Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a transceiver includes a pair of antennas with one of the receive channels including a predetermined phase shifter for shifting one of the received signals prior to combining the received electromagnetic energy to form a combined signal for processing by a receiver. The amount of phase shift may be set to maximize the combined signal. The transceiver accounts for signal fading resulting from multiple path reflection, and is especially beneficial in a hand-held or mobile unit. In another aspect, an antenna system includes a pair of elongated quadrifilar antennas, which may be disposed so as to have their longitudinal axes parallel or coincidental as desired. A method for maximizing receipt of electromagnetic energy is also described along with a detector useful for determining the presence of information associated with electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a region of interest in an original image to extract at least one robust feature, including the steps of passing signals representing the original image through a first filter to obtain signals representing a smoothed image, performing a profile analysis on the signals representing the smoothed image to determine a signal representing a size value for any feature in the original image, performing a cluster analysis on the signals representing the size values determined by the profile analysis to determine a signal representing a most frequently occurring size, selecting an optimal filter based on the determined signal representing the most frequently occurring size, and passing the signals representing the original image through the optimal filter to obtain an optimally filtered image having an optimally high signal-to-noise ratio. An apparatus for analyzing a region of interest in an image to extract robust features is also provided.

Abstract: An EMI shielding member and method of making the member. The member includes a non-metallic substrate having an electrically non-conductive coating of a dielectric polymer matrix material loaded with an EMI shieldingly effective amount of electrically conductive fibers. The member can be formed by spraying the fiber loaded, dielectric polymer matrix onto a flexible fabric or tape.

Abstract: A transition between a waveguide and transmission line is disclosed in which a probe portion of the transmission line extends into the waveguide to electrically field couple signals between the waveguide and transmission line. The transmission line is preferably a coplanar fuse and includes a substrate having conductors disposed therein which prevent energy from propagating into the substrate from the waveguide. Propagation of energy into the desired transmission line mode is therefore facilitated. Because the probe is formed as an integral part of the transmission line, direct coupling to the waveguide is possible without the use of intervening sections, transitions or transmission lines. The transition may be scaled in order to couple a wide range of frequencies.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of highly diffusive or absorptive metal surfaces. A dendritic crystal structure surface layer of metal is electrodeposited on a substrate, using a bipolar pulse plating technique. This metal surface layer may then be oxidized to provide a highly anti-reflective surface.

Abstract: A real-time learning (RTL) neural network is capable of indicating when an input feature vector is novel with respect to feature vectors contained within its training data set, and is capable of learning to generate a correct response to a new data vector while maintaining correct responses to previously learned data vectors without requiring that the neural network be retrained on the previously learned data. The neural network has a sensor for inputting a feature vector, a first layer and a second layer. The feature vector is supplied to the first layer which may have one or more declared and unused nodes. During training, the input feature vector is clustered to a declared node only if it lies within a hypervolume defined by the declared node's automatically selectable reject radius, else the input feature vector is clustered to an unused node. Clustering in overlapping hypervolumes is determined by a decision surface.

Abstract: A control system for the uplink transmitter of a ground station communicating with a spacecraft includes an antenna located at the ground station, pointed toward the spacecraft for receiving downlink signals transmitted therefrom. The received signals are accompanied by noise attributable to ambient, sky and ground temperatures. A low-noise receiver is coupled to the output port of the antenna, for establishing the receiver noise temperature. A processor is coupled to the low-noise receiver apparatus and to the power control input port of the uplink transmitter, for responding to changes in the received noise power attributable to the presence or absence of precipitation in the downlink. The processor does this by producing an estimate of the attenuation attributable to the rain in the downlink, and generates the control signal in response to the estimate of the attenuation.

Abstract: A digital signal processing system which uses an input image including a plurality of pixels to establish boundaries of objects in the input image. Each of the pixels has a gradient value and the object includes a centroid. Using a segmentation process, the digital signal processing system decides on a perimeter surrounding the object in the input image and then repeatedly searches for a pixel having the highest gradient value and marks that pixel having the highest gradient value as an edge pixel of the object.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of highly diffusive or absorptive metal surfaces. A dendritic crystal structure surface layer of metal is electrodeposited on a substrate, using a bipolar pulse plating technique. This metal surface layer may then be oxidized to provide a highly anti-reflective surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus providing model-based feature tracking for location assessment of a sensor platform, or tracking of a feature are disclosed wherein a series of predictive models are developed to predict a location of features in subsequently acquired sensor data. Feature location data acquired by a sensor in a previous platform position assessment is used to build a model corresponding to anticipated feature locations in data acquired for a present platform position assessment.

