Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that provide a multi-mode sensor having the capability to support both passive and active operation. One embodiment provides a sensor readout device for operation with a sensor array having rows and columns of detectors. The device includes a column cell for receiving a detector output signal from a first row of a column of the sensor array, and an additional column cell. The device further includes a multiplexer configured to steer a detector output signal from a second row of the column of the sensor array to the additional column cell, thereby allowing multiple rows of the sensor array to be readout simultaneously. In some cases, the sensor array includes an active/passive dual mode central windowed area, and the multiplexer allows columns of the windowed area to be readout at two or more speeds.

Abstract: In apparatus for the acoustic transmission of power or data through a solid barrier such as a ships hull, assembly of an acoustic transducer to the hull is facilitated by bonding it first to an intermediate element by a thin layer of bonding adhesive and then bonding the intermediate element to the barrier using a second bonding layer. Acoustic matching of the transducer to the intermediate element is achieved by the thin layer, and the mechanically more robust base of the intermediate element can be rubbed on the barrier surface to displace or abrade away any unwanted debris or imperfections which might otherwise prevent the achievement of a thin second bonding layer. This makes the mounting and bonding process more tolerant of imperfections in the barrier surface due to either surface defects or particulate contamination. The transmit and receive transducers may be positioned relative to each other so as to suppress or attenuate multiple-transit signals.

Abstract: A radar or other microwave antenna comprises at least one antenna element, a feed structure for the element extending to the antenna element substantially normally thereto through a dielectric substrate, and characterized in that the dielectric substrate is anisotropic whereby to reduce unwanted common-mode currents in the feed structure. The anisotropy may be provided by elongate conductive elements distributed through the dielectric substrate and aligned with their longitudinal axes parallel to the feed structure.

Abstract: A system and method of assisting a radio in finding a network is presented. A method first detects existing nodes. A message is received on a slow communication link in a slow network from a new node. One or more existing nodes are found that may connect to new node with a fast communication link in a fast network. The fast network has a data rate that is faster than the slow network. A message is transmitted over the slow network to the new node to provide the new node possible existing nodes that are near it that it may connect to. Based on that message the new node establishes a fast communications link on the fast network between the new node and an existing node. The fast communications link can be a directional link.

Abstract: A system and method for an automated way of running spice on a small portion of a design is presented. The system includes a sub-circuit netlist generation processor and an analog simulation processor. The sub-circuit netlist generation processor generates a sub-circuit netlist based, at least in part, on a HDL netlist, a parasitic capacitance database and trace rules. The sub-circuit netlist contains significantly fewer paths than the HDL netlist of an entire design so that its simulation time is much quicker. The analog simulation processor generates analog simulation results of the sub-circuit netlist based, at least in part, on dynamic inputs.

Abstract: An inventive system and method for managing vehicle power is presented. The novel technology provides a means to automatically shutdown a vehicle's engine when conditions are such that engine power is not needed, reducing fuel consumption as well as lowering noise and emissions. A series of conditions are examined to determine whether engine power is needed and hence whether shutdown can be safely performed. The inventive system and method can also determine when power is again needed by the engine and can re-start the engine automatically at such times.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of mitigating the effects of anomalous propagation in a Radar system, comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality of returns from a plurality of transmit pulses; calculating a difference in magnitude between each of the plurality of returns and its successor; if one of the calculated differences indicates a first step change greater than a first predetermined threshold, calculating a first average magnitude of the returns received after the first step change, and replacing the returns received before the first step change with synthesised returns having a magnitude equal to the first calculated average magnitude.

Abstract: A display apparatus is described that comprises an optical ocular part (3) arranged for viewing a scene therethrough, and a waveguide display part (6) arranged for guiding image-bearing light to a transparent display output area (16) thereof and thereat displaying the image. The ocular part and/or the waveguide display part are positioned, or are arranged to be positioned, mutually in register for viewing simultaneously the scene with the displayed image incorporated in it, through the transparent display output area. A focuser part (17) positioned in register with the display output area focuses simultaneously the scene and the incorporated image for focussed viewing by a user (13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering device comprising a steering member for mutually steering a first vehicle unit and a second vehicle unit of an articulated vehicle which comprises a link mechanism for mutually pivoting said vehicle units, a housing configuration arranged to form a supply space between said vehicle units and a removal mechanism arranged in the supply space, wherein the removal mechanism comprises a heating device arranged to heat air intended to stream through the housing configuration. The invention also relates to an articulated vehicle with a steering member.

Abstract: Disclosed is antenna sub-array for use in an antenna array comprising a plurality of such sub-arrays, comprising: a stripline for signal distribution, the stripline defining a plurality of signal pathways from a common feed point to a plurality of radiating elements, wherein the stripline is housed in a first support structure located a distance away from a first surface of a ground plane structure.

