Abstract: A method for dealing with high inrush current when voltage is applied to mixed voltage logic integrated circuits is disclosed. A depletion N-Channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) or junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) is added to a linear voltage regulator in mixed voltage logic integrated circuits. The Field Effect Transistor (FET) is utilized to allow the core voltage to come up with Input/Output voltage prior to turn-on of linear voltage regulator. Turn-on state of FET allows the core voltage to rise with Input/Output voltage until the FET threshold is reached across the gate. When threshold is reached, the FET turns off to allow linear voltage regulator turn on and take over supply power.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for providing a laser system. In one specific example embodiment, the system includes a thulium-doped fiber laser coupled by silica glass fiber to a remote optical converter (ROC) including a Ho:YAG laser and, optionally, an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) utilizing zinc germanium phosphide (ZnGeP2; ZGP) or orientation-patterned gallium arsenide (OPGaAs). The fiber laser may emit a low-peak-power, continuous wave pump signal that pumps the Ho:YAG laser, which in turn emits a higher-peak-power, pulsed signal. When included, the OPO can be used to convert the resultant, pulsed signal to a longer wavelength (e.g., about 2-5 ?m, or greater). In some cases, distributed architecture and reduced weight/bulk may be realized while eliminating the need to actively cool the ROC for operation, for example, over a broad temperature range (e.g., ?55-125° C.). Also, methods of preparing high-peak-power, pulsed signals using such systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for converting a device between an authorized device and an unauthorized device may include a crypto ignition key (CIK) and a mission module. The CIK may store an original device number corresponding to a device. The mission module typically loads a local mission and a key, decrypts the local mission with the key to produce a decrypted local mission, and generates an internal file encryption key (IFEK) and an internal split. The mission module may then encrypt the decrypted local mission to produce an encrypted local mission and then erase the IFEK. The mission module, when attached to the device, may read an additional device number from the device and recreate the IFEK based on the additional device number and the internal split. The mission module may decrypt the encrypted local mission and install the results in the device to convert the device into an authorized device.

Abstract: A device for bridging communications between radios on a tactical network and telephones on a public cellular network. A dock region of the device housing receives and engages a given telephone that operates on the second network. A processing core of the device has (a) a core engine for receiving and transmitting first radio frequency (RF) signals on the first network, (b) digital signal processing stages for (i) translating first information modulated on the first RF signals into a format compatible with telephones on the second network, and producing corresponding translated first information, and (ii) translating second information demodulated by the given telephone from second RF signals on the second network into a format compatible with radios on the first network, and modulating the translated second information on the first RF signals transmitted by the core engine. An adapter provides an interface between the processing core and the given telephone.

Abstract: A method of translating a source message having a first set of defined word fields in a source message format, into a sink message having a second set of defined word fields in a desired sink message format. A common message format (CMF) is defined to have a third set of word fields that corresponds to a union of the first and the second sets of word fields. For any given word field in the third set of word fields in the CMF, information contained in a corresponding word field in the source message, if any, is mapped to the given word field in the CMF. For any given word field in the second set of word fields in the sink message format, information contained in a corresponding word field of the CMF, if any, is mapped to the given word field in the sink message.

Abstract: A method for maintaining north comprising the steps of locating north with a north finding gyroscope, tying north to a feature in a scene, correlating the feature to a target in the field of regard of a plurality of cameras, and determining a north factor and translating the north factor into a target vector relative to north.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for providing an ultra-wideband, multi-channel solid-state power amplifier architecture. In some embodiments, the architecture includes a power divider which splits an input signal and delivers that split signal to a plurality of downstream channel chipsets. Each channel chipset is configured to amplify a sub-band of the original full-band input signal and to provide the resultant amplified sub-band for downstream use, such as for transmission by an antenna operatively coupled with that channel. In the aggregate, the amplified sub-bands provide coverage of the same ultra-wideband frequency range of the original input signal, in some cases. In some embodiments, the architecture provides high radio frequency (RF) power with good amplifying efficiency and ultra-wide instantaneous frequency bandwidth performance in a small-form-factor package.

Abstract: A deformable focal plane array (DFPA) for imaging systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, the DFPA includes a detection circuitry on one side. For example, the thickness of the DFPA is in a range of about 5 to 40 microns. In one exemplary embodiment, the DFPA when warped to a desired shape provides a substantially wider field of view (FOV) than a flat focal plane array (FPA).

Abstract: An RS-485 bus is directly connected to transportation refrigeration unit sensors for transmitting information from the sensors to a remote location and for controlling sensor parameters from the remote location. The GENSET associated with the transportation refrigeration unit also utilizes the RS-485 bus, in which the bus is directly connected to the GENSET sensors for bi-directional communication therewith.

Abstract: An adapter for a communications module includes first terminals for connection with a host interface of a given platform, and second terminals for connection with the communications module. The host interface provides signals associated with the platform and power at corresponding first terminals. The communication module provides associated signals and connections for supplying voltages to the module circuits, at corresponding second terminals. A power converter connected to the first terminals is arranged to output fixed voltages one or more of which is required for the communications module. A power management stage connected to the output of the power converter is arranged to apply the voltages to the second terminals so that the voltages are properly supplied to the module circuits. A buffer stage connected to the first and the second terminals is arranged to buffer or condition shared signals among the host interface and the communications module.

