Abstract: A switch (10) comprises a printed circuit board (12). The printed circuit board (12) has a plurality of electrical contacts. The switch (10) further comprises a carrier (18) having an electrical conductor (102) for connecting at least two of the plurality of electrical contacts. The carrier (18) is movable relative to the printed circuit board (12). The carrier (18) further has a surface (92) having a plurality of undulations (96). The switch (10) further comprises at least one flexible plastic cantilever portion (56, 58) of a plastic member housing the carrier. The cantilever portion contacts the plurality of undulations (96). The undulations (96) and the cantilever portion (56, 58) comprise a detent mechanism to restrain the carrier (18) in a position to which the carrier (18) is moved.

Abstract: A semiconductor bulk acoustic resonator (SBAR) with improved passband insertion loss and phase performance characteristics making it suitable for use in a wider variety of narrowband filtering applications. The SBAR is configured to suppress lateral propagating acoustical wave mode. The lateral acoustical wave modes are controlled by varying the lateral dimension of the resonator electrodes and or utilizing a viscous acoustic damping material, such as a viscoelastic material, such as polyimide, along at least~a portion of the perimeter of the electrodes to attenuate reflections of the lateral acoustic modes at the electrode edges back into the electrode region.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus (10) includes a conduit (50) through which a flow of power steering fluid is conducted and a housing (22) having a chamber (25) which holds power steering fluid. A connector assembly (60) connects the conduit (50) with the housing (22). The connector assembly (60) includes a base (64) which is fixedly connected with the housing (22) and a clip (66) which interconnects the base and the conduit (50). The clip (66) has a pilot portion (76) with cam surfaces (88 and 90) which engage a projection (68) on the conduit (50) to press the conduit into an opening (78) in the base (64) during connection of the conduit with the base. The clip (66) has a retainer portion (74) which cooperates with the base (64) and the projection (68) on the conduit (50) to compress a seal (70) between the projection on the conduit and the base when the conduit is connected with the housing (22).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for turning the steerable wheels (17) of a vehicle in response to the turning of the steering wheel (12). The apparatus (10) includes a drive mechanism (16), a first motor (24), a second motor (74), a sensor (78) for sensing that the first motor (24) is inoperative, and a torque sensor (80). In response to the turning of the steering wheel (12), the drive mechanism (16), is actuated, resulting in a turning the steerable wheels (17). The first motor (24), for inputting motion to the drive mechanism (16), is hydraulically powered. The second motor (74), for inputting motion to the drive mechanism (16), is electrically powered. The sensor (78) for sensing that the first motor (24) is inoperative produces an enabling signal and communicates the enabling signal to the second motor (74) to enable the operation of the second motor (74). The torque sensor (80) responds to the turning of the steering wheel (12) and controls the second motor (74) when the second motor (74) is enabled.

Abstract: A complementary heterojunction field effect transistor (CHFET) in which the channels for the p-FET device and the n-FET device forming the complementary FET are formed from gallium antimonide (GaSb) or indium antimonide (InSb). An n-type HFET structure is grown, for example, by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) in order to obtain the highest electron or hole mobility. The complementary p-type HFET is formed by p-type doping of a cap layer thereby eliminating the need for two implants for channel doping. In order to reduce the complexity of the process for making the CHFET, a common gold germanium alloy contact is used for both the p and n-type channel devices, thereby eliminating the need for separate ohmic contacts, resulting in a substantial reduction in the number of mask levels and, thus, complexity in fabricating the device.

Abstract: The invention is a process for reducing roughness of a surface of a superconductor material (23) having an undesirable surface roughness (30 and 32) and a trilayer superconductor integrated circuit (100). The process for reducing roughness of a surface of superconductor material having an undesirable surface roughness includes coating the surface with an oxide layer (40) to fill the undesirable surface roughness and to produce an exposed oxide surface (42) with a roughness less than the surface roughness; and etching the exposed oxide surface to remove a thickness of the oxide layer followed by removing at least a portion of the oxide layer filling the undesirable surface roughness and a portion of the surface of the superconductor material to produce an exposed etched surface (44) comprised of at least the superconductor material which has a surface roughness less than the undesirable surface roughness.

