Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved electrical interconnection assembly adaptable for creating electrical connections between spaced-apart sections of a high performance missile assembly. Because the electrical connection must extend outside the missile, a plurality of electrical interconnections are integrally formed within a protective housing that is, itself of aerodynamic configuration. The cables may take the form of flat wires, or printed wire assemblies integral with the housing. Pre-stressed foam is formed in the housing to insulate the electrical interconnections. Wire mesh is preferably mounted in the housing between the interconnections and the outside of the housing to protect the interconnections from Electro-magnetic Interference (EMI).

Abstract: A steerable optical arrangement. The inventive arrangement includes a first prism mounted for rotation about an optical axis and a second prism mounted for rotation about the optical axis. In accordance with the inventive teachings, the first prism and/or the second prism have at least one surface contoured to correct for optical aberration. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second prisms are Risley prisms. In addition, the illustrative implementation includes a first motor arrangement for rotating the first prism about the optical axis and a second motor arrangement for rotating the second prism about the optical axis. A controller is provided for activating the first and second motors to steer the beam at an angle &phgr; and nod the beam at an angle &thgr;. At least two surfaces at least one prism is contoured to correct for astigmatism, coma, trefoil and other non-rotationally symmetric aberration.

Abstract: A differential current mode amplifier circuit (5,5′) includes a first circuit leg having a first current source providing a current I1 coupled in series with a first transistor (m1) at a first circuit node (n1). The first transistor has a control terminal for coupling to an input signal potential (Vs). Vs is obtained from a unit cell of a radiation detector array, and is indicative of a magnitude of an integrated, photon-induced charge. The first circuit leg outputs a first output current (Is). A second circuit leg includes a second current source providing a current I2 coupled in series with a second transistor (m2) at a second circuit node (n2). The second transistor has a control terminal for coupling to an input reference potential (Vr). The second circuit leg outputs a second output current (Ir). A resistance (Rs) is coupled between the first circuit leg and the second circuit leg at the first circuit node and the second node.

Abstract: An in-line decryptor is employed to decrypt software (program instructions) transferred from a read only memory to a central processing unit. The in-line decryptor comprises a keystream generator that contains a cryptographic algorithm coupled to a memory that stores cryptographic keys. A combining function implemented using two substitution functions and two XOR functions generates an output keystream of the keystream generator. The decryptor uses the cryptographic algorithm to initialize a variation of a one time pad cryptosystem. Using a number of relatively short pseudorandom sequences and a simple combining function, a much longer address-dependent pseudorandom sequence is created. This sequence is used to decrypt the encrypted software in real time on an instruction-by-instruction basis.

Abstract: An arrangement (10) for efficiently shifting energy received at a first wavelength and outputting the shifted energy at a second wavelength. The arrangement (10) includes a laser (12) and an optical parametric oscillator (14) of unique design. The oscillator (14) is constructed with a energy shifting crystal (20) and first and second reflective elements (16) and (18) disposed on either side thereof. Light from the laser (12) at a fundament frequency is shifted by the crystal and output at a second wavelength. The second wavelength is a primary emission and induces a secondary emission of energy in the crystal. A novel feature of the invention is a coating applied on the reflective elements (16 and/or 18) for minimizing the secondary emission. This constrains the energy to be output by the arrangement (10) at the wavelength of the desired primary emission. In the alternative, the arrangement (10) may be optimized to output one or more of the secondary emissions.

Abstract: Switching apparatus for switching on and off one or more microwave tubes. A preferred embodiment of the switching apparatus comprises a solid state magnetron switcher that switches a plurality of magnetrons on and off using a plurality of high voltage (IGBT) switches. The microwave tubes or magnetrons are driven from a single power supply. The technical approach employed in the present invention places all microwave tubes or magnetrons into low level oscillation prior to switching them into full conduction. This maintains minimal voltage across the high voltage switches while allowing only a small percentage (1-2%) of full load current to be drawn.

Abstract: A body is enclosed by an elongated tube of shape-recovering tubing having a direction of elongation and having materials properties described by a recovered state and an expanded state which contracts toward the recovered state upon heating. The piece of shape-recovering tubing is processed to have a first region in the recovered state, the first region being in the form of a stripe extending parallel to the direction of elongation, a second region in the expanded state, and, optionally, printed matter on the first region. The tube is positioned overlying the body, and the second region is heated so that it contracts toward the recovered state.

