Abstract: A quantum communications system may include a transmitter node, a receiver node, and a quantum communications channel coupling the transmitter node and receiver node. The transmitter node may include a pulse transmitter, a pulse divider downstream from the pulse transmitter, and at least one first waveplate upstream from the pulse divider and configured to alter a polarization state of pulses travelling therethrough. The receiver node may include at least one second waveplate being a conjugate of the at least one first waveplate, a pulse recombiner upstream from the at least one second waveplate, and a pulse receiver downstream from the at least one second waveplate.

Abstract: An underwater communications network may include spaced apart nodes on a bottom of a body of water. The underwater communications network may also include fiber optic cabling connecting the spaced apart nodes. Each node may include a frame, a node short-range navigation device carried by the frame, and an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) carried by the frame after delivering a fiber optic cable along a navigation path from an adjacent node. The UUV may be configured to cooperate with the node short-range navigation device during an end portion of the navigation path adjacent the frame.

Abstract: A system may include a laser source, an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) coupled to the laser source, an atom trap, and at least one optical medium coupled between the AOM and the atom trap. Furthermore, at least one piezoelectric transducer may be coupled to the at least one optical medium, and a beam polarization controller may be coupled to the at least one piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making an antenna reflector. The methods comprise: obtaining a Carbon Nano-Tube (“CNT”) material; cutting the CNT material into a plurality of wedge shaped pieces; and bonding together the wedge shaped pieces using a resin film adhesive to form the antenna reflector with a three dimensional contoured surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an antenna with a tension cord network coupled to a plurality of anchor points of a perimeter hoop structure. The methods comprise: using the tension cord network to support a flexible antenna reflector surface such that a given shape of the flexible antenna reflector surface is provided; and allowing locations of the anchor points to change relative to the tension cord network while the antenna is in use. The flexible antenna reflector surface is held taut when the locations of the anchor points change relative to the tension cord network.

Abstract: A quantum communications system includes a communications system that operates with a quantum key distribution (QKD) system, which includes a transmitter node, a receiver node, and a quantum communications channel coupling the transmitter node and receiver node. The transmitter node may be configured to transmit to the receiver node a bit stream of optical pulses, and switch between first and second QKD protocols based upon at least one channel condition.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a chassis having electronic module mounting positions. The electronic assembly also includes a respective electronic module received in each electronic module mounting position and having a module cooling gas passageway. Each electronic module has a module glide surface. The electronic assembly includes a respective sealing retainer coupled between the chassis and each electronic module. The sealing retainer has a cooling gas passageway aligned with a chassis cooling gas passageway and the module cooling gas passageway. The sealing retainer includes a retainer body having a retainer glide surface, and a gas sealing gasket carried by the retainer body. The module glide surface and the retainer glide surface have respective cooperating features so that the respective electronic module is maintained in spaced relation from the sealing gasket as the respective electronic module is slidably inserted into a seated position.

Abstract: Systems and methods. The methods comprise: causing bellows to transition from expanded states to collapsed states by removing a first fluid therefrom (the bellows being coupled to opposing sidewalls of a chassis configured to structurally support at least one circuit card); receiving the at least one circuit card in a cavity of the chassis; causing the bellows to transition from the collapsed states to at least partially expanded states by allowing the first fluid to enter the bellows; applying a pushing force by each said bellow to an intermediary structure disposed between the bellow and the circuit card; and creating a seal between the intermediary structure and the circuit card when the bellow is in the at least partially expanded state.

Abstract: Deployable reflector system includes a support structure and a reflector surface secured to the support structure. The support structure transition from a compact stowed configuration to a larger deployed configuration to deploy the reflector surface. The reflector surface is comprised of a carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet. The sheet is intricately folded in accordance with a predetermined folding pattern to define a compact folded state. This predetermined folding pattern is configured to permit automatic extension of the CNT sheet from a compact folded state to a fully unfolded state. The unfolding operation occurs when a tension force is applied to at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the CNT sheet. In some scenarios, the support structure can comprise a circumferential hoop.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an electronic cooling apparatus comprising a chassis having an internal space that is sized/shaped to receive/structurally support circuit card(s). The internal space defined by sidewalls with a channel formed therein in which a coolant is disposed. The coolant is in thermal communication with the circuit card(s) via the sidewall(s) when the circuit card(s) is(are) disposed in the chassis. A refrigerant-based cooling system is disposed in the chassis and comprises an evaporator having inlet/outlet ports coupled to the channel of the chassis to define a first closed-loop channel for the coolant within the chassis. The evaporator facilitates heat transfer from the coolant to a refrigerant flowing through a second closed-loop channel of the chassis at least partially defined by the evaporator. A pump is disposed in the chassis and configured to cause the coolant to flow through the first closed-loop channel.

