Abstract: A battery mounting mechanism that allows for one or more battery assemblies to be mounted in various positions within a vehicle via a securely attached mounting assembly that may allow for quick and easy adjustment of the position of the battery assemblies while further preventing rotation of the battery assemblies. Further provided herein is a mechanism for connecting multiple battery assemblies into a single battery unit while still allowing these battery assemblies to take advantage of the battery mounting mechanism provided herein.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) implements a radiation tolerance limiting feature (RTLF) to ensure that the IC, as manufactured, will fail one or more applicable radiation tolerance tests, for example by reducing or eliminating a required voltage or blocking a required signal. As a result, the IC can be manufactured by any suitable IC foundry, and exported without restriction. The RTLF can include a leakage component, such as an oxide dielectric capacitor, a radiation-sensitive MOSFET or SCR, or a photocurrent generating component. The RTLF can include redundancy to ensure reliability. A plurality of RTLFs can be included to ensure failure of any desired combination of applicable radiation tolerance tests, such as total radiation dosage, linear energy transfer events, radiation dose rate, and single event upset. The RTLF can be obfuscated within the IC design. The RTLF can include a testing output to ensure its functionality.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) that is otherwise radiation tolerant implements a radiation tolerance limiting feature (RTLF) to ensure that the IC, as manufactured, will fail applicable radiation tolerance tests, thereby allowing it to be manufactured by any suitable IC foundry. Embodiments further include a programmable radiation tolerance feature (PRT) that can be actuated at an authorized actuation site after IC manufacture to override the RTLF, thereby rendering the IC radiation tolerant. The PRT and/or RTLF can include redundancy to ensure reliability. The PRT and/or RTLF can be obfuscated, encrypted, and/or password protected. Actuating the PRT can include applying a programming signal to the IC and/or uploading code to a programmable element after IC manufacture. A plurality of RTLFs can be included to ensure failure of any desired combination of applicable radiation tolerance tests, such as total radiation dosage, linear energy transfer events, radiation dose rate, and single event upset.

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: 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: 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: The system and method for the development and use of an architecture for a Mission Data File Generator (MDFG) for Electronic Warfare (EW) and other systems, which applies state-of-the art software architecture, workflow design, and Graphical User Interface (GUI) design methods. The resulting MDFG tools are user-friendly to the EW Analyst, and allow development of Mission Data Files (MDFs) more quickly. The method and system are substantially more extensible and maintainable than current MDFG tools.

Abstract: Methods and structures are disclosed for using a graphics processing unit (GPU) to detect and organize pulses in an efficient, parallel manner. A received signal is divided into a plurality of sub-batches. Each of the plurality of sub-batches is processed in parallel by detecting a number of pulses present within each of the plurality of sub-batches. A scanning algorithm process for combining the pulse information of the detected pulses includes providing pulse information from detected pulses within a plurality of subgroups with each subgroup including 2n sub-batches, with n equal to a number of iterations of performing the providing, and repeating the iterations, increasing n by 1 for each iteration, until 2n is equal to the total number of sub-batches in the plurality of sub-batches. An output array is generated having a size based on a total combined pulse count and including sequential pulses from the plurality of sub-batches.

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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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 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: A Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) objective lens having an F # of 2.64 and a 33.6° angular field of view. It is deployed, with a focal plane and scanning system, on an airborne platform for remote sensing applications. Focal length is 9 inches, and the image is formed on a focal plane constituting CCD or CMOS with micro lenses. The lens has, from object to image, three optical element groups with a cold shield/aperture stop. Group 1 has a positive optical power and three optical elements; Group 2 has a positive optical power and four optical elements; Group 3 has a positive optical power and three optical elements. The objective lens is made of two Germanium and Silicon. The lens is both apochromatic and orthoscopic, and corrected for monochromatic and chromatic aberrations over 3.3 to 5.1 micrometers.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system is disclosed that is especially well-suited for use on aerodynamic systems such as guided projectiles or other aerobodies. A series of piezoelectric cantilevers are arranged to capture vibrations from the ambient environment and transduce the mechanical motion from the vibrations into useful electrical energy. The piezoelectric cantilevers can be arranged along different planes from one another to capture different vibrational modes and directions. A power conditioning circuit is included to receive the electrical energy produced by the piezoelectric cantilevers. A storage element coupled to the power conditioning circuit is configured to store charge based on the electrical energy produced by the plurality of piezoelectric cantilever structures. The stored charge can be used to provide low levels of power to certain electrical components on board the aerodynamic system before it has been launched.