Abstract: Techniques are provided for automatic gain control processing to reduce adverse effects associated with clipped samples resulting from conversion of analog signals to digital signals. A methodology according to an embodiment includes identifying a clipped sample of the digital signal, for example by comparison of the digitized sample values to a threshold value associated with a full scale value of the converter. The method also includes applying a window function to portions of the digital signal. The window function is configured to attenuate samples of the digital signal within a region centered on the identified clipped sample. A Hilbert finite impulse response (FIR) filter may be applied to the digital signal prior to applying the window function. Parameters of the window function are selected based on frequency response characteristics of the FIR filter and on signal to noise ratio requirements of an application that receives the windowed digital signal.

Abstract: A bi-static optical system utilizing a separate transmit and receive optical train that are identically steerable in azimuth-over-elevation fashion while accommodating an autoboresight technique and function. Further provided may be a common elevation assembly with two opposite-facing elevation fold mirrors on either side that are controlled by the same motor assembly allowing for common elevation control without overlapping or combining the apertures.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system is disclosed that is especially well-suited for use on aerodynamic systems such as guided projectiles or other aerobodies. A series of piezoelectric cantilevers are arranged to capture vibrations from the ambient environment and transduce the mechanical motion from the vibrations into useful electrical energy. The piezoelectric cantilevers can be arranged along different planes from one another to capture different vibrational modes and directions. A power conditioning circuit is included to receive the electrical energy produced by the piezoelectric cantilevers. A storage element coupled to the power conditioning circuit is configured to store charge based on the electrical energy produced by the plurality of piezoelectric cantilever structures. The stored charge can be used to provide low levels of power to certain electrical components on board the aerodynamic system before it has been launched.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for laser illumination employing closely spaced laser beams. A system implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes a semi-cylindrical optical block comprising a curved surface and a planar surface. A first laser source to generate a first laser beam directed to the planar surface, wherein the first laser beam enters the optical block at a first angle that exceeds a critical angle, relative to the planar surface, the critical angle causing total internal reflection, such that the first laser beam is refracted through and exits the optical block.

Abstract: There is provided a thermal management apparatus for use with a vehicle comprising: a chassis in thermal contact with one or more first components that require thermal management and one or more second components that require thermal management, wherein the chassis is configured to transfer heat from the one or more first components to the one or more second components.

Abstract: An antenna module configured for use on an underwater vehicle is disclosed. The antenna module includes an array of spiral antennas fabricated on a multi-layer substrate that provides wide-band RF communication with direction finding (DF) capability. The antenna module can also include other antennas fabricated on the same multi-layer substrate, such as one or more global positioning system (GPS) receivers, an ultra-high frequency/very-high frequency (UHV/VHF) antenna, or one or more iridium antennas. The antenna module may further include a water-proof housing that is coupled to the outside hull of an undersea vehicle via a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism allows the antenna module to rotate between a stowed position against the hull and a deployed position that extends the antennas out away from the undersea vehicle. The antenna module is curved or flexible so it can stow against a corresponding curved hull of the undersea vehicle.

Abstract: [A system and method for dynamic autopilot control comprising providing input to a guidance and control autopilot comprising Mach and dynamic pressure; tailoring parameters of the autopilot, the parameters comprising: roll gain; a pitch/yaw gain; a pitch/yaw loop compensator frequency; a guidance filter bandwidth; a guidance filter lead compensator frequency; and a navigation gain.

Abstract: A laser system produces pulses having wavelengths between 2000 nm and 2100 nm, peak output powers greater than 1 kW, average powers greater than 10 W, pulse widths variable from 0.5 to 10 nsec, pulse repetition frequencies variable from 0.1 to over 2 MHz, and a pulse extinction of at least 60 dB. Pulses from a diode laser having a wavelength between 1000 nm and 1100 nm are amplified by at least one fiberoptic amplifier and applied as the pump input to an Optical Parametric Amplifier (OPA). A cw laser provides an OPA seed input at a wavelength between 2000 nm and 2200 nm. The idler output of the OPA having difference frequency wavelength between 2000 nm and 2100 nm is further amplified by a crystal amplifier. The fiberoptic amplifier can include Ytterbium-doped fiberoptic. The crystal amplifier can include a Ho:YAG, Ho:YLF, Ho:LuAG, and/or a Ho:Lu2O3 crystal.

Abstract: A correlation and track system identifies whether a Radar warning (RW) Track contains one or more emitters by receiving a set of initial Short and Long Baseline Interferometer (SBI) (LBI) detections; receiving inertial navigational data; receiving subsequent LBI detections; determining whether the LBI detections represent one or multiple emitter(s) by designating an initial SBI conic with a multiple of its one sigma conic Direction Finding (DF) accuracy window as containing the emitter; laying down a set of grid points within the SBI conic window as possible emitters' locations; summing real and imaginary values of a residual phase in the form of a unit vector at each grid point for each LBI update; identifying whether there are one or more emitters in RW track based on whether the magnitude of a peak vector is above or below a defined threshold; and invoking geolocation algorithms based on the vector's magnitude.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for the generation of a calibration signal for use on an analog to digital converter (ADC). A system implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes a calibration signal generator configured to generate a calibration tone, located in a first frequency band, in response to a calibration enable signal. The system also includes a signal summing circuit configured to generate an ADC input signal as a sum of a received signal and the calibration tone. The received signal is located in a second frequency band. The system further includes an ADC circuit configured to convert the ADC input signal to a baseband digital output signal and to perform self-calibration, based on the calibration tone, in response to the calibration enable signal. The frequency bands and the amplitude of the calibration tone are chosen to reduce interference between the received signal and the calibration tone.

