Abstract: A method of generating a three-dimensional physical map using different data sources includes receiving, at a computing device, topographic data, e.g., digital surface model data and/or digital elevation model data, for a geographic area and also receiving map area data, e.g., coordinates, scaling, and/or resolution data, for a subset area of the geographic area. The computing device generates map data, such as computer-readable three-dimensional (3D) printer data, based on the topographic data and the map area data, which can be used by a 3D printer or other additive manufacturing process to generate a three-dimensional physical map that depicts the topographic features of the subset area.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method of producing a pattern on a substrate comprises securing a flexible polymeric substrate, printing a layer of ink as a negative pattern on the substrate, and placing the flexible polymeric substrate in a vacuum chamber. The method further includes uniformly applying, while the flexible polymeric is under a vacuum in the vacuum chamber, a layer of material over both the layer of ink and the substrate via physical vapor deposition and then removing the flexible polymeric substrate from the vacuum chamber. The method further includes removing the ink and material applied over the ink by immersing the flexible polymeric substrate in a solvent such that it results in a desired pattern of the material on the flexible polymeric substrate.

Abstract: A system for magnetic detection includes a magneto-optical defect center material including at least one magneto-optical defect center that emits an optical signal when excited by an excitation light; a radio frequency (RF) exciter system configured to provide RF excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material; an optical light source configured to direct the excitation light to the magneto-optical defect center material; and an optical detector configured to receive the optical signal emitted by the magneto-optical defect center material.

Abstract: An apparatus for disruptive flexible geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite constellation system includes an electronic steering array (ESA) including multiple antenna elements, a number of frequency converters coupled to the ESA, and a digital control unit to provide frequency and gain control commands to the frequency converters. Each frequency converter is coupled to an antenna element of the ESA and forms an independent payload path. A payload path is configurable to support a communication beam-pair consisting of a transmit (TX) beam and a receive (RX) beam. Each frequency converter is configured to couple the TX beam to the RX beam and to adjust a channel frequency and a gain of a respective optical communication beam independently using the frequency and gain control commands.

Abstract: A resilient virtual ground multiple-access (RVG-MA) satellite communication system includes a number of ground receivers in communication with multiple satellites. The RVG-MA satellite communication system further includes a number of processing units in communication with the ground receivers. Each processing unit can recover a downlink signal from a target satellite. Each ground receiver includes a small-aperture antenna and receives downlink signals associated with multiple satellites, and the ground receivers are distributed over a large geographic area.

Abstract: An evaporator comprises a plurality of thermal elements disposed in a shell interior of an evaporator shell. A primary supply line configured to carry a working fluid is disposed in the shell interior. A plurality of tube sets is fluidically coupled to the primary supply line, and each tube set is spaced apart from an adjacent tube set along the first primary supply line. Each tube set comprises a plurality of individual tubes, with each tube proximate a different subset of thermal elements within the shell interior. Each tube comprises a plurality of first fluid distribution points configured to distribute the working fluid proximate the external surface of at least one of the plurality of thermal elements, thereby increasing the amount of surface area of the thermal elements in contact with the working fluid, and increasing the overall efficiency of the evaporator.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first pin half, a second pin half opposite the first pin half, and a center pull pin disposed between the first and second pin halves. The first and second pin halves each include a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a bottom portion proximate the second end, and a middle portion adjacent to the bottom portion. The bottom portion extends in a radial direction a first distance. The middle portion extends in the radial direction a second distance less than the first distance. The center pull pin is removable from between the first and second pin halves. The first and second pin halves are collapsible towards each other when the center pull pin is removed from between the first and second pin halves.

Abstract: An optical element is disclosed. The optical element includes a plurality of layers. The plurality of layers includes a notch filter array that has a plurality of notch filter elements. Each notch filter element is configured to filter out energy within at least one wavelength band of interest. The plurality of layers further includes a polarization-responsive grid array having a plurality of polarization elements and includes a microlens array having a plurality of microlens elements. Each microlens element is configured to image a portion of a scene onto an image plane.

Abstract: Radar signals are generated to have signal characteristics that define multiple sub-pulses in each of a plurality of pulse repetition intervals (PRIs) of a single radar dwell. Electromagnetic radiation is emitted according to the radar signals and the emitted electromagnetic radiation is sensed as radar return signals over a receive interval in each PRI. Coherent integration is performed on a set of the radar return signals and non-coherent integration is performed on another set of the radar return signals.

Abstract: A fiber-coupled phased-array includes a first photonic integrated circuit (PIC) and a second PIC. The first PIC includes a first set of lenslets and waveguides. The second PIC includes a second set of lenslets and waveguides and is placed at a distance from the first PIC. The optical fibers couple the first PIC to the second PIC and form an interferometric imager that can sample spatial frequencies of a target. Optical delay errors induced by a relative placement of the first PIC and the second PIC are compensated for.

