Abstract: An engagement structure adapted for securement to the end of an aircraft boarding bridge includes a floor, a first floor panel rotatably associated with the floor, and a second floor panel displaceably associated with the floor. The second floor panel is preferably mechanically associated with a drive assembly adapted for displacing the second floor panel relative to the first floor panel to provide a dimensionally adjustable floor area of a boarding bridge proximate the interface of the bridge and an aircraft serviced by the bridge. The engagement structure is adapted to accommodate the docking of the boarding bridge with aircraft having varied entry door configurations.

Abstract: An output buffer includes an output stage that includes a transconductance device configured to drive a capacitive load, and a first capacitor coupled to an input of the transconductance device. A converter converts an input clock signal into a current that is provided to charge the first capacitor during a specified interval. The converter includes a feedback loop to adjust the current so as to produce a specified logic level at the specified interval. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A shape sawing system for sawing lumber pieces from a curved cant. The cant is scanned by scanners and the scan data is input to a computer. The computer determines a curved path for the saw to follow in sawing the cant into lumber pieces. The saw is laterally and pivotally adjustable to follow the determined path established by the computer. The saw is a plurality of circular saw blades having a defined cutting edge portion that is inclined from a leading point at the bottom of the cant to a trailing point at the top of the cant. The point of pivot of the saws is between the leading point and the trailing point of the cutting edge portion. The saw assembly is mounted on pads having a low coefficient of friction. Pressurized air and lubricant are delivered to the pads to reduce the friction.

Abstract: An engagement structure adapted for securement to the end of an aircraft boarding bridge includes a floor, a first floor panel rotatably associated with the floor, and a second floor panel displaceably associated with the floor. The second floor panel is preferably mechanically associated with a drive assembly adapted for displacing the second floor panel relative to the first floor panel to provide a dimensionally adjustable floor area of a boarding bridge proximate the interface of the bridge and an aircraft serviced by the bridge. The engagement structure is adapted to accommodate the docking of the boarding bridge with aircraft having varied entry door configurations.

Abstract: A Wide Area Serial PCI system for connecting peripheral devices to a computer. The WASP system includes a host computer system connected through a serial bus to a remote device. The serial bus can range from several meters to several kilometers or more. The host computer system includes a CPU and memory, and also includes a first Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, also referred to as the local PCI bus. A primary bridge according to the present invention is coupled to the first PCI bus. The primary bridge includes PCI interface circuitry for interfacing to the first PCI bus. The remote device is located remotely from the computer system and comprises a second or remote PCI bus and one or more peripheral devices coupled to the second PCI bus. The remote device also includes a secondary bridge coupled to the second PCI bus. The secondary bridge includes PCI interface circuitry for interfacing to the second PCI bus. The serial bus is coupled between the primary bridge and the secondary bridge.

Abstract: A Wide Area Serial PCI system for connecting peripheral devices to a computer. The WASP system includes a host computer system connected through a serial bus to a remote device. The serial bus can range from several meters to several kilometers or more. The host computer system includes a CPU and memory, and also includes a first Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, also referred to as the local PCI bus. A primary bridge according to the present invention is coupled to the first PCI bus. The primary bridge includes PCI interface circuitry for interfacing to the first PCI bus. The remote device is located remotely from the computer system and comprises a second or remote PCI bus and one or more peripheral devices coupled to the second PCI bus. The remote device also includes a secondary bridge coupled to the second PCI bus. The secondary bridge includes PCI interface circuitry for interfacing to the second PCI bus. The serial bus is coupled between the primary bridge and the secondary bridge.

Abstract: A shape sawing system for sawing lumber pieces from a curved cant. The cant is scanned by scanners and the scan data is input to a computer. The computer determines a curved path for the saw to follow in sawing the cant into lumber pieces. The saw is laterally and pivotally adjustable to follow the determined path established by the computer. The saw is a plurality of circular saw blades having a defined cutting edge portion that is inclined from a leading point at the bottom of the cant to a trailing point at the top of the cant. The point of pivot of the saws is between the leading point and the trailing point of the cutting edge portion. The saw assembly is mounted on pads having a low coefficient of friction. Pressurized air and lubricant are delivered to the pads to reduce the friction.

Abstract: Dual band voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) incorporate a combiner circuit with a single output operable at two widely separated frequency bands such as 900 MHz and 1.8 GHz, for example. The combiner circuit includes a duplexer used as a combiner on the outputs of the VCOs. The duplexer can be realized in transmission line or inductor configurations. The use of the duplexer improves spurious performance and phase noise by more than 10 dB between the two operating frequency bands and supplies band rejection at the non-operating frequency.

Abstract: A method (100) for mechanically tuning a VCO that has a resonant stripline having vias in predetermined locations connected through a circuit board to ground. This includes a step (104) of measuring the operating frequency of the VCO. A following step (106) includes calculating an amount of frequency shift needed to achieve a desired frequency. A following step (108) matches the amount of frequency shift needed to values in a look-up table of frequency shifts versus via locations to determine which vias locations will provide the proper amount of frequency shift. A last step (110) includes mechanically disconnecting from ground the via locations indicated in the third step such that the desired frequency is achieved. This method (100) of tuning allows VCO frequency adjustment after final assembly avoiding problems of frequency shifts that can occur due to the placement of a metal lid on the circuit board after assembly.

