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: Systems and methods provide adaptability in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), based on an existing protocol, such as adaptive hybrid domain routing (AHDR). The systems and methods are especially suited for fast changing topologies that may change after a reactive route discovery has been completed.

Abstract: A trusted computer system that offers Linux® compatibility and supports contemporary hardware speeds. It is designed to require no porting of common applications which run on Linux, to be easy to develop for, and to allow the use of a wide variety of modern development tools. The system is further designed to meet or exceed the Common Criteria EAL-5 or higher rating through incorporation of required security features, as well as a very high level of assurance for handling data at a wide range of sensitivity (e.g., classification) levels in a wide range of operational environments. This is achieved through the implementation of a well-layered operating system which has been designed from the ground up to enforce security, but which also supports Linux operating system functions and methods.

Abstract: A multi-port junction is fed with a frequency-stepped source and has one of its ports connected to an antenna that can serve either as a transmit-and-receive antenna or as a receive antenna only, with the outputs of the multi-port junction being used to estimate a complex reflection coefficient for each frequency of interest. The subject system requires no IF stages, down-conversion mixers or oscillators, and therefore may be provided adjacent each antenna at low cost. An embodiment involving co-located separate transmit and receive antennas is used to minimize the power requirements for the multi-port junction, whereas in a third embodiment, an array of transmit/receive antennas is used, fed by the same RF source but in which digitally-controlled phase shifters are used for beam-forming purposes.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating a message are disclosed. An exemplary system includes plural nodes and an exemplary information transmitter that includes a processor. The processor can detect a number of the nodes within communication range of the information transmitter as helper nodes. The processor can process a message into a number of portions as a function of the number of helper nodes detected. The processor can transmit at least one of the portions of the message to at least one of the helper nodes for wireless communication of at least one portion by the at least one helper node.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that facilitate fabrication of semiconductors including structures and devices of varying thickness. One embodiment provides a method for semiconductor device fabrication that includes thinning a region of a semiconductor wafer upon which the device is to be formed thereby defining a thin region and a thick region of the wafer. The method continues with forming on the thick region one or more photonic devices and/or partially depleted electronic devices, and forming on the thin region one or more fully depleted electronic devices. Another embodiment provides a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor wafer defining a thin region and a thick region. The device further includes one or more photonic devices and/or partially depleted electronic devices formed on the thick region, and one or more fully depleted electronic devices formed on the thin region. An isolation area can be formed between the thin region and the thick region.

Abstract: A telescope design is disclosed that has at least some of its interior facing surfaces configured with corner reflectors, so that a detector operatively coupled to the telescope views itself, instead of those surfaces. The corner reflectors may be on, for example, interior facing surfaces of a conventional baffle appended to the telescope and/or mirror supports or other structures inside the telescope housing that are within the detector's FOV. Likewise, the corner reflectors may be on interior facing surfaces of a baffle that is integrated into the telescope housing. In some such cases, the integrated baffle can be configured as both a baffle and a mirror support. The integrated baffle can be shaped to the F-cone between mirrors of a given telescope design, and/or configured to minimize or otherwise reduce the total obscuration of the baffle to improve the optical throughput.

Abstract: In a method for removing moisture from an optical system at high altitude, the improvement comprises using the difference in flow resistance between the desiccant path and the optical cavity path to enable airflow through the desiccant unit and not through the optical path.

Abstract: A missile or other weapons countermeasure system includes a non-directional, modulated laser energy signal designed to protect an object (such as an aircraft, land vehicle, building, or vessel). Once a potential threat has been detected, a laser energy source generates a laser energy signal of sufficient power to provide the necessary coverage. The laser energy is modulated using an oscillator to create the appropriate countermeasure signal. Next, fiber optics or other coupling device distribute the modulated laser energy signal to one or more apertures, preferably wide angle lenses or the like, disposed about the outer surface of the object to be protected. The number and location of the apertures will depend upon the circumstances of the installation as well as the desired coverage.

Abstract: A number of identical non-uniformly distributed ultra-wideband power amplifier string building blocks are coupled together to form an ultra-wide bandwidth high-power amplifier. The non-uniform distribution results in an amplifier utilizing modular string building blocks that have input and output impedances with only real values. This permits the strings to be replicated and connected together with simple impedance matching. The internal impedance matching associated with the non-linear distribution also absorbs parasitic capacitance to permit the ultra-broadband operation. In one embodiment identical transistors are used for each cell so that the strings may be identically replicated. This permits modular re-use without reconfiguration. In one embodiment a non-uniform distributed power amplifier built using the subject building blocks provides an ultra-wideband multi-octave device suitable for electronic warfare and communications applications, especially to replace traveling wave tubes.

