Abstract: Stereoscopic visualization display apparatus comprising a table (6) having a top (12) onto which a stereoscopic image is projected, a stereoscopic projector (2) closely adjacent to the table (6) and oriented so as to project an image away from the table (6) and towards a reflector (8) so positioned as to reflect the image from the projector (2) onto the table top (12).

Abstract: Techniques for underwater detection of fully or partially buried objects such as sea mines and underwater cables are disclosed. An acoustical camera produces three dimensional volumetric images of a target area volume of an underwater floor. One or more first images are produced of the target area volume. An acoustical transducer pulse is then directed to the target area volume so as to disturb the loose particulate or elastic matter included in the target area. One or more second images are then produced while the pulse is present in the target area volume. The images can be compared for evidence of buried objects, or to otherwise evaluate objects included in the target area. The camera can be configured with an interferometer mode so as to produce volumetric images at a real-time frame rate.

Abstract: The drogue 11 comprises a canopy 50 supported by a plurality of adjustable ribs 42 and further ribs 43. A control unit 36 is provided for moving the adjustable ribs 42 into a first position P1, in which an air stream can inflate the canopy 50 whereby drag on the canopy causes the drogue 11 to draw a fuel hose 74 from a tanker aircraft 63 into an extended position, and into a second position P2 in which the canopy 50 takes on a cylindrical form and drag thereon in the extended position will be reduced. Selected adjustable supports are movable relative to the others by a control mechanism 41 to adjust a selected portion of the canopy 50 whereby the drag on that portion will be increased and the drogue 11 will move to a new position.

Abstract: A processing scheme for digital storage media using multi-user detection to separate tracks of data or remove interference from neighboring tracks. In one embodiment, data is written on a plurality of tracks positioned sufficiently close together so that multiple tracks are detected simultaneously by the read access sensor. Upon scanning the surface for data, the read element simultaneously receives the data signals from a plurality of tracks. Joint detection signal processing resolves the interference and data bits from the multiple sensed tracks, enabling closer packing of data with minimal guard space.

Abstract: A method and system to rapidly, passively, estimate target range, speed and heading for non-maneuvering and maneuvering radio frequency airborne emitters (enemy targets and threats) for tactical fighters using batch based recursive estimators for track initialization and track maintenance that includes providing information processing that operates on interferometer cosine (cone angle) measurements, and estimated SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) data, threat database, and feedback information from pilot maneuver cue algorithm. The present method will initialize airborne tracks using varying degrees of real time and a priori information to quickly estimate coarse airborne emitter heading using real time interferometer cosine (cone angle) measurements and provide pilot aircraft maneuver cues that will accelerate passive range (target speed and heading estimates) convergence.

Abstract: A method for determining magnitude and direction of spectral channel drift for several consecutive spectral regions over a wide spectral range. According to the method of the present invention, in-field testing of a spectral filter sequentially irradiated by two blackbody sources is performed to generate a response function of the spectral filter. The response function is ensemble averaged to reduce any noise. Background radiance is then removed to produce a smoothed spectral transmittance function of the spectral filter. The first derivative function of the smoothed spectral transmittance function is determined. The first derivative function is separated into spectral band regions having +/− N pixels on either side of the function minima. The value of N is selected to optimize the detection algorithm sensitivity to change while extending the limit of spectral shift magnitude.

Abstract: An aircraft 1 comprising interchangeable wings 5 detachedly connected to a fuselage 3, each wing 5 containing the fuel and flight systems 13,15 for engines 7 mounted to the wings 5, so that the fuselage 3 need contain no flight systems, simply a “bus” 23 for communication and the transfer of data between the wings.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing sidewall contacts for a chalcogenide memory device is disclosed. A first conductive layer is initially deposited on top of a first oxide layer. The first conductive layer is then patterned and etched using well-known processes. Next, a second oxide layer is deposited on top of the first conductive layer and the first oxide layer. An opening is then etched into at least the first oxide layer such that a portion of the first conductive layer is exposed within the opening. The exposed portion of the first conductive layer is then removed from the opening such that the first conductive layer is flush with an inner surface or sidewall of the opening. After depositing a chalcogenide layer on top of the second oxide layer, filling the opening with chalcogenide, a second conductive layer is deposited on top of the chalcogenide layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing multipath interference for commercial FM signals which use SCA secondary signals in QAM format that includes tracking the time series of phase measurements of a received stereo pilot signal for determining the proper phase reference for demodulation of QAM signals at the center of the time series. Phase measurements of the pilot signal are tracked over a predetermined tracking period. The phase measurement is used to support demodulation of the QAM signal. The SCA secondary signals in QAM format transmitted on commercial FM have minimal multipath interference and Doppler interference by movement of transmitter and receiver (vehicular).

Abstract: An eyesafe, Q-switched, laser system for target identification, ranging, and gated viewing purposes features a Resonant Pumped Erbium (RPE) laser, which exhibits a longer storage lifetime that minimizes the number of diodes needed to pump optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) or Raman converters. The RPE laser is in band to I2 devices.