Abstract: A method (100) for tuning a voltage controlled oscillator by changing electrical circuit parasitics includes a first step (102) of providing a voltage controlled oscillator circuit on a circuit board and a plurality of different metal lids each having different numbers, sizes and locations of holes. Each different lid presents a different electrical circuit parasitic to the voltage controlled oscillator. In a second step (104), the voltage controlled oscillator frequency is measured, and the frequency shift needed to achieve a desired operating frequency is calculated in a third step (106). In a fourth step (108), a lid is chosen that will present the parasitics needed to provide the amount of frequency shift needed. As a last step (110), the chosen lid is attaching to the circuit board to obtain the desired nominal operating frequency from the voltage controlled oscillator.

Abstract: A PCI bus to IEEE 1394 bus translator for coupling a PCI device to a host computer via an IEEE 1394 bus. The translator translates addresses of PCI bus cycles initiated by the PCI device into 1394 memory addresses and performs data transfers between the PCI device and host computer by exchanging 1394 request and response packets with the host computer using the translated 1394 memory address. The translator also translates 1394 memory addresses of 1394 request packets received from the host computer into PCI cycle addresses and performs data transfers between the PCI device and host computer by initiating PCI bus cycles targeted at the PCI device using the translated PCI bus cycle addresses. The translator posts data from sequential PCI bus write cycles initiated by the PCI device into a write-posting FIFO until granted ownership of the 1394 bus. The translator combines the PCI write cycle data into a single IEEE 1394 write request packet and transmits the packet on the 1394 bus to the host computer.

Abstract: A PCI bus to IEEE 1394 bus translator for coupling a PCI device to a host computer via an IEEE 1394 bus. The translator translates addresses of PCI bus cycles initiated by the PCI device into 1394 memory addresses and performs data transfers between the PCI device and host computer by exchanging 1394 request and response packets with the host computer using the translated 1394 memory address. The translator also translates 1394 memory addresses of 1394 request packets received from the host computer into PCI cycle addresses and performs data transfers between the PCI device and host computer by initiating PCI bus cycles targeted at the PCI device using the translated PCI bus cycle addresses. The translator posts data from sequential PCI bus write cycles initiated by the PCI device into a write-posting FIFO until granted ownership of the 1394 bus. The translator combines the PCI write cycle data into a single IEEE 1394 write request packet and transmits the packet on the 1394 bus to the host computer.

Abstract: A PCI bus to IEEE 1394 bus translator for coupling a PCI device to a host computer via an IEEE 1394 bus. The translator translates addresses of PCI bus cycles initiated by the PCI device into 1394 memory addresses and performs data transfers between the PCI device and host computer by exchanging 1394 request and response packets with the host computer using the translated 1394 memory address. The translator also translates 1394 memory addresses of 1394 request packets received from the host computer into PCI cycle addresses and performs data transfers between the PCI device and host computer by initiating PCI bus cycles targeted at the PCI device using the translated PCI bus cycle addresses. The translator posts data from sequential PCI bus write cycles initiated by the PCI device into a write-posting FIFO until granted ownership of the 1394 bus. The translator combines the PCI write cycle data into a single IEEE 1394 write request packet and transmits the packet on the 1394 bus to the host computer.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator (10) operable on two widely separated frequency bands of 800 MHz and 1.9 GHz, for example. The two operable frequency modes are controlled by changing base bias voltages on at least two transistors with commonly connected emitters. A base circuit of each transistor is connected to an independent resonator and tuning element and shares a common feedback reactance. By increasing a base bias voltage of first transistor relative the a second transistor, an associated first base circuit is turned on and allowed to oscillate at a first frequency while a second base circuit is turned off preventing oscillation at a second frequency. Correspondingly, by decreasing the base bias voltage the first base circuit is turned off and the second base circuit is turned on. The transistors share a common collector connection and output providing either one of the two frequencies.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator operable on two widely separated frequency bands, such as 900 MHz and 1.8 GHz for example. The voltage controlled oscillator includes two negative resistance generators (32, 34) which share a common tunable tank circuit (26) and a common impedance matched combiner circuit (28) which provides the RF output (36). The VCO uses only one varactor (30) to tune both frequency bands. Separate negative resistance generators (32, 34) are used to provide optimum frequency selectivity within each frequency band.

Abstract: A saw changer for changing a saw assembly mounted on an arbor of a saw machine. A carrier is positioned for powered sliding movement axially along the saw assembly from a position under the arbor to a position free of the arbor. The carrier includes holders that are raised into position for holding the saw assembly and through powered axial movement of the carrier, for removing the saw assembly from the arbor. Upon removal, the saw assembly is lifted from the carrier and a replacement saw assembly is mounted on the carrier for placement onto the arbor.

Abstract: Vibratory alertion of received messages to subscribers of low profile pagers can be achieved in the following manner. On the substrate, or pager housing, attaching a pivotal post and a bumper a predetermined distance from the pivotal post. Attaching a substantially planar polarizable material to the pivotal post such that the polarizable material is substantially parallel to the substrate and when in motion, moves substantially parallel to the substrate. The polarizable material is set in motion by an excitation winding which provides a varying field.

Abstract: A buffer (200) having output devices (101 and 102) exhibiting complementary symmetry and configured as voltage-followers in push pull is biased for class AB operation by a bias network including two substantially equal resistors (201 and 202) arranged and configured to substantially reduce noise attributable to the bias circuit.

Abstract: Stabilized electroless nickel plating baths employing a hypophosphite reducing agent and conducted under electroless plating conditions which are treated to remove and control phosphite anions by the addition of lithium hydroxide to form insoluble dilithium phosphite readily recoverable from the bath on a batch or continuous basis.