Search

We present an Opto-mechanical Door Locking System which is an optical system that combines a simple combination of a coherent light source (Laser) and a photodiode based sensor with focus toward security applications. The basic construct of the KEY comprises a Laser source in a cylindrical enclosure that slides perfectly into the LOCK. The Laser is pulsed at a fixed encrypted frequency unique to that locking system. Transistor-transistor logic (TTL) circuitry is used to achieve encryption. The casing of the key is designed in such a way that it will power the pulsing laser only when the key is inserted in the slot provided for it. The Lock includes a photo-sensor that will convert the detected light intensity to a corresponding electrical signal by decrypting the frequency. The lock also consists of a circuit with a feedback system that will carry the digital information regarding the encryption frequency code. The information received from the sensor is matched with the stored code; if found a perfect match, a signal will be sent to the servo to unlock the mechanical lock or to carry out any other operation. This technique can be incorporated in security systems for residences and safe houses, and can easily replace all conventional locks which formerly used fixed patterns to unlock. The major advantage of this proposed optomechanical system over conventional ones is that it no longer relies on a solid/imprinted pattern to perform its task and hence makes it almost impossible to tamper with.

This paper presents a handheld micro-injector system using common-path swept source optical coherence tomography (CP-SSOCT) as a distal sensor with highly accurate injection-depth-locking. To achieve real-time, highly precise, and intuitive freehand control, the system used graphics processing unit (GPU) to process the oversampled OCT signal with high throughput and a smart customized motion monitoring control algorithm. A performance evaluation was conducted with 60-insertions and fluorescein dye injection tests to show how accurately the system can guide the needle and lock to the target depth. The evaluation tests show our system can guide the injection needle into the desired depth with 4.12μm average deviation error while injecting 50nƖ of fluorescein dye.

Most NASA missions require the use of a launch lock for securing moving components during the launch or securing the payload before release. A launch lock is a device used to prevent unwanted motion and secure the controlled components. The current launch locks are based on pyrotechnic, electro mechanically or NiTi driven pin pullers and they are mostly one time use mechanisms that are usually bulky and involve a relatively high mass. Generally, the use of piezoelectric actuation provides high precession nanometer accuracy but it relies on friction to generate displacement. During launch, the generated vibrations can release the normal force between the actuator components allowing shaft's free motion which could result in damage to the actuated structures or instruments. This problem is common to other linear actuators that consist of a ball screw mechanism. The authors are exploring the development of a novel launch lock mechanism that is activated by a shape memory alloy (SMA) material ring, a rigid element and an SMA ring holding flexure. The proposed design and analytical model will be described and discussed in this paper.

An important part of criminalistic forensics is the analysis of toolmarks. Such toolmarks often consist of plenty of single striations, scratches and dents which can allow for conclusions in regards to the sequence of events or used tools. To receive qualified results with an automated analysis and contactless acquisition of such toolmarks, a detailed digital representation of these and their orientation as well as placing to each other is required. For marks of firearms and tools the desired result of an analysis is a conclusion whether or not a mark has been generated by a tool under suspicion. For toolmark analysis on locking cylinders, the aim is not an identification of the used tool but rather an identification of the opening method. The challenge of such an identification is that a one-to-one comparison of two images is not sufficient - although two marked objects look completely different in regards to the specific location and shape of found marks they still can represent a sample for the identical opening method. This paper provides the first approach for modelling toolmarks on lock pins and takes into consideration the different requirements necessary to generate a detailed and interpretable digital representation of these traces. These requirements are ’detail’, i.e. adequate features which allow for a suitable representation and interpretation of single marks, ’meta detail’, i.e. adequate representation of the context and connection between all marks and ’distinctiveness’, i.e. the possibility to reliably distinguish different sample types by the according model. The model is evaluated with a set of 15 physical samples (resulting in 675 digital scans) of lock pins from cylinders opened with different opening methods, contactlessly scanned with a confocal laser microscope. The presented results suggest a high suitability for the aspired purpose of opening method determination.

