Abstract: The tuner section of a communications receiver 10 includes a gallium arsenide voltage controlled oscillator 48 for upconverting the received signal in mixer 18. Phase noise and post tuning drift associated with oscillator 48 is impressed onto the signal supplied by a second oscillator network 46. Thus, the outputs of mixers 18 and 78 both contain noise and post tuning drift associated with the gallium arsenide oscillator 48. Mixer 28 is used to substract the noise and drift component on line 30 from that on line 32 to thereby provide an output 14 which is substantially free of the noise and drift associated with the efficient, but noisy gallium arsenide VCO 48.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell useful in light valves is disclosed in which positive anisotropy liquid crystals are installed at an initial off-perpendicular alignment within the approximate range of 6.degree.-45.degree.. A light valve employing the cell is initially biased to a voltage approximately corresponding to a transmissivity peak; the selection of the exact bias voltage involves a trade-off between contrast and response speed. The cell surfaces are characterized by generally flat macrostructures and tilted surface microstructures, with an overcoat on the surfaces of a long chain alcohol with alkoxy groups derived therefrom bonded to the tilted surface microstructure. The alcohol molecules have the formula ROH, where R is a carbon chain having at least six carbon atoms therein.

Abstract: A noise test set for analyzing the presence of phase noise in a radar signal. A delay line discriminator using a fiber optic cable and laser light modulated by the radar signal are used. Both direct and indirect modulation techniques are disclosed, together with techniques for generating and injecting a calibration signal.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for identifying molecular contamination in an environment includes a pair of crystals (12, 14) supported within supports (16, 18, 20) which are cantilevered to a base (44) by standoffs (36). Base is housed within an enclosure (56) which opens through an opening (54) to an environment to be tested. Contaminants from the environment are deposited on sensing crystal (12) which, after a build up of the contaminants thereon, is heated by a heater. Through a thermo-gravimetric analysis, the points at which contaminants on crystal (12) sublime provide a means for identifying the contaminants.

Abstract: A process for forming a single-notch optical filter having a continually and accurately varying periodic profile. An optical medium is coated on a uniform substrate where the homogeneous optical medium produces a rugate filter, so that the profile of the refractive index follows a sinusoidal pattern and Bragg's law. As the optical medium is coated on the substrate, the depositing film is monitored by optical techniques, and feedback information is provided to a computer driven by a pre-programmed process control algorithm so that real time control of the manufacturing process may be accomplished.

Abstract: A new group of silane compounds in which silicon atoms are linked together by a hydrocarbon chain and which comprise phenyl groups substituted with an epoxy group or an ethenyl group. The compounds of the present invention have the formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of: (a) an aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and(b) a group having the formula ##STR2## where n=1 to 3m=0 to 5;R.sub.2 and R.sub.2 ' are each selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an unsubstituted aryl group, and a substituted aryl group; and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR3## where R.sub.4, R.sub.5, and R.sub.6 ae each selected from the group consisting of H, an alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and an aryl group; and n=0 to 10.

Abstract: The obstacle detector (24) has an upper plate (32) which mounts on the arm (22) of the positioning machine. At least three springs (50) pull the lower plate (34) upward and three projections such as balls (36) provide precise location of the lower plate (34). Lateral force causes actuation of switch (60) to terminate motion of the positioning machine. Vertical impact is sensed by upward motion of outer ball slide (68), which is resiliently held down against stop shoulder (76). The handling device has its foot (74) mounted on the bottom of the outer ball slide.

Abstract: A holographic stoplight assembly including a volume hologram having a recorded stoplight image secured adjacent to the inside surface of an automobile window. The volume hologram is selectively illuminated by an illumination source located out of the driver's rearward field of vision and forward of the hologram. Also disclosed is a method for recording a hologram for use in a holographic automobile stoplight system which includes the steps of recording the image of a stoplight in a first hologram, and then recording in a second hologram the playback image of the first hologram.

Abstract: A plasma wave tube is described in which a pair of counterpropagating electron beams are injected into a waveguide housing in which a plasma is formed, prefeferably by an array of fine wire anodes. The electron beams couple with the plasma to produce electron plasma waves, which radiate electromagnetic energy for beam voltages and currents above established threshold levels. A rapid control over output frequency is achieved by controlling the plasma discharge current, while the output power can be controlled by controlling the voltage and/or current levels of the electron beams.

Abstract: A high definition television system is disclosed. The transmitter 10 of the invention compresses image data and transmits the compressed data during the vertical flyback interval of a standard NTSC television signal. The receiver 30 of the invention decompresses the compressed image data and adds the expanded lines of data to normal image data in interlineal fashion. In a specific embodiment, an improvement operator 58 is utilized to expand the data and fill in missing pixels. The output of the improvement operator 58 is stored in a memory 56 which is then scanned in a non-interlaced mode for presentation.

Abstract: A liquid crystal light valve is provided with a microgrid of grooves in the photoconductor surface to divide the photoconductor into high resolution pixels. The liquid crystals fill the grooves to seal them and contribute to a potential barrier at the grooves that prevents lateral charge migration between pixels. In a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) embodiment an oxide layer extends over the pixels and partially overhangs the grooves. A metal matrix mirror is formed over the insulative layer, and extends into a portion of the grooves to shield the underlying silicon from photoactivation while maintaining an electrical isolation between pixels.

