Abstract: A mass data storage unit includes a plurality of first data storage modules that form a mass information storage library, a data directory archive for maintaining a directory of the information contained on each data storage module, and data record/playback modules for receiving any selected data storage module in the mass storage library. A plurality of interface computers are coupled to a plurality of host computers for receiving data and for generating request signals to access information stored in the mass storage library. A file directory is coupled to the interface computers and the data directory archive for receiving the request signals, locating in the data directory archive the address containing the stored information and generating a data address location output signal for the stored information.

Abstract: A multi-chip module interconnect structure is configurable for a desired application. A power/ground layer and one of two signal interconnect layers have a fixed metal pattern and are generated once for multiple applications. A second signal interconnect layer and a bond pad layer are custom designed for the particular application. The fixed interconnect layer has a repeating pattern of horizontal metal strips in rows and of three different lengths. The end points of each row of strips are staggered to increase routeability by reducing vertical blockage. Power distribution and ground rails are periodically positioned in the repeating pattern to provide current to the power/ground layer. A custom router generates the second signal interconnect layer for the particular application involved.

Abstract: An adaptable card mounting system includes a number of card guides having predefined configurations selectively mounted at slot locations within a chassis to enable cards of varying dimensions to be installed. A first type of card guide is mounted to opposed walls of the chassis at each slot location. This first card guide is required for installation of cards of a first length and first depth. A second card guide is mounted to the walls of the chassis in conjunction with the first card guide at slot locations requiring installation of circuit cards having a second depth different than that of the first depth. A third type of card guide is mounted between the opposed first or second card guides at selected slot locations requiring installation of cards of a second length shorter than the first length. Use of the three card guides at selected slot locations permits installation of circuit cards of varying dimensions independent of slot location.

Abstract: A broadband phase shifter and vector modulator includes two artificial transmission lines interconnected by FETs to selectively produce and sum incremental phase shifts of an input signal. A number of low pass filter sections are connected in series to form the first of the two artificial transmission lines and a number of high pass filter sections are connected in series to form the second artificial transmission line. Use of low pass and high pass filters equalizes transit times of each phasor through the phase shifter so as to maintain the proper phase relationship between the phasors over a broad bandwidth. Each of the two artificial transmission lines are coupled to a transistor circuit connecting corresponding low and high pass filter sections. The phase shifter operates by selectively summing the output variable-amplitude phase-shifted signals generated within the transmission lines to produce an output signal having a phase shift between 0.degree. and 360.degree..

Abstract: Microscopic strips of high permeability magnetic conductor are arrayed in a proximate relation to an electrical conductor to form paths for magnetic circuits about the electrical conductor. The strips may take various forms including filaments, such as one hundred micron microwire, and deposited submicron-sized layers of amorphorous magnetic material. The magnetic circuits may be closed with the strips forming a plurality of bands around the electrical conductor, and the magnetic circuits may be open, such as with the strips arrayed linearly adjacent to the electrical conductor. The magnetic circuits have numerous applications, including a variety of antennas, inductive wires, antenna ground planes, inductive surfaces, magnetic sensors, and direction finding arrays.

Abstract: A multinodal bus network protocol used in communication systems employing tokens to indicate the next interface unit to transmit, with cojoining of token addressing and data in one trasmission, organization of interface units into logical rings whose token-passing sequence is a function of network topology, adaptive learning by each interface unit of the next unit to receive the token as well as the number of addressees in the ring, organization of interface units into groups where only one unit may answer for the entire group, and adaptive learning by each unit in a group of its predecessor in that group as well as the number of units in its group.

Abstract: A device and method to convert light from a point source into an areal source of displayed light. The reflective faces of dielectric mirrors enclose a point source of light. The mirrors repeatedly reflect the light from the point source inside the enclosure without significant absorption, thereby achieving a random distribution of position coordinates for the light rays departing the areal transmissive surface on the outside of the enclosure. The device and method may be used for backlighting a display or for other areal lighting systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-flight refueling of unmanned aircraft includes a manned tanker aircraft having a refueling probe mounted thereon. The probe is extendable for increased visual reference. A drogue mounted on the distal end of a flexible refueling hose is trailed from the unmanned aircraft. The refueling hose is stored on a reel assembly mounted on the fuel tank of unmanned aircarft. The reel assembly is remotely actuated from the manned tanker to pay out the refueling hose. A homing system transmits signals from the manned aircraft guiding the drogue to the probe. Upon insertion of the probe into the drogue, automatic coupling occurs and the unmanned aircraft is refueled.

Abstract: A heat transfer device and method may be used to conduct heat from a heat source to a heat sink. The device and method improved thermal conduction in composite material mounting boards for heat generating components. The composite material fibers in the core of the board may be parallel to the mounting surface of the core throughout their length. The device may include at least two thermally conductive wedges embedded in the core for conducting heat into and out of the interior of the core. The wedges may be milled metal that may be mechanically and/or thermally attached to the composite material. The wedges may also be chemically plated to the composite. A plurality of the fibers contact both wedges to conduct heat to a surface adapted to transfer heat to the sink. A method of manufacture of the device provides that cavities for the wedges may be milled in the composite material of the core.

Abstract: A closure element for use in circular ducts for controlling the flow of material in the duct. The element has a unique unitary shape which allows installation within the confines of the duct with minimum distortion of the duct cross-section when the valve is open. This results in a very low pressure drop through the valve. Because the closure element geometry is such that the element pivots from the duct wall solely within the confines of the duct, the valve is well suited as a check valve.