We present a two-factor authentication method to verify the personal identification who tries to access an optoelectronic system. This method is based on the optical interference principle and the traditional one-way Hash function (e.g. MD5). The authentication process is straightforward, the phase key and the password-controlled phase lock of one user are loading on two Spatial Light Modulators (SLMs) in advance, by which two coherent beams are modulated and then interference with each other at the output plane leading to an output image. By comparing the output image with all the standard certification images in the database, the system can thus verify the user’s identity. However, the system designing process involves an iterative Modified Phase Retrieval Algorithm (MPRA). For an uthorized user, a phase lock is first created based on a “Digital Fingerprint (DF)”, which is the result of a Hash function on a preselected user password. The corresponding phase key can then be determined by use of the phase lock and a designated standard certification image. Note that the encode/design process can only be realized by digital means while the authentication process could be achieved digitally or optically. Computer simulations were also given to validate the proposed approach.

In this work, a new phase-lock algorithm for the Local Oscillator system of the ALMA receiver is presented. This new algorithm replaced the look-up table based scheme used originally in the ALMA receivers. In this new scheme all variables are adjusted dynamically on each lock attempt, except for the YIG oscillator frequency limits. The new developed is able to correct aging and non-linearity of the YIG oscillators used in the LO system. The provided solution reduces the locking time in up to a factor of ten, improving lock success rate up to 99.91%.

Machine tools for small work pieces are characterized by an extensive disproportion between workspace and cross section. This is mainly caused by limitations in the miniaturization of drives and guidance elements. Due to their high specific workloads and relatively small spatial requirements, Shape-Memory-Alloys (SMA) possess an outstanding potential to serve as miniaturized positioning devices in small machines. However, a disadvantage of known actuator configurations, such as SMA wire working against a mechanical spring, is that energy is steadily consumed to hold defined positions. In this paper we present a novel SMA actuator design, which, due to an antagonistic arrangement of two SMA elements does only require a minimum amount of energy whilst holding position. The SMA actuators were designed regarding material, geometrical parameters, applied load, and control aspects. Furthermore, closed loop control concepts for positioning applications are implemented. These not only cover approaches using sensors, but also sensorless concepts which utilize the distinctive length - resistance - correlation of SMAs for position controlling. Furthermore, an actuator demonstrator has been used to demonstrate the designs capabilities to serve as miniaturized positioning device in small machines. In addition the novel design concept of the SMA actuator will be compared with commonly used approaches.

In this paper, a practical and cost-efficient fingerprint recognition system model is proposed. It completes the functions of capturing fingerprint image, data transmission and fingerprint recognition. This system consists of six modules: Management Module (including TMS320VC5502 DSP and memories), Fingerprint Sensor Module (used to collect fingerprint image), Output Module (the interface to control electronic lock), Human-Machine Communication Module (seven-segment LED and keyboard), Debugger Interface Module (JTAG), Power Manager and Power Switchover Module. Unlike other fingerprint recognition systems, this system takes TI C5502 as core processor. It is a high-performance, low-power and fixed-point DSP and the whole system power can be supplied by batteries. The whole system can work more than 10000 times with batteries. In addition, a Power Switch Module, which can automatic switch the ways of power supply between wall adapter and batteries, is proposed in this paper. Furthermore, some software optimization makes this system practical. The design not only simplifies system's structure and reduces the cost of hardware, but also decreases the consumption of system power and resources. So, this hardware system can be used in practical applications, such as portable identification device, fingerprint lock etc. This system is mainly designed for fingerprint lock in this paper.

Experimental investigations at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Munitions Directorate required a firing set to initiate detonators in ultra-high-voltage experiments, but commercial firing sets with adequate high voltage isolation could not be found. To resolve this issue a Directorate team designed, fabricated a new firing set, verified that it met all design requirements, and obtained safety board approval for its use. The patented design uses all plastic fiber optic cables, pneumatic controls, battery isolation, and redundant safety devices to withstand voltage differences of hundreds of thousands of volts between the operator and the experiment. This paper describes the efforts to develop a very reliable firing set that met the high standards required by explosive safety procedures. Design features include Faraday shielding, redundant lock out features, multiple safing circuits to handle a variety of fault conditions and fail-safe bleed down circuits to eliminate concerns with residual stored electrical energy. The high-voltage-tolerant firing set allows research in unexplored areas such as electro-explosive effects.

The development of electronic countermeasures against target track radars is both an expensive and time-consuming process. One method of cutting development time is to use genetic algorithms to develop electronic countermeasures using integrated software models of the target track radar and the jammer. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of this idea by using a genetic algorithm to optimize the parameters of a range gate pull-off electronic countermeasure technique to break the target lock of a generic radar split gate range tracker.