Abstract: Message or traffic data is transmitted from a given radio or node for reception by one or more other nodes in a communications network, by arranging the node for transmitting the data according to a selected one of a number of different medium access protocols. The medium access protocol selected for a given message or traffic is determined according to one or more of (a) the size of the traffic, (b) the priority of the traffic, (c) the periodicity of the traffic, and (d) whether the traffic is broadcast or unicast to the other nodes in the network. Each radio includes one or more processor and memory modules configured to output messages or traffic for transmission from the radio according to the selected medium access protocol. By using distributed scheduling and traffic control to protect against hidden nodes, the radios can maintain agile portability in tactical urban environments.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a low probability of detection (LPD) waveform is presented. The method modulates pre-modulated symbols using pulse-position modulation (PPM) to produce PPM modulated signals with a modulated in-phase (I) component and a modulated quadrature (Q) component. Next, frequency hopping is used to transmit the modulated I component at a randomized start time within a time slot and to transmit the modulated Q component at the randomized start time within the same slot. The modulated Q component does not overlap with the modulated I component. The method can also overlay transmission security (TRANSEC) pseudorandom (PN) overlay on the modulated Q component and the modulated I component before the modulated Q component and the modulated I component are transmitted.

Abstract: A system and method for producing Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) is disclosed. A single optical fiber or Raman oscillator is optically pumped by a pump laser of sufficient power to generate SRS to generate several Stokes shifts of energy. This generates a multi-wavelength output or a single wavelength with several stokes energy shifts from the pump wavelength. A selective, monolithic-coated Raman fiber oscillator laser is utilized to increase the efficiency of frequency shifting by providing frequency-specific feedback at both facets of a free space coupled optical fiber oscillator. Frequencies that lie several bands away from the primary pump frequency may be efficiently achieved in a fiber oscillator by re-circulating the required stokes-shifted frequencies via selective high-reflection coatings. By re-circulating the intra-band stokes frequencies, the required intensities in each respective frequency will be increased, thereby dropping the respective Raman threshold in the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of point source target detection for multispectral imaging is disclosed. In one embodiment, a background source spectral ratio is determined using at least one radiant source, such as baseline intensities, camera optics sensitivity properties and atmospheric transmission properties. Further, a spectral difference is computed for each pixel in an incoming frame by applying the background source spectral ratio to a spectral band-specific radiant intensity value of each pixel. Furthermore, offset biasing in the incoming frame is removed by applying spatial median filtering to each computed spectral difference in the incoming frame.

Abstract: On-board diagnostics for fleet maintenance is improved by embedding a microprocessor programmed with a prognostication algorithm on a vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for performing alignment harmonization of a collection of electro-optical and/or gimbaled componentry that is to operate within a common coordinate frame. In some cases, the techniques and architecture can provide a cost- and time-efficient approach to achieving alignment harmonization that is compatible, for example, with field-test and/or operational environments. In some instances, the techniques and architecture can be used in concert with error calibration techniques to further improve the accuracy of the alignment harmonization. The techniques and architecture can be utilized with a wide range of components (e.g., sensors, armaments, targeting systems, weapons systems, countermeasure systems, navigational systems, surveillance systems, etc.) on a wide variety of platforms. Numerous configurations and variations will be apparent in light of this disclosure.

Abstract: A multi-function programmable transceiver is described. The transceiver includes a driver circuit and a receiver circuit, which allows an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) device to drive and receive data from other ASIC devices. Both the driver and receiver circuits share a common input/output (I/O) pin. The driver circuit can be programmed to provide one of the several driver functions, such as CMOS, TTL, PCI, HSTL, SSTL and LVDS. Other functional features of the transceiver that can be programmed are driving strengths or output impedance, output power supply voltage, single ended or differential mode of HSTL/SSTL transceivers, and class 1 or class 2 operations for SSTL/HSTL transceivers. The receiver circuit can also be programmed to provide one of the several receiver functions, such as CMOS, TTL, PCI, HSTL, SSTL and LVDS.

Abstract: A 3D wafer-integration uncooled infrared (IR) microbolometer focal plane array (FPA) sensor includes a first die with an FPA of uncooled IR microbolometers, a second die signal-processing layer. The dies are vertically aligned, stacked with 3D wafer bonding, and interconnected. Interconnection include vertical electrical interconnects. Separate optimized manufacturing processes are used for die, so that additional processing costs of the FPA die are leveraged and 3D integration is completed at wafer level, minimizing total device cost and maximizing die count per wafer.

Abstract: Enhanced stability for infrared countermeasure systems is provided by using a pair of single axis rate sensors having orthogonal active axes, preferably aligned with the elevation axis and the azimuth axis of the gimbal. The outputs of the orthogonal single axis rate sensors are used to detect instantaneous aircraft angular movement and to use the detected movement to drive the elevation and azimuth motors of the gimbal to move the output mirror for the gimbal to cancel the detected movement.

Abstract: A system for the vergence of images from a plurality of cameras, the system provides a first camera; a second camera disposed at some distance from that first camera; a focus adjustment whereby the focus of the first camera can be adjusted by a user; the focus adjustment being configured with a range finder whereby the distance from the first camera to a target is ascertained; a look up chart wherein divergence distance of images generated from the first camera from images of the second camera are provided for pre-calculated ranges; and a processor whereby the images generated by the first camera are superimposed on the images generated by the second camera by the divergence distance determined from the lookup.