Abstract: A method of producing part of an aircraft comprising: providing a frame having a first surface, a second surface, and one or more side edges between the first and second surfaces; mounting the frame to a first tool, the first tool comprising a support surface that contacts the second surface of the frame to opposing movement of the frame; while the frame is mounted to the first tool, machining the first surface to form attachment features; mounting the machined frame to a second tool which contacts with the frame at only the one or more side edges; and, while the frame is mounted to the second tool, attaching, using the attachment features, to the first and second surfaces, aircraft panels to form an outer skin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying an operational area, the apparatus comprising a headset (10) for placing over a user's eyes, the headset including a viewing device (12) configured to provide to said user, in use, a view of a real-world environment, a display generating device for depicting an operational area, said operational area being defined within said real-world environment and comprising a plurality of functional regions each defining a different one or more selectable functions or operations that can be performed in respect of said operational area, the apparatus being configured to transfer image data from said display generating device into said user's view of said real-world environment at said viewing device to generate an augmented reality environment, the apparatus further comprising a control module (26) including a control device (28) configured to be selectively communicably coupled to all of said functional regions to enable a user to selectively perform the respective one or more fun

Abstract: A display apparatus and method for displaying an operational area to an operative of a host platform, said operational area being defined within an external real-world environment relative to said host platform, the apparatus comprising a viewing device (12) configured to provide to said operative, in use, a three-dimensional view of said external real-world environment; a display generating device for creating images at the viewing device, a user input (33) configured to receive user input data (35) representative of a specified target or region in respect of which an operation is to be performed, and thereby defining an initial geometric volume for the operational area, said user input data including data representative of the location within said external real-world environment of said specified target or region and data representative of said operation to be performed in respect thereof; and a processor (32) configured to: use said user input data to generate or obtain three-dimensional image data represe

Abstract: Techniques are provided for a laser designation verification device and a method of laser designation verification using the device. The laser designation verification device includes: a lens to sense a first reflection, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target; an electronic processing element to decode the sensed first reflection into a first code; and a portable electronic annunciator to provide identification of the first target to an operator of the device based on the decoded first reflection. The method includes: sensing a first reflection using the lens, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target; decoding the sensed first reflection into a first code using the processing element; and providing, by the annunciator to an operator of the device, identification of the first target based on the decoded first reflection.

Abstract: Methodology for calibrating a rotating mirror system includes: measuring a normal of a first fiducial of the mirror system; measuring vectors to a second fiducial of the mirror system, each vector being measured at a different angle of rotation about an azimuth axis of rotation of the mirror system; calculating the azimuth axis of rotation using the measured vectors; creating a base coordinate system from the measured first fiducial normal and the calculated azimuth axis of rotation; and for each of a first mirror and a second mirror of the mirror system, measuring normals of the mirror at multiple angles of rotation, calculating an axis of rotation of the mirror using the measured normals, creating a mirror coordinate system from the measured normals and the calculated axis of rotation of the mirror, and calculating a translation and rotation matrix from the mirror coordinate system to the base coordinate system.

Abstract: A system for lossless compression of high frame rate imagery includes at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon that, when executed by at least one processor, implement operations to compress high frame rate imagery in a lossless manner, the at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium including: logic to encode frame deltas to decrease pixel dynamic range; logic to localize frame deltas; and logic to encode subframes with lookback history to further decrease pixel dynamic range for temporary obstructions.

Abstract: A clock distribution and alignment system includes at least three clock generators, each including a clock receiver circuit to receive a first clock signal having a first frequency, and a clock divider circuit to divide the received first clock signal into a second clock signal having a second frequency lower than the first frequency, each of two or more of the clock generators further including a phase detector circuit to compare the phase of the second clock signal with the phase of the second clock signal for a next one of the clock generators, and a clock adjuster circuit to adjust the phase of the received first clock signal based on the compared phases of the second clock signals. In some cases, the clock adjuster circuit is further to align the phases of the second clock signals to within a predefined tolerance of each other.