The 193-nm lithography is moving from the pre-production to the mass production phase and its target node is shifting from 90 nm to 65 nm. And the ArF-immersion (Wet) technology is spotlighted as the enabling technology for below 45nm node 1)2) . Since 1998 we have demonstrated 30W, 0.12pm, @157nm line narrowed light source for microlithography with "Injection lock technology". The injection lock technology has advanced performances compared with MOPA (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier) technology, in efficiency, stability and spectral property. Based on this injection lock technology, we have successfully developed high power injection lock laser platform "GigaTwin" for 193nm lithography system GT40A (45W, 4000Hz, 11.25mJ) on Q4 2004 3)4) . We have found solution for higher repetition rate up to 6kHz operation on the same platform as GT40A which is our original innovation named GT60A (Figure 1). In this paper, we will introduce this new GT60A (6kHz 60W) laser.

With the development of science and technology, gunsight have made great progress. This paper introduces the working principle and structure of semiconductor laser gunsight that can be used day and night. The most excellence of which is that it can be used in the condition of zero illuminance. At the same time, we have developed an electrical cross line adjusting system which can lock goals easily. This kind of gunsight can be applied in the fields of the military, common security and civil affair.

The LIGO Laboratory 40m prototype interferometer at Caltech is being commissioned to prototype an optical configuration for Advanced LIGO. This optical configuration has to control five length degrees of freedom, and its control topology will be significantly more complicated than any other present interferometers. This paper explains the method of sensing, controls and lock acquisition.

New light source technology for ArF lithography under 65nm node is introduced. That is “GigaTwin” platform based on “Injection Lock” technology. The new product named GT40A is 60W (4000Hz, 15mJ), 0.18pm high power ultra narrowed ArF laser. The “Injection Lock” technology provides higher performance and lower CoO. GT40A has enabled the target of more than 60ns pulse duration by natural long pulse and optical pulse stretcher. Combination of “Injection Lock” technology and Gigaphoton’s key technologies; “Higher resolution” technology, “Magnetic bearing” technology and “G-electrode” technology promise durable and reliable performance of GT40A. These technologies enable the target of chamber maintenance interval more than 12 billion pulses. The GT40A will be release into market by 4Q 2004. We introduce latest development data of GT40A, which is developed new high power “Injection Lock” laser platform for VUV/DUV lithography system.

ArF-dry microlithography is currently switching from pre-production to mass-production and the target node is shifted from 90 nm to 65 nm. ArF-wet or F 2 laser lithography will then be an important player for the next generation node below 45 nm. Therefore, high throughput and high-resolution exposure tools for VUV lithography require VUV light sources (ArF and F 2 lasers) with high power and narrow ba ndwidth. In this paper, we describe the beam quality of the new- type injection lock (MOPO, master oscillator power oscillator) ArF laser system we developed and compare it with the beam quality of a master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) ArF laser system. A high power and narrow bandwidth ArF lase r can be achieved with twin laser chambers in a MOPA or an injection lock laser configuration. Compared to the MOPA system, the injection lock laser system has an excellent performance (e.g. high efficiency, long pulse duration and narrow spectrum). On the other hand, the injection lock system has some disadvantages in beam quality showing high spatial coherence, broadband emission and having a beam profile with a hole. These technical issues have been solved, however, with the following two new breakthrough-technologies: (1) a new-type injection lock system having low spatial coherence and a beam profile with no hole and (2) the optimization of the injection seed energy and discharge timing between the twin chambers for low broadband emission. The spatial coherence, the broadband spectrum and the beam profile of the new-type injection lock system were measured with a Young’s interferometer, a wide range spectrometer with etalons and a 2-dimensional beam profiler, respectively. The new-type injection lock ArF laser system had a lower spatial coherence than a conventional injection lock system, a very low broadband emission level thus preventing deterioration of exposure tools resolution, and a beam profile with no hole. Moreover, we reconfirmed that the new-type injection lock system has the same excellent performance as the conventional injection lock system. Keywords: ArF laser, Broadband emission, Spatial coherence, Injection lock, Lithography, MOPA

