Abstract: A core suitable for inclusion in an ASIC or other integrated circuit includes a plurality of SPI masters, each of which is able to control and coordinate the timing of a plurality of SPI-controlled devices via an associated SPI bus. Each SPI master is controlled by a corresponding core controller that includes memory, interrupts, flags, timers, and an instruction processor that can independently execute instructions stored in the memory to control data communication between the core controller and its associated SPI master, and between the SPI master and one or more SPI slave devices. The core controllers can be simultaneously started, resynchronized, staggered, and otherwise coordinated with each other. Embodiments further permit bypassing of the core controllers for direct data exchange between external resources and the SPI masters.

Abstract: A signal routing circuit is disclosed which employs resistive combiners to reduce signal jitter. A signal routing circuit configured according to an embodiment comprises an input stage including a plurality of buffer circuits. Each of the buffer circuits is controlled by a selection signal to enable an input signal at an input port of the buffer circuit to generate an output signal at an output port of the buffer circuit. The signal routing circuit also includes a plurality of resistors to couple the output port of each of the buffer circuits of the input stage to a summing junction. The signal routing circuit further includes an output stage including an additional buffer circuit. The input port of the additional buffer circuit is coupled to the summing junction, and the output port of the additional buffer circuit is configured to provide the routed output signal based on the selection signals.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for analog to digital conversion, the system having: a front end whereby a current is converted to digital pulses; and a back end with a coarse conversion unit outputting a pulse count; and a fine conversion unit outputting a count time measurement count; wherein said back end unit is configured to combine said pulse count and said count time measurement to produce a high dynamic range output, said output being the product of the one more than the pulse count and the integration time divided by the sum of the integration time and the count time management count.

Abstract: An apparatus for high resolution thermal imaging in medical applications has a single channel EMI shielded sensor, remote cable, and laptop controller with real time image processing software. The apparatus provides high resolution, real-time viewable infrared (IR) images with a variable focus distance adjustable from six inches to infinity. The present invention enables crisp, clear imagery of the thermal band for greater awareness of everything within the field of view. Various medical applications which would benefit from high resolution thermal imagery are presented.

Abstract: An image registration system and method for matching images having fundamentally different characteristics. One exemplary feature of the system and method includes the use of an enhanced phase correlation method combined with a coarse sensor model to hypothesize and match a custom match metric to determine a best solution. The system and method may be operated on a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which when executed by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the image registration method utilizing the enhanced phase correlation.

Abstract: The system and method of using at least one constellation of small satellites to provide collaborative, tactical intelligence in a space-based system. The low latency of the system provides for actions to be taken within an adversary's decision window. The multi-domain system provides for the use of various sensors and payloads to provide real-time, multi-INT information to users, whether commercial or military in nature.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier circuit including a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a variable capacitor connected in series between the first amplifier and the second amplifier is disclosed. As a gain of the variable gain amplifier circuit varies, the input impedance, output impedance, noise figure and third-order output intercept point (OIP3) of the variable gain amplifier circuit remain unchanged.

Abstract: A mid-wave infrared system provides high spatial and temporal resolution measurements of atmospheric temperatures and moisture fields using a constellation of low earth orbit satellites. The disclosed system is smaller, lighter, less complex, and requires less energy than existing systems, due to implementation of an infrared avalanche photodiode array detector that provides enhanced sensitivity with reduced cooling requirements, and an Offner spectrometer having a novel a refractive element inserted near the grating that reduces the size and power requirements of the spectrometer. Embodiments of the disclosed method include deploying a constellation of devices for cooperative infrared sensing of atmospheric phenomena at similar rates, lower cost, and much higher resolution compared to geosynchronous approaches.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging a sample having a complex structure (such as an integrated circuit) implements two modes of operation utilizing a common electron beam generator that produces an electron beam within a chamber. In the first mode, the electron beam interacts directly with the sample, and backscattered electrons, secondary electrons, and backward propagating fluorescent X-rays are measured. In the second mode, the electron beam interrogates the sample via X-rays generated by the electron beam within a target that is positioned between the electron beam generator and the sample. Transmitted X-rays are measured by a detector within the vacuum chamber. The sample is placed on a movable platform to precisely position the sample with respect to the electron beam. Interferometric and/or capacitive sensors are used to measure the position of the sample and movable platform to provide high accuracy metadata for performing high resolution three-dimensional sample reconstruction.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging a sample having a complex structure (such as an integrated circuit). The sample is placed on a motion system that moves the sample with respect to an electron beam generator that is used in imaging the sample. The motion system affords thirteen degrees-of-freedom for movement of the sample, by providing a rotation stage, a fine 6-axis piezoelectric-driven stage, and a coarse 6-axis hexapod stage. Various detectors gather information to image the sample. Interferometric and/or capacitive sensors are used to measure the position of the sample and motion system.

Abstract: An extended range Compatible Metal Oxide Semiconductor Image Sensor and method for operating it is provided, the sensor comprising: a first conversion node; a first switch connected to said first conversion node; a second switch disposed in series with said first switch; and a capacitive element disposed between said first and said second switches.

