Abstract: A symbol epoch tracking circuit and method for a Continuous Phase Modulation (CPM) receiver. A phase tracking circuit performs carrier phase tacking with little extra computation for a Viterbi decoder and has an excellent tracking performance. The method can be used in CPM demodulators employing a Viterbi algorithm for data detection.

Abstract: A method and system to create an ultra wideband (UWB) signal are disclosed. The UWB signal comprises a carrier frequency with each cycle reversing in phase. The UWB signal is generated from a limited number of high power narrow band amplifiers. Each amplifier's output signal is combined to produce the desired UWB signal. The combination may occur in a combiner network or in free space.

Abstract: A method of making heat engine components, such as rocket nozzle throats, includes forming a body having at least one surface, wherein the body is made of a refractory metal, and compressing a ceramic powder between a die and the at least one surface of the body, with sufficient heat and pressure to densify and thus form a solid ceramic coating on the at least one surface of the body. Nozzle throats made according to the invention have bodies made of refractory metals, such as tantalum, and ceramic coatings on the inner surfaces of the annular bodies, wherein the ceramic coatings are made of ceramic materials such as tantalum carbides (TaC and Ta2C).

Abstract: A system for distributing radio frequency signals in a wireless communication network that provides an economical method of establishing and then later enhancing network coverage and capacity. The system centrally deploys Base Transceiving System (BTS) equipment and distributes their signals through a fiber network to individual cable microcell integrators (CMI) associated with the individual cell sectors of the system. The CMIs contain filtering equipment that permit them to be assigned in simulcast groups, depending upon the desired network capacity. For example, in an initial build out situation, a large number of CMIs operate at a common carrier frequency, modulation code, and/or code phase. As network demands increases, additional capacity is provided by reprogramming filters and/or signal processors in the CMIs.

Abstract: Interconnections are made through a planar circuit by a monolithic short-circuited transmission path which extends from a circuit portion of the planar circuit to the opposite side. The opposite side is ground sufficiently to remove the short-circuiting plate, thereby separating the previously monolithic conductors, and exposing ends of the separated conductors of the transmission path. Connection is made between the exposed conductors of the transmission path and the registered contacts of a second planar circuit by means of electrically conductive, compliant fuzz buttons. The transmission path may be a coaxial path useful for RF.

Abstract: A singulation mechanism is provided for use in a handling system for mail or other substantially flat articles, the mechanism having a singulation head with a drive mechanism which, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, initially moves an article pressed thereagainst with high acceleration, interrupts the drive to the article for a brief instant and then moves the article again at high acceleration, a take-away mechanism removing the article exiting the head. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, movement at a high acceleration is imparted to the article pressed against the singulation head only when the head is energized and substantially no movement in imparted when the head is not energized.

Abstract: In detail, the system includes at least one first pulley mounted on the first structural member and at least one-second pulley mounted on the second structural member. A cable is attached by one end to the first structural member and wound about the first and second pulleys and is attached by its second end to the second structural member. Preferably there are two or more first and second pulleys with the cable alternately wound between said first and second pulleys with one end of cable attached to the first structural member and the opposite end attached to the second structural member. Thus the cable holds the first and second structural members together. A system to sever the cable is included, which upon actuation will sever the cable allowing the two structural members to separate.

Abstract: A sorting and conveying system has a longitudinally extending conveyor having at least one tilt tray, but preferably a plurality, on the conveyor for diverting selected articles from the conveyor. There is at least one hanger for holding a plurality of bags. A chute extends between the tilt tray and the hanger. A movable bowl diverter has an entrance opening near the top adjacent the chute and an exit opening near the bottom, so that articles diverted from the conveyor will be delivered to the exit opening. Means are provided for moving the bowl diverter so that the exit opening is positioned to deliver a selected article into a selected bag on said hanger. There are a plurality of tilt trays along the conveyor and a plurality of hangers so that a selected article on the conveyor may be delivered from a selected tilt tray to a selected bag. Means are provided for mounting the bowl diverter for rotational movement, and there is a drive for rotating the bowl diverter.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a low noise, high sensitivity position sensing module. Fiber optic tapers are coupled to independent, optically and electrically isolated single element detectors. The detectors are optionally supported within a mounting plate on one side thereof and the fiber optic tapers are coupled to the detectors on the opposite side of the mounting plate. Since single element detectors are used, the active surfaces of the detectors are shielded both optically and electrically from each other. A laser rangefinder can be integrated with the position sensing module.

Abstract: A rocket engine (10) generates a flow of hot propulsion fluid through a nozzle (14N) for generating propulsive thrust along a thrust vector 8. One or more hybrid exhaust gas generators (36,38) have their exhausts (44,54) through the side of the nozzle. Each gas generator includes a fuel grain (46,56) and a source of oxidizer (16,40,50). The fuel grain produces exhaust gas only when oxidizer is provided. The fuel grain is kept hot by either or both (a) direct radiation or conduction from the hot propulsion fluid, or (b) by a trickle of oxidizer. The fuel grain can thus react quickly to a substantial flow of oxidizer. When the thrust vector is to be modified, the appropriate one of the hybrid gas generators receives a flow of oxidizer, and the resulting exhaust gas is injected through the side of the nozzle to disrupt the flow of propulsion fluid and modify the thrust vector.

