Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photodetector including growing a quantity of germanium within an optical pathway of a waveguide. The detection of a current caused by an interaction between the optical signal and the germanium is used to indicate the presence of an optical signal passing through the waveguide.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that provide a multi-mode sensor having the capability to support both passive and active operation. One embodiment provides a sensor readout device for operation with a sensor array having rows and columns of detectors. The device includes a column cell for receiving a detector output signal from a first row of a column of the sensor array, and an additional column cell. The device further includes a multiplexer configured to steer a detector output signal from a second row of the column of the sensor array to the additional column cell, thereby allowing multiple rows of the sensor array to be readout simultaneously. In some cases, the sensor array includes an active/passive dual mode central windowed area, and the multiplexer allows columns of the windowed area to be readout at two or more speeds.

Abstract: A system and method of assisting a radio in finding a network is presented. A method first detects existing nodes. A message is received on a slow communication link in a slow network from a new node. One or more existing nodes are found that may connect to new node with a fast communication link in a fast network. The fast network has a data rate that is faster than the slow network. A message is transmitted over the slow network to the new node to provide the new node possible existing nodes that are near it that it may connect to. Based on that message the new node establishes a fast communications link on the fast network between the new node and an existing node. The fast communications link can be a directional link.

Abstract: A system and method for an automated way of running spice on a small portion of a design is presented. The system includes a sub-circuit netlist generation processor and an analog simulation processor. The sub-circuit netlist generation processor generates a sub-circuit netlist based, at least in part, on a HDL netlist, a parasitic capacitance database and trace rules. The sub-circuit netlist contains significantly fewer paths than the HDL netlist of an entire design so that its simulation time is much quicker. The analog simulation processor generates analog simulation results of the sub-circuit netlist based, at least in part, on dynamic inputs.

Abstract: A system and method for removing and reinstating a sight of a weapon without changing a boresight is disclosed. A reference optical device is installed on a rail of the weapon and then the sight is installed on the rail. An attitude determination unit determines a change in attitude of the sight with respect to the boresight. The aim point of the weapon in the sight is compensated accordingly based on the change in attitude without changing the boresight by utilizing a compensation module. This allows retaining the boresight even when the weapon sight is removed and reinstalled. Thus weapon sight can be mounted anywhere on a weapon without the need to boresight the weapon.

Abstract: A broadband spectral power generator in a multimode optical fiber utilizes a standard multimode fiber that is coiled. A plate is placed on the coiled fiber and a force is applied to compresses the coiled fiber and thereby increase the interactions between the compressed windings and induce modal mixing and birefringence in the fiber. In addition, the compression causes additional non-linear processes to be excited and occur in the compressed fiber coil to generate more broadband light. This allows for better “mixing” of the spatial beam in the multimode fiber coil and allows for the various modes to overlap. The multimode fiber coil is made of silica, silicate, germinate, phosphate, fluoride, chalcogenide, or telluride. The compressed coiled fiber may be driven by a laser providing more than one wavelength output and this greatly increases the amount of nonlinear mixing in the fiber for a greatly enhanced spectral coverage.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the geographic location of an RF emitter which involves spatially filtering and receiving RF signals through use of a beamforming antenna array having multiple overlapping beams; detecting and measuring the time-of-arrival and amplitude of signals which are received in each beam through use of multiple synchronized receivers; identifying simultaneous detections of the same emitter which have occurred in adjacent beams; projecting the associated beamformed antenna gain patterns onto the underlying terrain for all instances in which there was a simultaneous detection in adjacent beams; weighting and accumulating all projections to form a Maximum Likelihood Surface (MLS); and finally, estimating the location of the emitter through analysis of the resulting MLS.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide adaptability in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), based on an existing protocol, such as adaptive hybrid domain routing (AHDR). The systems and methods are especially suited for fast changing topologies that may change after a reactive route discovery has been completed.

Abstract: Techniques for missile countermeasures are disclosed. The techniques can be employed to rapidly detect a missile system location and aim a countermeasure set at the missile system goniometer, and capture the goniometer with a high radiant intensity countermeasure beam before the goniometer narrows its field of view (FOV). Capturing the goniometer before a narrowing of its FOV allows for wider area protection. The techniques can be embodied in an area-protection hit-avoidance system for a rapid Semi-Active Command to Line of Sight Anti-Tank Guided Missile (SACLOS ATGM) countermeasure wherein a SACLOS ATGM launch is rapidly detected and a countermeasure is aimed at the launch site so that the missile is diverted before the ATGM system FOV is narrowed. This early diversion or decoying of the missile guidance set allows the countermeasure to protect a greater area and to engage multiple threats in less time than traditional countermeasures.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the geographic location of an RF emitter which involves spatially filtering and receiving RF signals through use of a beamforming antenna array having multiple overlapping beams; detecting and measuring the time-of-arrival and amplitude of signals which are received in each beam through use of multiple synchronized receivers; identifying simultaneous detections of the same emitter which have occurred in adjacent beams; projecting the associated beamformed antenna gain patterns onto the underlying terrain for all instances in which there was a simultaneous detection in adjacent beams; weighting and accumulating all projections to form a Maximum Likelihood Surface (MLS); and finally, estimating the location of the emitter through analysis of the resulting MLS.

