Abstract: A multi field of view (FOV) imaging system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a dual FOV imaging system includes a composite lens array including a first lens set positioned to focus a first type of FOV and a second lens set positioned to focus a second type of FOV and a composite focal plane array (FPA) including multiple focal plane arrays (FPAs). Further, the composite FPA is disposed at the first type of FOV and the second type of FOV for producing a seamless mosaic dual FOV image of a target region.

Abstract: Controllers, method and programs for controlling machines are provided. For example, A method comprises determining a resistance value for a loss compensation resistor, updating at least one control equation based on an equivalent circuit using the resistance value and controlling the machine based on the updated at least one control equation. The resistance value represents a plurality of electro-magnetic losses of a machine. The resistance value can be determined from an inverse resistance value.

Abstract: A waveguide having a substrate, a first germanium sidewall and a second germanium sidewall. The waveguide is formed by growing the first germanium sidewall and second germanium sidewall on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing channel access synchronization in a time division multiple access (TDMA) multi-hop network employing a plurality of time slots defined within a frame structure which repeats. The system and method includes nodes which have local clock variables. The local clock variables generate an expected arrival time of signals from other nodes in the network. Each node then determines whether the local clock variable needs adjusting after receiving a transmission and comparing the expected arrival time with the actual arrival time. Thus, time synchronization across the network is distributed and updated locally at each node. Networks may be merged by casting out nodes in one network and joining those cast out nodes with the other network. Newly joined nodes are thereafter time synchronized into their new network by comparing actual and expected arrival times and updating their clock accordingly.

Abstract: In the structure for providing protection for the human body from ballistic projectiles which includes one or more ballistic resistant panels overlying at least a portion of the body, wherein the improvement comprising one or more electronic devices integrated into at least one of the ballistic resistant panels.

Abstract: A method of producing a hardware abstraction layer (HAL) for software defined radio (SDR) platforms. A HAL software device in a processor of a given SDR platform operates to process data and exchange messages among a waveform software application and a waveform FPGA. A core module in the software device contains a set of software that is common to a number of different SDR platforms including the given platform, to enable the platforms to use HAL interfaces and services needed by the platforms. A custom module in the device contains software that is specific only to the FPGA of the given platform, while the core module provides the platform with the common software to enable the platform to use the HAL interfaces and services. By providing the separate custom and core modules, the overall cost of developing HALs for software radios having different hardware platforms is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser produces infrared radiation suitable for jamming a heat seeking missile, wherein a wavelength of the radiation is in a range of 2-5 microns, and the laser has a semiconductor lasing medium of Pb1-xSexPb1-xSnxSe or Ga0.84In0.16As0.14Sb0.86. These materials can be doped to provide a p/n junction, wherein the laser is excitable by electric current passing through the p/n junction. The third one of these materials can be constructed also as a uniform undoped slab which is excitable optically. Cooling of the lasing medium is accomplished by use of a lithium heat sink thermally coupled to the lasing medium by a diamond thermal diffuser which conducts heat from the relatively small region of the laser to spread out the thermal energy along a relatively large surface of the heat sink. Modulation circuitry is connected to the excitation apparatus to provide a pulse train of the radiation.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a battery in an electronics module is presented. A battery mount includes an elongated battery can with first and second ends and receives a battery through the second end. An insulating sleeve with first and second ends is fitted around the first end of the battery can. A metallic cap is placed over the first end of the insulating sleeve and around a portion of the insulating sleeve. A non-conductive housing is mounted in the electronics module to receive the battery can and the battery. The metallic cap is attached to a front panel of the electronics module when the battery can and the battery are inserted into the housing. The insulating sleeve and non-conductive housing isolates terminals of the battery from a surface of the electronics module and the metallic cap provides for electromagnetic interference shielding of the battery.

Abstract: Techniques and structures to facilitate efficient replacement of windows/domes of optical systems, such as turreted pointer/tracker systems and seekers and other such gimbal-based or fixed targeting systems. The techniques can be implemented, for example, in a mounting ring or bezel, wherein the dome/window center of curvature is actively aligned during assembly to a reference feature on a mounting bezel during the dome-to-bezel alignment. This reference feature then mechanically registers the dome-bezel assembly to a given chassis. In some embodiments, the techniques allow for positioning of a replacement window/dome on an optical lens system, such that co-boresight of multiple beam paths is automatically maintained.

Abstract: In a directed infrared countermeasure system, to assure parallelism between the line-of-sight to a target and the output beam, the input and output mirrors are fixedly attached to a uni-construction arm mounted to a rotatable azimuth platter to which internal mirrors are also fixedly attached. A system is provided for zeroing out alignment errors by developing an aim-point map for the gimbal that records initial alignment errors induced by manufacturing tolerances and uses the aim-point map error values to correct the output mirror orientation. The system also corrects for alignment errors induced by thermal gradients.

