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 optical system including a first lens element having an optical center, a second lens element having an optical center spaced apart from the first lens element and oriented such that a beam passing through the optical center of said first lens element will also pass straight the optical center of the second lens element, the beam defining an optical path; and at least one planar, optical slab configured to be movable between at least two positions, a first position wherein at least a portion of a planar surface of the optical slab is disposed between the first and second lens elements such that a beam transmitted therethrough also passes through the planar, optical slab and a second position wherein the planar, optical slab is fully outside of the optical path created by the first and second lens elements.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for tuning over a broad radio frequency (RF) bandwidth. A tuner implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes an input module compromising a single-conversion superheterodyne receiver to convert a first RF signal to a processed RF signal by frequency translating from a first frequency range to a lower second frequency range. The input module is also configured to receive a second RF signal occupying the second frequency range and provide the second RF signal as a pass-through RF signal. The tuner also includes a down-conversion module to convert the processed RF signal to a first intermediate frequency (IF) signal by frequency translating the processed RF signal from the second frequency range to a lower third frequency range, and to convert the pass-through RF signal to a second IF signal by frequency translating the pass-through RF signal from the second frequency range to the third frequency range.

Abstract: A computing network data layer architecture or system includes an open data layer module comprising a translation layer. Translation flags are within the translation layer and each flag is associated with a database language of an underlying database that can be coupled architecture or system. The open data layer module is disposed at the lowermost layer of the architecture directly above the underlying backend database. The open data layer module allows for a system to replace or modify its backend databases without affecting the higher level visualization framework or user interface such that a user of the system is unaware which database is utilized or after one database has been replaced or swapped for another even though the databases may be disparate hand have different database language requirements.

Abstract: The present disclosure is a system comprising at least three electronically steered antennas arranged so that there is a baseline difference of a predetermined amount of wavelength between the centers of the antennas, typically configured as an obtuse or scalene triangle, where the distance between each antenna on an array is selected to provide the required accuracy and precision, the array having a timing circuit to ensure that the beam of each antenna is steered to the same azimuthal and elevation coordinates in space simultaneously. This enables the three electronically steered antennas to operate as an interferometer to determine a bearing to a target to ultimately determine the location thereof. The electronically steered antennas enable the system to be mounted on a platform in a small package that was previously difficult for traditional interferometers.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for decorrelation of intermodulation products in mixer circuits. A circuit implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes four switches. Each of the switches comprise a complementary pair of n-channel and p-channel metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS/PMOS) field effect transistors (FETs). The NMOS/PMOS FETs include a source port, a drain port, and a gate port. The gate port is configured to receive an oscillator signal. The circuit also includes electrical conductors to couple the four switches into a double-balanced passive ring configuration to generate an output signal as a mix of an input signal and the oscillator signal. The output signal includes a third order intermodulation (IM3) product. The circuit further includes a voltage bias generator to generate a bias voltage to bias the input signal and the output signal. The magnitude and phase of the IM3 product are determined, at least in part, by the bias voltage.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, architectures, and methods for estimating the rise time of a pulse for multi-channel and signal channel cases involving an optimization system and method that can be solved iteratively based on sparse priors for a wide span of signal-to-noise ratios.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating a featureless low-probability-of-intercept/low-probability-of-detection (LPI/LPD) waveform via a continuously variable symbol rate transmission. A continuous-phase-modulation (CPM) signal can be represented with a phase trellis. During each symbol duration, the trellis is traversed in either a positive or negative direction in a continuous fashion from the starting phase value to the end phase value. The rate at which the trellis is traversed is varied continuously as a time-varying function. The time-varying phase velocity function, or instantaneous symbol rate, is a type of spreading code or secret key shared between the transmitter and receiver. The disclosed techniques can be implemented with CPM compromising the constant-modulus property of CPM signals.

Abstract: Underwater navigational systems and methods utilizing sunlight polarized via scattering through the water column that does not require an underwater vehicle to surface or use a global position system to maintain precise navigational positions and headings. These navigational systems and methods may be employed by manned or unmanned underwater vehicles and may be utilized by individual units and by units operating in a swarm.

Abstract: Methods and structures are disclosed for self-automating a process of determining a device's location based on its network address. A computing device includes a network interface configured to communicate with a physical port of a network switch and a memory configured to store a plurality of different initialization protocols each associated with a corresponding network address of a plurality of network addresses. Each of the initialization protocols may be associated with a different physical location. The computing device also includes a processor configured to attempt to connect to the network switch via the network interface using a network address from the stored plurality of network addresses. In response to connecting with the network switch using the network address, the processor identifies a corresponding initialization protocol associated with the network address and executes the corresponding initialized procedure.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for non-volatile detection of an overvoltage condition in a circuit of interest. A circuit implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes a fuse configured to provide a non-volatile indication of an overvoltage event, the indication associated with an open state of the fuse. The circuit also includes a voltage controlled current switch coupled in series to the fuse. The voltage controlled current switch is configured to enable current flow through the fuse in response to a supply voltage exceeding a threshold value associated with the overvoltage event. The current causes the fuse to switch from a closed state to an open state providing a non-volatile record of the overvoltage event. In some embodiments, the voltage controlled current switch can be a Zener diode with a breakdown voltage based on the threshold value, or a transistor configured to switch into conducting mode at the threshold value.

