Abstract: A passive suspension system for supporting an instrument relative to a rigid support structure while preserving angular alignment of the instrument. The suspension system includes an instrument platform, the instrument being secured to the platform, and first and second vibration isolator systems. The first ends of the isolator systems are attached to the rigid support structure so that axes of the vibration isolators extend transverse to the instrument axis. The first and second isolator systems resist motion transverse to the instrument axis and provide shock and vibration isolation transverse to the instrument axis. First, second and third stabilizing struts extend parallel to each other and the instrument axis, and are of equal length. A first set of bearings connects ends of the struts to the instrument platform in a spaced relationship, and allows motion transverse to the struts. A second set of bearings connects opposing ends of the struts to the rigid support structure in a spaced relationship.

Abstract: A torque motor includes an annular, cylindrically symmetric, stationary inner support ring having an outer surface, and a plurality of inner permanent magnets affixed to the outer surface of the inner support ring. The torque motor further includes an annular, cylindrically symmetric, stationary outer support ring overlying the inner support ring and having an inner surface, and a plurality of outer permanent magnets affixed to the inner surface of the outer support ring. There is an annular, cylindrically symmetric, rotationally movable rotor body ring lying between the inner support ring and the outer support ring, wherein the movable rotor body ring has a plurality of openings therethrough. A plurality of electromagnet rotor coils is supported in the openings on the movable rotor body ring.

Abstract: A system for correcting detector array channel signal output level non-uniformities in a thermal imaging system. The non-uniformity correction system includes a target scene detector (27) having an array of detector elements (26a, 26b) responsive to energy from a detected target scene (14) and including a plurality of associated output channels (31, 32). The system includes a memory (62) for storing non-uniformity correction commands and a processor (82) operative to implement the non-uniformity commands in response to detected non-uniformities in the output channels signal. The system also includes a non-uniformity corrector (60) for adjusting the level of the output channels in response to commands from the processor (82).

Abstract: Digital counter register stages are constructed as two-to-one mux registers, each employing a multiplexer stage having first, second, and third inputs and an output connected to the switching signal input of a D-type flip-flop, whose Q output comprises a first input to the multiplexer stage. An inverter buffer is associated with each register stage and has an input connected to the output of said D-type flip-flop and an output connected to the second input of the multiplexer stage and fed forward to a NOR gate associated with each subsequent register stage. The output of the NOR gate comprises the third input to the multiplexer stage of the associated register stage.

Abstract: In a thermal imaging unit (12) including optics (16,18) for detecting a target scene (14), a detector array (26) responsive to target scene energy and a scanner (23) for scanning target scene energy from the target (14) onto the detector array (26), an imager lens assembly (120) for focusing the target scene energy onto the detector array. The imager lens assembly includes entrance means (126) for passing the target scene energy. The imager also includes both a first aspherical lens (122) for providing an intermediate focus of the target scene energy and a second aspherical lens (124) for receiving the intermediately focused scene energy and focusing the intermediately focused scene energy onto the detector array.

Abstract: An apparatus for combining a display image with the field of view of a viewer. Light from either a night vision system (14) of a CRT (12) is directed into an eyepiece assembly (18). The eyepiece magnifies and focuses the image into a combiner (30). The combiner (30) consists of an elongated optical element with two parallel sides (36) and (38) and two concave reflective surfaces (32) and (34) at each end. Light entering the combiner (30) is reflected off the first reflective surface (32) and then is reflected back and forth between the sides of the combiner (36) and (38) and then onto the second reflective surface (32). Light reflected off the second reflective surface (32) is combined with light entering from the field of view of the viewer through a prism element (44). The result is that the display image is superimposed in the field of view of the viewer. The system is light in weight, does not protrude significantly from the user's head, introduces minimal distortion and offers a wide field view.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a user with correction information for use in accurately determining the location of the user. A plurality of monitor stations are disposed at a plurality of known fixed locations for monitoring a plurality of navigation data messages transmitted by Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Space Vehicles (SVs) and for determining a plurality of corresponding correction factors. A central ground station is operatively coupled to each of the plurality of monitor stations for receiving the plurality of correction factors from each of the plurality of monitor stations. A GPS transceiver receives at least one of the plurality of navigation data messages at an unknown location and determines a general location of the user. The general location of the user is then transmitted to the central ground station.

