Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in improving the linearity characteristics of MOSFET devices using an accumulated charge sink (ACS) are disclosed. The method and apparatus are adapted to remove, reduce, or otherwise control accumulated charge in SOI MOSFETs, thereby yielding improvements in FET performance characteristics. In one exemplary embodiment, a circuit having at least one SOI MOSFET is configured to operate in an accumulated charge regime. An accumulated charge sink, operatively coupled to the body of the SOI MOSFET, eliminates, removes or otherwise controls accumulated charge when the FET is operated in the accumulated charge regime, thereby reducing the nonlinearity of the parasitic off-state source-to-drain capacitance of the SOI MOSFET. In RF switch circuits implemented with the improved SOI MOSFET devices, harmonic and intermodulation distortion is reduced by removing or otherwise controlling the accumulated charge when the SOI MOSFET operates in an accumulated charge regime.

Abstract: A base for use with scaffolding. The base includes side support members and cross members. The side support members have scaffold receiving members provided at ends thereof. The cross members extend between the side support members and are rotatably mounted to the side support members. Wheels are mounted to the cross members. As the cross members are rotated from a first position to a second position, the wheels are moved from an initial position in which the wheels are spaced from a ground or floor surface to a second position in which the wheels are positioned in engagement with the ground or floor surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved system and methods of aggregating, storing, organizing, and publishing information. Certain embodiments of the present invention are configured to facilitate easily locating information that has been verified by a system curator. Certain embodiments of the present invention are configured to facilitate easily generating a creation, such as by using an output template.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting the troops when they exit an armored vehicle is provided by utilizing the universal tail light assembly and providing the assembly with wide field-of-view cameras and other sensors, with screens or displays located within the vehicle to provide situational awareness of the rear of the vehicle, thus to alert troops and their commanders as to external threats prior to troop deployment. In one embodiment, two wide-angle infrared cameras are retrofitted to existing universal tail light assemblies to either side of the vehicle, with the cameras having overlapping fields of view to permit generation of a panoramic view. Moreover, additional sensors such as ultrasonic sensors, LIDARs and laser range finders can be located in the universal tail light assembly, with the subject system not requiring breach of the already-existing armor for the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting the troops when they exit an armored vehicle is provided by utilizing the universal tail light assembly and providing the assembly with wide field-of-view cameras and other sensors, with screens or displays located within the vehicle to provide situational awareness of the rear of the vehicle, thus to alert troops and their commanders as to external threats prior to troop deployment. In one embodiment, two wide-angle infrared cameras are retrofitted to existing universal tail light assemblies to either side of the vehicle, with the cameras having overlapping fields of view to permit generation of a panoramic view. Moreover, additional sensors such as ultrasonic sensors, LIDARs and laser range finders can be located in the universal tail light assembly, with the subject system not requiring breach of the already-existing armor for the vehicle.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a signal layer and a supply voltage plane layer. The signal layer includes traces to communicate signals that are not associated with regulated supply voltages. The supply voltage plane is embedded in the signal layer to supply power to multiple supply voltage pins of a component that is mounted to the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may also include a supply voltage plane layer to communicate a supply voltage. A ground plane may be embedded in the supply voltage plane layer to provide ground connections to multiple pins of the component.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a signal layer and a supply voltage plane layer. The signal layer includes traces to communicate signals that are not associated with regulated supply voltages. The supply voltage plane is embedded in the signal layer to supply power to multiple supply voltage pins of a component that is mounted to the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may also include a supply voltage plane layer to communicate a supply voltage. A ground plane may be embedded in the supply voltage plane layer to provide ground connections to multiple pins of the component.

Abstract: A starter assembly for starting an engine is provided incorporating a mechanical diode in the drive train between the starter motor and the engine, including two coaxial plates with facing surfaces that are linked by pivoting members. The pivoting members are recessed into a facing surface of the first plate. They pivot outward under spring force from the facing surface of the first plate to engage slots in the facing surface of the second plate. This allows the first plate to drive the second plate, but also allows the second plate to overrun the first plate.

Abstract: A mount for supporting a gear shift lever on a tightly undercurved road or racing style handlebar of a bicycle, comprising an annular attachment collar for placement over and close fit to the curve of the handlebar, with the attachment collar securable in place by compression between an existing hand brake lever mount and the handlebar. The attachment collar is defined by an annular wall preferably having varying length allowing for close fit in the inside and outside radii of the tight bend in the handlebar. Extending from the attachment collar is an extending member having a universal shift lever mount stud affixed to a distal portion thereof. The extending member preferably includes one or more angular changes allowing placement of the extending member clear of the brake lever simultaneously with thumb accessible placement of the shift lever relative to normal hand placements on the handlebar.

Abstract: An optical filter comprises a multilayer coating adherent to a substrate, the coating comprising at least four superimposed layer collections. Each layer collection has ordered first, second and third layers of which the first and third layers are made of a first material and are 0.6 quarter wavelengths thick whereas the second layer is made of a second material and is 6.8 quarter wavelengths thick. One of these materials has a high refractive index in the range 1.9 to 2.5 whilst the other of these materials has a low refractive index in the range 1.3 to 1.7. The preferred high index material is zinc sulphide and the preferred low index material is thorium fluoride.The optical filter is generally transmissive except in a number of narrow waveband regions which include respective known laser wavelengths.

Abstract: Infrared transmitting optical components having a wide variety of substrates (e.g. ZnS, ZnSe, Ge, Si, SiO.sub.2) are disclosed all with an optical coating of boron phosphide (BP). The boron phosphide may be a single layer coating or one layer of a multilayer coating in which case it is preferably the penultimate layer. Coated components are provided which are very low in absorption, which are operable at high temperatures with minimal transmission loss, and which are transmitting in two IR wavebands. The boron phosphide layer is deposited by plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition at a temperature in the range 300.degree.-500.degree. C. preferably using feedstock gases which are hydrogen-fee. Boron phosphide coatings of up to 40 .mu.m in thickness have been achieved.