Abstract: A laser resonator for generating a laser beam having beam quality along two transverse axes that is determined primarily by the mode discrimination characteristics of one axis. The apparatus including a means for providing a collimated beam of electromagnetic energy with a predetermined orientation with respect to a line of sight thereof, and, a means for rotating the beam such that a transverse mode selection therefor is the same for two orthogonal directions thereof.

Abstract: An efficient memory controller. The controller includes a first mechanism for associating one or more input command sequences with one or more corresponding values. A second mechanism selectively sequences one of the one or more command sequences to a memory in response to a signal. A third mechanism compares each of the one or more values to a state of the second mechanism and provides the signal in response thereto. In a specific embodiment, the one or more corresponding values are execution time code values, and the second mechanism includes a sequencer state machine that provides the state of the second mechanism as a sequencer time code. In the specific embodiment, a compare module compares the sequencer time code to a time code associated with a next available command sequence and execution time code pair and provides the signal in response thereto.

Abstract: A linear mechanical drive has an outer housing, a drive sleeve that is conformably and slidably received within the outer housing, a mount sleeve conformably and slidably received within the drive sleeve, and a guide extending between the outer housing and the mount sleeve to prevent the mount sleeve from rotating relative to the outer housing. A linearly driven structure is affixed to the mount sleeve. There is a first helical engagement between the outer housing and the drive sleeve, and a second helical engagement between the mount sleeve and the drive sleeve. A motor is positioned to actuate the drive sleeve engagement.

Abstract: A ladar system with phase correction. The novel ladar system includes optics for receiving a first signal that is a reflected version of a transmitted laser signal, an optical delay line for providing a second signal that is a delayed version of the transmitted laser signal, and a mechanism for mixing the first signal with the second signal. The second signal is delayed by a time TD that reduces a relative time difference between the first and second signals such that phase errors caused by laser transmitter instabilities and nonlinear modulation are less than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A laser system and method. The inventive laser includes an annular gain medium; a source of pump energy; and an arrangement for concentrating energy from the source on the gain medium. In a more specific implementation, a mechanism is included for rotating the gain medium to effect extraction of pump energy and cooling. In the illustrative embodiment, the pump source is a diode array. Energy from the array is coupled to the medium via an array of optical fibers. The outputs of the fibers are input to a concentrator that directs the pump energy onto a pump region of the medium. In the best mode, plural disks of gain media are arranged in an offset manner to provide a single resonator architecture. First and second mirrors are added to complete the resonator. In accordance with the inventive teachings, a method for pumping and cooling a laser is taught.

Abstract: A Class-E load circuit topology suitable for switching mode Power Amplifiers (PAs). The inventive load includes a shunt inductive element coupled to an output of said amplifier; a series inductive element coupled to said output of said amplifier; and a series capacitive element coupled to said series inductive element. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive load is operable at frequencies in the range of 8-10 GHz and the shunt inductive element is an inductive bias line for said amplifier. The invention enables an advantageous Class-E amplifier design comprising an input matching network; an active device coupled to the input matching network and a load coupled to the active device and implemented in accordance with the present teachings.

Abstract: A method for conducting a built in test on a system having a central processing unit (CPU), connected to one or more storage means, an input/output means and a plurality of assemblies PCI1, PCI2 . . . PCIN to be tested. A test initiator, generally a system wide operating system running on a system CPU, starts the test. Each of the assemblies to be tested has an identified and a test requirement, presented in a format common for, and applicable to, a plurality of central processing units and associated assemblies.

Abstract: A multi-level secure multi-processor computer architecture. The inventive architecture provides an inexpensive security solution for integrated avionics and includes a plurality of nodes. The nodes are connected via a switch in a network configuration over which data is routed using labels. The switch is controlled to facilitate secure communication of data between the nodes. In the illustrative embodiment, the network is a Fibre Channel network including plural switches in which a system manager node serves to control routing between nodes based on a security policy. Each node has a central processing unit. The system manager is implemented as a node and sets up routing tables for selective connection of the nodes via the switch. The label assignments are stored in Fibre Channel network interface cards disposed on each node. The system manager also sets up label routing tables that authorize the interconnection of selective nodes.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductor on a substrate including steps of depositing tantalum on a glass layer of the substrate; oxidizing the tantalum; and depositing a noble metal on the oxidized tantalum to form the conductor. The method can be used to form a ferroelectric capacitor or other thin film ferroelectric device. The device can include a substrate comprising a glass layer; and an electrode connected to the glass layer. The electrode comprising can include a noble metal connected to the glass layer by an adhesion layer comprising Ta2O5.

Abstract: A dual-band, space fed antenna array includes a feed array with a first set of feed radiators for operation in a first frequency band of operation and a second set of feed radiators for operation in a second frequency band of operation. A primary array lens assembly is spaced from and illuminated by the feed array. The primary array lens includes a first set of radiator elements and a second set of radiator elements operable in the first frequency band of operation. The primary array lens assembly also includes a third set of radiator elements and a fourth set of radiator elements operable in the second frequency band of operation.

