Abstract: A read/write circuit for accessing chalcogenide non-volatile memory cells is disclosed. The read/write circuit includes a chalcogenide storage element, a voltage limiting circuit, a current-to-voltage converter, and a buffer circuit. The voltage limiting circuit, which is coupled to the chalcogenide storage element, ensures that voltages across the chalcogenide storage element will not exceed a predetermined value during a read operation. During a read operation, the current-to-voltage converter, which is coupled to the voltage limiting circuit, converts a current pulse read from the chalcogenide storage element to a voltage pulse. By sensing the voltage pulse from the current-to-voltage converter, the buffer circuit can determine a storage state of the chalcogenide storage element.

Abstract: A multi-level framework that allows an application to be developed independent of the chip or board, and any dependency is built in as part of the framework of the field programmable device (FPD). According to one embodiment, a field programmable device (FPD) comprises at least one hardware design language (HDL) application core with at least one component virtual interface respectively coupled to the HDL core, wherein the HDL core and the component virtual interface form a component, and wherein the component virtual interface has a plurality of pre-defined interfaces for communicating with the core. The component is hardware independent of the FPD. There is a target platform interface coupled to the component virtual interface wherein the target platform interface incorporates hardware specific information. A framework manager is coupled to the target platform interface and communicates with at least one operating system.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer design having a slotted oval-shaped shell and active transducer elements located on the inner surface of the shell is disclosed. The design provides a high power, ultra-low frequency oval projector having a number of applications, including underwater seismic prospecting and fish mitigation.

Abstract: Multi-quantum well (MQW) spatial light modulator devices are disclosed that are capable of achieving reasonable quantum efficiencies and high contrast ratios in order to close an optical communication link by resolving the logical on or off state. The device both modulates and detects light through the use of the quantum well design and resonant cavity enhancement. Based on the materials (e.g., InGaAs/InAlAs) and their band structures, this device can be configured to communicate in the eye-safe wavelength range (e.g., 1550±20 nm). The device can be fabricated using standard photolithographic processes such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) reactive ion etching (RIE).

Abstract: A digital receiver automatically detects and non-coherently demodulates a multiplicity of interfering digitally modulated signals transmitted simultaneously at approximately the same carrier frequency. The receiver includes one or more antenna inputs (e.g., polarization and/or space diverse), a parameter estimator module, and a multiuser detector for estimating the data transmitted by each interfering signals and adapted to operate with at least one of a MUD algorithm with partially quantized prior information and a MUD algorithm based on prewhitened data.

Abstract: An error correction decoding (ECC) processing scheme is disclosed that reduces computational complexity normally associated with multiuser detection (e.g., TurboMUD) solutions, without causing degradation in quality of service or decreasing the total throughput. Error correction decoding algorithms are applied only to portions of the estimates that were affected by the immediately previous MUD update process. Even though the MUD and/or ECC updating is targeted so as to reduce complexity of each iteration, all of the estimates are maintained and remain candidates for future updates. As such, there is no negative impact real-time or future performance. This targeting approach can be used in conjunction with many variations of MUD, including full-complexity or reduced complexity, and may include MUD with confidence ordering or voting, and other techniques for facilitating efficient and effective MUD processing.

Abstract: A transconductance amplifier generally limits its current output, and specifically decreases its current output as a function of temperature. The circuit is made up of an operational amplifier and two drive transistors that are connected to a first part of the amplifier circuit and a second part of the amplifier circuit respectively. The first part of the circuit is driven by positive input voltages, and the second part of the circuit is driven by negative input voltages. A transistor in each part of the circuit clamps a voltage, thereby limiting the current output. The negative temperature coefficient of the transistor also decreases the output current as the temperature of the circuit rises.

Abstract: The present invention is for a high quality digital FM radio system that utilizes the subcarrier band to generate digital audio signals. The hybrid FM radio system utilizes the subcarrier band to transmit the digital FM signals that are synchronized to the analog FM signals. The receiver processes both the analog and digital signals and a high quality FM signal results. The receiver may switch between the traditional analog signal and the higher quality digital signal automatically to present the best possible audio to the user.

Abstract: Flat-plate antennas have a compact form by use of a folded path network construction whereby received signals are coupled through a unitary network structure to an adjacent signal processing unit. On a folded path basis, processed signals are then coupled back into the network structure, combined with other received processed signals and then passed out of the network structure to an adjacent signal port. The signal processing unit may provide either amplification, phase shifting, or both. By reciprocal operation a signal to be transmitted may be divided into sub-array components, processed (e.g., power amplified and phase shifted), further divided, and coupled to each slot radiating element (e.g., 256 slots) of an array of slot sub-arrays.

Abstract: A digital adaptive power supply interface has two feedback loops, each including a VCO, to automatically compensate for temperature and semiconductor process variations. A first loop compares the system input phase/frequency to a reference voltage that has been converted to a first digital frequency signal by a VCO in the first loop, and generates an analog difference signal. The second loop compares this analog difference with the power supply output voltage, and a VCO in this second loop converts result of this comparison to a second digital frequency signal. The digital frequency signals of the two loops are fed respectively to two registers and the content of the registers are subtracted, one from the other, to generate a digital error signal adjust the power supply output voltage to the input frequency.

