Abstract: The present invention can find the exact location anywhere in the nautical world (latitude/longitude coordinates) by correlating or matching radar returns with maps produced by a digital nautical chart called a Chart Server, because each pixel location on the Chart Server maps can be traced back to a latitude/longitude coordinate. An obstacle avoidance module called a Chart Server provides digital nautical charts to create a map of the world. To determine the current world location of a vehicle, the invention combines the Chart Server maps with a radar return, which also appears to display prominent features such as coastlines, buoys, piers and the like. These return features from the radar are correlated or matched with features found in the Chart Server maps. The radar then reports its current location inside of its local map, which when translated to the Chart Server map, correlates to a latitude/longitude registration location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a floating sensor system having a casing that encloses a microcontroller. The microcontroller includes a digital processor and a non-volatile memory. The casing also encloses a data bus that connects the microcontroller to an external environment sensor, an RF transceiver, and a battery. The non-volatile memory includes a history file that maintains a record of events sensed by the external environment sensors. The digital processor is configured to establish a pattern of expected external environmental behavior based on the record of events. The digital processor is also configured to emit a signal through the RF transceiver from the system when an unexpected event occurs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described that enable the design of electrically small antennas in terms of their quality factor (Q) performance or other antenna parameter. A desired charge distribution is defined and thereafter the shape of the antenna is generated, based on the corresponding solution of a quasi-static field approximation. A degree of freedom in the shaping of the antenna is incorporated into the quasi-static field approximation, via a dimensional variable. This expression has a solution set containing the minimum Q factor. By selection of an appropriate value of the dimensional variable, antennas with minimum or otherwise tailored Q values can be quickly designed.

Abstract: Methods for automatic detection of ships in overhead images of bodies of water are disclosed. The image is initially analyzed to determine if land is present, and the portions of the overhead image where land is present are masked and not processed further. The methods include the steps of chipping the unmasked portions of the overhead image into a series of tiles, discriminating and removing clouds from the tiles using two-dimensional Fourier transforms, and characterizing tile background noise from the water's surface. Different ship detection algorithms are used, according to the level of background noise detected. Detected ships are output into a format that is easily interpreted by the user. The formatted output can also include a confidence rating, or a calculation of the certainty that the detected object in an output file is actually a ship.

Abstract: A wireless communications basestation that utilizes a light weight high directivity electronically-steerable antenna mounted on a lighter-than-air vehicle to providing relay broadband communication service among mobile units in a geographic area is provided. The lighter-than-air vehicle carries aloft the antenna; a radio and a switching device for routing. A gateway may also be provided to enable communications with a wide area network. A communication system for a geographic area utilizing the airborne wireless communications basestation is also presented. The system includes a number of user equipment units located in the geographic area in communication with the airborne wireless communications basestation. The user equipment units may utilize omni-directional antennas for low data rate communications, and/or a high directivity antenna.

Abstract: A method for reaching conclusions from stratified knowledge statements (SKSs) comprising: storing a list of SKSs in at least one memory store on a computer, wherein the list of SKSs is composed of cases, generalizations, and analogs, wherein cases are the most valid, and analogs are the least valid of the SKSs; creating a new generalization based on one of the SKSs; redefining a user-validated generalization as a new case; moving the validated new generalization to the logical head of the case list; expunging the new generalization from the list if the new generalization contradicts an existing case creating with the computer a new analog based on three of the SKSs; redefining a user-validated analog as a new case; moving the new case to the logical head of the case list; and expunging the new analog from the list if the new analog contradicts an existing case, or generalization.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining insertion loss for a mast clamp current probe (MCCP) coupled to a monopole antenna are disclosed. An exemplary method includes determining a first power radiated by the monopole antenna across a first range of frequencies while driving the monopole antenna using a base-feed arrangement to produce a first power-frequency measurement, determining a second power radiated by the monopole antenna across the first range of frequencies while driving the monopole antenna using an MCCP-feed arrangement to produce a second power-frequency measurement and to determine impedance mismatch (MM), and determining insertion loss using the first power-frequency measurement, the second power-frequency measurement and the impedance mismatch.

Abstract: A relay device deployment system comprising: a deployer, a wireless relay device, a node radio, a deployment mechanism, and a processor. The deployer is configured to be mounted on a mobile platform and to deploy the relay device to a support surface. The relay device comprises dual rotatable antennas and operates as a node in an ad hoc telecommunications network. The node radio has dual antennas and is also configured to operate as a node in the network. The deployment mechanism is configured to deploy the relay device when the network strength drops below a threshold value as monitored by the processor.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) is used for rendering semantic concepts and provides menu selections that are rendered in accordance with the semantic concepts. The display includes fields for rendering logical associations in multiple display fields. A first field is provided for a semantic concept, and a second field is provided for receiving a consequent of the semantic concept. First and second menus are used to display the semantic concept in a hierarchical display of a set of semantic concepts and to display consequents corresponding to the semantic concepts. A third field for display a semantic concept and a fourth field displays a consequent of the semantic concept. If a user makes a selection from one of the first and second menus, the GUI renders displays in the third and fourth fields in accordance with the selection.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a system for launching and recovering one or more unmanned, underwater vehicles. The system includes a surface vessel having a generally low waterline for transporting, launching and recovering the unmanned vehicles. The system provides the ability to transport, launch and recover unmanned vehicles from either the port or starboard sides of the surface vessel, utilizing an A-frame hoist assembly which can be moved laterally in a controlled manner between the port and starboard sides of the surface vessel for lifting the unmanned vehicles, and which can be pivoted in a controlled manner to provide the launch and recovery operations.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna comprising a tree and a plurality of current probes coupled around the tree. Each current probe is designed to receive and transmit in a substantially different frequency band than the other current probes. The current probes are positioned on the tree so as to effectively create a plurality of transmit/receive antennas such that each respective antenna has a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of less than or equal to approximately 3:1 for a given range within each respective frequency band.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for determining a similarity between two data sets is disclosed, the steps of which include determining a first list of data clusters for a first hierarchically-organized data set, determining a second list of data clusters for a second hierarchically-organized data set, and determining a similarity between the first and second data sets by calculating a maximum flow between the first list of data clusters and the second list of data clusters.

