Abstract: A method for equalizing optical signal power in a group of optical signals transmitted through an optical switch in an optical transmission system. In one embodiment a group of optical signals is input into an optical switch having at least one movable mirror array with a plurality of reflectors formed thereon, the optical beam being directed onto a selected at least one reflector and wherein attenuating the optical beam is accomplished by controllably detuning at least one of the selected at least one reflector to attenuate the optical beam.

Abstract: Irrigation systems, moisture sensors and related methods having a sensor imbedded in the ground to sense moisture and help control watering. The sensor is responsive to capacitance changes from ground moisture variations. The sensor uses spaced insulated electrodes which are mounted within a granular filled chamber within a water-permeable shell. The sensor is mounted as part of a ground unit that also includes a high frequency driver that excites the sensor. The ground unit further has a detector circuit which produces a moisture indicating signal based on the capacitance which varies with ground moisture. Also disclosed are controllers that electrically isolate the ground units so that reliable moisture signals can be obtained and used to control irrigation. The controllers can be configured to provide multiple zone operation using a shared controller having shared or independent moisture adjusters.

Abstract: A girth strap device is provided which includes an elongate strap or band (1;11) adapted to extend around the chest of an animal and attachments (3;20) for attaching the strap (1;11) to an article, such as a saddle (4) for holding the strap or band (1;11) in tension. The girth strap includes a tension indicator (5;15) which allows a user to apply the strap to the animal at a selected tension. In one preferred construction, the strap (1;11) is formed from layers of alastomeric fabric material, such a neoprene, which can stretch as the animal's chest expands during breathing and movement without causing discomfort to the animal. The device has particular application to racehorses and allows a user to apply a selected tension within an optimum range from about 10 kg to about 12 kg which is sufficient to hold a saddle securely on the horse without excessive tension restricting the performance of the horse.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneous OTDM demultiplexing, electrical clock recovery and optical clock generation, and optical clock recovery using a traveling-wave electroabsorption modulator. The apparatus includes a TW-EAM and a PLL coupled thereto. The TW-EAM includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth. The first port is used for an optical input and the third port is used for optical output. The second port is coupled to an input, and the fourth port is coupled to an output, of the PLL. When the first port receives optical input, the second port produces a photocurrent to be applied to the PLL, and the fourth port receives a recovered clock produced by the PLL, and the third port produces demultiplexed data and an optical clock. Using the same configuration, the apparatus produces a recovered optical clock signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a high voltage and high temperature power electronics capacitor which comprises one or more insulator layers of mica paper, and one or more metal conductor layers, all dispersed in a pressurized environment of a nonreactive and high voltage strength gas maintained at near ambient to about 405.2 kPa of pressure. The insulator and conductor layers are isolated and separated from one another by the alternating placement of conductor layers between said insulator layers. These capacitors are readily packaged for commercial use in containers or housings of almost any geometric form and any material of construction. Moreover, low inductance ceramic bushings can be employed on these containers for establishing external electrical contacts. These capacitors can be economically manufactured and used in large commercial volumes with currently available materials and production methods.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect with integrated optical signal tap is disclosed. In one embodiment, the switch includes two or more optical fiber input ports, lenses to produce collimated beams, one or more optical taps to couple a portion of the optical power from one or more input ports to one or more sample ports, movable mirrors to connect any input port with any output port, two or more optical fiber output ports, and lens to couple collimated beams into the output ports.

Abstract: An optical switch having switch mirror arrays controlled by scanning beams that reduce the amount of electrical connections required and reduce the complexity for constructing large optical switches. Movement of the switch mirror arrays is controlled by one or more scanning beams. The optical switch includes one or more arrays of optical switch inputs and outputs and one or more arrays of movable mirrors to direct light beams from the optical switch inputs to the optical switch outputs. The optical switch also includes one or more control elements to control the movable mirrors based on scanning beams directed to the one or more control elements.

Abstract: Uniform portions of fine powders are deposited on a substrate by electrostatic attraction in which the charge of the electric field and polarity of the charged particles are varied repeatedly to form a buildup of powder on the carrier surface.

Abstract: The remediation treatment creates environmentally neutral species from hydrocarbon contaminants. A catalyst is injected into the site and is permitted to diffuse through the site. An oxidizing agent is then introduced into the site to release a free radical in a Fenton-type reaction. The compounds react to release a free radical, which acts upon the contaminants to form environmentally neutral species. Diffusion of both compounds is aided by turbulence induced in the groundwater. Reaction vapors are collected above ground, filtered, and vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A system for remote control of electrical components in a building or an electrical appliance provides control of electric power flow in response to spread spectrum radio signals propagated through free space within the building. The spread spectrum signal receiver may be mounted entirely within a junction box of the building wiring or entirely within an appliance housing. The transmitter need not be connected to the building or appliance electrical wiring.

Abstract: A method of communicating digital information as a stream of binary chip values impressed on a transmitted signal during a series of discrete transmitter chip intervals. During a preamble period, the transmitter provides a predetermined transmitter clock signal having a series of different values during a series of crumb intervals, each such crumb interval being a rational fraction of one transmitter chip interval. The receiver generates plural series of receiver chip intervals offset in time from one another. During the preamble period, the receiver subdivides each chip interval of each such series into receiver crumb intervals. The receiver selects one series of receiver chip intervals for which the values of the detected signal best match a template corresponding to the transmitter clock signal. This selected series of receiver chip intervals is the series best synchronized with the transmitter chip intervals.

Abstract: A remote control system utilizing spread-spectrum techniques. The system is particularly suitable for control of electrical wiring devices in a building and/or appliances.