At first glance the SIM concept seems deceptively simple. After all, its primary task is just to lock two interferometers on to a couple of bright guide stars and let the third integrate photons from a dim 'science' star to gather astrometric data. The difficulty is of course in the details of the performance requirements and overall integration and test risk associated with their verification. The challenge is to provide a meaningful verification of the SIM functionality on the ground that can be extrapolated to show satisfaction of the on-orbit performance requirements. The associated difficulties relate to the ability to provide a reasonable simulation of (1) the space environment with all the implications and (2) the creation of simulated target stars for each interferometer input optics that meet the associated wave front characteristic and star position knowledge requirements. The difficulty and complexity of the simulation of target stars itself is a major development challenge and program risk. In order to reduce this risk early development test beds are created to evolve the optical verification concept and build the actual devices needed for the flight system performance evaluation. The role of the PKT and FAST (Flight System Astrometric Test bed) test beds and their influence on flight integration risk reduction and test process is presented.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

This paper describes how a limited form of black-body-based calibration can be integrated into a recently developed algebraic scene-based algorithm for nonuniformity correction (NUC) in focal-plane arrays. The result of this integration is a scene-based NUC algorithm that is radiometrically accurate. By calibrating only those detectors that are on the array perimeter and relying on the scene-based algorithm to calibrate the interior detectors, using the perimeter detectors as a reference, radiometric accuracy can be achieved without disturbing the functionality of interior array elements. What makes this possible is the fact that the scene-based NUC algorithm used here is algebraic in nature and does not rely on any statistical assumptions on the scene irradiance in the image sequence. The algorithm utilizes knowledge of inter-frame motion to 'lock' the biases of the interior array elements to those on the boundary. Notably, this can be achieved regardless of the spatial diversity in the scene and with, typically, a minimal number of frames in an image sequence. The performance of the technique is demonstrated using real infrared data.

A simple optical sampling scheme for ultra-high speed optical A/D conversion is demonstrated. 10GHz microwave signal is sampled using 10ps optical pulses generated by a mode lock laser, and 6 bits resolution is achieved.

The ability to combine printed encrypted nano/micro structures and nano alpha/numeric algorithms - 'NaNOcopy'/'LogoDot' - with embedded digital hidden data, - 'digital watermark' - and/or coded UV taggents - TechMark to create the ultimate machine readable Lock - Hide a Key - Key protection for documents or packaging security is new. Extreme minute nano characters, structures, photographs, or logos, can be printed on a document in a specific pattern configured for forming an anti-copy latent warning message, which appears when copied. The NaNOcopy structures or LogoDots are uniquely micro printed to formulate certain encrypted information or algorithm calculation for further verification and protection from counterfeiting or alteration. Major companies such as IBM, Xerox, Digimark and Spectra Systems are presently offering digital watermarking technologies to secure both digital and analog content. Appleton Security Products has a VeriCam hand held reader, which can detect the combination of a substrate embedded UV coded taggent, TechMark, with the presence of other data such as a digital watermark and NaNOcopy/LogoDot printing. Unless the reader identifies the presence of the TechMark UV coded taggents, the data carrier cannot be opened.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

A ship detection algorithm used in a navigation lock monitored control system, which helps to improve safety and dependability, is presented. We mean, in this paper, the processed region of river channel is determined through image edge detection. A method of peak-cutting histogram is introduced to restrain illusive movement information resulting from the glisten of water in the navigation lock. A concept of difference compactness from computing the projected density function of difference image is put forward, which helps to detect moving ships more precisely. With the statistical property of histogram of several small regions of river channel: gray scale variance, the detection of stationary ships can be accomplished, and the results can be judged by confidence region. Computer simulation has proved that it contributes a lot to the detection of ships in a navigation lock.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

This paper describes the development of an articulated link for two mobile, articulated vehicles. The goal of the project is to show enhanced mobility of coupled platforms in an environment with barriers and obstacles. To achieve enhanced mobility, actuated linkages are used to couple the vehicles. The actuated linkages are high strength, hydraulically coupled, two degree-of-freedom devices with a universal coupler mounted on the end. When one platform is mated to a companion platform, the couplers lock, and the pair of vehicles can operate as a single unit. The robotic platform is based on a modified All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), which affords a robust platform with a minimum of cost. The vehicles are controlled using a wireless controller, and can be operated individually in a teleoperative mode, or can be joined and operated as a single unit. The method for link-up is semi-autonomous, meaning that within a certain distance, the two robots can align themselves and move together, locking the couplers on the end of the articulated link. Vehicle position is determined using standard cameras mounted on the platform that use machine vision algorithms to find volumetric position of the couplers quickly.

