Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) include critical devices for various highly sensitive applications. However, MEMS operation may be impaired by vibration. A modular vibration control pedestal for integration with a MEMS is provided according to embodiments of the present invention which includes a piezoelectric perovskite oxide disposed on a substrate and a shape memory alloy component component disposed on the piezoelectric perovskite oxide. In particular embodiments of a MEMS device including a modular VCP, vibration is reduced by at least 50%.

Abstract: A representative system for providing an electric field comprises an electrically insulated frame, guard members and endplates. The frame incorporates a top, a bottom, opposing sides and opposing ends, with the sides extending between the top and the bottom. Each of the ends engages the top, the bottom and the sides. The frame defines an interior. The guard members are suspended within the interior of the frame, with each of the guard members being formed of metal tubing. The guard members are spaced from each other and located along a length of the frame such that the guard members are oriented substantially parallel to the ends of the frame. The endplates are positioned at the ends of the frame. The frame, guard members and endplates are operative to form an electric field within the interior of the frame responsive to an electric potential being applied to at least one of the endplates.

Abstract: A MEMS switch and method of fabrication comprises a RF transmission line; a RF beam structure comprising a RF conductor; a cantilevered piezoelectric actuator coupled to the RF beam structure; a plurality of air bridges connected to the cantilevered piezoelectric actuator; and a plurality of contact dimples on the pair on the RF beam structure. The RF transmission line comprises a pair of co-planar waveguide ground planes flanking the RF conductor; and a plurality of ground straps, wherein the RF transmission line is operable to provide a path along which RF signals propagate. The cantilevered piezoelectric actuator comprises a dielectric layer connected to the RF beam structure; a bottom electrode connected to the dielectric layer; a top electrode; and a piezoelectric layer in between the top and bottom electrodes, wherein the top electrode is offset from an edge of the piezoelectric layer and the bottom electrode.

Abstract: The ternary alloy CdSexTe1-x(2 1 1) and the quaternary alloy Cd1-zZnzSexTe1-x have been grown on Si(2 1 1) substrates using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The growth of CdSeTe is facilitated using a compound CdTe effusion source and a Se effusion source while the growth of CdZnSeTe is facilitated using a compound CdTe effusion source, a compound ZnTe effusion source, and an elemental Se source. The alloy compositions (x) and (z) of CdSexTe1-x ternary compound and Cd1-zZnzSexTe1-x are controlled through the Se/CdTe and ZnTe/CdTe flux ratios. The rate of Se incorporation is higher than the rate of Te incorporation as growth temperature increases. As-grown CdSeTe with 4% Se and CdZnSeTe with 4% Zn+Se, which is substantially lattice matched to long-wavelength infrared HgCdTe materials, exhibits excellent surface morphology, low surface defect density (less than 500 cm2), and a narrow X-ray rocking curve (a full-width at half maximum of 103 arcsec).

Abstract: A system and method of estimating radio frequency (RF) background noise in a radio receiver system comprises determining a total receiver front-end noise based on a noise equivalent receiver bandwidth; estimating external noise associated with the radio receiver system; determining internal noise associated with the radio receiver system from a known noise value; combining the external noise with the internal noise; determining an absolute external (RF) background noise floor associated with the radio receiver system; estimating an out of band noise contribution based on radio receiver selectivity and known received noise levels of out of band sources; and generating a (RF) noise estimate in the radio receiver system based on the above steps. The invention utilizes the (RF) noise estimate to form a (RF) receiver signal to noise ratio enabling an estimate performance of (RF) radio links in the radio receiver system operating in a benign and hostile (RF) environment.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking moving targets in video images comprises retrieving a reference video frames each comprising arrays of digital pixels; computing a first averaged image for each of the reference video frames, wherein each pixel value of the first averaged image comprises an average pixel intensity value associated with all corresponding pixel values in the reference video frames; computing a second averaged image for a second set of the reference video frames, wherein each pixel value of the second averaged image comprises an average pixel intensity value associated with all corresponding pixel values in the reference video frames; viewing an input video frame comprising arrays of digital pixels; subtracting the input video frame from the first and second averaged images separately to form at two difference images; and combining the difference images to form a change map.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for applying a correction that accounts for curvature in the space-time continuum in the context of clock synchronization are disclosed. A representative apparatus, among others, includes a memory having a curved space-time correction module and a processor. The processor is adapted to receive a reference message having a time-stamp from a master-clock and determine a correction to the time-stamp using the curved space-time correction module, wherein the correction accounts for curvature in space-time.

