Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic real-time boresighting system and method. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a mapping function by associating deflection and rotation data of strategically located at least two sensors with sensor deflection data, real-time or static sensor readings from at least two sensors which are strategically located on the component in the aircraft or the land vehicle, while the aircraft or the land vehicle is moving or static respectively and determining an alignment of the component by comparing the real-time or static sensor readings obtained from the strategically located at least two sensors with the obtained mapping function.

Abstract: A composite focal plane assembly with an expandable architecture has a multi-layer, double-sided aluminum nitride (AlN) substrate and vertical architecture to achieve the dual function of focal plane and electronics backplane. Imaging dice and other electrical components are mounted and wire bonded to one surface and then direct backplane connectivity is provided on the opposing surface through a matrix of electrical contacts. In one embodiment, a flexible connector is sandwiched between the AlN focal plane and a FR-4 backplane is used to compensate for differences in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the AlN and commercially available high density circuit card connectors that are commonly manufactured from materials with CTE properties more closely approximating FR-4. In an alternate embodiment, the FR-4 and flexible connectors are eliminated by using high density circuit card connectors that are fabricated out of materials more closely matching the CTE of AlN.

Abstract: An identification apparatus, capable of distinguishing between a first class of objects and a second class of objects. This identification apparatus includes an identification tag, which is capable of providing a certain reflection band and a certain thermal emission band. The identification apparatus also includes a thermal weapon sight which has a long-wave infrared band-pass filter. This band-pass filter passes through a desired range of wavelengths and filters out an undesired range of wavelengths. The reflection band and the thermal emission band are detectable within the desired range of wavelengths.

Abstract: CdSiP2 crystals with sizes and optical quality suitable for use as nonlinear optical devices are disclosed, as well as NLO devices based thereupon. A method of growing the crystals by directional solidification from a stoichiometric melt is also disclosed. The disclosed NLO crystals have a higher nonlinear coefficient than prior art crystals that can be pumped by solid state lasers, and are particularly useful for frequency shifting 1.06 ?m, 1.55 ?m, and 2 ?m lasers to wavelengths between 2 ?m and 10 ?m. Due to the high thermal conductivity and low losses of the claimed CdSiP2 crystals, average output power can exceed 10 W without severe thermal lensing. A 6.45 ?m laser source for use as a medical laser scalpel is also disclosed, in which a CdSiP2 crystal is configured for non-critical phase matching, pumped by a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, and temperature-tuned to produce output at 6.45 ?m.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for producing and/or optimizing jamming codes for use in directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) systems. In some embodiments, Fourier analysis may be implemented to produce jamming codes which more efficiently (e.g., time efficient, power efficient) and/or more reliably (e.g., no frequency gaps) achieve optical break-lock (OBL) of infrared (IR)-seeking missiles/threats over a broad range of frequencies (e.g., short-wavelength IR, mid-wavelength IR), as compared to heritage jamming code methodologies. Some embodiments may be implemented in military/defense applications (e.g., protection of military/tactical aircraft or other vehicles); some other embodiments may be implemented in non-military/commercial applications (e.g., protection of domestic, civilian, and/or commercial aircraft or other vehicles).

Abstract: A system for testing and calibrating communications equipment or modules. A processor is configured to perform a test or calibration procedure on a communications unit under test (UUT) in response to commands entered by an operator. Test and measurement instruments arranged to be responsive to the computer include a power supply for activating selected portions of signal paths in the UUT, one or more signal generators, and one or more instruments for measuring output signals produced by the UUT in response to the test signals. The UUT has switches and terminals for inputting test signals from and returning output signals to the instruments, and an adapter is connected between the processor and the UUT. When performing a calibration procedure, the adapter operates the switches and connects the terminals on the UUT to the test and measurement instruments under the control of the processor.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating a range delay is presented. A method begins by transmitting a first message at a first transmit time at a lower layer of a first node to a second node. A first service primitive is sent is sent to an upper layer associated with the first node with the first transmit time. A second message is received at the lower layer containing a first receive time of the first message at the second node. A second receive time of the second message is determined and sent with a second service primitive with the first receive time to the upper layer. A range delay is calculated in the upper layer based on one or more of the first transmit time, the first receive time and the second receive time.

Abstract: A system and method for amplifying and wave shaping a signal is presented. A system includes a Class F/Inverse Class F radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA). The RF PA includes an amplifier and an output matching network. The amplifier amplifies a radio wave signal to produce and an amplified signal. The output matching network wave shapes the amplified signal using a plurality of tuning stubs to generate an output signal. The tuning stubs operate at different harmonics of the amplified signal. When operating in a Class F mode the plurality of tuning stubs act as short circuits at even harmonics and the plurality of tuning stubs act as open circuits at odd harmonics. When operating in an Inverse Class F mode the plurality of tuning stubs act as open circuits and at even harmonics the plurality of tuning stubs act as short circuits at odd harmonics.

