Abstract: Reflectionless low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, band-stop, all-pass, and all-stop filters, as well as a method for designing such filters is disclosed, along with a method of enhancing the performance of such filters through the use of sub-networks to further modify and improve the frequency response. These filters preferably function by absorbing the stop-band portion of the spectrum rather than reflecting it back to the source, which has significant advantages in many different applications. The sub-networks preferably offer additional degrees of freedom by which the leakage through the parent filter may be cancelled or reinforced to alter cutoff sharpness, stop-rejection, or other measures of performance.

Abstract: A TEM line to double-ridged waveguide launcher and horn antenna are disclosed. The launcher uses multiple probes or one or more wide-aspect probes across the ridge gap to minimize spreading inductance and a TEM combiner or matching taper to match the impedance of the probes over a broad bandwidth. The horn uses a power-law scaling of gap height relative to the other dimensions of the horn's taper in order to provide a monotonic decrease of cutoff frequencies in all high-order modes. Both of these techniques permit the implementation of ultra-wideband designs at high frequencies where fabrication tolerances are most difficult to meet.

Abstract: A metal plate of small, reflective cells of varying, random (within a limited rage) heights that reflect radio frequency energy such that individual reflective paths are of random length, adding neither constructively nor destructively, and thus not creating a standing wave condition between the reflective plate and the emitter or receiver is disclosed.

Abstract: Reflectionless transmission line filters, as well as a method for designing such filters is disclosed. These filters preferably function by absorbing the stop-band portion of the spectrum rather than reflecting it back to the source, which has significant advantages in many different applications. The insertion of additional transmission line sections that change the phase response of the circuit without altering the amplitude response preferably allows follow-up transmission line identities to be applied in order to arrive at a more easily manufacturable filter topology. This facilitates their application over a higher frequency range the solely lumped-element circuits.

Abstract: A metal plate of small, reflective cells of varying, random (within a limited rage) heights that reflect radio frequency energy such that individual reflective paths are of random length, adding neither constructively nor destructively, and thus not creating a standing wave condition between the reflective plate and the emitter or receiver is disclosed.

Abstract: A variable frequency synthesizer and method of outputting the variable frequency is disclosed. The synthesizer comprises a first reference frequency, a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) receiving the first reference frequency and outputting a tuned frequency, a variable frequency comb generator receiving the tuned frequency and outputting a variable frequency comb comprised of a plurality of comb lines, a mixer receiving the variable frequency comb and a signal from an oscillator and outputting an intermediate frequency, a phase lock loop (PLL) receiving a second reference frequency and the intermediate frequency and outputting a phase lock signal, and the oscillator receiving the phase lock signal and outputting a variable synthesized frequency.

Abstract: A wideband antenna is disclosed. The wideband antenna comprises an inverted cone, at least one sinuous arm coupled to the cone, and a ground plane behind the apex of the cone. The sinuous arm comprises at least two active resonators.

Abstract: A variable frequency synthesizer and method of outputting the variable frequency is disclosed. The synthesizer comprises a first reference frequency, a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) receiving the first reference frequency and outputting a tuned frequency, a variable frequency comb generator receiving the tuned frequency and outputting a variable frequency comb comprised of a plurality of comb lines, a mixer receiving the variable frequency comb and a signal from an oscillator and outputting an intermediate frequency, a phase lock loop (PLL) receiving a second reference frequency and the intermediate frequency and outputting a phase lock signal, and the oscillator receiving the phase lock signal and outputting a variable synthesized frequency.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices using an algorithm that consists of scoring the bits in the data stream with a periodicity of N, where N is the word-length in bits, and then selecting as the most significant bit the one which receives the highest score after some large number of samples are disclosed. The condition under which bit bk receives a point depends on the binary format.

Abstract: A variable frequency synthesizer and method of outputting the variable frequency is disclosed. The synthesizer comprises a first reference frequency, a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) receiving the first reference frequency and outputting a tuned frequency, a variable frequency comb generator receiving the tuned frequency and outputting a variable frequency comb comprised of a plurality of comb lines, a mixer receiving the variable frequency comb and a signal from an oscillator and outputting an intermediate frequency, a phase lock loop (PLL) receiving a second reference frequency and the intermediate frequency and outputting a phase lock signal, and the oscillator receiving the phase lock signal and outputting a variable synthesized frequency.

