Abstract: A reconfigurable radio communications system is disclosed. The system comprises a digital data bus, a control bus, and first and second reconfigurable radio communication units responsive to the digital data bus and the control bus. Each of the first and second reconfigurable radio communication units further include a first and a second multifunction radio transceiver, with the first reconfigurable radio communication unit responsive to at least a first antenna, and the second reconfigurable radio communication unit responsive to at least a second antenna. Each of the first and the second multifunction radio transceivers of the first and the second reconfigurable radio communication units are operable to simultaneously transmit and receive data on at least two separate channels from different frequency bands.

Abstract: A method of determining the sequence of traversing nodes in a communication network is provided. The method comprises with each node, determining other nodes in the network it can reach in a single hop. Creating a local sequence connection order based on the determined other nodes the node can reach in a single communication hop. Storing historical data of local sequence connection order information and determining a new local sequence connection order based in part on the historical data and communication information.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of automatically maintaining a line-of-sight communication channel. The method comprises determining information about each communication resource that is accessible in a region through which a mobile system is moving. The method further comprises determining information about the mobile system. The method further comprises performing a line-of-sight (LOS) analysis for each of the communication resources based at least in part on a respective location and a respective elevation for the respective communication resource and the current location of the mobile system and a current elevation for the mobile system. The method further comprises determining if a new communication link should be established with at least one of the communication resources based at least on the LOS analyses that were performed and establishing the new communication link if it is determined that the new communication link should be established.

Abstract: A method of error compensation for an inertial measurement unit is provided. The method comprises providing a first object including an inertial measurement unit, providing a second object proximal to the first object, and determining an initial position and orientation of the first object. A motion update is triggered for the inertial measurement unit when the second object is stationary with respect to a ground surface. At least one position vector is measured between the first object and the second object when the first object is in motion and the second object is stationary. A distance, direction, and orientation of the second object with respect to the first object are calculated using the at least one position vector. An error correction is then determined for the inertial measurement unit from the calculated distance, direction, and orientation of the second object with respect to the first object.

Abstract: An optical-based acoustic sensor system detects sound. An exemplary embodiment has a substrate with a surface and an internal region; a shell disposed above the substrate surface, the shell operable to receive incident light emitted by a light source; a beam disposed blow the shell; a photodiode on the substrate surface below the beam, and in response to receiving a first portion of light, the photodiode is operable to generate a charge that attracts the beam such that a motion is induced in the beam to cause the beam to resonate; and a microphone device coupled to the shell, the microphone device operable to detect acoustic waves, and operable to modulate the vibratory motion of the beam, wherein a second portion of light is modulated by the vibratory motion of the beam to generate sound-modulated light that is emitted from the sensor.

Abstract: A switch-mode power converter comprises a converter circuit and an auxiliary switching circuit. The converter circuit comprises a storage component configured to temporarily store input energy; and at least one switch configured to control release of the stored energy from the storage component. The auxiliary switching circuit is coupled to the storage component, the auxiliary switching circuit comprising an auxiliary switch having a duty cycle that is approximately 180 degrees out of phase with the duty cycle of the at least one switch in the converter circuit such that the auxiliary switching circuit produces compensating noise which substantially cancels noise radiated from the converter circuit.

Abstract: An obstacle-avoidance-processor chip for three-dimensional path planning comprises an analog processing circuit and at least two analog-resistive-grid networks. The analog processing circuit is communicatively coupled to receive data from an inertial measurement unit and from at least one obstacle-detection sensor. The analog processing circuit is configured to construct a three-dimensional obstacle map of an environment based on the received data. The at least two analog-resistive-grid networks are configured to map obstacles in at least two respective non-parallel planes in the constructed three-dimensional obstacle map. The at least two analog-resistive-grid networks form a quasi-three-dimensional representation of the environment. The obstacle-avoidance-processor chip generates information indicative of a three-dimensional unobstructed path in the environment based on the obstacle maps.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a node comprises a plurality of IEEE 1394 subnet interfaces for communicating over a plurality of IEEE 1394 buses. Each of the plurality of IEEE 1394 subnet interfaces comprises a respective IEEE 1394 physical layer and IEEE 1394 link layer for communicating over a respective one of the plurality of IEEE 1394 buses. At least the IEEE 1394 physical layers for the plurality of subnet interfaces do not share hardware. The node further comprises at least one programmable processor that executes software that comprises common network layer functionality that interacts with all of the plurality of IEEE 1394 subnet interfaces and routes IEEE 1394 data packets among the plurality of IEEE 1394 buses.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a power supply for a fiber optic gyroscope that comprises at least one main power supply, at least one demodulator local power supply to operatively couple the main power supply to a demodulator included in the fiber optic gyroscope, and at least one modulator local power supply to operatively couple the main power supply to a bias modulator included in the fiber optic gyroscope. The demodulator local power supply comprises a first current source to source current to the demodulator and a first shunt regulator coupled across a load associated with the demodulator. The modulator local power supply comprises a second current source to source current to the bias modulator and a second shunt regulator coupled across a load associated with the bias modulator.

