Abstract: Provided are two-dimensional autofocus methods in a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system which include: (1) two-dimensional pulse pair product algorithm including shear PGA, eigenvector phase history (“EPH”), shear PGA/EPH); (2) two-dimensional optimization algorithms including parametric one-dimensional estimate/two-dimensional correction, parametric two dimensional estimate/two-dimensional correction, unconstrained two-dimensional nonparametric and constrained two-dimensional nonparametric methods; (3) a two-dimensional geometry filter algorithm; (4) a two-dimensional prominent point processing algorithm; (5) a one-dimensional phase estimate of higher order two dimensional phase errors; and, (6) a fast SHARP parametric autofocus algorithm.

Abstract: A mounted polarizer and corresponding assembly method is provided. The mounted polarizer includes a substrate, and a polarizer with a plurality of parallel wires mounted on a supporting base. An epoxy binds the polarizer to the substrate, such that the plurality of parallel wires is mounted between the substrate and the supporting base, and the epoxy is in direct contact with the plurality of wires. The substrate, the epoxy and the supporting base all have a substantially matching refractive index. The mounted polarizer substantially transmits one polarization of light, and substantially blocks transmission of another polarization of light.

Abstract: A system and method of implementing quantum key distribution are provided that possess increased data rates and enhanced security. These increased data rates are provided through the use of biphotons. Through encoding bits of information on the intra-biphoton delay time and enabling separate polarization bases for each of the photons comprising each biphoton, the system and method increase data bandwidth available for quantum key distribution.

Abstract: A method of determining a distance to an object is presented. A first photon and a second photon are simultaneously generated. The first photon is reflected off an object. The second photon is directed to an optical cavity. An arrival of the first photon is correlated with an arrival of the second photon, and the distance to the object is at least partially determined using the correlation.

Abstract: A connector system is provided. The system includes a substantially circular interconnecting hub, and a plurality of circuit board bays configured substantially radially around the substantially circular interconnecting hub. Each circuit board bay has a plurality of aligned connectors configured to receive a circuit board. The interconnecting circuit hub has, for each individual circuit board bay, a direct data pathway connecting the individual circuit board bay to all remaining circuit board bays of the plurality of circuit board bays. Each of the plurality of circuit board bays can directly communicate through the interconnecting hub with each of the remaining circuit boards bays.

Abstract: A system for connecting circuit boards is provided. A plurality of overlapping spaced apart circuit boards have a plurality of conductive pins passing through holes in the circuit boards. A connector includes a flexible sheet insulator and a plurality of conductive surfaces separated and supported by the flexible insulator. At least one of the conductive surfaces has a hole there through and a bent compliant lead extending there from. The hole engages one of the pins, and the complaint lead connects to one of the circuit boards.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods for filling holes in printed wiring boards and printed wiring boards produced by these methods. The methods involve plating metal conductors inside the holes of the printed wiring boards while protecting the conducting surfaces of the printed wiring boards from being plated using photoresist film. The side surfaces of a printed wiring board are covered with photoresist. The photoresist is exposed to developing light, except the photoresist covering the holes on one side of the board is masked to prevent exposure of the holes to the developing light. The undeveloped photoresist covering the holes is removed. The board is subjected to a plating process, which deposits conductive materials in the holes, but the photoresist on the conducting surfaces of the board prevents conductive materials to be plated on the surfaces of the board.

Abstract: A digital demodulation method for a quadrature amplitude modulated signal uses a phase locked loop to generate a local carrier signal. The phase locked loop uses a feedback signal derived from one or more demodulated signals of interest. The loop has a filter characteristic with a stop band within the information bandwidth(s) of the information signal(s). The preferred method generates an error signal from DC components of in-phase and quadrature-phase baseband signals. DC components are preferably isolated using a low-latency, AC rejection filter.

Abstract: A method of and architecture for controlling board elements in an orthogonal system architecture is provided. The method and architecture preferably utilize an internal bus architecture between control boards, such that a first control board can access board elements in its stack via I/O on a second control board and the second control board can access board elements in its stack via I/O on the first control board. Most preferably the internal bus architecture is a HyperTransport bus architecture.

