Abstract: Techniques, systems, architectures, and methods for reducing peak power during an Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC) process, in embodiments on a Focal Plane Array (FPA).

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for engaging a guide pin for installation or removal. The tool has a housing with a plunger positioned within the housing. A support tube has at least two extensions that protrude from the housing when an engagement mechanism is depressed and grips the guide pin when the engagement mechanism is released.

Abstract: There is provided a load controller for a system, the system comprising a first sub-system arranged to deliver a first load, the load controller being operable to: acquire a first target load profile, being the load initially desired for delivery by the first sub-system over an operational period; measure in real time during an update window within the operational period: a first parameter of the first sub-system, to obtain a first measured Load Controller monitor signal; and the first load, to obtain a first measured load signal; develop in real time a model of the first sub-system, using the first measured monitor signal and the first measured load signal, the model relating the first load to the first parameter; given the first target load profile, and the model of the first sub-system, generate for a future period a first predicted monitor signal, the future period being ahead of the update window; and determine whether the first predicted monitor signal satisfies at least one predetermined criterion.

Abstract: An antenna module configured for use on an underwater vehicle is disclosed. The antenna module includes an array of spiral antennas fabricated on a multi-layer substrate that provides wide-band RF communication with direction finding (DF) capability. The antenna module can also include other antennas fabricated on the same multi-layer substrate, such as one or more global positioning system (GPS) receivers, an ultra-high frequency/very-high frequency (UHV/VHF) antenna, or one or more iridium antennas. The antenna module may further include a water-proof housing that is coupled to the outside hull of an undersea vehicle via a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism allows the antenna module to rotate between a stowed position against the hull and a deployed position that extends the antennas out away from the undersea vehicle. The antenna module is curved or flexible so it can stow against a corresponding curved hull of the undersea vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing laser communication terminal pointing uncertainty. The method trains an artificial neural network (ANN) with input data characterizing terminal pointing error and dependent parameters. The method inputs the trained ANN a set of data of these dependent parameters with unknown pointing error. The method uses the ANN output to apply corrections to the terminal pointing solution to reduce pointing uncertainty. The method can condition the ANN generated corrections to avoid cases where application of the ANN correction could exceed the original pointing uncertainty. This conditioning includes computing the Euclidean distance between current ANN input parameter values and values in the ANN training dataset, and bounding the allowed magnitude of the ANN pointing correction. The method can train the ANN incrementally during terminal operation for real-time updates or train the ANN offline with gathered data and implement the trained ANN on the terminal for subsequent links.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for asset location using backscatter communication. A methodology according to an embodiment includes receiving a signal, generated by a tag associated with an asset in response to a broadcast signal. The broadcast signal comprising a base code sequence, and the received signal comprising the broadcast signal modulated by a tag code sequence and shifted in frequency by a frequency offset. The methodology further includes translating the received signal by the frequency offset to generate a translated received signal, demodulating the translated received signal to remove the tag code sequence modulation to generate a demodulated received signal, cross-correlating the base code sequence with the demodulated received signal to generate a correlation signal, and determining a range to the asset based on a time delay associated with a peak of the correlation signal. The tag may be located based on the range and an estimated direction to the tag.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for a broadband microwave/millimeter-wave balanced-to-unbalanced transformer (balun). A balun implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes a first impedance matching network configured to reduce insertion and return losses of a single-ended signal at a first port of the balun. The balun also includes a first planar bifilar coupled transmission line coupled to the first impedance matching network and configured to transform the single-ended signal into a differential signal. The balun further includes a second planar bifilar coupled transmission line coupled to the first bifilar coupled transmission line and configured to compensate for amplitude and phase imbalance induced on the differential signal by the first bifilar coupled transmission line.

Abstract: An isolator, the isolator comprising an isolator comprising a lower isolator post and an upper isolator post; an isolator compression disk configured to be secured to the upper isolator post; and at least three gaskets configured to be retained, in use, between an upper face of the isolator and a lower face of the isolator compression disk, wherein the lower isolator post, in use, is configured to be affixed to a first apparatus, wherein the upper isolator post is configured to be inserted through an aperture of a second apparatus, wherein the isolator compression disk is configured to retain the second apparatus against the isolator, and wherein the at least three gaskets are configured to prevent any direct contact between the isolator and the second apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a SONAR system operable to transmit a pair of pulses including an up-chirp signal and a down-chirp signal wherein the down-chirp signal is a time-reversed version of the up-chirp signal. Also disclosed is a related method of operation.

