Abstract: A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer ferrule having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment. A receptacle assembly is provided having a first receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a first form factor and a second receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a second form factor.

Abstract: A flexible buss bar adapted for electrical connection with circuitry carried by a glass pane is provided, as well as a method of attaching a flexible buss bar to a glass pane. The flexible buss bar includes a flexible conductor having at least one metallic contact pad affixed thereto. It is also contemplated to have a plurality of such metallic contact pads attached at regular intervals along the length of the flexible conductor. The spacing of the plurality of metallic contact pads is selected to match the locations of corresponding structures formed on the glass pane. Solder cladding is selectively adhered to portions of the at least one metallic contact such that the at least one metallic contact pad may be bonded to the corresponding structure located on the glass pane.

Abstract: A flat electrical cable and a method of assembling a flat electrical cable is provided wherein the flat cable includes an upper layer having ribs protruding along its length and substantially parallel to one another, continuous substantially parallel and adjacent seams formed between and upper an lower insulator layer conductors between the upper and lower layer adjacent the seams and a pattern formed in the surface of the lower insulator layer. The present invention may have upper and lower polyester layers having copper conductors therebetween and the seams ultrasonically welded in order to provide flat electrical cable for various applications such as incorporation in an automobile clockspring.

Abstract: A clockspring connector is provided comprising a housing defining a chamber, including a carrier member having a first roller associated with a first turned-back loop of a first flat conductor cable and a second roller associated with a second turned-back loop of a second flat conductor cable wherein said first and second flat conductor cables are alternatingly coiled at an inner diameter of the chamber adjacent the hub or along said outer diameter of the chamber adjacent the housing wall. The clockspring connector includes a complaint roller member providing compression forces against the flat ribbon cable during rotation of the clockspring connector.

Abstract: A Micro-Powered Flux-Gate Magnetometer is provided for measuring the strength and direction of external magnetic fields. The magnetometer includes a saturable core inductor, or flux-gate positioned in an area where the magnetic flux due to external magnetic fields will enter the inductor core and alter the inductance of the coil. The flux-gate inductor is driven by an alternating input signal sufficient to magnetically saturate the inductor core during each cycle. A saturation detecting circuit determines when the flux-gate core reaches saturation, and provides an saturation output signal indicating when, relative to the input signal, the core reaches saturation on each cycle of the input waveform. A comparison circuit compares the saturation signal and the alternating input signal and measures a propagation delay through the flux-gate inductor. Finally, an output circuit provides an analog output voltage signal proportional to the propagation delay through the flux-gate inductor.

Abstract: The invention provides for an apparatus comprising a pin connector, and a method for assembling the pin connector, where the pin connector comprises a unitary insulator and housing, and a plurality of contact holes that extend between a front and back face of the insulator to receive contacts known in the art. The insulator may also contains an intermediate PCB slot that opens from the back face of the insulator and receives a PCB inserted therein. The unitary housing has a front and back end, where the back end receives the insulator from the front face, and the front end contains an open area that accesses the insulator to another connector mated therein. The invention may also incorporate a key element in the intermediate PCB slot that engages a matching notch on an edge of the PCB. The housing and insulator may include aligning fastener holes that receive fasteners shared by the components of the connector.

Abstract: A clockspring connector is provided comprising a housing defining a chamber, including a carrier member having a first roller associated with a first turned-back loop of a first flat conductor cable and a second roller associated with a second turned-back loop of a second flat conductor cable wherein said first and second flat conductor cables are alternatingly coiled at an inner diameter of the chamber adjacent the hub or along said outer diameter of the chamber adjacent the housing wall. The clockspring connector includes a complaint roller member providing compression forces against the flat ribbon cable during rotation of the clockspring connector.

Abstract: An elastomeric switch is provided having self cleanings contacts. The switch includes a substrate and a switch actuator configured for reciprocating motion along an axis generally perpendicular to a surface of the substrate. A first switch contact, including a contact surface generally perpendicular to the actuator axis of motion is, carried by the switch actuator. A second switch contact is cantilevered from the surface of the substrate. Reciprocation of the actuator in a first direction toward the substrate acts to force the first contact against the distal end of the second contact. The two contacts are deflected together as result of further reciprocation of the actuator in the first direction. As the contacts are deflected, the distal end of the second contact is scraped across the contact surface of the first contact, thereby removing contaminants and other debris from the contact surface of the first contact.

Abstract: An ultra-low-profile terminator apparatus for a parallel communications bus is provided. The terminator apparatus includes a male style electrical connector which includes a plurality of individual contact pins. An elongated printed circuit board having a first surface and a second surface is mounted perpendicular to the male connector. Conductive vias formed in the printed circuit board communicate between the first and second surfaces of the printed circuit board, and the contact pins of the male connector are press fit into the vias at the second surface of the printed circuit. Electronic termination components are mounted on the first surface of the printed circuit board, and the conductive vias form conductive paths between the termination components and individual contact pins in the male pin connector.

