Abstract: A pod propulsion system comprises a housing defining a fluid duct and an annular drum rotatably mounted to the housing within the fluid duct. The annular drum has a drum interior and a cylindrical outer surface. The system further comprises a rotor mounted to the drum for rotation therewith, the rotor and the drum having a common axis of rotation. A bearing assembly mounted to the housing comprises a first bearing comprising a first plurality of bearing pads disposed circumferentially around the drum. Each pad has a pad bearing surface adapted to contact a first drum portion in a predetermined manner and is pivotably mounted to the housing so as to maintain contact of the pad bearing surface with the first drum portion in the predetermined manner when an orientation of the drum portion relative to the housing changes.

Abstract: The process comprises the steps of: 1) launching the vehicle from the launch site using the first stage booster rocket engine system; 2) separating the at least one upper stage from the first stage booster; 3) terminating operation of the first booster stage rocket engine system; 4) turning the first stage booster back toward the launch site using the aerodynamic flight control system; 5) operating the first stage booster rocket engine system to boost the first stage booster to an altitude sufficient to allow non-powered flight back to the launch side; and 6) landing the first stage booster at the launch site.

Abstract: A processor of an apparatus in one example makes a determination of an environmental characteristic based on an average of a plurality of concomitant values that correspond to the environmental characteristic.

Abstract: An LTCC (low temperature cofired ceramic) structure which has conductors to which leads are to be bonded for connection to external circuitry. The conductors include additives to promote adhesion to the ceramic layer. The presence of these additives degrade bonding performance. For better bondability of the leads, a pure conductor metal layer, devoid of the additives is placed on the conductors in areas where leads are to be bonded. This pure conductor metal layer may be cofired with the stack of ceramic layers or may be post fired after stack firing.

Abstract: A temperature probe assembly is provided. The temperature probe assembly may comprise a housing formed of a first thermally conductive material and having an inner diameter defined by an inner bore, an insert formed of a second thermally conductive material disposed in the inner bore and having an outer diameter that is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the housing at a first temperature and a temperature sensor mounted within the insert. The second thermally conductive material has a thermal coefficient of expansion that is greater than the first thermally conductive material, such that the insert is insertable into the inner bore at the first temperature and is tightly locked in the inner bore at a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for utilizing one or more tablet computer assemblies in a portable communications system. A tablet computer assembly includes a global positioning system module, an L-band transceiver, and a processing system. The global positioning system module that produces location information associated with the position of the tablet computer assembly. The L-band transceiver broadcasts the location information to at least one portable communication device through a relay network and receives location information from the at least one portable communications device via the relay network. The processing unit provides messages to the L-band transceiver and updates a display associated with the tablet computer assembly according the received location information and the location information produced at the global positioning system module.

Abstract: A method of producing a mosaic image comprises the steps of capturing a plurality of overlapping images in a plurality of swaths, computing the relative displacement between adjacent ones of the overlapping images within the swaths, computing the relative displacement between adjacent ones of the overlapping images in adjacent ones of the swaths, and using the relative displacements to assemble the images into a composite image.