The novelty of our study lies in the first controlled use of the phenomenon of stiction to lock three-dimensional self- assembled polysilicon microstructures. The stiction refers to the permanent adhesion of the microstructures to adjacent surfaces. It can occur either during the final stage of the micromachining process, that is to say the releasing of the microstructural material, or after the packaging of the device, due to overrange input signals or electromechanical instability. As a result, we often regard stiction as a major failure issue in the MEMS field of research. This paper reports both the theory of our stiction-controlled locking system operation mode and the validation of our original concept through the stiction-locking of a 3-D self-assembled device. © (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

WDM systems require some means to lock the gain of surviving channels when one or several channels are added or dropped. The pump loss method is particularly interesting but, to our knowledge, has not been applied to multiplestage amplifiers. This paper reports on a modified pump loss technique for the gain locking of dual-stage amplifiers.

In the paper, Laser Measurement System (LMS) is used to monitor region in ship lock of the Three Gorges Project. Several methods are carried out to detect objects in the region. First, in order to determine whether there are ships in detected region, a distance difference integral method is given. Second, in order to decrease the random noise affection, the neutralization and the relativity of the fore-and-aft data are used to eliminate the noise and to eliminate misjudge from the random data. Third, two LMSs are installed to trace the motive object, a fixed LMS detects a linear region, and the other LMS can be rotated to scan a plane region in ship lock. As the fix LMS detected some motive objects, the other LMS begins to rotate and trace changed region and to determine whether there are objects in detected region. Finally, Laser Measurement System is tested in SanBo ship lock in ZheJiang province of China. All the methods are very effective. And the system will be installed in permanent ship lock of the Three Gorges Project in 2003. The system will keep the safety of the lock.

The current Global Positioning System signal tracking techniques are vulnerable to bit transitions in the baseband navigation signal. We present new signal tracking techniques as lock discriminators in carrier frequency and code delay domains derived within the framework of wavelet theory that are robust to these bit transitions. We then present the performance analysis of the proposed lock discriminators comparatively with currently used techniques on real data.

In the paper, an on-line detecting system for ships in lock is presented. The system has three functions: (1) judging whether there are ships in lock in time; (2) detecting whether ships cross the forbidden lines in lock; (3) observing whether there are ships out of lock. First, a Gaussian probability distribution model (probability field) is generated from the gray-level histogram to diminish the affection of shades of buildings and white speckles by bright light. Second a fundamental optical flow method based on spatio-temporal intensity derivatives is used to calculate normal velocity field of image sequences. Third, a probability velocity field is defined and generated by combining the velocity field with probability field. Two calculating methods about probability velocity field are presented, one method is multiplying probability value with magnitude of velocity field, and the other is using probability field to compute the velocity field. Finally, a movement block detection method is designed according to probability velocity field. And the method not only detects the size and position of movement blocks, but also obtains the direction of movement blocks. These methods have been tested and installed successfully in the temporary ship lock of the Three Gorges Project (TGP).

The paper presents one effective method for ship recognition in the ship lock. The outdoors environment is very complexity in which there are shade, waves and speckles caused by the sunlight and wind or motion of ships. The accuracy of recognition is depended on the accuracy of disturb area detection. It analyzes their characters on gray level and structure, proposes a new method to form a special histogram of only those pixels besides the boundary. This histogram is fit for small object segment and also large. At the end, the features for recognition based on statistic are presented. The long time running in the temporary ship lock of Three Gorges Project proves the error rate of judging is less than three thousandth just using the statistic features and less than one over ten thousands cooperating with the others.

In the paper, an on-line detection system for ships in lock of is presented. The system has three functions: (1) Judging whether there are ships in lock in time; (2) Detecting whether ships cross the forbidden lines in lock; (3) Observing whether there are ships out oflock. Therefore, the system not only maintains the normal and fast working of lock,but also ensures safety of lock. The detection method is based on the optical flow of gray-level probability.