Abstract: A communications system may include end-user devices (EUDs), a communications network, and a message processor. A message parser determines, from a received message, a message originator EUD having an associated originator message channel format, and at least one intended message recipient EUD with an associated recipient message channel format. A message channel database includes respective different message channel formats for different EUDs. A message recaster cooperates with the message parser and message channel database and transmits at least one recast message based upon the received message, which may include a corresponding recipient message channel format with a corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) address for the at least one intended recipient EUD.

Abstract: An electronic assembly may include a chassis having electronic module mounting positions, each having a chassis cooling gas passageway and an electronic module received in each electronic module mounting position. A sealing retainer may be coupled between the chassis and each electronic module, and includes a cooling gas passageway aligned with the chassis cooling gas passageway and a module cooling gas passageway of a respective electronic module. The sealing retainer may include a retainer body, and a gas seal body coupled to the retainer body and movable between retracted and extended positions. The gas seal body in the retracted position permits insertion and removal of the electronic module, and in the extended position seals against the electronic module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making an interconnect device for electronic circuits. The methods comprise: fabricating a housing as a single 3D printed part having a plurality of apertures with bend angles less than ninety degrees; inserting wires into the plurality of apertures of the housing; and establishing electrical connections respectively between (A) the wires and a plurality of first socket adaptors and (B) the wires and a plurality of second socket adaptors.

Abstract: Perimeter truss reflector includes a perimeter truss assembly (PTA) comprised of a plurality of battens, each having an length which traverses a PTA thickness as defined along a direction aligned with a reflector central axis. A collapsible mesh reflector surface is secured to the PTA such that when the PTA is in a collapsed configuration, the reflector surface is collapsed for compact stowage and when the PTA is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a predetermined pattern. Each of the one or more longerons extend around at least a portion of a periphery of the PTA. These longerons each comprise a storable extendible member (SEM) which can be flattened and rolled around a spool, but exhibits beam-like structural characteristics when unspooled.

Abstract: The optical system includes a base having a groove and an adjacent slot therein. The system also includes at least one optical cell slidably alignable along the groove, and at least one clamp comprising a lower end and an upper end. The lower end is slidably alignable along the slot and is secured at a set location so that the upper end secures the at least one optical cell along the groove. The slot may extend parallel to the groove. The clamp may include at least one preloaded fastener arrangement securing the lower end of the clamp to the base. The preloaded fastener may include a bolt, a spring biasing the bolt, and a threaded backing plate within the slot and receiving the bolt.

Abstract: A sensor receiver may include a Rydberg cell configured to be exposed to a radio frequency (RF) signal, and a probe source configured to generate a plurality of spaced apart pulsed probe beams within the Rydberg cell. The pulsed probe beams may be offset in time from one another. A plurality of excitation sources may be coupled to the Rydberg cell. A detector may be positioned downstream from the Rydberg cell.

Abstract: A geospatial modeling system may include a memory and a processor cooperating therewith to: (a) generate a three-dimensional (3D) geospatial model including geospatial voxels based upon a plurality of geospatial images; (b) select an isolated geospatial image from among the plurality of geospatial images; (c) determine a reference geospatial image from the 3D geospatial model using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and based upon the isolated geospatial image; (d) align the isolated geospatial image and the reference geospatial image to generate a predictively registered image; (e) update the 3D geospatial model based upon the predictively registered image; and (f) iteratively repeat (b)-(e) for successive isolated geospatial images.

Abstract: An optical telescope may include an array of optical lenslets in a common plane, and optical waveguides extending from respective optical lenslets and each having a common optical path delay. Further, at least one optical star coupler may be downstream from the optical waveguides, and an optical detector may be downstream from the at least one optical star coupler and having an optical image formed thereon.

Abstract: An optical switch has latched switch states and includes optical fibers that are laterally joined together to define an optical switching portion. At least one phase change material (PCM) layer is on the optical switching portion so that a phase of the PCM layer determines a latched switch state from among the latched switch states.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a communication device. The methods comprise: receiving a signal at the communication device; performing, by the communication device, one or more machine learning algorithms using at least one feature of the signal as an input to generate a plurality of scores (each score representing a likelihood that the signal was modulated using a given modulation type of a plurality of different modulation types); assigning a modulation class to the signal based on the plurality of scores; determining whether a given wireless channel is available based at least on the modulation class assigned to the signal; and selectively using the given wireless channel for communicating signals based on results of the determining.