Abstract: A system and method for generating high-resolution imagery using electromagnetic signals includes a moveable vehicle and a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar system carried by the vehicle. The MIMO radar system includes an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements. One or more of the antenna elements transmits electromagnetic signals towards a target area and one or more of the antenna elements receives back-scattered electromagnetic signals reflected from the target area. The system generates high-resolution three-dimensional imagery based on back-scattered electromagnetic signal data with system performance characterized by: (a) down range resolution ?R; (b) cross-range resolution ?X; and (c) vertical resolution ?H. The system exploits effective synthetic apertures to improve cross-range resolution ?X and vertical resolution ?H based on, at least in part, the movement of the vehicle along the trajectory and a width and height of the antenna array relative to the target area.

Abstract: An MCM-HIC device flexibly adds enhanced features to a VLSI “core” IC that are not directly supported by the core IC, such as unsupported communication protocols and/or support of cold spare operation. The core IC is mounted on an interconnecting substrate together with at least one “chiplet” that provides the required feature(s). The chiplet can be programmable. The chiplet can straddle a boundary of an interposer region of the substrate that provides higher density interconnections at lower currents. The disclosed method can include selecting a core IC and at least one active, passive, or “mixed” chiplet, configuring a substrate, and installing the core IC and chiplet(s) on the substrate. In embodiments, the core IC and/or chiplet(s) can be modified before assembly to obtain the desired result. Cost can be reduced by pre-designing and, in embodiments, pre-manufacturing the chiplets and modified core ICs in cost-effective quantities.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of geolocating a target includes: receiving, from a plurality of sources, a corresponding plurality of angle estimates of the target relative to the respective sources; generating a corresponding plurality of planar renditions of the received angle estimates; selecting a combination of two or more planar renditions whose intersection defines a polygon; in response to multiple such combinations, selecting one having a largest number of planar renditions; and determining a center of the polygon of the selected combination.

Abstract: A system and method for using an embedded microprocessor in an RF amplifier. The use of an embedded microprocessor avoids manual calibration. The Microprocessor collects initial amplifier performance data based on a set of parameters and calculates the needed corrections. The microprocessor can change levels within the circuit to achieve those operating points. The embedded microprocessor sets voltage levels with internal circuitry and communicates this information externally through a serial communication port, or the like, to allow a user to communicate with and look at the amplifier data and readjust the internal bias levels, as needed. Thus, the internal microprocessor provides for calibration, self-testing, and monitoring of the RF amplifier and also functions as an in situ bias and temperature compensation controller for use in the presence of temperature variation and provides bias sequencing control to protect against improper applied timing of voltage inputs to the amplifier.

Abstract: An auto-ICAS compliant system and method of avoiding collisions between aircraft linked by a Link 16 network comprises establishing an ICAS datalink between aircraft less than 10 nautical miles apart. Datalink messages generated and processed by ICAS datalink modules are transmitted and received by Link 16 receivers rather than dedicated ICAS transceivers. The datalink messages are embedded within the propagation delay portions of Link 16 timeslots and exchanged among up to 10 nearby aircraft at a data rate of up to 20 Hz each. Because each Link 16 timeslot can contain a Link 16 message and two 768-bit ICAS datalink messages, conventional Link 16 communication is not impeded. Datalink messages can be software encrypted. Link 16 messages can be encoded using an enhanced throughput Link 16 protocol that includes fewer preamble pulses and/or eliminates STN information. Embedded datalink messages can be transmitted at 1 Watt by a MIDS-JTRS CMN4.

