Abstract: An automotive radar system for use with an automotive control system such as a collision avoidance or smart cruise control system, for example. A wide-bandwidth, random noise signal generated at an RF frequency that is transmitted by a transmitter and reflected from targets in the vicinity of the system. The random noise modulation is sampled prior to transmission in a noise source sampler and this sampled image of the transmitted noise is stored and passed through a series of delay stages that are formed in a correlator. The noise signal reflected from objects is processed by a homodyne receiver and also sampled in a receiver sampler. The noise samples from the signal return are passed to the correlator where they are cross correlated with the delayed images of the transmit noise. The output from the correlator for each unit of delay (range gate) is processed in a digital signal processor to find the range and closing velocity (Doppler frequency) of objects in the field of view.

Abstract: A rosette or co-rotating vector scanning seeker detector array providing improved data rate and scanned field coverage. Several discrete detector elements are formed in an array on the detector surface in a coplanar arrangement, each of the detector elements providing target information when the scan sweeps across it. The array may be in the form of circular spots arranged around a central circular detector element. In an alternative embodiment, the central detector element is omitted and the peripheral detector elements are arranged sufficiently close together to preclude the likelihood of a target path passing between adjacent detector elements without being detected. Detector elements in a single array may be of different sizes and shapes.

Abstract: Carbon fiber material and carbon fiber material that is saturated with hydrocarbon solid-liquid phase change material may be used as thermal management materials for providing a thermally conductive interface between a heat source and its housing. Such carbon fiber material may also be used for mechanical isolation of the heat source from its housing. Carbon fibers used in the carbon fiber material may be unidirectionally oriented to provide for low friction, thus optimizing critically controlled friction tolerances. Additionally the carbon fiber material saturated with hydrocarbon solid-liquid phase change material may be used to transfer heat into the an inherently nonconductive medium.

Abstract: A high average-power microwave window is provided whose thermal conductivity has been enhanced to enable it to transmit higher average RF power levels than conventional windows of the same size. Such a window is suitable for use with high-average power RF sources such as klystrons and magnetrons. The window comprises a ceramic substrate, typically a low-loss ceramic such as alumina or quartz, to which narrow strips of a high thermal conductivity material have been bonded. One such high thermal conductivity material is synthetic polycrystalline diamond, which can be bonded to the surface of a dielectric substrate using a high-temperature cement or can be directly deposited on the surface by a process such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD). High-purity alumina, a commonly-used material for high-power RF windows, has a thermal conductivity of 26.4 W/m.multidot..degree. C., while synthetic diamond has a thermal conductivity of 1000 W/m.multidot..degree. C., 2.6 times that of copper and 38 times that of alumina.

Abstract: A flight launched fiber optic dual payout system (10) for a command guided missile (12) is disclosed which combines a missile (12) with two fiber optic cable dispensers (18, 20) into a single unit that can mount to a single launch station of a launch platform (14). The dual payout system (10) of the present invention includes a missile (12) having a missile dispenser (18) for dispensing a first fiber optic cable (22) connected to the missile (12) and a launch platform dispenser (20) for dispensing a second fiber optic cable (24) detachably connected to the missile dispenser (20). The first and second fiber optic cables (22, 24) are connected by a length of reinforced cable splice or leader line (26) which is housed in a protective retainer (28) on a launch platform interface unit (16) that operates to mount the missile (12) to the launch platform (14) and complete a fiber optic data link between the missile (12) and the launch platform (14).

Abstract: A process for reducing background clutter of a scene, and isolating an object of interest. The process includes calculating a minimum output from a plurality of appropriately configured anti-median filters representing a minimum difference processor (MDP) filter. In a first embodiment, the MDP filter includes a (5.times.5) matrix of elements wherein each element has an intensity value representation of the scene. A first anti-median filter array is configured as a horizontal array of 5 pixel elements in which the center element of the matrix is the center element of the horizontal array. A median value of the 5 elements of the horizontal array is determined, and is subtracted from the value of the center element to determine an anti-median value of the horizontal array. The same process is performed for a vertical 5 element anti-median array, and two diagonal 5 element anti-median arrays, all including the center element of the matrix as the center common element of the arrays.

