Abstract: A fiber optically coupled laser rangefinder (LRF) for use in a gimbal system to input/extract a laser beam into/from a camera is disclosed. in one embodiment, the fiber optically coupled LRF includes a gimbal assembly. Further, the gimbal assembly includes a first fiber optic cable for receiving the laser beam from a remote transmitter assembly, a fiber optically coupled laser interface module to receive the laser beam and opposing mirrors to direct the laser beam to a target. In addition, the gimbal assembly includes a second fiber optic cable for transmitting a return laser beam to a remote receiver assembly. The opposing mirrors are further configured to direct the return laser bean from the target to the fiber optically coupled laser interface module. The fiber optically coupled laser interface module is further configured to transmit it to the receiver assembly via the second fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A protective ensemble hydration monitor configured to be disposed within a face mask of a protective ensemble is disclosed. In one embodiment, the protective ensemble hydration monitor includes a humidity sensor to detect the user's breath within the face mask and output a breath signal based on the detected user's breath. Further, the protective ensemble hydration monitor includes a microprocessor coupled to the humidity sensor to receive the breath signal and output a control signal based on a pre-determined humidity threshold value. Furthermore, the protective ensemble hydration monitor includes a vibrator configured to provide a tactile feedback to the user upon receiving the control signal from the microprocessor.

Abstract: An embedded linear motor drive for an IR camera comprising linear motor components that integrates into a sliding shutter is disclosed. The linear motor components can be a linear array of magnets, or a series of ridges or gear teeth. A motor drive is aligned with the linear motor components. The drive can be a series of coils connected to a power source that can move the shutter when the coils are energized in series. The drive can also be a pinion shaft with a friction wheel at one end or pinion gear that can connect to the ridges or gear teeth and move the shutter when the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: An electronic device package includes a substrate and wire columns arranged in groups about a neutral stress point of the substrate. The height of the wire columns is substantially uniform for the plural groups of wire columns, and a length of at least one of the wire columns is greater than the uniform height. A method of fabricating an electronic device package having a column grid array includes applying two templates on wire columns of the column grid array and bending at least one wire column to increase its length while maintaining a uniform height for the column grid array. In another aspect, an electronic device package substrate includes wire columns having at least one non-uniformity in lengths of the columns, and the length of a wire column corresponds to a distance of that wire column from the neutral stress point of the substrate.

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: An adaptive beam steering control system suitable for multiple element systems is provided for coherently forming a beam and tracking a dynamic scenario of a rapidly fading environment. The adaptive beam steering control system and associated method advantageously provide improved continuous beam steering with a faster response time and higher precision than normally attainable by using the greater slope of the nulling error function to perform the beam steering function. Although reciprocity of nulling and beam steering is normally only true for a single pair of elements, the method of the invention extends the process to larger arrays of elements.

Abstract: An inertial delay mechanism for use in an explosive projectile is provided. The delay mechanism consists of an inertial delay fuse that is precise, doesn't require sensitive primary explosives and doesn't utilize electronic circuitry. The inertial delay fuse includes a free sliding charge element that strikes an anvil located opposite to the sliding charge element. A delay gap is provided between the sliding charge element and the anvil. Upon impact, the sliding charge element slides forward and impacts the anvil, thereby inducing a shock wave in an initiator charge that subsequently results in detonation of main charges. The design is mechanically simple and robust enough to withstand severe g-loading forces that occur during firing and penetration of a projectile.

Abstract: In a method of cognitive communication for non-interfering transmission, wherein the improvement comprises the step of conducting radio scene analysis to find not just the spectrum holes or White spaces; but also to use the signal classification, machine learning and prediction information to learn more things about the existing signals and its underlying protocols, to find the Gray space, hence utilizing the signal space, consisting of space, time, frequency (spectrum), code and location more efficiently.

Abstract: A feedforward linearizer device is disclosed. The device includes a main amplifier, and a linearizing amplifier operatively coupled to the main amplifier. A first reference generator is operatively coupled to the main amplifier by a first reference node. A second reference generator is operatively coupled to the linearizing amplifier by a second reference node, and is configured to cause an optimal linearizing amplifier output current for each of a plurality of temperatures. In one such case, the second reference generator is configured to cause an optimal linearizing amplifier output current for each of a plurality of temperatures based on a corresponding optimal ratio of main amplifier output current and linearizing amplifier output current. The linearizing amplifier may be configured with a tunable current source that is controlled by the second reference generator, or a current source having a fixed total transistor area (not tunable).