Abstract: The optimal allocation of resources—power and bandwidth—between training and data transmissions is considered for time-selective Rayleigh flat-fading channels under the cutoff rate criterion. The transmitter, assumed to have statistical channel state information (CSI) in the form of the channel Doppler spectrum, embeds known pilots symbols into the transmission stream. At the receiver, instantaneous, though imperfect, CSI is acquired through minimum mean square estimation of the channel based on some subset of pilot observations. The cutoff rate is computed and the optimal resource allocation is developed using, for example, a Gauss-Markov correlation model of a communication channel or a Jakes model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing electrostatic platform noise in electric-field sensors due to various self-charging and discharging processes are provided. A representative method includes: identifying avoidance regions of an electrostatically-floating sensor platform that have a propensity for self-induced charging and discharging; locating a first electrode and a second electrode on the electrostatically-floating sensor platform, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are positioned and dimensioned to receive substantially equal amounts of distributed charge via self-charging; and obtaining a differential signal from these two electrodes that is proportional to an external ambient E-field of interest, while at the same time nulling out the common-mode signal that results from sensor platform self-charging and/or discharging.

Abstract: A system and method of determining an orientation of a spinning object at a known GPS location comprises radially deploying antennae around a plurality of axes of measurement of the spinning object; determining a spin axis of a first end of the spinning object; measuring, using a frequency domain correlation, a roll angle corresponding to the spin axis in relation to a first plane of the GPS location; repeating the measuring process for multiple planes of the GPS location; and generating the orientation of the spinning object by combining all roll angle measurements. The method further comprises determining a sensing vector orthogonal to the spin axis; identifying at least two known GPS locations corresponding to the spinning object; and rotating the sensing vector about the spin axis until two of the known GPS locations become visible or are in the plane of the sensing vector and the spin axis.

Abstract: Included in this disclosure is a quantum positioning system (QPS) that includes a corner cube reflector and a plurality of baselines. Each baseline may include an interferometer, which may include a photon source, a beam splitter, and a photon detector. The interferometer is configured for creating a bi-photon pair and initiating communication of the bi-photon pair with the corner cube reflector. Also included in the QPS is a positioning device configured to calculate a user's position.

Abstract: Graphic displays or audio sound representations of numerical solutions of physics problems modeled by complicated, computationally complex mathematics are generated by Type I and Type II quantum computers, which employs a plurality of classically interconnected nodes each consisting of relatively few qubits, or classical computers emulating Type I and Type II quantum computers. This is done by setting the boundary conditions so that conservation is maintained within a high precision and performing multi-demensional computations as a series of single dimensional computations employing pseudo-random number generators on a classical computer to simulate the stochastic nature of the quantum process. On a quantum computer randomness is supplied the quantum process direction.

Abstract: A system and method for performing attitude determination for projectiles comprises a projectile; a plurality of magnetometers arranged orthogonally to one another in the projectile, wherein the plurality of magnetometers are adapted to take first flight vector measurements of the projectile; a plurality of angular rate sensors in the projectile and proximate to the plurality of magnetometers, wherein the plurality of angular rate sensors are adapted to take second flight vector measurements of the projectile; a digital signal processor adapted to combine the first and second flight vector measurements to estimate Euler angles associated with a position of the projectile; and a calculator adapted to determine an attitude of the projectile based on the estimated Euler angles. Preferably, the plurality of magnetometers comprises three magnetometers aligned within the projectile, and wherein a first one of the magnetometers is aligned with a spin axis of the projectile.

