Abstract: A night vision system, a microchannel plate (MCP), and a planetary deposition system and methodology are provided for selectively depositing an electrode contact metal on one side of MCP channel openings. One or more MCPs can be releasably secured to a face of a platter that rotates about its central platter axis. The rotating platter can be tilted on a rotating ring fixture surrounding an evaporative source of contact metal. Therefore, the rotating platter further rotates so that it orbits around the evaporative source of contact metal. A mask with a variable size mask opening is arranged between the rotating platter and the evaporative source. While the mask orbits around the evaporative source with the rotating platter, the mask does not rotate along its own axis as does the rotating platter.

Abstract: A method of controlling the performance of a night vision device includes supplying, by a power supply, to a microchannel plate of a light intensifier tube, a control voltage that controls a gain of the microchannel plate, determining an amount of compensation to apply to the control voltage based on a change to the control voltage attributed to a change in temperature of an operating environment of the night vision device, adjusting the control voltage in accordance with the amount of compensation to obtain a compensated control voltage, and supplying, by the power supply, the compensated control voltage to the microchannel plate of the light intensifier tube. The method may further include determining whether the night vision device has been used for a predetermined amount of time, and only after that predetermined amount of time, is the method configured to supply the compensated control voltage.

Abstract: A night vision system along with an image intensifier tube having a microchannel plate and method of forming the microchannel plate are provided. The microchannel plate comprises a plurality of spaced channels extending through the microchannel plate, wherein each channel sidewall surface near the input face of the microchannel plate comprises a series of layers formed thereon. The input face of the microchannel plate, as well as the sidewall surfaces of each channel near the input surfaces, are configured with an electron backscatter layer arranged between a contact metal layer and a secondary electron booster layer. When formed partially into the channel openings near the input face, the electron backscatter layer and overlying secondary electron booster layer are configured circumferentially around the sidewall surfaces and extend radially inward toward a central axis of each channel.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method is provided for producing stacked wafers containing an array of image intensifiers that can be evacuated on a wafer scale. The wafer scale fabrication techniques, including bonding, evacuation, and compression sealing concurrently forms a plurality of EBCMOS imager anodes with design elements that enable high voltage operation with optional enhancement of additional gain via TMSE amplification. The TMSE amplification is preferably one or more multiplication semiconductor wafers of an array of EBD die placed between a photocathode within a photocathode wafer and an imager anode that is preferably an EBCMOS imager anode bonded to or integrated within an interconnect die within an interconnect wafer.

Abstract: A mounting device having a mounting assembly for mounting a pair of goggles to a helmet is provided. The mounting assembly is configured to provide at least three degrees of freedom of movement using one or more actuation mechanisms for locking and unlocking a position of the mounting device. The number of actuation mechanisms is less than a number of degrees of freedom. In some aspects, the number of actuation mechanisms is one. A rotation base connects the mounting assembly to the helmet, and a goggle linkage connects the mounting assembly to the goggles. Various single actuation mechanisms, including a sliding mechanism, a friction-based wire/brake mechanism, and a floating friction brake mechanism, are provided.

Abstract: There is provided in a first form, a detector. The detector includes a photosensitive detector element; and a reflecting surface disposed about and proximal to the photosensitive detector element, wherein the reflecting surface is configured to reflect radiation impinging on the reflecting surface onto the photosensitive detector element; and wherein the reflecting surface is further configured to determine a field of regard greater than a predetermined field of view.

Abstract: A mounting device having a mounting assembly for mounting a pair of goggles to a helmet is provided. The mounting assembly is configured to provide at least three degrees of freedom of movement using one or more actuation mechanisms for locking and unlocking a position of the mounting device. The number of actuation mechanisms is less than a number of degrees of freedom. In some aspects, the number of actuation mechanisms is one. A rotation base connects the mounting assembly to the helmet, and a goggle linkage connects the mounting assembly to the goggles. Various single actuation mechanisms, including a sliding mechanism, a friction-based wire/brake mechanism, and a floating friction brake mechanism, are provided.

Abstract: Infrared vision systems, headpieces, and methods include an eyepiece and a body module. The eyepiece is configured to be worn over a user's eyes. The eyepiece includes an infrared sensor, configured to detect external infrared information. For example, the infrared sensor may include a plurality of short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensors. The eyepiece includes a display, configured to visually provide external infrared information to the user. For example, the display may include a see-through color display. The body module is in wired or wireless communication with the eyepiece. The eyepiece may include an adjustable strap, coupled to the eyepiece. The adjustable strap is configured to wrap around the user's head.

Abstract: A method of processing a double sided wafer of a microelectromechanical device includes spinning a resist onto a first side of a first wafer. The method further includes forming pathways within the resist to expose portions of the first side of the first wafer. The method also includes etching one or more depressions in the first side of the first wafer through the pathways, where each of the depressions have a planar surface and edges. Furthermore, the method includes depositing one or more adhesion metals over the resist such that the one or more adhesion metals are deposited within the depressions, and then removing the resist from the first wafer. The method finally includes depositing indium onto the adhesion metals deposited within the depressions and bonding a second wafer to the first wafer by compressing the indium between the second wafer and the first wafer.

