Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage (20) supplied to an optical modulator that comprises a biasable component configurable to be biased by application of the bias voltage (20), the method comprising: providing a target for the modulator output power; applying, to the biasable component, a bias voltage (20) that biases the biasable component so that the output power is within a pre-defined range of the target; monitoring the output power and, if the output power of the modulator is determined to be outside the pre-defined range, varying the value of the bias voltage (20) to bring the output power back within the pre-defined range; and monitoring the optical input to the modulator and, if it has been disabled, maintaining the bias voltage (20) at its current level for a pre-determined length of time that is dependent upon how long the modulator has been operating at quadrature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating device for an amphibious two-bodied vehicle with a front vehicle unit and a rear vehicle unit, which are mutually pivotable, wherein the floating device comprises a floating element configuration extending along essentially the entire length of the long sides of the vehicle and being arranged to provide additional displacement, wherein said floating element configuration is arranged for accommodating mutual pivoting of said vehicle units during floating as well as non-floating drive. The present invention also relates to an amphibious vehicle.

Abstract: There is disclosed armor having an outer metallic layer, an inner fiber composite layer, and a supporting framework between the inner and outer layers. The supporting framework can include projections from the outer layer arranged to mechanically interlock with the fibers of the fiber composite, and can be arranged to provide an open region between the inner and outer layers that can be filled with a functional filler material.

Abstract: A firing circuit configured for complete discharge of a storage capacitor is provided with a storage capacitor, an inductor, a diode, a transistor switch having a gate to which the inductor and the diode are connected in series, the inductor and the capacitor being configured for inductor capacitor ringing, the inductive capacitive ringing creating upon initiation of the circuit a gate voltage at the gate above an initial capacitor voltage of the storage capacitor; and the diode blocking the discharge of the gate voltage ensuring that the capacitor can be fully discharged.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus for the performance thereof, comprising providing a first meta-model (8, 9) thereby providing a basis for a first model; providing a second meta-model (8, 9) thereby providing a basis for a second model; providing the first model; and using the first model and a set of transformations between the first and second meta-models (8, 9), determining the second model; wherein either, the first model is of a given task; the second model is of an autonomous vehicle (2); and the method further comprises providing the autonomous vehicle (2); or the first model corresponds to a given autonomous vehicle (2); the second model corresponds to a task; and the method further comprises using the given autonomous vehicle (2) to perform the task.

Abstract: A system for power amplification is presented. A tile array power amplifier (PA) module for use in a phased array includes a module with a radio frequency (RF) side and a direct current (DC) side, a top edge, a left edge a bottom edge and a right edge. Four PA dies are mounted in each quadrature of the RF side of the module. RF input connectors are mounted on the RF side to bring RF inputs to the PA dies. RF output connectors are mounted to the DC side to output amplified signals from the PA dies. The PA dies are formed, in part, with gallium nitride (GaN) and are mounted to the module in such a way that the tile array PA module is able to generate about 100 watts of RF power and dissipate about 200 watts of heat while amplifying signals over 10 GHz.

Abstract: An analog modem circuit and carrier recovery method are disclosed for use between an RF receiver and a digital modem circuit configured for receiving a baseband RF input signal, and including an up-converter with frequency supplied by an up-converter voltage controlled oscillator, VCO; a down-converter with frequency supplied by a down-converter VCO; a Costas loop sub-module; and baseband outputs from the down-converter to a digital modem circuit. The up-converter feeds the down-converter, and the Costas loop module performs Costas loop functionality on the output of the down-converter to control the up-converter VCO frequency output to thereby control modification of rotation of symbols of the baseband signal.

Abstract: A vehicle remote control device includes a communications device for transferring vehicle movement control signals to a remote vehicle and a touch-screen interface configured to present a graphical representation of the remote vehicle and to allow a user to manipulate the graphical representation on the touch-screen. A conversion component converts the manipulation of the graphical representation into vehicle control signals for transfer by the communications device.

Abstract: A system and method for focusing electromagnetic radiation is presented. A lens has an outside perimeter. A curved lens surface is located inside the outside perimeter. The curved lens surface is to bend at least one wavelength of electromagnetic energy passing through the curved surface. One (or more) mounting surface(s) are located between the outer perimeter and the curved lens surface. The mounting surface has at least one flat surface.