Abstract: A plasmonic transistor device includes an electro-optic substrate and a conductive layer placed on said electro-optic substrate to establish an interface therebetween. The first conductive layer and electro-optics substrate are made of materials that are suitable for transmission of a surface plasmon along the interface. The conductive layer is further formed with a source input grating and a drain output grating, for establishing the surface plasmon. A means for varying the electro-optic substrate permittivity, such as a light source or voltage source, is connected to the electro-optic substrate. Selective manipulation of the varying means allows the user to selectively increase or decrease the substrate permittivity. Control of the substrate permittivity further allows the user to control surface plasmon propagation from the source input grating along the interface to a drain output grating, to achieve a transistor-like effect for the surface plasmon.

Abstract: A KASER (Knowledge Amplification by Structured Expert Randomization) engine reaches conclusions in a semantic format or which take the form of a series of rules. The conclusions are parsed into an array structure having a hierarchical order of validity. A set of inserted rules is received as an initial rules array and are configured so that an antecedent comprises a non-empty, sorted set and a consequent comprises a non-empty sequence. A hierarchy of validity for the rules is determined and the rules are sorted according to the hierarchy. At least one rule set which optimizes the selection of rules is determined, with the rule set meeting predetermined validity requirements, and the rules are ordered in an order of validity, such as an order based on a maximal length antecedent set as a highest rank.

Abstract: A threshold noise-canceling method comprising the steps of: receiving an angle-modulated signal; identifying in the angle-modulated signal potential threshold noise events that exceed a first threshold value; calculating average values of the phase of the angle-modulated signal before and after a potential threshold noise event; identifying every potential threshold noise event as a threshold noise event when the difference between the corresponding before and after average values of the phase is greater than a second threshold value; and canceling out each threshold noise event by adding to the phase of the angle-modulated signal a 2? phase shift of polarity opposite to that of the corresponding threshold noise event.

Abstract: An artificial neuromuscular unit (ANMU) network comprising: a plurality of ANMUs, wherein each ANMU comprises an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator layer and a uniquely addressable EAP logic layer coupled to the actuator layer; a plurality of inert, non-ion-conducting and non-charge-conducting interfaces mechanically coupled between the ANMUs such that the actuator layer of each ANMU is insulated from the actuator layers and logic layers of the other ANMUs; an EAP common conductor layer coupled to the logic layer of each ANMU such that the logic layer of each ANMU is interposed between the common conductor layer and the corresponding actuator layer; and wherein the logic layer of each ANMU is configured to control the transfer of energy to and from the common conductor layer and the corresponding actuator layer.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a secure optical communication system is disclosed. Such a system may include a photon-pair generation circuit configured to generate pairs of photons with each photon pair including a first-channel photon and a second-channel photon, a transmitting circuit configured to receive first-channel photons, and modulate the first-channel photons according to a stream of data using a first optical circulator to produce first-modulated photons, and a receiving circuit configured to receive second-channel photons, pass the second-channel photons through a complementary optical circulator to produce second modulated photons, and detect relative timing between the first-modulated photons and the second modulated photons to recover the stream of data.

Abstract: A nanophotonic device. The device includes a substrate, at least one light emitting structure and at least one electronic component. The at least one light emitting structure is capable of transmitting light and is monolithically integrated on the substrate. The at least one electronic component is monolithically integrated on the substrate. A method for fabricating nanophotonic devices is also described.

Abstract: A microsensor array system, comprising a pad, a plurality of actuators attached to the pad, and a plurality of microprobes, wherein substantially each microprobe in the plurality of microprobes is attached to a respective actuator in the plurality of actuators.

Abstract: An underwater load release device for a deployed underwater load comprising a fixed support member having a hinge end and a fixed end, a rotating member connected to the first hinge end, the rotating member initially held in a closed position by a rotatable bail to hold the underwater load, the bail initially held in the closed position by a galvanic timed release link, the galvanic link applying a predetermined bail tension to the bail during load deployment, a spring mechanism for applying a predetermined back tension to the bail during the load deployment, the galvanic release link corroding over a predetermined timed release when immersed underwater whereby the back tension overrides the bail tension of the galvanic link so that the galvanic link releases, the bail rotates into an open bail position and the rotating member then rotates into an open load position, thereby releasing the load.