Abstract: A semiconductor device including at least one gate terminal in operational contact with an active layer or top surface of the semiconductor substrate includes a deposited layer of boron phosphide covering the gate terminal and at least a portion of the active layer or the top surface next to and extending from the gate terminal. According to an aspect, the layer of boron phosphide is deposited by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The boron phosphide layer will have a thickness less than or equal to about 10 microns. The boron phosphide provides a heat spreading coating across the die surface, thus increasing the surface area that conducts the heat from the die. Since the boron phosphide coating is in intimate contact with the gate terminal(s) and the immediately adjacent passivation surfaces of the device, generated heat can rapidly spread away from the active junction or channel.

Abstract: A single pole multiple-throw switch for switching an RF signal to one of a plurality of outputs includes coupling the signal to a throw junction, said junction having connected thereto a plurality of switch legs, each leg includes a high voltage shunt diode spaced one quarter-wavelength from the throw junction; each diode mounted at its cathode end to a capacitor and adapted to receive a bias; wherein a controller applies a first DC bias to a selected one of the diodes to cause the selected diode to operate in reverse bias mode, such that the selected diode mounted on the corresponding capacitor provides a low insertion loss to pass the RF signal from the transmission line through the selected leg and to one of the outputs; and applies a second DC bias to the other diodes to cause the other diodes to operate in forward bias mode such that the other diodes mounted onto the corresponding capacitor provides a high insertion loss for blocking the RF signal to the remaining outputs.

Abstract: An energy management system for lighter-than-air vehicles which includes a reactor means for generating energy, storage means for storing the reactants used in the reactor means, and an integrated pipeless reactant and power distribution means.

Abstract: The electrical length of an antenna element is modified by depositing on a top surface of a voltage variable dielectric a first conductor pattern. The identical conductor pattern is also deposited on a bottom surface of the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is tunable and the structure is a sandwich with two identical conductors on top and bottom of a tunable dielectric area. The sandwich is created in the same shape as a planar spiral or logarithmic spiral and a DC electric field is applied between the conductors that control the dielectric constant and hence the electrical length of the antenna element.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interconnect for an attitude control device. The interconnect includes at least one bus adapted to provide at least one bus signal to the attitude control device and a plurality of electrical contacts external to the attitude control device and capable of providing a signal indicative of a physical location of the attitude control device when the attitude control device is installed.

Abstract: A programmable circuit receives configuration data from an external source, stores the firmware in a memory, and then downloads the firmware from the memory. Such a programmable circuit allows a system, such as a computing machine, to modify the programmable circuit's configuration, thus eliminating the need for manually reprogramming the configuration memory. For example, if the programmable circuit is an FPGA that is part of a pipeline accelerator, a processor coupled to the accelerator can modify the configuration of the FPGA. More specifically, the processor retrieves from a configuration registry firmware that represents the modified configuration, and sends the firmware to the FPGA, which then stores the firmware in a memory such as an electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). Next, the FPGA downloads the firmware from the memory into its configuration registers, and thus reconfigures itself to have the modified configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for automating mission related tasks in a tactical environment. The system includes a receiver component configured to receive intelligence data. The intelligence data describes the tactical environment in real-time, or in near real-time. A computer is coupled to the receiver component. The computer is programmed to process the intelligence data, identify mission adjustments based on the processed intelligence data, and to effect the mission adjustments by automatically implementing the mission related tasks. A display component is coupled to the computer. The display component is configured to display at least a portion of the tactical environment and provide at least one visual indicator corresponding to the mission adjustments and/or the mission related tasks.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a source of ultraviolet energy, wherein the source is a UV-emitting LED. In an embodiment of the invention, the UV-LED is characterized by a base layer material including a substrate, a p-doped semiconductor material, a multiple quantum well, a n-doped semiconductor material, upon which base material a p-type metal resides and wherein the LED's are provided with a rounded mesa configuration. In a specific embodiment, the p-type metal is positioned upon a rounded mesa, such as a parabolic mesa, formed out of the base structure materials.

Abstract: A compact shock and vibration isolation system wherein a plurality of shock mounts are cantileverly and symmetrically positioned between an outer member and an inner member which is centrally positioned with respect to the outer member to enable the equipment located thereon to assist in attention of shock and vibration.

