Abstract: A method of controlling the phases of RF output signals from a number of radio transmitters. A given radio has at least one synthesizer as a source of its RF output signal, and the synthesizer produces an output the phase offset of which relative to a reference signal is controlled by a phase offset command. A path from an antenna port of the radio obtains a fed back RF output signal and a phase difference between the reference signal and the fed back RF output signal is measured. A value of a zero degree phase offset command for the synthesizer is determined such that the phase difference between the reference signal and the fed back RF signal is nominally zero, and the value is stored. A phase offset command for providing a desired phase offset for the RF output signal is then determined based the stored value of the zero degree phase offset command.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for radiation sensors that generate current signal to provide flexible placement of one or more integration intervals between resets of an integration capacitor. With flexible timing, an embodiment of the present invention provides several modes of operation including: multiple stray light blanking interval to occur during the integration cycle; range gating for LIDAR applications; time-delay-integration (TDI) with multiple short integration periods between frame resets; and hyper-resolution gating that provides better resolution than is normally possible with a fixed gate width. Numerous variations will be apparent in light of this disclosure.

Abstract: A ring oscillator is disclosed. The ring oscillator includes a first tri-path inverter, a second tri-path inverter and a third tri-path inverter. The second tri-path inverter is connected to the first tri-path inverter. The third tri-path inverter is connected to the first and second tri-path inverters to provide feedback for oscillations.

Abstract: An electronic countermeasures product includes flexible packaging of diodes that operate in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to replace flares, lamps and directed lasers with an inexpensive easily deployed countermeasure systems.

Abstract: A system and method capable of providing a cooperative network for applying countermeasures to airborne threats is provided. The system contains at least one aircraft having an airborne countermeasures system (ACS) capable of controlling deployment of countermeasures located on the aircraft. The system also contains a central countermeasures management system (CCMS) capable of communicating with the ACS to control the ACS in deployment of the countermeasures located on the aircraft. The aircraft may be one of a series of aircrafts, where each aircraft within the series of aircrafts has a separate ACS thereon, and where each separate ACS is capable of controlling deployment of countermeasures located on an aircraft within the series of aircrafts on which the separate ACS is located. When multiple aircrafts are within the network, the CCMS is capable of communicating with each separate ACS in response to the airborne threat, to control deployment of the countermeasures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mine protection accessory for fitting to military or civil wheeled vehicles (2) as protection against landmines (12, 12?, 12?) or homemade bombs. The mine protection ( ) is characterized in that the mine protection accessory is configured for fitting to the underside of the vehicle (2) adjacent to one of the wheels (3) of the vehicle (2), and in that the mine protection accessory comprises at least one guard plate (1, 11) configured to deflect pressure, splinters and gravel from a landmine (12, 12?, 12?) away from the underside of the vehicle (2).

Abstract: A modular multi-use thermal imaging system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the modular multi-user thermal imaging system includes a modular mounting structure and a modular multi-use thermal imaging device configured to attach to one or more structures via the modular mounting structure.

Abstract: A method for finding the launch of a ManPADS missile comprising the steps of installing a network of electro optical (EO) and infrared (IR) cameras with a triggering receiver and pointing the EO and IR cameras in the direction of a suspicious emission, wherein the EO camera provides high resolution video and the IR camera finds the ManPADS and tracks its user.

Abstract: A structural health monitoring arrangement includes a component formed of fiber reinforced composite material with a plurality of electrical conducting fibers intrinsic to the composite defining electrical paths that run through the composite. The paths act as sensing paths running through the material and a detector watches for changes in electrical property indicative of a structural event. The paths may be configured as an open or a closed node grid whose electrical continuity is monitored directly or indirectly. Alternatively they may be fibers having a piezoresistive property and the changes in resistance may be monitored.

Abstract: Method and device for mixing and initiating a pyrotechnic charge, comprising at least one coherent porous fuel structure (16) and at least one oxidizer (8). According to the invention, the coherent porous fuel structure (16) and the oxidizer (8) are placed apart in a mixing device (1, 20) to prevent unintentional ignition, and in which the oxidizer (8), in response to the action of a force upon the mixing device (1, 20), for example upon firing of an artillery shell, is transported into the coherent porous fuel structure (16), after which the obtained pyrotechnic charge is initiated after a set time delay.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a sequence of images of a scene, includes: a controller; a first module; and a second module; wherein the first module is arranged to perform an image registration process on the sequence to produce a registered set; the second module is arranged to perform a change detection process on the registered set; and the controller is arranged to provide: to the first module, an instruction to perform the image registration process on the sequence to produce the registered set; to the second module, an instruction to perform the change detection process on the registered set; and an instruction to transfer the registered set between the modules. The sequence of images may be a sub-sequence of a larger sequence. The apparatus can include a third module arranged to separate the larger sequence into sub-sequences.

