Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for facilitating ionization of a gas medium of a laser gyroscope. The apparatus and method employ a solid state light emitting device as a start aid for the laser gyroscope. The solid state light emitting device has a wavelength at or below a threshold wavelength based on a work function of a cathode coating material to prompt ionization of a gas medium within the laser gyroscope.

Abstract: A method and system for fusing image data includes an electronic circuit (L) for synchronizing image frames. An adaptive lookup table unit (302a, 302b) receives the image frame data sets and applies correction factors to individual pixels. The size of an image is then scaled or otherwise manipulated as desired by data formatting processors (312a and 312b). Multiple images communicated within parallel circuit branches (P1 and P2) are aligned and registered together with sub-pixel resolution.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an integrated optics encryption device. The preferred embodiment of the invention is an integrated optics encryption device comprising a coherent light source connected to a multi-functional integrated optics chip (MIOC). The MIOC comprises two divergent paths with mirrored ends. The MIOC also has an encrypted message output. One path is connected to a message signal input that can alter the refractive index of the path. The other path is connected to a key signal input that can alter the refractive index of the other path.

Abstract: A system (M) for removably mounting a device (D) that is viewable by a user (U) to an essentially rigid headgear (H) includes a removable strap assembly (10) extending about the headgear (H). The strap assembly (10) includes a strap (18) with a first end (20) having a first securing means (24) to engage a first edge (26) of the head gear (H.) A second securing means (28) secures the strap (18) to a second edge (20). A mounting assembly (32) extends from the strap assembly (10) in proximity to a first end (14) of the strap assembly (10) for controllably positioning the device (D) in an ocular axis (34) of the user (U). The mounting assembly (32) controllably adjusts the device (D) along a forward and backward axis (A1), a vertical axis (A4), and a horizontal axis (A2) of the viewer (U).

Abstract: A printed circuit board (20) includes a sub-assembly having dielectric (22) and conductive layers (24). A hole (26) extends into the sub-assembly. Metal plating (32) is applied on a barrel (27) of the hole (26). A conductive layer (32) and an etch resist (34) are applied to a first photoresist (30) on the hole barrel (27). The first photoresist (30) is removed and a second photoresist (36) is applied leaving areas to be controlled depth etched exposed. The exposed areas (38) are chemically etched. The second layer of photoresist (36) is removed and a second chemical etch operation is performed to define previously plated features (40) on the sub-assembly (20). The etch resist (34) is then removed.

Abstract: A system, a method, and software for image fusion are disclosed. Image sensors sense light and generate image sensor data in response to the light. Spectral detectors detect energy of the light proximate each image sensor, and a voltage value corresponding to the detected energy is determined. A weight factor for each image sensor is calculated according to the voltage value. The image sensor data from each image sensor is weighted according to the weight factor for the image sensor, and the weighted image sensor data are fused.

Abstract: A system and method for combining image data are disclosed. Sensor data sets (210, 212) are received from sensors (112). An image metric (214) with slots (217) is generated by repeating the following for each sensor data set (210, 212) until a final slot (217) of the image metric (214) is reached: generating display data from a subset of a sensor data set (210) for a slot (217) of the image metric, and generating display data from a subset of a next sensor data set (212) for a next slot (217) of the image metric (214). An image generated from the image metric (214) is displayed.

Abstract: A spool (12), for supporting a fiber optic coil (14) and a shield (118) surrounding the spool and fiber optic coil, includes a centrally placed, bolt-receiving opening (29). The shield includes a lower shield portion (20), which supports the spool and the fiber optic coil, and an upper shield portion (118). The upper and lower shield portions are arranged to interfit with each other at an interface (121). The upper shield portion has a centrally placed fastener-receiving opening (124) which is alignable with the centrally placed, bolt-receiving opening of the spool. A bolt (156) has a head (156a), a shank (156b) and a threaded end (156c, 156d). The bolt head is engageable with the spool through intermediary structure (48). The shank is insertable through the centrally placed, bolt-receiving opening (29) and the lower shield opening (26), for radially centering the assembly and its components. The threaded end is disposed to engage a threaded opening (68) in a gyroscope assembly support (66).

Abstract: A product of and method for laminating and interconnecting multiple layer printed circuit boards (14) includes at least two complementary substrates (10 and 12) each having a solder bump (30) formed from conductive material (28) applied to a desired component (22). A dam network (34) is formed about the bumps (30) to prevent undesired spreading of the conductive material (28). Bonding material (36) between the surfaces (38a and 38b) of the substrates (10 and 12) bonds the multiple layers. The bonding material (36) has apertures through which the solder bumps (30) are connected.

