Abstract: Monitoring systems, sensor nodes, and methods of operating a system for monitoring one or more operating conditions of a structure, are provided. An exemplary monitoring system includes one or more sensor nodes each including a power supply, a sensor configured to sense whether or not the power level of the power supply, and a communications interlace for communicating sensed operating conditions. The system also includes a controller in communication with the sensor nodes through a communication network to monitor the sensor nodes.

Abstract: An inlet for removal of a boundary layer from an incoming air flow of an engine is disclosed. The inlet includes at least one compression element proximate to an inlet aperture of the engine. The compression element is selectably moveable between a first position and a second position along an axis. A boundary layer removal aperture is open when the compression element is in the first position and the boundary layer removal aperture is closed when the compression element is in the second position.

Abstract: A vacuum-forming system for deforming a forming blank is disclosed. The system includes a tool and at least one regulator bag disposed adjacent to the tool. The regulator bag includes a sealed bag having an exterior and an interior and a first volume and a defined passage from the interior to the exterior of the regulator bag. The passage is configured such that the regulator bag has a rate of deflation wherein the sealed bag will deflate from the first volume to a second volume over a determined period of time while the exterior of the sealed bag is at a determined reduced pressure. The system also includes a vacuum membrane coupled to the tool, the membrane configured to form a vacuum space enclosing the forming blank and the at least one regulator bag.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a network interface device for use in an electronic device. The network interface device includes multiple systems and can be configured to perform multiple levels of security functions. In an example, the network interface device includes a first system and a second system. The first system includes a first interface configured to couple the first system with a host system of the electronic device, a second interface configured to couple the first system with an external electronic device, and first integrated circuits configured to monitor and filter traffic flowing between the external electronic device and the host system of the electronic device. The second system includes second integrated circuits. The network interface device also includes a communication channel between the first system and the second system. The second system is configured to send control information to and receive status information from the first system via the communication channel.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for remote actuation of control panel components in an environment that restricts human access is contemplated. The actuator assembly includes one or more remotely controllable linear drive mechanisms for imparting a rotation motion on one or more cams to remotely press a control panel component such as a button or switch. While disengaged, the cams are rotated to a position where they minimally obstruct an operator's view. The actuator assembly also allows the force and throw of actuation to be accurately controlled.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an augmentation apparatus, program product, and methods for providing updated mission control data to an embedded control system of an aircraft or other vehicle. This augmentation can include a mission system interface unit, a user interface unit, and a display unit. The mission system interface unit can interface with the embedded control system and can exchange data and control signals with the embedded control system. The user interface unit can couple to the mission system interface unit and the display unit to provide a user a direct interface with embedded control system and to supplement the displays of the embedded control system.

Abstract: A method is provided for accurately determining the registration for a moving vehicle over a number of frames so that the vehicle can be super-resolved. Instead of causing artifacts in a super-resolved image, the moving vehicle can be specifically registered and super-resolved individually. This method is very accurate, as it uses a mathematical model that captures motion with a minimal number of parameters and uses all available image information to solve for those parameters. Methods are provided that implement the vehicle registration algorithm and super-resolve moving vehicles using the resulting vehicle registration. One advantage of this system is that better images of moving vehicles can be created without requiring costly new aerial surveillance equipment.

Abstract: A method for commanding an attitude change of a boosting missile to tend to maintain good communication link quality includes the step of precalculating attenuation of a link between the boosting missile and a ground station in the presence and absence of multiple missile plumes. If the actual link attenuation is less than the precalculated attenuation in the absence of multiple missile plumes, no attitude change is commanded. If the actual link attenuation exceeds the precalculated value, the actual link attenuation is compared with the calculated attenuation in the presence of multiple missile plumes. If the calculated multiple plume RF attenuation is less than the actual link attenuation, the attenuation is deemed to be caused by some factor other than multiple plume attenuation, and produces a flag for commanding a change in attitude.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for ranging. The method includes receiving by a ranging apparatus a first ranging signal transmitted from a first remote apparatus. The first ranging signal includes a first digital sequence that is a logic combination of a first group of co-prime component codes having co-prime cycle lengths. Further, the method includes detecting first component shifts of the first digital sequence corresponding to the first group of co-prime component codes, and determining a first ranging code shift of the first digital sequence based on the first component shifts.

Abstract: A reserve activated lithium ion battery is provided with a number of safety features designed to prevent a thermal run-away condition. The reserve activated battery may include a non-flammable electrolyte, a phosphate-based cathode, an anode with a non-fluorinated binder, and/or a solid electrolyte interface on the anode.