Abstract: A hybrid two-stage cryocooler includes a first-stage Stirling expander having a first-stage interface and a Stirling expander outlet, a thermal-energy storage device in thermal communication with first-stage interface, and a second-stage pulse tube expander with a pulse tube inlet. A gas flow path extends between the Stirling expander outlet and the pulse tube inlet, and a heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the gas flow path. The relative cooling power of the first and second stages may be controlled to increase the cooling power of the second stage relative to the first stage in response to an increased heat load to the second stage. The thermal-energy storage device acts as a thermal buffer during this period, and is later cooled when the relative cooling power is adjusted to increase the cooling power of the first stage.

Abstract: A radiation sensor. The inventive sensor has a two-level detector structure formed on a substrate in which a thermal detector element is suspended over the substrate as a microbridge structure. A receiver of electromagnetic radiation is provided on the same side of the substrate in a manner that efficiently couples the radiation field to the thermal detector element. The thermal detector element has a sandwich structure including a heater metal layer, a dielectric layer, and a thin film thermo-resistive material. The thermal detector element is suspended out of physical contact with the receiver. In one embodiment, the receiver is an antenna having a crossed bowtie configuration that efficiently couples the radiation field to the detector element. The inventive radiation sensors are especially useful for mm-wave and microwave sensing applications. The sensor can be used individually or in linear or two-dimensional arrays thereof.

Abstract: A system and method adapted for use with a focal plane array of electromagnetic energy detectors to receive first and second frames of image data from electromagnetic energy received from at least a portion of a scene. The first frame is a focused frame and the second frame is a blurred frame. In a feed-forward path the system compares the first frame to the second frame and provides an error signal in response thereto. In a main path, the system multiplies at least a portion of the second frame of image data with the error signal to provide an noise error corrected output signal. In the preferred embodiment, the error signal is scaled prior to being multiplied by the second frame. A min-mean filter is provided to remove dome shading effects from the frames of image data. In the best mode, the min-mean filter is disposed in the main path and blurred and focused outputs therefrom are weighted, averaged and stored.

Abstract: An integrated infrared and millimeter-wave monolithic focal plane sensor array having a substrate upon which an integrated array of infrared sensors and mm-wave sensors are provided at a first planar level on the same side of the substrate, and a planar antenna for receiving incident millimeter-wave radiation located at a second planar level located between the integrated array of sensors and the surface of the substrates for coupling the mm-wave radiation field to the mm-wave sensor. The antenna receiver of electromagnetic radiation, in one embodiment, is an antenna having a crossed bowtie configuration which efficiently couples the radiation field to the mm-wave sensor. The invention also is directed to a method of fabricating such a radiation sensor.

Abstract: A face-cooling scheme is used with multiple nonlinear crystal formats used primarily for second harmonic generation without the need for air-path rephasing between the crystals. Birefringent crystals, e.g., MgF2, are cut and oriented such that there is no dispersion between the fundamental and second harmonic wavelengths within each crystal. The crystals are then disposed in a heat-conducting housing sandwiched by two or more nonlinear crystals and used as the face-cooling medium, thereby causing the heat generated in the nonlinear crystals by absorption at the fundamental and second harmonic wavelengths to flow longitudinally (direction of beam propagation) into the face-cooling medium. This minimizes any transverse thermal gradient in the nonlinear crystals and the attendant dephasing loss. The crystals can be dry stacked with a very small gas-filled gap, immersed in a liquid or gel, bonded with optical cement, optically contacted, or diffusion-bonded together to form a composite crystal.

Abstract: An explosive countermeasure device is designed to negate an electro-optical seeker system of a missile at least temporarily so that it loses lock on a target aircraft. The device has a central explosive charge with a detonator and a container surrounding the charge for holding a noble gas under pressure. When the charge is detonated, the resultant explosive shock wave will heat the gas to a temperature sufficient for it to emit a short, intense flash of light before the container disintegrates, blinding the electro-optical seeker system at least temporarily.

