Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transitioning between opposite sides of adjacent stripline circuit boards. An orthogonal coaxial connection between opposite sides of the stripline circuit boards is provided wherein a center pin of a coax connector is disposed through the first stripline circuit board and the center trace of one of the stripline circuit boards and through the second board. The center pin is soldered or otherwise electrically attached to a small conductor island pad isolated from the ground plane of the second board and to the plated through hole. The ground of the coaxial connector is connected to the ground plane of the second board adjacent to the isolated conductor island pad.

Abstract: A technique for operating a communication link in RF proximity to an operational radar. A data link waveform is employed which allows a data link receiver to detect an alert indication during normal radar operation. When the alert is detected, the system briefly inhibits radar operation to receive the information content of the data link message. A data link message rate is selected to keep the impact to radar operation at a minimum.

Abstract: A diaphragm pressure regulator comprising a housing having first and second sections. The first section 1a has a cavity or vacuum space, and a wave spring is disposed in the vacuum space, a load distributor is disposed adjacent to the wave spring, and a diaphragm seals the cavity and secures the wave spring and load distributor in the cavity. The second section of the housing comprises a movable and sealable vent stem that moves in response to movement of the diaphragm, and a vent opening for venting the interior of the second section of the housing to external pressure in response to motion of the diaphragm. The diaphragm 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 missile systems that fly into the upper atmosphere.

Abstract: A system and method for target reacquisition and aimpoint selection in missile trackers. At the start of iterations through the process, distance classifier correlation filters (DCCFs) memorize the target's signature on the first frame. This stored target signature is used in a subsequent confidence match test, so the current sub-frame target registration will be compared against the stored target registration from the first frame. If the result of the match test is true, a patch of image centered on the aimpoint is used to synthesize the sub-frame filter. A sub-frame patch (containing the target) of the present frame is selected to find the target in the next frame. A next frame search provides the location and characteristics of a peak in the next image, which indicates the target position. The DCCP shape matching processing registers the sub-frame to the lock coordinates in the next frame. This process will track most frames, and operation will repeat.

Abstract: An optical correction technique which utilizes a pair of toroidal optical elements which are translated axially to provide dynamic correction of astigmatic aberrations induced by conformal/aspheric domes and windows as a function of sensor gimbal angle. This correction technique provides dual axis, variable optical power correction within the dynamic operation of gimballed optical sensors, and is particularly suited to correction of aberrations introduced by conformal/aspheric domes and windows used in both missile and airborne fire control systems.

Abstract: A missile has a body with a substantially circular nose opening therein, and a ceramic radome sized to cover the nose opening. A compliant metallic circular "T"-flexure element is disposed structurally between the radome and the body and is integral with the body. A niobium-containing washer is disposed between the radome and the "T"-flexure element. The "T"-flexure element includes an elongated compliant arm region and a cross bar region positioned adjacent the radome such that the niobium-containing washer is situated between a lower margin surface of the radome and an upper side of the crossbar region. A first brazed butt joint is formed between the lower margin surface of the radome and an upper surface of the niobium-containing washer, while a second brazed butt joint is formed between a lower surface of the niobium-containing washer and the crossbar region of the "T"-flexure element.

Abstract: A hard-target penetrating warhead (10) adapted for use with length constrained warhead payload bays. The warhead (10) includes a warhead case (12) for containing warhead explosives (22, 27). A tungsten ballast (16) is disposed within the case (12) for providing a high warhead sectional pressure upon impact of the warhead (10) on a target. A fuse (19) detonates the warhead explosives (22, 27) upon penetration of the target. The fuse (19) is housed by a fuse well (18) that is attached to the case (12) at one end. A slip fit section of the fuse well (18) provides structural support to the case (12) and prevents dislodging of the fuse well (18) and the fuse (19) from the case (12) upon warhead target impact. Explosives blowout ports (24) included in the fuse well (18) inhibit undesirable explosion or detonation of the warhead explosives (22, 27) by accidental exposure to high heat or fire. In a specific embodiment, the case (12) has a 6 caliber radius head nose (14).

Abstract: Inexpensive and reliable apparatus for blanking the signal path between an antenna and a transmitter or a receiver to protect them from harmful radiation in the absence of power forms supplied thereto. The apparatus is preferably formed as a printed circuit waveguide switch window having a plurality of parallel conductors, such as metal wires or printed circuit traces, disposed on a dielectric substrate. The waveguide switch window is secured between two sections of waveguide. The conductors have a predetermined separation and width that are designed to appear as a solid metal surface that rejects radiation over a wide bandwidth. A bias terminal is coupled to the plurality of conductors, and insulating material is disposed between the bias terminal and the conductors to insulate the top portion of the grid array from the adjacent waveguide. The lower portion of the grid array is grounded to the adjacent waveguide.