A surface micromachined Counter-Meshing Gears (CMG) discrimination device which functions as a mechanically coded lock. Each of two CMG has a first portion of its perimeter devoted to continuous driving teeth that mesh with respective pinion gears. Each EMG also has a second portion of its perimeter devoted to regularly spaced discrimination gear teeth that extend outwardly on at least one of three levels of the CMG. The discrimination gear teeth are designed so as to pass each other without interference only if the correct sequence of partial rotations of the CMG occurs in response to a coded series of rotations from the pinion gears. A 24 bit code is normally input to unlock the device. Once unlocked, the device provides a path for an energy or information signal to pass through the device. The device is designed to immediately lock up if any portion of the 24 bit code is incorrect.

This paper presents how one university is addressing the problems of our deteriorating and failing infrastructure. Results of two recent questionnaires reveal that State Highway Agencies are beginning to shift their priorities to emphasize inspection and rating of infrastructure. While both public and private practices are responding, education as a whole tends to remain fixed to traditional analysis and design courses. While traditional courses are essential, new trends must be periodically injected into the curriculum. This paper will show the efforts of the Denver campus of the University of Colorado to educate both undergraduate and graduate engineers in these non-traditional aspects of Civil Engineering. The 3- credit course titled Condition Assessment and Failure Analysis of Civil/Mechanical Infrastructure included such topics as nondestructive evaluation (NDE), lock and dam inspections, bridge maintenance and inspection, structural failure analysis, vehicle accident reconstruction, engineering ethics, and the law. The design of new structures is being overshadowed by the need to maintain and rehabilitate existing structures. In addition, valuable educational material is found in our record of past engineering failures. It is hoped that by publishing information on this course other higher learning institutions will be encouraged to educate students as to the trends that are occurring in practice.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

The method of information locking under photon echo regime have been suggested. To lock a data written in a resonant system the subjection of a sample to external inhomogeneous electric field may be used. The change in gradient of that field between writing and reading of information causes change of frequency distribution of optical centers over inhomogeneously broadened line resulting in the photon echo generation damping. The prospects for the method use are considered.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Switching-on an adaptive optics loop, the system usually rapidly locks the target in the correction mode. When the sky background contribution is not negligible, the SNR may depend upon the correction status. While in an already closed loop, the SNR could be high enough to maintain the situation of good correction by the adopt system, during the switching-on phase, this condition could be far from true, because it is possible that the SNR isn't enough to lock the loop, starting from the open loop situation. We discuss this problem (called the bootstrap problem for adaptive optics) with particular attention on some filtering system working in the described situation and tuned to solve the problem.

A new design to lock frequency in directly doubling blue lasers is presented. We employ external gratin placed on the PZT tube to feedback lock the frequency of laser diode. The spacial distribution of LD is reduced 2.1 times and spectral distribution of LD is also compressed. Stability testing of blue laser is reported too.

Novel coherent transient effects of population locking in driven three-level media aredemonstrated theoretically. With the help of exact solutions of the evolution equationwith the time-dependent Harniltonian we "design" laser and rf fields to lock populationunder the conditions of nonstationary two-and tn-photon resonances.

Ligand-receptor protein binding is an important process in drug design. This paper discusses the development of a visual tool for studying the binding of ligand-receptor pairs, to help in identifying active sites of the molecules. The tool can be used to explore many possible variations in binding pairs without doing expensive laboratory experiments. The traditional view of the binding process has been limited to a static lock and key model. It is now regarded that the ligand and receptor change dynamically during the interaction. Traditional experimental methods only determine the shape of static chemical structures. Our tool improves on the previous methods by dynamically simulating the entire binding process of isolated ligand-receptor pairs. The open design of our dynamic interaction model allows its extension with further constraints and heuristic rules. This is needed when the existing forces do not provide a sufficiently complete system description. For example, more detailed simulation constraints can increase the probability of convergence of a ligand-receptor pair. New constraints can limit the degree of freedom of rotation about bonds, to take into account molecular affinity. The intermolecular rules may be changed to include the effects of hydrogen bonding, and other forces.