Abstract: A landing zone designation system is provided that includes a master and a slave landing strobes. A detector on an aircraft can detect master and slave optical signals, and a processor can be coupled to the detector to compute placement of the aircraft relative to the master and slave landing strobes. A method is provided for designating a landing zone for an aircraft. The method includes emitting first and second optical signals, where a determination is made whether the aircraft is to land at a first landing zone or a second landing zone depending on a difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal. A distance to landing within the determined first landing zone or the second landing zone can also be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for target location is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, which includes a range sensor to generate range data, an image sensor to generate image data, an inertial sensor to generate inertia data, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive the image data from the image sensor and determine a first orientation of the housing and receive the inertia data from the inertial sensor and modify the first orientation based on the inertia data to produce a modified orientation of the housing.

Abstract: A method of controlling the performance of a night vision device includes supplying, by a power supply, to a microchannel plate of a light intensifier tube, a control voltage that controls a gain of the microchannel plate, determining an amount of compensation to apply to the control voltage based on a change to the control voltage attributed to a change in temperature of an operating environment of the night vision device, adjusting the control voltage in accordance with the amount of compensation to obtain a compensated control voltage, and supplying, by the power supply, the compensated control voltage to the microchannel plate of the light intensifier tube. The method may further include determining whether the night vision device has been used for a predetermined amount of time, and only after that predetermined amount of time, is the method configured to supply the compensated control voltage.

Abstract: A light intensifier includes a semiconductor structure to multiply electrons and block stray particles. A thin gain substrate layer includes an electron multiplier region that is doped to generate a plurality of electrons for each electron that impinges on an input surface of the gain substrate layer and blocking structures that are doped to direct the plurality of electrons towards emission areas of an emission surface of the gain substrate layer. Respective ribs of a first plurality of ribs on the input surface of the gain substrate layer are vertically aligned with respective blocking structures, and respective blocking structures are vertically aligned with respective ribs of a second plurality of ribs at the emission surface. This alignment directs electrons along a path through the gain substrate layer to reduce noise. The support ribs provide mechanical strength to the gain substrate layer, improving robustness of the light intensifier while minimizing noise.

Abstract: A method of controlling the performance of a night vision device includes storing, in memory of the night vision device, a plurality of performance configuration parameters, and after the storing, applying at least one of a hardware lock and a software lock to the night vision device such that at least some of the plurality of performance configuration parameters stored in the memory cannot be changed.

Abstract: A phosphor screen for a Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) image intensifier includes a wafer structure, a lattice of interior walls, a thin film phosphor layer, and a reflective metal layer. The wafer structure has a naturally opaque top layer and an active area defined within the naturally opaque top layer. The lattice of interior walls is formed, within the active area, from the naturally opaque top layer. The thin film phosphor layer is disposed in the active area, between the lattice of interior walls. The reflective metal layer that is disposed atop the thin film phosphor layer. In at least some instances, the thin film phosphor layer is a non-particle phosphor layer.

Abstract: A landing strobe is provided having an optical emitter configured to emit an optical signal. An input device can be coupled to the optical emitter for setting the optical signal to a signature strobe output unique to the landing strobe. A landing zone designation system is also provided having a landing strobe configured to emit a signature strobe output unique to the landing strobe. An aircraft spaced from the landing strobe can include a detector for optically receiving the signature strobe output to determine the landing zone is proper to land the aircraft if the signature strobe output matches an expected signature strobe output.

Abstract: A landing zone designation system is provided that includes a master and a slave landing strobes. A detector on an aircraft can detect master and slave optical signals, and a processor can be coupled to the detector to compute placement of the aircraft relative to the master and slave landing strobes. A method is provided for designating a landing zone for an aircraft. The method includes emitting first and second optical signals, where a determination is made whether the aircraft is to land at a first landing zone or a second landing zone depending on a difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal. A distance to landing within the determined first landing zone or the second landing zone can also be determined.

Abstract: A method of calculating a climb-dive marker (CDM) that is visibly present on a display even as the aircraft approaches a roll angle of +/?90° is provided. An exemplary CDM method comprises obtaining, an X-axis velocity, a Y-axis velocity, and a Z-axis velocity in aircraft body coordinates of an aircraft; calculating a CDM elevation; and displaying, by the controller, the calculated CDM elevation. The method can further comprise obtaining an angle of attack (AoA) of the aircraft and a roll angle of the aircraft, wherein the AoA is set as the value of the CDM elevation when the roll angle is within a preset range. The CDM elevation may also be calculated using a combination of the AOA and the CDM formula when roll angle is within a second preset range.

Abstract: A landing zone designation system is provided that includes a master and a slave landing strobes. A detector on an aircraft can detect master and slave optical signals, and a processor can be coupled to the detector to compute placement of the aircraft relative to the master and slave landing strobes. A method is provided for designating a landing zone for an aircraft. The method includes emitting first and second optical signals, where a determination is made whether the aircraft is to land at a first landing zone or a second landing zone depending on a difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal. A distance to landing within the determined first landing zone or the second landing zone can also be determined.

Abstract: A landing strobe is provided having an optical emitter configured to emit an optical signal. An input device can be coupled to the optical emitter for setting the optical signal to a signature strobe output unique to the landing strobe. A landing zone designation system is also provided having a landing strobe configured to emit a signature strobe output unique to the landing strobe. An aircraft spaced from the landing strobe can include a detector for optically receiving the signature strobe output to determine the landing zone is proper to land the aircraft if the signature strobe output matches an expected signature strobe output.