Abstract: Deployment of a moored undersea device is achieved by fixing a mooring line to an anchor, and allowing the mooring line to unwind from a winding reel. A winding reel control mechanism is responsive to underwater hydrostatic pressure to release the mooring line when the hydrostatic pressure exceeds a predetermined level. When the hydrostatic pressure falls below the predetermined level, the winding reel control mechanism prevents further pay out of the mooring line.

Abstract: In an example of the method aspect of the invention, a first user detects transmissions from a first group of users over a multiple access communications channel. The number of users in the first group of users are counted, and the value of a variable N is set equal to the number counted plus one. The method further includes determining whether the first user has data to transmit during a first time slot, and if so, the method also includes generating a first random number, calculating 1/N, and determining if the first random number is less than 1/N. If it is determined that the first random number is less than 1/N, then a signal is transmitted from the first user during the first time slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tidal seepage meters. The meter includes a power supply, controller, motor, selector valve, seepage chamber and at least two sample containers. The controller is operatively coupled to the power supply and is capable of controlling the power supply in accordance with a sampling schedule. The motor is operatively coupled to the power supply and is capable of receiving power from the power supply in accordance with the sampling schedule. The selector valve includes an input port and at least two outlet ports and is operatively coupled to the motor. The selector valve is capable of selecting an output valve in accordance with the sampling schedule. The seepage chamber is operatively coupled to the selector valve, capable of receiving seepage and inputting seepage to the selector valve via the input port. The sample containers are operatively coupled to the selector valve and receive seepage.

Abstract: A Extended Phase Center Tapered Slot Antenna (NC#97529). The apparatus includes a first antenna element capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency energy; a second antenna element capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency energy, wherein the first antenna element and the second antenna element are situated in a tapered slot antenna pair configuration; and at least one conductive launch structure, electrically coupled to the first antenna element and the second antenna element at a location between a lowest operating frequency phase center and a launch end of the tapered slot antenna pair configuration, capable of conducting electricity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for communicating digital information using diversity signaling with a constrained amount of transmission energy per bit available. The method may optimize the number of diversity channels used, optimize the energy allocation emitted per bit on each diversity channel, and apply weighting factors to each diversity channel at the receiver. One method includes initializing one or more channels J from Jm channels, calculating a Chernoff bound B(J) for the one or more channels J, determining whether J+1 channels may be energetically allowed, and transmitting digital information m using the one or more channels J if the J+1 channels are not allowed or if the J+1 number of channels may be selected but the Chernoff bound B(J) is minimized.

Abstract: A high precision microelectromechanical capacitor with programmable voltage source includes a monolithic MEMS device having a capacitance actuator, a trim capacitor, and a high precision, programmable voltage source. The trim capacitor has a variable capacitance value, preferably for making fine adjustments in capacitance. The capacitance actuator is preferably mechanically coupled to and electrically isolated from the trim capacitor and is used to control the capacitance value of the trim capacitor. The capacitance adjustment of the trim capacitor is non-destructive and may be repeated indefinitely. The trim capacitor may be adjusted by mechanically changing the distance between its electrodes. The programmable voltage source provides a highly accurate and stable output voltage potential corresponding to control signals for controlling the capacitance actuator.

Abstract: One embodiment is a microprobe. An example of the microprobe comprises a housing having an aperture. This example of the microprobe also comprises an ISFET attached to the housing. The ISFET may have a gate located proximate the aperture. This example of the microprobe further comprises a reference electrode attached to the housing proximate the aperture. Another embodiment is a microsensor system. Another embodiment is a method for measuring a characteristic of tissue. Yet another condition embodiment is a method for monitoring tissue pH.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining an optimal performance of a lossless circuit. In one embodiment, the number of inductors and capacitors contained in a circuit of interest are input, and then a random search of a plurality of lossless circuits, each having the same number of inductors and capacitors, is conducted. Then, the electrical load used by the circuit of interest is input into each of the plurality of lossless circuits. The method then searches for a circuit of the plurality of lossless circuits having the smallest mismatch between the electrical load and the circuit's input reflectance. The circuit having a lowest mismatch between the input electrical load and the circuit's input reflectance is then determined.

Abstract: A solid-state thermal neutron detector comprises: a layered structure that includes; an electrically insulating substrate; a first electrode affixed to the substrate; a neutron-reactive layer affixed to and in ohmic contact with the first electrode; and a second electrode affixed to and in ohmic contact with the neutron-reactive layer; a voltage source electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes; and an electrical current detector electrically coupled in series between the layered structure and the voltage source.

Abstract: A system includes a receive line array that generates one or more receive line array signals, a processor operatively connected to the receive line array to process the receive line array signals and to generate detonation signals based upon the processed receive line array signal, and a modem operatively connected to the processor that transmits the detonation signals to one or more explosive line arrays, the explosive line arrays having at least one explosive charge coupled thereto that is detonated upon receipt of the detonation signals. The receive line array may include multiple sensors and multiple hydrophones. The sensors may be magnetic field, electric field, or electromagnetic sensors. The explosive line arrays may be detection line arrays or disruption line arrays. The modem may be configured to receive and transmit one or more user-initiated detonation signals to the disruption line arrays to detonate the disruption line arrays.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first end cap, a second end cap and a tapered slot antenna pair having a first antenna element and a second antenna element. The first end cap is electrically coupled to the first antenna element and comprises conductive material. The second end cap is electrically coupled to the second antenna element and comprises conductive material. The first end cap and the second end cap are configured to provide induction-cancelling, capacitive coupling when the apparatus operates at frequencies below a theoretical cutoff frequency.