Abstract: A system or method of verifying a new contact position of a multi-pole electro-mechanical switch having a plurality of contact positions is disclosed. The switch is caused to move to a new contact position. Power is provided to at least one light transmitter to cause the at least one light transmitter to transmit light toward a light reflective portion. A particular light detector among a plurality of light detectors that has received light from the light reflective portion is identified. The new contact position is verified based on the identification.

Abstract: A method for engaging a target missile includes sensing the position of the target and of an interceptor missile, and determining time-to-go to intercept and direction of thrust of the interceptor. A one-step intercept solution is determined based on position estimates of the target and the interceptor and is used to iteratively estimate at least two components of a three-dimensional unit thrust vector, and apply updated guidance commands to the interceptor. A system for thrust vector control of an interceptor against a target missile includes a processor for receiving sensed target signals, determining a one-step initial solution to produce time-to-go and current direction of thrust of the interceptor, iteratively estimating at least two components of a three-dimensional unit thrust vector, and producing a guidance vector for application to the interceptor.

Abstract: The present invention presents a technique for use in registering two images. In a first aspect, the invention includes a computer-implemented method for use in registering a first image to a second image, comprising: generating a base transform between the first and second image; generating a plurality of candidate control points from the first and second images; generating a plurality of meshed regions from the base control points and the actual control points from which the first image may be mapped to the second image. In other aspects, the includes a program storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computing device, will perform the method; a computing apparatus programmed to perform the method; a data product produced by the method; a program storage medium encoded with a data product produced by the method; and a computing apparatus on which resides a data product produced by the above method.

Abstract: A gravimeter that utilizes an electromagnetic launcher for enabling a free-fall of a test mass is disclosed. The electromagnetic launcher propels the test mass upward such that the test mass begins to free-fall once it has reached the apex of its flight. In addition, in some embodiments, the test mass comprises only non-ferromagnetic materials so that the free-fall of the test mass is unperturbed by magnetically induced influences.

Abstract: A device for coupling microwave signals with arbitrary phase shifts and power split ratios over broadband may comprise a first branch comprising a cascade of first stripline sections connected to one another. A second branch may comprise a cascade of second stripline sections connected to one another. A single stripline section and a capacitor may be coupled in series to at least one of the branches. The first stripline sections of the first branch and the corresponding second stripline sections of the second branch form broadside coupled stripline sections. Those cascaded coupled stripline sections may be arranged to have a monotonically changing horizontal offsets but at a uniform vertical distance.

Abstract: A jet engine adapted for reducing far-field noise levels is disclosed. The jet engine has a plurality of flap assemblies that are disposed around a perimeter of an exhaust port of the jet engine. Each flap assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. The jet engine also includes a plurality of actuators respectively coupled to the plurality of flap assemblies. Each actuator is configured to selectively move the coupled flap assembly between the first and second positions. The jet engine also includes a controller that is coupled to each actuator. The controller is configured to cause at least one actuator to move the coupled flap assembly between the first and second positions at a determined frequency.

Abstract: A munition is described including a reactive fragment having an energetic material dispersed in a metallic binder material. A method is also described including forming a energetic material; combining the energetic material with a metallic binder material to form a mixture; and shaping the mixture to form a reactive fragment. The munition may be in the form of a warhead, and the reactive fragment may be contained within a casing of the warhead.

Abstract: A hybrid switch module configured on a common support structure providing networks the ability to automatically reconfigure point-to-point links, per software controls, to optimize network topology by combining a network switching device with a physical layer switch using switching logic. The hybrid switch module is an integrated unit that can operate at a physical layer, routing signals between dedicated ports, and operate as a packet switch for non-dedicated ports.

Abstract: A lifting ring assembly includes a shackle plate, a shackle operably associated with the shackle plate, and a lifting ring operably associated with the shackle. The lifting ring assembly further includes a biasing element operably associated with the shackle plate and the lifting ring for biasing the lifting ring away from the shackle plate.

Abstract: A LADAR system and with lookdown and loitering capabilities is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a LADAR sensor and a gimbal. The LADAR sensor is mounted to the gimbal, which is capable of scanning in azimuth sufficient to provide a look down and loitering capability. In another aspect, a method includes flying an airborne vehicle through an environment; and scanning a LADAR signal forward and to at least one side into a field of regard.