Abstract: An apparatus for propagating electromagnetic waves at a predetermined reduced guide wavelength. A waveguide (27b) is provided for receiving and guiding the electromagnetic waves. A dielectric (28) is disposed in the waveguide (27b) to decrease the guide wavelength of the received electromagnetic waves. The dielectric (28) allows the width of the waveguide (27b) to be reduced without significantly compromising its power-carrying capability.

Abstract: A tracking system (200) adapted to receive input imagery and provide standard television format video input signals in response thereto. The video input signals are processed (228) to provide intermediate analog and digital signals. The intermediate analog signals are further processed (239) to provide centroid tracking of a target. The intermediate digital signals are processed (236) to provide correlation tracking of the target. In a specific implementation, the standard television format video input signals are provided by a charge coupled device (214), a Vidicon camera, an infrared focal plane array, a Newvicon camera or other device which generates standard television format video signals. A video rotation circuit may be used to provide proper image orientation regardless of the mounting orientation of the system.

Abstract: A hybrid film, comprising a first polymer film having a plasma-treated surface and a second polymer film having first and second surfaces, with the first surface of the second polymer film being disposed along the first plasma-treated surface of the first polymer film, has superior thermal and mechanical properties that improve performance in a number of applications, including food packaging, thin film metallized and foil capacitors, metal evaporated magnetic tapes, flexible electrical cables, and decorative and optically variable films. One or more metal layers may be deposited on either the plasma-treated surface of the substrate and/or the radiation-cured acrylate polymer. A ceramic layer may be deposited on the radiation-cured acrylate polymer to provide an oxygen and moisture barrier film.

Abstract: A cryogenic cooler and a dewar assembly including a cooled surface; a cooling surface for removing thermal energy from said cooled surface; and an adapter disposed between said cooling surface and the cooled surface for conducting thermal energy therebetween. A first fluid is disposed between the cooled surface and the adapter for conducting thermal energy from the cooled surface to the adapter. A second fluid is disposed between the cooling surface and the adapter for conducting thermal energy from the adapter to the cooling surface whereby the cooling surface remains free to move axially relative to the adapter at a temperature of the cooling surface at which the first fluid is susceptible to freezing. This allows for movement of the cold finger relative to the dewar and adapter, due to differential thermal coefficients of expansion or support structure motion, without adversely affecting the communication of thermal energy from the load.

Abstract: Improved magnetron oscillators that controllably form a plasma within each of its resonant cavities to rapidly change the resonant frequency of each cavity. The present invention also provides for frequency tuning methods for use with magnetron oscillators. The plasma is controllably formed in one or more subcells of each resonant cavity in a manner that alters the electromagnetic field within each cavity. Preferably, a magnetized collisional plasma is controlled to rapidly change the resonant frequency of each cavity. However, many types of plasmas may be used to implement the present invention. Controlling formation of the plasma within each cavity tunes the magnetron oscillator on a submillisecond time scale.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a beam source of a microwave wave beam, a gimbaled antenna, and a waveguide including a mirror system that directs the microwave wave beam from the beam source to the antenna. The mirror system is formed of a series of mirrors operable to reflect the microwave wave beam and includes a first paraboloid mirror positioned to receive the microwave wave beam from the beam source, a first planar mirror positioned to receive the microwave wave beam from the first paraboloid mirror, a second paraboloid mirror positioned to receive the microwave wave beam from the first planar mirror, and a second planar mirror lying on the system azimuth axis and positioned to receive the microwave wave beam from the second paraboloid mirror. The first planar mirror may be controllably tilted to finely steer the aim of the microwave wave beam to the antenna.

Abstract: An improved missile launch tube design (10) for wireless TOW missiles. The inventive launch tube (10) includes electronic circuitry (30) for missile guidance and an antenna (40) mounted within a protective casing (12). In a particular embodiment, the electronic circuit (30) includes a radio frequency encoder and transmitter and the antenna (40) is a radio frequency antenna mounted in a spacer ring (20) disposed at the first end (14) of the tube (10).

