Abstract: A bi-phase modulator for Ultra Wideband (UWB) waveforms uses a symmetrical transformation device and a selector device to produce bi-phase modulated UWB waveforms in response to an information signal. The symmetrical transformation device receives an input UWB waveform and produces equal but opposite polarity output waveforms. The selector device determines whether an inverted or non-inverted UWB waveform is output in response to the information signal.

Abstract: An enhanced volume phase diffraction grating provides high dispersion, uniformly high diffraction efficiency and equal diffraction efficiencies for all polarizations across a wide range of wavelengths. In preferred embodiments, the thickness of the volume phase material and the modulation of its refractive index are jointly established to provide equalization of diffraction efficiencies for all polarizations over a wide range of wavelengths. The equalization occurs where the S and P diffraction efficiencies are both at a maximum.

Abstract: A universal microplate analyzer capable of carrying out measurements on samples contained in the wells of microplates by fluorescence, absorbance, luminescence employs at least two light sources and optical fiber channels for directing excitation light to the sample wells. Flexibility of operation is provided by arrays of mirrors, apertures, and polarizers which can be positioned as required for the analysis to be carried out.

Abstract: An enhanced volume phase diffraction grating provides high dispersion, uniformly high diffraction efficiency and equal diffraction efficiencies for all polarizations across a wide range of wavelengths. The thickness of the volume phase material and the modulation of its refractive index are jointly established to provide equalization of diffraction efficiencies for all polarizations over a wide range of wavelengths. The equalization occurs where the S and P diffraction efficiencies are both at a maximum.

Abstract: An enhanced volume phase diffraction grating provides high dispersion, uniformly high diffraction efficiency and equal diffraction efficiencies for all polarizations across a wide range of wavelengths. The thickness of the volume phase material and the modulation of its refractive index are jointly established to provide equalization of diffraction efficiencies for all polarizations over a wide range of wavelengths. The equalization occurs where the S and P diffraction efficiencies are both at a maximum.

Abstract: A universal microplate analyzer capable of carrying out measurements on samples contained in the wells of microplates by fluorescence, absorbance, luminescence employs at least two light sources and optical fiber channels for directing excitation light to the sample wells. Flexibility of operation is provided by arrays of mirrors, apertures, and polarizers which can be positioned as required for the analysis to be carried out.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a light mask for balancing light across a display area of a vehicle instrument cluster comprises a camera, a digitiser and a computer. An image of the display area is obtained and digitized to produce data relating to the illumination levels of the image at a plurality of pixels. The illumination levels are used to calculate an appropriate light mask for the display area on the basis of the transmissive density of the masking ink used and or a reference illumination value relating to the least lit part of the display area which it is desired to illuminate. The light mask comprises an array of dots having a diameter related to the amount of attenuation required in the area in which the dot is located. Up to three masking layers may be provided if a single layer is insufficient to produce the required attenuation with the chosen masking ink. Balanced coverlays can readily be produced, and the number of masking layers required can also be reduced.

Abstract: A holographic optical system includes volume hologram configurations providing a waveplate for, e.g. an optical storage device, and an aliasing suppression filter. The waveplate has diffraction characteristics adapted to impart a propagation delay for selected polarization directions. By controlling the propagation delay and the angle of an incident light beam, an output beam having altered polarization characteristics can be produced. Quarter waveplates for reflective optical storage systems and half waveplates for magneto-optical storage systems are disclosed. The holographic aliasing suppression filter divides an input optical beam into spatially separated components and may be configured to be polarization insensitive or color selective.

Abstract: A system for full duplex real time two-way voice and data communication between a pair of computer terminal locations is disclosed. Analog voice signals are converted to digital form at one terminal location and those digital signals are interleaved with other digital information for transmission to the other terminal location. A value for the number of bytes, in a data packet is first established, and then values for the number of bytes and the location dedicated to the transmission of voice information, control information, and data transmission within such fixed size data packets is established. Thereafter, a sequence of data packets with synchronization bytes in the voice byte locations is transmitted from each computer terminal location and received by the other of the terminal location. Upon receipt thereof, an acknowledgement of the receipt is transmitted back to the originating location to indicate the establishment of synchronization between the two locations.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a light mask for balancing light across a display area of a vehicle instrument cluster comprises a camera, a digitiser and a computer. An image of the display area is obtained and digitized to produce data relating to the illumination levels of the image at a plurality of pixels. The illumination levels are used to calculate an appropriate light mask for the display area on the basis of the transmissive density of the masking ink used and of a reference illumination value relating to the least lit part of the display area which it is desired to illuminate. The light mask comprises an array of dots having a diameter related to the amount of attenuation required in the area in which the dot is located. Up to three masking layers may be provided if a single layer is insufficient to produce the required attenuation with the chosen masking ink. Balanced coverlays can readily be produced, and the number of masking layers required can also be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for longitudinally encapsulating a bundle of aligned fibers within an elastomeric tube of smaller diameter than the normal diameter of the bundle in which: the tube is confined within a tubular inner channel of an openable casing, the diameter of the casing being at least as large as the normal diameter of the bundle; the ends of the tube are slipped over nipples at each end of the channel; air is pressured into the tube via one of the nipples thereby expanding the tube outwardly against the channel wall; the bundle of fibers is drawn through one of the nipples into the expanded tube; and the tube is depressurized to permit it to contract radially about the bundle of fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding an elastomeric fiber under no or low tension in which a spool of the fiber is placed between a pair of spaced rotating wheels thus causing the spool to rotate at a predetermined linear velocity, and the fiber is first passed from the spool around a take off pulley rotating faster than the spool, then around a substantial portion of the circumferences of a series of guide sheaves, each of which is rotating at the predetermined velocity, and then onto a wind up reel that is also rotating at the predetermined velocity. The speed of the rotating wheels is adjusted during the winding to compensate for the decrease in the spool's diameter as the fiber is unwound from it and for any inherent tension in the spooled fiber in order to keep the spool rotating at substantially the predetermined velocity.