Abstract: An adaptive power amplifier system for use with VSWR loads includes an adaptive power supply that indirectly monitors the power dissipated by a RF power amplifier and adapts bias conditions of solid state components in the RF power amplifier to protect the components from excessive power dissipation typically experienced with VSWR loads, even while maintaining full forward power output.

Abstract: A content-addressed memory system stores large amounts of data for quick access by keyword value combinations. The system comprises a controller and a plurality of content-addressed memory chips. Each chip comprises a plurality of word cells with logic to enable independent, parallel operation of each word cell, storage of a record of closely related data in more than one word cell, and accessing an entire record when data in one word cell is matched to the keyword value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for parameterizing an input signal as a sum of N unrelated sine waves of various amplitudes, frequencies and phases using a 2N-order difference equation to describe the sine wave sum and converting the problem to a solution of the roots of an N-order polynomial.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing Fourier transformations on an input stream of digital data without switches in the cross channel communication paths. A new systolic method for performing a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is derived from a constant geometry method using phase shifting of data in a channel to obtain the proper data sequence, rather than switches to transfer data among channels. A standard global shuffle operator is decomposed into phase shift operators and random access memory shuffle operators that operate only in one channel. The result is further simplified by merging the phase shift operators with twiddle factors from the constant geometry method. The communications paths for the data are thereby fixed, creating the opportunity for higher radix operations than are available with devices employing switches for cross channel data transfer.

Abstract: A helical-element antenna as part of a communication system is mechanically steered with reference to an azimuth axis and an elevation axis within a positioning envelope greater than hemispherical. The system for mechanically steering the helical antenna includes a supporting frame having an azimuth member with a longitudinal axis coinciding with the azimuth axis around which the antenna rotates. Further, the supporting frame includes an elevation member that is integral with the azimuth member and has a longitudinal axis displaced from the azimuth axis. An interface fitting rotatably mounts the antenna to the elevation member. The supporting frame is rotatably mounted to a pedestal base that has a plane perpendicular to the azimuth axis. To position the antenna about the azimuth axis, an azimuth steering unit is energized to rotate the supporting frame 360 degrees around the azimuth axis.

Abstract: A photonic array bus provides a connectorless, computer backplane-like communication systems for advanced data processing and communications systems requiring operation rates exceeding 1 gigahertz. Components of a multiple component advanced data processing or communications system are coupled to pairs of laser transmitters and laser receivers. The laser transmitter and receiver pairs are arrayed in a coplanar circular fashion about a central disperser lens. A laser transmitter emits a laser beam incident on the central disperser lens. The central disperser lens disperses the laser beam into a coplanar array of laser beams illuminating the laser receivers. Multiple channel operation is achieved by "stacking" along the length of the disperser lens coplanar arrays of pairs of laser transmitters and receivers.

Abstract: A single null miniature direction finder which may be worn on the arm of the user and is fully automatic in operation. Signals from a single loop antenna and a sense antenna are summed; however, the amplitude of the sense signal is adjusted at first and second phase angles and the phase of the sense antenna is automatically switched from the first phase angle to the second phase angle prior to summing to produce either a single null or a no null pattern. These patterns are compared to each other as the user extends his arm horizontally and rotates his body. When the null occurs an indicator gives the relative direction to the transmitter.

Abstract: The present invention will yield enhanced gain over a conventional antenna system by taking advantage of combining directional antennae. In one embodiment, the invention utilizes four 10 dB dipole, vertically-polarized, omni-directional antennae having a reflector added to each one to limit the horizontal beamwidth to 90.degree. and increase the gain to 16 dB. The vertical beamwidth remains at 7.degree.. By utilizing four of these antennae and utilizing power combining hybrids to connect each of the two opposed antennae together, excess gain over a 10 dB omni-directional system will be obtained. The effective antenna gain is equal to the directional antenna gain minus the omni-directional antenna gain minus the hybrid loss. Thus, the vertical beamwidth and physical height of the antenna are preserved with the increase in gain at the cost of a little antenna complexity.

Abstract: An adaptive processing system for real-time signal processing of one or more input signals in parallel-pipeline fashion is provided. According to the invention, the adaptive processing system includes a random access processor having an array of processing elements each being individually configurable. A man-machine interface receives instructions defining how an input signal is to be processed by the random access processor. A configuration controller responsive to the interface is used to generate configuration data defining a configuration of the random access processor, and data flow between contiguous processing elements thereof, for enabling processing of the input signals according to the insructions. The random access processor is configurable into one or more individually addressable processing arrays which may perform linear or nonlinear operations on an input signal.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle has a retaining member extending along the side of a vehicle to retain a cover for an awning. The cover may be formed from a plurality of metallic slats pivotable relative to one another to define a housing for the awning fabric in one pivotable relationship of the slats and to define an extension of the awning fabric in a second pivotable relationship of the slats. The slat closest to the recreational vehicle in the second pivotable relationship of the cover may also have a retaining portion. A first member is provided with detaining portions at its opposite ends to be detained by the retaining member on the recreational vehicle and the retaining portion on the slat closest to the recreational vehicle. The first member may have a coupling portion at an intermediate position between its opposite ends. This coupling portion co-operates with a sealing member to hold the sealing member on the first member. The sealing member may be made from a resilient material such as a vinyl.