Abstract: A missile has a non-cylindrical fuselage over at least a portion of its length, with a non-cylindrical propulsion system contained within the non-cylindrical portion of the fuselage. The fuselage and propulsion system are preferably generally elliptical in cross section, with a dimensional ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of from more than 1:1 to about 1.5:1. The missile further includes a guidance system and guidance control features.

Abstract: A feed through circuit for an integrated circuit, including a first I/O pad (39); an input buffer (37) having an input connected to the first I/O pad and having an output; a second I/O pad (19); and an output buffer (15) having an input that is connected to the output of the input buffer and not connected to core logic circuitry of the integrated circuit, and further having an output that is connected to the second I/O pad; whereby a signal on the first I/O pad is fed through to the second I/O pad.

Abstract: A remote ground terminal for transmitting a modulated data signal to a satellite. The remote ground terminal comprises a source of data signals, a demodulator for receiving a data signal and coupling the data signal to a transmitter, and for producing a power control signal during the period the data signal is present at an input of the demodulator. The power control signal is coupled to the transmitter and controls the operation of the transmitter such that the transmitter only receives power when the demodulator produces the power control signal. During the period the transmitter receives power, it functions to provide and modulate a carrier signal in accordance with the data signal received from the source of data signals.

Abstract: A high efficiency, high performance full color projection system. The system includes a one-to-one relay and a refractive projection lens system. The one-to-one relay combines the outputs from two different spectral image sources, such as blue and red image sources. The refractive projection lens further combines the output from a third spectral image source, such as a green image source, with the combined images from the other two image sources relayed through the one-to-one relay to produce a single output. The one-to-one relay includes three modules, a spherical primary module, a spherical secondary module and a spectral combining module. The refractive projection lens system includes a beam combiner and a projection optics.

Abstract: A method of providing accurate elevation data from three or more complex SAR images. A SAR vehicle is operated to produce a number of SAR images at different grazing angles. The present method provides precise elevation maps derived from the SAR images. In a multiple channel variant of the present invention, more than two antennas collect SAR data from various grazing angles, increasing sensitivity while resolving the ambiguity problem in a mathematically optimum manner. A multiple pass variant of the present invention collects data from more than two passes, and from various grazing angles (interferometric "baselines"). The multiple pass approach and associated processing preserves the high sensitivity of the long-baseline available from dual pass IFSAR while resolving the ambiguity problem in a mathematically optimum manner. Accuracy and ambiguity resolution are improved with each additional pass or channel. The method processes raw SAR data to produce a plurality of complex images therefrom.

Abstract: A microwave frequency three-wire transmission line provides the capability of solderless interconnections between stacked microwave hybrid and printed wiring board (PWB) assemblies. Three wire-like compressible conductors are embedded in a dielectric support member. Each compressible conductor is realized by densely packing thin wire into an opening in the supporting dielectric. The dielectric preferably has a metal shielding surrounding the outer periphery to suppress higher order modes. A vertical right angle bend transition uses the transmission line to interconnect between grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) transmission lines. This orthogonal transition uses button spring contacts, thus creating a reusable solderless vertical interconnection between the two transmission lines.

Abstract: A portable lens measuring device (10) comprises a plurality of optical fibers (23) and a lamp (18) for providing light to a common end. The portable lens measuring device (10) includes a sensor (32) for detecting light from the common end through the second arm, the light sensor (32) generating a signal responsive to the amount of light detected, and a lens assembly (25), the lens assembly being connected to the common end and having a fixed focal point. The portable lens measuring device (10) includes a controller (12) for controlling the lens assembly (25), for regulating the lamp and for receiving the signal generated by the detector. The portable lens measuring device (10) also includes a sensor motor (14) for moving the lens assembly (25) across a first and second surfaces of the lens to provide a value of the center thickness of the lens.

Abstract: A thermal imaging device (10) provides for its use with a variety of accessory telescopic lenses (12). Each of the accessory telescopic lenses (12) and the thermal imaging device (10) include cooperating physical features allowing the lenses (12) to be mated with the device (10) in a single relative position. Each lens (12) also carries a uniquely positioned magnet (176), and the thermal imaging device (10) includes a plurality of magnetically-responsive sensors (178) responding to the magnets (176) of the various lenses (12) to identify which (if any) of the accessory lens (12) is installed on the device (10). Some of the accessory lenses (12) also include a variable-power feature. These variable-power lenses (12) have an additional magnet (182) moving between an effective position and an ineffective position in response to a user-selected power setting for the lens (12).

Abstract: A pair of dual-gridded shaped reflectors (10) and (20) are arranged one behind the other for transmitting and receiving orthogonally polarized energy waves. A front reflector (10) has a first shaped reflective surface (12) formed on a first body surface (14) for providing a first shaped beam coverage. A rear reflector (20) has a second reflective surface (22) formed on a second body surface (24) for providing a second shaped beam coverage. The first and second reflective surfaces (12) and (22) have substantially identical surface contours and include reflective grids (13) and (23). The reflective grids (13) and (23) are orthogonal with respect to each other so as to handle orthogonally polarized energy. The first and second shaped reflective surfaces (12) and (22) are arranged offset and tandem from each other so as to provide first and second focal points (16) and (26) separate from each other while providing substantially identical first and second shaped beam coverages (15) and (25).

Abstract: A DC to AC inverter that includes a first capacitor (11) and a first inductor (13) connected in series between a positive voltage supply node and a central node; a first active switch switching (15) connected across the first capacitor and driven with a first periodic drive signal of a predetermined frequency; a second capacitor (21) and a second inductor (23) connected in series between a negative voltage supply node and the central node; a second active switch (25) connected across the second capacitor and being driven with a second periodic signal of said predetermined frequency and being out of phase by 180 degrees relative to the first periodic drive signal; a bandpass filter (31, 33) connected between the central node and an output node; and a load (47) connected between the output node and ground.

