Abstract: A gas discharge lamp electronic ballast circuit including a gas discharge lamp (51); a rectifier circuit (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 13) responsive to AC power for providing a full wave rectified sinewave voltage across output terminals of the rectifier circuit; a transformer (T1) having a primary winding and a secondary winding; a switching circuit (29) for repetitively connecting the rectifying circuit full wave rectified sinewave voltage to the primary winding; a driving circuit (33, 35, 37, T2, 49) responsive to the secondary winding for driving the lamp with a sinusoidal voltage having a predetermined frequency; a current sensing circuit (39, 41, 45, 47, 43) for sensing an average of peaks of current flowing in the driving circuit; and a pulse width modulation circuit (25) responsive to the full wave rectified sinewave voltage and the current sensing means for pulse width modulating the switching circuit at the predetermined frequency such that the rectifier circuit provides a current having a flattened full wa

Abstract: A band limited Amplitude Shift Keyed (ASK) modulator employing linear modulation and an efficient Class C power amplifier. Band-limited operation is provided by filtering a digital baseband input signal prior to modulation. Closed loop feedback is employed around the amplifier to assure linear modulation over a wide modulation range which preserves the frequency characteristics of the baseband signal on the modulation envelope. Further filtering is accomplished by exploiting the closed loop system response, incorporating it in the filter characteristic as an added filter pole.

Abstract: A compact diode pumped laser including a nonuniform, single- or double-sided diode pumped laser head and a polarization output coupled (POC) resonator. The POC resonator employs reflections from two opposing uncrossed roof prism mirrors to produce a uniform near field and far field beam with diffraction or near diffraction limited quality. The single laser head particularly includes a laser rod, a sapphire envelope located about the rod, an area of antireflection coating located on the sapphire envelope between the rod and the diode array, and a high reflectivity nickel-plated indium layer located on the sapphire envelope on the surface thereof outside of the area of antireflection coating.

Abstract: An intelligent voting node for a multiple node, fault tolerant, distributed intelligence control system having a plurality of optically isolated relays for connecting a power source to a load device and providing total optical isolation for processors of the voting node from faults occurring in the power source. The voting node includes triple redundant two-out-of-three voters each coupled to one of three redundant digital communication and control processors within the node. Built-in-self-test capability using optically isolated receiver devices provides for avoidance of latent failures.

Abstract: An adaptive signal processor (100) utilized with a receiving system (10) in a non-stationary environment having a receiver element (12) for receiving a composite signal comprised of a desire input signal and an interference signal. The invention includes a first mechanism (102) for modulating the composite signal to provide a plurality of modulated signals and to generate a plurality of synthetic channels (104). A second mechanism (126) is provided for calculating and applying a plurality of adaptive weight values to the modulated signals in the synthetic channels (104) to provide a plurality of time varying weighted signals. Finally, a third mechanism (128) is provided for combining the time varying weighted signals in the synthetic channels (104) to eliminate the interference signal from the composite signal. In a preferred embodiment, the composite signal is received by an antenna or hydrophone (12) and then digitized and stored in a memory (122).

Abstract: An actuator system having a motor that drives a pneumatic spool valve to a known position based upon the number of step commands delivered to it. Valve ports or passages uncovered by the net position difference between the spool valve and a piston create gas flow to or from a control chamber. This gas flow causes a pressure differential across the face of the piston, inducing the piston to follow the spool valve. In this two-stage system, the piston acts as a force amplifier so that large forces and/or inertias may be actuated by positioning the motor. During steady state conditions, the piston achieves the same position as the spool valve is. Proportional control and very accurate positioning of the piston are provided without active position or position rate feedback control.

Abstract: A fire retardant delivery system for delivering fire retardant onto a fire. The system 10 includes an aircraft comprises a fire retardant storage and ejection system, and a stabilized three axis gimbal system for providing signals indicative of angle and angle rates of a gimbal with respect to an axis of the aircraft. An infrared sensor system is disposed on stabilized three axis gimbal system. A display is coupled to infrared sensor system for displaying an image produced thereby to a pilot of the aircraft. Aircraft sensors are provide signals indicative of the velocity, altitude, and dive angle of the aircraft. A computer is coupled to the infrared sensor system, to the aircraft sensors, and to the fire retardant storage and ejection system, for computing distance between the aircraft and a hot spot in the fire and for computing an optimal release point for ejecting fire retardant from the aircraft onto the fire.