Abstract: A guiding kit for guiding a projectile to a target comprises a front part and a rear part. The front part and the rear part are rotatably connected to each other to enable relative rotation about a common central longitudinal axis of rotation. The front part comprises a front transceiver (T/X) unit that is disposed next to the rear end of the front part and coinciding with the longitudinal central axis of rotation and adapted to transmit signals towards the rear part. A rear transceiver unit is disposed against the front transceiver unit and adapted to communicate with front transceiver unit when the front part and the rear part are rotating with respect to each other.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for transmitting a secure message over a public or untrusted network. The techniques include receiving a message and creating multiple hash values of the message. A sending device signs and encrypts the message and hash values, then encapsulates and transmits to the message and hash values a security server. The security server receives and de-encapsulates the message and hash values, decrypts the message and hash values, and verifies the signature. The security server verifies the hash values and determines whether any changes were made to the message during transmission. If verified, the security server processes the message for transmission to the recipient. The security server creates multiple hash values of the original message, signs and encrypts the message and the hash values, encapsulates the message and hash values and transmits to a recipient device for further verification and presentation to the recipient.

Abstract: A method of operating switched capacitor filter integration circuits by pre-charging a final filter capacitor thereof with the final full voltage gain value during a first subframe to obtain an enhanced signal to noise ratio without changes to the circuit or components thereof.

Abstract: A dynamic differential amplifier includes: gain transistors to drive with differential input voltage levels; sample capacitors having first terminals to ramp from an initial voltage level to differential amplified voltage levels of the input voltage levels in response to the driven gain transistors; and adjustment circuits to adjust the amplified voltage levels in the direction of the initial voltage level by an offset voltage level. In some cases, second terminals of the sample capacitors are a common-mode node to maintain a common-mode voltage level midway between the ramping voltage levels of the first terminals. In some cases, the dynamic differential amplifier further includes a comparison circuit to compare the maintained common-mode voltage level to a threshold voltage level, wherein the first terminals of the sample capacitors stop ramping and the adjustment circuits adjust the amplified voltage levels in response to the compared common-mode voltage level reaching the threshold voltage level.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having a controllable switch that enables a DC link to be operated independent from an energy storage system (ESS) is provided. The ESS is selectively couplable to the DC link via the controllable switch. A processor is configured to control the switch to open and close under certain conditions. When the switch is opened, the processor is configured to instruct an engine controller to cause an engine which is coupled to a generator to boost engine output. The generator is coupled to a generator inverter which is also coupled to the DC link. A motor inverter is also coupled to the DC link and is configured to provide AC power to the motor.

Abstract: A system for securely customizing a computing environment based on cryptographic protections includes providing a key device; bringing the key device proximate to a computing environment (510); beginning an authentication protocol when the user approaches the environment with the device; validating user to the key device (520); comparing certificates (525); unlocking/regenerating a device split key (530); if authentication of certificates is not valid, log & return (540); if it is valid, a full key is generated on the computing environment in volatile memory, and the full key unlocks personal settings on the computing environment (545). Using the computing environment with the personal settings (550); disconnecting (555); and logging activity (560). The device can be a smart phone. Bringing the key proximate to a computing environment (510) can initiate Bluetooth or other near field communications. Initial steps can include enrolling the key (505). The environment can be a vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic warfare asset management system allows for pre-mission planning and ranking of emitter targets within a theater of operations while further allowing real-time adjustments to the emitter rankings. The asset management system may further evaluate and optimize asset architecture to allow multiple assets to work in parallel to increase the probability of intercept for any specific target emitter.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for multi-hop security amplification. The techniques disclosed provide multi-hop security amplification by applying a secret sharing scheme to data as the data is routed within a network to an intended recipient device. In an embodiment, a sending device divides the data into shares based on a secret sharing scheme, and sends the shares to respective network nodes in a network. These network nodes then divide their respective shares into lower-level shares based on the secret sharing scheme, and route the lower-level shares to downstream network nodes for further routing to the intended recipient device. The intended recipient device receives some or all of the lower-level shares and reconstructs the data from the received lower-level shares. In an embodiment, the secret sharing scheme is a threshold-based secret sharing scheme, such as Shamir's secret sharing scheme.