Abstract: An algorithm for the detection of military vehicles in FLIR imagery is used as a prescreener to eliminate large areas of the image from further analysis. The output is a list of likely target locations with confidence numbers, which may be sent to a more complex clutter rejection algorithm for analysis. The algorithm uses simple features, and is intended to be applicable to a wide variety of target-sensor geometries, sensor configurations, and applications.

Abstract: Intersubband semiconductor lasers (ISLs) are of great interest for mid-infrared (2-20 ?m) device applications. These semiconductor devices have a wide range of applications from pollution detection and industrial monitoring to military functions. ISLs have generally encountered several problems which include slow intrawell intersubband relaxation times due to the large momentum transfer and small wave-function overlap of the initial and final electron states in interwell transitions. Overall, the ISL's of the prior art are subject to weak intersubband population inversion. The semiconductor device of the present invention provides optimal intersubband population inversion by providing a double quantum well active region in the semiconductor device. This region allows for small momentum transfer in the intersubband electron-phonon resonance with the substantial wave-function overlap characteristic of the intersubband scattering.

Abstract: A block copolymer composition AB is provided that has pendent groups —RZ extending from the A copolymer on at least 70 mol % of the A monomers, where R and Z are each an ionic species. The composition is included in a semipermeable membrane for use in a direct methanol fuel cell. Also described are articles of protective apparel comprising the composition which advantageously has barrier properties as well as superior water vapor transport properties.

Abstract: An integrated photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) cell is fabricated using microelectromechanical (MEMS) techniques. The multi-layer structure includes an inner layer with a patterned resonant cavity disposed between top and bottom outer layers and a microphone acoustically coupled to the resonant cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the microphone is a piezoelectric thin-film membrane formed on one of the outer layers. The inner layer is additionally patterned to include buffer cavities on either side of the resonant cavity, and one or both of the top and bottom outer layers are also patterned to include buffer cavities aligned with the buffer cavities in the inner layer on either side of the resonant cavity. The preferred fabrication method involves joining an inner silicon substrate to a pair of outer silicon substrates, thereby encapsulating the resonant cavity, and depositing a piezoelectric thin film onto one of the outer substrates which is then patterned to create an acoustic sensor.

Abstract: A technique of spreading current flowing in a semiconductor device comprising an electrode, a drift region adjacent to the electrode, a junction termination extension implant region in the drift region, and a current spreader adjacent to the junction termination extension implant region and the electrode. The current spreader is adapted to reduce current densities and electrostatic fields (preferably simultaneously) in an area connecting the electrode with the drift region. Moreover, the current spreader is adapted to spread current flowing from the electrode into the drift region. The semiconductor device further comprises an ohmic metal contact connected to the electrode and an implant pocket in the drift region, wherein the implant pocket is adapted for terminating electrostatic field lines in the semiconductor device. Preferably, the current spreader comprises an ohmic metal and the electrode comprises any of an anode and a cathode.

Abstract: Methods and systems for synchronizing a first clock with a second clock, wherein the clocks are separated, are disclosed. A representative system, among others, includes a correlated particle emitter that emits a first particle stream and a second particle stream. Particles in the first particle streams are quantum mechanically correlated with particles in the second particle stream. The system also includes: a first target having the first clock and a first particle detector, and a second target having the second clock and a second particle detector. The first target uses the first clock and the first particle detector to determine arrival times of particles included in the first particle stream, and the second target uses the second clock and the second particle detector to determine arrival times of particles included in the first particle stream.

Abstract: Disclosed are a semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same comprising a substrate, a mesa region adjacent to the substrate, an electroplated metal layer, for reducing the thermal resistance of the device, surrounding the mesa region, an insulator layer separating a side portion of the mesa region from the electroplated metal layer, a heat sink, a bonding layer adjacent to the heat sink, and a second metal layer in between the substrate and the heat sink, wherein the substrate is adjacent to the bonding layer, and wherein the electroplated metal layer dimensioned and configured to have a thickness of at least half a thickness of the mesa region; and to laterally spread heat away from the mesa region. The mesa region comprises a first cladding layer adjacent to the substrate, an active region adjacent the first cladding layer, and a second cladding layer adjacent to the active region.