Abstract: An assembly for protecting the active electronic components of an electronic product from the environment and electromagnetic interference (EMI). A method is described where the assembly is formed by providing a metallized flexible enclosure around the electronic product, such as a printed circuit board, and subsequently sealing the metallized flexible enclosure, such that separable connectors can be readily accessed without violating the integrity of the seal. The metallized flexible enclosure includes multiple layers of polymeric materials that provide diffusion barrier properties and a metallic layer that provides both diffusion barrier properties and EMI shielding capabilities. The multiple layer sheet is patterned to optimize the diffusion barrier properties and EMI shielding capabilities. Further, the multiple layer sheet enables efficient, high volume production.

Abstract: A high bandwidth gateway comprises a source of packet traffic wherein received packets are stored in a buffer, a destination interface circuit for the packets, a microprocessor and a bus that interconnects the components. The microprocessor, which in the prior art controls data transfers, periodically gives up control to a hardware assist engine. The hardware assist engine detects the presence of packets in the source buffer and causes the source buffer to output one or more packets to the destination directly, thus by-passing the microprocessor completely. By this system, bandwidth is improved by the source and the destination working together directly, without having the overhead associated with microprocessor-based or initiated data transfers.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the performance of resist polymers in lithographic processes for device fabrication is disclosed. The resist polymers contain acid labile functional groups. When these functional groups are removed and replaced by hydrogen, the polymer becomes more soluble in the aqueous base developer solutions used in lithographic processes. A portion of the acid-labile functional groups are cleaved from the polymer to obtain a resist polymer with increased sensitivity, improved adhesion, and reduced film shrinkage during post-exposure bake. The acid labile functional groups are cleaved by dissolving the polymer in a suitable solvent and subjecting the mixture to increased temperature until the desired number of acid labile functional groups are cleaved from the polymer. The polymer is then recovered from the mixture and employed as a resist in a lithographic process for device fabrication.

Abstract: A video system is disclosed in which a single generic MPEG standard encoder (107) is used to simultaneously code and compress plural different resolution video signals from a single input video signal; and in which a single generic MPEG standard decoder (402) is used to simultaneously decode plural coded and compressed video signals of different resolutions and form a single composite video signal. The coder converts each frame of pixel data of the input video signal into plural frames having different resolutions, which are then combined into a common frame (106) for input to the generic MPEG encoder. The MPEG encoder produces a single coded and compressed output bitstream in slices of macroblocks of pixel data, which output bitstream is demultiplexed (108) into separate resolution bitstreams using Slice Start Code identifiers associated with each slice and Macroblock Address Increments associated with the first macroblock in each slice, to properly route each slice to the appropriate output.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a field emission device is provided with an improved pillar structure comprising multi-layer pillars. The pillars have a geometric structure that traps most secondary electrons and an exposed surface that reduces the number of secondary electrons. Processing and assembly methods permit low-cost manufacturing of high breakdown-voltage devices, including flat panel displays.

Abstract: The present invention provides a grounding system for discharging static electricity. The grounding system includes a body-contacting member which forms an electrical connection with at least a portion of a human body and a grounding cable. The grounding cable has an elongated conductive member with a first end for connection to ground potential and a second end for electrically communicating with the body-contacting member. At least one end of the elongated conductive member is embedded within a resistive material having an electrical conductivity of 10.sup.5 -10.sup.12 ohms/square. In one embodiment, the body-contacting member is a wrist or ankle strap while the resistive material is a polymer loaded with conductive and semiconductive particles. Exemplary conductive particles are selected from carbon, metals, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A rectifier for a switching power supply or the like. The recitifier has a plurality of diodes coupled in parallel, each diode having in series therewith a saturable inductor and a node disposed between the diode and the inductor to form a diode/inductor pair. At least one resistor is connected between at least two of the nodes to assure nearly equal current flow in the diodes. Alternatively, a link winding on at least two of the inductors are coupled together to achieve current balancing.

Abstract: For cooling cabinets housing electrical equipment, fans are used for pulling internal air upwardly through the electronic equipment into a common space beneath the roof of the cabinet. Baffles within the space distribute the heated air in desired patterns across the inside roof surface and to ducts mounted on interior surfaces of external vertical walls of the cabinet for cooling the air by heat exchange through the roof surface and the vertical cabinet walls. In a second arrangement, an attic-like structure having a thermally insulated roof is mounted on the cabinet roof. External air is blown through the attic-like structure and across the cabinet roof for enhanced cooling of cabinet-heated air beneath the cabinet roof.

Abstract: A navigation system for an automotive vehicle designed to display a road map image around the vehicle in correlation with the current position of the automotive vehicle. The navigation system is adapted to determine a best navigation route to a selected destination on the basis on the approximated time necessary to travel such a navigation route in correspondence to its travel length and speed rate.

Abstract: A rectifier architecture with a split boost circuit having protection circuitry for protecting circuit elements of the split boost. The split boost includes a voltage input terminal, an inductor, two voltage output terminals, a boost diode and branches A and B. Each branch A and B, includes: a switch, a protection circuit, and a capacitor. In a preferred embodiment, the protection circuit is a parallel resistor-diode pair coupled between the capacitor and the switch. The purpose of the protection circuit is to limit circulating current between capacitors when switches in branches A and B are active.