Abstract: A system and technique for synchronizing data to instructions. The inventive system (10) includes a processor (12), a first memory (14) for providing instructions to the processor (12), a second memory (16) for providing data to the processor (12); and a logic circuit (18, 20), responsive to the second memory (16), for synchronizing the input of instructions from the first memory (14) to the processor (12) based on the rate of flow of data into the second memory (16). In a particular implementation, the second memory (16) is a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory which provides output data at a first output terminal and an `almost empty` output signal at a second output terminal thereof. The logic circuit includes an OR gate (18) having a first input terminal connected to the second terminal of the FIFO memory, a second input terminal connected to a source (22) of a clock signal and an output terminal.

Abstract: Bias networks for producing a predetermined bias current for another circuit are provided. The bias networks include compensation subcircuits which provide compensation for process variations in the transistors in the network. Circuit implementations which allow for compensation for power supply voltage variations are also provided. The bias networks include a biasing transistor and a corresponding compensation transistor on the same chip which compensation transistor will have substantially the same process variations as the biasing transistor. The compensation transistor is interposed at a node in a control path and draws current at the node such that a change in the current drawn by the compensation transistor causes a change in the input voltage of the biasing transistor to thereby adjust the bias current produced by the transistor to maintain the bias current within design specifications despite process variations.

Abstract: A low cost electrical network analyzer that provides waveform predictions in the time domain of a device for any electrical signal stimuli and with any load. In a preferred embodiment, input, output and stimulating source waveform recorders are used to record tables of time domain data (voltage waveforms) derived by stimulating the device under test with and without an output load coupled thereto. The tables of time domain data are representative of input and output signatures of the device. The tables are stored in a processor and are processed by way of a computer-implemented time domain network analyzer to produce sets of complex parameters as a function of time that are representative of the device. The parameters thus comprise a model of the analyzed device.

Abstract: A CW radar range measuring system having a transmitter adapted to transmit a continuous wave radar signal phase encoded in accordance with a code and a receiver adapted to receive a radar return from the transmitted radar signal. The receiver includes an analog to digital converter section for converting a sequence of samples of the radar return into a corresponding sequence of digital words. A digital correlator/integrator is fed by the digital words and the code for providing an indication of radar return energy as a function of range from the transmitter. A processor is fed by the digital correlator/integrator for determining, from the indicated energy, target range. The system includes a frequency spectrum analyzer for determining a frequency spectrum of the digital words and wherein the processor determines the target Doppler frequency from such determined frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A multilayer protection bag for protecting an electronic module, circuit card, or the like comprising walls having an external first layer of an antistatic shield film, a second layer of static-free bubble pack, and a third layer of a static-free film forming an interior liner of the protection bag to inhibit corrosion and outgassing. A mechanical cushioning bumper is provided around the perimeter of the sides and bottom of the protection bag for shock protection. A moisture proof pinch type zip lock is provided on the top of the protection bag. A carrier is provided within the protection bag for holding a desiccant and a humidity indicator. The combination of such wall layers and the cushioning bumper provide an improved in-process protection bag during a manufacturing process and also a shipping and storage protection bag having at least a 10 year shelf-life for a module or circuit card placed within it.

Abstract: A suspension system permits fine angular adjustment of a gimbal-mounted platform and, in combination with a wireless power and communications transfer system, eliminates the unwanted forces associated with systems which rely upon cables to transfer power and signals between a gimbal platform and its support structure.

Abstract: An optical system is coupled between a one-dimensional line image and a two-dimensional detector array. The line image is segmented and reimaged onto respective image cells of the detector array, each image cell being a row of detector cells. The optical system positionally segments the line image into lengths of a predetermined length. The predetermined length of the segments optically fit within the width of image cells within the array. The optical system reimages the line segments to image cell positions on the detector array. The optical system preferably employs diffractive (binary) optic elements.

