Abstract: An integrated imaging spectrometer for hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system is disclosed. The integrated imaging spectrometer features photonic PLCs that include an array of input channel waveguides, one for each pixel of an image scene. Spectral grating filters are positioned along the length of each waveguide to extract the spectral components as the light propagates to the end of the waveguide. The filters route the optical energy to photodetectors and the detected electrical signals are captured by a read out integrated circuit (ROIC). Together the PLC, detectors, and ROIC form an imaging layer. Stacking imaging layers generates a device capable of recording an entire 3D high-resolution spatial/spectral image data cube in real-time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining handoff parameters. One embodiment of the method includes determining values of a hysteresis for a handoff from a serving cell, one or more pairwise offset values for hand off between the serving cell and one or more neighbor cells, and one or more times-to-trigger (TTTs) for hand off between the serving cell and the neighbor cell(s). The values may be determined So that hand off is triggered beyond a first distance from the serving cell selected to avoid ping-ponging and within a second distance from the serving cell selected so that a mobile unit moving at a selected velocity does not travel beyond a third distance within the TTT.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of assigning cell identifiers to a plurality of cells. The method includes detecting cells within a selected distance from a first cell in the plurality of cells. The distance is selected to encompass portions of neighbor cells of the first cell and neighbor-of-neighbor cells of the first cell. The method also includes assigning a first cell identifier to the first cell. The first cell identifier is different than cell identifiers assigned to the cells detected within the selected distance from the first cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining handoff parameters. One embodiment of the method includes determining values of a hysteresis for a handoff from a serving cell, one or more pairwise offset values for hand off between the serving cell and one or more neighbor cells, and one or more times-to-trigger (TTTs) for hand off between the serving cell and the neighbor cell(s). The values may be determined So that hand off is triggered beyond a first distance from the serving cell selected to avoid ping-ponging and within a second distance from the serving cell selected so that a mobile unit moving at a selected velocity does not travel beyond a third distance within the TTT.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling a topside to a fixed or floating substructure during float-over installation of the topside are disclosed. Some system embodiments include a first plate coupled to a leg of the substructure and a retaining wall coupled to the first plate and extending substantially normally therefrom, wherein the retaining wall and the first plate form a recess. The system embodiments further include a second plate disposed at an end of a leg of the topside, the second plate received within the recess and engaging the first plate, and a plurality of shims disposed between the second plate and the retaining wall, wherein the plurality of shims are configured to inhibit translational movement of the second plate relative to the first plate.

Abstract: An optical channel waveguide having a reflection grating and a related method for its fabrication. The grating is apodized to provide a desired reflection or transmission spectral characteristic, by varying the grating width along the length of the grating in the direction of light propagation. The grating has multiple parallel elements extending across the waveguide channel width, and apodization is effected by appropriate selection of the width of each element relative to the width of the channel, without varying the grating duty cycle or other parameters.

Abstract: An optical channelizer system that is adapted to provide instantaneous RF signal channelization at frequencies on the order of 100 GHz or more into channels having bandwidth as small as a few megahertz. In order to improve the channel resolution the optical channelizer system is formed from a plurality of parallel subchannelizers, for example, twenty-five parallel sub channelizers which can provide 1 GHz channel spacing and 40 MHz signal resolution.

Abstract: A photonic arbitrary waveform modem utilizes a bipolar coding scheme. The bipolar coding scheme includes an arbitrary waveform modem which includes a plurality of tapped delay lines and is implemented by partitioning each optical frequency chip into positive and negative segments. Signals are decoded by effectively multiplying the transmit and receive code vectors and individually summing the positive and negative tap weights. The positive and negative tap weights are differenced to recreate the transmitted signal. The bipolar coding scheme allows for the use of truly orthogonal codes which decreases the interference and reduces the probability of detection.

Abstract: A guide for a buoyancy can on a floating offshore platform. The platform includes at least one support structure adjacent the buoyancy can. The guide comprises at least one compression pad supported by the support structure and adjacent the exterior surface of the buoyancy can. Lateral movement of the buoyancy can toward the support structure compresses the compression pad so as to absorb the force generated by the buoyancy can movement, and so as to protect the buoyancy can and components of the floating offshore platform from damage.

Abstract: The present invention provides biomarker genes of mammalian skin-derived cells. A plurality of differentially-expressed up-regulated (signature) and down-regulated (anti-signature) biomarker genes for human keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts are identified. Biomarker genes for cells at abnormal states such as melanoma cells are also provided. Further, there are provided analytical bioinformatic methods for identifying biomarker genes based on nucleic acid microarray data.

