Abstract: A system and method for distributing the power of an electromagnetic signal is presented. In one embodiment, a power distribution cavity includes, a planar cavity, input ports and output ports. The planar cavity is formed with a metallic sheet in the shape of a star pattern with a plurality of elongated star arms extending from a round center portion of the metallic sheet. The input ports are attached to the round center portion of the metallic sheet for receiving an input signal. The signals entering the cavity from the input ports creating independent resonant modes within the cavity that combine producing a tapered aperture distribution of signals at the output ports. The output ports are attached near to the outward ends of the elongated star arms. The planar cavity is thus configured to propagate electromagnetic fields at the output ports that were excited within the cavity by the input ports.

Abstract: A method for fabricating selectively coupled optical waveguides on a substrate is disclosed. Initially, a first layer of waveguide material is deposited on a substrate. The first layer of waveguide material is then etched to form multiple level one waveguides and fill shapes. A dielectric layer is deposited on top of the level one waveguides and fill shapes. The surface profile of the dielectric layer deposition tracks the pattern density of the fill shapes. After the surface of the dielectric layer has been polished, a second layer of waveguide material is deposited on the substrate. At least one optically coupled waveguide structure, which is formed by a first level one waveguide and a first level two waveguide, is located adjacent to at least one non-optically coupled waveguide structure, which is formed by a second level one waveguide and a second level two waveguide.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that can be used to interface a microchannel plate (MCP) with readout circuitry. The techniques can be employed, for instance, with MCP based devices used in a numerous sensing/detection applications, and are particularly suitable for applications where it is desirable to interface an MCP having a relatively large active area to a readout circuit having a relatively smaller active area. The interface effectively decouples anode geometry from ROIC geometry and may also be configured with flexible anode pad geometry, which allows for compensation of optical blur variations as well as a very high fill factor. The interface can be made using standard semiconductor materials and photolithography techniques, and can be configured with thermal expansion qualities that closely track or otherwise match that of the readout circuitry.

Abstract: A method of switching-off a monolithically integrated light-activated thyristor structure in an n-p-n-p-n-p sequence is herein presented. In the method a monolithically integrated semiconductor thyristor structure is illuminated through an optical aperture to convey light into the embedded switching semiconductor structure to electrically short a thyristor cathode and a thyristor base through a floating gate to turn off the thyristor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and system for both open-loop and closed-loop timing synchronization are provided in which a master clock signal, and a plurality of signals that define greater periods of time, are distributed to a plurality of host devices. A frame-sync signal is used to define a “frame” consisting of a predetermined number of clock periods, and a reset signal is used to define a larger period consisting of a predetermined number of frames. Due to a variety of system parameters, the innate delay time associated with each respective timing distribution path may differ. The system is operable to adjust the timing signals propagated to the plurality of host devices along each respective timing distribution path to compensate for these differences so that each host device remains synchronized with all other host devices.

Abstract: A coherent RFID tag design having no internal power source is disclosed. The design exhibits a longer detection range and less interference relative to conventional tag designs. The coherent RFID tag design operates in a locked or stabilized fashion, in that the frequency at which energy is parasitically coupled to the RFID tag (via its antenna) is the same as the frequency at which the RFID tag transmits information utilizing the same antenna. The RFID tag design allows a greater number of RFID tags to be deployed, without causing cross-tag interference issues and the like.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a towline connecting a mooring craft to an ejected object comprising the steps of monitoring velocity to determine when a point for optimum braking has been achieved and then engaging a brake system to retard deployment of the towline, a DC motor augments and controls the brake system. The DC motor further controls the retrieval of the object. A cutter mechanism uses a first blade to grip the towing cable to maintain tension thereon as a second blade cuts the cable. A spring biased boom in combination with spring biased fins on the ejected object rapidly deploys the object from its storage housing. A locking mechanism secures the deployment mechanism in a stable locked position upon the object reaching its fully extended position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing a communication and control of power components. The system includes a parallel bus and plural peripheral devices. Each peripheral device is connected to the parallel bus. The system also includes a control module that is connected to the parallel bus, the control module including memory that stores control data and telemetry data associated with each peripheral device, and an interface that controls access to addressable locations in memory over the parallel bus.

Abstract: A tag operates in an environment where transmitted interrogators are not possible or desired. High-efficiency diode rectifiers and low-power oscillators are used in combination with an energy storage element and hysteretic switch. The combination of multi-diode rectifier, low power tunnel diode oscillator, energy storage element and hysteretic switch allow for nanowatt levels of received RF power to be stored to produce micro-watts of RF transmit power. The device trickle charges off of ambient RF radiation until enough energy is stored for transmission.

Abstract: An oxygen delivery system is disclosed. The basis of the oxygen deliver system is a carbide-derived carbon (CDC). The CDC can be tuned to carry O2 directly (CDC OC), or hemoglobin can be adsorbed to provide a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (CDC HBOC). The delivery system allows the use of a variety of hemoglobins which differ in their oxygen dissociation profiles, including variant and mutant hemoglobins from other species. The delivery system is biocompatible and stable, and is able to irreversibly bind and hold large amounts of functional hemoglobin variants. The CDC HBOC and CDC OC provide a safe and effective blood substitute for combat casualty care, as well as being useful for oxygen delivery in other contexts.