Abstract: Reflectionless low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-stop filters, as well as a method for designing such filters is disclosed. The filters function by absorbing the stop-band portion of the spectrum rather than reflecting it back to the source, which has significant advantages in many different applications.

Abstract: A wideband antenna is disclosed. The wideband antenna comprises an inverted cone, at least one sinuous arm coupled to the cone, and a ground plane behind the apex of the cone. The sinuous arm comprises at least two active resonators.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices using an algorithm that consists of scoring the bits in the data stream with a periodicity of N, where N is the word-length in bits, and then selecting as the most significant bit the one which receives the highest score after some large number of samples are disclosed. The condition under which bit bk receives a point depends on the binary format.

Abstract: A fiber wrap and a method of rotating the fiber wrap without twisting a data cable are disclosed. The fiber wrap includes a sun gear, a sun cylinder coupled to the sun gear, a planetary gear in contact with the sun gear, a planetary cylinder coupled to the planetary gear, an outer housing in contact with the planetary gear, and a data cable coupled to the sun cylinder, the planetary cylinder, and the outer housing. The maximum bend radius of the data cable is determined by the equation: 2 ? ?? ? ? DGD ? c ? wherein ? is optical wavelength and ? ? ? DGD = 0.5 ? C s ? ( r R 2 ) 2 ? ? ? ? L c - 0.5 ? C s ? ( r R 1 ) 2 ? ? ? ? L c wherein Cs is the stress-optics coefficient, c is the speed of light, R1 is the bend radius at the end of the wrap motion, R2 is the bend radius at the start of the wrap motion, r is the radii of the sun cylinder and the planetary cylinder, and ? ? ? L = 10 360 ? 2 ? ? ? ? R 2 .

Abstract: A fiber wrap and a method of rotating the fiber wrap without twisting a data cable are disclosed. The fiber wrap includes a sun gear, a sun cylinder coupled to the sun gear, a planetary gear in contact with the sun gear, a planetary cylinder coupled to the planetary gear, an outer housing in contact with the planetary gear, and a data cable coupled to the sun cylinder, the planetary cylinder, and the outer housing. The maximum bend radius of the data cable is determined by the equation: 2 ? ?? ? ? DGD ? c ? wherein ? is optical wavelength and ? ? ? DGD = 0.5 ? C s ? ( r R 2 ) 2 ? ? ? ? L c - 0.5 ? C s ? ( r R 1 ) 2 ? ? ? ? L c wherein Cs is the stress-optics coefficient, c is the speed of light, R1 is the bend radius at the end of the wrap motion, R2 is the bend radius at the start of the wrap motion, r is the radii of the sun cylinder and the planetary cylinder, and ? ? ? L = 10 360 ? 2 ? ? ? ? R 2 .

Abstract: A fiber wrap and a method of rotating the fiber wrap without twisting a data cable are disclosed. The fiber wrap includes a sun gear, a sun cylinder coupled to the sun gear, a planetary gear in contact with the sun gear, a planetary cylinder coupled to the planetary gear, an outer housing in contact with the planetary gear, and a data cable coupled to the sun cylinder, the planetary cylinder, and the outer housing. The data cable is coupled in such a way as to only bend the data cable during use of the fiber wrap.

Abstract: Multidirectional retroreflectors and methods of reflecting light beams from multiple directions are provided. The multidirectional retroreflectors utilize a four-mirror retroreflector with a common virtual reflection point.

Abstract: Multidirectional retroreflectors and methods of reflecting light beams from multiple directions are provided. The multidirectional retroreflectors utilize a four-mirror retroreflector with a common virtual reflection point.

Abstract: A noise generator for generating multi-octave, high-level, millimeter- and submillimeter-wave noise is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the noise generator includes: a microwave noise source; a microwave power-amplifier chain; a level-set attenuator; a frequency multiplier; and a transmission structure. The output of the generator has a high-intensity noise power spectrum over a frequency range from about 60 GHz to about 1 THz. This type of noise is particularly suited and has sufficient power for testing and calibrating millimeter- and submillimeter-wave components, devices, and circuits; material evaluation and characterization; and for use as a broadband millimeter- and submillimeter-wave noise source for a Fourier Transform Spectrometer.

Abstract: Multidirectional retroreflectors and methods of reflecting light beams from multiple directions are provided. The multidirectional retroreflectors utilize a four-mirror retroreflector with a common virtual reflection point.