Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal-insulator-metal capacitor (MIMCap) is disclosed. A first metal layer is provided on top of an oxide layer. A nitride layer is then deposited on the first metal layer. The nitride layer and the first metal layer are etched to form a MIMCap metal layer. The gaps among the MIMCap metal layer are filled with a plasma oxide, and the excess plasma oxide is polished using the nitride layer a polish stop. After removing the nitride layer, a dielectric layer and a second metal layer are deposited on the MIMCap metal layer. Finally, the dielectric layer and the second metal layer are etched to form a set of MIMCap structures.

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: The system contains a lamination press. The first cavity is formed in a chassis. A film assembly is fitted within the chassis. A buffer mounts over the film assembly and within the chassis. A tool set is shaped to fit within the first cavity. The tool set and chassis are positioned within the lamination press to confer heat and pressure from the lamination press to the film assembly and chassis.

Abstract: Circuitry is disclosed that can be used, for example, in a readout circuit of an active imaging or other sensing application. The circuitry can be configured, for instance, for increasing the gain of a differential amplifier non-inverting leg used to drive the inverting output by means of a current-source load. In some example embodiments, the circuitry is suitable for use in a focal plane array input unit cell and can be implemented, for instance, as a relatively low power amplifier with high gain, bandwidth and output current-sinking capability (in some embodiments; current sourcing in others) sufficient to respond to very fast photo-diode (e.g., standard or e-APD) detector signals. The amplifier circuitry can be used with other transducer arrays and is not intended to be limited to imaging applications.

Abstract: A method for fabricating electronic and photonic devices on a semiconductor substrate using complementary-metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology is disclosed. A substrate is initially patterned to form a first region for accommodating electronic devices and a second region for accommodating photonic devices. The substrate within the first region is thicker than the substrate within the second region. Next, an oxide layer is formed on the substrate. The oxide layer within the first region is thinner than the oxide layer within the second region. A donor wafer is subsequently placed on top of the oxide layer. The donor substrate includes a bulk silicon substrate, a sacrificial layer and a silicon layer. Finally, the bulk silicon substrate and the sacrificial layer are removed from the silicon layer such that the silicon layer remains on the oxide layer.

Abstract: A broadband spectral power generator in a multimode optical fiber utilizes a standard multimode fiber that is coiled. A plate is placed on the coiled fiber and a force is applied to compresses the coiled fiber and thereby increase the interactions between the compressed windings and induce modal mixing and birefringence in the fiber. In addition, the compression causes additional non-linear processes to be excited and occur in the compressed fiber coil to generate more broadband light. This allows for better “mixing” of the spatial beam in the multimode fiber coil and allows for the various modes to overlap. The multimode fiber coil is made of silica, silicate, germinate, phosphate, fluoride, chalcogenide, or telluride. The compressed coiled fiber may be driven by a laser providing more than one wavelength output and this greatly increases the amount of nonlinear mixing in the fiber for a greatly enhanced spectral coverage.

Abstract: A method of point source target detection for multispectral imaging is disclosed. In one embodiment, a background source spectral ratio is determined using at least one radiant source, such as baseline intensities, camera optics sensitivity properties and atmospheric transmission properties. Further, a spectral difference is computed for each pixel in an incoming frame by applying the background source spectral ratio to a spectral band-specific radiant intensity value of each pixel. Furthermore, offset biasing in the incoming frame is removed by applying spatial median filtering to each computed spectral difference in the incoming frame.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding a projectile is presented. A nozzle system includes a boom assembly body that can be attached to a rear end of a projectile. A gas tank in the boom assembly contains pressurized gas. Fins are attached to the boom assembly body to guide the projectile. A valve lets a pulse of gas out of the gas tank. A nozzle expels the pulse of gas to control an angle of attack and lift of the projectile to guide the projectile to a target.

Abstract: A device that filters optical signals using a waveguide having a slotted optical pathway. The shape of the optical pathway passively restricts at least one optical signal from traveling through the waveguide. The device can also be used to reference the phase of an optical signal in an optical circuit.

Abstract: An extremely thin embedded antenna for an armor-carrying vehicle utilizes a dipole driven element to the inside of the armor plate and a parasitically-driven dipole element on top of the armor plate, with the parasitic element providing appropriate forward gain and antenna matching characteristics such that there need be no aperturing of the armor plate in order to feed the antenna. In one embodiment, the bowtie antenna elements are elongated, extended or expanded by outboard antenna sections which are spaced from the distal ends of the corresponding bowties, with a meanderline choke bridging the gap between a bowtie element and its extended portion.