Abstract: An autocalibration system is provided for a back-scanning, gimbal-mounted step and stare imaging system. The step and stare imaging system effects step and stare performance even though the gimbal mounted platform upon which the system telescope is mounted rotates at a constant rate. The autocalibration system calibrates the system's static line of sight positioning and the system's rotational, or angular rate line of sight positioning.

Abstract: Discrete phase modulation for modulating the transmit and receive radar signal waveforms in order to control distortion. The signal is modulated by discrete phases which change from pulse-to-pulse. A digital frequency division circuit accurately generates the modulation signals, and allows the discrete phases to be generated with precise accuracy. The discrete phase changes can be a quadratic phase progression for target Doppler and range detection.

Abstract: A FLIR boresight alignment system (52) for aligning a sensor pod LOS associated with a weapons pod of a fighter aircraft to a navigation reference frame. A pod inertial navigation and global positioning system (62) provides position, velocity and attitude of a sensor (58) within the pod. An aircraft inertial navigation and/or global positioning system (68) provides position, velocity and attitude of the aircraft. The sensor position and velocity and the aircraft position and velocity are applied to a transfer alignment filter (64) that utilizes Kalman filtering. An output of the transfer alignment filter (64) is applied to a sensor inertial navigation system to correct the pod LOS relative to the navigation reference frame. Alternately, the transfer alignment filter (64) may operate directly upon the pseudo ranges and delta pseudo ranges to satellites being tracked by the GPS receiver.

Abstract: A computer aided system design tool which enables the user to define the system functionally by defining functional program requirements (28) and defining preliminary system requirements (30). After the program requirements (28) and preliminary system requirements (30) have been defined, an automated reuse tool (38) selects particular implementations for each of the functions specified by the user when defining the functional program requirements (28). The automated reuse tool (38) also partitions the system constrains defined by the preliminary system requirements (30) over the system by proper selection of particular implementations for each design. The resulting reuse design database (40) may then be simulated (42) to verify proper operation of the system.

Abstract: A transient response circuit for a step-down DC to DC converter having a DC input and a DC output.

Abstract: A charging system employing a liquid-cooled transmission cable for transferring power. The transmission cable has a central tube with an extruded member disposed therewithin for carrying coolant. A plurality of layers of coaxial tubular wire braid are disposed around the central tube that carry charging current and that are separated by a layers of dielectric material. An outer layer of wire braid is disposed around an outermost layer of dielectric material that is used for grounding and/or shielding. An outer jacket is disposed around the outer layer of wire braid for encasing the transmission cable. The extruded member may comprise a thermoplastic rubber extrusion, for example. The coolant path through the transmission cable is internally supported by means of the extruded member to assure uniform flexibility, maintain tangential magnetic flux, and eliminate kinking and collapse of the flow path.

Abstract: Shaft rotation sensor, including: two directional magnetic sensors disposed with respect rotating magnetic source, to sense magnetic field vector component generated by magnetic source; the magnetic sensors being disposed to provide output signals, having a sineosine relationship, representing magnitude of magnetic field vector component. In another aspect of the invention, a shaft rotation sensor, including: first and second directional magnetic sensors disposed with respect to rotating magnetic source, such that first sensor senses, and provides first output representing, magnitude of first magnetic field component and second sensor senses, and provides second output representing, magnitude of second magnetic field component orthogonal to first magnetic field component; and first and second outputs being electrically connected in series to provide first output channel.

Abstract: A holographic rear exterior lamp for a vehicle including a light pipe (11, 51) having a first planar surface (11a, 51a) and a second planar surface (11b, 51b) that are opposite each other, and a planar entrance surface (11c, 51c) located between adjacent edges of the first planar surface and the second planar surface; a rear exterior lamp hologram (21) attached to the first planar surface of the light pipe; and a light source (20, 21) for illuminating the entrance surface such that the rear exterior lamp hologram diffracts a portion of the light that is transmitted by the entrance surface to provide rear exterior lamp illumination.

Abstract: A thermal weapon sight employs a rotating multifaceted scan mirror (22) to reflect infrared light (14) from an object to a bank of CCD detectors (50) of which the output is multiplexed (80) and compensated for overall and individual sensor deviations. The compensated output, after suitable signal processing (86), is employed to drive an LED array (62) that projects visible light to different facets of the same scanning mirror (22) to provide a visible output (14') representing the infrared input obtained from the object being viewed. A compensation circuit includes a series of digital analog converters (208a-208m) having a bank of switched capacitors (234a-234m) for which a voltage reference is provided by a CMOS voltage buffer (220) having fast recovery time, and which is able to drive the large capacitative load.

Abstract: Microwave amplifiers are disclosed having a hollow helix slow-wave structure coupled directly to input and output waveguides. This helix-waveguide coupling structure couples the TEM mode of the helix to the TE10 mode of the rectangular waveguides and also defines ports communicating with the helix interior. Heating of the helix during high-power operation can be removed by cooling liquid pumped through the helix via these ports. The helix is surrounded by a cylindrical housing containing a low-pressure ionizable gas which forms a plasma channel that focuses the electron beam without the need for surrounding magnetic structures. A plasma cathode electron gun is arranged to inject an electron beam through the helix. Backflowing ions from the housing are harmlessly absorbed into the face of the plasma cathode. The microwave amplifier is converted to a backward wave oscillator by coupling a load to one of the waveguides.