Abstract: A low cost, compact projection display source that serves as a very bright image source for an automotive head up display. The present invention is comprised of a high intensity halogen light source and a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display is controlled by display electronics that write images onto the liquid crystal display that are to be displayed to the driver or passengers of a vehicle. Light output from the high intensity light source is transmitted through a piece of infrared energy absorbing glass, a decentered lens, such as a Fresnel lens, and a diffuser that uniformly backlights the liquid crystal display. Crossed polarizers are used on either side of the liquid crystal display. The high intensity light output transmitted by the liquid crystal display is passed through a yellow-orange output window which is projected onto a toric combiner for display to the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for estimating the number of emitters of intermittent or periodic pulsed energy waveforms received at a sensor location and the parameters of the intermittent or periodic energy waveforms, including: accumulating over a selected period of time output of the sensor, the output consisting of a set of vectors, each of the vectors consisting of at least one element of parameters of direction, frequency, and amplitude, and which element(s) specify(ies) a point in a space defined by the element(s) for each of the waveforms received when at least the parameter of direction is included; dividing the space into a plurality of bins, considering each vector in turn, and apportioning weight of each vector to be accumulated within at least some of the plurality of bins; determining at the end of the selected period of time which of the bins exceed a threshold strength and are, therefore, the emitters; and calculating the at least one element of parameters for each emitter as appropriate for the vector elements se

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for generating a high-precision analog output signal corresponding to a non-linear function, such as a sine function, of a digital input quantity, without the need for large numbers of precision current generators. Binary weighted current sources provide currents that, when selectively combined to provide a single output current, are approximately equivalent to the non-linear function of the digital input quantity, and an interpolation network provides an interpolation current that is added to the output current. The interpolation network may be selected to provide linear or non-linear interpolation between output current values. In other disclosed embodiments, multiple interpolation networks are used, either to provide different interpolation techniques for different ranges of input values, or to be connected effectively in series to provide for still greater accuracy without using additional current sources.

Abstract: A conductively cooled flashlamp (30) for use solid state lasers. The flashlamp (30) has an elongated heat sink (31) with a reflective center channel (32), and a flashlamp tube (12) disposed in the channel (32) that extends beyond the ends of the channel (32). Heat conducting gaskets (37a, 37b) are disposed around respective ends of the envelope (34) that separate the tube (12) from the heat sink (31) to provide an air gap (35) therebetween. Clamps (36a, 36b) contact the gaskets (37a, 37b) and secure the envelope (34) to the heat sink (31). Electrodes (25a, 25b) of the tube (12) extend away from the ends of the tube (12) and heavy wires (38a, 38b) are connected to the electrodes (25a, 25b) and extend longitudinally away from the respective electrodes (25a, 25b). Heat conducting, electrically insulating heat sink members (41a, 41b) are disposed at opposite distal ends of the heat sink (31), and wire clamps (42a, 42b) secure the wires 38a, 38b to the heat sink members (41a, 41b).

Abstract: Multiple gain stages are provided in a single traveling wave tube amplifier (TWTA). Each gain stage comprises an interaction circuit, an associated RF input, and an associated RF output. The gain stages are separated by a drift length that is selected to achieve a desired interaction between gain stages. In one embodiment that uses only one TWT, couplers, and adjustment blocks external to the TWT, feed-forward and feedback connections remove intermodulation distortion introduced by the TWTA.

Abstract: A beam steering array that comprises a high voltage source for providing high voltage pulses and a plurality of high voltage switches coupled between the high voltage source and a plurality of microwave sources. Each of the microwave sources are coupled to an antenna element. A trigger source is coupled to the plurality of high voltage switches for providing trigger pulses thereto that are used to selectively switch the respective switches on and off to transfer the high voltage pulses from the high voltage source to a selected microwave source. In a reduced to practice embodiment, the present invention provides for a thyratron switched beam steering array comprising a plurality of channels that each include a high voltage switch comprising a thyratron, a triggering circuit, a magnetron that is used as the microwave source, and an antenna element coupled to the magnetron.