Abstract: A system and method for platform independent LOS visual information transmission is disclosed. A transmitter consists of a series of sequential images that are stacked together to form frames in a video transmission. Each image is modulated spatially, by color, and by intensity. The data is transmitted over an LOS visual channel. The receiver first captures each individual image from the received video, and then demodulates each image in the three areas it was modulated spatially, by color, and by intensity. LOS visual information transmission allows for secure data transfer and reduces interference from other applications.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced conditioning light so a camera can capture images from it in a variety of brightness ranges is presented. A camera has an optical lens and a photochromic filter. The photochromic filter may be placed in front of the lens. The photochromic filter extends an exposure range of the camera without the need for a mechanical iris.

Abstract: A system and method use an inverse square root function (ISQR) function, in part, to compand and decompand signals. A system includes a companding processor and a transmitter. The companding processor compands input signals into companded signals using a compander function, C{x(n)}. The compander function compands the input signals based, at least in part, on an inverse square root (ISQR) function over at least a portion of a signal amplitude probability density function. The transmitter then transmits the companded signals as electromagnetic wave signals.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting unknown signals is presented. A system includes a receiver, a multiplier logic, integrator logic and a peak detection logic. The receiver receives a first radio frequency (RF) input containing an unknown signal and first noise and a second RF radio input containing the same unknown signal and a second noise. The second RF input is orthogonally polarized with respect to the first RF input. The multiplier logic multiplies the first RF input with a conjugate of the second RF input to produce a multiplied signal. The integrator logic integrates the multiplied signal to product an integrated signal. The peak detection logic determines a coarse time of arrival (TOA) of a unknown signal located in the integrated signal based, at least in part, on a peak power in the integrated signal.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding a projectile is presented. A method for guiding a projectile includes storing a gas in a chamber that is attached to the projectile. The projectile has an explosive front end and a rear guidance kit consisting of a body extension and a tail boom. The chamber is located in the body extension with the control electronics. Two or more fins that are configured to stabilize the projectile while the projectile is in flight. Pulses of gas are released out of the chamber through a nozzle at the end of the tail boom to control an angle of attack to control the lift of the projectile to guide the projectile to a target while the projectile is in flight.

Abstract: A MMIC amplifier is directly connected to the balanced feed points at the aperture of an antenna to eliminate the distance between electronics coupled to the antenna and the antenna itself, such that interfaces, components and connection lines which introduce losses and parasitic effects that degrade system performance are eliminated due the direct connection. Expanding the aperture of the antenna to accommodate the direct connection of a MMIC amplifier to balanced feed points of an antenna has been found to have no deleterious effects on antenna performance. Moreover, when coupling the MMIC amplifier to an unbalanced coaxial line, any associated ripple is minimized due to the direct connection.

Abstract: An optical automatic attitude measurement device for a lightweight portable optical system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first optical device is configured to provide an attitude beam. A second optical device mechanically coupled to the first optical device to a lose tolerance. The second optical device is configured to provide a reference beam and to receive the attitude beam from the first optical device. The second optical device is further configured to obtain an attitude measurement by computing a differential measurement between the reference beam and the attitude beam in x and y planes at room temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide adaptability in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), based on an existing protocol, such as adaptive hybrid domain routing (AHDR). The systems and methods are especially suited for fast changing topologies that may change after a reactive route discovery has been completed.

Abstract: The system contains a lamination press. The first cavity is formed in a chassis. A film assembly is fitted within the chassis. A buffer mounts over the film assembly and within the chassis. A tool set is shaped to fit within the first cavity. The tool set and chassis are positioned within the lamination press to confer heat and pressure from the lamination press to the film assembly and chassis.

Abstract: Techniques and structure are disclosed for implementing a spatial walk-off compensation mechanism having an integral tilt function. In some embodiments, the mechanism may comprise a tilt-ball mount having an integrated walk-off compensation medium. In some embodiments, the mechanism may be configured to receive an output beam from a non-linear converter (e.g., optical parametric oscillator or OPO) implementing a non-linear medium comprising a bi-refringent material (e.g., zinc germanium phosphide, or ZnGeP2; cadmium silicon phosphide, or CdSiP2). In some embodiments, the walk-off compensation medium may comprise the same material and/or have the same cut as the non-linear medium. In some embodiments, the mechanism may he manually and/or mechanically adjusted/repositioned to reduce beam walk-off and/or to more precisely direct the beam. In some embodiments, the mechanism may be implemented in mid-infrared (MIR) applications. Numerous configurations and variations will he apparent in light of this disclosure.