There are a number of algorithms currently available for tracking highly maneuverable targets using position measurements. A comparison of some of these algorithms using benchmark trajectories is given in a session of the 1994 American Control Conference. Dramatic increases in tracking performance (lower loss of lock rates, larger interdwell intervals, and more accurate state estimates) will likely result from novel uses of additional non-traditional sensor information. In particular, an imaging sensor provides information which can be used to increase tracking performance. In this paper, we use an imaging sensor to detect target maneuvers, which is based on monitoring changes in image features. By accurately and quickly detecting the onset and termination of maneuvers, we are able to reconfigure the tracking filter in order to increase performance. Simulations are provided to show how augmenting a traditional radar only system with an imaging sensor to detect maneuvers can improve tracking performance.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

The computerized toolmark comparison system is based on a cross correlation between a striation mark left by a tool on a lock and a test mark made by a suspect or the data base. The cross correlation is applied in the frequency domain for time saving. The area to be correlated is defined by the toolmark expert. A profile line is calculated and displayed based on the defined area. The two compared images may appear relatively shifted to one another, or only part of the toolmark that appears in the other. The same length of profiles is chosen from the two samples for entering to the updated correlation process. All possible correlations are checked by cutting and shifting through all cobinations. The database contains the defined images and the profiles calculated from them. The system consists of a 486 PC with a frame grabber and a video camera attached to a microscope. Results show that if the striation marks are clear and are wider than a minimum pixel limit, the correlation result higher than 0.6 is a possible match and has to be checked by the expert for a final decision. Future plans are to implement a 2D correlation. This method will enable us to deal with combinations of striations which are found frequently in real case work.

The Berkeley Illinois Maryland Association (BIMA) array consists of 6 antennas, each 6 meters in diameter, operating at a wavelength of 3 mm. The telescope control is fully automated, allowing round-the-clock observing with little or no supervision. The array can also be controlled from a remote site. One of the major challenges of automated operation is the ability to tune multiple receivers to the desired operating frequency in a reliable manner. The large tuning range required at millimeter wavelengths (85 to 115 GHz), the nonlinear response of the microwave cavities and oscillator phase lock problems have been stumbling blocks for remote receiver tuning. At BIMA, we have developed an automated system capable of tuning all the receivers to any observing frequency within a few minutes. The system uses a Sun workstation in conjunction with dedicated hardware to control the receivers. Large disparities between receiver characteristics are handled in an efficient manner through the use of lookup tables. We describe the system design in detail, and discuss the problems encountered along with appropriate solutions. The generation of lookup tables in the laboratory is also presented.

One of the basic conditions for reconstruction of structures is the determination of their real spatial form. This paper presents three applications of close-range photogrammetry, two of them using stereophotogrammetric digital image processing with the Digital Video Plotter Leica. In the third application of model measurement of the water surface deformation during the lock filling, an analytical solution was applied that uses the universal software ORIENT.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Military and commercial test facilities have been tasked with the need for increasingly sophisticated data collection and data reduction. A state-of-the-art electronic control system for high speed 35 mm and 70 mm film cameras designed to meet these tasks is described. Data collection in today's test range environment is difficult at best. The need for a completely integrated image and data collection system is mandated by the increasingly complex test environment. Instrumentation film cameras have been used on test ranges to capture images for decades. Their high frame rates coupled with exceptionally high resolution make them an essential part of any test system. In addition to documenting test events, today's camera system is required to perform many additional tasks. Data reduction to establish TSPI (time- space-position information) may be performed after a mission and is subject to all of the variables present in documenting the mission. A typical scenario would consist of multiple cameras located on tracking mounts capturing the event along with azimuth and elevation position data. Corrected data can then be reduced using each camera's time and position deltas and calculating the TSPI of the object using triangulation. An electronic camera control system designed to meet these requirements has been developed by Photo-Sonics, Inc. The feedback received from test technicians at range facilities throughout the world led Photo-Sonics to design the features of this control system. These prominent new features include: a comprehensive safety management system, full local or remote operation, frame rate accuracy of less than 0.005 percent, and phase locking capability to Irig-B. In fact, Irig-B phase lock operation of multiple cameras can reduce the time-distance delta of a test object traveling at mach-1 to less than one inch during data reduction.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

The great interest in image converter tubes with a lock system is explained by the fact that they have no competitors among the devices for the registration of ultrafast phenomena under conditions of diffuse scattered light background. A wide range of types of such tubes is being produced nowadays, and an understanding of ways of improving their most important parameters exists. A design for a sidescreen tube with a lock of 'shutter deflector' type is presented.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

