Abstract: An automatic call distribution system includes an automatic call distribution network, a plurality of network terminations interconnectable with the automatic call distribution network using a first bus protocol, and an interface which is interconnectable with one of the first network terminations using the first bus protocol. The interface is operable for interfacing between the first bus protocol and a second bus protocol different than the first bus protocol, and a network termination functional module is interconnectable with the interface using the second bus protocol. An automatic call distributor interconnectable with a network termination using a first bus protocol is used by a method that includes the steps of coupling a bus converter with the network termination using the first bus protocol and coupling a network termination functional module with the bus converter using a second bus protocol different than the first bus protocol.

Abstract: A doped Cadmium Oxide (CdO) film has been developed for use in applications requiring conductive, films which are highly transparent to IR radiation. Suitable dopants for the film include any of the Group III elements, namely Boron, Aluminum, Gallium, Indium, or Thallium.

Abstract: A periodic process timer is incorporated into a multi-tasking operating system of an automatic call distributor system.

Abstract: A tunable bandpass sigma-delta modulator analog-to-digital converter (A/D converter or ADC) utilized in conjunction with a digital signal processor (DSP) to eliminate the analog frequency synthesizer in a radio design is disclosed. The sigma-delta ADC greatly reduces the analog circuitry requirements and ensures that the circuitry is suitable for very large scale integration (VLSI). The all-digital DSP ensures the highest level of VLSI and provides for high performance frequency synthesis and translation completely in the digital domain.

Abstract: An improved traffic alert and collision avoidance method and device wherein TCAS data is augmented by higher resolution radar data. By using radar to search out targets, altitude information can be developed for those aircraft not equipped with altitude reporting transponders. The improved accuracy also allows angle/angle perspective display of air traffic and thus provides enhanced situational awareness.

Abstract: A system for monitoring guiding and controlling an unmanned, unteathered flight vehicle, generally assumed to be moving through the earth's atmosphere at a high rate of speed. The system is comprised of on-board positional receiver and processing means coupled to a transceiver capable of combining such positional information with additional data relative to the health and status of the flight vehicle and transmitting the same to a ground station of compatible and simplified design. A preferred positional determination means is to utilize a form for GPS signal thereby affording one the opportunity to include appropriate processing software or additional componentry if necessary for base station purposes and thereby provide a relatively inexpensive system having a low probability of detection for intercept that simultaneously yields vastly improved operating performance characteristics over the mere translation of received GPS signals to down-link or to remote stations as known in the prior art.

Abstract: A method for increasing the accuracy of ranging measurements between data link systems is described. The method, actively aided ranging, increases ranging measurement accuracy by decreasing the dependence of the measurement on the relative clock bias between data links. The method is immune from error due to time bias between a position interrogator and a responder.

Abstract: A sigma-delta-sigma modulator for analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters is described. The sigma-delta-sigma modulator is amenable to fabrication of high speed LSI and VLSI digital components for fixed and programmable processes for minimizing and eliminating required analog circuitry in a digital radio. The sigma-delta-sigma modulator is utilized in a direct sampling receiver in which the received RF is converted by high resolution analog-to-digital processing and subsequently translated to baseband, filtered and demodulated completely in the digital domain. The modulator is also utilized in a direct digital transmitter in which the baseband modulation is formed, translated to RF, and converted to analog by high resolution digital-to-analog processing completely in the digital domain.

Abstract: Disclosed is an avionics display device adapted for insertion into an avionics panel of an aircraft. The avionics display device includes a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal display element and a bezel surrounding the liquid crystal display element. The avionics display device also includes a low profile rotary switch mounted on the bezel of the liquid crystal display to save avionics panel space in the aircraft. The low profile rotary switch includes a printed circuit board positioned beneath the bezel and having a plurality of electrical pads formed thereon. The switch also includes a contact member positioned adjacent the printed circuit board and having a first contact formed thereon. Rotation of the contact member causes the first contact to be electrically coupled to one of the plurality of electrical pads formed on the printed circuit board. A knob is coupled to the contact member such that rotation of the knob causes rotation of the contact member.

Abstract: Disclosed are a backlight and avionics display using the same to provide light to a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. In the backlight, a day mode light source positioned on a first side of the LCD device and adapted to provide a first source of light for use by the LCD device during day mode operations. A night mode light source positioned on the first side of the LCD device is adapted to provide a second source of light for use by the LCD device during night mode operations. A sculptured transflector positioned between the day mode light source and the night mode light source has, at a first side adjacent the day mode light source, a transflective material and a plurality of arcuate or parabolic surfaces in order to maximize a percentage of light from the day mode light source which is reflected toward the LCD device.