Abstract: A Metal Nanoparticle Photonic Bandgap Device in SOI (NC#97882). The device includes a substrate having a semiconductor layer over an insulator layer; a photonic bandgap structure having at least one period operatively coupled to the substrate, adapted to receive and output amplified light along a predetermined path; a metal nanoparticle structure, operatively coupled to the photonic bandgap structure and the substrate, adapted to receive and amplify light rays and output amplified light.

Abstract: A cryptographic system includes: a) a light source for generating an excitation light signal; b) a spatial light modulator for encoding the excitation light signal with data; c) a wavelength dispersive element for transforming the excitation light signal into a spectral encoded light signal characterized by relative peak intensities at specific wavelengths; d) an optical detector for generating an information output signal in response to receiving an optical input signal, wherein the information output signal represents spectral and intensity characteristics of the optical input signal; and e) a processor for validating the information output signal if differences between representations of the optical input signal, and representations of the spectral encoded light signal are within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A Quantum Dense Coding System. The system includes a source, a transmitter and a receiver. The source is capable of down-converting a pump photon into a signal photon and an idler photon and outputting probability amplitudes, the signal photon and the idler photon, wherein the signal photon and the idler photon have an equal probability of outputting to a transmission channel and a reception channel. The transmitter is capable of receiving probability amplitudes, signal photons and idler photons from the transmission channel; and selectively changing vertical and horizontal phases of probability amplitudes of signal photons and idler photons; and outputting probability amplitudes, signal photons and idler photons. The receiver is capable of receiving probability amplitudes, signal photons and idler photons from the reception channel and the transmitter; and identifying vertical and horizontal phase changes created by the transmitter. A method for the system is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically clocked optoelectronic track and hold (“OCOETH”) device. The OCOETH device includes a diode bridge, input node, at least two current sources and at least two photodetectors. The input node is operatively coupled to the diode bridge and can receive an analog input signal. The at least two current sources are operatively coupled to the diode bridge and can forward bias the diode bridge. The at least two photodetectors are operatively coupled to the diode bridge and can receive an optical input clocking signal, and can reverse bias and forward bias the diode bridge in response to the optical input clocking signal. The hold capacitor is operatively coupled to the diode bridge and can track the analog input signal when the diode bridge is forward biased, and can hold the analog input signal when the diode bridge switches from forward biased to reverse biased.

Abstract: A Electronic/Photonic Bandgap Device (NC#98614). The apparatus includes a substrate; an electronics layer operatively coupled to the substrate; and an optical bus layer operatively coupled to the electronics layer. The optical bus layer comprises at least one 3D photonic bandgap structure having at least one period operatively coupled to the electronics layer and comprising a plurality of honeycomb-like structures having a plurality of high index regions and a plurality of low index regions, wherein the plurality of honeycomb-like structures comprises at least four honeycomb-like structures layered over each other, wherein a second honeycomb-like structure is offset from a first honeycomb-like structure, wherein a third honeycomb-like structure is offset from a second honeycomb-like structure, and wherein a fourth honeycomb-like structure is not offset from the first honeycomb-like structure. The 3D photonic bandgap structure and the electronics layer are monolithically integrated over the substrate.

Abstract: A communications system and method using slave channeling. The method includes the steps of: (a) receiving a request to transmit a message from a first communications resource, the request including a destination address that identifies a second resource; (b) searching within a periodic time frame for an available time slot on a control channel, wherein the second resource is available to receive the message; (c)(1) if the slot is available on the control channel, transmitting the message therein; (c)(2) otherwise, searching for an available slot on a slave channel (d)(1) if the slot is available on the slave channel, transmitting the message therein; (d)(2) otherwise, repeating steps (c)(2)-(d)(2). If the slot is available on the slave channel, the method further includes the steps of: (e) transmitting orderwire information to the first and second communications resources on the control channel; and (f) transmitting the message on the slave channel.

Abstract: A system parametrically down-converts a photon into a pair of first and second quantum-entangled photons. A transmitter is coupled to receive the first photon and includes an irreversible collapse event device for collapsing the quantum-entangled state of each photon in the pair. The collapse is caused by attempting to detect the first photon at the transmitter. Because of quantum-entanglement, collapse of the first photon collapses the second photon of the pair. The transmitter can also be used to not cause the collapse. A receiver includes polarization detectors to detect whether the transmitter has collapsed or left uncollapsed the quantum-entangled state of the photon pair. Causing or not causing the collapse can be used for communication. Every down-converted photon can be used for communication, even though few of the photons actually leave the source and reach the transmitter. This allows communication with a minimal number of transmitted photons.

Abstract: One embodiment is a microprobe. An example of the microprobe comprises a housing having an aperture. This example of the microprobe also comprises an ISFET attached to the housing. The ISFET may have a gate located proximate the aperture. This example of the microprobe further comprises a reference electrode attached to the housing proximate the aperture. Another embodiment is a microsensor system. Another embodiment is a method for measuring a characteristic of tissue. Yet another embodiment is a method for monitoring tissue pH.

Abstract: A communication system employs quantum entanglement by projecting photons through a nonlinear crystal. Some become parametrically down-converted into signal and idler photon pairs. The signal photons are projected to a receiver and the idler photons to a transmitter. The transmitter operator can alter the time width and a majority of the center wavelengths of the idler photons via a collapse event in the transmitter. Because of quantum entanglement, a corresponding change in the time width and center wavelengths of the signal photons as received at the receiver results. The purposeful causation of the collapse event or a lack of such purposeful causation can be used for binary communication. In addition, the sensing of an atmospheric condition may be performed by equating changes in received signal photon characteristics with changes in collapse conditions in the atmosphere.