Abstract: A system for a piston actuator comprising a configuration with lead styphnate charge material and Nichrome® bridgewire, wherein the device configuration provides very high reliability, including piston actuator applications; resistance of the bridgewire is carefully controlled to optimize power transfer from the firing circuit to the bridgewire and charge material.

Abstract: An acoustic projector testing system using an acoustically transparent portable vessel which encloses a test apparatus is disclosed. The vessel is connected to an adapter plate which allows the test apparatus to be submerged in water. The testing system is then submerged in shallow water. An external pump fills the vessel with water and the air inside the vessel is allowed to escape through an external, sealable vent, Once all the air is evacuated, the vent is sealed. The pressure inside the vessel can be altered by adjusting the amount of water pumped into the vessel to perform necessary testing.

Abstract: Techniques for performing built-in self-test (BIST) of performance of an RF system are disclosed. The techniques may be used, for example, for measuring distortion generated by the RF system under test, detecting faults in the system, determining calibration of the system, and/or assisting in compensating analog circuitry that is sensitive to temperature, supply voltage, and/or process variations. Also, a BIST architecture for determining RF performance of an RF systems is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for creating an image is presented. The system includes a first camera, a second camera, and a fusion processor. The first camera has a small field-of-view (FOV) and an optical line of sight (LOS). The second camera has a large FOV that is larger than the small FOV and the second camera has an optical LOS. The first camera and second camera are mounted so that the optical LOS of the first camera is parallel to the optical LOS of the second camera. The fusion processor fuses a second image captured by the second camera with a first image captured by the first camera. The fused image has better resolution in a fused portion of the fused image than in unfused portion of the fused image.

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 be 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 be apparent in light of this disclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser beam splitting and shaping is disclosed wherein two beam splitters are used to split one input laser beam into four beams in a generally rectangular pattern. Half-wave plates are used to adjust the power of the input laser beam between the four laser beams. A variable power optical telescope comprising negative and positive lens pairs for the four laser beams is used to adjust the divergence of the four beams, and pointing control prism wedges are used to point or steer the four beams to be parallel to each other and to adjust their relative spacing to create a flat top profile.

Abstract: A system and method for powering an air-drop device is presented. One configuration of the system includes an energy capture device, a generator and an electrical logic unit. The energy capture device converts the movement air passing by the air-drop tail device into kinetic energy. The generator converts that kinetic energy into electrical energy and the electrical logic unit can then be powered by the electrical energy allowing it to perform at least a portion of a mission.

Abstract: Implementing a layered hyperbolic metamaterial in a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) to improve thermal conductivity and thermal dissipation thereby stabilizing optical performance. Improvement in the thermal management and power is expected by replacing the distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) mirrors in the VCSEL. The layered metamaterial structure performs the dual function of the DBR and the heat spreader at the same time.

Abstract: A method for implementing a prompt dose mitigating capacitor is disclosed. Initially, a flip chip is provided with multiple capacitors. The flip chip is then placed on top of a substrate having multiple electronic devices connected to a set of power rails. The terminals of the capacitors within the flip chip are subsequently connected to the power rails within the substrate in order to regulate voltages appeared on the power rails during a radiation pulse.

Abstract: In summary, a vertical metalized transition in the form of a via goes from the back side of a high thermal conductivity substrate and through any semiconductor layers thereon to a patterned metalized strip, with the substrate having a patterned metalized layer on the back side that is provided with a keep away zone dimensioned to provide impedance matching for RF energy coupled through the substrate to the semiconductor device while at the same time permitting the heat generated by the semiconductor device to flow through the high thermal conductivity substrate, through the back side of the substrate and to a beat sink.

Abstract: An optical LOS toggle uses two refractive optical elements located in the afocal space of an optical sensor. Optical surfaces of the two elements are shaped appropriately to work in combination with lateral displacements of the two elements such that the LOS angle is shifted. For a prescribed, discrete LOS shift, the optical image quality of the toggle module is corrected by a combination of aspheric shapes and diffractive surfaces on the optical surfaces of the two elements. To maintain performance along any radial direction and simplify fabrication, these aspheric or spheric shapes and diffractive surfaces should be rotationally symmetrical. Image quality is further improved through proper selection of the optical materials used to construct the optical elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and apparatus for controlling the mechanical stabilization of an optical fiber are disclosed. The method may consist of placing an inflatable bladder between an optical fiber and a protective jacket. The bladder may be inflated with air, inert gas, or liquid to a desired pressure. The bladder may be sectioned to extend along part of or the entire length of the fiber. The bladder may isolate the optical fiber in a periodic fashion. The temperature of the material inside the bladder may vary axially along the optical fiber. Embodiments of the invention can stabilize the optical fiber by providing mechanical isolation from vibration and other perturbations. Embodiments of the invention can also alter Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (“SBS”) and Stimulated Raman Scattering (“SRS”) thresholds using either thermal or vibrational perturbations.