Abstract: A near-field hydrophone is disclosed. The near-field hydrophone includes a housing, a piezoelectric element configured to produce an analog signal in response to an acoustic signal generated by the release of compressed air into water, an analog circuit coupled to the piezoelectric element, wherein the analog circuit is configured to receive the analog signal and to produce a conditioned analog signal, an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the conditioned analog signal and to produce a digitized form of the conditioned analog signal, and a processor coupled to a memory circuit and to the analog-to-digital converter, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the analog-to-digital converter and to provide a digitized serial communication output corresponding to the digitized form of the conditioned analog signal. The piezoelectric element, the analog circuit, the analog-to-digital converter, the processor, and the memory circuit are located within the housing.

Abstract: A comparator circuit comprising a first node operable to receive a voltage during a precharge phase and a second node operable to receive the voltage during the precharge phase. The comparator circuit also comprises a first selectable current path, comprising a first input transistor and a first programmable resistor, coupled to the first node and for selectively discharging the first node, and a second selectable current path, comprising a second input transistor and a second programmable resistor, coupled to the second node and for selectively discharging the second node, in complementary operation with respect to the first selectable current path. The comparator circuit also comprises circuitry for adjusting resistance of the first programmable resistor and the second programmable resistor in response to an offset between the first input transistor and the second input transistor.

Abstract: A near-field hydrophone is disclosed. The near-field hydrophone includes a housing, a piezoelectric element configured to produce an analog signal in response to an acoustic signal generated by the release of compressed air into water, an analog circuit coupled to the piezoelectric element, wherein the analog circuit is configured to receive the analog signal and to produce a conditioned analog signal, an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the conditioned analog signal and to produce a digitized form of the conditioned analog signal, and a processor coupled to a memory circuit and to the analog-to-digital converter, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the analog-to-digital converter and to provide a digitized serial communication output corresponding to the digitized form of the conditioned analog signal. The piezoelectric element, the analog circuit, the analog-to-digital converter, the processor, and the memory circuit are located within the housing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for making more accurate range and marksmanship determinations in laser-based military engagements. These methods and systems allow a shooter and a target in a laser engagement system to be paired with one another in a substantially unambiguous manner. Such pairing allows the lasers to be used at full power and is particularly well suited for clustered environments in which multiple combatants may be in close proximity to one another. The methods and systems are also particularly well suited for testing new or experimental weapon systems by virtue of the more accurate range and marksmanship estimates provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for making more accurate range and marksmanship determinations in laser-based military engagements. These methods and systems allow a shooter and a target in a laser engagement system to be paired with one another in a substantially unambiguous manner. Such pairing allows the lasers to be used at full power and is particularly well suited for clustered environments in which multiple combatants may be in close proximity to one another. The methods and systems are also particularly well suited for testing new or experimental weapon systems by virtue of the more accurate range and marksmanship estimates provided.

Abstract: Sensors that include SAW devices, related methods, and related devices. Many embodiments are included. Some of the present sensors include an inlet structure; a mounting structure that is spaced apart from the inlet structure, the mounting structure having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; and surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices disposed on the top surface of the mounting structure; where (a) the mounting structure includes openings that extend from the top surface to the bottom surface through which fluid can flow that has first passed over the SAW devices during operation of the sensor, or (b) the mounting structure and SAW devices together define openings through which fluid can flow that has first passed over the SAW devices during operation of the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved line and load regulation of a switching-mode power converter (300) without requiring additional capacitors (255), either internally or externally, to stabilize the control loop. The present invention can provide this by integrating a digital compensator (375) with the pulse-width modulator (“PWM”) of the switching-mode power converter. Such a compensator (375) can include comparators (310 and 330), digital circuits (340), and resistors (215, 220, 320, and 325).

Abstract: The present invention provides improved line and load regulation of a switching-mode power converter (300) without requiring additional capacitors (255), either internally or externally, to stabilize the control loop. The present invention can provide this by integrating a digital compensator (375) with the pulse-width modulator (“PWM”) of the switching-mode power converter. Such a compensator (375) can include comparators (310 and 330), digital circuits (340), and resistors (215, 220, 320, and 325).

Abstract: An integrated circuit drain extension transistor for sub micron CMOS processes. A transistor gate (40) is formed over a CMOS n-well region (80) and a CMOS p-well region (70) in a silicon substrate (10). Transistor source regions (50),(140) and drain regions (55),(145) are formed in the various CMOS well regions to form drain extension transistors where the CMOS well regions (70),(80) serve as the drain extension regions of the transistors.

Abstract: An intergrated circuit drain extension transistor for sub micron CMOS processes. A transistor gate (40) is formed over a CMOS n-well region (80) and a CMOS p-well region (70) in a silicon substrate (10). Transistor source regions (50), (140) and drain regions (55), (145) are formed in the various CMOS well regions to form drain extension transistors where the CMOS well regions (70), (80) serve as the drain extension regions of the transistor.

Abstract: Molten ladle metallurgy furnace (LMF) slag is chilled on a chill plate comprising a number of steel slabs disposed side by side. The slag is poured onto the chill plate and allowed to solidify without the application of any water. Solid slag is removed from the chill plate by mechanical means and is eventually reused to make synthetic slag after further cooling, crushing and screening.