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: A data storage and retrieval system for a computer memory for maintaining a database for product life cycle support (PLCS database). A computer system receives data exchange packets comprising data fields and populated with data according to different respective database schema and selects optimal data from amongst the packets. A master data exchange packet is formed comprising common field headers and the optimal data in data fields of the master data exchange packet. The system maps the common field headers to corresponding field headers of the PLCS database schema, and loads the optimal data of the master data exchange packet into the PLCS database according to the mapped PLCS field headers.

Abstract: An angle only (AO) target state estimation (TSE) system and method using a mixed coordinate system (Modified Spherical Coordinate (MSC) and Reference Cartesian Coordinate (RCC)) as an integrated system. This integrated system is achieved due to the state vector information of two frames (RCC and MSC) is effectively preserved between processing cycles and state vector transformation steps. The AO TSE architecture and processing schemes are applicable to a wide class of passive sensors. The mixed coordinate system provides robust real-time slant range estimation in a bootstrap fashion, thus turning passive AO measurements into equivalent active sensor measurements with built-in recursive range information but with greatly improved the TSE accuracy meeting the miss distance required by many engagement missions.

Abstract: Poor BSE estimation accuracy resulting from conventional Extended Kalman Filtering (EKF) approaches using RF OI sensors mounted on the ground as a remote bullet tracking sensor motivated the design and development of the present disclosure. The observer based BSE removes EKF process noise (state noise) and measurement noise (OI sensor noise) covariance matrices selection and tuning which have been long recognized by the estimation community as a time consuming process during the design stage; requires no consideration of interactions when having the control input signal as part of the state propagation equation; and provides a significant improvement in velocity estimation accuracy, in some cases to less than 1 m/s errors in all axes, thereby meeting the miss distance requirement with amble margin.

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: The system and method non-linear optical mapping of a detector array to expand the field of view. Outer edges of the sensor array having lower resolution spatial resolution in exchange for an expanded field of view. A lens is used to distort incoming signals to provide the expanded field of view and a processor is used to remove the distortion to provide the actual spatial angles for the incoming signals suing a look up table or an algorithm. The lens may create radial or linear distortion.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a database for product life cycle support (PLCS database), the method comprising receiving from a first client apparatus a first communication containing an input data item for entry in the PLCS database and a first identifier identifying the input data item; correlating the first identifier with a data field used in the PLCS database amongst all data fields used in the PLCS database thereby identifying a correlated data field of the PLCS database to be associated with the input data item; searching the PLCS database to access an entry therein associated with the correlated data field; updating the entry of the PLCS database according to the input data item; re-correlating said correlated data field of the PLCS database with a second identifier associated with a second client apparatus; outputting to the second client apparatus a second communication containing an output data item according to the updated PLCS database entry which includes said second identifier identifying the

Abstract: A method for providing access to a database for product life cycle support (PLCS database), the method comprising receiving from a client apparatus an input data item including heading data identifying the input data item; correlating said heading data with a data field used in the PLCS database amongst all data fields used in the PLCS database thereby identifying a correlated entry in the PLCS database to be associated with the input data item; searching the PLCS database using said correlated entry; retrieving one or more data elements from the PLCS database according to said search; outputting to the client apparatus a return data item which includes said heading data identifying the return data item and which includes said retrieved data elements(s).

Abstract: A system and method for a bistatic coherent LIDAR system with lasers locked to a reference. Utilizing atomic absorption lines to lock the frequency for the bistatic system provides an absolute reference, as each of the lasers in the bistatic system would have the same frequency to within the linewidth of the frequency reference. Each laser may also be additionally locked to an optical cavity for increased frequency stability. Not only does such a system provide essentially an infinite aperture, it also reduces laser power requirements because the detector platforms could be much closer to the target than the platform that contains the laser.

Abstract: The system and method of detecting targets using a camera comprising narrow band filters in a compact pixel cluster arrangement. In some cases, the target is a chemical target. In some cases, the target is a naval target and the processing of the data provides extent, shape, direction and other characteristics that can provide details about the type of naval target even in dark or low light conditions.

Abstract: An integrated architecture and its associated sensors and processing software subsystems are defined and developed allowing a conventional unguided bullet to be transformed into a guided bullet without the use of an on-board inertial measurement unit (IMU). Some important SW components of the present disclosure include a target state estimator (TSE); a bullet state estimator (BSE); Multi-Object Tracking and Data Association; NTS GL; and a Data Link. Pre-conversion of two angles and range information of an OI sensor from spherical coordinates into Cartesian coordinates eliminates the Jacobian dependency in the H matrix for the BSE, thus increasing the miss distance performance accuracy of the bullet target engagement system.

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: Apparatus and method for field-sequential colour display of a colour image comprising a combination of three component images each representing a respective one of three different component colours of the image. Sequentially, the following steps are performed within a common display frame period. A first component image is displayed using the first component colour. Separately, the second component image is displayed using the second component colour without either of the first component colour and the third component colour. This displays the second component image as a second colour. Separately, the third component image is displayed using the third component colour simultaneously with the second component colour without the first component colour thereby to display the third component image as a resultant colour.

Abstract: Fuse system for a projectile for a ranged weapon, the fuse system comprising: a plurality of magnetic field sensors, each sensor being arranged to provide a signal that changes in response to a relative change in position and/or orientation between the system and the Earth's magnetic field, and wherein each sensor has a different alignment in terms of magnetic field sensitivity, and a controller arranged to receive one or more signals from the plurality of magnetic field sensors, and to activate a fuse of the projectile depending on the received one or more signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fastening panels to a substrate, and a fastener, accordingly there is a method of fastening a panel to a substrate, comprising the steps of i. providing on the substrate a first projection, ii. attaching a fastener which comprises an elongate projection, to said first projection, wherein said fastener comprises an elongate projection, wherein the elongate projection is longer than said first projection, iii.

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.

Abstract: A projection apparatus comprising a prism assembly 7 including an input sub-prism 1 possessing a first interface surface and an output sub-prism 2 adjacent to the input sub-prism possessing a second interface surface. The second interface surface is spaced from the first interface surface immediately proximate to it and extends over it to receive display light 12 transmitted through the first interface surface. A panel 8 comprising a plurality of selectively adjustable reflecting elements is arranged to receive from the input sub-prism an illumination light totally internally reflected from the first interface surface and selectively to reflect received illumination light back through the input sub-prism for transmission through the first interface surface for receipt as display light 13 by the output prism at said second interface surface.