Abstract: A device which can be used to test heavy coil springs, which is of simple low-cost construction, but which is so designed that the spring can be readily mounted thereon for testing and can be readily removed when testing is completed, and will effectively retain the spring in proper position during testing, using: two containment plates, a cage made of 5 rods that pass through equi-distributed holes in the plates to contain a spring under test, and a central push rod which passes through the center of the assembly to move the containment plates together or apart as required to test the spring. A conventional spring test gauge may be fixed to either the push rod of one of the containment plates to measure the pressure generated by the spring during the test. The containment rods form a cage that expands as the containment plates compress the spring to permit the testing of long springs, and for safe testing of all springs.

Abstract: An ultrasonic angular measurement system is disclosed. The system is comprised of three parts, a control box used to collect and process data, an ultrasonic transducer, and a reflector block. The reflector block is configured so that it intercepts transmitted pulses received over a wide range of angles back to the transducer. All the components are self contained within a transportable housing which is attached to the aircraft deck during measurement of tip-off angle. The range of angle measurement is permitted because of the use of the unique reflector block which comprises a plurality of reflector segments for reflecting ultrasonic pulses transmitted at various ranges of angles.

Abstract: A means is disclosed for increasing the power and field strength radiated by a solid state switched array radiator such as those used for example in ultrawideband radar systems. The incorporation of a specially designed pulsed transmission line is designed to preserve very fast rising pulses produced in each of a number of Blumleins that are triggered simultaneously or with appropriate delay to provide at the output of the stack of Blumleins a voltage that is applied to an antenna radiating element.

Abstract: For several years, there has been interest in obtaining fast-rising, high-voltage pulses to drive particle-beam diodes and antennas in mobile situations. The Magnetic Voltage-Pulser (MVP) is a new device to satisfy this interest. The regime of operation of the basic unit comprises--output voltage=0.2 to 1.0 MV, pulse duration=1 microsec, and load impedance=1 to 10 ohms. For higher voltage and higher impedance needs, a plurality of pulsers can be used in a series-parallel arrangement. Typical dimensions for the basic pulser are: length=20 cm, and diameter=15 cm. The weight of the system will vary with the details of the technical approach selected for each application. Also, the basic arrangement can be used for single-shot or repetitive operation by selecting options in the technical details. The repetition rate can exceed 10 kHz. Typical applications include high-power microwave and other electronic warfare devices.

Abstract: A new kind of thermal detector and thermal imager for infrared radiation. A thermal detector/imager is a device for detecting/imaging in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. This produces a video image, where the video brightness is a function of the incident power. The new thermal imager consists of a thermionic thermal detector having: a substrate having a thermal insulating gap; and a reverse biased CoSi.sub.2 diode suspended over the thermal insulating gap of the substrate and which senses temperature of thermionic emission by producing an output signal with a current that changes exponentially with temperature changes. The substrate is a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer which has said thermal insulating gap on its top surface; an oxide insulator layer that covers the top surface of the thick silicon support layer, including the thermal insulating gap; and support legs placed on the top surface of the oxide insulator layer. The support legs support the reverse biased CoSi.sub.

Abstract: An electrical strip of infrared radiating elements which is powered by a battery and rolled up on a wheel and has many advantages over the present device. The first is visibility. It is highly visible at over three miles and the system is a 3/4" strip with LEDs placed every meter and on both sides that is rolled up on a reel. To deploy the marker the strip can be staked or held at one end while the strip is simply unrolled of the reel. The PIRM is self packing and, if packaged to do so, can automatically roll itself up. The PIRM can be operated either by a switch on the reel or remotely, by laser remote control or by a switch on the reel. The flashing pattern is completely programmable. The pattern can be used as a wind direction indicator. The speed it flashes can be used to indicate how hard the wind is blowing or how dangerous the landing zone is.