Abstract: A system and method for situational awareness and target cueing for use in military applications is disclosed. In extreme low light situations where the LLL sensor cannot provide SA information, the system allocates thermal information to the green SA channel to maintain the supply of contextual information to the user and thus situational awareness (SA) never drops below the native resolution of the thermal sensor. This improved SA capability, surpasses any existing LLL sensor technology in a single channel (stand-alone) application in overcast star light and below conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically planning a network is presented. One method may begin by determining network parameters for connecting nodes to a network and decision variables associated with radios and/or nodes in the network. Constraints may be established to narrow possible values of the network parameters and/or the decision variables. The constraints may be based on one or more of: values associated with connecting a radio to a node in the network, values associated with connecting two nodes in the network together over a communication link, whether a node can connect to a GIG node and a flow balance in the GIG node. To find possible links in the network that are optimal, the method may minimize an equation based on the network parameters, constraints and decision variables to determine optimal communication links between pairs of nodes in the network, pairs of nodes and radios and/or pairs of radios.

Abstract: A method for growing germanium epitaxial films is disclosed. Initially, a silicon substrate is preconditioned with hydrogen gas. The temperature of the preconditioned silicon substrate is then decreased, and germane gas is flowed over the preconditioned silicon substrate to form an intrinsic germanium seed layer. Next, a mixture of germane and phosphine gases can be flowed over the intrinsic germanium seed layer to produce an n-doped germanium seed layer. Otherwise, a mixture of diborane and germane gases can be flowed over the intrinsic germanium seed layer to produce a p-doped germanium seed layer. At this point, a bulk germanium layer can be grown on top of the doped germanium seed layer.

Abstract: A Multi-Cycle Digital High Power Microwave (MCD-HPM) source includes a microwave transmission line (MTL) to which a plurality electrically charged thin film transmission lines (TFTL's) are connected by switches. The switches are activated in sequence to generate a square wave at a microwave output frequency. The activation signal is controlled by a free space time delay, which can vary the timing and/or routing of the activation signal by modifying at least one free space element, thereby adjusting the switch activation timing and varying the output frequency. In embodiments, the switches are photo-conducting switches, the activation signal is a laser beam, and the switch timing is varied by reorienting and/or repositioning mirrors and/or other elements in the free space time delay. The elements can be manually adjusted, or mounted on motorized stages and automatically controlled. Optical amplifiers can be included to compensate for losses in the time delay elements.

Abstract: A wide field optically athermalized orthoscopic lens system includes, in order from object to image, a first lens having a negative power, a second lens having a positive power, a third lens group having a positive power, a fourth lens having a positive power and a fifth lens having a negative power. The third lens group includes two lenses having, in order, a first lens with positive power and a second lens with negative power. The powers, shapes, Abbe dispersion values and temperature coefficients of refractive indices of the lenses are selected such that the lens system is athermalized, orthoscopic and achromatized over a wide (e.g. >140° C.) temperature range.

Abstract: For use with an armored vehicle, a wideband embedded armor antenna is provided. The antenna includes an armor layer mounted to the armored vehicle. A driven dipole is mounted between the armor layer and the vehicle, the dipole operating in the UHF band. A first parasitically driven dipole is mounted on the outside of the armor layer. A second parasitically driven dipole is mounted between the driven dipole and the vehicle. A feed for the driven dipole is provided which does not pierce the armor layer.

Abstract: A nanostructure and method for assembly thereof are disclosed. The nanostructure includes a gain medium nanoparticle; an output coupler nanoparticle being discrete from and linked to the gain medium nanoparticle; and a plurality of metal nanoparticles being linked about the gain medium nanoparticle, wherein the gain medium nanoparticle and the output coupler nanoparticle are included in the nanostructure in a one to one ratio.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a structure and method for providing better antenna element retention in the any environment. The structure may comprise at least two card guides attached to a base. Each card guide may have at least one antenna slot, and individual antenna elements may be guided into position by an antenna slot of two different card guides. The individual antenna elements may have their freedom of motion restricted in the direction of their insertion by caps attached to the card guides. The individual antenna elements may have their freedom of motion restricted in a direction transverse to their direction of insertion by retention members attached to the card guides. By allowing for the “top-down” assembly of individual antenna elements in a modular fashion, embodiments of the present invention may facilitate easier repair of antenna element arrays, than prior art array assemblies.

Abstract: An array of elements suitable for adaptive processing in an extreme jammed environment comprised of a plurality of smaller sub-arrays of element clusters that have natural orthogonal spatial modes of excitation, wherein the improvement comprises sub-arrays with spatial orthogonality of feed modes, cross-sub-array combination to maximize pre-processing sub-array spacing and diversity of relative configuration, a high-input analog nuller used on the pre-processing sub-array therein, a high-input analog nuller is used to null a dominant jamming signal, possibly exceeding normal communication signal levels, so that the sub-array processed signals could then be fed to an antenna processor with simultaneous beam steering and null steering.

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of nanoporous carbons derived from partially or fully demetalized metal carbides in personal protection equipment for the irreversible absorption/adsorption of both broad and specific targeted gases. These materials have been specifically processed to provide enhanced effective loadings against specific harmful volatile organic compounds.