Abstract: An apparatus and method for setting the upstand height of the studs of an array of studs used to form antenna panels is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transducer beam having a row of spaced-apart distance transducers. The apparatus also includes an actuator beam having a row of spaced rotary actuators. The actuators rotate the threaded studs to raise or lower the studs until the corresponding transducer indicates that the stud has achieved an intended height. Also disclosed is a method using an array of laser diodes, rather than the transducer beam, arranged at one end of the base plate and an array of photo diodes at the opposite end. The output of the diodes indicates the height of the studs.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for a keyless access system, particularly for motor vehicles, wherein the direction of incidence of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a transmitter in the short-range field can be detected. The magnetic field sensor has at least one first and at least one second conductor loop, which are disposed substantially concentrically with one another and are substantially symmetrical with respect to the center.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly (10), such as a smart card, is formed by attaching a component subassembly (34) to a substrate (12). The substrate (12) includes a face (26) and defines a via (28) having a via opening (30) at the face (26). The substrate (12) further defines a component cavity (32) at the face (26) that is spaced apart from the via (28). An electrical element (14), such as a wound antenna, is disposed within the substrate (12) and includes a terminal (24) at the via (28). The component subassembly (34) is formed by mounting an integrated circuit component (16) onto a metallic lead (18). The integrated circuit component (16) is electrically connected to the metallic lead (18) by a wire lead (36). A protuberance (20) is connected to the metallic lead (18), preferably by forming a loop from a wire bond. A polymeric body (56) is formed about the component (16) and wire leads (36).

Abstract: An animal confinement arrangement including a home base for transmitting a modulated signal and a receiver for receiving the modulated signal. The received modulated signal is demodulated using a demodulator. The demodulated signal is compared to a reference signal to produce a comparator signal indicating if the received modulated signal was transmitted by the home base. Also provided is variable sensitivity deterrent circuitry which is responsive to a strength level of the received modulated signal and to the comparator signal for producing a variable deterrent signal which is applied to an animal if the comparator signal indicates that the received modulated signal was transmitted by the home base. Communication circuitry and an antenna design allow the user to communicate with the animal. A low battery strength indicator for the battery in the receiver is also provided.

Abstract: A detector for electromagnetic radiation includes a high Q, low loss antenna and a low noise amplifier requiring a high input impedance. In the preferred embodiment, the antenna comprises a low resistance, superconductive coil. The antenna forms a resonant circuit with a low loss capacitor, optionally a capacitor including superconductors. The output of the resonant circuit is provided as input to the semiconductor amplifier. In the preferred embodiment, junction FETs, preferably arranged in a cascode pair, are included in the semiconductor amplifier. In one aspect of the invention, feedback is provided from the output of the amplifier to its input. Effective loading of the antenna results, lowering the Q of the antenna, and broadening the bandwidth of the detector. Optimum matching of the antenna to the noise factor of the amplifier is achieved.

Abstract: The target seeker system includes two radio frequency antennas consisting of two sets of radio frequency selective annular slot patch excited radiator receiver elements, one set for K-band energy, the other for X-band energy, sharing a common ground plane. The radio frequency antennas have a single multi-band image plate consisting of resonant dichroic surfaces which will selectively reflect X- and K-band energy. An image plate is formed with conductive patterns on each side of a low dielectric material. The reflective pattern acts as a quarter wavelength thick plate at the operating frequency. The top of the image plate which has X-band reflectors is spaced at one-half of the desired X-band wavelength above the ground plane and the K-band reflector on the bottom of the image plate is spaced at one-half of the desired K-band wavelength.

Abstract: A constant gain sector beam array is obtained by applying equal amplitude, equal phase excitations to a sector array characterized by a curved array geometry. In a simple form, the curve is the arc of a portion of a circle. The radiation pattern can be further enhanced by using a more complex curvature geometry, and by minor adjustments to the amplitudes in the slots. Other forms of shaped beams, such as a cosecant squared antenna pattern, may be obtained by appropriately shaping the curvature geometry.

Abstract: A structure having a surface exposed to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave or millimeter-wave spectrum wherein discrete elements including a high-temperature superconducting film formed on a substrate are disposed on the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming an antenna reflector panel to a desired shape. The apparatus includes a plate having a plurality of threaded holes, wherein a threaded stud is located in each one of the plurality of threaded holes. The tops of the threaded studs define the desired antenna panel contour. Two metal sheets with a honeycomb structure between them are urged against the stud tops by enclosing the fixture and drawing a vacuum therein. After the metal sheets and honeycomb structure have been held in the desired contour for a predetermined time the vacuum is released. The sheet and honeycomb structure are now permanently deformed into the desired shape.

Abstract: A small antenna comprising a dielectric substrate, a radiation element provided on one major surface of the dielectric substrate, a ground element provided on the other major surface of the dielectric substrate. A feed point on the ground element is located at a position where a voltage of a standing voltage wave induced on the ground element becomes minimum. The antenna may be further provided with a short-circuit element for electrically connecting one ends of the radiation and ground elements.

Abstract: A bleeder resistor is described for draining charge from capacitances formed in a three element isolator. The isolator includes a dielectric element having conductive coatings thereon to form a capacitance. A bleeder resistor is formed on the dielectric element by screening a thick film resistive composition on the dielectric element so as to create a discharge path between conductive coatings on the dielectric element.