Abstract: Two or more spatial filters are used in determining velocity based on speckle translation. A light source may be turned on, turned off, or both for a variable amount of time during operation. The velocity may then be determined with trend identification, correlation, recursive frequency estimation, or measurement bandwidth variation. A confidence level may also be calculated for the measured velocity, and the measured velocity reported or used only when the calculated confidence level meets or exceeds a given value.

Abstract: Display contrast in electro-optical display devices is improved using a drive circuit including pixel drive circuits and a common drive circuit. The pixel drive circuits are connected to pixel electrodes of the display device, and are operable to generate respective pixel drive signals that alternate between a first high voltage and a first low voltage differing in voltage by less than or equal to a process-limited maximum. The common drive circuit is connected to a common electrode of the display device, and is operable to generate a common drive signal alternating between a second high voltage and a second low voltage differing in voltage by more than the process-limited maximum. The common drive signal is asymmetrically bipolar with respect to the first low voltage of the pixel drive signal.

Abstract: A waveguide having a spatially-variable refractive index is disclosed. The waveguide having a spatially-variable refractive index comprises a light-propagating medium and a non-uniform distribution of liquid crystal material in a matrix of dielectric material located in a portion of the light-propagating medium.

Abstract: A solar power apparatus and method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a beam steering assembly, a plurality of converts, and a controller. The beam steering assembly directs light traveling in a first direction to light traveling in a second direction. Each converter is fixed with respect to a substrate, and each converter includes a light concentrator and a receiver. The controller determines the position of the sun relative to the beam steering assembly and controls the beam steering assembly such that the concentrators receive sunlight from that determined direction. Each light concentrator is fixed relative to the light receiver that receives light from that light concentrator. The beam steering assembly elements can be fabricated by molding or by embossing of thin plastic sheets.

Abstract: Two or more spatial filters are used in determining velocity based on speckle translation. A light source may be turned on, turned off, or both for a variable amount of time during operation. The velocity may then be determined with trend identification, correlation, recursive frequency estimation, or measurement bandwidth variation. A confidence level may also be calculated for the measured velocity, and the measured velocity reported or used only when the calculated confidence level meets or exceeds a given value.

Abstract: Two or more spatial filters are used in determining velocity based on speckle translation. A light source may be turned on, turned off, or both for a variable amount of time during operation. The velocity may then be determined with trend identification, correlation, recursive frequency estimation, or measurement bandwidth variation. A confidence level may also be calculated for the measured velocity, and the measured velocity reported or used only when the calculated confidence level meets or exceeds a given value.

Abstract: A distributed power generation system enabled for assured reliability comprises a direct current power source, a direct current to alternating current converter (DTAC), electrically coupled to the direct current power source, the DTAC comprising a reliability limiting component (RLC) and a sensor for sensing a measurable parameter of the RLC. A decision engine is communicatively coupled to the sensor, and is operable to determine a lifetime estimate for the RLC based on the measurable parameter. A service provider is communicatively coupled to the decision engine by a communication system to receive a signal communicating the lifetime estimate. The service provider schedules preventative maintenance based on the signal communicating the lifetime estimate.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a system for assured reliability in DC to AC power converters with application to distributed power generation systems is presented.

Abstract: First and second substrates are spaced apart and joined around a perimeter to define a gas chamber between the substrates. The first substrate is made of a material that transmits visible radiation. A layer of a phosphor material overlies an interior surface of one of the substrates and is capable of converting UV radiation to visible radiation. A layer of a reflective material overlies an interior surface of the other one of the substrates.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention involve UV resistant liquid crystal cells. One embodiment of the invention is to increase the volume of the liquid crystal material that is stored inside the cell. For example, trenches may be used to provide reservoirs that hold the additional liquid crystal material. The inventive cell can be used as a SLM in photolithographic imaging systems.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator for use in a photolithography system includes light modulation elements configured to photolithographically transfer an image onto a substrate using an optical oversampling technique to reduce defects in the transferred image. A first set of the light modulation elements is operable to photolithographically transfer a portion of the image onto an area of a substrate, and a second set of the light modulation elements is operable to photolithographically transfer the portion of the image onto the area of the substrate. The spatial light modulator further includes memory elements in communication with respective light modulation elements for storing data representing the portion of the image.

