Abstract: An adaptive filter having a correlation weighting structue having a single Bragg cell, acting as a tapped delay line and having an input and an output, the Bragg cell intensity modulating a write laser beam for computing correlation values, and modulating a read laser field strength for multiplying the correlation values by delayed signal values. A photorefractive element is arranged such that substantial portions of diffracted and undiffracted light components from the single Bragg cell overlap within the photorefractive element. A write laser is intensity modulated by an error signal to produce an optical write signal that is received at the photorefractive element input and which writes correlation coefficients in the photorefractive element. A read laser produces a light signal, a portion of which is diffracted by the single Bragg cell, the portion of the light signal that is not diffracted by the single Bragg cell being partially diffracted by the photorefractive element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the relaxed length of a moving web includes forming a plurality of detectable marks along the length of the web at a repeated length interval. First and second detectors positioned along the web path are separated by a known distance S. A first tensioning force is applied to the moving web, and a first tensioned repeat length of the web is measured by detecting a mark moving past the first detector and then detecting the next mark moving past the second detector. The time separating the detections is determined. A second tensioning force of a known proportional relationship with the first tensioning force is applied to the moving web. A second tensioned repeat length is measured. The speed of the moving web is measured, and a relaxed length is calculated from the first tensioned repeat length, the second tensioned repeat length, and the proportional relationship between the first and second tensioning forces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the repeat length (L) of a moving web includes forming a plurality of detectable marks along the length of the web at a repeated length interval. First and second detectors positioned along the web path are separated by a known distance (S). The repeat length of the web is obtained by detecting a mark moving past the first detector and then detecting a mark moving past the second detector, determining the time (t) separating the detections, and measuring the speed of the moving web (V), wherein the repeat length is calculated using the formula L=S+Vt.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for monitoring the thickness of a film includes a sensor roll which cooperates with a compliant roll to form a nip through which the film passes. As the two rolls rotate relative to each other, magnets disposed in the sensor roll are sequentially moved to and from the nip. As a magnet moves by the nip, the field emanating from the magnet is concentrated by a body of material having a relatively high magnetic permeability and disposed in the compliant roll. This results in an induced voltage being generated in a sensor coil. The output from the sensor coil is transmitted to control circuitry which effects operation of a suitable apparatus to control the thickness of the film.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for monitoring the thickness of a film includes a sensor roll which cooperates with a compliant roll to form a nip through which the film passes. As the two rolls rotate relative to each other, magnets disposed in the sensor roll are sequentially moved to and from the nip. As a magnet moves by the nip, the field emanating from the magnet is concentrated by a body of material having a relatively high magnetic permeability and disposed in the compliant roll. This results in an induced voltage being generated in a sensor coil. The output from the sensor coil is transmitted to control circuitry which effects operation of a suitable apparatus to control the thickness of the film.

Abstract: A ruggedized acousto-optic waveguide comprising a pair of inner plastic plates, a sheet of optical glass sandwiched flush between the inner plates with side edges exposed to ambient light, a transducer acoustically coupled with one end of the sheet of glass, a resilient pad overlaying one of the inner plates, a pair of cover plates mounted about and in compressive engagement with the pair of inner plates and resilient pad, and a set of compression springs coupled with the other end of the sheet of glass applying in-plane compression thereto.

Abstract: A method of linearizing a voltage controlled oscillator wherein a control signal is shaped into ramp form by a memory and transmitted to the control input terminal of a voltage controlled oscillator to be linearized thereby causing the oscillator to generate a chirp. Nonlinearities in the chirp are detected and the memory reprogrammed so as to diminish detected nonlinearities by reshaping the ramp control signal.

Abstract: In an electronic component manufacturing system, slices are transported in serial fashion between a plurality of work stations. As the slices move through the system, each work station performs a separate manufacturing operation on each slice. The manufacturing operations are performed in immediate succession and within the same time interval so that the slices are processed rapidly and so that slices do not accumulate between the work stations. The slices are maintained in sequence through the system so that the operation of the system is more easily controlled.