Abstract: The system and method for imaging having filter containing polarized elements, multispectral elements or both being oscillated in circular or linear motion so each individual pixel will view a scene thru the individual filters. The motion of the filter is synchronized with a frame rate of an imager. In one example this is accomplished by micro actuators. Each pixel sampling feeds a processor detection algorithm that determines if a multispectral/polarization signature is present in the scene.

Abstract: There is provided an arming apparatus for a store, the apparatus comprising: a first attachment system and a second attachment system; a linking connector coupled with the first attachment system and the second attachment system; and an arming connector coupled with the linking connector and a first fuze input of the store; wherein each of the first attachment system and the second attachment system comprises: an arming unit; a first frangible connector coupled with the arming unit and the linking connector; and a second frangible connector coupled with the linking connector and the store.

Abstract: The system and method for combining two optical assemblies into the same volume, particularly when the field of view of the two assemblies are different, so that the overall volume and swap for the system is reduced. This also allows both subsystems to use the same external protective window, reducing overall cost for a system of co-located dissimilar optical systems in a single aperture.

Abstract: A distributed transmit platform deception network array system includes a plurality of platforms; each platform comprising at least one transmitter; wherein the platforms are in a geographically distributed configuration with respect to each other and at least one victim receiver; a propagating wavefront is generated by the transmitters of the plurality of platforms toward the at least one victim receiver according to deception target characteristics for each identified victim receiver; whereby the propagating wavefront is controlled, and a false location is determined by the victim receiver, Whereby detection of a deception at alternate receiver locations is minimized by selection of characteristics of the transmitted waveform.

Abstract: Apparatus for a Directed-Energy Weapon An apparatus for a directed-energy weapon comprises: an assessment system arranged to, during an assessment phase, perform an assessment of a target environment, wherein the target environment comprises a target, and the assessment comprises determining a possible engagement efficiency of the target by the directed-energy weapon; and a controller arranged to, during an engaging phase, control the directed-energy weapon to direct energy towards the target environment conditionally upon the possible engagement efficiency.

Abstract: An all-metal antenna element with integrated common mode rejection realized with an all-metal fabrication and a balanced feed. Further, the present disclosure may provide an all-metal antenna element which may extend the bandwidth of the aperture, allow for simple linear frequency and platform scalability, and may improve the compatibility of arrays to modern digital phased array chains.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for automatic gain control processing to reduce adverse effects associated with clipped samples resulting from conversion of analog signals to digital signals. A methodology according to an embodiment includes identifying a clipped sample of the digital signal, for example by comparison of the digitized sample values to a threshold value associated with a full scale value of the converter. The method also includes applying a window function to portions of the digital signal. The window function is configured to attenuate samples of the digital signal within a region centered on the identified clipped sample. A Hilbert finite impulse response (FIR) filter may be applied to the digital signal prior to applying the window function. Parameters of the window function are selected based on frequency response characteristics of the FIR filter and on signal to noise ratio requirements of an application that receives the windowed digital signal.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (110) for use with at least one fluidic control effector (102) for a vehicle, the vehicle control system (110) comprising a controller (110), wherein the controller is configured to: receive a vehicle control input indicating a demanded vehicle manoeuvre, wherein the input is further configured to receive condition data; determine a fluid mass-flow for the at least one fluid control effector based on the received vehicle control input and the condition data, wherein the relationship between the fluid mass-flow and the vehicle control input is substantially non-linear; and output data relating to the determined fluid mass-flow to effect the demanded vehicle manoeuvre, wherein the fluid mass-flow is determined to provide a substantially linear relationship between the vehicle control input and the effected demanded vehicle manoeuvre.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control system for a vehicle, comprising: at least one compressor arranged to generate compressed fluid having a massflow rate; at least one fluidic control effector in fluidic communication with the at least one compressor and arranged to change the direction of travel of the vehicle when the compressed fluid is incident on the at least one fluidic control effector; a dump duct for expelling excess compressed fluid not delivered to the at least one fluidic control effector out of the vehicle; a dump valve for controlling the massflow rate of compressed fluid delivered to the dump duct; and a controller electrically coupled to the dump valve and configured to adjust the dump valve. The present disclosure also relates to an aircraft having the control system and a method of controlling a vehicle.

Abstract: A data clustering device includes an input configured to receive a plurality of data points encoded in at least one signal and a hardware logic circuit configured to extract one or more features of the one or more data points from the at least one signal, create or update, based on the one or more features, one or more data clusters representing one or more of the data points, and encode at least one of the one or more data clusters in at least one output signal. The device further includes an output configured to provide the at least one output signal, for instance, to a processor, such as a processor for controlling a controlled system. The device can be further configured to split or merge the data cluster(s) based on a statistical distribution of the one or more data points in the respective data cluster.