Abstract: An electronic transmitter includes: a generator circuit to generate a baseband signal; a modulator circuit to modulate a carrier signal with the baseband signal; an emitter to emit the modulated signal at an intended recipient; and a distortion circuit to apply a final distortion to the baseband signal or the modulated signal. The final distortion is optimized to minimize the ability of unintended recipients to localize the emitter using correlation-based techniques, and to minimize any degradation to the data rate of the emitted signal at the intended recipient. In some cases, the transmitter is part of an electronic communication system that also includes a receiver at the intended recipient. The receiver is aware of the final distortion and includes a collector to collect the emitted signal, and a demodulator circuit to demodulate the collected signal using the final distortion to recover the baseband signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of power efficient radio frequency mixers are provided. A generalized impedance matched low-voltage active mixer circuit technique, which utilizes a plurality of commutator cells and transformers, is disclosed. The active mixer techniques are reconfigurable between various operation configurations based, at least in part, on selectively activating at least one of a plurality of commutator cells. The low voltage active mixer function is coupled to an impedance matched amplifier which can be bypassed allowing changes in the gain of the mixer circuit suites while preserving impedance matching.

Abstract: A multiple resolution focal plane array, the multiple resolution focal plane array having a plurality of bolometers and a readout integrated circuit connected to the plurality of bolometers, wherein the readout integrated circuit is configured to accumulate signal-induced current collected from each bolometer during an integration interval and then transfer the resultant signal onto output taps for readout. The readout integrated circuit is configured to allow a selection between at least two bolometer configurations, a first configuration where bolometers are combined into pixels comprising N×N series/parallel groupings of bolometers and a second configuration where the bolometers are used individually, forming pixels comprising only a single bolometer.

Abstract: A compander including a module configured to compress a range of amplitudes of a signal in accordance with a companding function derived using a calculus of variations approach and method for deriving the companding function.

Abstract: A system and method for cryptographic verification of entity/vehicle authenticity, comprising generating a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)—Key for an individual platform/vehicle; applying the VIN—Key to components of the platform/vehicle; receiving input for the platform/vehicle; validating the authenticity of the input and/or the platform/vehicle; performing the operation of the input if it was validated; terminating the operation if it was not validated; logging the operation; and decommissioning the platform/vehicle at the end of life.

Abstract: An obstacle sensing lidar system includes: a laser source to emit laser radiation in a horizontal fan-beam pattern of at least 60° at an angle of elevation in front of a moving platform; a sensing device having an array including a row of 100 or more near-infrared (NIR) sensors to sense corresponding reflections of the emitted laser radiation off obstacles in front of the moving platform, each NIR sensor being a pixel in the array; and elevation circuitry to adjust the angle of elevation of the emitted laser radiation to a first angle of elevation, a second angle of elevation greater than the first angle of elevation, and a third angle of elevation greater than the second angle of elevation. Sometimes, the first angle of elevation corresponds to the surface level, the second elevation angle corresponds to the platform level, and the third elevation angle corresponds to the horizon level.

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: Techniques are disclosed for providing a secure computational platform that facilitates collaboration of assets from different asset providers without exposure of the assets to threats. The assets may be in the form of tools, models, simulations, and other computational assets, which can be used, for example, to perform trade studies. The secure computational platform provides for integration of the assets in a workflow, while protecting the assets during construction and execution of the workflow. In some instances, each asset in the workflow is executed in an IT infrastructure of the asset provider to which the asset belongs.

Abstract: In the method for scrubbing a chemical from a medium, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of using a carbide derived carbon to adsorb the chemical which may later be released by heating. The carbide derived carbon may be a powder, a fiber, a solid foam, a mesh, or other solid form. The carbide derived carbon can adsorb a chemical in the gaseous, liquid, particulate, or aerosol phase.