Abstract: Improved RF switching techniques operate in conjunction with an existing cellular telephone having an RF amplifier, an antenna, receiver circuitry, a duplexer, and a battery. The duplexer has a first port adapted for connection to the receiver circuitry, a second port adapted for connection to the RF amplifier, and a third port adapted for connection to the antenna. The improved RF switching techniques are characterized by a first switch, a second switch, and a battery of less than 6.0 volts. The first switch, coupled to the RF amplifier, connects the RF amplifier to any one of the antenna and the second port of the duplexer. A second switch, coupled to the antenna, connects the antenna to any one of the RF amplifier and the third port of the duplexer. During transmit-only operation, the first switch connects the RF amplifier to the antenna.

Abstract: The invention is an amplifier such as an operational amplifier having an output stage with a reduced quiescent current control transistor device area that provides sufficient quiescent current control for proper operation thereof. The output stage includes a current diverter or diverting arrangement whereby current flowing to the quiescent current control transistor area is reduced by diversion without jeopardizing the proper operation of the operational amplifier. In this manner, the relative size of the quiescent current control transistors can be significantly reduced without sacrificing any of the overall performance of the amplifier.

Abstract: Multicasting of an ingress cell received at one of a plurality of input ports is provided through a multistage network to a plurality of output ports. The received ingress cell at a first input port includes a data payload and information identifying one or more routing queues to which a single copy of the data payload is to be outputted. A backpressure queue assignment is identified for the first ingress cell, the backpressure queue assignment identifying a backpressure indicator indicative of the congestion level at at least one routing queue of a subsequent stage. Using the backpressure indicator, it is determined if the first ingress cell is to be outputted from one or more of the routing queues. Thereafter, the first ingress cell is outputted from one or more of the routing queues when the congestion level is below or equal to a first threshold.

Abstract: A cordless telephone system includes an arrangement wherein multiple portable units operate with a common base unit using the same security code without conflict or confusion. When a portable unit attempts to establish a radio link with the base unit, for example, this originating portable unit generates a random number which is retained by this unit and also transmitted to the base unit. This random number is substituted for the common stored security code, then shared by the base unit and all of the portable units, for creating a temporary unique security code that is known only to the base unit and the originating portable unit. Interference from other portable units attempting to gain access to the base unit while the originating portable unit is actively communicating with the base unit is thereby advantageously prevented.

Abstract: A communications cable that may be used in buildings in concealed areas such as riser shafts is constructed of non-halogen materials. The core includes insulated conductors that are enclosed with a plastic, polyolefin insulating material. These insulated conductors are twisted into pairs to form a multi-pair core. The core is surrounded and protected with a non-halogen, plastic jacket material. The cable has exceptional voice and data transmission properties due to the polyolefin insulation and is highly flame retardant. Compared with halogenated materials, the cable generates relatively little smoke, is less corrosive, and generates less toxic gases when burned.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved switched antenna diversity transmission system for use with an ARQ error protection protocol. The transmitter of the present invention includes an error detection encoder for encoding information packets with an error detection code, a modulator for modulating the encoded information packets, and a first antenna for transmitting the modulated information packets over a first forward channel of a wireless communication medium to the receiver. The transmitter further includes a switch for switching from the first antenna to a second antenna for transmitting the information packets over a second forward channel of a wireless communication medium in response to a negative acknowledgment from the receiver transmitted over a feedback channel of the wireless communication medium.

Abstract: A splice holder assembly of this invention is used in an optical fiber cable splice closure. The assembly includes a splice tray that is an open-topped enclosure in which is mounted splice organizing modules that hold optical fiber splices. The tray includes retainers that confine optical fibers in a lower portion of the tray, and that also support a card with a list of splice locations and optical fiber identities coupled by each splice. The card supports at least one splice cassette situated inside of the splice tray. The splice cassette includes a bottom portion and a cover. To the bottom portion, at least one splice organizing module is mounted. The cassette's bottom portion also has T-shaped engagements which hold respective protective tubes housing optical fibers, that run between a distribution unit of the closure and the cassette.

Abstract: An amplitude limiting circuit is utilized to select the most favorable linear region of the light vs. current characteristic curve (for directly modulated lasers) or the lasers modulator transfer function (for externally modulated lasers) by preventing excursions of the broadband, multiplexed input signal beyond selected upper and lower current or voltage limits. The clipped broadband signal is represented as a stationary Gaussian process to provide a reliable estimate of the carrier-to-nonlinear distortion per channel that would be experienced with a given laser or optical modulator which may be either directly and externally modulated. The clipping levels can be set to avoid the unpredictable levels of nonlinear distortion of the modulator and thereby to achieve an acceptably low level of non-linear distortion of the modulator.

Abstract: Methods and systems for locating objects are disclosed. An electronic tag is attached to an object before storing the object. The electronic tag is identifiable by a unique response code. The response code and information pertaining to the object are recorded and the object may then be stored. To locate the object, the response code is entered into an interrogator. The interrogator sends a signal that causes the tag to emit a sound. The system thus allows for random storage of objects and is also useful for locating misplaced objects.