Stroboscope Controller for Imaging Helicopter Rotors

A versatile electronic timing-and-control unit, denoted a rotorcraft strobe controller, has been developed for use in controlling stroboscopes, lasers, video cameras, and other instruments...

Event-Driven Random-Access-Windowing CCD Imaging System

A charge-coupled-device (CCD) based high-speed imaging system, called a real-time, event-driven (RARE) camera, is undergoing development. This camera is capable of readout from multiple...

Real-Time, High-Frequency QRS Electrocardiograph

An electronic system that performs real-time analysis of the low-amplitude, high-frequency, ordinarily invisible components of the QRS portion of an electrocardiographic signal in real time...

Advanced Capacitive-Sensor Turbine- Blade-Monitoring System

An electronic system that includes a capacitive proximity sensor is under development as a prototype of instrumentation systems for real-time monitoring of vibrations of turbine...

Circuits Control Test Power-Turn-On and -Turn-Off Transients

Two electronic circuits that generate controlled power-turn-on and power-turn-off transients have been developed. These circuits are parts of a suite of test equipment used to...

Adaptive Multiplexing for Free-Space Optical Communication

"Laser-based adaptive wavelength division multiplexing and code division multiplexing" (LAWDM-CDM) is the name of a method that has been proposed to increase security,...

Biomorphic Gliders

Biomorphic gliders are small robotic microflyers proposed for use in scientific exploration of planetary atmospheres and terrains that capture some key features of insect and bird flight. Biomorphic gliders as biomorphic...

Adaptive Camouflage

Lightweight optoelectronic systems built around advanced image sensors and display panels have been proposed for making selected objects appear nearly transparent and thus effectively invisible. These systems are denoted...

Non-Inertial Calibration of Vibratory Gyroscopes

A proposed method of calibration of micromachined vibratory gyroscopes would make it unnecessary to test the gyroscopes at known rates of rotation. At present, calibration entails inertial...

Security System Based on Bragg Gratings in an Optical Fiber

The figure schematically illustrates an optoelectronic security system in which binary information on the identity of a person or object is encoded in Bragg gratings in an optical...

Electronic Modules With a 3-D Interconnection Scheme

An improved three-dimensional (3-D) scheme for modular packaging and interconnection of electronic circuits has been proposed to overcome deficiencies of an older scheme and to obtain...

Adaptive Variable Bias Control for Magnetic Bearings

Adaptive variable bias control (AVBC) is an improved technique for controlling the currents supplied to the electromagnets in magnetic bearings. In AVBC, the bias currents are varied in...

Watchdog Timer and Reset Control Circuit

A watchdog timer and reset control circuit has been designed for use with a microprocessor or microcontroller (hereafter "microcontroller" for short) that would otherwise lack the protection afforded...

Variable-Speed Motor Drives with Digital Control

Energy efficiency is a continuing focus of the power electronics industry. Motors consume the most electricity in commercial and industrial applications (followed at a distant second by...

Two-Axis Reflective Device for Image Stabilization and Beamsteering

Scientists, astronomers, optical re-searchers, and manufacturers frequently require two-axis reflective optical mechanisms to meet the requirements of robust beamsteering...

Miniature Lambda Sensors for Engine-Control Systems

Small, lightweight sensors that exploit the unique characteristics of nanoceramics are being developed for use in measuring air/fuel ratios in the exhaust gas flows of advanced aircraft...

Laser-Based Instrument Measures Vibration at a Single Point

Sponsored by a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract, MetroLaser, Inc., has developed a novel, compact and low-cost laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) under...

GPS-Based System Tracks Relative Position of Two Airplanes

A developmental electronic system that includes Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers is designed to track the relative position and velocity to two airplanes in real time. In...

Biomorphic Explorers

"Biomorphic explorers" are a class of proposed small robots that would be equipped with microsensors and would feature animallike adaptability and mobility. These robots would capture key features, a specific design or...

"Smart" Optoelectronic Sensor System for Recognizing Targets

The Viewing Imager/Gimballed Instrumentation Laboratory and Analog Neural Three-Dimensional Processing Experiment (VIGILANTE) is a "smart" optoelectronic sensor system that...

A Polymeric Optical Correlator for Security Verification

Rapid technological progress, especially in computers, CCD technology, color printers and scanners makes forgery and counterfeit of identification documents such as credit cards, or...

Laser Doppler Velocimeter System for Use on Gas Turbines

A laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) system has been developed for use on practical gas-turbine engines. The system has been used to measure inlet and exhaust velocities on an F-100 EMD...