Abstract: An infrared energy detection system having an infrared detector and a cooling system including a fluid coolant for cooling the infrared detector. An optical system is provided for directing infrared energy from a target to the detector though an optical system. The optical system includes a housing having a plurality of stops, each one of the stops corresponding to one of a plurality of fields of view of the optical system. A first lens is fixed within the housing. A second lens is slidably mounted within the housing and engageable by the plurality of stops. The second lens has a first resting position when engaging a first one of the stops. A fluid actuator system is provided for sliding the second lens away from the first stop to a second resting position when engaging the second stop.

Abstract: A weapon terminal that includes a sensor for sensing an orientation of the head of an operator of the weapon terminal, a heads-up display supported by the head of the weapon terminal operator for providing a display image viewable by the weapon terminal operator, a weapon terminal processor responsive to the sensing means and radar track reports for radar detected aircraft for controlling heads-up display to produce a display image that includes symbols representing the radar detected aircraft, wherein symbols are located at positions that represent the positions of the radar detected aircraft in relation to a direction in which weapon terminal operator is facing.

Abstract: A system (10) for reducing range sidelobes adapted for use with pulsed radar systems. The inventive system (10) includes a mismatched filter (90) for correlating a received signal (84) with a correlator signal (92) having a different length than the transmit signal (84) and for providing a predetermined number of reduced range sidelobes (97) at the output of the mismatched filter (90). The mismatched filter (90) has a first locally optimum sequence that is the correlator signal (92). The mismatched filter (90) has an input device (86) for receiving an extended locally optimum sequence (84) that is a received signal (84). The first locally optimum sequence (92) is a sub-sequence of the extended locally optimum sequence (84). In a specific embodiment the mismatched filter (90) has a Barker-based code that is the correlator signal (92). The mismatched filter (90) has an input device (86) for receiving an extended Barker-based code that is a received signal (84).

Abstract: A photonic radar decoy (50) is provided which simulates an aircraft to a radar having an interrogating signal. A plurality of receiving antenna (52, 54, 56, 58, 60) are attached to the decoy (50) with each of the receiving antenna (52, 54, 56, 58, 60) independently capable of receiving the interrogating signal from the interrogating radar system. Each signal received by an antenna (52, 54, 56, 58, 60) is transmitted to a signal combiner and amplifier (82) by delay lines (72, 74, 76, 78, 80). The combiner and amplifier (82) coherently adds the transmitted signals, thereby producing a coherent signal which is amplified and subsequently emitted by a non-directional transmission antenna 106, simulating a dynamic and complex radar signature of an aircraft.

Abstract: A rectangular waveguide rotary joint that allows limited mechanical rotation of two rectangular waveguides around a common longitudinal axis. The joint comprises a first rectangular waveguide having a first waveguide flange and a second rectangular waveguide having a second waveguide flange, wherein the second waveguide flange is disposed adjacent to the first waveguide flange with an air gap disposed therebetween. An RF choke is formed in the waveguide flanges for reducing RF leakage caused by the air gap, and a low friction spacer system for separating the first and second waveguides to maintain relative alignment of the waveguides during rotation and maintain a substantially constant separation between the waveguides. The waveguide rotary joint provides for a low voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) and low insertion loss exhibited over a +/-30 degree rotation range.

Abstract: A process modeling technique (50) for concurrent processes. The inventive technique is adapted for use with processes having a plurality of activity steps and includes the steps of identifying the activity steps (72); providing incremental data or preliminary information from one of the activity steps (76); determining a data maturity attribute of the incremental data and providing a parameter with respect thereto (78); and feeding forward the incremental data from the activity step to another activity step along with the data maturity attribute parameter (76, 78). In the specific embodiment, the modeling technique (50) of the present invention includes a step (70) of gathering all available information about the process to be modeled. Next (72) the information corresponding to each activity step is represented by a set of data items. Data maturity thresholds are determined for each activity step (74). Subsequently the model is run using a process simulation tool (80).