Abstract: The present invention is a compact, multiplanar magic-T junction that generally consists of four planar waveguides and/or planar transmission lines, with at least one planar waveguide or planar transmission line residing in a different circuit layer from the other planar waveguides and/or transmission lines. Each planar waveguide and planar transmission line in the multiplanar magic-T junction is electromagnetically connected to an input/output feeding port with which it communicates. The ground planes common to the planar transmission lines and/or planar waveguides in the magic-T junction contain a coupling aperture. The planar waveguides and planar transmission lines which are on different sides of the common ground planes of the magic-T junction communicate electromagnetically through this coupling aperture.

Abstract: Conventional master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) devices have experienced poor beam quality due to edge effects. The lateral current tailoring described herein was one attempt at improving the laser beam quality. Experimental results have indicated that this approach can make improvement in beam quality, using nonlinear leading edges in the gain stripe of MOPA amplifiers.

Abstract: A total dose monitor circuit consists of three P-channel MOSFET devices packaged in a CD4007 device and an OP490 bipolar quad operational ampher used to measure and average the sensor outputs. The P-channel transistors in the CD4007 device are used as the total dose sensors in this circuit. MOS transistors are sensitive to total dose degradation and this sensitivity can be exploited in a dose monitoring circuit. The gate threshold voltage, VGS, will shift negatively as a function of total dose exposure due to the trapped charges that build up in the gate interface during ionizing radiation exposure. The threshold voltage shift is directly proportional to the total dose exposure level.

Abstract: An injection-locked semiconductor laser process that improves the modulation bandwidth and reduces the broadband noise of an injection-locked semiconductor laser. Injection locking of a semiconductor laser can significantly improve its broadband modulation characteristics. By adjusting the frequency offset between the master laser and the slave laser, improved modulation bandwidth of the modulation response can be emphasized. The intrinsic modulation bandwidths can be enhanced above the theoretical limit for the free-running laser. The improved modulation characteristics are accompanied by reduced broadband relative intensity noise.

Abstract: Recent upgrades to the MOTRAN atmospheric radiation code improve the accuracy of its radiance predictions, especially in the presence of clouds and thick aerosols, and for multiple scattering in regions of strong molecular line absorption. MODTRAN3.5 features a generalized specification of cloud properties, while research version MODTRAN4 implements a Correlated-k (CK) approach for more accurate calculation of multiply scattered radiance. Comparisons to cloud measurements demonstrate the viability of the CK approach. The impact of these upgrades on predictions for AVIRIS viewing scenarios is discussed for both clear and clouded skies; the CK approach provides refined predictions for AVIRIS nadir and near-nadir viewing.

Abstract: A five-transistor static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell accessed by a single bitline merged with heterogeneous memories, such as ROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, and DRAMs. Combined ROM and RAM cells have been included within a high performance signal processor. Advantages include area and power dissipation savings resulting from shared column bitlines, associated column decoders, and column sense amplifiers. This eliminates circuit duplication.

Abstract: A compact source of intense radiation includes: a multi-element, disc-style, explosive magnetic flux compression generator, switching, peaking-stage generator, plasma flow switch, and a dense-plasma-focus type, pulsed neutron source. The main explosive generator receives initial amounts of magnetic flux and energy from a smaller explosive generator. Explosive action drives the conductors of the main generator together, reducing the inductance and thereby increasing both the current and magnetic energy. A switch closes to connect the peaking-stage generator and plasma flow switch in series with the main generator (and in parallel with the ballast inductor). As the current rises in the plasma flow switch, its plasma armature is electromagnetically-accelerated axially along coaxial electrodes, attaining speeds above 60-70 km/s. Meanwhile, explosive action on the peaking-stage generator provides additional magnetic flux compression.

Abstract: Plateau Equalization (PE), automatically optimizes, tracks changes in luminance, and adjusts in real time the display of wide dynamic range imagery from infrared cameras. The PE approach includes an automated contrast control system which uses an infrared camera, a microprocessor, and an 8 bit monitor to display the IR scenes with automatic control of the contrast of the IR data. This system allows 8 bit monitors to be used with 12 bit cameras. The camera acquires IR data which is digitized for the microprocessor. The microprocessor processes the IR data with a plateau equalization program to output digital IR data for the monitor with controlled contrast. The monitor displays the output of the microprocessor. Plateau Equalization occurs as peaks in infrared data are cut off into an assigned plateau value so that the display allocation emphasizes smaller features of interest in the scene and remains immune to flicker noise.

