Abstract: A system and method of detecting, quantifying, and characterizing corrosion and degradation of an article, includes receiving signals indicative of a stack of images of a surface of the article; determining depth and nature of features in the stack of images; generating a surface model of the article in response to the determination of the depth and the nature of features; determining features of interest from the surface model; comparing the features of interest with predetermined information on the article; and characterizing the article as corroded or degraded in response to the comparisons of the features of interest.

Abstract: A system and method of condition based maintenance of a fiber network includes a processor and memory having instructions that when executed cause the system to transmit an optical signal over a plurality of fiber links in the fiber network; receive a response signal in response to the transmitting of the optical signal; and determine one or more condition indicators in response to the receiving of the response signal.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting, quantifying, and characterizing corrosion and degradation of an article, includes receiving signals indicative of a stack of images of a surface of the article; determining depth and nature of features in the stack of images; generating a surface model of the article in response to the determination of the depth and the nature of features; determining features of interest from the surface model; comparing the features of interest with predetermined information on the article; and characterizing the article as corroded or degraded in response to the comparisons of the features of interest.

Abstract: A system and method of condition based maintenance of a fiber network includes a processor and memory having instructions that when executed cause the system to transmit an optical signal over a plurality of fiber links in the fiber network; receive a response signal in response to the transmitting of the optical signal; and determine one or more condition indicators in response to the receiving of the response signal.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes an imaging unit producing image signals; a processing unit for receiving the image signal; the imaging unit producing a stack of images of an article at different focal lengths in response to the processing unit; the processing unit generating a depth map from the stack of images; the processing unit analyzing the depth map to derive a depth profile of an object of interest; the processing unit determining a surface mean for the article from the stack of images; and the processing unit characterizing the article as degraded or contaminated in response to the depth profile and the surface mean.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes an imaging unit producing image signals; a processing unit for receiving the image signal; the imaging unit producing a stack of images of an article at different focal lengths in response to the processing unit; the processing unit generating a depth map from the stack of images; the processing unit analyzing the depth map to derive a depth profile of an object of interest; the processing unit determining a surface mean for the article from the stack of images; and the processing unit characterizing the article as degraded or contaminated in response to the depth profile and the surface mean.

Abstract: An electrical assembly which secures a detached cable/connector assembly to a substrate of a printed circuit board. The assembly has a printed circuit board that is mounted to a first surface of the substrate. The printed circuit board is coupled to an electrical connector assembly by a flexible cable. The electrical connector assembly can be plugged into an auxiliary device such as a CD-ROM. The electrical connector assembly has a tab that is inserted into an aperture located in the second surface of the substrate, to secure the connector assembly when the connector is not attached to the auxiliary device.