Abstract: An improved Gigabaud Link Module (GLM) is provided for performing bi-directional data transfers between a host device and a serial transfer medium. The improved GLM, includes data signal transmission circuitry for reading data signals from the host device and transmitting the data signals as serial data over a first serial transfer link. Data signal receiving circuitry is also provided for receiving serial data signals from a second serial transfer link. The receiving circuitry then writes the signals to the host device. The first and second transfer links form the serial transfer medium, and the transmission and receiving circuitry provides the bi-directional data transfer between the host device and the serial transfer medium. The improved GLM further includes signal detection circuitry for determining when data signals are being received over the second serial transfer link.

Abstract: A Media Interface Adapter (MIA) module is provided for converting Fiber Channel data signals from a first copper transfer medium to a second alternate transfer medium. The MIA includes an internal mounted printed circuit board containing the electronic components necessary to convert signals between the first copper medium and second alternate medium. A transmitter is provided for transmitting the data signals over the second alternate transfer medium, and a receiver is provided for receiving data signals over the second alternate transfer medium. Opposite the transmitter and receiver, a nine pin electrical D-sub connector is provided for connecting the module to the first copper transfer medium. The D-sub connector has a metal flange insertable into a connector mounting structures formed in the housing. The connector mounting structures being configured to partially overlap the flange of the D-sub connector.

Abstract: A circuitized electrical cable having a flat cable having a stripped portion exposing conductors of the cable and having a circuit board mounted to the stripped portion wherein the conductive fingers at a first edge of the circuit board are soldered directly to the correspondingly oriented conductors of the cable. The circuit board may include componentry in order to provide for altered signal transmission of the signal lines of the cable such as for signal line termination. The circuit board may include a second edge having a beam having conductive fingers adhered thereto and the circuit board may be inserted within a housing having a shroud protruding therefrom surrounding the beam in order to provide for a male I/O connector electrically connected to conductors of the electrical cable.

Abstract: A cable assembly fitting is provided to connect fiber optic to optoelectronic equipment. An elongated housing includes a front end, a back end and an axial bore extending between the front and back ends. The axial bore further defines a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate stepped portion. A cap is fit into the back end of the housing. Fiber optic cable is contained within a cable jacket and has fibers protruding therefrom. The fibers have a mediate span and rigid sleeve thereon. A water impervious barrier is positioned adjacent the rigid sleeve. A shrink tubing is disposed around the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for forming a connection with a conductive pin. The electrical connector has a dielectric housing with both a passage extending through the housing and a chamber in communication with the passage. In addition, the electrical connector has a metal contact with a mating end disposed in the housing's chamber and a solder tail which projects from the housing. The mating end of the contact consists of a clamping stirrup which has a bottom area with a hole disposed therein for receiving the conductive pin. Furthermore, the contact is three dimensionally secured to the connector housing via a press-fit.

Abstract: A circuit board testing fixture is provided having a top plate spaced apart from a bottom plate and each of the plates having an array of holes for receiving test probes and support rails surrounding and supporting the top and bottom plates on all sides. The testing fixture may also include registration pins in the corners of the plates in order to secure the plates together and a corner clip attached to the registration pins in the corners of the fixture. The testing fixture may further include support pins mounted in the fixture in order to provide additional support to the plates.

Abstract: An electronic circuit module having a metal cover is provided for interconnecting with a host device. The module includes an interface whereby electronic signals can be exchanged between the module and the host device. A mechanism for electrically grounding the metal cover to the ground plane of a printed circuit board housed within the module is provided along with a device for connecting the ground plane of the printed circuit board to a signal reference ground potential supplied by the host device. The present invention includes a module frame for attaching the metal cover thereto. A printed circuit board, including a ground plane, is mounted within the frame. A connector having a plurality of contact elements electrically connected to various the circuits disposed on the printed circuit board, including at least one contact element electrically connected to the ground plane is also adapted to fit within the module frame. The connector includes at least one grounding member.

Abstract: An elastomeric connector having fine pitched contacts is provided in addition to a method for connecting components using such a connector and a method of manufacturing the same. The connector includes a body formed from an elastomeric material with contacts arranged to extend through the body and exposed at each side of the body. The contacts are bent to form a contact surface that is oriented at an angle with respect to the sides of the body. The contacts may include a radiused section that is formed in the elastomeric material. Grooves may be formed in the body of the connector separating adjacent contacts and providing additional flexibility of the connector.

Abstract: A power stabilizer for maintaining a constant level of output power from a laser transmitter. The laser transmitter has a laser diode which produces an optical output which corresponds to the level of bias current received. In addition, the laser transmitter has a photodiode which produces a feedback signal which corresponds to the optical output power being produced by the laser diode. Furthermore, the power stabilizer consists of a digitally controlled potentiometer for producing a reference input signal and an op-amp for comparing the feedback signal and the reference input signal to produce a control signal to supply bias current.

Abstract: A process by which a package for a memory card is manufactured. The package comprises chiefly two stamped steel covers, (an upper and a lower cover half), each secured to a plastic frame element. The cover halves are secured by extended fingers which wrap around the plastic frame. This provides a double layer of metal at the perimeter of the frame. The two cover halves are situated so as to encapsulate the subject PCB and to affix it in its proper position. The two cover halves are then welded together using sonic welding on the plastic frame. The package has been designed to meet all PCMCIA standards, including polarizing keys and grounding points.