Abstract: An optical tracking system, and method therefor, tracks the movement of an object, such as a pilot's helmet, within an enclosed area, such as a cockpit. The system/method comprises a plurality of light sources fixedly mounted in predefined locations within the enclosed area and a light sensor mounted on the object. Each light source is modulated using a different frequency from the other light sources to make that light source uniquely identifiable. Modulated light from the various light sources is converted by the sensor into an electrical signal. This composite signal is subsequently separated into individual signals based on their unique modulations, and the light source for each signal is identified. The signals are thereafter processed to determine an azimuth and an elevation for the line-of-sight to each light source. The azimuth and elevation information may then be used to determine the position and orientation of the object.

Abstract: A desired signal modulated with N symbols is detected in the presence of a constant modulus (CM) interferer that produces M symbols. Observation samples corresponding to the desired signal and the interferer are obtained from a signal recovery stage. N observation constellations are defined, each having M constellation points corresponding to the symbols produced by the interferer, and the points form a circular perimeter of the constellation with a radius corresponding to the strength of the interferer. The perimeter of each constellation is centered on one of N defined symbol points representing the different possible symbols of the desired signal. Distances between the observation samples and the circular perimeter of each observation constellation are determined. For each observation sample, the symbol point on which the constellation perimeter closest to the sample is centered, is selected as a symbol of the desired signal.

Abstract: A hybrid solid state imaging focal plane array (FPA) for night vision systems achieves a high dynamic range from deeply overcast starlight to full daylight by interleaving non-avalanche photodiode (NAP) pixels with APD pixels in a single imaging plane controlled by a common readout circuit. The APD pixels provide high performance at low light levels, while the NAP pixels provide unsaturated images in full daylight. The APD pixels can be Discrete. In low light the readout circuit can disable the NAP pixels and interpolate the NAP pixels using the APD signals. In daylight the readout circuit can do the opposite. The FPA can be digitally fused with sensors in a separate plane such as InGaAs APD's that detect wavelengths outside of the visible band. The NAP pixels can outnumber the APD pixels, for example by three-to-one. The APD's can be silicon for visible light, or InGaAs for SWIR light.

Abstract: A card assembly is disclosed comprising a carrier host card, an interposer printed wiring board (PWB) situated between the carrier host card and a hosted card, wherein the carrier host card and the interposer printed wiring board (PWB) are configured to have a space there-between. The card assembly further comprising a customized front panel including a first cutout for the carrier host card and a second cutout for said hosted card.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for using a portable near (infrared light emitting diode) IR LED light source and photogrammetry for boresight harmonization of aircraft and ground vehicle components. In one embodiment, orientation and positional parameters of two or more fixed points and distances between the two or more fixed points are measured using the portable near IR LED light source with a photogrammetric system. The two or more fixed points are reference points within the aircraft or the land vehicle. Further, the measured orientation and positional parameters of the two or more fixed points and the distances between the two or more fixed points on the aircraft or the land vehicle are compared with specified design parameters of the component in the aircraft or the land vehicle. Furthermore, the component in the aircraft or the land vehicle is harmonized based on an outcome of the comparison.

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 be apparent in light of this disclosure.

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: 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: A system and method for efficiently combining multiple laser beams into a single frequency by invoking stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in a dual core optical fiber is disclosed. The method and apparatus essentially becomes a brightness converter for the input laser beams. An SRS seed is generated in a long length of fiber or by a diode and is launched into the back-end of the SBS combining optical fiber. Various single-frequency pump beams are launched into the front-end of the same fiber. The seed acts to lower a threshold for SBS in the fiber, thus invoking the nonlinearity. Provided the various pump beams are close in frequency and seed/pump modes overlap, each acts to amplify the seed through the nonlinear SBS process, providing an output signal which is brighter than the combined pump beams.

Abstract: A compact F-theta lens suitable for precise mapping and aerial photography has an F# of not more than 4.5 and a full field of view of 60° (high quality field over) 53°. The lens is near-telecentric to less than 6°, apochromatic from 450 nm to 650 nm, and athermal from ?15° C. to +40° C. Embodiments have a focal plane diameter of 104 mm and are compatible for use with a CMOS 1.8 gigapixel multiple FPA. In some embodiments the focal length is 101 mm and the back working distance is more than 10 mm. In embodiments the lens includes three groups of optical elements, with an aperture located between the first and second groups. In some of these embodiments, the first group has at least three elements, while the second and third groups have four and three elements respectively, and the diameter of the first two groups, including housing, is less than 65 mm.