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: An assembly comprising a horizontal GPS patch antenna element and a vertical IFF antenna element providing simultaneous high performance IFF communication and GPS reception with minimal IFF to GPS interference. The IFF element can be a monopole element. A second monopole co-linear with the IFF element can provide simultaneous UHF communication. In embodiments, the assembly is a blade that can replace an existing IFF blade on an aircraft or other asset. Separate IFF and GPS connectors can be provided, or a single connecter can be shared using an integral diplexer. Embodiments include a GPS preamplifier integral with the blade. In other embodiments, the IFF element is an annular slot transponder that is centered on the GPS patch element. System embodiments include bandpass filters and/or GPS blanking to further protect the GPS receiver from IFF transmissions.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining AOA of one or more radar pulses received at a vehicle and originating from a source. The techniques are particularly well-suited to provide pilots with a more accurate determination of the azimuth angle to the radar source, although ground-based and water-based vehicles may benefit as well. Some embodiments discussed herein determine a true estimation of both azimuth and elevation angles, with reference to an aircraft's body-centered coordinate system, to the radar source. These parameters can also be used to determine a more accurate position on the ground for the radar source.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) filter includes a signal conditioning circuit and a bandstop filter. The signal conditioning circuit receives a broadband RF signal that includes both a jamming signal at a jamming frequency and a signal of interest and generates a plurality of clock signals. Each of the plurality of clock signals has a substantially same frequency as the jamming frequency, but a different phase shift. The bandstop filter receives the RF signal and the plurality of clock signals. The bandstop filter attenuates signals within a bandstop centered at the frequency of the plurality of clock signals. A self-tuning N-path filter is provided.

Abstract: An inflatable mast couplable to an underwater vehicle includes a flexible material defining an interior volume, a head structure, and a spring coupled to at least one of the flexible material and the head structure. The flexible material is designed to be filled with air to form an inflated mast structure that extends away from the underwater vehicle. The head structure is disposed at a distal end of the inflated mast structure and in some cases has a rigid shape that forms a panel having an outer surface that is flush with an outer surface of the underwater vehicle, when the mast structure is deflated and stowed. The spring is designed to provide a tensile force on at least one of the flexible material and the head structure when the flexible material is inflated to form the mast structure. A system includes the inflatable mast and a pump.

Abstract: A method for modifying a portion of a substrate after production is described herein. The method can include diagnosing a circuit operation error causing a malfunction, identifying a first contact on the substrate, and connecting, electrically, the first contact to a second contact with at least one trace. The trace is done with a focused ion beam. The method can include diagnosing an error on an operative area of a post-manufacture circuit board causing a malfunction; introducing a metal precursor into a focused ion beam chamber; ionizing the metal precursor by contacting it with a gallium ion beam into a conductive metal and a further ion; depositing a first portion of a conductive metal onto a substrate to form a first trace; and forming the first trace between the operative area and a non-operative area thereby connecting the operative area and the non-operative area.

Abstract: A combined spatial and time multiplexer device is disclosed. The device organizes and selects any signal(s), including past data, from amongst a plurality of time division multiplexed (TDM) data streams. The data streams are collected by memory devices that are configured to separately store the multiplexed signals such that different time portions of the signals from each data stream are stored in different addressable sections. This allows for the current time data and past time data for a given signal to be selected and outputted by the device. According to an embodiment, each of the memory devices receives an address select signal and selects a signal group based on the address select signal. The device also includes a multiplexer that selects one of the signal groups from amongst the memory devices to output as the requested signal group.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for determining a range to an object in a fluid. The system includes a polarized light source directed to the object in the fluid, a first imaging sensor, a second imaging sensor, and at least one processor. The at least one processor characterizes a depolarization rate of the fluid and determines the range to the object. The method includes generating polarized light via a polarized light source, polarizing an imager relative to the polarized light, transmitting the polarized light from the polarized light source into the fluid, receiving reflected light from the object, characterizing a depolarization rate of the fluid, based, at least in part, on the reflected light, and determining the range to the object, based, at least in part, on the depolarization rate of the fluid.

Abstract: A self-localizing autonomous underwater vehicle swarm that is operable to accurately localize each individual unit within the swarm while only requiring a single node at a known location to do so. The methods described herein can localize all members of a swarm with minimal, if any, effect on the size, weight, power, and cost of a system.