Abstract: A laser diode array assembly includes a laser diode array and a memory device integrally packaged with the array. The memory device includes operational information concerning the array. The memory device is accessible by a host external operating system which determines the manner in which the array is to be powered based on the operational information. The memory device may have the capability to be written to such that tie external operating system can record in the memory device significant events such as extreme operational conditions, operational faults, and the on-time or shot-count of the array. The assembly may include sensors to which the operating system is coupled. The assembly may further include a processing means to monitor the sensors and provide real-time updates to the external operating system such that laser diode array is continuously powered in an optimal manner.

Abstract: A method for determining the etch depth of a gate recess (26) in an InP based FET device (10). The source-drain, current-voltage (I-V) relationship is monitored during the etching process. As the etch depth increases, a kink is formed in the linear portion of the I-V relationship. When the kink current reaches a desired value, the etching is stopped. The kink current is a strong function of etch depth, so small differences in etch depth can be easily targeted. By controlling the etch depth, the characteristics of the transistor can be reproducibly controlled and optimized.

Abstract: A remote convenience system (10) includes a portable transmitter unit (14) and a receiver unit (18), and by a method, permits remote control of performance of a function, via a signal (16). Preferably, the system (10) is a remote convenience system for a vehicle (12). The transmitter unit (14) has a microcomputer (90) that provides a message that contains a function request. First and second signals are transmitted from the transmitter unit (14). Each signal is provided by a transmitter portion (70) at a different frequency and conveys the complete message. The receiver unit (18) has a detector (e.g., 190) tuned to receive the signal (16) for both the first and second frequencies, and can discern the complete message provided via both frequencies or either frequency. Thus, if the transmitter unit (14) is in a frequency dependent “dead spot”, communication is not prevented.

Abstract: A method 1100 and apparatus 1200 utilizing unbalanced modulation for providing users in a communication system with different amounts of effective communication energy according to their individual communication environments. A user's communication energy needs are determined based on conditions such as weather, signal-to-noise ratio, and cell location. Signals destined for a user are modulated according to the determined needs of the user. A signal destined for a user operating in a relatively friendly communication environment is modulated with less effective energy than a signal destined for a user operating in a relatively hostile communication environment.

Abstract: A system (10) for monitoring an operating parameter of a tire (12) on a vehicle (14) includes an identification (72) connected to a vehicle rim (50) that conveys a rim identification code. A tire-based unit (20) senses an operating parameter of the tire (12) and provides a radio frequency signal (24) indicative of a sensed operating parameter of the tire and an identification code of the tire-based unit. A rim identification sensor (30) detects the identification (72) and provides a rim identification signal (32) indicative of the rim identification code and the position of the rim (50) on the vehicle (14). The system also includes electronics (40) for receiving the radio frequency signal (24) and the rim identification signal (32). The electronics (40) correlate the radio frequency signal (24) with the rim identification signal (32) to associate the radio frequency signal with the position on the vehicle (14) where the tire (12) is mounted.

Abstract: A ring-bus transition 100 is provided which for switching signals between inputs 140-144 and outputs 180-85. First, signals are received at a number of inputs 140-144. Each input is coupled to a demod 130-134. Each demod is coupled to a communication ring 151-160 which is in turn coupled to a bridge 190. Signals received at the inputs 140-144 are demodulated at the demods 130-134 and then sent via the communication rings 151-160 to the bridge 190. The bridge relays the signals to a communication bus 195 which in turn relays the signals to output processors 170-175. Each output processor 170-175 may receive and stores signals destined for it in a memory queue 230. The signals may then be output in the order they arrive or in some other order based on a priority signal. Additionally, each communication ring 151-160 may be closed by connecting the bridge 190 to the first input on each loop.