Abstract: A system and method for removing and reinstating a sight of a weapon without changing a boresight is disclosed. A reference optical device is installed on a rail of the weapon and then the sight is installed on the rail. An attitude determination unit determines a change in attitude of the sight with respect to the boresight. The aim point of the weapon in the sight is compensated accordingly based on the change in attitude without changing the boresight by utilizing a compensation module. This allows retaining the boresight even when the weapon sight is removed and reinstalled. Thus weapon sight can be mounted anywhere on a weapon without the need to boresight the weapon.

Abstract: A broadband spectral power generator in a multimode optical fiber utilizes a standard multimode fiber that is coiled. A plate is placed on the coiled fiber and a force is applied to compresses the coiled fiber and thereby increase the interactions between the compressed windings and induce modal mixing and birefringence in the fiber. In addition, the compression causes additional non-linear processes to be excited and occur in the compressed fiber coil to generate more broadband light. This allows for better “mixing” of the spatial beam in the multimode fiber coil and allows for the various modes to overlap. The multimode fiber coil is made of silica, silicate, germinate, phosphate, fluoride, chalcogenide, or telluride. The compressed coiled fiber may be driven by a laser providing more than one wavelength output and this greatly increases the amount of nonlinear mixing in the fiber for a greatly enhanced spectral coverage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a value or change in value of a measurement variable for an observation of an object, comprising: receiving models for the object defined in terms of an observation parameter and a measurement variable; selecting values of the measurement variable; for each model, determining a value of the observation parameter for each selected value; for each selected value, determining a value of an expected classification potential level using the determined values; and selecting a value of the measurement variable dependent upon the potential level values; wherein the potential level is an expected level of: the information or lack of information, and/or the certainty or uncertainty, with which the object could be classified if a measurement of the observation parameter were taken of the object at the respective value of the measurement variable.

Abstract: A high voltage high current transmission line for transmitting high voltage high current energy in the 10 kV and 200,000 A range from a power source to an end item to which the power is delivered. The high voltage high current transmission line includes two generally parallel configured conductive plates with an overlapping dielectric layering configuration. Each of the conductive plates are encompassed by a first dielectric material, both of the conductive plates encompassed by a second dielectric material, and the conductive plates are encompassed by an outer dielectric sheathing. The dielectric layering configuration may also include a dielectric material applied to the edges of the conductive plates. At one or both ends of the high voltage high current transmission line, a plug assembly may be provided for connecting to the power source and/or the discharge device.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide adaptability in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), based on an existing protocol, such as adaptive hybrid domain routing (AHDR). The systems and methods are especially suited for fast changing topologies that may change after a reactive route discovery has been completed.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the geographic location of an RF emitter which involves spatially filtering and receiving RF signals through use of a beamforming antenna array having multiple overlapping beams; detecting and measuring the time-of-arrival and amplitude of signals which are received in each beam through use of multiple synchronized receivers; identifying simultaneous detections of the same emitter which have occurred in adjacent beams; projecting the associated beamformed antenna gain patterns onto the underlying terrain for all instances in which there was a simultaneous detection in adjacent beams; weighting and accumulating all projections to form a Maximum Likelihood Surface (MLS); and finally, estimating the location of the emitter through analysis of the resulting MLS.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for forming a metallic component by additive layer manufacturing are provided.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an antenna system (1) including a antenna elements (3) connected to signal receiver units (4) at an RF signal input port thereof comprising, generating an RF calibration signal (62), applying the RF calibration signal to the RF signal input port of the signal receiver units without applying the calibration signal via the antenna elements (3). The response of the antenna system to the calibration signal is measured, and a signal correction is calculated according to the measured response. The signal correction is applied to the response of the antenna system to signals subsequently received at the signal receiver units via the antenna elements of the antenna system.

Abstract: A pulse radar range profile motion compensation method (10) comprises: acquiring receiver samples (12); acquiring an estimate of the range rate of a target (14); removing an additional phase acquired by the echo signals; removing a shift in range cells of the receiver samples (18); applying a pulse Doppler filter (22); identifying the peak Doppler frequency and calculating a shift from zero of the peak Doppler frequency (24); calculating a range rate correction (26); adding the range rate correction to the estimate of the range rate and repeating the removal of the additional phase (16) and the shift in range cells (18), and using the new range rate estimate to obtain motion compensated receiver samples (28); and generating an output signal indicative of the motion compensated receiver samples for generating a range profile (30).

Abstract: Techniques for missile countermeasures are disclosed. The techniques can be employed to rapidly detect a missile system location and aim a countermeasure set at the missile system goniometer, and capture the goniometer with a high radiant intensity countermeasure beam before the goniometer narrows its field of view (FOV). Capturing the goniometer before a narrowing of its FOV allows for wider area protection. The techniques can be embodied in an area-protection hit-avoidance system for a rapid Semi-Active Command to Line of Sight Anti-Tank Guided Missile (SACLOS ATGM) countermeasure wherein a SACLOS ATGM launch is rapidly detected and a countermeasure is aimed at the launch site so that the missile is diverted before the ATGM system FOV is narrowed. This early diversion or decoying of the missile guidance set allows the countermeasure to protect a greater area and to engage multiple threats in less time than traditional countermeasures.