Abstract: An asynchronous medium access control layer scheduler increases efficiency for directional mesh networks by removing extra overhead in the time slots. The efficiency is increased by dividing time slots into sub-slots to allow for a receiving node to be offset by at least one sub-slot from the transmitting node. This enables the scheduler to more efficiently schedule operations for the nodes so that nodes can be performing other functions rather than waiting to receive a transmission or waiting after transmitting a transmission. The sub-slots may be sized to approximate the transmission propagation time or time of flight delay.

Abstract: The system and method of mixing pitch and roll commands from a flight control computer to produce fin deflections applied to as few as two fins to simultaneously produce both a rolling moment and a pitching moment. The system may be mechanical or digital where actuators can be linear or rotary, digital or analog. Deflections of the fins are generated which produce pitch and roll moments where addition of pitch and roll commands determines deflection commands to be sent to a first fin and subtraction of pitch and roll commands determines deflection commands to be sent to a second fin.

Abstract: An athermal and achromatic lens with a high resolution while further being near orthoscopic and providing a large field of view. Further, the provided VNIR lens may utilize only three types of optical glass allowing the lens to be reduced in size, cost, and weight while further reducing or minimizing the complexity thereof.

Abstract: A more robust direction finding process that significantly improves processing time and reduce memory requirements relative to the current systems utilizing machine learning techniques to train a deep neural network to compute an azimuth and elevation solution given the channel phase pairs and frequency of measurements of a signal. The disclosed process may be further utilized with legacy direction finding systems to improve the performance and reduce the memory requirements thereof.

Abstract: A luminescent diode surface within the cold shield of an infrared camera to allow for continuous non-uniformity correction with uniform irradiance across an infrared IR detector array. Further provided by the inclusion of a luminescent diode surface within the cold shield paneling is the ability to change the diode bias providing a negative luminescent effect while utilizing reverse bias and an electro-luminescent effect while utilizing a forward bias. This may then further allow for multiple set points to provide continuous offset and gain correction and to correct non-linear response effects.

Abstract: An optical bench utilizing narrowband optical filters on precision rotary stages that can provide custom tuning of the operational frequencies of the optical bench while maintaining the ability to switch between narrowband and wideband operation thereof. The precision rotary filters may further provide dynamic reconfiguration of the optical bench to alternate frequencies for intersystem compatibility, the enablement of additional self-test capabilities, and easing the manufacturing tolerances thereof.

Abstract: A heat dissipation structure is disclosed that is especially well-suited for use on aerodynamic systems. The heat dissipation structure is formed within a metallic body that surrounds the heat-generating electronics. The heat dissipation structure is designed to both dissipate the generated heat and also to isolate RF cross-talk between the one or more transmitters and receivers. The heat dissipation structure includes a plurality of ring structures that extend around at least a portion of a body that houses the one or more heat-generating electrical components. The plurality of ring structures may be recessed into the body, and a first spacing between a first adjacent pair of ring structures of the plurality of ring structures is different from a second spacing between a second adjacent pair of ring structures of the plurality of ring structures.

Abstract: The system for an antenna assembly for use on unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV). The antennas are low-cost, lightweight, single-use, and have a small form factor amenable to use on a micro-UUV. A central post and pivotally attached arms form an antenna (e.g., a monopole) that is lifted via an aerial, kite, or the like, when deployed from the UUV to extend the line of site of the antenna several meters above the surface of the water. In some cases, the antenna may be used on a number of UUVs in a swarm formation.

Abstract: Methods and structures are disclosed for providing autonomous control of an underwater vehicle using a state machine. A controller is used onboard the underwater vehicle and includes a state machine having a plurality of operating states. Each of the plurality of operating states includes one or both of entrance criteria and exit criteria. The controller is configured to transition from executing a first operating state of the plurality of operating states to executing a second operating state of the plurality of operating states in response to the exit criteria of the first operating state and the entrance criteria of the second operating state both being met. The plurality of operating states includes a first portion of operating states associated with a first task, a second portion of operating states associated with a second task, and a third portion of operating states associated with both the first and second tasks.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for determining a probability that an encountered platform was of a specific type given that a plurality of emitters exist on the platform and each emitter has a computed probability that it is of each of a set of types. A preprocessing stage operates on a description of the environment and determines the probability of a set of events that are independent of any observation. A runtime processing stage uses the terms computed in the preprocessing stage along with data assembled from a set of observations to determine the conditional probability that a particular platform type was the type encountered.