Abstract: A low cost diaphragm actuated absolute pressure regulator. The regulator comprises a housing having first and second sections that are secured together. The first section has a cavity and a diaphragm that seals the cavity and first section of the housing. An O-ring seal is disposed in a groove of the first section that seals against the diaphragm. The second section of the housing houses a movable and sealable vent plug that moves in response to movement of the diaphragm, and one or more vent openings for venting the interior of the second section to external pressure in response to motion of the diaphragm. The pressure regulator may be preferentially used in an upper atmospheric system that needs to maintain a specified pressure, but requires venting capabilities. Such systems include missiles that fly into the upper atmosphere.

Abstract: An optical system includes a housing having an axis of elongation, and a non-spherical window affixed to the housing. An optical corrector, preferably in the form of an aspherical strip of transparent material, is positioned adjacent to the curved inner surface of the window. The optical corrector is mounted on an optical corrector support, which is rotatable about the axis of elongation. An optical rain is positioned such the the optical corrector lies between the window and the optical train. The optical train includes at least one optical element operable to alter an optical ray incident thereon, and a gimbal upon which the at least one optical element is mounted. The gimbal is pivotable about a transverse axis perpendicular to the axis of elongation. The optical train is mounted on an optical train support, which is movable independently of the optical corrector support. A sensor is positioned to receive the optical ray passing sequentially through the window, the optical corrector, and the optical train.

Abstract: A covert and secure communication system which employs a very narrow bandwidth to permit receivers to be very sensitive to low power signals while maintaining acceptable signal-to-noise ratios. In the preferred embodiment, the system operates at the millimeter wavelength which, because of very high attenuation in atmosphere, will be undetectable beyond a very limited range. In another embodiment of the invention, the covert communication system is applied to an IFF system in conjunction with a homing missile. The IFF system of the present invention may be used as a back-up to confirm that a target is a foe by transmitting to and receiving a confirming signal from the target at the terminal portion of the engagement. For example, transmission between the target and missile may occur when the target and missile are less than 2,000 feet apart.

Abstract: A cryostat (12) with an actuator (40) which reacts to sensed temperature changes via externally controlled thermal heating generated therein. The actuator (40) is constructed with material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion. A flexible heating element (44) is embedded in the actuator material. A temperature sensor (62) provides a signal to cryostat control electronics. Responding to the temperature signal, the control circuitry (60) regulates current to the heating element (44) in the actuator (40). As the actuator temperature increases due to the heat generated by the heating element (44), it expands and moves open an attached needle (50) relative to an orifice (30), thereby increasing cryogen flow and regulating cooling. When the desired cold temperature is attained, current and heating are stopped. Flowing cryogen cools the actuator which shortens the actuator and pulls the attached needle into the orifice to regulate flow.

Abstract: A system for measuring the roll angle of a rotating projectile. The system includes a transmit system mounted on the projectile. The transmit system has a linearly polarized transmit antenna system, a first transmitter coupled to the transmit antenna system for transmitting a first transmit signal at a first frequency, and a second transmitter coupled to the transmit antenna system for transmitting a second transmit signal at a second frequency. The first frequency is different from the second frequency, and the first and second transmit signals are in phase coherency. The system further includes a receiver system located remotely from the projectile. The receiver system includes a linearly polarized receive antenna system for receiving the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal. A first receiver section is provided for receiving and downconverting the first transmit signal to provide a first receiver signal.

Abstract: A system and method of processing data in a sensor system which receives signal returns from pulsed coherent transmitted signals which are transmitted at a pulse repetition rate and with a pulse repetition interval (PRI). The method includes providing range-filtered data in response to the received signal returns; formatting successive sets of data received during a post detection integration (PDI) interval into a plurality of overlapping coherent processing interval (CPI) data sequences; performing FFT processing on the overlapping CPI data sequences to provide transformed data sequences; performing range-sample CPI processing on the transformed data sequences; and performing noncoherent integration (NCI) processing on output data from the range-sample CPI processed data sequences over a range trajectory in accordance with hypothesized radar-target range rate to provide noncoherent gain-enhanced output data.

Abstract: A rocket launching system employing ignition apparatus that is used with a small rocket to launch the rocket from a gun. The rocket is equipped with acoustic (pressure) and optical (thermal) sensors that detect a pressure pulse and light flash of a primer charge used to fire the gun. The simultaneous detection of the pressure pulse and the light flash by the sensors generates output signals that are used to complete an electrical circuit in an electronic ignition circuit that activates an igniter that ignites a rocket motor.