Abstract: An apparatus for testing the crosspoints of an RF switching matrix injects a test signal having the characteristics of noise into the matrix. The test signal recovered from the matrix is mixed with a frequency-swept signal and the difference signal is applied to a bandpass filter. The filter provides a window through which all of the frequency-shifted components of the recovered signal pass during the period of the frequency-swept signal. The total energy of the components in the window is continually monitored during the sweep period. A comb generator provides the test signal having a multiplicity of substantially equal amplitude components, uniformly spaced over a selected frequency spectrum. The frequency-swept signal is provided by a VCO having a sawtooth waveform input voltage. The amplitudes of the test signal components are sufficiently low that if coupling occurs between the test signal and a configured external antenna, the resulting transmission is virtually indistinguishable from noise.

Abstract: A jaw is secured to a stem member having a T-shaped slot through which a pair of spaced pins pass. When the jaw and member are displaced from a clamp position to a neutral position, one of the pins is aligned with the T portion of the slot and the other pin is seated at one end of the main slot. The member tilts automatically to a retracted state in response to a spring force in a given direction. When the member is rotated from the retracted state to the neutral position the same spring force slides the jaw into the clamp position. A resilient projection on the stem member automatically engages a workpiece when the member reaches the neutral position to locate the workpiece prior to clamping.

Abstract: A picture-in-picture television receiver for which the viewer may change the size of the inset image includes an adaptive anti-aliasing filter. Composite video signals which produce the inset image are applied to a separation filter which attenuates the chrominance components to provide separated luminance signals. The luminance signals are applied to a second filter which includes a variable delay element and an adder. The luminance signals are applied to one input port of the adder and to the delay element. The signals provided by the delay element are applied to the second input port of the adder. The delay element provides time delays which may be expressed by the equation T=K.sub.2 .tau.+PK.sub.1 .tau. where .tau. is a fixed amount of time, K.sub.1 and K.sub.2 are constants and P is a variable. The frequency response characteristic of the filter is changed by changing the value of P.

Abstract: In a television receiver, the brightness of a displayed image is controlled in response to a reference voltage having a magnitude related both to the magnitude of a voltage derived from a viewer adjustable brightness control, and to the magnitude of the DC level of color information signals during image blanking intervals.

Abstract: A semiconductor body with an improved passivating layer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the body is a device comprising a semiconductor material having regions of opposite conductivity types which form a semiconductor junction therebetween which extends to a surface of the device. The passivating layer, comprising silicon oxynitride having a refractive index between about 1.55 and 1.75 and a substantial hydrogen content, overlies the surface at the junction.Also disclosed is a method for fabricating such a device wherein the vapor deposition of the passivating layer is carried out at low temperatures from an ambient having a ratio of silicon-containing to oxygen- and nitrogen-containing precursors of between about 1:1.67 and 1:5.

Abstract: A controller in a CATV converter provides three operating modes comprising: (1) a family viewing mode in which conversion of selected channels is blocked; (2) an enter access code mode for selecting the channels to be blocked from family viewing; and (3) a parental control mode in which all channels may be viewed. The family viewing mode is enabled by turn-on of the converter or by commands by the user or the CATV system operator. The enter access code mode is initiated by a user command. The parental control mode is enabled by user entry of a valid access code or when a new access code is created while in the enter access code mode.

Abstract: A burst mode fiber optic or light-wave communication system uses as a transmitter a light emitting device requiring drive current to produce a light output. The characteristics of the light emitting device change with time, so the drive current must be periodically adjusted. In a high speed burst data system, the magnitude of the light output and the new value of drive current cannot be determined until a time well after the beginning of the burst, or possibly after the burst has ended. If the drive current is adjusted to a new value during burst transmission, the change in light output may be interpreted by a receiver as a data transition, which may result in data errors. The change in the control signal which controls the magnitude of the drive signal is delayed until a time between data bursts, whereby the drive current magnitude remains constant during any burst transmission.

Abstract: A television receiver receives a scrambled television signal of the suppressed sync pulse type. The sync pulse is restored by a decoder which provides a sync restored video signal to video signal processing circuits of the receiver, and to automatic gain control circuits of the receiver via an interface network. The interface network develops a gain control signal with a magnitude related to the magnitude of the restored sync pulse. The gain control signal is coupled to both sound and video gain control circuits for augmenting normal automatic gain control action with respect to sound and video signals.

Abstract: A pyramid frequency analyzing technique is taught in which an input sampled temporal signal is convolved with a spatially localized, gradual rolloff kernel weighting function, which is subtracted from the input signal in each pyramid stage prior to the convolved signal having its sample density decimated and applied as an input to the next pyramid stage (rather than subsequent to the convolved signal having its sample density decimated as in a Burt Pyramid analyzer). In addition, a synthesizing technique is taught which provides additional high-frequency peaking in each stage thereof, not provided by a Burt Pyramid synthesizer.