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: What is provided is recording capability for each of the modules utilized by the first responders and other personnel within the area of the incident, with the stored information at each of the first responders' modules being read out through the ad hoc network, where it can be uploaded to storage. The stored information can be displayed at an incident commander work station in real time to give the incident commander a realistic view of the timeline and the severity of the incident, as well as the response. The use of the ad hoc network permits offloading stored information from each of the first responders' modules so as to free up storage within the modules. By providing storage at every node of the ad hoc network, one has access to a timeline of the actions at the incident as well as redundancy, which enhances the memories and observational skills of the first responders.

Abstract: A system and method for producing Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) is disclosed. A single optical fiber or Raman oscillator is optically pumped by a pump laser of sufficient power to generate SRS to generate several Stokes shifts of energy. This generates a multi-wavelength output or a single wavelength with several stokes energy shifts from the pump wavelength. A selective, monolithic-coated Raman fiber oscillator laser is utilized to increase the efficiency of frequency shifting by providing frequency-specific feedback at both facets of a free space coupled optical fiber oscillator. Frequencies that lie several bands away from the primary pump frequency may be efficiently achieved in a fiber oscillator by re-circulating the required stokes-shifted frequencies via selective high-reflection coatings. By re-circulating the intra-band stokes frequencies, the required intensities in each respective frequency will be increased, thereby dropping the respective Raman threshold in the optical fiber.

Abstract: A filter package for communications equipment includes two or more filters in die form, each having a different frequency response. A first switch and a second switch are operatively connected to the filters and are configured to select a desired filter for operation in a signal stage of the equipment. The filters are aligned and stacked one over the other in the form of a package having an input terminal that is tied to a common terminal of the first switch, and an output terminal tied to a common terminal of the second switch. When the input and the output terminals of the filter package are connected to corresponding terminals of an intermediate frequency (IF) stage in a communications transceiver, the package can support both narrowband and wideband waveforms defined by the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS).

Abstract: A specific emitter identification (SEI) method and apparatus is capable of identifying and tracking objects within a geographical area of interest wherein the system and method has not been preprogrammed to look for particular signals. The system and method receives all of the emitted electromagnetic signals emitted from area of interest. The system and method next performs high order statistical analysis on the received signals and determines which signals emanate from possible targets of interest and which likely emanate from background clutter/noise by comparing the relative degrees of Gaussianness of the signals (for example using entropy measurements). The least Gaussian signals are deemed to likely be signals from potential targets of interest while those which are more Gaussian are deemed to be likely from background clutter or noise.

Abstract: A flexible, multi-functional, multi-ply material mix and device, capable of providing ballistic protection are herein presented. The device and material herein presented provide multiple electronic and ballistic functionality integrated into a soft body armor that is lighter in weight and more comfortable to wear than previously available alternatives.

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: A system and method of determining a pointing vector using two GPS antennas and a single GPS receiver is disclosed. Two stationary GPS antennas, with a separation preferably less than half of a wavelength (˜100 mm) may use a single receiver to determine the pointing vector of the system. Incorporation of a three axis angular rate measurement allows pointing determination during system rotation. Incorporation of three axis gyroscope system allows pointing determination while in motion. The system provides the ability to sense multipath and jamming. Also the system can potentially eliminate the impact and certainly alert the user that the measurement may not be reliable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is devised for detecting objects of interest in which frequency-scanned RF in the HF region of the electromagnetic spectrum is projected out across a given area and returns are detected and converted into image data in which phase, amplitude, range and frequency associated with the incoming data is correlated with frequency-dependent range templates to determine the existence of, the range of and the direction of the objects of interest.

Abstract: A low voltage, switch mode PHEMT power amplifier with a 0.1 ?m gate length and a low loss, lumped element, output matching circuit is disclosed that provides high performance over a frequency range of 1.4 GHz-2.5 GHz. The amplifier makes use of monolithic circuit technology for the first stage and output transistor, and uses a printed circuit board with surface mount components for the output matching network. The power output of the power amplifier is stable over a range of 60 degrees centigrade, has high power efficiencies of 44-53% with greater than 2 watts output power over the frequency range of 1.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz. In addition, through drain voltage control, the output power can be varied over a wide range between about 0.8 to 2.5 watts while still maintaining a high efficiency in the range of 50±3%.