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: 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 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: 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 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: 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 method for improving direction finding and geolocation error estimation in direction finding and geolocation systems is disclosed. The corresponding phases of the received signals are determined. After an initial target estimation point of the received signals has been identified, the initial target estimation point is projected onto the earth's surface. A search grid having multiple grid points is then overlaid on the projected initial target estimation point, surrounding the projected initial target estimation point. The phase of signals emitting from a theoretical emitter located at each of the grid points of the search grid is estimated. Correlation coefficients between the estimated phases of the emitting signals and the determined phases of the received signals are determined. An error ellipse can be generated around one of the grid points having the highest correlation coefficient, and a source emitter is likely to be located within the error ellipse.

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 phased array antenna which can change the configuration of the phased array antenna by controllable quad switches on the phased array antenna is presented. The phased array antenna adapts monolithic microwave integrate circuit (MMIC) technology to have high isolation interconnection of the reconfigurable phased array antenna. The reconfigurable phased array antenna can be reusable and adaptable to different configurations so that the overall cost and lead time of the phased array antenna is reduced compared to the existing RF antennas in the market.

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: Techniques are provided for a multiwavelength laser source and a method of driving the multiwavelength laser source. The multiwavelength laser source includes: a plurality of seed lasers to generate a corresponding plurality of seed beams having a corresponding plurality of distinct seed wavelengths; a laser combiner to receive and combine the seed beams into a single first beam; an optical amplifier to amplify the first beam; and a single fixed nonlinear converter to convert and output the amplified first beam as a multiwavelength second beam including the seed wavelengths and one or more new wavelengths distinct from and generated from the seed wavelengths. In some embodiments, the nonlinear converter is an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) or an optical parametric generator (OPG). In some other embodiments, the nonlinear converter is a sum frequency generator (SFG), a difference frequency generator (DFG), or an optical parametric amplifier (OPA).

Abstract: A receiver includes: a filter circuit to generate predicted measurements for a set of tracks based on previous kinematic states of the tracks and timing and source data of next compressed measurements associated to the tracks, generate probability data of differences between the predicted measurements and next measurement data, generate the next measurement data using the predicted measurements and quantized differences between the predicted measurements and the next measurement data, and generate next kinematic states of the tracks based on the previous kinematic states, the timing and source data of the next compressed measurements, and the generated measurement data; a quantizer circuit to quantize the probability data into quantization tables and look up the quantized differences from corresponding indices in the quantization tables; and a decoder circuit to decode encoded index data of the next compressed measurements into the corresponding indices in the quantization tables using the quantized probabili

Abstract: A disclosed apparatus and method verify whether a hot spot within a scene is a valid laser-com signal, and further identify laser-com signals of interest. An extended Kalman filter (EKF) is applied to a received signal or beacon to detect whether it is modulated according to a square wave or other expected amplitude modulation pattern. Embodiments further determine whether the modulation frequency matches a signal or beacon of interest. In embodiments, a plurality of indexed EKF's are “tuned” to different modulation frequencies, and are used to identify a beacon's modulation frequency index. Where each EKF is required to compute amplitude and phase partial derivatives of the observation vector, the amplitude partials can be calculated according to the expected modulation pattern, and the phase partials can be calculated using a truncated Fourier or step-wise approximation of the expected modulation pattern. Embodiments further assume a time-invariant covariance matrix.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for in situ reconfigurable quasi-phase matching field-programmable nonlinear photonics that is reliably reconfigurable and maintains nonlinear conversion efficiency is presented. Devices include a ferroelectric waveguide susceptible to light-assisted poling; (UV-transparent) first electrode(s); one or more UV illumination sources; at least a second electrode; and a substrate. Reconfiguring the hybrid electronic/photonic field programmable array device includes selecting a device type; selecting parameters for the device; determining per-electrode voltages for the device; determining timing values for reconfiguring the device; initiating illumination of the device; applying per-electrode voltages of the device; terminating per-electrode voltages according to the timing values; and terminating illumination according to the timing values.

Abstract: An illumination system for uniform illumination of a target to facilitate imaging of the target by an imaging system. The apparatus which comprises a laser source for generating a plurality of independent or quasi-independent point sources of light; a fiber optic bundle which comprises a plurality of individual optical fibers for each receiving at least one of the plurality of point sources of light, from the laser source, and directing the plurality of point sources of light toward the target for illumination thereof; and an oscillating diffuser for receiving the plurality of point sources of light and oscillating at a frequency so as to redirect each one of the plurality of point sources of light over an area of the target to be illuminated to facilitate uniform illumination and imaging thereof.

Abstract: The system and method of integrated seed and high power pump source generates two wavelengths outside the effective gain bandwidth of a single gain medium without using two unique pump sources in a fiber amplifier train. The system and method uses a single pump power oscillator that passes a seed wavelength with no loss and minimal amplification to pump integrated amplifiers in both directions (forward and backward) resulting in amplification of the seed wavelength.

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.

Abstract: A method for vision-aided navigation which utilizes an image registration system to update a navigation control system. One exemplary feature of the method includes the use of Enhanced Phase Correlation techniques to create a reference imagery database and register images against the created database. The method may be operated on a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which when executed by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the method for vision-aided navigation which utilizes an image registration system to update a navigation control system.

Abstract: A system and method for covert targeting and communication that uses Laser Range Finder (LRF) and Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology. By modulating the pulses of the laser in a LRF according to a predetermined library and by using a “divide-by-two” shutter pattern scheme applied to the DLP mirror's field of view, a covert communication and targeting system can be utilized in the field as part of a lightweight, low cost system.

Abstract: A zoom lens having unpowered optical elements changeably inserted between conventional powered optical zoom elements enables ultra-fast and mechanically stable stepped changes in zoom state.