Abstract: An analog associative processor (12) discriminates between intersects representing targets and intersects representing ghosts from angle-only information from multiple sensors (10). The analog associative processor (12) is constructed using a multi-layer substrate that is an analog of the real-world sensor emplacements, angular sensor traces, and coordinate system. An algorithm is implemented by the analog associative processor (12) which detects ghosts by counting pulses received by each intersect from the other intersects. When the number of pulses reaching a given intersect reaches a predetermined threshold, the intersect is identified as a ghost. The analog associative processor (12) then continues until the number of remaining intersects equals the number of total targets. The remaining intersects are then identified as true targets.

Abstract: A high-power microwave/mm-wave oscillator is filled with an ionizable gas at a pressure of about 1-20 mTorr, into which an electron beam is injected at a high current density of at least about 1 amp/cm.sup.2, but typically 50-100 A/cm.sup.2. A plasma is formed which inhibits space-charge blowup of the beam, thereby eliminating the prior requirement of a magnet system to control the beam. The system functions as a slow-wave tube to produce narrow-band microwaves for a gas pressure of about 1-5 mTorr, and as a plasma wave tube to produce broadband microwave/mm-wave radiation for a gas pressure of about 10-20 mTorr.

Abstract: A method of producing a superior quality of glass or other brittle material. The resulting end product is substantially stronger than conventional glass and exhibits greater strength consistency than was previously known. The techniques include various combinations of operations including substantially reducing the thickness of a blank of raw material; preparing formed edges including chamfered edges, rounded edges, and undercut edges; super polishing all edges and surfaces of a glass item; tempering the glass either thermally, chemically, or both; super polishing again after the tempering operation; and etching the glass after one or more of several steps in the process.

Abstract: A digital robotic axis controller which employs a digital processor to apply the inverse of a plant model transfer function to positional information representative of a target path to generate a feed forward position control signal and to combine an error signal with the positional information to generate a feedback control signal. The feed forward and feedback control signals are combined to produce a total position control signal which is supplied to a digital-to-analog converter and then to a plant comprising an amplifier, a motor for establishing the actual position of a robotic member, and an encoder for deriving the error signal from the motor position. In application, a number of such plants are controlled to achieve a coordinated multidimensional movement with increased accuracy.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed which includes a first color selective prepolarizer 16 for separating light from a source into first and second beams. The first beam consists of light of a first color having a first polarization state, and the second beam consists of light of second and third colors having a first polarization state, and light of the first, second and third colors having a second polarization state. A second color selective prepolarizer 22 is provided for separating the second beam into third and fourth beams. The third beam consists of light of the second and third colors having the second polarization state. The fourth beam consists of light of the first color having the second polarization state and light of the second and third colors having the first polarization state. A main polarizer/analyzer 30 is included for separating the fourth beam into fifth and sixth beams.

Abstract: A multiple die is used to trim a plurality of electrical component leads, all at the same time, by using a die and a hydraulic press to develop a shearing action. Male and female die members each define a pattern of holes arrayed to mate with the configuration of leads extending from an electronic package. Near the upper face of the female die member, a plurality of tiny O-rings are mounted, one for each lead, encircling the paths for the leads as the package is positioned atop the die. The transverse relative motion between the male and female members of the die shears the leads while the O-rings serve to isolate and limit the amount of shock and vibration that can be transmitted along the leads.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for supplying and controlling simmer current to a flashlamp 28. A direct current-to-direct current converter including a transformer 12, full-wave bridge rectifier 24, and first and second switching means 20 and 22 produces an output which is always higher than the maximum required by the flashlamp 28 at its lowest simmer current. The converter (12, 20, 22, 24) is coupled to flashlamp 28 through an inductor 26. The current I(s) through a pair of inductors 26, 30 is sensed by a lamp current sensing circuit 34 which turns the converter on or off, respectively, when a preselected minimum or maximum value is reached. The converter transformer 12 is maintained in its operating range by the switching of two devices such as power FET's 20, 22 so that one or the other of the two halves of the primary winding 14 is used alternately. The initial ionization of flashlamp 28 is provided by simmer trigger circuit 38.

Abstract: Am image processing method which is adapted for use in a system having memory for storing in a planar array a plurality of output data samples from a scanning image detector. The invention generates first and second hexagonal sampling patterns within a window on the array. The hexagonal sampling patterns include a first set of data samples with a plurality of peripheral data samples, defining each hexagon, and a data sample at the center of the hexagon. The first and second hexagonal sampling lattices share a common data sample. The generation of the hexagonal sampling patterns is achieved by timing the sampling of the scanning image detectors. A weight is assigned to each data sample within each of the hexagonal sampling lattices and performs a convolution operation on the hexagons to provide a final value for assignment to the common data sample.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device is formed of a module of photovoltaic material, the module including electrodes disposed on the material for extraction of electric power produced by interaction of the material with radiation, particularly solar radiation. A coverglass system is disposed on a surface of the module facing incident radiation to protect the module from high energy particles. The coverglass system is formed of a glass sheet disposed parallel to a surface of the module, and a slab or a plurality of glass slabs which are disposed in a side-by-side array along the module surface between the module and the sheet. The slabs are thicker than the sheet, typically by a factor of two, and are formed of fused silica to provide a sufficient mass for stopping high energy particles such as those which may be encountered in a spaceship traveling through a Van Allen belt.