Abstract: A method of determining the point source quality of a set of pixels associated with a detected energy signature is discussed that pre-records ideal test point source signatures at various sub-pixel locations and radiant intensities throughout the overall sensor field of view in a focal plane array, determines the sub-pixel location of an observed source, and compares the signature at a pixel of the observed source to the pre-recorded “ideal source” signatures at the determined sub-pixel location. to determine point source correlation.

Abstract: A nutation controller and methods of use correct for the small, fixed offset inherent in laser communication systems referred to as pointing bias error, thereby removing the pointing bias error and allowing for more robust and rapid laser communications between distant platforms.

Abstract: An optical system recycles heat from a cooler coupled with an image sensor across a heat transfer element in order to warm and de-ice a window. The optical system may be implemented in high altitude or space vehicles/platforms, regardless of whether manned or unmanned, and the window may be outwardly facing relative to the vehicle/platform so at to allow electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough onto the image sensor. The optical system enables the reduction of size, weight, and power by recycling heat exhausted from the cooler to warm the window, thus eliminating the need for a separate de-icing system or device for the window.

Abstract: An inspection system for visually inspecting one or more inspection locations within a structure, the inspection system including one or more imaging devices mounted within the structure to view the inspection locations, at least one light source to illuminate the inspection locations during inspection, and a wiring harness extending from the imaging device to at least one external port of the structure and configured to supply electrical power to the imaging device from a power supply external to the structure when connected to the port during inspection, and to carry image data representing images of the inspection locations from the imaging device to an external device for viewing by a user of the inspection system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating transportation of an observer in a vehicle include providing video images of an environment of the vehicle from a plurality of cameras having partly overlapping field of views, detecting an orientation of the observer's head, combining the video images to provide a first video image of a first section of the environment of the vehicle, and presenting a second video image of a second section of the environment of the vehicle. The second section is a subset of the first section and corresponds to the detected orientation of the observer's head. The first section is a proper subset of the environment seen by the plurality of cameras. The detecting and presenting are repeated after a predetermined time-period that is short enough not to cause nausea for the observer.

Abstract: A scanning sensor system disclosed. The scanning sensor system induces a sensing element array and multiple analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The sensing element array includes a group of pixels organized in a row and column configuration. During each read cycle, each pixel in an odd column of a row x is selectively connected to a corresponding one of the ADCs that is associated with the odd column pixels, while each pixel in an even column of a row x+(N/2)+1 is selectively connected to a corresponding one of ADCs that is associated with the even column pixels, wherein x is an integer and N is the total number of rows in the sensing element array.

Abstract: A method and system configured to evaluate near range communications quality in an environment. Data describing an environment is obtained from at least one data source (202). The data describing the environment is processed (204) to generate a ground-plane data set (206) describing a ground-plane of the environment, and a 3D object data set (206) describing 3D objects in the environment. These data are used to compute (208) a propagation path between a first location and a second location in the environment, and a near range communications quality characteristic of the propagation path is computed (210).

Abstract: A system and method for stimulating light sensors (e.g., UV) using a hand-held stimulator. The hand-held stimulator is portable and configurable to store a plurality of routines comprising various light signatures. In some cases, the signature is a threat signature (e.g., missile, RPG, and/or gunfire) and the stimulator is used as part of system integration, field and flight line, and/or lab testing for systems utilizing light sensors.

Abstract: A parachute device is provided for a divisible shell that includes an active body and a shell base. The parachute device includes two parachutes, a first, main parachute connected to the active body by parachute lines and a second parachute connected to the shell base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for determining a route for a vehicle (2). The method comprises generating, by a processor (12), a grid (16) by specifying a start node (18), specifying one or more movement operations performable by the vehicle (2), and iteratively adding edges and further nodes (20-24) to the grid (16), each edge corresponding to a respective movement operation and each further node corresponding to a location for the vehicle (2). The one or more processors (12) then select a path through the grid (16) from a first node of the grid to a second node of the grid. The first node corresponds to a first location (A) for the vehicle (2) and the second node corresponds to a second location (B) for the vehicle (2). Thus, a route for the vehicle (2) from the first location (A) to the second location (B) is determined.

Abstract: A vehicle (100) comprising: an engine (102); a system for starting the engine (102); a fault detection module (120); an electrical power source (110); and a controller (116, 122). The controller (116, 122) is configured to, responsive to the fault detection module (120) detecting a fault occurring with the engine (102): determine a window in which to attempt to start the engine (102); control the electrical power source (110) to provide electrical power to the system for starting the engine (102); and control the system for starting the engine (102) to attempt to start the engine (102) using the supplied electrical power only during the determined window.

Abstract: An imaging array and method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The imaging array includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of VIS pixel sensors and a plurality of SWIR readout circuits fabricated therein. An insulating layer is deposited on the semiconductor substrate. The insulating array has wells overlying the SWIR pixel sensors. A plurality of SWIR photodiodes are deposited in the wells. Each SWIR photodiode is located in a corresponding one of the wells and is connected by an electrically conducting path with the SWIR readout circuit underlying the SWIR photodiode. An electrically conducting transparent electrode overlying the SWIR photodiodes is connected to each of the SWIR photodiodes.