Abstract: An onboard DAMA protocol for use in connection with a processing satellite communications network, where multiple users are assigned to a common transmission resource as part of a sharing set. A media access controller (30) on the satellite maintains a reservation log which identifies the frequencies and number of uplink time slots in the resource that are currently reserved by one or more members of the sharing set. To reserve a time-frequency slot on the transmission resource for a non-contentious transmission of data, a user of the sharing set will transmit a reservation request to the satellite on a contentious uplink resource. If a return message is not received, the user knows that the reservation request collided with another reservation request, and a retransmission strategy of the reservation request is employed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power assisted steering system (10). The power assisted steering system (10) comprises a rotatable member (34) capable of rotating about an axis. The system further comprises a ballnut (66) that is coaxial with the rotatable member (34). The ballnut (66) has a threaded cylindrical inner surface (76) and a plurality of drive balls (78). The system (10) further comprises a steering member (24). The steering member (24) is coaxial with the rotatable member (34) and the ballnut (66). The steering member (24) has a threaded portion (32). The steering member (24) extends through the inner surface (72) of the ballnut (66) such that the drive balls (78) of the ballnut (66) engage the threaded portion (32) of the steering member (24). The ballnut (66) is rotatably driven by the rotatable member (34) about the axis and is pivotal relative to the rotatable member (34) in a direction transverse to the axis.

Abstract: The performance of a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) operating at high power is limited by the power that can be dissipated by the device. This, in turn, is limited by the thermal resistance of the device to heat dissipation. In a typical HBT, and especially InP-based HBTs, heat generated during operation is concentrated near the collector-base junction. In order to more efficiently dissipate heat downward through the device to the substrate, both the collector and the sub-collector are formed of InP, which has a substantially lower thermal resistance than other typically used semiconductor materials.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an electronic support measures (ESM) system for estimating the angle of arrival of a signal which impinges on an array of antennas configured in a straight line. The antennas in the array are spaced such that the distances from the interior antennas to one of the end antennas—in terms of units of a reference length &xgr;—are relatively prime. The system does not require a priori knowledge of the signal radio frequency. In order to enhance the computational efficiency and ability of the system, a Diophantine processing algorithm is utilized. The set of antenna spacings is selected based upon minimizing the probability that this algorithm produces an ambiguity error in the estimated angle of arrival. The computational efficiency of the system is improved relative to current systems, as it requires only N2 real multiplications, where N+1 is the number of antennas in the array.

Abstract: A detent assembly (30) includes a rotatable index member (34) having a series (44) of minor index positions (46) disposed in a circular array and a series (52) of major index positions (54) disposed in a circular array which is axially offset from the circular array of minor index positions. A plurality of first spring sections (124) are integrally formed as one piece with a housing (32) which encloses the index member (34). The first spring sections (124) are disposed in a circular array which extends around the index member (34). Each of the first spring sections (124) is disposed in engagement with the series (44) of minor index positions (46). A second spring section (66) is integrally formed as one piece with the housing and is disposed in engagement with the series (52) of major index positions (54). A stem (40) extends axially from one end of the index member (34) and is engageable by a handle.

Abstract: An iodine source for a chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) system (40, 50) is described. The iodine source is a combination of iodine monochloride and molecular iodine. The iodine monochloride and molecular iodine may be injected either simultaneously or sequentially through separate manifold/conduit assemblies (30, 102) into the mixing nozzle (22), or they may be combined together into a single gaseous feed stream. The iodine monochloride may be dissociated prior to being injected into the mixing nozzle (22) or, alternatively, the dissociated iodine monochloride may be combined with the molecular iodine feed stream in order to initiate the atomic iodine/molecular iodine chain reaction prior to injection into the mixing nozzle (22).

Abstract: A communications waveform format is provided for a satellite-based telecommunications system. The waveform format includes forward and return link waveforms between the satellite, earth stations and terminals. The forward and return links use orthogonal direct-sequence code division multiple access (ODS-CDMA) to minimize interference between users. The forward and return link spectrum may be divided into channels, the frequencies and spacing of which are adjustable to compensate for Doppler effects, thereby maintaining synchronization. The spectrum of the terminal links may be divided into multiple subbands (e.g., 38), each of which may support multiple (e.g., 80) ODS-CDMA channels.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (18) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A housing (16) directs inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (18) toward the protection device (14). The apparatus (10) includes a vent opening (30) in the housing (16) for selectively venting inflation fluid from the housing. The apparatus (10) also includes a member (50) movable between a closed position blocking venting of inflation fluid from the housing (16) and an open position enabling venting of inflation fluid from the housing. The apparatus (10) further includes an actuatable fastener (12) for holding the member (70) in the closed position. The actuatable fastener (12) comprises an air bag inflator initiator (100).