Abstract: A mixer for use in a direct conversion receiver includes a compensating differential amplifier which injects equal amplitude opposite phase currents with respect to even order distortion currents. The compensating differential amplifier utilizes an ideal current source. The mixer is an active mixer which utilizes four switching transistors. The even order distortion is introduced by non-linear components which demonstrate strong off-channel signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for calibrating and detecting faults in a receiver having a multi-element antenna. The method includes the steps of selecting an antenna element of the multi-element antenna and transmitting a signal through the selected element. The method further includes the steps of detecting the transmitted signal through at least one antenna element of a remaining set of elements of the multi-element antenna and calculating a phase shift for the at least one antenna element of the remaining set of elements.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional equalizer/decoder is disclosed for equalizing a channel transmitting electrical pulses corresponding to a plurality of interdependent symbols formed according to the rules of a multi-dimensional code (e.g. block lattice coded modulation). The symbols are received by the equalizer/decoder over multiple symbol (baud) periods because it takes more than one symbol period to receive a minimum decodable number of symbols on the given number of physical channels. The equalizer/decoder employs a preliminary and a final decision device which cooperate with the components of an "equalization layer." A plurality of equalization layers may be used if the symbols are received over a plurality of physical channels. Each equalization layer has first, second, and third, adaptive, feed forward filters, along with appropriately located buffers for collecting decodable groups of the transmitted symbols for group-by-group provision to the decision devices.

Abstract: An impedance measurement system rapidly determines impedance of a sinusoidal signal at a known frequency. The sinusoidal signal can represent a forward voltage, a reflected voltage, a voltage, or a current on a transmission line. The impedance calculation is made by receiving two samples of a signal representing forward voltage and reflected voltage or two samples each of current and voltage. The samples are used to determine an amplitude value and a phase value for the signal. The amplitude and phase value are utilized to calculate the impedance.

Abstract: A global positioning system (GPS) and auxiliary receiver receive limited range position signals broadcasted from telemetry transmitters when in an urban canyon environment. The limited range receivers preferably are implemented as part of the lighting infrastructure of the environment. The limited range receivers derive power from light from the lighting infrastructure. The receivers can also include a transmitter for retransmitting the receive position data and an ID code to a central processing center.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correlating outputs of a plurality of environmental sensor signals to determine a situation. The method includes the steps of dividing a coherent light beam across a diameter of the light beam into a plurality of information transmission zones and modulating a portion of the light beam within at least some of the information transmission zones with a corresponding number of signals of the plurality of environmental sensor signals. The method further includes the steps of deflecting the modulated light beams of the at least some information transmission zones within a holographic memory to provide at least some correlated outputs among the plurality of environmental sensor signals and determining the situation based upon the at least some correlated outputs of the holographic memory.

Abstract: A programmable divider or prescaler divides an input signal by a divisor of two raised to the m.sup.th -power plus one, (2.sup.m +1), where m is an integer, and n is a value between zero and two raised to the m.sup.th -power minus one, (2.sup.m -1). When m is equal to 3, the duty cycle is between 44% and 56%. The divider can be utilized in communication applications for providing radio frequency source signals. The duty cycle is maintained around 50% for use with balanced mixers.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of FIFO has (1) a low region indicating a minimum number of words for FIFO storage, (2) a burst count indicating the number of words involved in each transfer to such FIFO and (3) a high region where a word count transfer into the FIFO is not initiated. However, a burst count transfer initiated before the beginning of a FIFO high region may be completed in the FIFO high region. Each FIFO is initially filled from a memory by a memory controller to the low FIFO region. Upon word transfer from each FIFO, the memory controller establishes a priority to provide an additional burst count to the FIFO low region. When the memory controller is otherwise idle and the number of words in such FIFO is in a region intermediate the FIFO low and high regions, a burst count for each FIFO may be transferred into the intermediate FIFO region. The memory controller and each FIFO respectively remember the number of words transferred into and from such FIFO.

Abstract: A novel dielectric heater including a RF source having a first impedance, a parallel plate mold having a second impedance, and an impedance network, matching the first impedance to the second impedance, connected to the RF source and the parallel plate mold. The impedance network may be connected in series with the RF source and the parallel plate mold. The RF source may include a RF terminal and a common terminal, the impedance network may include a first terminal, connected to the RF terminal, and a second terminal, and the parallel plate mold may include a first plate, connected to the second terminal of the impedance network, and a second plate, connected to the common terminal of the RF source. In an alternative embodiment the novel dielectric heater includes parallel plates divided into a number of series-connected cells. The series cells lower the capacitive component, and may be configured such that an impedance of the parallel plate mold approximates an impedance of the RF source.

Abstract: A display apparatus adapted for viewing by a person wearing linearly polarized lenses, such as sunglasses, is disclosed. The display apparatus includes a display device, such as an LCD or a filtered TFEL display, which displays information by providing as an output linearly polarized light travelling toward the person viewing the display apparatus. A quarter-wave plate is positioned between the display device and the linearly polarized lenses of the sunglasses. The quarter-wave plate receives the linearly polarized light from the display device as an input and provides as an output circularly polarized light which passes through the linearly polarized lenses of the sunglasses substantially without attenuation.