Abstract: A multiple frequency band, multi-spiral antenna that employs filters to pass the band of one spiral and reject the band of the other spirals. Additional isolation is achieved by arranging adjacent spirals to have opposite senses. All the isolation and filtering is accomplished within the body of the antenna. The antenna includes two, two-arm spirals. The higher frequency spiral resides in the interior of the lower frequency spiral. The two spirals are concentric about each other, and lie on the same plane. A balun and filter circuit is connected to the two spirals, and is disposed within the antenna body.

Abstract: A compensation circuit adapted to receive an input signal for a circuit element to be compensated. The input signal is used as an address to a memory at which a compensated signal is stored. The stored compensated signal is output to the circuit element as the compensated signal therefor. In a specific implementation, the command input is received by a shift register. The shift register converts a serial input to a parallel output. The parallel output of the shift register is combined with the output of a temperature sensor to provide an address for the memory. The command input data includes an address to the particular circuit element to be compensated. The temperature data is used to select a particular page of memory and the remainder of the command input data is used to select data from that page for output as the compensated signal for the selected element. In the illustrative embodiment, the components compensated are automatic gain control amplifiers.

Abstract: A three-dimensional stacked electrical circuit assembly that uses spherical or cylindrical metallic contacts that are surface mounted to input and output pads of circuit substrates that contact recessed wire button contacts disposed in cavities formed in a nonmetallic spacer disposed between the substrates. Each metallic contact fits into a through hole in the spacer and makes contact with a separate wire button contact in the through hole of the spacer. The metallic contacts are recessed within the spacer and are protected from contamination and handling damage. Back-to-back spacers may be employed that use plungers to make contact between wire button contacts disposed therein. The wire button contacts are recessed in the through holes, which provides for an interconnect system having low contact resistance, high current capacity, low contact force, and the ability to customize the shape of the spacer.

Abstract: A processor and method for discriminating against interference during target acquisition and reacquisition processing of densely cluttered images. The processor and method that adaptively estimates the feature probability density function of the interference from the image data. The estimated interference probability density function, along with target feature estimates are input to a Bayesian classifier that discriminates the interference from the target.

Abstract: An infrared energy detection apparatus having a first array of infrared detectors adapted to detect infrared energy of a first wavelength and produce an electrical signal corresponding to such detected energy, and a second array of infrared detectors, positioned to intercept infrared energy passing through the first array, and adapted to detect energy of a second wavelength in such intercepted energy and produce an electrical signal corresponding to such detected energy. The first array of infrared detectors includes an array of detector devices formed along a lower portion thereof adapted to detect a portion of radiation impinging on the upper portion thereof and, electronic circuitry disposed between the upper and lower portions and connected to the detector devices for producing electrical signals representative of the detected energy having the first wavelength.

Abstract: A composite sensor includes at least one layer comprising a piezoelectric material such as a molecularly poled polymer material or a ceramic material having disposed therebetween a material which enhances the piezoelectric properties of the piezoelectric material. One pair of edges of said composite sensor are constrained from expanding in response to a force applied to the sensor.

Abstract: A fluid routing system for use in a fluid line is set forth which includes a fluid routing mechanism having a housing and a block, and a removable treatment device. The housing has an internal chamber, an inlet port for attaching to one part of a fluid line, an outlet port for attaching to another part of the fluid line, an inlet channel connecting the inlet port to the internal chamber, and an outlet channel connecting the internal chamber to the outlet port. The block is capable of movement between a first and second position and is disposed within the internal chamber of the housing. The block has a first internal cavity, a second internal cavity, an exterior surface, an inlet passageway connecting the first internal cavity with the exterior surface, and an outlet passageway connecting the second internal cavity with the exterior surface. The inlet passageway and the outlet passageway are configured to retain fluid therein when the treatment device is removed.

Abstract: A method for calibrating the radar system includes the steps of: replacing stored statistically generated "average" error correction coefficients with error correction coefficients personal to a missile under test. More particularly, stored in the missile's memory are: (a) first personalized error correction coefficients generated in response to test signals produced internal to the missile and injected into a monopulse arithmetic unit for the missile's receiver/processor; and (b) a second set of personalized error coefficients generated in response to test signals external to the missile and injected through the missile's antenna to the receiver/processor. The missile includes a radio frequency (R.F.) energy test signal generator for performing a test during the missile's flight to determine "in-flight" personalized error correction coefficients. The test is performed in-flight by injecting the R.F.

Abstract: An audio amplifier that does not exhibit a "pop" during a change-of-state such as being turned on. The popless amplifier includes an operational amplifier to power a speaker, a circuit to prevent the application of an output voltage from the operational amplifier to the speaker for a selectable period of time and a circuit to charge the output of the operational amplifier to a selectable mid-rail voltage during the time a voltage from the operational amplifier is prevented from reaching the speaker.