Abstract: A radio frequency device includes an optically transparent, electrically insulating substrate; a plurality of optically transparent, electrically conductive cells disposed on the substrate; a thin film transistor electrically coupled between an optically transparent electrode of a first one of the cells and an optically transparent electrode of a second one of the cells; and an optically transparent conductive control trace electrically coupled to a control terminal of the transistor. In an example, at least one of the cells is a transparent conductive oxide thin film. Electrodes of the transistor may also be optically transparent.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for geolocation and tracking of a target emitter. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes receiving measurement data associated with a signal from an emitter, and receiving an estimated uncertainty associated with the measurement data. The measurement data may be provided, for example, by a radar receiver. The method further includes employing a Kalman filter to calculate a geolocation of the emitter, based on the measurement data and the estimated uncertainty. The calculation includes constraining the geolocation of the emitter to the surface of the Earth, for example in a geodetic coordinate system. The measurement data may include azimuth angle of arrival of the signal and depression angle of arrival of the signal or a time difference of arrival of the signal between two measurement platforms. The methodology may be carried out, for instance, onboard an aircraft, projectile, or missile.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of efficiently synchronizing time bases of multi-netting network nodes. A first node transmits a synchronizing request on a subnet associated with the highest time quality in its source table, then simultaneously monitors that subnet and up to three additional subnets associated with lower time qualities in its source table. If the first node does not receive a response, it transmits the request on the subnet associated with the next highest time quality in its source table. A second node simultaneously monitors the subnet associated with its time quality and a plurality of subnets associate with consecutively higher time qualities. Upon receiving the synchronization request, it responds on the subnet associated with its time quality. The disclosed method is fully compatible with networks that include single-netting nodes, and can be implemented by a JTRS node exchanging RTT messages on a Link 16 network.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for steering vector generation. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes converting time domain data received from an antenna array to channelized frequency domain data. The method also includes receiving a request from a signal detection system, the request including a timestamp and duration of a detected signal of interest (SOI) and an indication that the SOI is pulsed or continuous. The method further includes generating, for a pulsed SOI, steering vectors to steer the antenna array to the pulsed SOI based on a segment of the time domain data stored in a first memory and identified by the time stamp and duration; and generating, for a continuous SOI, steering vectors to steer the antenna array to the continuous SOI based on a segment of the channelized frequency domain data stored in a second memory and identified by the time stamp and duration.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer systems for the automatic determination of presence or absence of burn-in overlay data are provided. The systems, methods, and computer systems implement mask generation, edge detection, feature vector generation methods that are combined with machine learning classifiers to rapidly and automatically determine the presence or absence of burn-in overlays in the image for the purpose of removal or other forms to obfuscate burn-in overlay data so as to maintain confidential or classified information while allowing for the release of remaining image data.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for design verification of a bit spreading memory. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes using a bit spreading geometry file to convert a logical address of the memory to a physical address. The geometry file defines a scheme by which bits of a data word stored at the logical address are spread over multiple RAMs. The method also includes writing data bits of a test data word to the physical address, causing a design simulator to simulate a read from the logical address, and comparing the result to the test data word for verification. The method further includes causing the design simulator to simulate a write of the test data word to the logical address, reading data bits from the physical address, arranging the bits into a retrieved data word, and comparing the test data word to the retrieved data word for verification.

Abstract: An AC busbar for connecting at least three phases from a semiconductor switching unit to a load is provided. The AC busbar parallelly connects the at least three phases and provides current balancing. The AC busbar has a terminal-side conductor mechanically connectable to each AC terminal of the semiconductor switching unit and a load-side conductor positioned between the terminal-side conductor and the load. A distance between the terminal-side conductor and the load-side conductor is such that a difference in an inductance between a connection point for a respective AC terminal of each phase and a common point on a middle of the load-side conductor is less than a predetermined percentage with respect to an average of the respective inductances.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a broadband antenna are disclosed. The antenna can include a current sheet array having a plurality of antenna elements. Each antenna element includes dipole arms. The dipole arms can be configured as first and second dipole arm pairs for transmitting or receiving signals of different polarizations. A resistive-capacitive (RC) loading structure is provided for each antenna element, in a layer between the antenna elements and a surface of an antenna substrate. Each RC loading structure includes a set of conductive surfaces and a set of resistive surfaces. A dielectric layer separates the RC loading structure elements from the dipole arms.

Abstract: Multi-spectral methods and systems for the day and night remote sensing (detection, identification, and quantification) of greenhouse gas emission sources from space are provided. The sensor system includes a telescope assembly that passively collects light from an observation area and directs that light through spectral, optical filters and to a sensor array having a plurality of rows and columns of pixels. Different groups of sensor array pixel rows are aligned to receive light that has passed through different optical filters. The filters have passbands corresponding to the reflective and emissive bands of gases of interest, as well as associated reflective and emissive reference bands, and broadband spectral bands. A set of image data frames is obtained as the field of view of the sensor system moves over an observation area and an aggregate image showing locations of detected gas emissions is generated using the collected data.

Abstract: An antenna element suited for direction finding (DF) with omni-directional radiation patterns utilizing a pair of chevron slots fed using a ridged waveguide magic tee (magic-t) and connected microstrip probes. The provided antenna element provides improved performance, power handling, and improved bandwidth compared to current monocone and/or slot antenna elements. The antenna element may be further realized utilizing additive manufacturing processes in combination with standard metal and polymer production techniques.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing thermal systems having one or more radiators that each incorporate one or more heat pipe matrices are provided. Each heat pipe matrix includes at least one spreader heat pipe element and a plurality of lateral heat pipe elements. The lateral heat pipe elements can extend in a direction that is generally transverse to a direction in which the spreader heat pipe element extends. Each lateral heat pipe element includes a portion that is thermally coupled and parallel to a portion of at least one spreader heat pipe element. Multiple heat pipe matrices can be thermally coupled to one another by jumper heat pipes to form heat pipe networks.

