Abstract: A LIDAR system and a method for operating a LIDAR system are disclosed. The LIDAR system broadly includes a transmitter that that emits a light pulse in response to a launch signal, a receiver that detects light pulses and determines a time of arrival for each detected light pulse; and a controller that generates an ordered sequence of frames. The controller generates a launch signal at the start of each frame and records information specifying a time of arrival relative to the start time for all light pulses received by the receiver until a stop time. After the stop time, the controller waits for the interframe delay time before generating another launch signal. The interframe delay time is different for each frame in the sequence of frames. The controller determines a distance between the transmitter and an object from the recorded information.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to pre-processing images and estimating PSFs for image deblurring in a noise-robust manner. The pre-processing may include iteratively denoising a reference image, iteratively denoising a scene image containing at least one straight edge within the scene image while preserving the at least one straight edge. The pre-processing may include smoothing, subtracting and dividing to provide a pre-processed image. The PSF-estimation process may include generating, with the at least one processor, a first noise value from portions of an edge intensity profile, generating a second noise value from a difference between the edge intensity profile and an integral of the noise-regularized inversion of the integration operator operating on the edge intensity profile and determining a value of a local curvature regularization parameter resulting in the first noise value and the second noise value being within a tolerance range.

Abstract: A liquid storage system comprising: a tank for containing a liquid, the tank enclosing a liquid storage space; and a tank liner fixedly attached to an internal surface of the tank (16). The tank liner comprises: a plurality of elements, each element having a hardness value of 2 GPa or above; and a binder material in which the plurality of elements are embedded. The elements have a higher hardness value than the binder material. A distance between a first element and the internal surface of the tank in a direction normal to the internal surface of the tank is different to a distance between a second element and the internal surface of the tank in the direction normal to the internal surface of the tank, the first element being different to the second element.

Abstract: A system and method for combining the inputs of various sensors used in platforms, primarily those having a military use, having or making use of a number of inputs capable of determining information about an environment in which they are operating. Each input is configured to output a standardized set of information regarding its capabilities and the environment in which it is operating. A correlator is configured to adaptably process the information based on rules contained in at least one changeable correlation matrix and information contained in at least one changeable configuration file. The information, or simply an alert, is provided to at least one output that provides the information to a human operator.

Abstract: An electronic transmitter includes: a modulator to phase modulate a carrier signal with a baseband signal using a phase modulation sequence; and an emitter to emit the phase modulated signal. The phase modulated signal has poor autocorrelation, has a corresponding mismatched filter based on the phase modulation sequence, and is configured to demodulate into the baseband signal through poor cross-correlation with the mismatched filter. Sometimes, the transmitter is part of a sensing apparatus, where the emitter emits the phase modulated signal at a target and the emitted signal reflects off the target. The sensing apparatus includes a receiver that has a collector to collect the reflected signal, and a demodulator to demodulate the collected signal into the baseband signal through the poor cross-correlation with the mismatched filter. Sometimes, the transmitter is part of a communication system, where the emitter emits the phase modulated signal to an intended recipient.

Abstract: A low light level imaging apparatus comprising an image sensor having a plurality of pixels, where the image sensor is configured to readout in an interlaced manner to a display that allows for real-time viewing of image sensor data by a user or users, where some users may be remote from the low light level imaging apparatus, in the form of a video stream.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising: a shift reactor (110) configured to: receive carbon monoxide produced by the vehicle; and process the received carbon monoxide to produce an output comprising hydrogen; and a fuel cell (112) coupled to the shift reactor (110) and configured to: receive the hydrogen from the shift reactor (110); and produce, using the received hydrogen, electricity for use on the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and process for testing and analyzing a laser beam is provided. The system and process allows for repeatable testing of a laser beam to provide a beam intensity profile while accounting for variation in measurements attributable to outside factors. The system and process further allows for simultaneous measurement and analysis of a laser beam having multiple wavelengths.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising: a fuel store (104) configured to store a fuel, the fuel comprising a hydrocarbon; a fuel reformer (108) coupled to the fuel store (104) and configured to: receive an input comprising the hydrocarbon; and process the received input to produce an output comprising hydrogen; and a fuel cell (112) coupled to the fuel reformer (108) and configured to: receive the hydrogen from the fuel reformer (108); and produce, using the received hydrogen, electricity for use on the vehicle.

Abstract: A full duplex dual red/blue wavelength communication architecture and method provides enhanced network configuration flexibility by enabling terminal switching between red and blue configurations, thereby enabling wavelength reconfiguration within the network on command while the terminal is in the field, airborne, or on orbit. A transmit laser module includes separate “red” and “blue” linear polarized lasers, or a single linear polarized laser tunable from red to blue. The transmit/receive diplexer uses a linear polarized beam splitter and a waveplate to transition the output beam between left and right circular polarization without affecting precision pointing, or co-boresight transmit/receive alignment. Waveplate polarization can be switched by physical rotation, or electrically using a liquid crystal variable retarder (LCVR). Red and blue bandpass filters can be selected in the receiver and/or transmitter by physical manipulation, optical switches, DWDM 3-port filters, and/or LCVRs.