Abstract: A compact and easily manufacturable waveguide optical frequency router (10) is provided. The router (10) has a transmit core region (12) and a plurality of receive core regions (14) formed within a slab region (18). The router (10) further includes an array of distributed Bragg deflectors (DBDs) (16) formed within the core regions (12,14) for coupling optical energy (20) between the transmit core region (12) and the receive core regions (14) via the slab region (18). The array of DBDs (16) distributes the optical energy (20) between the receive core regions (14) based on optical wavelength and propagation angle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for making and using informative nucleic acid arrays (e.g., DNA including cDNA, RNA, PNA) for research and other applications in various disciplines or areas of interest. Examples of such disciplines include, without limitation, dermatology, pharmacology, toxicology, oncology, gynecology, urology, gastroenterology, as well as studies of sentinel gene discovery, signature gene discovery, mechanism of action, drug screening, drug metabolism, etc. The informative nucleic acid arrays of the present invention may contain only the gene sequences that are of interest in a particular area of interest or application, and may exclude other gene sequences.

Abstract: A compact and easily manufacturable waveguide optical frequency router (10) is provided. The router (10) has a transmit core region (12) and a plurality of receive core regions (14) formed within a slab region (18). The router (10) further includes an array of distributed Bragg deflectors (DBDs) (16) formed within the core regions (12,14) for coupling optical energy (20) between the transmit core region (12) and the receive core regions (14) via the slab region (18). The array of DBDs (16) distributes the optical energy (20) between the receive core regions (14) based on optical wavelength and propagation angle.

Abstract: There is provided a guide for a buoyancy can on a floating offshore platform. The platform includes at least one support structure adjacent the buoyancy can. The guide comprises at least one compression pad supported by the support structure and adjacent the exterior surface of the buoyancy can. Lateral movement of the buoyancy can toward the support structure compresses the compression pad so as to absorb the force generated by the buoyancy can movement, and so as to protect the buoyancy can and components of the floating offshore platform from damage.

Abstract: A photonic arbitrary waveform modem utilizes a bipolar coding scheme. The bipolar coding scheme includes an arbitrary waveform modem which includes a plurality of tapped delay lines and is implemented by partitioning each optical frequency chip into positive and negative segments. Signals are decoded by effectively multiplying the transmit and receive code vectors and individually summing the positive and negative tap weights. The positive and negative tap weights are differenced to recreate the transmitted signal. The bipolar coding scheme allows for the use of truly orthogonal codes which decreases the interference and reduces the probability of detection.

Abstract: A composite flange spacer for articulation between a fluid control assembly and a pair of pipe flanges comprising a fire-resistant, relatively non-compressible, layer sandwiched between a pair of fire-resistant compressible layers.

Abstract: A multispectral imaging system (1) and method utilize an optical processor (3) for simultaneously comparing an input wavelength spectrum observed in a single spatial pixel in a scene image from a multispectral imager (2) with a plurality of template wavelength spectra to find a correlation. The optical processor exploits the three-dimensional attributes of optical correlation to perform massively parallel correlation processing by modulating (4) respective ones of a plurality of spectral bands of the input wavelength spectrum of an incident light beam (6) with modulating elements (5) to alter at least one property of the incident light beam by a value corresponding to the observed intensity of the input spectrum in the respective spectral band. In a disclosed embodiment, the modulated beam is expanded and transited through a spatial light modulator (7) having a two-dimensional array of modulating elements.

Abstract: A method and implementation are disclosed for management of a bid/auction, preferably a web-based or other type of electronically-enabled procurement process. The implementation performs the steps of the method, which includes receiving a request for quote including requirement information from a buyer for a predetermined transaction. The requirement information is packaged into a bid/auction presentation for the predetermined transaction. Buyers and sellers are able to communicate on the specifications of the goods or services in an open forum prior to the bid/auction process. A plurality of sellers are selected to each respectively provide at least one competitive bid for the predetermined transaction. The bid/auction presentation is displayed for inspection to the plurality of sellers. The bid/auction is moderated for a predetermined interval to enable the plurality of sellers to submit a plurality of competitive bids.

Abstract: A mode locked semiconductor laser that can generate relatively high-power output pulses. The semiconductor mode locked laser is formed from an array of optical amplifiers that are coupled to a common resonant cavity by way of an optical channelizer or wavelength division multiplexer (WDM). By utilizing an array of optical amplifiers, the output pulses will have a relatively higher power than known mode locked lasers. As such, the mode locked semiconductor laser in accordance with the present invention does not depend on the power handling capability of the individual optical amplifiers and allows the average output power to be scaled, for example, up to the kilowatt range using semiconductor optical amplifiers. A mode locked laser in accordance with the present invention can be implemented with active mode locking, passive mode locking or a hybrid of the two. In embodiments utilizing active mode locking, the output pulse shape can be tailored by the amplifier drive current distribution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for making and using informative nucleic acid arrays (e.g., DNA including cDNA, RNA, PNA) for research and other applications in various disciplines or areas of interest. Examples of such disciplines include, without limitation, dermatology, pharmacology, toxicology, oncology, gynecology, urology, gastroenterology, as well as studies of sentinel gene discovery, signature gene discovery, mechanism of action, drug screening, drug metabolism, etc. The informative nucleic acid arrays of the present invention may contain only the gene sequences that are of interest in a particular area of interest or application, and may exclude other gene sequences.