Abstract: A method of providing secure communication between first and second devices comprises the first device and the second device connecting to a server via a secure communication channel. Encryption keys for the devices are generated and data relating to the encryption keys are exchanged via the server in the secure communication channel. A peer-to-peer connection for exchanging data is generated using encrypted connection information for the devices.

Abstract: An emitter ID ambiguity reduction system includes a Mission Data File Ambiguity Resolution matrix that contains both a) the INTEL-based emitter parameters data necessary to break emitter-by-emitter ambiguities, and b) the action(s) the Electronic Warfare (EW) system is to take to collect that data. Control software is triggered via either external command or per Mission Data File information (such as that contained in the Ambiguity Resolution Matrix). The emitter ID ambiguity reduction system includes Data collection hardware and firmware and Data Analysis OFP software algorithm(s).

Abstract: Techniques are provided for automatic gain control processing to reduce adverse effects associated with clipped samples resulting from conversion of analog signals to digital signals. A methodology according to an embodiment includes identifying a clipped sample of the digital signal, for example by comparison of the digitized sample values to a threshold value associated with a full scale value of the converter. The method also includes applying a window function to portions of the digital signal. The window function is configured to attenuate samples of the digital signal within a region centered on the identified clipped sample. A Hilbert finite impulse response (FIR) filter may be applied to the digital signal prior to applying the window function. Parameters of the window function are selected based on frequency response characteristics of the FIR filter and on signal to noise ratio requirements of an application that receives the windowed digital signal.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising: a shift reactor (110) configured to: receive carbon monoxide produced by the vehicle; and process the received carbon monoxide to produce an output comprising hydrogen; and a fuel cell (112) coupled to the shift reactor (110) and configured to: receive the hydrogen from the shift reactor (110); and produce, using the received hydrogen, electricity for use on the vehicle.

Abstract: A classifier network has at least two distinct sets of refined data, wherein the first two sets of refined data are sets of numbers representing the features values data received from sensors or a manufactured part. Performing, via at least two distinct types of support vector machines using an associated feature selection process for each classifier independently in a first layer, anomaly detection on the manufactured part. Then, using the stored data including refined data of at least two different types of data transforms and performing, via at least a two distinct types of support vector machines in a second layer, an associated feature selection process for each classifier independently. Forming at least four distinct compound classifier types for anomaly detection on the part using the stored data or coefficients. The ensemble of second layer support vector machine outputs compare the results to determine the presence of an anomaly.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for image-based estimation of the orientation of an airborne platform. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes rotating an image, provided by a camera on the platform, by a selected rotation angle. The method also includes computing an intensity gradient image based on the rotated image. The method further includes extracting a left quarter segment and a right quarter segment of the intensity gradient image. The method further includes flipping one of the extracted segments about a vertical axis through that segment and comparing the non-flipped segment to the flipped segment to generate a matching score. The comparison may be based on a correlation between the flipped segment and the non-flipped segment. The process may be repeated for additional rotation angles and the rotation angle associated with the highest matching score is selected as the estimated orientation angle of the platform.

Abstract: A bi-static optical system utilizing a separate transmit and receive optical train that are identically steerable in azimuth-over-elevation fashion while accommodating an autoboresight technique and function. Further provided may be a common elevation assembly with two opposite-facing elevation fold mirrors on either side that are controlled by the same motor assembly allowing for common elevation control without overlapping or combining the apertures.

Abstract: An autonomous weapon system for improved guidance of a projectile for homing a target includes a guided projectile including at least one sensor and a carrier projectile and at least one guidance and reconnaissance unit including a transmitter for communication via light. The system uses emitted light for both positioning and communication of target coordinates which provides an accurate and cost effective system for combatting point and surface targets by indirect fire.

Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting a luminance profile of an image displayed on a look-through display to a user. The method comprises: determining a field of view of the user based on a spatial configuration of the user's head. Determining one or more lighting conditions in the field of view. Adjusting the luminance profile for the image based on the field of view, wherein, as a result of the adjusted luminance profile, the image is reconciled with the field of view.

Abstract: An overpressure protection system (30) for a magazine (10) for storing explosive materials. The magazine (10) comprises a wall (12) which defines an internal chamber (14) for housing the explosive materials, with a first aperture (20) defined in the wall (12). The overpressure protection system (30) is configured to close the first aperture (20). The system (30) comprises a burst disc diaphragm (32) for covering the first aperture (20), and a protective cover (34) for locating outside of the chamber (14) and over the burst disc diaphragm (32). The protective cover (34) is spaced apart from the burst disc diaphragm (32) to form a cavity (38) with an opening (36) for venting fluid from the cavity (38).