Abstract: The system and method for secure optical communication, laser communication, and target designation. The system locks lasers at an absolute frequency reference and uses frequency tuning, frequency hopping, and frequency encoding techniques for optical communications. The system encodes information in the frequency context. An optional notch filter is used on a receiver to reduce “blinding” or saturation by adversaries. The system hops frequencies around an atomic reference. In some cases the system uses a frequency comb and a comb line of the second.

Abstract: A signal routing circuit is disclosed which employs resistive combiners to reduce signal jitter. A signal routing circuit configured according to an embodiment comprises an input stage including a plurality of buffer circuits. Each of the buffer circuits is controlled by a selection signal to enable an input signal at an input port of the buffer circuit to generate an output signal at an output port of the buffer circuit. The signal routing circuit also includes a plurality of resistors to couple the output port of each of the buffer circuits of the input stage to a summing junction. The signal routing circuit further includes an output stage including an additional buffer circuit. The input port of the additional buffer circuit is coupled to the summing junction, and the output port of the additional buffer circuit is configured to provide the routed output signal based on the selection signals.

Abstract: An aircraft wing system and method comprising: an aircraft wing including upper and lower surfaces, and a leading edge between the upper and lower surfaces; a fairing coupled to the leading edge; and actuation means configured to move the fairing relative to the aircraft wing between a stowed position, a first deployed position, and a second deployed position. The stowed position is when the fairing is in contact with the aircraft wing and serves as a continuation of the aircraft wing. The first deployed position is when the fairing is in contact with the aircraft wing and located below the stowed position. The second deployed position is when the fairing is spaced apart from the leading edge to create a gap between the fairing and the leading edge.

Abstract: A triple-balanced radio frequency (RF) mixer including a plurality of double-balanced mixer cells and a plurality of transformers is disclosed. Each of the plurality of transformers includes a primary and a secondary. Each primary is connected in series. Each secondary is connected across one double-balanced mixer cell of said plurality of double-balanced mixer cells. The triple-balanced RF mixer further includes a local oscillator (LO) port coupled to each of the plurality of double-balanced mixer cells in parallel, an output port coupled to each of the plurality of double-balanced mixer cells in parallel, and at least one non-ideality source providing at least one-non-ideality. The at least one non-ideality is cancelled at the output port.

Abstract: A system and method thereof identifies and locates a submarine or other similar object located in the ocean. The thermocline in the water column is utilized to identify objects based on signals carried by the internal wave (IW) in a mixed layer (ML) of water established between a less-dense and/or warmer upper layer of water and a more-dense and/or cooler lower layer of water. The system can detect objects moving in the ML. Additionally, the system detects non-moving objects in the ML based on shadowing and/or scattering effects established by naturally occurring waves contacting the object.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing laser contrast on a remote target utilizing an image processor and a laser power controller is provided. An image processor in an imaging device manipulates a laser power controller in a laser system so that a laser beam emitted from a laser system is ultimately synchronized with the imaging device. Firstly, the original laser signal is shifted one time frame relative to the plurality of time frames to create a shifted laser signal. Secondly, the shifted laser signal is subtracted from the original laser signal. Thirdly, the subtracted laser signal is magnified by a frequency band pass filter. The filtered laser signal is added to the original signal to become the finalized laser signal which has better contrast than the original signal.

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: Disclosed is an aircraft (102) comprising an aircraft avionics system (108) configured to perform one or more functions, and an interface module (110). The interface module (110) is configured to: store, for each function, respective one or more test criteria; receive, from an entity (104) remote from the aircraft avionics system (108), a function request for the aircraft avionics system (108) to perform a certain function; test the certain function against one or more of the stored test criteria corresponding to the certain function; and, responsive to determining that the certain function satisfies all of the test criteria that correspond to the certain function, outputting the function request for use by the aircraft avionics system (108).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for machining a workpiece (2). The method comprises specifying a path along which a cutting tool (6) is moved during machining the workpiece (2), the path comprising segments (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit point on that segment (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit path (38) from the exit point of that segment (26) to a point remote from the workpiece (2); performing a machining process including moving the cutting tool (6) along the tool path and machining the workpiece (2); and, during the machining process, when one or more criteria are satisfied: interrupting the machining process and, without machining the workpiece (2), moving the cutting tool (6) to the exit point of the current segment (26) and then along the exit path (38) of the current segment (26).

Abstract: The invention relates to a tracked vehicle (V1, V2) comprising a vehicle body (20; 120), at least one track assembly (10) and a suspension device (S). Said track assembly (10) is arranged to be supported by said vehicle body (20; 120) by means of said suspension device (S). Said track assembly comprises a track support beam (12) for supporting a plurality of road wheels (16), an endless track (14) being disposed around said road wheels. Said suspension device (S) comprises a leaf spring arrangement (30; 130, 142, 144) having portions transversally arranged relative to the longitudinal extension of the vehicle.