Abstract: A semi-covert emergency transmission device and methodology for soldiers and other such personnel requiring pick-up or rescue is disclosed. The device has a flashlight mode and a transmit mode. In flashlight mode, an LED is turned on to provide an illumination source that can be used in numerous applications. In transmit mode, the device uses the same LED to transmit a coded message that includes information relevant to the user. The coded message can be preprogrammed and stored in the device, or translated in real-time. The transmit mode is further configured so as to confirm that the intended user is the one requesting the transmission of the coded message. The light emitted from the LED can be seen for up to a mile or so away by friendly forces or other potential rescuers.

Abstract: A two-plane rotation (TPR) approach to Gaussian elimination (Jacobi) is used for computational efficiency in determining rotation parameters. A rotation processor is constructed using the TPR approach to perform singular value decomposition (SVD) on two by two matrices yielding both eigenvalues and left and right eigenvectors. The rotation processor can then be replicated and interconnected to achieve higher dimensioned matrices. For higher dimensional matrices, the rotation processors on the diagonal solve the 2×2 rotation angles, broadcast the results to off-diagonal processors, whereby all processors perform matrix rotations in parallel.

Abstract: An optical detector uses an auxiliary integrating capacitor is used to determine the optical flux rate when the charge on the well capacitor approaches or reaches linear saturation. The voltage across the primary linearly operating integrating well capacitor is monitored to detect its linear saturation. The auxiliary capacitor charges at a predetermined rate from the start of the integration interval, and the voltage across it is sampled when the monitored voltage across the primary linear integrating well capacitor reaches linear saturation. The voltage across the auxiliary capacitor at this point is function of the rate at which the primary well capacitor was filling, and this voltage is processed as the illumination level for the integration period.

Abstract: An integrated photonic device having a vertical optical connection between vertically oriented waveguides and a process for making the same is disclosed. A first waveguide is patterned and etched onto an underlying substrate. A cladding layer is placed over the waveguide and substrate. The cladding layer is coated with a photoresist, and then patterned with holes that are slightly offset from the underlying waveguide. The holes are implanted with nitrogen doses at an angle. The nitrogen doses form an angled implantation of SiON. The material change and accompanying index of refraction change due to the angled implantation optically couples the underlying waveguide with an outside surface of the cladding layer. A second waveguide or circuit can then be patterned on the outer surface of the cladding and connected to the angled implantation and underlying waveguide. Multiple layers of waveguides or circuitry can be connected to each other in this manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring coupled aerodynamic stability and damping derivatives of an object, such as a missile, towed decoy, etc. in a wind tunnel. The object is mounted on a bearing in the wind tunnel and contains an instrumentation package which provides a plurality of signals for determining coupled moment derivatives. The package includes three rate sensors, three accelerometers, and two thermal detectors for measuring the time rate of change of the full six degree of freedom state vector for aerodynamic derivatives.

Abstract: A method includes precharging a first dynamic node, precharging a second dynamic node, and maintaining a first logic state of a signal on the first dynamic node responsive to a second logic state of a signal on the second dynamic node. The method further includes maintaining the second logic state of the signal on the second dynamic node responsive to the first logic state of the signal on the first dynamic node.

Abstract: A power combiner/divider is disclosed that employs triaxial transmission line structures operatively coupled to provide a desired number of input/output ports. A balun is operatively coupled to the triaxial transmission line structures, and is adapted to couple out unbalanced currents flowing therebetween.

Abstract: An etched grooved GaN-based permeable-base transistor structure is disclosed, along with a method for fabrication of same.

Abstract: A conversion kit for providing a sealed environment for containing a remote monitoring system transmitter and providing electrical connections between the transmitter and an existing environmentally sealed cable harness. The existing cable harness is terminated by a boot adapted to surround a cylindrical structure for environmental sealing contact therewith. The conversion kit includes an adaptor cable harness having terminations at a first end for mating with the terminations of the existing cable harness and terminations at a second end for mating with connectors of the transmitter. The conversion kit also includes an enclosure for containing the transmitter. The enclosure is formed with cylindrical structure at an open end thereof which is surroundable by the boot.

Abstract: A wideband multi-signal distributed exciter system for use with a phased antenna array is disclosed. The system includes a multi-signal generator that is configured with a dual direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDS) core, and is capable of generating multi-polarization signals over a given frequency range (e.g., 50 to 500 MHz) for each of N signals associated with a corresponding antenna element. An RF converter is adapted to receive multi-polarization signals from the multi-signal generator, and to convert those signals to a transmission frequency (e.g., 100 MHz to 10 GHz). A 2N signal summing module can be used to receive multi-polarization signals from each of the N dual DDS functions, and to generate an overall multi-polarization output signal that is provided for RF conversion. An identical set of multi-signal generator and RF converter modules can be associated with each element, thereby providing a high degree of modularity and interchangeability.