Abstract: The following invention relates to an improved lens apparatus for use in a head up display (HUD), particularly for providing a deployment means for a HUD. The deployment device comprises a servomotor and cord assembly to move the carrier, wherein the carrier is biased, such that the first action is to deploy the lens, and then cause subsequent movement of the lens through an arc.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for improving spurious performance in a signal generator/system. The disclosed techniques/architecture can be used, for example, to enhance/improve the wideband and/or narrowband spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) between a given carrier signal and spurious signals. In some example instances, wideband and/or narrowband SFDR may be improved to about ?40 dBc or better. In some other example instances, wideband and/or narrowband SFDR may be improved to about ?70 dBc or better. The disclosed techniques/architecture can be implemented in a wide variety of signal generators/systems, such as a direct digital synthesizer (DDS)-based system, and over a wide range of input clock frequencies (e.g., in the range of about 10 MHz to 40 GHz, or higher).

Abstract: A trim vane assembly for amphibious armored vehicles and having a trim vane movable along a generally horizontal path between a deployed position in which the trim vane extends rearward from the vehicle and a stowed position in which the trim vane is positioned beneath the amphibious vehicle. In the retracted position, the trim vane movable is flush against or received within the vehicle bottom such that the trim vane supplements the belly armor. Similarly, the trim vane extends from or overlaps with the bottom of the vehicle when extended into the deployed position to provide continuous bottom face of the vehicle extending from the front of the vehicle to the end of the trim vane. Conventional trim vanes are rotated between a vertical orientation against the rear of the vehicle and a horizontal position extending from the rear of the vehicle reducing viscous drag.

Abstract: The invention relates to protective device for an articulated vehicle (1) comprising at least a first and second vehicle portion (4, 6); a control gear (8) connected to the respective vehicle portion (4, 6); and an actuating member (16) for, via the control gear (8), changing the relative position of the vehicle portions (4, 6) in relation to one another. The protective device (2) comprises at least one stiffening means (22), which fixes the position of each respective vehicle portion (4, 6) in relation to one another whenever the acceleration and/or speed of at least one of the vehicle portions (4, 6) exceeds a predetermined limit value. The invention also relates to a method for controlling a stiffening means of such a protective device (2) for an articulated vehicle (1).

Abstract: A bottom plate assembly for securing a bottom plate to an armored vehicle for adding to the existing armor or replacing the existing armor on the underside of the vehicle. The bottom plate assembly secures bottom plate to the vehicle hull by securing the bottom plate to the sidewalls of the vehicle.

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 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: Various embodiments for detecting a high Intensity radiated field (HIRF) in a line replaceable unit are provided. In an embodiment, the internal detector comprises a receiving means for receiving HIRF and generating an AC signal proportional to the HIRF, an RF filter configured to sample the AC signal to create a DC signal; and a detecting section configured to compare the DC signal with a threshold and output a result of the comparison to a built-in test section. The internal detector may be used to test EMI filter pin connectors of a closed line replaceable unit.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for providing a laser system. In one specific example embodiment, the system includes a thulium-doped fiber laser coupled by silica glass fiber to a remote optical converter (ROC) including a Ho:YAG laser and, optionally, an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) utilizing zinc germanium phosphide (ZnGeP2; ZGP) or orientation-patterned gallium arsenide (OPGaAs). The fiber laser may emit a low-peak-power, continuous wave pump signal that pumps the Ho:YAG laser, which in turn emits a higher-peak-power, pulsed signal. When included, the OPO can be used to convert the resultant, pulsed signal to a longer wavelength (e.g., about 2-5 ?m, or greater). In some cases, distributed architecture and reduced weight/bulk may be realized while eliminating the need to actively cool the ROC for operation, for example, over a broad temperature range (e.g., ?55-125° C.). Also, methods of preparing high-peak-power, pulsed signals using such systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for converting a device between an authorized device and an unauthorized device may include a crypto ignition key (CIK) and a mission module. The CIK may store an original device number corresponding to a device. The mission module typically loads a local mission and a key, decrypts the local mission with the key to produce a decrypted local mission, and generates an internal file encryption key (IFEK) and an internal split. The mission module may then encrypt the decrypted local mission to produce an encrypted local mission and then erase the IFEK. The mission module, when attached to the device, may read an additional device number from the device and recreate the IFEK based on the additional device number and the internal split. The mission module may decrypt the encrypted local mission and install the results in the device to convert the device into an authorized device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated tracked vehicle comprising a first vehicle unit and a second vehicle unit controllably connected by means of a control member, wherein the first vehicle unit comprises a combustion engine, wherein the combustion engine is arranged to drive a generator for electrical generation, wherein the generator is arranged to transfer power via power electronic means to at least one electric motor of at least one electric propulsion unit.