Abstract: A computer system and a method for the protected distribution of certificate and keying material between a certification authority and at least one entity in the certification authority's domain, including the steps of sending keying material, including a password, generated by the Certifying Authority to the entity via a secure medium; generating and protecting, by the entity, a public and a private key pair using the keying material provided it by the certifying authority; generating, protecting and sending a request for a certificate to the certifying authority using the keying material provided it by the certifying authority; requesting, by the certifying authority, that the public key and address of the entity be sent to the certifying authority; protecting and sending the public key and address of the entity to the certifying authority using the keying material provided it by the certifying authority; assembling and issuing the certificate to the entity from the certifying authority and recording the pu

Abstract: A spacecraft traveling in a volume of space receiving radiation from the sun and encountering an undesired force. The spacecraft has a solar panel movably attached to said spacecraft. The spacecraft further includes a solar panel controller which controls the movement of the solar panel, wherein the controller moves the solar panel in a time modulated manner so that a torque is generated which compensates for the undesired force.

Abstract: A system for testing an embedded control processor for a spacecraft comprises an Emulated Spacecraft Control Processor (24) which contains the embedded processor (26), a simulation engine (12), and a host computer (14). The Emulated Spacecraft Control Processor (24), executing embedded application software, provides an emulated input/output interface for the embedded processor (26) to communicate simulated sensor data, command data, actuator command data, and telemetry data to the simulation engine (12) and the host computer (14). The Emulated Spacecraft Control Processor (24) processes the simulated sensor data and the command data to form the actuator command data and the telemetry data. The simulation engine (12) processes the actuator command data from the Emulated Spacecraft Control Processor (24) to simulate the system dynamics of the spacecraft in real-time, and to thereby produce the simulated sensor data.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual function deployable radiator and radiator cover for use on a communication satellite. A deployable radiator is folded or in a "stowed" configuration over a fixed radiator when a satellite is in a launch vehicle. The deployable radiator thereby serves as insulation for the satellite when heat rejection is not necessary. When heat rejection becomes necessary, the deployable radiators are deployed whereby unwanted heat is rejected from the satellite. The deployable radiators, therefore serve a dual purpose, functioning as insulators for part of a mission and radiators for the remainder.

Abstract: The invention resides in a method of measuring position and angle comprising the steps of providing a tooling telescope, a transparent target surface and an alignment target having a light reflecting face confronting the telescope. The light reflecting face being defined by a recess having a parabolic surface and a flat surface surrounding the parabolic recess. The method further includes using light reflected off the flat surface to create collimated light passing through the target surface to define an angle of measurement of the tooling telescope and using light reflected off the parabolic surface to focus a point on the transparent target surface to measure position.

Abstract: A solid catadioptric lens (10) includes substantially planar input surface (14), primary concave mirror 18, secondary convex mirror (22) and substantially spherical exit surface (24). The lens is composed of solid material (12) chosen according to the particular imaging application in which the lens is to be used. Radiation enters lens through input surface (14), travels through solid material (12) and is reflected off of primary mirror (18). Radiation subsequently passes internally through solid material (12) and is reflected off of secondary mirror (22). Subsequent to being reflected off of secondary mirror (22), radiation (30) passes through solid material (12) and out of lens (10) through spherical exit surface (24) and onto detector array (34) for imaging purposes.

Abstract: A digital information system delivers virtual on-demand information over existing, as well as the next generation, digital transport systems by offloading a portion of the systems' peak bandwidth requirements to the local subscribers. A collaborative filtering system synthesizes the preferences of all of the subscribers and then predicts those items that each subscriber might like, and therefore request. Each subscriber is provided with a local storage device for storing, during off-peak hours, those items recommended by the collaborative filtering system. As a result, only a relatively few subscriber requests must be serviced directly from the central distribution system.