Abstract: Systems and methods for rotating objects that shift the center of gravity of an object, such as a wing assembly, from a position outside the rotation axis area of the object to a position within the rotation axis area of the object. In one example, a material handling system that employs rotatable slings may be used to rotate an object by shifting the suspended center of gravity from a position outside the rotation axis area (i.e., outside the rotatable slings in at least one position of rotation) to a position within the rotation axis area (i.e., between the slings at all positions of rotation). The suspended center of gravity may be shifted using at least one ballast component (or other suitable force-applying device) that exerts a force on the object in a direction and magnitude sufficient to so shift the suspended center of gravity of the object.

Abstract: A low power self-organizing network is made up of a plurality of wireless communication nodes communicating wirelessly with each other. The nodes each have a sensor providing a respective sensor data value indicative of a physical parameter in the environment of that node. The wireless network discontinues communication with any nodes in which the sensor data value is outside a range of network sensor data values. The network is preferably a group of vehicles moving together, especially a train in which each node is associated with a respective wheel of a railroad car. The nodes are low-power devices that communicate using wireless communications according to a Zigbee protocol. The nodes each have an additional sensor sensing a physical parameter the respective wheel thereof and determines from said electrical signal a degree of degradation of a bearing of the wheel, and transmits data of the degree of degradation to the main node.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for enclosed volumes having payloads of electronic or other equipment that are susceptible to failures when overheated. One particularly useful application of the present invention is in a cooling system for a turreted gimbaled system (i.e. a gimbal) that includes electronic and optical equipment typically used for surveillance, but many other applications will become apparent to those skilled in the art after being taught by the present disclosure. According to one aspect of the invention, a cooling system includes a pair of reciprocal openings between a gimbal sphere and yoke allowing for passage of air therethrough and a pair of fans for circulating the air between the sphere and yoke, thereby expanding the surface area available for heated air from the interior to conduct into the exterior air. In another example, a heat exchanger is provided in the yoke to allow further cooling of the circulated air.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for use in a spread spectrum communications system. In particular, in a method of the present invention information useful for acquiring a target signal is selected; the information is incorporated in an acquisition signal; the acquisition signal is transmitted; the target signal is spread with a spreading code; and the target signal is transmitted. At a receiving node, the acquisition information useful for acquiring the target signal is recovered from the acquisition signal and used to acquire the target signal. Apparatus in accordance with the present invention implement methods of the present invention. The methods and apparatus of the present invention can be used in node- and network-discovery situations.

Abstract: A demodulator, suitable for use in a communication system and in a modem, has a block polyphase circuit with circuit blocks for different signal processing functions, particularly filtering, delay, and frequency conversion. The circuit blocks are arranged for parallel processing of different portions of an input sequence of signals. Signals of the input sequence to be filtered are divided among the blocks by a demultiplexer for processing at a clock frequency lower than a clock frequency of the input signal sequence. Signals outputted by groups of the circuit blocks are summed to produce an output signal of the group. Output signals of all of the groups are multiplexed to provide an output signal sequence such that the repetition frequency of the outputted signals may be higher, lower, or equal to that of the input signal sequence. This enables use of programmable circuitry operative at reduced clock rates.

Abstract: A system and method for designing a full duplex communications transceiver to enable a reduction in isolation between a transmit signal and a receive signal at a diplexer is disclosed. An RFE transmit filter attenuation level can be determined to be sufficient to attenuate a noise power of the transmitter below a thermal noise floor of the power amplifier. A minimum diplexer transmit filter attenuation level can be calculated to attenuate noise power output from the power amplifier in the receive band to a level below a noise floor of the receiver.

Abstract: A method and system includes at least one interconnect hub, connecting the at least one interconnect hub to a plurality of audio connection devices to form a network of audio connection devices with the interconnect hub at the center of the ring. The audio connection devices are connected to each other through the at least one interconnect hub, and data is synchronously transmitted between at least two of the audio connection devices through the at least one interconnect hub.

Abstract: An input circuit of a microwave amplification tube achieves improved instantaneous bandwidth. By directly coupling the transmission line carrying a modulating radio frequency signal to a control grid, a low-Q input circuit is created that increases the fractional bandwidth of the system. A resonant cavity may be used to generate a voltage across the gap between the cathode and the control grid. Alternative geometries are presented whereby the electron beam is emitted from a cathode connected either to the center conductor of the transmission line or to the outer conductor of the transmission line. Alternatively, the electric field of the radio-frequency signal propagating through the transmission line may be used to create a voltage across the gap between the cathode and the control grid without using a resonant cavity. Likewise, alternative geometries are presented by which the electron beam is emitted from a cathode connected either to the center conductor or to the outer conductor of the transmission line.

Abstract: Application Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) devices, such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (“FPGAs”), may be interconnected using serial I/O connections, such as high speed multi-gigabit serial transceiver (“MGT”) connections. For example, serial I/O connections may be employed to interconnect a pair of ASICs to create a high bandwidth, low signal count connection, and in a manner so that any given pair of multiple ASIC devices on a single circuit card may communicate with each other through no more than one serial data communication link connection step. A reconfigurable hardware architecture (“RHA”) may be configured to include a communications infrastructure that uses a high-bandwidth packet router to establish standard communications protocols between multiple interfaces and/or multiple devices that may be present on a single circuit card. Additionally, a communications infrastructure may be established across multiple circuit cards.