Abstract: A nuclear quadrupole resonance system which senses the stimulated emission from target molecules includes in a calibration step and a stimulated emission response detection step, with the system employing clutter cancellation involving linear regression and the use of cross correlation with a series of known molecular signatures, both increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the system.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for controlling the temperature of a fiber laser system. In some embodiments, a single thermoelectric cooler (TEC) may be utilized to control the temperature of multiple system components. In some embodiments, a TEC may be physically/thermally coupled to a laser diode, which in turn may be physically/thermally coupled with a mounting plate to which one or more fiber grating holders are physically/thermally coupled, and an optical fiber that is operatively coupled with the laser diode may be physically/thermally coupled with the one or more fiber grating holders. In some embodiments, this may provide a thermal pathway/coupling between the optical fiber (e.g., its fiber grating(s)), and the TEC. In some embodiments, this may reduce/minimize the quantity of temperature control components, reduce system size/complexity, increase system dependability, and/or increase system performance/efficiency.

Abstract: An optically guided munition and control system has a replacement fuse assembly mounted on the front of a munition body or shell casing. An optical seeker subsystem detects an illuminated target and supplies signals to a processor. The processor develops steering commands sent to a flight control subsystem having a plurality of guidance canards which are actuated by drive motors through gear assemblies. The roll of the munition is established and left/right and up/down steering commands are sent to the canard drive motors based upon the optical seeker subsystem detection of the target illuminator. Range adjustment is based upon bore sight lockdown angle and cross range control is based upon left/right centering error. A code is contained in the optical radiation received from the illuminated target which must be validated by a preset code in the system processor to arm the munition.

Abstract: An imaging system and method is provided with transition in depth of field, the system comprising: an array of selectably activated sensors comprising first sensors receiving light of a first wavelength and second sensor receiving light of a second wavelength, the first wavelength corresponding to a short effective focal length and the second wavelength corresponding to a long effective focal length; an aperture common to both the first and second sensors configured with chromatic distortion such that a focal plane of light of the first wavelength is different from light of the second wavelength; a controller, the controller digitally between outputs of the first and second sensors based on the focal length required.

Abstract: A high-power and high-gain ultra-short gate HEMT device has exceptional gain and an exceptionally high breakdown voltage provided by an increased width asymmetric recess for the gate electrode, by a composite channel layer including a thin indium arsenide layer embedded in the indium gallium arsenide channel layer and by double doping through the use of an additional silicon doping spike. The improved transistor has an exceptional 14 dB gain at 110 GHz and exhibits an exceptionally high 3.5-4 V breakdown voltage, thus to provide high gain, high-power and ultra-high frequency in an ultra-short gate device.

Abstract: Various cognitive communications system architectures and their corresponding Protocol Reference Models (PRMs) are disclosed. Such PRMs incorporate a Cognitive Plane in addition to conventional Data and Management Planes. The additional Cognitive Plane functionality may include, for example, spectrum sensing, spectrum management, geolocation, and security functions. The Cognitive Plane may further include a Policy Engine and a Learning and Reasoning Module. In some embodiments, Management Plane functions may be effectively combined to form a database of primitives (and their respective values) called a Management Information Base (MIB). In addition, techniques are provided by which various components of cognitive and non-cognitive, as well as mesh-enabled and non-mesh-enabled nodes in a network, inter-operate with each other. The architectures allow a Spectrum Manager (or Signal Space Manager) to combine information from various network layers (e.g.

Abstract: A node in a wireless communication network comprises a processor that receives information regarding a first plurality of packets to be transmitted in an epoch, a first path of nodes for the first plurality of packets, and a first flow rate. The processor receives information regarding a second plurality of packets to be transmitted in the epoch, a second path of nodes for the second plurality of packets, and a second flow rate. The processor determines weights for the paths based on the flow rates. The processor assigns pipelines for the paths and creates groups of pipelines based on the weights. The groups may be assigned to a schedule.

Abstract: Techniques and structures are disclosed 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: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for implementing an optical dome bezel to interface an optical dome/window and a housing of differing coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs), In some embodiments, the bezel may comprise a material (e.g., Ti-6Al-4V) that is CTE-matched to the optical dome material (e.g., silicon, germanium, sapphire, ALON), thereby mitigating temperature effects on system performance. In some embodiments, the bezel may include a radially compliant flexure feature (e.g., flexure blades, spring-form S-channels), which mitigates physical stress effects (e.g., vibration, thermal expansion/contraction, etc.) on system performance. In some embodiments, the bezel may include an integral environmental sealing feature (e.g., O-ring gaskets), which protects internal optics/electronics from external environmental hazards (e.g., moisture, corrosive substances, particulates, debris).

Abstract: Various cognitive communications system architectures and their corresponding Protocol Reference Models (PRMs) are disclosed. Such PRMs incorporate a Cognitive Plane in addition to conventional Data and Management Planes. The additional Cognitive Plane functionality may include, for example, spectrum sensing, spectrum management, geolocation, and security functions. The Cognitive Plane may further include a Policy Engine and a Learning and Reasoning Module. In some embodiments, Management Plane functions may be effectively combined to form a database of primitives (and their respective values) called a Management Information Base (MIB). In addition, techniques are provided by which various components of cognitive and non-cognitive, as well as mesh-enabled and non-mesh-enabled nodes in a network, inter-operate with each other. The architectures allow a Spectrum Manager (or Signal Space Manager) to combine information from various network layers (e.g.