Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of controlling secure communication between peripheral components in a communication system. The security level of each peripheral component address in the communication system is fixed. When a message is communicated, a bus access arbiter (122) detects the address of the originating peripheral component, and an address detector (110, 114) detects the address of the destination peripheral component. An address comparison circuit (116) determines whether the address of the destination peripheral component is an address to which the originating peripheral component is permitted to communicate. The address comparison circuit (116) is responsive to the address of the destination peripheral component being an address to which the originating peripheral component is permitted to communicate by permitting communication of messages from the originating peripheral component.

Abstract: A relay includes contacts residing within a glass tube. A coil surrounding the tube and a switch are connected in parallel between two terminals of the relay. A current source supplies a current to the coil and switch. When the switch is open, substantially all of the current passes through the coil and the coil produces a sufficient amount of magnetic flux to close the relay's contacts. When the switch closes, it shunts a sufficient amount of the current away from the coil to reduce the magnetic flux it produces below the level needed to keep the contacts closed. The current source is sized so that the coil requires relatively few turns, thereby allowing the relay to be relatively thin. The coil is formed by a conductor embedded in an insulating substrate surrounding the tube.

Abstract: A differential driver includes an input stage and an output stage. The input stage receives a differential INPUT signal to produce a differential DRIVE signal of state determined by the INPUT signal. The output stage receives the DRIVE signal and produces a differential OUTPUT signal of state determined by the DRIVE signal. The OUTPUT signal voltage can be adjusted within any of multiple ranges. The output stage adjusts its output load resistance for each OUTPUT signal voltage range in order to maximize operating speed while limiting power consumption in each range. The input stage automatically reduces the voltage of the DRIVE signal input to the output stage for low OUTPUT signal voltages to reduce noise in the OUTPUT signal.

Abstract: This invention is an improved solar energy cavity receiver for exposing materials and components to high temperatures. The receiver includes a housing having an internal reflective surface defining a cavity and having an inlet for admitting solar radiation thereto. A photothermal absorber is positioned in the cavity to receive radiation from the inlet. A reflective baffle is positioned between the absorber and the inlet to severely restrict the re-radiation of energy through the inlet. The front surface of the baffle defines a narrow annulus with the internal reflective surface of the housing. The front surface of the baffle is contoured to reflect incoming radiation onto the internal surface of the housing, from which it is reflected through the annulus and onto the front surface of the absorber. The back surface of the baffle intercepts infrared radiation from the front of the absorber.

Abstract: A solar energy module characterized by a receiver 14 having a solar energy acceptance opening 22 and supported by a mounting ring 18 along the optic axis A of a parabolic mirror 12 in coaxial alignment therewith for receiving solar energy from the mirror, and a solar flux modulator plate 42 for varying the quantity of solar energy flux received by the acceptance opening of the module. The modulator plate 42 is characterized by an annular, plate-like body, the internal diameter of which is equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the solar energy acceptance opening 22 of the receiver, and a plurality of slave cylinders 44 are connected to the modulator plate for supporting the plate for axial displacement along the axis A of the mirror for thereby variably shading the opening 22 with respect to solar energy flux reflected from the surface of the mirror to the solar energy acceptance opening.

Abstract: A circuit of complementary field effect devices whose logical input threshold voltage can be varied between levels suitable for TTL logic or CMOS or PMOS or other logic under control of an electrical signal in real time.