Abstract: A jump prediction circuit predicts the outcome of a conditional jump instruction and is of particular use in a pipelined processor. An initial guess is formed, based on the value of the jump parameter in the instruction. A random-access memory stores the history of the outcome of previously executed jump instructions and is used, when valid, to correct the initial guess to produce a final jump prediction.

Abstract: A method and improved apparatus for generating and transmitting the distinguishing radiation characteristics of a fire, an ignition and fire, or an ignition without a fire, to a fire sensing system under test are disclosed. Varying radiant energy attributes of a fire, and in particular a hydrocarbon fire such as might be encountered in a vehicle fuel or engine compartment are safely generated by a blackbody transmitter 100, an ultraviolet transmitter 200 and an ignition flash transmitter 300, having appropriate radiation sources. The radiation sources may be conveniently assembled into a palm-sized radiation "head" 101. The transmitters may be selected sequentially to test installed fire sensing systems in aircraft or vehicles or during manufacture where the environment does not permit the use of an actual fire.

Abstract: An improved coupling assembly between an actuating member and a shaft is disclosed. It is comprised of locking means on the actuating member for engaging with the shaft in order to secure the actuating member thereto. In addition, an actuating means for actuating the locking means to allow removal of the actuating member is provided. Groove and key means between the actuating member and the shaft is provided to allow the member to be removed longitudinally thereof while preventing rotation of the member about the shaft when the locking means is engaged with the shaft.

Abstract: An interferometric sensor (10) employs a sensing optical fiber (12) and a reference optical fiber (14). The sensing fiber (12) has a coating 16 thereon responsive to radiated thermal energy while the reference fiber is shielded therefrom. Both the sensing and reference fibers are subjected to the same ambient environment so that both fibers are subjected to heating by convection or conduction in essentially the same amounts. As a result, the sensor (10) is substantially nonresponsive to convected or conducted thermal energy while being highly responsive to radiated energy, particularly in the 6-30 micron wavelength region.

Abstract: A fire sensing system utilizing fiber optics to extend the physical range of radiation sensing elements into areas and environments which are physically inaccessible to, and/or destructive of, such sensors and their associated electronic circuitry. The fiber optics are combined with signal processing circuitry to achieve reliable fire sensing systems which present particular advantages in special applications.

Abstract: A fire detection system incorporating fiber optics and having a selectively energizable light source for applying light pulses to a fiber optics path and a one way light transmitting element, such as a dichroic mirror, at the remote end of the fiber optics path for reflecting the pulses back to the detection portion of the system, thus providing a Built In Test Equipment (BITE) test capability in the system. Instead of a dichroic mirror, a bandpass filter may be used as the light transmitting member. The bandpass filter is selected to transmit light with wavelengths in the range from about 1.3 to 1.5 microns, in which case the light source is a light emitting diode (LED) emitting light at a wavelength of approximately 0.9 microns. The fiber optics path includes a branch which is coupled to the light source. This branch may comprise one fiber of a multi-fiber bundle or it may be an auxiliary fiber of a commercially available fiber optics combiner.