Abstract: A resonator fiber optic gyroscope includes a first light source configured to generate a light signal. A resonator element is configured to generate an optical signal based on the light signal. A photodetector is configured to generate a first electrical signal based on the optical signal. The first electrical signal includes an oscillating signal, a direct-current (DC) signal, an even-harmonic signal including components at even harmonics of the oscillating signal, and an odd-harmonic signal including components at odd harmonics of the oscillating signal. A filtering element is configured to attenuate the DC signal, at least one even-harmonic component, and an odd-harmonic component to produce a second electrical signal. An amplifier is configured to amplify the second electrical signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is configured to digitize the amplified second electrical signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for signal analysis in multiple radio carrier environments are provided. In one embodiment, a radio receiver comprises: an adaptive pass band filter that operates over a pass band of frequencies, the adaptive pass band filter subdividing the pass band into a plurality of sub-channels each comprising a narrower bandwidth than the pass band; and a signal analyzer receiving the plurality of sub-channels, the signal analyzer providing feedback to the adaptive pass band filter, wherein the adaptive pass band filter divides the pass band into the plurality of sub-channels based on the feedback; wherein the signal analyzer selectively generates an output comprising of at least one of the plurality of sub-channels.

Abstract: Methods for the introduction of a reactive material into a vacuum chamber while minimizing or eliminating the simultaneous introduction of contaminating materials or substances. As a result, contaminating materials and substances that can interfere with any measurements or other processes that occur in the vacuum chamber are minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: A network element comprises a power interface to receive power from a power communication medium; a service interface to provide a telecommunication service over a service communication medium; management interface to receive management data over one of the service communication medium and the power communication medium via at least one primitive; and a control module to monitor the at least one primitive and to control operation of the network element based on the at least one monitored primitive.

Abstract: A pressure sensor device for a modular pressure sensor package is provided, comprising a substrate having a pressure port that extends through the substrate from a first side of the substrate to a second side of the substrate. A pressure sensor die is attached to the first side of the substrate, forming a seal over the pressure port on the first side of the substrate. A cover is attached to the first side of the substrate over the pressure sensor die, forming a sealed cavity wherein the pressure sensor die is located within the cavity. The device also comprises a plurality of electrical connectors mounted to the substrate external to the cavity, the plurality of electrical connectors electrically coupled to the pressure sensor die. Further, the substrate includes at least one mounting element configured to secure a pressure port interface to the second side of the substrate in a position around the pressure port.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the angular position of an object are disclosed. As one example, a method for determining the angular position of an object is disclosed, which includes the steps of obtaining data representing an image of a surface area of the object, the image including a plurality of dots, determining a set of coordinates for each dot of the plurality of dots, selecting a predetermined number of dots of the plurality of dots, comparing the predetermined number of dots with a plurality of dots stored in a dot map, responsive to the comparing step, if the predetermined number of dots substantially match the plurality of dots stored in the dot map, selecting the predetermined number of dots, and forming a coordinate transformation matrix representing a transformation from a coordinate frame associated with a position of the predetermined number of dots at the surface of the object to a coordinate frame associated with a position of the image of the surface area of the object.

Abstract: Substantially symmetric RFOG configurations for rotation rate sensing using two input/output coupling components. Configurations are disclosed where optical coupling components handles both input and output lightwaves. Reducing the number of input/output coupling components while maintaining a substantially symmetric configuration for the CW and CCW beam reduces losses, prevents realization of bias errors due to asymmetric light paths in the resonator, and produces better signal to noise performance. In addition, the invention discloses systems integrating multiple functions into compact micro-optic devices that are easier to fabricate and package, leading to compact RFOGs with reduced cost and improved manufacturability.

Abstract: A flight control system is provided that includes a reference system and flight control actuators. The reference system includes one or more sets of gyroscopes and accelerometers. At least one set of the gyroscopes and accelerometers are configured to provide a first output of a first set inertial signals for normal mode flight control and second output of a second different set of inertial signals for backup mode flight control. The flight control actuators are configured to be controlled by one of the first set of inertial signals and the second set of inertial signals.

Abstract: An energy absorber comprises at least one layer of energy absorbing material, each layer having a plurality of cells within the respective layer of energy absorbing material, wherein each layer of energy absorbing material deforms when a force applied to the at least one layer of energy absorbing material reaches a threshold force level; a fluid filling the plurality of cells in each respective layer of energy absorbing material; and a skin covering external surfaces of each respective layer of energy absorbing material to contain the fluid within the cells of the respective layer of energy absorbing material until the force applied to the energy absorbing material causes the respective layer to deform; wherein the threshold force level for each layer of energy absorbing material is based on a viscosity of the fluid in the cells of the respective layer and on a crush strength of the respective layer of energy absorbing material.

Abstract: A chip-scale atomic clock comprises a physics package and a laser die located in a first thermal zone of the physics package. A quarter wave plate is mounted in the physics package and is in optical communication with the laser die. A vapor cell is mounted in the physics package and is in optical communication with the quarter wave plate. The vapor cell is located in a second thermal zone that is independent from the first thermal zone. An optical detector is mounted in the physics package and is in optical communication with the vapor cell. The first thermal zone provides a first operation temperature at a first stability point associated with the laser die, and the second thermal zone provides a second operation temperature at a second stability point associated with the vapor cell.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are various methods of making an integrated circuit comprising a bipolar transistor. According to an embodiment of the invention, the bipolar transistor can comprise a substrate, a collector comprising a plurality of alternating doped regions, wherein the plurality of alternating doped regions alternate in a lateral direction from a net first conductivity to a net second conductivity, and a collector contact in electrical contact with the collector. The bipolar transistor can also comprise a heavily doped buried layer below the collector, a base in electrical contact with a base contact, wherein the base is doped to a net second conductivity type and wherein the base spans a portion of the plurality of alternating doped regions, and an emitter disposed within the base, the emitter doped to a net first conductivity, wherein a portion of the alternating doped region under the emitter is doped to a concentration of less than about 3×1012 cm?2.