Abstract: An improvement of the design of Schottky barrier infrared detector (SBIR) arrays, as taught by Roosild, et al. We describe modifications of the detector unit cell design which maximize the fraction of detector electrode area exhibiting full spectral emission response. In particular we recommend changes in the impurity density profile, or "doping", under the Schottky electrode. The new detector cell design can result in a two-fold increase in the photoemission of SBIR arrays, which have small detector cell dimensions.

Abstract: A process and system for determining the integrity of an object by analyzing its dynamic heat properties is disclosed. A properly functioning reference object is heated and an infrared camera is positioned above the object. A digital computer collects the infrared images of the object and analyzes its dynamic heat properties. Only heat changes within predefined regions of the object are analyzed and the data is reduced to a peak temperature across each region for a given time. This data is stored and used for future reference. Next, a test object is sampled in the same manner. The reference and test object data is then compared by employing a complex neural network. The neural network uses confidence estimates and historical data on similar reference and test objects to determine the integrity of the object. Thermal images of objects under test are graphically displayed on a video screen.

Abstract: The Plasma-Gun Voltage-Generator (PVG) uses a pulsed plasma-flow to displace magnetic flux, thereby inducing high voltages across multi-turn coils. Typical operating parameters are voltages of 0.5 to 1 MV, pulsetimes in the microsecond regime and output impedances in the few Ohm range. The use of capacitor-bank sources to drive the plasma-gun discharge permits repetitive operation of the PVG at rates of several kHz. The PVG includes 1) a coaxial plasma-gun that serves as a source high speed, electrically-conducting plasma; 2) a source of axial magnetic field; and 3) a multi-turn coil or set of multi-turn coils that will experience an induced voltage when plasma flow displaces magnetic flux from the region interior to the coil(s). The magnetic flux source and the multi-turn coil(s) are placed near the end of the coaxial gun to receive the high speed plasma flow. The coaxial plasma-gun provides an axisymmetric discharge between coaxial electrodes.

Abstract: Neural Engineering Utility With Adaptive Algorithms (NEUWAA) is an artificial intelligence system for Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) which integrates various technologies in an adaptive fault-detection environment. Various technologies, other than normal ATE stimulus/reaction, including Infrared, X-ray, RF detection, etc. perceive non-visible information of current flow and circuit activity which can significantly enhance the technician's perception of defective components. The system includes ATE adaptive algorithms to streamline test sequences and diagnostics. NEUWAA provides active schematics and active Unit Under Test (UUT) layouts. NEUWAA consists of diagnostic algorithms for specific pre-test information, specific test selection information, and specific diagnostic information. NEUWAA is a WINDOWS based utility. NEUWAA interacts with other Windows & DOS applications to provide and interoperate in a client server software environment.

Abstract: The Vertical-cavity-surface-emitting Lasers with Optical Gain Control (V-LOGIC) form a family of integrated optical smart pixels for interconnect and signal processing applications. V-LOGIC devices consist of Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and In-Plane Lasers. (IPL) with cross-coupled cavities. The devices can operate in a digital, an analog or a hybrid mode. The IPLs either fully quench or modulate the VCSEL depending on whether the device is used in the digital or analog mode. In the Hybrid mode, one IPL serves as an enable input while another one modulates the VCSEL. The V-LOGIC devices can operate significantly faster than modulated lasers since, for the quenching phenomena, (1) the VCSEL carrier population is essentially constant and (2) the quenching is all-optical and does not require intermediate drive electronics. The family of devices solve the leading outstanding problems in optical switching and interconnect technologies.

Abstract: A multi-octave bandwidth antenna is disclosed which radiates with variable polarizations using: a metal ground plane, first and second blade antenna elements, first and second coaxial transmission line feeds, and a 180.degree. hybrid coupler. The two blade antenna elements are fixed above the metal ground plane in proximity with each other, and fed respectively by the central conductors of the first and second coaxial transmission line feeds. The 180.degree. hybrid coupler has a sum and difference port to control the polarization of waveforms of the antenna.