Abstract: A monolithic pumped laser cavity design is disclosed. Elements of the laser cavity, such as gain material, Q-switch, reflector, and outcoupler, are contact bonded together with a thermally conductive epoxy. The assembly is then operatively coupled to a heat sink (e.g., by mechanical or chemical means). The assembly is potted in thermally conductive potting material. The stacked elements or a subset thereof may be bonded to heat sink mounts and/or face cooling layers. In this fashion, various elements can be easily assembled and bonded together to provide the desired combination of laser energy, pulse width, and repetition frequency. The thermally conductive potting material provides structural integrity, as well as thermal management by extracting heat from the encased assembly to the heat sink. The optional heat sink mounts and face cooling operate to further extract heat and reduce thermal loading. Outcoupling to fiber may also be provided.

Abstract: A process and system for enhancing connectivity among nodes of a wireless communications network by adapting to changes in the network topology. Nodes of the network are configured to operate according to either (i) an ad hoc protocol wherein a given node assumes a role of a mesh node capable of connecting with other like-configured nodes, or (ii) a point-to-multipoint protocol wherein the given node assumes a role of either a base station, or a subscriber station being served by another node which is assuming the role of a base station. A determination is made as to whether each node should operate according to the ad hoc protocol or the point-to-multipoint protocol, in order to maintain an optimum state of connectivity among all nodes of the network. The determined operating protocol is then implemented for each node.

Abstract: The system in one embodiment relates to tightly integrating parameter estimation, symbol hypothesis testing, decoding, and rate identification. The present invention provides Turbo-decoding for joint signal demodulation based on an iterative decoding solution that exploits error correction codes. The system iteratively couples an initial amplitude estimator, a symbol estimator, a bank of decoders, and a joint amplitude estimator to produce the symbol estimates.

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: A microbolometer pixel and a reduced-step process for manufacturing it comprising the step of ion implantation of vanadium oxide whereby VOx is converted to a low resistivity mixed phase vanadium oxide (VOx/V2O3/VO/V) in the leg, metallized support post, and detector contact areas. Masking maintains high temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) VOx in the sensing portion of the pixel bridge region. The implanted area resistivity and TCR can be controlled by ion implantation dose and energy.

Abstract: A computationless system is provided for determining the direction of and distance to a target, involving bathing an area surrounding an area to be protected with a polyspectral series of narrow fan beams of different colors from at least two spaced-apart projectors. The differently colored beams go out at different angles, thus to color-code map the area surrounding the protected space where beams of different colors cross to form color-coded cells. Light reflected back to the area to be protected from a threat has a color code corresponding to the colors associated with beams that cross at the threat, thus to identify by the reflected colors where in space the threat is located.

Abstract: A read reference circuit for a sense amplifier within a chalcogenide memory device is disclosed. The read reference circuit provides a reference voltage level to the sense amplifier for distinguishing between a logical “0” state and a logical “1” state within a chalcogenide memory cell. In conjunction with a precharge circuit, the read reference circuit generates a selectable read reference current to the sense amplifier in order to detect the logical state of the chalcogenide memory cell. The precharge circuit precharges the bitlines of the chalcogenide memory cell before the sense amplifier detects the logical state of the chalcogenide memory cell.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that allow for programmable attenuation using thermometer code steps. By thermometer coding the attenuator structure, monotonicity is guaranteed or otherwise greatly improved, which eliminates instability problems with automatic gain control loops and without the need for compensation or trimming. In addition, the thermometer coding technique also greatly reduces phase discontinuity between adjacent gain states.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for using a distributed multi-path QoS-aware routing scheme that considers basic MANET characteristics to meet transport service requirements of real-time applications and makes use of multiple discovered paths to calculate a next-hop decision. The QoS Routing scheme superimposes distributed neighborhood congestion, neighborhood density, and link stability and delay information over the multiple discovered paths when the next-hop decision is calculated.

Abstract: A method for mounting multiple small RFID chips onto larger antenna. The chips are mechanically aligned with an interdigitated gap at the feed point of the antenna by electrostatic or magnetic techniques. In an alternate embodiment RF field coupling between the chips and the antenna is employed.