Abstract: An integrated dual sensor package comprises a housing, a first sensor assembly and a second sensor assembly. The housing includes an internal vacuum chamber, a first window and a second window. The first window is transparent to a first wavelength of propagating energy and the second window is transparent to a second wavelength of propagating energy. The first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly each have an active region responsive to a respective one of the first wavelength and second wavelength of propagating energy. The first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly are each mounted within the vacuum chamber with the active region of each of the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly adjacently aligned with a respective one of said first window and said second window. The common alignment structure also serves as a common thermal interface to the external environment.

Abstract: A test circuit that includes a scan path having serially coupled scan flip-flops clocked by a system clock signal, an index counter clocked by the system clock for providing an index output for tracking data in the scan path, a control circuit clocked by a test clock signal for receiving scan input data from an external source and for providing output data to the external source, an input memory for receiving scan input data from the control circuit, an output memory for receiving the output of the scan path, and a selection circuit having a first input for receiving the output of the scan path, a second input for receiving scan input data from the input memory, and an output connected to the input of the scan path.

Abstract: Very compact, high numerical aperture, high resolution, ultra-wide field of view concentric optical apparatus. The concentric optical apparatus comprises a concentric lens and a focal surface array disposed along a focal surface of the concentric shell outer lens. The optical apparatus may further comprise an image intensifier tube optically coupled to the concentric lens by way of a curved fiber optic relay having an input surface that is concentrically disposed with respect to the concentric lens. The optical apparatus may also comprise a dewar that houses the focal surface array, and wherein the concentric lens comprises a cold stop for the focal surface array.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the synthesis, processing and test of improved spin-on precursor materials comprising at least one Group II metal and at least one Group IV or Group V metal, useful for making thin oxide films, useful, for example, in various electronic devices, such as ferroelectric devices. For example, barium strontium titanate spin-on precursor materials are useful for making thin films of barium strontium titanate (BST) for, e.g., ferroelectric capacitors. A method is provided for fabricating electronic devices employing such Group II-Group IV (or V) oxides as the active device, using polyether acids. The method comprises: (a) providing a substrate; (b) forming a bottom electrode on the substrate; (c) depositing a solution comprising polyether acid salts of the Group II and Group IV or Group V metal ions; (d) forming the oxide film from the solution; and (e) forming a top electrode on the oxide film.

Abstract: An improved tail fin assembly and method of attachment to a tactical missile capable of high performance motion. The tail fin is formed with a widened inner fin platform portion having a centrally disposed cavity formed by a pair of oppositely disposed walls inclined toward one another. An output control shaft extending from the missile includes a pair of oppositely disposed side walls inclined in a direction similar to the side walls of the cavity. When the tail fin is mounted on the output shaft, the end portion of the output shaft extends within the cavity until the side walls are confronting each other. A pair of fastening screws are advanced into aligned openings, drawing the inclined walls into surface contact to pre-load the tail fin assembly with preset tolerances.

Abstract: A beamforming system including a multiplier stage for providing a plurality of steered signal terms, each term being a product of an input signal term and a steering signal term. A filter multiplies the steered signal terms by a plurality of respective filter weights to provide a plurality of weighted products. The weighted products are summed to provide an output beam directionally responsive to the steering signal. A microprocessor provides the steering signal terms and the filter weights in response to the input signal and/or user input. In the preferred embodiment, the filter is a reconfigurable, general purpose matched filter configured to multiply a plurality of delayed representations of a respective one of the steered signal terms by a plurality of the weights to provide a plurality of intermediate weighted product terms. The filter further includes a summing circuit for accumulating the intermediate weighted product terms to provide a respective one of the plurality of weighted products.

Abstract: A thermal birefringence compensator for a double pass laser system, which includes a polarization or conventionally outcoupled laser resonator, a gain medium and a compensator optically coupled to the gain medium. In one implementation, the compensator, which acts as an end reflector, includes a Benson prism, a first quarter waveplate with its principle axes aligned to the fold axis of the Benson prism, and a second quarter waveplate with its principle axes at 45° to the fold axis of the Benson prism. Alternatively, the compensation's prism can be a Porro prism.