Abstract: A RAM (Random Access Memory) interface control circuit is used for measuring spaces in a periodic matrix by controlling a RAM memory circuit coupled between a photodetector array interface circuit and a computer. A plurality of light sources simultaneously illuminate the matrix with light at a plurality of discrete locations. A plurality of linear photodiode arrays simultaneously receive the respective light/shadow images from the matrix at the discrete locations, and associated control and quantizer circuits produce signals representative of the spaces and areas therebetween. RETICON interface circuits are coupled, respectively, to the control and quantizer circuits for simultaneously converting the signals for each location into data values and transmitting the data values in parallel to respective RAMs. RAM interface control circuits are coupled, respectively, to the RAMs for sequentially addressing the respective RAMs for seriatim transfer of the data values to the computer.

Abstract: A motion adaptive television signal processing system is disclosed. An image change estimator estimates the image change over an image time interval. A television signal processor adaptively processes the signal in response to a control signal. A control signal generator is coupled between the image change estimator and the adaptive television signal processor. The control signal generated exhibits a function substantially described by: K=Ae.sup.-b/x where K is the value of the control signal, A is the maximum value the control signal can attain, x is the estimated image change, and b is a constant. In a second embodiment, a second estimator estimates a parameter of the television signal. The relationship of the control signal to the estimated image change is varied as a function of the estimated parameter.

Abstract: Charge integration is selectively interrupted in a semiconductor imager with thinned substrate, by modulating the electric field normal to its back-illuminated surface. This suppresses smear generated during field transfer in certain types of imager when exposed to high-energy images, for example. The thinned substrate is cemented with an electrically insulating epoxy to a glass backing plate bearing a transparent electrode, the potential on which is varied to modulate the drift field.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate of single crystalline silicon having the active regions of a semiconductor element, such as the source, drain, channel and gates, along one surface of the substrate, and a thin gettering region of a gettering material in the substrate. The gettering region is spaced from both surfaces of the substrate and is adjacent the active regions of the semiconductor element so as to getter contaminants in the substrate from the area of the substrate containing the semiconductor element.

Abstract: A wideband video signal processing system includes a blanking interval signal conditioning circuit with reduced parasitic capacitance. The circuit has an AC coupling capacitor connected between an input buffer amplifier and an output buffer amplifier. A first keyed electronic switch of the single pole, single throw type is coupled in series between the output of the first buffer and the capacitor. A second keyed electronic switch of the single pole, single throw type is coupled between the output of the capacitor and a reference voltage. The first and second switches are keyed to establish a fixed video signal reference value during image blanking intervals.

Abstract: A stereo television receiver processes the picture and intercarrier sound carrier signals in a common intermediate frequency (IF) section. The IF characteristic is modified such that the overall transmission characteristic of the receiver exhibits a modified Nyquist slope having a shelf portion of flat attenuation over a frequency band including within it the picture carrier frequency. This reduces the incidental phase modulation of the picture carrier signal due to asymmetrical attenuation of sidebands by the Nyquist slope, thereby reducing the associated intercarrier buzz.

Abstract: Apparatus for compensating a temperature dependent operating characteristic of a semiconductor device includes a compensation circuit which exhibits an electrical time constant closely approximating a thermal time constant of the semiconductor device. A control voltage exhibiting the electrical time constant is applied to the semiconductor device with a sense for substantially negating temperature dependent deviations of the operating characteristic of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A cover for a semiconductor package includes a composite layer on its upper most surface containing a passive circuit. The passive circuit may include a number of passive components to fulfill various functions such as capacitive coupling and decoupling, resistive pull-up and pull-down, et al. Appropriate terminal points of the passive circuit terminate in contacts which are disposed on the top surface of the composite layer. Terminals are attached to the contacts for interconnecting the passive circuit with terminal leads of the semiconductor package or other circuit components.

Abstract: A level shifter receives a variable input voltage such as a beam current representative voltage of a cathode ray tube and produces an output voltage that changes when the input voltage changes such that the output voltage is level shifted relative to the input voltage. The output voltage is coupled to an input terminal of an error amplifier of a power supply voltage regulator of a television receiver. The level shifter includes a current mirror arrangement responsive to the input voltage. A band gap type voltage source determines the amount of level shifting that is produced by the level shifter.

Abstract: A relay switch in an ac main line has a dc-powered applying for applying amplified control sensor signals to the control circuit of the relay switch. To provide dc power for the amplifier when the relay switch main controlled current conduction path is conductive, a current transformer primary winding is arranged in series with that path, and the voltage appearing across the secondary winding is rectified. To provide dc power for the amplifier when the relay switch main controlled current conduction path is non-conductive, an open-circuit voltage related to that appearing across the open-circuit non-conductive path is rectified. To permit the use of one rectifier for developing dc power for the amplifier it is advantageous to apply the open-circuit voltage to the secondary winding of the current transformer through a dc-blocking capacitor with sufficient ac impedance to restrict ac flow across the open-circuit relay switch path.

Abstract: An elongated body contains a central threaded bore in communication with opposite body ends. A plurality of transverse threaded bores of the same thread size are formed in the body at spaced locations along the longitudinal axis of the body in communication with the threaded bore. Set screws mate with the central and transverse bores for sealing those bores at selected locations to form the body into one or more manifold chambers. Fluid fittings mate with the central and transverse bores for selectively coupling the so formed chambers to one or more external fluid systems.