Abstract: The Quad Cell permits measurement of four quadrant signal powers simultaneously, metrics which are equal when the laser spot is at the desired zero location, at the center of the cell, the origin of the cells' axes. A control action acts upon the Quad Cell signals to move the laser spot toward the origin of the axes bisecting the four quadrants of the cell, moving the laser spot to the origin to achieve a null in the difference between these four signal levels.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for in situ reconfigurable quasi-phase matching field-programmable nonlinear photonics that is reliably reconfigurable and maintains nonlinear conversion efficiency is presented. Devices include a ferroelectric waveguide susceptible to light-assisted poling; (UV-transparent) first electrode(s); one or more UV illumination sources; at least a second electrode; and a substrate. Reconfiguring the hybrid electronic/photonic field programmable array device includes selecting a device type; selecting parameters for the device; determining per-electrode voltages for the device; determining timing values for reconfiguring the device; initiating illumination of the device; applying per-electrode voltages of the device; terminating per-electrode voltages according to the timing values; and terminating illumination according to the timing values.

Abstract: An aircraft environmental control system (4) for controlling a temperature of a fluid, the control system (4) comprising: a temperature sensor (30) configured to measure a temperature of the fluid and to generate a first signal, the first signal being indicative of the measured temperature; a control signal generator (52) configured to, dependent upon the first signal, generate a control signal for controlling the temperature of the fluid; and one or more processors (64) configured to, responsive to determining that the measured temperature is less than or equal to a pre-determined threshold value (e.g. 0° C.), increase a gain of the control signal generator (52).

Abstract: A receiver includes: a filter circuit to generate predicted measurements for a set of tracks based on previous kinematic states of the tracks and timing and source data of next compressed measurements associated to the tracks, generate probability data of differences between the predicted measurements and next measurement data, generate the next measurement data using the predicted measurements and quantized differences between the predicted measurements and the next measurement data, and generate next kinematic states of the tracks based on the previous kinematic states, the timing and source data of the next compressed measurements, and the generated measurement data; a quantizer circuit to quantize the probability data into quantization tables and look up the quantized differences from corresponding indices in the quantization tables; and a decoder circuit to decode encoded index data of the next compressed measurements into the corresponding indices in the quantization tables using the quantized probabili

Abstract: A disclosed apparatus and method verify whether a hot spot within a scene is a valid laser-com signal, and further identify laser-com signals of interest. An extended Kalman filter (EKF) is applied to a received signal or beacon to detect whether it is modulated according to a square wave or other expected amplitude modulation pattern. Embodiments further determine whether the modulation frequency matches a signal or beacon of interest. In embodiments, a plurality of indexed EKF's are “tuned” to different modulation frequencies, and are used to identify a beacon's modulation frequency index. Where each EKF is required to compute amplitude and phase partial derivatives of the observation vector, the amplitude partials can be calculated according to the expected modulation pattern, and the phase partials can be calculated using a truncated Fourier or step-wise approximation of the expected modulation pattern. Embodiments further assume a time-invariant covariance matrix.

Abstract: A method for improving direction finding and geolocation error estimation in direction finding and geolocation systems is disclosed. The corresponding phases of the received signals are determined. After an initial target estimation point of the received signals has been identified, the initial target estimation point is projected onto the earth's surface. A search grid having multiple grid points is then overlaid on the projected initial target estimation point, surrounding the projected initial target estimation point. The phase of signals emitting from a theoretical emitter located at each of the grid points of the search grid is estimated. Correlation coefficients between the estimated phases of the emitting signals and the determined phases of the received signals are determined. An error ellipse can be generated around one of the grid points having the highest correlation coefficient, and a source emitter is likely to be located within the error ellipse.

Abstract: A reduced profile panel antenna is disclosed. A panel antenna configured according to an embodiment includes two opposing antenna arms disposed over a ground plane. The antenna arms include one or more corrugated or folded sections to increase the electrical path of the antenna arms within fixed physical dimensions (e.g., length and width) of the panel antenna. The panel antenna also includes passive filters to provide current loop paths of varying lengths for selected frequency ranges. Longer loop paths are employed for signals at lower frequencies (i.e., longer wavelengths) and shorter loop paths are employed for signals at higher frequencies (i.e., shorter wavelengths). The panel antenna further includes a ferrite plane disposed between the ground plane and the antenna arms to suppress radio frequency (RF) signal reflections and allow for a reduced antenna profile or thickness.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for a multiwavelength laser source and a method of driving the multiwavelength laser source. The multiwavelength laser source includes: a plurality of seed lasers to generate a corresponding plurality of seed beams having a corresponding plurality of distinct seed wavelengths; a laser combiner to receive and combine the seed beams into a single first beam; an optical amplifier to amplify the first beam; and a single fixed nonlinear converter to convert and output the amplified first beam as a multiwavelength second beam including the seed wavelengths and one or more new wavelengths distinct from and generated from the seed wavelengths. In some embodiments, the nonlinear converter is an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) or an optical parametric generator (OPG). In some other embodiments, the nonlinear converter is a sum frequency generator (SFG), a difference frequency generator (DFG), or an optical parametric amplifier (OPA).