Abstract: An unattended apparatus and method for isolating and relaying secure communications under adverse circumstances without awareness of encryption keys uses known and/or inferred characteristics of received transmissions to identify, isolate, and retransmit only friendly communications without decryption or re-encryption, and in embodiments also without awareness of applicable TRANSEC algorithms and keys. A channelizer digitizes energy received within a bandwidth of interest, which is then analyzed to detect chip timing, identify and demodulate pulses, and assemble secure messages for retransmission. In embodiments, the retransmissions use the original frequencies and TRANSEC parameters, and/or otherwise adhere to applicable TRANSEC and MSEC constraints so that the relayed messages are accepted by intended recipients. Embodiments provide interoperability with existing secure communications such as Link 16 and CDL.

Abstract: An mechanism for range estimation mapping that includes creation of a world map on an azimuth/elevation (AZ/EL) grid, relation of the grid to an earth-fixed north, east, and down (NED) coordinate system through an address table, and association of each pixel in each frame, by a programmable device, with an entry from the address table in order to determine a range is discussed. The associations may be repeated for each frame while an updated world map and address table are generated. When an updated address table is complete, the process may begin anew using the updated data.

Abstract: The system and method of memory protection using a tagged architecture. The system of memory protection provides a unique tag for each field, within a structure, thus preventing access beyond the structure. The system compares the unique tag, e.g. color, of each field within the structure to the color of the pointer that is used to access the respective structure field. Freed memory is tagged as uninitialized.

Abstract: A true single-phase clocked multiplexer for outputting one of a plurality of input signals in synchronization with a clock signal and as selected by at least one select signal is provided. The multiplexer includes first transistors, second transistors, a first node between the first transistors, a second node between the second transistors, a third node coupled to the first node by one of the first transistors and to the second node by one of the second transistors, and a pre-charge transistor to couple the third node to a first voltage level. The first transistors are coupled to the first voltage level and configured to turn on in response to a gate voltage of a second voltage level different from the first voltage level. The second transistors are coupled to the second voltage level and configured to turn on in response to a gate voltage of the first voltage level.

Abstract: The system and method for a tunable, slow-wave meander line antenna having a plurality of coplanar alternating high and low impedance traces. The tunable inverted L meander line antenna being suitable for space-constrained uses. Electronic switches, including solid state switches being used to tune the slow-wave meander-line inverted L antenna. Configurations of more than one antenna element providing polarization diversity, increased gain, and larger impedance bandwidths.

Abstract: An off chip driver circuit includes a bias circuit and a driver sub-cell circuit. The bias circuit and off chip driver sub-cell circuit are in electrical communication with each other. The bias circuit includes two serially aligned diodes which are in an off-state when the driver sub-cell is in a functional mode and which are in an on-state when the driver sub-cell is in a cold spare mode. The arrangement of the diodes enables the off chip driver circuit to handle similar voltage signals in both the functional mode and the cold spare mode.

Abstract: A surveillance sensor system is described. The surveillance sensor system includes a polygonal-shaped assembly having four substantially identical quadrant segments. Each of the quadrant segments includes a first set of lens, a second set of lens, and a third set of lens. Images captured by the first, second and third sets of lens can be combined to form a telecentric image on an intermediate image plane. The surveillance sensor system also includes a relay optic module having a set of lens, multiple focal plane array detectors and a dewar. The relay optic module can re-image the telecentric image located on the intermediate image plane onto an image plane.

Abstract: A method for dismount detection in low-resolution UAV imagery, comprising providing an input image, processing a greyscale distribution of the input image, determining a rough classification in the input image based on the grayscale distribution, determining the optimal parameters based on the rough classification, estimating one or more potential dismount locations, applying an area filter to the one or more potential dismount locations, removing undesired locations from the one or more potential dismount locations, applying one or more secondary filters to the resulting one or more potential dismount locations, assigning a probability to the one or more potential dismount locations, and assessing desirability of the one or more potential dismount locations.

Abstract: The system and method for creating plasma flares in air by using an ultra-short pulse laser (USPL) that generates plasma filaments with a short lifetime (in nanoseconds), and by heating these plasma filaments with intense microwave (RF) radiation to induce robust air breakdown, resulting in long lifetime (up to milliseconds) plasma flares in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of digital signal processing includes modeling a digitally-modulated radio frequency (RF) communication stream using a set of incoming samples of the stream collected from a single antenna. The stream includes a first signal, the first signal including a sequence of first digital symbols having a previous symbol and a current symbol. Each first digital symbol is chosen from a plurality of first possible values. The first signal is modulated by a first known RF communication protocol having unknown time-varying parameters, the parameters having estimated previous values from modeling the previous symbol using a previous interval of the samples corresponding to the previous symbol. The method further includes collecting a current interval of the samples, predicting current values of the parameters, deciding a value of the current symbol using maximum likelihood estimation, and estimating the current values of the parameters using maximum likelihood estimation.