Abstract: A system for rapidly associating a set of tracks with a set of sensor observations. Look-up tables are formed, with each look-up table being associated with a portion of a geometric surface surrounding the sensor so that the table cells correspond to various directions in free space in which sensor observations may be made. On the edges of each look-up table are overlap boundary rows of cells which contain the same sensor data as cells of the adjacent table. The observations from a sensor are populated into the tables based upon the directional orientation of the observations. Predicted values are calculated for each target object data track, and groups of cells surrounding the predicted values are searched for sensor observation data to match with each track. Having overlap boundary rows for each table which contain redundant data from the edge of the adjacent table allows the search for sensor data to match with a track to be performed within a single table.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and system for controlling turbulence generated by medium passing about a bluff body disposed on a generally planar flow surface. An aft fairing, of a predetermined shape, is disposed on the flow surface in close proximity to the outbound section of the bluff body and a curved vortex fence, of a predetermined shape, is disposed on the flow surface near the front section of the bluff body with a predetermined gap between the vortex fence and the bluff body. In practice, the flow surface is propelled in a forward direction to develop medium flow from the front side of the bluff body to the outboard side of the bluff body. As the medium flows about the bluff body, the curved vortex fence re-directs the flow surface boundary layer in such a manner as to stabilize and strengthen the horse-shoe vortex by trapping it within the gap. The aft fairing stabilizes the downstream-directed legs of the horse-shoe vortex art of the bluff body.

Abstract: A strain gage system for determining state of charge in a battery having a pressure vessel includes a strain gage bridge system mounted on a first cylindrical portion of the pressure vessel. The bridge system has a plurality of active strain gages and no inactive or dummy gages. An electrical output of the strain gage bridge is correlated to a state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: Friction Pull Plug Welding is a solid state repair process for defects up to one inch in length, only requiring single sided tooling, or outside skin line (OSL), for preferred usage on flight hardware. The most prevalent defect associated with Friction Pull Plug Welding (FPPW) was a top side or inside skin line (ISL) lack of bonding. Bonding was not achieved at this location due to the reduction in both frictional heat and welding pressure between the plug and plate at the end of the weld. Thus, in order to eliminate the weld defects and increase the plug strength at the plug ‘top’ a small ‘hat’ section is added to the pull plug for added frictional heating and pressure.

Abstract: A launch vehicle mounting system for use in launching either of first and second launch vehicles having different booster diameters is disclosed. In one embodiment, the launch vehicle mounting system includes a mounting frame and a plurality of arms pivotally interconnectable to the mounting frame for supporting either of the first and second launch vehicles positionable thereon. In particular, the launch vehicle mounting system of the present invention is adapted to support either the first or the second launch vehicle as the arms are at least radially adjustable relative to the mounting frame to at least first and second radial positions corresponding to the booster diameters of the first and second launch vehicles.

Abstract: A method for measuring the effectiveness of a wide-area differential global positioning system by projecting the least-squares error covariance of the space vehicles and ground reference stations through the central control station. Through generation of the differential corrections at the central control station, the space vehicle-ground reference station error covariance is then projected onto the wide-area differential global positioning system user locations. A covariance analysis approach is then used to capture the dependencies of the space vehicle and observability of the space vehicle by the ground reference stations and to the user locations within the wide-area differential global positioning system coverage area.

Abstract: A wideband frequency analyzer and method of performing spectral analysis of a wideband signal is provided. The wideband frequency analyzer includes a first electro-optic modulator, a second electro-optic modulator, and an optical transversal filter. The first electro-optic modulator is operable to modulate an electrical input signal, such as a wideband radio-frequency signal, onto an optical carrier signal to output a modulated optical signal. The second electro-optic modulator is operable to mix the modulated optical signal with an electrical chirp signal to output a chirped modulated optical signal. The optical transversal filter is operable to filter the chirped modulated optical signal to output an electrical output signal. A method of performing spectral analysis of a wideband signal includes the step of modulating the wideband signal onto an optical carrier signal to generate a modulated optical signal.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a low cost and highly accurate precision guided system suitable for use in conventional aircraft launched bombs. The system includes a kit mounted upon the nose of the conventional bomb which replaces the conventional fuse disposed in a fuse well, the kit including guidance electronics controlling a self-contained jet reaction device and GPS P-code receiver electronics. The bombs are readied for discharge by signals broadcast from the aircraft into the bomb bay which transfer initial GPS data and commence operation of a gas generator which powers the jet reaction device.

Abstract: An electro-optical framing camera forward motion compensation (FMC) reconnaissance system comprising a moving shutter and a full frame focal plane array detector is designed to minimize the variation of image motion from a target scene across the focal plane array. The full frame focal plane array, such as a Charge Coupled Device (CCD), is designed to transfer and add the image from pixel to pixel at a predetermined rate of image motion corresponding to the region exposed by the focal plane shutter. The focal plane shutter aperture and velocity are set to predetermined values coordinated with the available illumination. The CCD image transfer rate is set to minimize the smear effects due to image motion in the region of the scene exposed by the focal plane shutter. This rate is variable with line of sight depression angle, aircraft altitude, and aircraft velocity/altitude ratio.

Abstract: A method for making an improved radar absorbing structure which includes forming a stack of layers of elastomeric sheet material, at least one of which supports conductive material, with a layer of dielectric material, shaping the stack, and curing the shaped stack. The stack of layers has a thickness of no more than 0.1″, and may be wrapped about a mandrel or fitted to another forming body to impart a final, complex, shape to the stack, and then cured.