenient means for storing electronic components having reasonably rigid leads. More specifically, this invention provides for inserting the leads of the components into a semi-rigid gel for purposes of storage. If the components are to be assembled, the robot can conveniently lift the components from the gel. Similarly, if the component cannot be assembled, the robot can store the component by gently inserting the leads of the component into the gel.

Abstract: A semiconductor CCD focal plane array convolver is taught which permits performing convolution functions on the focal plane array chip. An X-Y array of photosensitive pixels is disposed in a semiconductive substrate, with a CCD roadway comprising a pattern of rows and columns of conductive gates upon the substrate surrounding and defining the X-Y array of pixels. The number of gates for each pixel are selected to permit charge from the pixel to be collected in either a first charge holding packet for a positive convolution coefficient, or in a second paired charge holding packet for a negative convolution coefficient. The convolution function is performed by applying gate signals which move the charge packets around the CCD roadway. A differencing electrometer is provided at the periphery of the CCD roadway to permit differencing the accumulated charge stored in the paired charge holding packets to difference the positive and negative convolution coefficients to provide a convolution output signal.

Abstract: A signal generator for high level low noise signals in which the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes the output signal of a low noise crystal oscillator as a fundamental reference signal. The fundamental reference signal is multiplied to generate a series of coherent reference signals. Additionally, one of the coherent reference signals is coupled as an input signal to a divide circuit to generate at the output of the divide circuit a plurality of coherent low frequency reference signals. The coherent reference signals and the low frequency coherent reference signals are utilized by a synthesizer to generate a plurality of coherent signals having a frequency determined by the synthesizer. The output signal of the synthesizer is combined with one or more of the reference signals to generate the microwave output signal which is stepped from a minimum to a maximum value in equal increments.

Abstract: A lateral bipolar transistor is described incorporating at least two grooves extending from the upper surface and spaced apart by a predetermined amount from which impurities are introduced to form an emitter region extending from the sidewall of one groove and a collector region extending from the sidewall of an adjacent groove with the base being the substrate material between the two regions. A plurality of grooves may be utilized to form a plurality of transistors with the grooves staggered to facilitate access to the ends of the grooves functioning as emitters and those functioning as collectors. The large vertical junction area formed by the side walls relative to the horizontal junction area at the bottom of the grooves and the uniform base width result in a high current gain lateral transistor.

Abstract: An optical processing system performs matrix-matrix, matrix-vector, and vector-vector multiplication. Element product formation is accomplished by the time integration of a detector array which converts light signals into electrical signals. Inner products are formed by the spatial integration of a cylindrical lens which focuses modulated light onto the detector array. Modulation of the light is accomplished by bit-serial modulation of the light sources with one element value in twos complement form, and by bit-serial modulation of an acousto-optic cell by the other element value in twos complement form. A multi-channel systolic embodiment permits a complete vector quantity formation without the need to enter modulation data separately for each inner product of the vector.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating and controlling the electric field within the cavity of a particle beam accelerator. A power splitter divides a common drive signal into separate branches each driving separate RF amplifiers. The output of each amplifier is coupled, through a circulator, to a separate input launcher within the cavity. The high Q of the cavity causes the signal from each launcher to combine to form an undistorted field pattern within the cavity regardless of small amplitude and phase differences at each launcher. Total power control is maintained by changing the phase in one or more of the separate branches, or by chopping the power applied to the amplifiers in the controlled branches. To improve efficiency, the input launchers in branches which are turned off by the chopping technique may be shorted to ground during the turned off interval.

Abstract: A system for accepting conventional wire in bulk form, cutting the wire into predetermined lengths and preparing the ends of the wire for use in conventional wire harnesses is disclosed. More specifically, the system accepts as input data, in digital form, which fully describes each wire to be formed. Individual wires having the required length are cut from wire provided in bulk form. As each section of wire is measured and cut, it is stored in individual containers and the ends of each section is secured by a clamp. A transport system sequentially transports the stored wires to workstations where conventional wire preparation tasks such as stripping, marking and attachment of terminals are performed. After all wire preparation functions have been performed, the individual wires are removed from their containers and utilized in forming wire harnesses.

Abstract: Transversal characteristic filter using a magnetostatic-wave device having amplitude weighted transducer assemblies. The input transducer includes a multi-fingered conductive layer with each finger being equally dimensioned and spaced. Each finger is separately connected to a contact of a field effect transistor integrated onto a semiconductor chip. A separate transistor is available for connection to each finger. The contact widths of the transistors vary depending upon the location of the connected finger from the center-most finger. A distribution approaching sin(x)/x is desirable in most applications. At the output or combining end of the device, the transducer fingers are separately connected to the gates of individual transistors whose junction widths vary symmetrically about the width of the junctions of the transistor connected to the center-most finger.

Abstract: A memory redundancy circuit is described incorporating a sequential row or column counter associated with a plurality of programmable row or column decoders. The sequential row counter includes a sequence circuit for each programmable row decoder.The sequence circuit and programmable row decoder incorporate fixed and variable threshold transistors such as metal nitride oxide semiconductor (MNOS) transistors. The threshold of the variable threshold transistors are switched in response to address signals and control signals to permit redundancy. A disable circuit is also described to permit removal of the redundancy circuits to permit retest of the other circuits.

Abstract: A charge coupled device that includes an output portion having a field effect transistor disposed in the potential well channel to provide a non-destructive read-out of the analog value of a charge pocket located in the portion of such potential well channel beneath the transistor. Drain, source and channel regions of the transistor are disposed transverse to the flow of charge pockets. The conductivity of the channel is modulated as a function of the value of a charge pocket in the potential well beneath the transistor.