Abstract: A magnetic circulator is incorporated into a multi-chip module using a microwave high density interconnect (HDI) structure. A prepackaged circulator can be inserted into a ready-made high density interconnected multi-chip module; this prepackaged circulator may use a stripline design having a signal line with two ground planes above and below the signal line, or a microstrip transmission line design having one signal line and one ground plane below the signal line. Alternatively a circulator can be manufactured directly in a high density interconnected multi-chip module, with a stripline, or a microstrip transmission line design.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices made in highindium-content semiconductor material have advantageous properties, but similar substrate materials are hard to handle. A buffer layer makes a lattice-constant transition between a GaAs substrate and a high-indium epitaxially deposited semiconductor such as those lattice-matched to InP. The buffer layer is an epitaxial layer including atoms of two Group III elements, and atoms of two Group V elements, with the ratio of the atoms of at least one group varied along the depth of the buffer layer, in a manner which makes a transition of the lattice constant between that of the substrate and the high-Indium semiconductor material. The Group III elements are gallium and aluminum, and the Group V elements are arsenic and antimony.

Abstract: A protective cap is deposited over the top and sides of an air bridge structure located on an integrated circuit chip. The protective cap provides mechanical strength during the application of a high density interconnect structure over the chips, to prevent deformation of the sensitive (air bridge) structure, and also to prevent any contamination from intruding under the air bridge. More importantly, the protective cap does not impede the performance of the air bridge and therefore does not need to be removed, thereby eliminating the necessity of ablating the HDI structure. Furthermore, the protective cap allows additional area for metallization to provide alternate circuits for coupling, power or ground planes, etc.

Abstract: A multi-chip module is provided which utilizes benzocyclobutene as a laminate adhesive for bonding the upper dielectric films in a high density interconnect structure. The benzocyclobutene thermosetting polymer is spin coated on a polyimide film, and baked at low temperature to remove any solvent to leave a B-staged coating on the polyimide film. The composite film can be laminated to an underlying electrical structure using a vacuum laminator and heat. As the heat is applied, the BCB layer softens, flows and then cures to bond the polyimide film to the underlying electrical structure.

Abstract: HDI fabrication techniques are employed to form a variety of optical waveguide structures in polymer materials. Adaptive optical connections are formed, taking into account the actual position and orientation of devices which may deviate from the ideal. Structures include solid light-conducting structures, hollow light-conducting structures which are also suitable for conducting cooling fluid, and optical switching devices employing liquid crystal material. A "shrink back" method may be used to form a tunnel in polymer material which is then filled with an uncured polymer material that shrinks upon curing.

Abstract: A system for pressurizing a liquid oxygen tank (20) in a pressure-fed hybrid rocket (100) provides pressure at a first end of the tank (20) so that liquid oxygen can exit the second end. A hybrid heater (50) creates the pressure by mixing gaseous oxygen with the solid fuel (51) in the hybrid heater (50) to create an extremely high temperature. Helium is then mixed with the combustion products via an inlet (60) and this hot, inert mixture enters the liquid oxygen tank (20) via a diffuser (70). A second hybrid heater (90) pressurizes the gaseous helium sphere (40) to reduce the pressure decay caused by the withdrawal of the helium. Two of the hybrid heaters (50 and 90) are fed gaseous oxygen from a sphere (30). A novel ignition system is used to ignite the hybrid heaters (50, 90, 250). One of the hybrid heaters (250) is used to ignite the hybrid motor (100) in the rocket (11).

Abstract: An EMI shielding member and method of making the member. The member includes a non-metallic substrate having an electrically non-conductive coating of a dielectric polymer matrix material loaded with an EMI shieldingly effective amount of electrically conductive fibers. The member can be formed by spraying the fiber loaded, dielectric polymer matrix onto a flexible fabric or tape.

Abstract: An apparatus for precision cutting of fiber tow is provided which includes a structure for securing a taut length of fiber tow between two points, a movable cutter, and a structure for guiding a cutting edge of the cutter substantially perpendicularly against the taut length of fiber tow at a predetermined point between the two points. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for computing correlating images using the one dimensional Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and the symmetry property of the Fourier Transform. In one aspect, the invention is a method of correlating images in the form of a pair of real number arrays. Apparatus for carrying the method out is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A spacecraft includes heat-radiating panels. Heat-generating boxes such as TWTs are mounted on shelves which are inside the spacecraft, where they cannot radiate to space. The shelves are coupled by bent heat pipes to the exterior radiating panels.