Abstract: An ion-based atomic clock includes an ion trap, a cooling laser, a re-pumping source and a frequency comb source. The ion trap can trap a plurality of Ra+ ions generated by an ion generator. The cooling laser can facilitate trapping of the plurality of Ra+ ions within the ion trap and populate excited state levels in the trapped Ra+ ions. The re-pumping source can trigger decaying of the excited state levels to a first metastable level. The frequency comb source can directly drive a multi-terahertz (multi-THz) clock transition between the first metastable level and a second metastable level in the trapped Ra+ ions. A signal derived from the population remaining in the first metastable level following the driving of the clock transition can be used to guide the repetition rate of the frequency comb source to an accurate frequency related to the clock transition frequency.

Abstract: An antenna array includes multiple array modules. Each array module includes at least on antenna element including a horn antenna coupled to a polarizer, and a two-piece waveguide filter. The two-piece waveguide filter includes a folded-back waveguide coupled to the horn antenna at one end and to a circuit layer at the other end. The horn antenna includes a multi-mode horn antenna. The two-piece waveguide filter includes a first piece and a second piece that are separately molded. A footprint of the two-piece waveguide filter is within a footprint of an aperture of the horn antenna.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for computing platforms. In one example, a computing device is configured to maintain attribute scoring metrics that rate target computing devices in competency among at least a portion of roles defined at least by presently provisioned software elements and hardware elements. The computing device is configured to identify tasks to be serviced using one or more of the roles, and based at least in part on the attribute scoring metrics, determine one or more target computing devices that satisfy the one or more of the roles to handle the tasks. The computing device is configured to transfer at least task instructions for delivery to the one or more target computing devices for performing the tasks using at least one among the presently provisioned software elements and hardware elements associated with the one or more of the roles.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a first structure comprising a first aperture and a second structure comprising a second aperture. The system also includes a first pin configured to be inserted into the first aperture of the first structure and a retaining device configured to be coupled to the first pin. The system further includes a second pin configured to be inserted into the second aperture of the second structure and coupled to the first pin. The first pin includes a first shoulder and a second shoulder, the first shoulder having a different diameter than the second shoulder.

Abstract: Methods and mechanisms for correcting a wavefront error in an optical element are disclosed. A wavefront error that is downstream of an optical element in an optical path is determined. A refractive index prescription that reduces the wavefront error is determined. A beam of energy is directed at a surface of the optical element in accordance with the refractive index prescription to alter the surface to change an index of refraction at multiple locations on the surface.

Abstract: Various systems and methods relating to two-dimensional materials such as graphene. A membrane include a cross-linked graphene platelet polymer that includes a plurality of cross-linked graphene platelets. The cross-linked graphene platelets include a graphene portion and a cross-linking portion. The cross-linking portion contains a 4 to 10 atom link. The cross-linked graphene platelet polymer is produced by reaction of an epoxide functionalized graphene platelet and a (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide functionalized cross-linker.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a spindle, a pecking mechanism, and a clutch mechanism coupled to the pecking mechanism. The spindle includes a drill tool and the spindle is configured to be fed in a first direction during a drilling operation. The pecking mechanism is configured to retract the drill periodically during the drilling operation. The clutch mechanism is configured to selectively engage the pecking mechanism during a portion of the drilling operation. The clutch mechanism is configured to constrain the rotation of the washer such that the spindle drill is retracted a predefined distance periodically.

Abstract: A simulator is disclosed. A cockpit model comprising a plurality of cockpit model parts that collectively correspond to a simulated cockpit in a simulated vehicle is maintained. For each frame of a plurality of frames, a plurality of cockpit view frustums are determined, each cockpit view frustum corresponding to a different cockpit view of a plurality of cockpit views of the simulated cockpit. Shared cockpit scene information comprising a set of cockpit model parts that are within any of the plurality of cockpit views is generated based on the plurality of cockpit view frustums. A processing device submits to a graphics processing unit (GPU) the shared cockpit scene information and GPU instructions that direct the GPU to generate a plurality of cockpit view images that correspond to the plurality of cockpit views from the shared cockpit scene information. The GPU generates the plurality of cockpit view images.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for deploying software payloads to satellite devices, such as when a satellite device is in orbit. In one example, a satellite device includes a communication interface configured to receive one or more software payloads, and a storage system configured to store the one or more software payloads on the satellite device. The satellite device also includes a payload execution system configured to execute the one or more software payloads as one or more virtual nodes.

Abstract: A learning SONAR system and method including receiving, at an input, mission parameters including one or more of mission accuracy, mission covertness, learning rate, and training matrix dependency; transmitting pulsed signals; receiving return pulsed signals, for instance, using a tunable acoustic receiver having controllable receiver elements; and determining a number of the controllable receiver elements to generate estimates of altitude and 3D velocity based on a combination of transmit power, signal-to-noise ratio, and altitude range using an adaptive spatial sampler of a learning controller.