Abstract: A Process Automation System and accompanying method provides for the automated or semi-automated creation of workflow management procedures having an arbitrary number of tasks to be performed manually or via computer automation in specified sequences. Workflows are automatically or in a semi-automatic generated by prompting the user with valid choices. After creating the workflow, the system then acts as the executive for execution; initiating tasks, tracking status, and managing intermediate and final products. The capability is provided to define new products and tasks for the system via a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system for configuring programmable logic devices includes a serial data bus, a first device to fan-out data signals on the serial data bus, a second device to fan-in data signals on the serial data bus, and a control device that uses the first device and the second device to configure the serial data bus. The system configures a set of programmable logic devices by using the control device to configure the serial data bus such that the set of programmable logic devices are in communication with the serial data bus, and by sending configuration information to the set of programmable logic devices. A method for configuring programmable logic devices includes configuring a first programmable logic device such that the first programmable logic device includes signaling logic to fan-out configuration information, and using the first programmable logic device to configure at least two secondary programmable logic devices in parallel using the signaling logic to fan-out configuration information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for problem solving using intelligent agents. The intelligent agents may be embodied as processor-readable software code stored on a processor-readable medium. The intelligent agents may include a brain agent to parse the input and direct the parsed input query to other intelligent agents within the system. The apparatus and method may use, for example, a personality agent, a language agent, a knowledge agent, a mood agent, a visual agent, sound agent, a tactile agent, and a smell/taste agent and various connectors to external data sources or other intelligent systems to interpret questions and provide responses back to the user. The apparatus and method may further parse questions in a conceptual manner. The apparatus and method may further optimize its system performance by evolving with and reacting to specific user interactions. Thus, the present invention may be configured to receive a human question and to output a human answer.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of detecting gravitational acceleration and gravity gradients are disclosed. The systems and methods include gravity gradiometers whose axes are substantially horizontal. In comparison with prior art systems, the systems presently disclosed provide one or both of more accurate measurements for the same amount of space, and smaller space requirements with the same or better accuracy.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a trusted interface unit and a method of making and using the same. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of transmitting data on a network may include receiving data from a partition within a node on the network. This node may be configured to transmit data associated with a number of sensitivity levels. According to one embodiment of the invention, these sensitivity levels may be classification levels. One method of transmission of data may include determining the identity of the partition that originated the data within the node. Furthermore, a label may be added to the data received from within the node and the data may be encrypted with a key that may be uniquely associated with the label on the data. After encryption, the data may be transmitted on the network. Additional methods including the reception of data are disclosed. Various node and network architectures are disclosed implementing the methods and apparatus of the present invention.

Abstract: A system for configuring programmable logic devices includes a serial data bus, a first device to fan-out data signals on the serial data bus, a second device to fan-in data signals on the serial data bus, and a control device that uses the first device and the second device to configure the serial data bus. The system configures a set of programmable logic devices by using the control device to configure the serial data bus such that the set of programmable logic devices are in communication with the serial data bus, and by sending configuration information to the set of programmable logic devices. A method for configuring programmable logic devices includes configuring a first programmable logic device such that the first programmable logic device includes signaling logic to fan-out configuration information, and using the first programmable logic device to configure at least two secondary programmable logic devices in parallel using the signaling logic to fan-out configuration information.

Abstract: A system for and method of processing complex signals encoded into quantum states is presented. According to an embodiment of the invention, polarized components of a pump laser beam are separated and respectively modulated with first and second signals. The modulated polarized components are directed to adjacent non-linear crystals with optical axes aligned at right angles to each-other. Information regarding at least one of the first and second signals is then derived from measurements of coincidence events.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compliant leaded interposer for resiliently attaching and electrically connecting a ball grid array package to a circuit board. The interposer may include a substrate, a plurality of pads, and a plurality of pins. The plurality of pads may be positioned substantially on the top surface of the substrate and arranged in a predetermined pattern substantially corresponding to the solder ball pattern on the ball grid array package. The plurality of pins may be positioned substantially perpendicular to the substrate and may extend through the substrate and the plurality of pads. The interposer may be configured to attach the ball grid array package to the circuit board such that each of the solder balls on the ball grid array package contacts at least a portion the plurality of pins and at least a portion of the plurality of pads and such that the each of the plurality of pins also connects to a contact on the circuit board.

Abstract: Provided are two-dimensional autofocus methods in a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system which include: (1) two-dimensional pulse pair product algorithm including shear PGA, eigenvector phase history (“EPH”), shear PGA/EPH); (2) two-dimensional optimization algorithms including parametric one-dimensional estimate/two-dimensional correction, parametric two dimensional estimate/two-dimensional correction, unconstrained two-dimensional nonparametric and constrained two-dimensional nonparametric methods; (3) a two-dimensional geometry filter algorithm; (4) a two-dimensional prominent point processing algorithm; (5) a one-dimensional phase estimate of higher order two dimensional phase errors; and, (6) a fast SHARP parametric autofocus algorithm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for real-time in-line encryption of data transmitted over a serial channel from a source device to a target device. An encryption unit includes logic configured to receive data packets including headers with control information and data on the channel, which may be a fiber channel bus, serial ATA, serial SCSI, USB or the like. The encryption unit encrypts the data and passes the control information to the target device along with the encrypted data. The encryption unit may filter, convert or reject predetermined commands or types of information in the header to prevent covert channel transmissions. There may be one or multiple source devices, e.g. host computers, and one or multiple target devices, e.g. storage systems, configured in a variety of network topologies. The encryption unit also decrypts data and remaps control information transmitted from the target device(s) to the source device(s).

Abstract: Software code may include code to receive a first request associated with a discrete problem that is broadcast over a network of cobots. The request may be accepted based on the discrete problem to be solved. The code may also include code to determine whether a utility function associated with the plan to solve the discrete problem meets a threshold. The plan may include a plurality of steps. A report including information related to the chosen plan may be sent to the requesting cobot. Information related to the plan may include information such as the forecasted outcome of the plan. The cobot may then receive permission to implement the chosen plan. The plan may be implemented before any subplans are known or are determined to be possible. In the event that a subplan is required to carry out the plan, then a second request may be broadcast to a plurality of other cobots in the network.