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: The system can utilize a standard high speed FPGA interface for a non-traditional use to facilitate the processing of high amounts of streaming digital data or the method can be implemented in other high speed data transfer systems. This system and method include the use of training/calibration pattern techniques implemented in a FPGA, or other system, to calibrate numerous multi-arm demultiplexers. The training/calibration sequence data rate being slower than the input data rate. In one example, the system and method utilized a mono-bit receiver capable of digitizing signals of at least 40 GHz with at least 20 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth.

Abstract: A wireless receiver and method of wireless communication determines levels of noise, including interference, in communication channels without need of calibration. A digital test signal is digitally added to digitized noise, and a signal-to-noise-and-interference (SNIR) value is determined from a resulting bit error rate and/or message error rate. The level of noise is then determined from the SNIR. The amplitude of the digital test signal is adjusted to cause the SNIR to be sensitive to the noise level, which can require an SNIR between 1 dB and 10 dB. The system can include a digital test signal generator, or the digital test signal can be stored in a memory. The system can further include a channelizer, demodulator, data correlator, decryptor, and message assembler. Noise and interference level determinations can be used to select an optimal communication channel, and to adjust a transmission power and/or rate to suitable values.

Abstract: The system and method for frequency encoded beacons for use in covert dismount identification, friend or foe and communications. Waveforms are capped at thresholds below human and conventional night vision detection. Waveforms are further modulated to identify dismounts as well as other information such as day and time, rank, health status, and the like. The beacons may operate at different wavelengths depending on whether they are used on ground, in air, or at sea.

Abstract: A ring oscillator circuit is disclosed. The ring oscillator in one embodiment includes an odd number of inverters connected in a loop fashion, a current mirror having a drain of a first transistor connected to the inverters, and a self-biased inverter connected to a drain of a second transistor of the current mirror.

Abstract: A system and method for improved detection of lasers for use in laser guidance systems. By providing background illumination via one or more radiation sources the accuracy of the laser detection system can be improved. A closed loop system detects the background current on the detector and provides additional illumination when the back ground level is below a threshold current value thus providing for a faster detector response.

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: A Cassegrain telescope design consists of a silicon primary mirror bonded into a silicon-carbide (SiC) telescope metering tube. A secondary mirror is bonded directly to the telescope window. The window sits in a SiC bezel that is bonded to the SiC telescope tube. A graphite snout is bonded to the rear of the primary mirror and extends forward into the telescope. The snout incorporates a field stop that blocks stray light and sources outside the acquisition field of view (FOV). A lens cell threads into the snout and holds two lenses that collimate the light exiting that end of the telescope.

Abstract: The system and method for accurately determining range-to-go for the time-delayed command detonation of a projectile. Using dual laser and/or radio frequency detectors on a spinning projectile to determine the range-to-go, time-to-go, or lateral offset from the projectile to the target. The detectors are forward facing and rear facing and are located in a tail kit such that cost can be greatly reduced on a spinning projectile. The deployable detector(s) may be a light pipe, mirrors, or the like and comprise APD or PIN diodes.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is disclosed to provide reduced phase noise at higher operating frequencies. A buffer-first VCO configured according to an embodiment includes multiple VCO core circuits configured to provide synchronously tuned oscillator signals. Each VCO core circuit is coupled to a summing node through a buffer circuit that generates uncorrelated phase noise such that the summing node provides a summation output of the oscillator signals with reduced phase noise. A multiplexer-less VCO configured according to an embodiment includes multiple buffer-first VCO circuits configured to provide oscillator signals covering a range of frequencies. Each buffer-first VCO circuit is controlled or selected by an enable signal. Buffer circuits are configured to select one of the buffer-first VCO circuits for coupling to a transmission line during a given time period based on the enable signal. The transmission line is terminated in a matched impedance at each end of the line.

Abstract: A GaN on diamond wafer and method for manufacturing the same is provided. The method comprising: disposing a GaN device or wafer on a substrate, having a nucleation layer disposed between the substrate and a GaN layer; affixing the device to a handling wafer; removing the substrate and substantially all the nucleation layer; and bonding the GaN layer to a diamond substrate.