Abstract: A scalable architecture for providing real-time multi-camera distributed video processing and visualization. An exemplary system comprises at least one video capture and storage system for capturing and storing a plurality of input videos, at least one vision based alarm system for detecting and reporting alarm situations or events, and at least one video rendering system (e.g., a video flashlight system) for displaying an alarm situation in a context that speeds up comprehension and response. One advantage of the present architecture is that these systems are all scalable, such that additional sensors (e.g., cameras, motion sensors, infrared sensors, chemical sensors, biological sensors, temperature sensors and like) can be added in large numbers without overwhelming the ability of security forces to comprehend the alarm situation.

Abstract: A flight data recorder includes an enclosure and electronic interface within the enclosure. The electronic interface is coupled for receiving data. A crash survivable memory unit is disposed within the enclosure. The crash survivable memory unit includes a memory module electrically coupled to the electronic interface for storing the data. A locator beacon is disposed within the enclosure or within the crash survivable memory unit. The locator beacon is an acoustic resonator which emits ultrasonic pulses. A battery is disposed within the enclosure or within the crash survivable memory unit for providing operating power to the locator beacon. The battery is rechargeable. The battery status is stored in the memory module. A beacon control circuit is disposed within the enclosure or within the crash survivable memory unit for monitoring the battery. A beacon activation device detects a crash event and notifies the beacon control circuit to activate the locator beacon.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting contraband are described, as are techniques for generating an image of living tissue. A location of interest relative to a target space is received, and a radar signal is transmitted in the direction of the location of interest. Portions of the radar signal are detected with multiple receiving structures. The detected portions are processed to generate information corresponding to dielectric or loss properties, the properties corresponding to particular positions within the target space. A determination is made as to whether contraband is present in the target space based on the determined properties.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a presence and frequency offset of a spread spectrum radio frequency signal is disclosed. The method comprises receiving the spread spectrum radio signal. The signal can be sampled to form a plurality of signal samples. Each signal sample can be multiplied by a complex conjugate of a proximate signal sample to form a plurality of signal sample pairs. The signal sample pairs can be summed over a predetermined dwell time period to form a data vector having a magnitude and angle offset to enable detection of the signal and to enable a frequency offset between the spread spectrum radio frequency signal and a receiver frequency reference to be determined.

Abstract: A trace sampling detection system includes a gathering device configured to gather particles through a handle-bar, a gate and an air-stream gatherer. A collection tube is configured to deposit gathered particles from the gathering device onto a portion of a sample media. A carousel wheel that includes the sample media is configured to rotate the sample wheel such that the portion of the sample media including the gathered particles is presented to an exothermic decomposition detector that detects, through an infrared sensor, the decomposition of the gathered particles.

Abstract: An improved interconnection protocol that is well suited for use in an inspection system or similar modular electronic system. Communication is provided over a network where the electronic modules are nodes, including a root node and multiple remote nodes. The root node and remote nodes are connected through multiple point-to-point synchronous links. The root node and remote nodes are configured to send and receive packets in either a short form or a normal form. Timing between the root node and remote nodes is provided by an external clock distributed by the root node. Each remote node responds to commands with low latency. This protocol allows normal packets to be configured to provide variable payload length, with a maximum payload size that yields a low protocol overhead.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for correlating a signal over a correlation interval while accommodating spreading code frequency offset is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of correlators, where each correlator forms a correlation result corresponding to a unique code frequency offset hypothesis. Each correlator selects samples from a tapped delay line at a tap position moved along the delay line at a rate corresponding to the correlator unique code frequency offset hypothesis.

Abstract: Various novel apparatuses and methods for generating X-rays are disclosed. In some embodiments, for example, an apparatus may be configured and arranged so that, for at least one interception point on a particular portion of a scan path on a surface of a target along which a steering element steers an accelerated electron beam (e-beam), both an angle and its complement between a line corresponding to a direction in which the accelerated e-beam is traveling at the interception point and a line oriented normal to the surface of the target at such interception point are greater than forty five degrees.

Abstract: Infrared detector elements and methods for forming infrared detector elements in which the top metal layer of CMOS circuitry of the detector element is employed as a lead metal reflector for the infrared detector.

Abstract: An angular analysis system that can be controlled to receive radiation at a defined angle from a defined focus region. The angular analysis system is used for level 2 inspection in an explosive detection system. Level 2 inspection is provided by a three-dimensional inspection system that identifies suspicious regions of items under inspection. The angular analysis system is focused to gather radiation scattered at defined angles from the suspicious regions. Focusing may be achieved in multiple dimensions by movement of source and detector assemblies in a plane parallel to a plane holding the item under inspection. Focusing is achieved by independent motion of the source and detector assemblies. This focusing arrangement provides a compact device, providing simple, low cost and accurate operation.

Abstract: A property of a treatment beam is controlled during a scanning period. A portion of a region is exposed to an imaging x-ray beam during a scanning period, the imaging x-ray beam being generated by an electron-beam scanner. X-ray radiation from the region is detected, the x-ray radiation representing an attenuation of the imaging x-ray beam caused by the portion of the region. A first image of the portion of the region is generated based on the detected x-ray radiation. A characteristic of the portion of the region is determined from the generated first image. An input derived from the characteristic is generated, the input configured to cause a source of a treatment beam to modify a property of the treatment beam. The source of the treatment beam modifies a property of the treatment beam during the scanning period by providing the input to the source of the treatment beam.