Abstract: A wavelength selective switching device and method for selectively transmitting optical signals based on wavelength utilizes diffraction to spatially separate the optical signals of different wavelengths such that the optical signal of a selected wavelength can be selectively transmitted. The wavelength selective switching device selectively rotates the polarization components of the optical signals such that the polarization states of the polarization components are the same in both incoming and outgoing directions at the diffraction grating. Thus, a diffraction grating with a high grating line frequency (e.g. greater than 900 grating lines per mm for signals in the 1550 nm wavelength range) can be used for diffracting the polarization components of the optical signals in both the incoming and outgoing directions.

Abstract: A wavelength selective switching device and method for selectively transmitting optical signals based on wavelength utilizes diffraction to spatially separate the optical signals of different wavelengths such that the optical signal of a selected wavelength can be selectively transmitted. The wavelength selective switching device selectively rotates the polarization components of the optical signals such that the polarization states of the polarization components are the same in both incoming and outgoing directions at the diffraction grating. Thus, a diffraction grating with a high grating line frequency (e.g. greater than 900 grating lines per mm for signals in the 1550 nm wavelength range) can be used for diffracting the polarization components of the optical signals in both the incoming and outgoing directions.

Abstract: A universal fixture for testing a device, such as a bare printed circuit board, includes a plurality of addressable contact points. Each of the contact points includes a switch connected to a conductor capable of creating an electrical connection to the device. To obtain a measurement of a target on the device, two of the contact points on the universal fixture are selected based on the position of the target on the device relative to the contact points.

Abstract: A first plurality of stages each support a ferrule surrounding an end portion of a corresponding one of N optical input fibers. A second plurality of stages each support a ferrule surrounding an end portion of a corresponding one of M optical output fibers. Mechanical mechanisms translate the stages along a plurality of orthogonal X and Y axes to align a facet of a selected one of the N input optical fibers with a facet of a selected one of the M output optical fibers. The stages of the input optical fibers, the output optical fibers, or both, have mechanical mechanisms for moving the ferrules along Z axes perpendicular to the X and Y axes into and out of alignment holes of a central panel to physically mate the facets of the coupled fibers.

Abstract: A closed loop alignment system for cross-connect switches in optical telecommunications systems. Arrays of small tiltable mirrors within the switch direct the signal beams between optical fiber arrays connected to the switch. An external alignment system is incorporated into the cross-connect switch and is employed to provide an alignment beam of a wavelength different from the signal beams. Beam splitters such as dichroic mirrors, which pass the signal beams but pass only a portion of the alignment beams, are placed in the beam paths to image the ends of the optical fibers of the arrays. A combined image of the ends of the optical fibers from each array is reflected onto a photodetector array, output signals of which are sent to a feedback control system for comparison of the combined image to a stored tolerance range and consequently moves the tiltable mirrors as necessary for proper alignment.

Abstract: An optical switch, optical switching method, and a switched optical communication system include at least one micro-mirror in a path along which an optical signal propagates between first and second optical waveguides. Further provided is a refractive material through which the optical signal propagates. The refractive material has a refractive index greater than the refractive index of air. The refractive index of the refractive index may be less than or equal to a refractive index of the optical waveguides.

Abstract: A waveguide having a spatially-variable refractive index is disclosed. The waveguide having a spatially-variable refractive index comprises a light-propagating medium and a non-uniform distribution of liquid crystal material in a matrix of dielectric material located in a portion of the light-propagating medium.

Abstract: Coherent optical equalization is applied in the optical domain to an input optical signal that includes a wanted optical signal and an unwanted optical signal temporally delayed relative to the wanted optical signal. A first optical signal that includes at least the wanted optical signal is split into first beams that include a first beam subject to delay. The first beam subject to delay is delayed to provide a delayed first beam. Beams that include the delayed first beam are coherently summed to produce a second optical signal in which the unwanted optical signal has a reduced intensity compared with in the input optical signal. In the coherent summing, the instance of the wanted optical signal in the delayed first beam cancels the unwanted optical signal in another of the beams that are coherently summed.

Abstract: A closed loop alignment system for cross-connect switches in optical telecommunications systems. Arrays of small tiltable mirrors within the switch direct the signal beams between optical fiber arrays connected to the switch. An external alignment system is incorporated into the cross-connect switch and is employed to provide an alignment beam of a wavelength different from the signal beams. Beam splitters such as dichroic mirrors, which pass the signal beams but pass only a portion of the alignment beams, are placed in the beam paths to image the ends of the optical fibers of the arrays.