Abstract: A method for improving target location accuracy in direction finding systems is disclosed. A target search region is identified based on a set of received signals, and the target search region is projected onto the earth's surface. An initial search grid, which is smaller than the target search region, is placed within the target search region. Next, the initial search grid is expanded to a full search grid by using an optimum number of virtual grid points in order to cover the entire target search region. The correlation coefficients at the virtual grid points between the estimated phases of emitted signals and the estimated phases of the received signals are then calculated. A target is designated as being at a location associated with the highest correlation coefficient. At this point, a new travel path can be initiated to engage or avoid the target.

Abstract: An apparatus having an analog-to-digital converter with an increased effective resolution is disclosed. The apparatus includes a signal processing functional block and an analog-to-digital conversion block. The signal processing functional block includes a controller for providing a set of digital control signals according to a set of digital input signals received by the controller, a digital-to-analog converter for converting the digital control signals to a set of corresponding analog control signals, and a physical hardware unit for performing a specific function according to the analog control signals. The analog-to-digital conversion block includes an adder for adding a dither signal to an analog feedback signal originated from the physical hardware unit, an ADC for converting sums of dither signals and analog feedback signals to a set of oversampled digital control signals to be fed into the controller.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for shaping the trajectory of a projectile employing a Gravity bias, Gbias. The system includes a seeker, a guidance filter, a pitch rate filter, an actuator, pitch/yaw/roll coupled aerodynamics, and lateral rate sensors. It receives roll orientation input to a guidance and control autopilot; it applies Additional Gbias to that produced by the null rate command to the lateral control loops of the guidance and control autopilot device. The lateral rate command is equal to the desired Additional Gbias divided by an estimate of the projectile velocity. The Additional Gbias is translated to a rate command and incorporated into guidance loop commands to boost an Inherent Gbias to shape the trajectory of the projectile to the target.

Abstract: A flexible TOF processing block having power measurement circuitry comprising separate modules that can be modified using parameterizable registers, without complete reconstruction, allows development to continue while the overall design is optimized.

Abstract: A mixer device is disclosed, which is fabricated as a bipolar-complementary metal oxide semiconductor (BiCMOS) integrated circuit device, to provide improved linearity and dynamic range, at higher operating frequencies. A mixer device configured according to an embodiment includes a driver circuit comprising bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) to convert a local oscillator signal to a high slew-rate gate drive signal. The driver circuit is configured as a quasi-complementary driver employing NPN BJTs. The mixer device further includes a mixer circuit comprising CMOS field-effect transistors (FETs) configured to mix an input signal with the gate drive signal to generate an output signal through the application of the gate drive signal to the gate port of the CMOS FETs. The mixer device further includes a voltage biasing circuit to provide a biased body voltage to the FETs to allow overdriving to a negative voltage relative to the body voltage.

Abstract: A radar warning receiver is disclosed. The radar warning receiver includes an antenna, a signal detection unit, a signal identification unit and an alarm. The antenna collects radio frequency (RF) signals. The signal detection unit is configured to generate a group of frequency and amplitude signals based on the collected RF signals. Specifically, the signal detection unit includes a pair of limiting amplifiers for converting the collected RF signals into corresponding pulsed output signals that track the actual frequency oscillations of the collected RF signals, and a pseudo-random noise generator for injecting noise into one of the limiting amplifiers. Based on the frequency and amplitude signals, the signal identification unit determines whether or not any of the collected RF signals includes a threat signal. The alarm is utilized to present a threat signal to a human operator.

Abstract: An exponentially tapered slot antenna assembly includes a plurality of antenna panels arranged together in a general box-like configuration. At each corner of the box-like configuration, a capacitive load panel is in operative electrical communication with orthogonal pairs of antenna panels. Each antenna panel defines an inner and outer surface and has an electromagnetic interference shielding material positioned thereon. The shielding material positioned may be positioned near a first or upper edge of each antenna panel of the assembly. It has been empirically determined that this configuration enables an operational bandwidth that is greater than 5:1 and a voltage standing wave ratio that is less than 3:1 over the 5:1 bandwidth.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for automated determination of a rocket configuration based on acceleration during rocket motor burn-out and temperature. The rocket configuration is associated with a class of warhead affixed to the rocket. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes measuring the acceleration of the rocket over a period of time associated with the flight of the rocket. The method also includes calculating an acceleration difference between the measured acceleration associated with the start of rocket motor burn-out and the measured acceleration associated with the end of rocket motor burn-out. The method further includes measuring an internal temperature of the rocket and selecting a delta acceleration threshold based on the measured temperature. The method further includes comparing the calculated acceleration difference to the selected delta acceleration threshold, to estimate the rocket configuration.

Abstract: A high efficiency optical beam dump having at least two glass plates configured to define an optical path configured to reflect a beam incident the optical path from plate to plate, wherein the plates include anti-reflective coatings and high reflective coatings and wherein the high-efficiency optical beam dump is capable of very high levels of attenuation through repetitive absorption and reflection of an optical beam.