Abstract: A Global Positioning System (GPS) communications includes a GPS receiver for generating position information, a processor coupled to the GPS receiver by a bus, and a communications multi-interface coupled to both the GPS receiver and to the processor by the bus. The processor presents the position information to the communications multi-interface capable of interfacing with a wide variety of communications systems. Described applications include guided weapons systems, interrogatable tag systems, collision avoidance systems, remote locator/responder systems, beacon location systems, search and rescue transceiver systems, location reporting pager systems, and cellular telephone location systems.

Abstract: A dry etch process allows fabrication of very small SAW electrodes (less than 1 micron wide) on LiNbO.sub.3 (lithium niobate) or quartz substrates. In the process, analuminum (Al) layer is disposed on the substrate, and a photoresist layer is applied and exposed in the appropriate pattern. The wafer is then placed in an RIE where the Al is dry etched using a plasma containing chlorine and fluorine. The photoresist is then removed by an oxygen plasma. The oxygen also operates to replace the chlorine ions. By using this process, very precisely shaped electrodes can be formed.

Abstract: Pin diodes connected in parallel with a high power RF carrying reed relay are forward biased for conduction when the reed relay is actuated and reverse biased once the reed relay closes so that they are removed from the circuit. Trigger apparatus, including a one-shot circuit, is utilized to activate the diodes for only the required length of time and to provide the correct operation at all frequencies with high power.