Abstract: Provided is an electrical connector for interconnecting electrical components such as a printed wiring assembly to one or more additional printed wiring assemblies. The connector includes a housing containing one or more compliant pins, one or more spring probes, and an interconnect for mechanically and electrically interfacing the pins with the probes. An alignment pin mounted in the housing helps to ensure alignment between one end of the connector and a corresponding PWA. In use, the compliant pins are inserted through a conformal coating and into vias in a first PWA, while the spring probes contact connector pads on a second PWA. Multiple connectors may be used to interconnect the two PWA, depending on PWA design.

Abstract: A radar transmitter is at a first location on a moving platform and illuminates a target with a sequence of frequency modulated radar pulses. The frequency modulated pulses are linear frequency modulated, i.e. chirped. The target reflects the frequency modulated radar pulses. A receiving antenna has a difference pattern null and receives the reflections from the target as a main scatterer and an ambiguity of the main scatterer. The sequence of pulses change the start of their frequency modulation (chirp) over a SAR array. The change in start frequency from pulse to pulse allows to shift the range ambiguity so as to align with the delay/Doppler difference pattern null of the antenna. Thus, both the main scatterer as well as the shifted range ambiguity are on the difference pattern null, facilitating their cancellation.

Abstract: An RF power divider circuit unequally divides an input signal into first and second signal components of unequal power. The circuit includes a single input port, first and second output ports, and a combination of a plurality of quarter wave transformers and a plurality of resistors coupled between the input port and the first and second output ports.

Abstract: A modulated saturable absorber controlled laser. The laser includes an active medium; a saturable absorber material operationally coupled to the medium to serve as a passive Q switch; and an energy source disposed external to the medium for apply energy to the absorber. In particular embodiments, the energy source is a diode laser and focusing optics are included between the diode laser and the absorber. Modulation of the gain at the photon round trip time in the laser resonator causes a mode-locked laser output. A dichroic beamsplitter is included in this embodiment for directing energy to the absorber. In an alternative embodiment, the diode laser is a quasi-monolithic diode laser assembly ring.

Abstract: An antenna array includes an array of continuous slots formed in a ground plane structure. A feed structure for exciting the slots includes a periodic set of probe feeds disposed behind the ground plane structure.

Abstract: A structure is prepared by preparing a getter assembly by furnishing a single-piece getter base including a getter substrate and a getter-shield precursor, affixing a getter material to the getter substrate, and processing the getter-shield precursor to form a getter shield. The processing is preferably performed by folding at least a portion of the getter-shield precursor to overlie the getter material affixed to the getter substrate. There may be provided a vacuum housing and a device. The getter assembly and the device are inserted into the vacuum housing, and the vacuum housing is evacuated and sealed.

Abstract: Provided is a non-statistical method for compressing and decompressing complex SAR data derived from reflected energy. The method includes selecting a first FFT to provide a target ratio of pixel spacing to resolution. A second FFT is then selected which is smaller than the first FFT. The data is zero-padded to fill the second FFT and transformed to provide at least one transfer frequency. This transfer frequency is then transferred to the at least one remote site. At the remote site the second FFT is inverted to restore the data from the received transfer frequency. The restored data is then zero-padded again to fill the first FFT. The first FFT is then used to transform the zero-padded restored data to provide a data set of points with the target ratio of pixel spacing to resolution.

Abstract: A system for inhibiting a potential interference source in a communications system. The system includes a first mechanism for incorporating a code within a signal. A second mechanism employs the code to decode the signal. A third mechanism for selectively prevents detection by the second mechanism of a subsequent signal employing the code. In a specific embodiment, the third mechanism incorporates a predetermined delay after receipt of the signal by the second mechanism. The predetermined delay is sufficient to prevent detection by the second mechanism of the subsequent signal employing the code. The code is a function of a time value associated with the signal. The subsequent signal incorporates the code and lacks a corresponding accurate time value due to the predetermined delay. Consequently, rebroadcast of the subsequent signal, which is a delayed signal, is less likely to interfere with the system communications.

Abstract: An interrogator identifies an interrogated object using a light transceiver and a dynamic optical tag associated with the interrogated object. The dynamic optical tag receives an output light beam from the light transceiver and controllably reflects the light beam back to the light transceiver as an input light beam. The dynamic optical tag includes a controllable light reflector that is controllable between a reflective state and a non-reflective state and having a modulation signal input, and a controller that provides the modulation signal input to the controllable light reflector. In operation, the interrogator transmits an interrogation light beam from the light transceiver to the dynamic optical tag, the dynamic optical tag reflects a modulated interrogation light beam back to the light transceiver as the input light beam, and the light transceiver receives and analyzes the input light beam to determine an identity of the dynamic optical tag and the interrogated object.

Abstract: A system (100) and method for outputting data from a detector (104). The novel system (100) includes a first controller (118) that samples the detector (104) at a first rate, a memory (112) for storing the sampled data, and a second controller (120) that outputs data from the memory (112) at a second rate. In a illustrative embodiment, the first rate is symmetrical from field to field, while the second rate is asymmetrical from field to field.