Abstract: A waveguide configuration comprising a core, a first cladding, a second cladding, and a buffer. The core includes an index of refraction and an acoustic shear velocity. The first cladding extends about the core and has an acoustic shear velocity which is less than that of the core and an index of refraction which is less than the core. The second cladding extends about the first cladding. The second cladding has an acoustic shear velocity which is greater than that of the first cladding and less than the acoustic shear velocity of the core. The second cladding has an index of refraction which is less than that of an optical mode. The buffer extends about the second cladding.

Abstract: An exemplary navigation system uses a master navigation component at a first location with a first sensor in a vehicle and a slave navigation component with a second sensor at a second location that is a variable displacement to the first location due to physical deformation of the vehicle. Static and dynamic location components provide static and dynamic information of the displacement between the first and second locations. A flexural model based on the deformation characteristics calculates the dynamic displacement. An error estimator estimates errors in the navigation measurement data of the slave navigation component based on the displacement information.

Abstract: Embodiments of present system encompass: a plurality of laser sources that produce a plurality of respectively different optical wavelengths; a matrix switch having a plurality of inputs operatively coupled to the plurality of laser sources, each of the plurality of inputs receiving a respective optical wavelength; and the matrix switch having an output that produces a series of interleaved pulses of the different optical wavelengths.

Abstract: The apparatus in one embodiment may have: a beam having at least first and second mounting points that are operatively coupled to the beam by first and second flexures, respectivly; the beam having first and second nodal points; the beam having a center area; and an altered mass content in a vicinity of the center area, the altered mass content being such that the first and second nodal points are substantially aligned with the first and second flexures. The beam is therefore supported at the nodal points for the fundamental mode of vibration.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a substrate having a microstrip line; a capacitor at a predetermined location along the microstrip line, the capacitor producing a discontinuity; and a ground plane assembly on the substrate, the ground plane assembly having an opening that compensates for the discontinuity of the capacitor.

Abstract: A reconfigurable circuit and a related method for its use, the circuit including multiple microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches connected between selected points in the circuit. The MEMS switches are controlled to select a desired circuit condition, such as an impedance matching condition, and then the switch conditions may be fused permanently. In the context of an impedance matching circuit, the MEMS switches may be used to optimize matching after circuit fabrication or after packaging, thereby allowing optimization even after potentially performance changing events.

Abstract: The present photonic RF generation and distribution system provides a system and method for distributing an RF output signal. The photonic RF distribution system includes two optical sources for generating optical signals. A first optical source (42) is operable to generate a first optical signal having an operating frequency. A second optical source (44) is operable to generate a second optical signal having an operating frequency. A modulator (46) is operable to impress an RF modulation signal on a tapped portion of the first optical signal such that a modulated signal is generated. A first coupler (52) combines the modulated signal with a tapped portion of the second optical signal, thereby forming a combined signal having a difference frequency component. A control photodetector (50) is responsive to the combined signal to generate a tone signal.

Abstract: Apparatus, and a corresponding method, for spatially isolating a transmit beam and a receive beam, which, in satellite communication systems, are inherently separated by a look ahead angle. A receive beam separation mirror is positioned in the receive beam path but out of the transmit beam path, and the receive beam is reflected along a path separated from the transmit beam path. The mirror may be annular, allowing the transmit beam to be directed through the center of the mirror. In applications where a desired isolation angle is different from the look ahead angle, or where there is no look ahead angle, the receive beam separation mirror is used in conjunction with a dichroic beam splitter and at least one receive beam steering mirror, to achieve the desired angular separation.

Abstract: An automatic gain control device and a related method for its operation, using a first-order control loop for adjusting a received communication signal to compensate for variations in received signal power. The device bases its adjustments on a measure of the average received root-mean-square (rms) signal power and, in its preferred form, adjusts a loop gain adaptively to react rapidly to large input signal variations. The loop gain is adjusted based on measurement of the average power of an error signal and on the sign of the error signal power. Optional features include an automatically adjustable power set point.

Abstract: Ground targets can be passively identified on uneven terrain from an observation point elevation above a known reference point, a line-of-sight inclination angle, an azimuth angle and a digital terrain elevation database wherein actual elevations of surrounding latitude and longitude coordinates are stored and retrievable. Using the observation point's elevation above the known reference point and using the line-of-sight elevation angle from the observation point to the ground target, an initial estimate of the latitude and longitude coordinates of the ground target is made and used as an index into a digital terrain elevation database.