Abstract: A chassis configured to hold a cards of at least two form factors comprising: slots disposed in an inner portion the chassis, wherein the slots are aligned with one another and configured to act as card guides; a mid-height structure disposed adjacent a side wall of the chassis, the mid-height structure comprising a second plurality of slots and a third plurality of slots disposed on top and bottom surfaces of the mid-height structure that are substantially parallel to top and bottom walls of the chassis; and a plurality of cooling channels disposed within the walls of the chassis as well as within the mid-height structure, wherein the second and third plurality of slots are configured to align with at least a subset of the plurality of slots disposed in the top and bottom chassis walls and to act as card guides.

Abstract: A rake assembly for measuring fluid flow parameters in a fluid flow rig, comprises: a rake assembly support frame; a housing mounted on the rake assembly support frame; the housing comprising a wall which defines a flow passage, with a flow inlet and a flow outlet, the flow passage extending from the flow inlet to the flow outlet. The housing is cylindrical and is centred on a longitudinal axis. An instrumentation arm extends from a leading edge end to a trailing edge end, and the instrumentation arm extends from the housing wall to extend at least part of the way across the flow passage, the leading edge end located in an Aerodynamic Instrument Plane (AIP); the housing being rotatably mounted to the rake assembly support frame; such that the housing and instrumentation arm are operable to rotate at least part of the way around the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A guided vehicle that includes a body, a propulsion system operably engaged inside of the body, a housing operably engaged with the body and encasing a guidance device inside of the housing, a viewing window of the guidance device, and a cover moveably engaged with the housing, wherein the cover is moveable between a pre-flight configuration and a flight configuration. In the pre-flight configuration, the cover covers the viewing window. In the flight configuration, the cover is configured to expose the viewing window in the flight configuration in response to an impulse of acceleration generated by a launch of the guided vehicle.

Abstract: Various countermeasure dispensing systems (or CMDSs) and method of use are described herein. CMDS may include a dispenser assembly operably engaged with a platform where at least one electrical connection provides electrical communication between the dispenser assembly and a sequencer. CMDS may also include a magazine assembly operably engaged with the dispenser assembly, wherein the magazine assembly comprises a magazine configured to hold at least two countermeasure expendables. CMDS may also include a breechplate assembly operably engaged with the magazine assembly and adapted to dispense the at least two countermeasure expendables. CMDS may also include at least one magazine identification switch (MIS) operably engaged with the magazine assembly and the breechplate assembly. CMDS may also include that the at least one MIS is configured to enable the sequencer and the breechplate assembly to selectively dispense at least one countermeasure expendable from the at least two countermeasure expendables.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pointing a high gain antenna or other directional instrument connected to a platform by a gimbal are provided. A control system as disclosed can include a flight computer having a processor for executing software and a motor control board having a controller for implementing at least portions of a control algorithm. The software executed by the processor generates pointing commands and implements a Kalman filter included in a feedback loop in the form of a linear Kalman filter disturbance estimator of the control algorithm implemented by the controller. The control algorithm can further implement a proportional control position loop and a proportional control rate loop. Each axis of the gimbal is provided with an instance of the control algorithm and the Kalman filter. Moreover, the processor can be operated at a rate that is less than a rate at which the controller is operated.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for leveraging legacy countermeasure dispensing systems (CMDSs). The legacy CMDSs are leveraged through the expansion of breechplates and magazines in a CMDS by expanding the amount of expendables carried by a CMDS while still maintaining the legacy sequencer and dispenser in a legacy military platform, such as an aircraft. In addition, various circuitry systems are included in a circuit card of the breechplate for duplicating and/or expanding the firing lines provided in a legacy CMDS.

Abstract: A sample and hold amplifier output buffer with the low leakage of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET) combined with the linearity and dynamic range of silicon-germanium (SiGe) bipolar junction transistors (BJT). In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a sample and hold amplifier output buffer placing a MOSFET input device between the base and emitter of a high linearity SiGe BJT.

Abstract: An energy management system (EMS) for an aircraft is provided. The aircraft may have one of a plurality of propulsion systems such as a parallel hybrid electric propulsion system, a parallel turbo electric propulsion system, an electric propulsion system, a turbo electric propulsion system and a turbo hybrid electric propulsion system. The EMS comprises redundant control paths for controlling safety critical operation. Each redundant control path is configured to independently determine whether to electrically isolate a line replaceable unit (LRU) from a high voltage DC link (HVDC link) based on status information from the LRU. The isolation is based on the independent determination. The HVDC link is used for propulsion. The number of the redundant control paths and components may be depending on the type of the propulsion system.

Abstract: A distributed control system includes an electronic control unit to establish secure communication with a distributed control module. Upon determination that a previously negotiated session key is stored on the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit transmits encrypted communications with the distributed control module using the previously negotiated session key, negotiates a new session key with the distributed control module, and stores the new session key. Upon determination that the previously negotiated session key is not stored on the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit negotiates the new session key with the distributed control module. After negotiating the new session key with the distributed control module, the electronic control unit ceases transmission of unencrypted communications with the distributed control module, transmits encrypted communications with the distributed control module using the new session key, and stores the new session key.