Abstract: A method for integrating a slotted waveguide into a CMOS process is disclosed. A slot can be patterned on a SOI wafer by etching a first pad hard mask deposited over the wafer. The slot is then filled with a nitride plug material by depositing a second pad hard mask over the first pad hard mask. A waveguide in association with one or more electronic and photonic devices can also be patterned on the SOI wafer. The trenches can be filled with an isolation material and then polished. Thereafter, the first and second pad hard masks can be stripped from the wafer. The slot can once again be filled with the nitride plug material and patterned. After forming one or more electronic and photonic devices on the wafer using a standard CMOS process, a via can be opened down to the nitride plug and the nitride plug can then be removed.

Abstract: A multi-function programmable transceiver is described. The transceiver includes a driver circuit and a receiver circuit, which allows an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) device to drive and receive data from other ASIC devices. Both the driver and receiver circuits share a common input/output (I/O) pin. The driver circuit can be programmed to provide one of the several driver functions, such as CMOS, TTL, PCI, HSTL, SSTL and LVDS. Other functional features of the transceiver that can be programmed are driving strengths or output impedance, output power supply voltage, single ended or differential mode of HSTL/SSTL transceivers, and class 1 or class 2 operations for SSTL/HSTL transceivers. The receiver circuit can also be programmed to provide one of the several receiver functions, such as CMOS, TTL, PCI, HSTL, SSTL and LVDS.

Abstract: A method for dealing with high inrush current when voltage is applied to mixed voltage logic integrated circuits is disclosed. A depletion N-Channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) or junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) is added to a linear voltage regulator in mixed voltage logic integrated circuits. The Field Effect Transistor (FET) is utilized to allow the core voltage to come up with Input/Output voltage prior to turn-on of linear voltage regulator. Turn-on state of FET allows the core voltage to rise with Input/Output voltage until the FET threshold is reached across the gate. When threshold is reached, the FET turns off to allow linear voltage regulator turn on and take over supply power.

Abstract: A method for carrying out electromagnetic cloaking using metamaterial devices requiring anisotropic dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability may be emulated by specially designed tapered waveguides. This approach leads to low-loss, broadband performance in the visible frequency range, which is difficult to achieve by other means. We apply this technique to electromagnetic cloaking. A broadband, two-dimensional, electromagnetic cloaking is demonstrated in the visible frequency range on a scale ˜100 times the wavelength. Surprisingly, the classic geometry of Newton rings is suited for an experimental demonstration of this effect.

Abstract: An optical guidance system for guiding a projectile is disclosed. The optical guidance system includes a laser, a first and second cylindrical holographic lenses and a variable zoom lens. The laser generates a laser beam, and the first and second cylindrical holographic lenses transform the laser beam into a x-direction and y-direction scan patterns, respectively. The variable zoom lens projects the x-direction and y-direction scan patterns in the form of multiple scan fields, each within a scan corridor, in order to guide a projectile along a flight path towards a target.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing nonlinearity artifacts in an IR imaging system applies a non-linear correcting function to signals received from a microbolometer. The non-linear correcting function can be a second-order polynomial, a third-order polynomial, some other formula, or a table from which corrections can be interpolated. In embodiments, the correcting function is automatically adjusted according to an ambient temperature measurement, to which a non-linear correction can be applied, either in a separate step or as an adjustment to the correcting function applied to the microbolometer signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for optical spectrometry utilizes a simplified construction, reducing the number of independent optical elements needed while providing a sizeable dispersed spectrum. The apparatus provides a spectral intensity distribution of an input source wherein individual spectral components in the source can be measured and, in some embodiments, can be manipulated or filtered.

Abstract: A cryptographic ignition key system and method for managing access to sensitive or protected information using an unclassified, block-cipher-based cryptographic combiner for storing non-private information on a physical token and storing private information on another device having anti-tamper protections and safeguards.

Abstract: GPS reception on helicopters and ground vehicles may be subject to varying near-ground interference. A compact antenna includes vertically spaced arrays of radiating elements. The first array provides a basic reception pattern. The second array provides a pattern having a distinctive low elevation angle phase reversal. By combining signals for these patterns an antenna pattern with a low angle onmidirectional elevation null characteristic is provided to suppress near-ground interference. Prior to combining, signals from the second array may be modified in amplitude or phase, or both, on a semi-permanent basis, or may be adaptively modified on an active basis, in order to adjust the null characteristic. Antennas and methods are described.

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: An ergonomic remote control glove for controlling an electronic device in military applications is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ergonomic remote control glove includes at least one motion sensor and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one motion sensor. Further, the ergonomic remote control glove includes a communication link to connect to the electronic device. The communication link is communicatively coupled to the processor. Furthermore, the ergonomic remote control glove includes a wearable ergonomic glove configured to include the at least one motion sensor, the processor and the communication link. The processor is configured to send one or more control signals to the electronic device via the communication link upon detecting finger motions and/or hand gestures by the motion sensor.