Abstract: Low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC)-coupled stripline resonator filters for use as bandpass filters are implemented with combline topology or with interdigital topology. The filter bandwidths range from about 0.3 GHz to less than 1 GHz with frequency operation of about 0.1 GHz to 100 GHz. The filters have vias between adjacent resonators with via spacing significantly smaller than the wavelength at the filter center frequency to generate electrical walls between adjacent resonators resulting in coupling reduction for narrowband filter implementation. A narrowband filter transformer loading structure launches the input and the output to the first and last resonators.

Abstract: A Taint Modeling Function (TMF) finds abstract patterns and uses them to automate the malware detection process. TMF involves the process of statically analyzing a sequence of assembly language instructions and abstracting complex relationships among instruction inputs and outputs into a mathematical function containing a set of algebraic expressions. The set of expressions support fully automating semantic pattern detection in binary code. It deterministically generates outputs given inputs determining code block outputs, for given inputs, without executing the code. It detects code patterns automatically to spot bad coding patterns directly from the binary used to detect bugs statically in the entire application space.

Abstract: System and method for detecting objects in geospatial images, 3D point clouds and Digital Surface Models (DSMs). Deep Convolution Neural Networks (DCNNs) are trained using positive and negative training examples. Using a rotation pattern match of only positive examples reduces the number of negative examples required. In DCNNs softmax probability is variant of rotation angles. When rotation angle is coincident with object orientation, softmax probability has maximum value. During training, positive examples are rotated so that their orientation angles are zero. During detection, test images are rotated through different angles. At each angle, softmax probability is computed. A final object detection is based on maximum softmax probability as well as a pattern match between softmax probability patterns of all positive examples and the softmax probability pattern of a target object at different rotation angles.

Abstract: A radiation-hardened electronic system is disclosed. The radiation-hardened electronic system includes a reconfigurable analog circuit block, a digital configuration logic circuit block, and a radiation-hardened isolation latch circuit connecting between the reconfigurable analog circuit block and the digital configuration logic circuit block. The reconfigurable analog circuit block includes multiple analog inputs and outputs. The digital configuration logic circuit block includes multiple digital inputs and outputs for controlling various functionalities of the reconfigurable analog circuit block via a set of configuration data. The radiation-hardened isolation latch circuit prevents the configuration data from entering the reconfigurable analog circuit block when the configuration data has been corrupted by a SEU.

Abstract: A focal-plane array includes: an array of thermal sensors arranged in at least 120 rows and at least 160 columns, the thermal sensors being divided among three or more subarrays; and bias circuitry to concurrently pulse bias the thermal sensors of one of the rows of each of the subarrays, and to sequentially bias the rows of each of the subarrays at a rate of at least 40,000 rows per second. A readout integrated circuit includes: a sensing area to physically and electrically connect to the array of thermal sensors and includes row circuitry to perform the concurrent pulse biasing and the sequential biasing, and column circuitry to concurrently measure analog signals from the pulse-biased thermal sensors; and conversion circuitry to convert the measured analog signals to corresponding digital signals. In some embodiments, the thermal sensors are operated without cooling. In some embodiments, the rows are interleaved between the subarrays.

Abstract: A laser beam dump is provided. The laser beam dump may include a housing that has a plurality of connected walls defining an atypical or asymmetrical polygonal prism. When viewed in longitudinal cross-section, the asymmetrical polygonal prism housing defines a general hexagon shape. A chamber is defined by the housing and a highly reflective cone is positioned therein. The inner surfaces of the housing are formed from a highly absorptive material with respect to electromagnetic energy in the form of a laser beam. When an laser beam enters the chamber of the beam dump, it contacts the highly reflective cone outer surface and it nearly fully reflected to the absorptive walls of the housing. This reduces the reflection scatter of light from the first contact with the cone.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring radio frequency (RF) signals is disclosed. The apparatus includes an RF splitter, a set of track-and-hold circuits, a set of analog-to-digital circuits (ADC) and a frequency tracking module. The RF splitter splits a set of incoming RF signals into multiple RF signal paths. Each of the track-and-hold circuits, which is clocked at a different frequency than others, samples the incoming RF signals from a respective one of the RF signal paths. Each of the ADCs receives the sampled data from a respective one of the track-and-hold circuits. Each of the ADCs is also clocked at same frequency as a corresponding one of the track-and-hold circuits. The frequency tracking module determines a frequency of the incoming RF signals.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of geolocating a target includes: receiving, from a plurality of sources, a corresponding plurality of angle estimates of the target relative to the respective sources; generating a corresponding plurality of planar renditions of the received angle estimates; selecting a combination of two or more planar renditions whose intersection defines a polygon; in response to multiple such combinations, selecting one having a largest number of planar renditions; and determining a center of the polygon of the selected combination.

Abstract: A Compact and Athermal VNIR/SWIR Spectrometer utilizes a slit, a Mangin lens, a pupil lens adjacent to the diffraction grating, corrector lenses, a beam splitter, field lenses and SWIR and VNIR FPAs. In examples, two corrector lenses are used. Some examples do not utilize field lenses and beam splitter, some examples utilize only the SWIR radiation spectrum. By balancing the powers of the optical elements and Abbe numbers of glasses as well as usage of aspheric surfaces combinations, a monochromatic and polychromatic aberrational correction is achieved; by balancing optical elements refractive indices change with temperature an athermalization is achieved. The overall length of the spectrometer does not exceed 4 inches, and in some examples it is 2.5 inches. A wide field of view and a low F number are obtained with an operating wavelength range from approximately 400 to 2350 nm. The spectrometer is particularly suited to airborne applications.