Abstract: In a CW radar system for detecting motion behind a wall involving modulation of the radar transmission, means are provided to interrupt the CW wave when motion is detected and to use the same radar transmitter to transmit a serial digital message to a remote monitoring receiver. The encoding can include a receiver wakeup message to turn on the receiver only when motion has been detected. In one embodiment, a microprocessor is used to detect when motion exists behind a wall and to provide a tailorable message to modulate the radar's transmitter in the period when the CW signal from the radar is turned off after motion detection.

Abstract: A system is provided for the force decay triggered release of a device, the system comprising: a base; a plurality of retention rods extending from the base; a rotationally movable actuator, to which a linear force is configured to be applied, converting the linear force to a rotational force; a plurality of retention pins, the retention pins being coupled to the actuator, and each the pin being removably disposed within a retention rod of the plurality of retention rods, such that a rotation of the actuator withdraw each the pin from respective the rod; a force triggered detent, the detent allowing the rotation of the actuator when the rotational force exceeds a threshold level.

Abstract: A system is provided for amplification of laser light, the system having: a plurality of non-silica optical fibers, each the non-silica optical fiber disposed within a sheath; each the non-silica optical fiber being doped with a dopant such that the non-silica fiber has a low non-linear effect; a light source, directing a light beam into a first the non-silica optical fiber; heat dissipating components disposed about the plurality of non-silica optical fibers forming a package; and the package being not greater than 100 cm3.

Abstract: A resonantly pumped, trivalent thulium ion (Tm3+) doped, crystal laser with improved efficiency is disclosed. Embodiments are pumped from the 3H6 ground state manifold to the 1st excited 3F4 state manifold by photons with wavelengths between 1.4 and 2.2 microns and laser wavelengths ranging from 1.5 to 2.4 microns arising from 3F4 to 3H6 transitions ensue, with output wavelengths dependant upon the choice of pump wavelength, crystalline host, and resonator optics.

Abstract: A desalination apparatus is disclosed which uses a salt sponge unit to remove a majority of salt from water. A parallel plate capacitor can be connected after the salt sponge to remove remaining salt ions. The salt sponge is a nanoporous, high surface area carbon scaffold to which crown ethers are attached. A power supply is connected to the salt sponges for applying a bias voltage to regenerate the salt sponges. A chlorine treatment unit can be connected after the parallel plate capacitor. A method of purifying sea water using the apparatus also is disclosed.

Abstract: A compact instrument enables placement of the instrument such that the image of the laser beam, as retro reflected and diffracted, forms outside the tracking field of view. The target source and beam camera can be located at the focus of a Cassegrain objective. Embodiments include shared objective and twin objective design. With a shared objective design, both the beam projector and profiling camera can see the same focal length. A two objective design can use two different focal lengths.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving the dynamic performance of digital-to-analog converters (DAC), by compensating for the unique delay characteristics of each bit in the DAC summing junction to equalize the delays. In one example case, a DAC device is provided that includes a plurality of current sources and a plurality of switches, each switch operatively coupled between a corresponding one of the current sources and a summing junction that is operatively coupled to an analog output. The device further includes a plurality of switch control lines configured to receive a digital input, each switch control line for controlling a corresponding one of the switches. The device further includes a plurality of compensation delay elements, each associated with a corresponding one of the switch control lines and providing a different delay value.

Abstract: A non-volatile single-event upset (SEU) tolerant latch is disclosed. The non-volatile SEU tolerant latch includes a first and second inverters connected to each other in a cross-coupled manner. The gates of transistors within the first inverter are connected to the drains of transistors within the second inverter via a first feedback resistor. Similarly, the gates of transistors within the second inverter are connected to the drains of transistors within the first inverter via a second feedback resistor. The non-volatile SEU tolerant latch also includes a pair of chalcogenide memory elements connected to the inverters for storing information.

Abstract: A current mode logic voter circuit includes three two-input split NOR gates. Each two-input split NOR gate receives a corresponding pair of input signals and generates a pair of first output signals responsive to the input signals. A three input split NOR gate is coupled to the two-input split NOR gates to receive the first output signals and generates a second pair of output signals responsive to the first output signals from the two-input split NOR gates. The two and three-input split NOR gates can be formed from current mode logic buffer circuits, and in one embodiment in the three-input split NOR gate the buffer circuits are hardened.

Abstract: Real and simulated (virtual) networks are interfaced with one another for carrying out hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing and evaluations. A simulated network is modeled at a workstation by running a network simulation or discrete event modeling tool on the workstation. A virtual gateway node is defined in the simulated network, and the gateway node is linked with a network adapter on the workstation. An external real network operating with Internet protocol (IP) is also linked with the adapter. The adapter and the gateway node are configured to (i) translate simulated data packets sent from nodes of the simulated network and designated for the real network, into IP data packets for routing or processing by the real network, and (ii) translate IP data packets sent from nodes of the real network and designated for the simulated network, into simulated data packets for routing or processing by the simulated network.