An experimental distributed microcomputer concept has been developed, implemented, and is currently operational at the Naval Air Development Center as a vehicle to investigate distributed processing concepts with respect to replacing larger computers with networks of microprocessors at the subsystem or node level. Major benefits being exploited include increased performance, flexibility, system availability, and survivability, by use of mul­ tiple processing elements with reduced cost, size, weight and power consumption.This paper concentrates on defining the distributed processing concept in terms of con­ trol primitives, variables, and structures and their use in performing a decomposed DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) application function on a laboratory model. The DFT was chosen as an experimental application to investigate distributed processing concepts because of its highly regular and decomposable structure for concurrent execution. The design assumes interprocessor communications to be anonymous. In this scheme, all processors can access an entire common data base by employing control primitives. Access to selected areas within the common data base is random, enforced by a hardware lock, and determined by task and subtask pointers. This enables the number of processors to be varied in the configura­ tion without any modifications to the control structure. Decompositional elements of the DFT application function in terms of tasks and subtasks, are also described.IntroductionStimulated by the reduced size, weight, power consumption, and cost advantages of micro­ processors, distributed computing is an evolving technology and is the subject of many investigative efforts. 1 The major potential benefits of distributed computing include increased system-wide real time performance, ease of adaptability to integration and change, high system availability, and decreased system vulnerability. The introduction of low cost microprocessor technology now permits experimenting with concepts that were previously restricted to paper studies. In addition, the reduced size, weight, and power advantages of microprocessors enable applications that would otherwise not be financially or technically feasible solutions. Because of these desirable characteristics, microprocessor and distri­ buted computing technologies are very attractive for avionic processing system applications. However, before these technologies can be applied effectively, appropriate expertise and tools must first be in place. In view of this need, this paper describes an experimental autonomous control structure2 that was developed and implemented at the Naval Air Develop­ ment Center on a laboratory model. It consists of a pool of concurrently executing micro­ processors which serves as a vehicle for investigating distributed processing concepts.Functional distribution in avionic processing systemsFuture avionic systems are envisioned as having processing functions distributed over many physical processors, which communicate via a common medium such as the MIL-STD-1553 bus. Typical functions may include navigation, communications, radar, and display. A generic configuration is depicted in Figure 1.SUBSYSTEM 1 SUBSYSTEM 2 SUBSYSTEM N

NEC has developed the Multi-Sync Video/Data Projector which responds to growing requirements for large screen display. The NEC Multi-Sync System is capable of handling signals from various sources such as Personal Computers,HDTV,and other video generating equipment. Therefore, this Video Projector is so designed to automatically lock to horizontal frequencies from 15kHz to 36kHz and vertical frequencies from 38Hz to lOOHz.The NEC Digital Convergence System is the culmination of numerous technologies implemented in this projector. With this combined technology the convergence can be adjust with super accuracy by using 117 (13H*9V points) independent fine tunable adjusting points on a screen.The NEC Automatic Convergence System has also been developed which adjusts convergence automatically within 5 minutes with an accuracy of 0.3 line of scanning lines. 1. INTRODUCTION Recently there has been increasing demands to display various data, graphics and images from computers and other video sources on a large screen for various occasions such as training, education, conference etc.To meet such requirements, "Multi Scan" type video projectors have been developed by several manufacturers which can lock to various scanning frequencies. However, due to a variety of scanning frequencies and active area among various equipments, it has been quite difficult to achieve optimum width and height with optimum convergence.To provide solutions for these practical and potential problems, NEC has developed digital technologies such as Digital Control and Digital Convergence.With these latest digital technologies, our Multi Sync Video and Data Projector can provide optimum picture quality with a variety of input signals from various equipment .

Recent theory showed that phase locking of two oscillators can occur only when the connector contributes zero or r phase change. Here we will present results on the phase locking of multiple oscillators. Two configurations are considered: (1) Centrally connected oscillators - peripheral units are not connected, but connected individually to a central unit; (2) Ring-connected oscillators - all units are connected in a ring configuration. The preliminary result is that the centrally connected oscillators phase lock better than the ring-connected oscillators. This is because it takes a longer time for all the oscillators to communicate to each other in the second case. Temporal behaviors were solved numerically, which found the phase locking depends strongly upon the connector lengths, the connecting ports and the modes of operation of the oscillators.

This paper reviews the spectral purity, frequency stability and long-term stabilization of CO 2 isotope lasers developed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Extremely high spectral purity and short-term stability of less than 1.5 x 10-1' have been achieved and will be discussed. A long-term stabilization technique, which was used to line-center lock any regular or hot-band CO 2 isotope laser transition, is described. A brief description on using CO 2 lasers as secondary frequency standards is also given.