Abstract: The system and method of real-time, two-way communication between a handler and a canine using RF frequencies. A multipurpose canine camera system with audio, visual, and thermal capabilities that transmits securely between a handler and a canine through hard structures and over long distances. The canine portion having one or more sensors. The sensors may include location, monitors for canine vital signs, heat signatures, chemical signature detection, and many others. The handler portion having a display configured to control the camera on the canine portion.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for implementing a portable spectrum analyzer. An example system, according to an embodiment, includes a signal analyzer including an RF receiver to receive RF signals from an antenna, an analog-to-digital converter to generate a sampled signal based on the received RF signals, and a signal analysis co-processor to perform cognitive scanning analysis of the sampled signal. The cognitive scanning analysis includes detection, identification, and characterization of digital/analog signal(s) embedded in the sampled signal. The system may further include a communications interface circuit to provide communication between the signal analyzer and an associated mobile host platform (e.g., smartphone). The communication includes transmitting results of the cognitive scanning analysis to the mobile host and receiving parameters from the mobile host to control the operation of the cognitive scanning analysis.

Abstract: A nutation controller and methods of use correct for the small, fixed offset inherent in laser communication systems referred to as pointing bias error, thereby removing the pointing bias error and allowing for more robust and rapid laser communications between distant platforms.

Abstract: A tunable frequency transmission line pulse forming network circuit for forming a waveform having a spectral content. The pulse forming network circuit comprises a dielectric material; a ground section; a stepped shaped charged section, with the charged section having a plurality of stages including a first stage; a power supply coupled to the pulse forming network circuit for charging the pulse forming network circuit; a switch coupled to the pulse forming network circuit for periodically discharging the pulse forming network circuit; and an antenna coupled to the pulse forming network circuit for propagating a high-power microwave signal from the pulse forming network circuit into the environment. At least the first stage of pulse forming network circuit has one of a tunable magnetic material and a nonlinear magnetic which facilitates adjusting the waveform and the spectral content of the waveform emitted by the pulse forming network circuit into the surrounding environment.

Abstract: An optical system recycles heat from a cooler coupled with an image sensor across a heat transfer element in order to warm and de-ice a window. The optical system may be implemented in high altitude or space vehicles/platforms, regardless of whether manned or unmanned, and the window may be outwardly facing relative to the vehicle/platform so at to allow electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough onto the image sensor. The optical system enables the reduction of size, weight, and power by recycling heat exhausted from the cooler to warm the window, thus eliminating the need for a separate de-icing system or device for the window.

Abstract: A method of determining the point source quality of a set of pixels associated with a detected energy signature is discussed that pre-records ideal test point source signatures at various sub-pixel locations and radiant intensities throughout the overall sensor field of view in a focal plane array, determines the sub-pixel location of an observed source, and compares the signature at a pixel of the observed source to the pre-recorded “ideal source” signatures at the determined sub-pixel location. to determine point source correlation.

Abstract: A system and method for stimulating light sensors (e.g., UV) using a hand-held stimulator. The hand-held stimulator is portable and configurable to store a plurality of routines comprising various light signatures. In some cases, the signature is a threat signature (e.g., missile, RPG, and/or gunfire) and the stimulator is used as part of system integration, field and flight line, and/or lab testing for systems utilizing light sensors.

Abstract: A scanning sensor system disclosed. The scanning sensor system induces a sensing element array and multiple analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The sensing element array includes a group of pixels organized in a row and column configuration. During each read cycle, each pixel in an odd column of a row x is selectively connected to a corresponding one of the ADCs that is associated with the odd column pixels, while each pixel in an even column of a row x+(N/2)+1 is selectively connected to a corresponding one of ADCs that is associated with the even column pixels, wherein x is an integer and N is the total number of rows in the sensing element array.

Abstract: The Quad Cell permits measurement of four quadrant signal powers simultaneously, metrics which are equal when the laser spot is at the desired zero location, at the center of the cell, the origin of the cells' axes. A control action acts upon the Quad Cell signals to move the laser spot toward the origin of the axes bisecting the four quadrants of the cell, moving the laser spot to the origin to achieve a null in the difference between these four signal levels.

Abstract: A reduced profile panel antenna is disclosed. A panel antenna configured according to an embodiment includes two opposing antenna arms disposed over a ground plane. The antenna arms include one or more corrugated or folded sections to increase the electrical path of the antenna arms within fixed physical dimensions (e.g., length and width) of the panel antenna. The panel antenna also includes passive filters to provide current loop paths of varying lengths for selected frequency ranges. Longer loop paths are employed for signals at lower frequencies (i.e., longer wavelengths) and shorter loop paths are employed for signals at higher frequencies (i.e., shorter wavelengths). The panel antenna further includes a ferrite plane disposed between the ground plane and the antenna arms to suppress radio frequency (RF) signal reflections and allow for a reduced antenna profile or thickness.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for registering outputs from a plurality of remote positional data sources, the system having: a plurality of positional data sources disposed on a plurality of units providing a plurality of types of positional data relative to at least one commonly tracked object held as a local positional data source; a processor disposed on a unit configured to process the positional data from each positional data source and apply a filter to the positional data; and the processor configured to weigh the positional data based on a probability of that a positional datum in the positional data is accurate and using weighted positional data to identify an absolute location of the commonly tracked object.