Abstract: A display assembly, comprising: a display device (30); a microlens array (34); and an eye tracker (8), for example a pupil tracker (8), and/or a head tracker; wherein plural pixels (150) or sub-pixels of the display device (30) are provided for each microlens (160) of the microlens array (34). The display may be adapted such that only certain pixels/sub-pixels (150) are activated/selected for any particular determined pupil/eye/head position, for example such that for each microlens (160), only one respective pixel/sub-pixel (150) is activated/selected for any particular determined pupil/eye/head position. The display device (30) may be a transparent display device (30), the microlens array (34) may be a switchable microlens array (34), and the display assembly may further comprise a light blocking device (32) that is switchable between a substantially light blocking state and a substantially light passing state.

Abstract: A 3D wafer-integration uncooled infrared (IR) microbolometer focal plane array (FPA) sensor includes a first die with an FPA of uncooled IR microbolometers, a second die signal-processing layer. The dies are vertically aligned, stacked with 3D wafer bonding, and interconnected. Interconnection include vertical electrical interconnects. Separate optimized manufacturing processes are used for die, so that additional processing costs of the FPA die are leveraged and 3D integration is completed at wafer level, minimizing total device cost and maximizing die count per wafer.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively connecting and disconnecting a high voltage source includes a mechanical actuator including a plurality of stations. Each station includes connection elements that are electrically connectable to one or more corresponding high voltage modules which are part of a plurality of high voltage modules. The plurality of high voltage modules are electrically connectable to each other. The mechanical actuator has a connected position and a disconnected position for simultaneously electrically connecting each of the plurality of high voltage modules to each other, and for simultaneously electrically disconnecting each of the plurality of high voltage modules from each other.

Abstract: A high-power and high-gain ultra-short gate HEMT device has exceptional gain and an exceptionally high breakdown voltage provided by an increased width asymmetric recess for the gate electrode, by a composite channel layer including a thin indium arsenide layer embedded in the indium gallium arsenide channel layer and by double doping through the use of an additional silicon doping spike. The improved transistor has an exceptional 14 dB gain at 110 GHz and exhibits an exceptionally high 3.5-4 V breakdown voltage, thus to provide high gain, high-power and ultra-high frequency in an ultra-short gate device.

Abstract: A lens with a graded index of refraction is presented. The lens is formed out of a sheet of material having a uniform thickness with a top surface and a bottom surface. Elongated openings are formed in the top surface extending downwardly to the bottom surface. Material of the elongated sheet is left between adjacent openings. A width of the material between adjacent openings is less than a wavelength of electromagnet energy the lens is configured to refract. The density and distribution openings varies across the sheet of material so that the refractive index of the lens varies across the sheet of material.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight, laser target designator uses a TIR bounce geometry to place an end-pumped gain element functionally in the center of the resonator path, thereby allowing the resonator path to be terminated by a pair of crossed Porro prisms, so that the designator produces a high quality beam that is insensitive to alignment and temperature, and is low in manufacturing cost. Some embodiments fold the Porro legs of the resonator path back toward the gain element for compactness. Embodiments use a single gain element as both an oscillator gain element with TIR and as an output amplifier gain element without TIR. Various embodiments use block optical elements in a planar layout on a standard support medium such as aluminum to facilitate automated manufacturing.

Abstract: A system and method for linearizing underwater sensor arrays is disclosed. The sensor array comprises slightly positive or negative buoyant sensors that are positioned along a cable. A weight is positioned at a deep end of the cable or a buoyant object is positioned at a shallow end of the cable, but not both. Distributing buoyant elements throughout the length of the array generates more consistent, uniformly distributed tension, enabling the sensor array to maintain a linear shape in currents of all strengths and speeds.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and apparatus for the formation of optical fibre structures. A fibre laying head (200) houses a source of optical fibre material (204) to which an adhesive coating is applied prior to laying the adhesive-coated optical fibre material onto a substrate (214). The fibre laying head (200) also houses a radiation source (212) that generates a radiation beam (216) to cure the adhesive in the adhesive-coated optical fibre material to form a bond between the adhesive-coated optical fibre material and the substrate.

Abstract: A protective ensemble hydration monitor configured to be disposed within a face mask of a protective ensemble is disclosed. In one embodiment, the protective ensemble hydration monitor includes a humidity sensor to detect the user's breath within the face mask and output a breath signal based on the detected user's breath. Further, the protective ensemble hydration monitor includes a microprocessor coupled to the humidity sensor to receive the breath signal and output a control signal based on a pre-determined humidity threshold value. Furthermore, the protective ensemble hydration monitor includes a vibrator configured to provide a tactile feedback to the user upon receiving the control signal from the microprocessor.