Abstract: A system for calibrating airborne direction finding antenna arrays eliminates the problem of trying to maintain a constant depression angle when flying an airplane directly over a calibration antenna to collect deep depression angle data. The deep depression angle data necessary for calibration is provided by data from a scale model of the aircraft having a direction-finding array which simulates the actual direction-finding array on the aircraft. In order to collect deep depression angle data, the model is pivoted through 360° while maintaining a controlled depression angle. Thus, it is unnecessary for calibration to actually fly a plane to attempt to obtain deep depression angle measurements. In the subject system, only a single depression set of data is required from the aircraft. Thus, with the exception of baseline shallow depression angle data from this plane, the calibration data comes strictly from the scale model, which is much more easily obtained.

Abstract: A cavity-backed wideband slimline flat panel antenna array for providing a steerable beam includes an array of slot antennas, each of which fed by its own individual dipole radiator, with the wide bandwidth being due to the matching impedances of the slot antenna and dipole radiator across the entire frequency band. In one embodiment, an upstanding printed circuit balun feed is connected to each dipole. The dipole elements are located to either side of a slot, and are arrayed on the underneath side of a dielectric layer under the substrate into which the slots are formed, with the dipole elements directly fed by individual upstanding printed circuit baluns which are arrayed beneath the individual slots antennas. The use of the dipole elements, in addition to providing a wider operational bandwidth, also permits feeding each of the slots without having to use striplines which would have to cross each other and therefore not work.

Abstract: A vibrating structure gyroscope comprises a resonant body, a drive transducer for driving resonant motion of the body, a pick-off for producing signals representative of the resonant motion, and a signal processor for extracting z-axis orientation information and x- and y-axis rate information from the signals. The resonant body is planar and the resonant motion takes place in a vibration mode pattern whose orientation angle with respect to the body varies in accordance with z-axis orientation of the body and couples energy into an out-of-plane response mode motion in accordance with rotation of the body about the x- or y-axis. The signal processor resolves the out-of-plane response mode motion with reference to a z-axis orientation signal to extract the x- and y-axis rate information.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for compressing spectral data corresponding to an image comprising a plurality of pixels. The method includes the step of creating a set of potential endmembers. A first plurality of the potential endmembers are identified as a first set of endmembers based upon their respective correlations with a first spectral signature of a first of the plurality of pixels. The first pixel is then represented as a combination of the first set of endmembers. Processing of the image preferably continues by identifying a second plurality of the potential endmembers as a second set of endmembers based upon their respective correlations with a second spectral signature of a second of the plurality of pixels. The second pixel is then represented as a combination of the second set of endmembers.

Abstract: A modified V-groove structure in a double clad laser system permits multiple emitter side pumping of a fiber laser. In one embodiment, a stack of at least five emitters have individual outputs coupled into the inner cladding, with as many sources as desired coupled to the fiber to raise the cumulative pumping power to in excess of 2-KW, thus to achieve a 1-KW fiber laser.

Abstract: In integrated circuit that yields the advantages of contemporary processing technologies and yet is irreparably damaged by ionizing radiation. An integrated circuit is designed and fabricated with contemporary processing technologies in well-known fashion, except that certain devices, called “safeguard” devices, are added to the integrated circuit. The safeguard devices are fabricated so that they, and not the other devices on the integrated circuit, are susceptible to ionizing radiation. Furthermore, the safeguard devices are coupled to the utile devices on the integrated circuit in such a manner than when the integrated circuit is bombarded with ionizing radiation the safeguard devices short and destroy the functionality of the utile devices, and, therefore, the functionality of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method of producing an article formed from a photosensitive polymer resin, the article having at least two different densities and the article being a unitary article having substantially no structural joint between regions of different density.

Abstract: A channelized filter design for partial band reconstruction having high dynamic range requirements. The analysis filter and synthesis filter constraints permit high performance signal detection with an alias free signal recombination capability for signals that span multiple frequency bins. The filter bank allows the use of a single wideband asset to provide for data channelized for detection processing with the ability to recombine one or more adjacent frequency bins into a wider bandwidth baseband time domain data stream suitable for exploitation processing. Use of an efficient partial band reconstruction mechanism allows signal reconstruction using only the frequency subchannels that pertain to the signal of interest that is to be copied. The filter design mechanism separates the specification of the analysis filter to support signal detection in environments of high dynamic range. The signal reconstruction (synthesis) filter uses fewer bins and allows a higher order filter.

Abstract: A stagger tuned meanderline loaded antenna is disclosed. The antenna meanderlines are configured for manipulating the antenna's current null, which enables a combination of loop mode and monopole mode current distribution. The antenna quality factor can be adjusted substantially independent of antenna gain to achieve an extended Chu-Harrington relation.

Abstract: An airborne collision avoidance system includes a receiver stage constructed and arranged to detect (a) at a first radio frequency, first interrogation signals, and first collision resolution advisory (RA) signals transmitted from other nearby aircraft, and (b) at a second radio frequency, first acquisition signals including position information with respect to the nearby aircraft, and first reply signals from the nearby aircraft. A transmitter stage is constructed to produce (a) at the first radio frequency, second interrogation signals and second collision RA signals, and (b) at the second radio frequency, second acquisition signals including position information with respect to the given aircraft, and second reply signals from the given aircraft in response to the first interrogation signals. Tracking and collision avoidance information derived by a system processor from the detected first acquisition and first RA signals is shown on a cockpit display.