Abstract: A digital to analog converter (DAC) circuit is disclosed which employs isolation providing cascode devices to reduce data dependent signal distortion. A DAC circuit configured according to an embodiment includes a current source associated with each bit of a digital word that is to be converted. Each current source is coupled to a current switch that is controlled by the associated bit. The DAC also includes a cascode device coupled to each of the current switches through a feed line. The DAC further includes a summing junction configured to generate an analog output signal corresponding to the digital word based on a sum of currents provided by the current sources, through the current switches and the feed lines. The cascode devices provide impedance matching and isolation between the feed lines and the summing junction to reduce signal reflections between the current switches and the summing junction to improve conversion performance.

Abstract: The system and method of copy aided geolocation in a cochannel environment. The plurality of emitter signals are detected using a multichannel antenna array, separated into subbands based on frequency ranges using a channelizer, and are further processed using copy weights, property restoral algorithms, and maximum likelihood calculations. The multichannel antenna array may be mounted to a mobile platform and the calculations may assume that the signal of interest is non-Gaussian, but the remainder of emitter signals is combined into another signal that is assumed to be Gaussian. The method and system provides geolocation results that adhere to the Cramer-Rao bound.

Abstract: A system for transferring power and/or data between a host and a store over a single-wire umbilical cable is herein described. The system comprises a host-store interface configured to allow the transfer of both power and data between the host and a store in operative communication therewith. The store comprises a microcontroller and memory operatively coupled thereto, allowing the microcontroller to be powered on and to receive and store data sent by the host in its memory through a single-wire without requiring additional electronic systems that the store may comprise to also be powered on. This data may later be incorporated into pre-programmed systems onboard the store at full power-on, thereby enabling the reprogramming of the store without powering it on prior to launch.

Abstract: A system and method for metadata processing that can be used to encode an arbitrary number of security policies for code running on a stored-program processor. This disclosure adds metadata to every word in the system and adds a metadata processing unit that works in parallel with data flow to enforce an arbitrary set of policies, such that metadata is unbounded and software programmable to be applicable to a wide range of metadata processing policies. This instant disclosure is applicable to a wide range of uses including safety, security, and synchronization.

Abstract: A hybrid resonator and amplifier combination for generating a high energy output signal. The combination comprises a beam splitter for splitting a pump laser beam into first and second portions. The second portion beam being conveyed to a resonator which operates in a single transverse mode to generating a signal wavelength beam. An output coupler of the resonator allows a first portion of the signal wavelength beam to pass therethrough while retaining a second portion of the signal wavelength beam within the resonator. A system dichroic mirror receives and directs both the first portion and the signal wavelength beam toward an amplifier. The amplifier receives both the first portion and the signal wavelength beam. The first portion, upon passing through the amplifier, creates gain which is used by the amplifier to amplify the signal wavelength beam generate the high energy output signal.

Abstract: A system and method for a semi-active laser seeker combining a temporal and a spatial sensor to form a seeker with a wide angle FOV and low angle error for use with spinning projectiles with spin rates of up to 300 Hz. The FOV is about 40 degrees and the angle error is less than 0.1 degrees. The seeker utilizes a CCA and fits into a small, low cost package, of about 1.5 in3 or less.

Abstract: A high density, high speed ROIC uses in-pixel integration capacitors and comparators to convert each pixel charge to a train of pulse spikes which increment a capacitor to successive, discrete charge values that represent a digital, non-binary count value of an in-pixel multi-value digital counter (MVDC). The MVDC can include a plurality of stages whereby comparators limit the maximum count of each stage and increment subsequent stages. The maximum count can be a power of two for subsequent direct ADC conversion to binary. The count values and the residual integration capacitor charge can be read out by ramping the comparator reference inputs and measuring the comparator output timings, effectively forming partially in-pixel single-slope ADC's. The comparators can include temporary internal positive feedback to maintain consistency of the spike pulses to better than 10%.

Abstract: Methods and systems for correcting non-uniformity in focal plane arrays include averaging pixel intensity values from a plurality of data captures to generate an image, spatially median filtering the image to generate a median filtered image, temporally stacking the median filtered image with at least one previously median filtered images to generate a median filtered image stack, and temporally median filtering a pixel offset value stack corresponding to each of a plurality of filtered pixel locations within the median filtered image stack to generate a process dataset.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for phase-locked loop (PLL) configuration, based on a calibrated lookup table (LUT). A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes selecting one of a number of voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) of the PLL, and selecting a tuning parameter to control the VCO. The method further includes testing the PLL, using multiple loop divider values, to determine a minimum and maximum value that define the lower and upper bounds of a range of loop divider values for which the PLL achieves a locked state while using the selected VCO and tuning parameter. The method further includes storing PLL configuration parameters to an entry in the configuration LUT, the PLL configuration parameters to include an identification of the selected VCO, the selected tuning parameter, the minimum loop divider value, and the maximum loop divider value. The method iterates using additional combinations of selected VCOs and tuning parameters.

Abstract: The invention measures the frequency of a heterodyne laser radar (LADAR) system signal in the input cell of a focal plane array (FPA). Embodiments amplify the return signal, and drive it into a counter for a fixed period of time. The frequency is the number of counts divided by the count time. An example design amplifier amplifies the return of a single photon response of an avalanche photodiode with a gain of 100 into a digital signal level at a 200 MHz rate with only 84 ?W, demonstrating the feasibility of the approach.