Abstract: A system and method for nulling or suppressing interfering signals directed toward moving platforms based, at least in part, on dynamic motion data of the moveable platform is provided. The system may be an interference nulling system carried by a moveable platform and may include an antenna array including two or more antenna elements that generates at least one initial steerable null radiation pattern, dynamic motion data logic that determines dynamic motion data of the moveable platform; and update logic that updates the at least one initial steerable null radiation pattern based, at least in part, on the dynamic motion data. The at least one updated steerable null radiation pattern is directed toward a direction from which interfering signals are being transmitted from an interfering signal source.

Abstract: A Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) objective and relay lens system has an F# of 3.33 and angular field of view of 15.28°. It is deployed, with a focal plane and scanning system, on airborne platforms for wide area motion imagery. It is corrected for monochromatic and chromatic aberrations over of 3.3 to 5.1 micrometers. Effective focal length is 20 inches, and the overall length is 40.70 inches. The lens has, from object to image, two groups of optical elements with a cold shield/aperture stop 6 inches from the image plane. Group 1 acts as an objective lens with a positive power and three elements, Group 2 acts as a relay lens has a positive power and four elements. The lens is made of Germanium and Silicon. It used in a scanning system in a pre-objective configuration where the fast scan mirror is located in front of the lens system.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for fabricating a low profile antenna that operates with increased efficiency. An antenna implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes a first arm comprising a first spiral portion and a first rectilinear portion, and a second arm comprising a second spiral portion and a second rectilinear portion. The second spiral portion is concentric with the first spiral portion. The antenna further includes an insulator to separate the arms. The insulator and the arms are planar surfaces disposed within a rectangular region. The first rectilinear portion is adjacent to a first and second side of the perimeter of the rectangular region, and the second rectilinear portion is adjacent to a third and fourth side of the perimeter of the region. The antenna is fabricated as a printed circuit board which is mounted on the fuselage of an aircraft, which serves as a ground plane for the antenna.

Abstract: A method includes determining a rotational position of a rotating projectile as a function of an orientation of a sensor on the rotating projectile. The method also includes actuating a steering mechanism on the rotating projectile at the determined rotational position. The method also includes altering the trajectory of the rotating projectile.

Abstract: A wideband chaotic waveform that is rateless in that it may be modulated at virtually any rate and has a minimum of features introduced into the waveform. Further, the waveform provided may be operated below a signal to noise ratio wall to further enhance the LPD and LPE aspects, thereof. Additionally, the present disclosure may provide a mix of coherent and non-coherent processing techniques applied to signal samples to efficiently achieve coarse synchronization with a waveform that is faster, more efficient and more accurate than using time domain signal correlators alone.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for a method for making a custom circuit comprising forming a common wafer template, selecting at least two elements of the common wafer template to be chosen elements, and adding at least one metal layer to interconnect the chosen elements to form a circuit. The common wafer template includes a plurality of transistors, a plurality of resistors, a plurality of capacitors, and a plurality of bond pads. Final circuit customization of the common wafer template is accomplished by adding at least one metal layer that forms interconnects to passive and active elements in the template in order to complete the circuit.

Abstract: A transducer system includes a housing, an electromechanical transducer within the housing, a wicking material adjacent to a portion of the electromechanical transducer, and a coolant solution within the housing. The coolant solution transitions from a liquid phase to a gaseous phase in response to a temperature of the electromechanical transducer exceeding a threshold temperature. In some example cases, the coolant solution has a boiling point of less than about 60° C., which effectively defines the threshold temperature. The coolant solution may be chosen such that it remains a liquid during a first phase (cooling via conduction), and then evaporates during a second phase (cooling via conduction and convection) as the electromechanical transducer heats up.

Abstract: Local detail enhancement (LDE) is an imagery contrast enhancement method applied to visible and uncooled long wave imagery. It enhances local spatial detail through the use of a median based high/band pass filter. The generated detail channel is blended with a histogram-equalized version of the image, creating an image that contains both local detail as well as retaining some amount of global intensity. Retaining global intensity coherency allows for easier target acquisition when compared to fully local forms of contrast enhancement.

Abstract: Various countermeasure expendables and methods of using said countermeasure expendables are provided herein. The countermeasure expendable includes a container. The countermeasure expendable also includes a plurality of countermeasure payloads operably engaged inside the container, wherein one countermeasure payload of the plurality of countermeasure payloads is operably connected to a first Zener diode, and wherein another countermeasure packet of the plurality of countermeasure packets is operably connected to a second Zener diode. In addition, the first Zener diode has a first Zener voltage threshold and the second Zener diode has a second Zener voltage threshold greater than the first Zener voltage threshold.

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.