Abstract: A vibration isolation mount, a vibration isolation system and a method of resiliently mounting a device, and particularly a device that is mounted in a cramped space with the vibration isolation mount including a dagger plate having an elastomer secured thereto to permit a resilient mounting of the dagger plate on a device and a dagger pin for mounting on the support housing for blind engagement with the dagger pin with the dagger pin forming a snug but non-interference fit with a sidewall of an alignment hole in the dagger plate. The method also includes the mounting of a device by resiliently securing a dagger plate to a device and then positioning the device on a dagger pin by moving the device along an axis parallel to the axis of the dagger pin and then securing a further portion of the device to a support housing.

Abstract: A method of securing articles to each other and an alignment and holding apparatus comprising a platform having an alignment member for positioning and holding a first article, such as a substrate, in a first position and a further alignment member for aligning extensions of a second article, such as a lead frame, in an assembleable position with respect to the first article while a spacer maintains the extensions in proper lateral position and a clamp that secures the extensions proximate the first article while an electrical connection is formed between the first article and the extensions of the second article.

Abstract: A fastening device (10) including a fastener (20) and a recess insert (12) retained within the head (21) of the fastener (20). The fastener has a head (21) at one end and a threaded shaft (25) at the opposing end. The fastener head (21) has an engagement recess (22) and a concentric counter-bored section (28). The counter-bored section (28) has a greater diameter than the diameter of the engagement recess (22) and extends into the fastener head (21) less than the depth of the engagement recess. The counter-bored section includes an insert retainer (24). The recess insert (12) comprises a different material than the fastener (20). The insert (12) has a fastener retainer (18) and is adapted to fit within the fastener head (21) counter-bored section (28). The insert (12) has a head (13) with an aperture (14) for permitting access to the fastener engagement recess (22) therethrough.

Abstract: A window for utilization in the receiving of intelligence from a modulated beam of collimated light, with the window being configured to restrict the field of view of the optical system used therewith, and employing the phenomenon of total internal reflection. Such a window may be used to reject the entry of unwanted radiation, such as noise, and comprises first and second generally triangularly shaped wedges of optical material. The entry face of the first wedge is generally perpendicular to a base plane, and its rear face is disposed at an acute angle to the entry face. The entry face of the second wedge is disposed at the same angle to the base plane as the rear face of the first wedge, and the two wedges are separated by a small air gap.

Abstract: A composite structure and related fabrication method is provided which has a plurality of composite material layers and at least one embedded shape memory alloy component for providing controlled structural deformation. The shape memory alloy component includes a shape memory alloy tendon having a relaxed shape at temperatures below a predetermined transition temperature and a contracted shape at temperatures above the predetermined transition temperature. The shape memory alloy component also comprises a pair of electrically insulating opposing face sheets adhered to opposite sides of the shape memory alloy tendon to electrically isolate the shape memory alloy tendon from the surrounding composite material layers.

Abstract: An aircraft including an approach and landing system, including a navigation unit for providing navigation information, a weather radar unit for providing radar information, a processor which receives navigation information from the navigation unit and information from the weather radar unit, the processor unit providing an output representing information concerning the aircraft in accordance with the provided navigation information and radar information, a memory for storing information representing a scene, the processor unit correlating the stored scene information with the output representing information concerning the aircraft to provide a mapped scene, a display unit for displaying the output of said processor and the mapped scene, and a steppable frequency oscillator for providing a signal which is stepped in frequency to the weather radar unit, thereby providing an increased range resolution.

Abstract: A pulse detonation apparatus utilizes an inner housing which rotates relative to an outer housing. The inner housing has spherical inner seal surfaces that rotate with it. The outer housing has mating spherical seal surfaces that rotationally receive the inner seal surfaces. Ports extend through the inner seal surface and the outer seal surface. These ports register at least once per revolution. An inlet supplies a fuel mixture to the interior of the inner housing and each time the inner and outer housing ports align, the fuel mixture is transmitted into an annular detonation chamber where an igniter ignites the mixture to create a detonation wave. Circular seals surround the outer housing port to provide sealing against the high pressure, high temperature detonations. Purge air is admitted into the detonation chamber, a new fuel mixture is delivered to the detonation chamber, and the cycle is repeated.