Abstract: A method for attitude alignment of a slave inertial measurement system connected to a rotationally mobile platform supported by a vehicle that is stationary relative to a reference navigation frame comprises the steps of mounting a master reference inertial measurement system on the rotationally mobile platform and determining a master reference system attitude using measurements of acceleration and angular rates of the master reference inertial measurement system relative to the reference navigation frame. A slave system attitude is determined using measurements of acceleration and angular rates of the slave inertial measurement system relative to a slave system navigation reference frame and comparing the slave system attitude to the master reference system attitude to determine an attitude difference. The attitude difference is processed to obtain a correction to the slave system attitude.

Abstract: An image intensification camera system (C) for gathering image data includes an image intensifier (310) for amplifying received light (312). A relay optic assembly (316) is coupled between the image intensifier (310) and a digital image sensor (318), such as a CMOS or CCD device. Digital logic (322) is used to process or output an image or related data (334).

Abstract: A user portable viewing device (D) includes a plurality of non-coaxially aligned sensors (26 and 32) for sensing a scene (74). A processing element (P) combines electronic images into a single electronic image. A display (24) displaying the combined electronic image is adaptable for mounting in an optical axis (A1) including an eye (20) of the user (U) and an input end (28) of the first sensor 26 for direct view. In a second embodiment, a system for fusing images comprises sensors (52 and 56) for generating sets of image data. An information processor (P) receives and samples the sets of image data to generate sample data for computing a fused image array. A display (24) receives the fused image array and displays a fused colorized image generated from the fused image array.

Abstract: An optical receiver system for processing signals output from a polarization diversity detector that includes a plurality of photodetector cells. Each cell provides an signal that includes a phase generated carrier signal having a modulation frequency ? and a sensor signal that has an in-phase component I and a quadrature phase component Q superimposed on the phase generated carrier signal. A plurality of variable gain amplifiers are arranged to produce a plurality of amplified signals. A feedback circuit is connected to the plurality of variable gain amplifiers for controlling the gains thereof. A plurality of demodulator circuits are arranged to receive the amplified signals. The demodulator circuits are arranged to provide for each photodetector cell an I signal output that indicates an amplitude of the in-phase component I and a Q signal output that indicates an amplitude of the quadrature phase component Q.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, provides a connector apparatus that can be used in, among other things, applications requiring RF or high-speed digital electrical signals.

Abstract: A sensor unit (F) has at least a first and second sensor (10, 12) arranged along a sensor axis (14). A head adapter (16) provides support to mount at least one selected device about a user's cranium (18). A securing module (20) is attached to the sensor unit for mounting the sensor unit (F) to the head adapter (16). The sensor unit (F) is to be mounted above an ocular axis (22) formed between a pair of eyes (24) of the user (U) when the sensor unit (F) is attached to the head adapter element (16). When the sensor unit (F) is secured to the user (U) with the head adapter element (16), the sensor axis (14) is essentially perpendicular to the user's ocular axis (22).

Abstract: An InGaAs Image Intensifier (“I2”) Camera (C) detects and forms an image (310) to be viewed. An InGaAs photocathode Image Intensifier (312) is used to pass an amplified signal (316) from a screen (320). The InGaAs image intensification tube (312) is optically coupled (328) to an imaging device (322) for passing output light. The output light (316) from the InGaAs tube (312) is transformed by an electronic circuit (322) producing a desired signal output (324). The signal output (324) from the electronic circuit (322) may be further enhanced into an enhanced signal output (310). The enhanced signal output may be formatted into a form for viewing or may be saved.

Abstract: A method for determining passive channel losses for passive channel structures (48) in electronic circuit boards includes selecting parameters from the list including driver/receiver device current and device time or device voltage and device time data, electrical environment variables, electrical data for materials used, electrical data for via structures, copper trace electrical data, connector electrical data, schematic design data and similar selected parameters. At least one selected parameter is inputted into a processor (62) for generating an output (26) based upon calculating desired output characteristics of the desired channel structure (48). The output (26) from the calculation is correlated with previously measured data for generating a resulting output planning a desired channel structure (48).

Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayered circuit board that can be used in high-density and high-speed electronic applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a high density electrical connector which can provide 80 or more twinax connections per linear inch in a 20 millimeter card slot. In a typical electronic system package, 20 millimeters is the spacing from center line to center line of the adjacent parallel daughtercards. Twinax cable is coaxial cable that contains two .inner conducting wires rather than one. The two inner conducting wires provide two physical channels. Coaxial cable is called “coaxial” because it includes one physical channel that carries the signal surrounded (after a layer of insulation) by another concentric physical channel, both running along the same axis. The outer channel serves as ground.