Abstract: A method for secure identity processing using biometrics is provided. A public key and a unique serial number are received from a BIOTOKEN. A random number is generated. The random number and the unique serial number are transmitted to the BIOTOKEN. A serial number received from the BIOTOKEN is compared with the unique serial number and if there is a match, an encrypted symmetric key, transmitted by the BIOTOKEN, is decrypted using the public key. An encrypted random number and encrypted biometric data associated with a user are decrypted using the decrypted symmetric key. The decrypted random number is compared with the transmitted random number, if there is a match, the decrypted biometric data is validated and the received serial number and the public key are transmitted to a certification authority if the biometric data is validated. An authentication certificate associated with the BIOTOKEN is issued by the certification authority.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for utilizing personal digital assistants in a portable communications system. A personal digital assistant includes a global positioning system module, an L-band transceiver, and a processing system. The global positioning system module produces location information associated with the position of the personal digital assistant. The L-band transceiver broadcasts the location information to a network of at least one other personal digital assistant and receives location information from at least one other personal digital assistant within the network via a communications satellite. The processing system provides messages to the L-band transceiver and updates a display associated with the personal digital assistant according the received location information and the location information produced at the global positioning system module.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a miniature electromechanical system (MEMS) device includes the steps of forming a moving member on a first substrate such that a first sacrificial layer is disposed between the moving member and the substrate, encapsulating the moving member, including the first sacrificial layer, with a second sacrificial layer, coating the encapsulating second sacrificial layer with a first film formed of a material that establishes an hermetic seal with the substrate, and removing the first and second sacrificial layers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for routing voice communications to groups in a voice communication system. The voice communication system can be a mobile communication system having a plurality of members grouped as logical networks and/or unit task organizations. One or more routers are provided in the system. The one or more routers extract routing information from received voice messages. The routing information is used with a router database to determine which identified group to route the digitized voice packets. The one or more routers can be adapted to receive and route voice communications to different radio types across different logical networks.

Abstract: An algorithm for a non-redundant multi-error correcting binary differential demodulator simplifies error detection and reduces memory requirements in circuits embodying the same. The demodulator includes a differential detectors (DD) module, an error signal generator (ESG) module, and an error detection-and-correction (EDAC) module. The DD module receives modulated binary input at each of (k+1) differential detectors, each producing (k+1) outputs. The ESG module combines the (k+1)2 output signals with k corrected feedback signals to derive syndromes orthogonal to an erroneous bit to be corrected and generates 2k error signals from the syndromes. The EDAC module generates a correction factor from the 2k error signals and combines the factor with the output of the first order detector delayed by k bits to correct an erroneous bit. The k corrected feedback signals may be derived by successively delaying the corrected erroneous bit.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling tasks is disclosed. One embodiment comprises a system that includes an initial scheduler that schedules a plurality of tasks of an associated priority group within an available schedule time period based on an earliest possible end time of a task duration of a respective task, such that tasks that have a task duration that overlap task durations of scheduled tasks are unscheduled tasks. The system further includes a reintroduction scheduler that moves scheduled tasks within respective task time ranges to create time interval gaps for the unscheduled tasks, wherein an unscheduled task is scheduled by the reintroduction scheduler if an unscheduled task has a task duration that falls within an available time interval gap and a task time range that overlaps the available time interval gap.

Abstract: A light-powered data acquisition and control system immune to electromagnetic interference employs smart sensors in a network configuration capable of decentralized communication. A smart sensor with integral transducer encloses a microprocessor, fiber optic transceiver, and photovoltaic converter within a Faraday cage. Optical fibers link plural sensors for duplex communication with a fiber optic splitter, which transmits high intensity light to the converter for powering the sensors. The sensor converts analog input from the transducer into bit packets for fiber optic transmission to the network via the splitter. Firmware in the splitter converts the bit packets to network protocol and vice versa enabling data communication among sensors, splitters, and control receivers. Verification algorithms for testing sensors are run automatically by the microprocessor or through commands issued via the network. Mnemonics stored in the sensors provide automatic updating of system configuration.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for providing a logic circuit element. The method includes arranging a series of Josephson junctions between a first Josephson junction and a second Josephson junction, the first Josephson junction having a first critical current (Ic1) and the second Josephson junction having a second critical current (Ic2); providing a working current to the first Josephson junction, the working current transmitting to the second Josephson junction through the series of the Josephson junctions; wherein the working current is sufficiently high to trigger the second Josephson junction while sufficiently low to not disturb super-conductivity of the series of intermediate Josephson junctions.

Abstract: A device and a method are provided to allow a user to ream a hole to an accurate final diameter as desired, and at the same time, to cold work the hole to induce a beneficial residual stress that will enhance the life of the component by retarding the onset and growth of fatigue cracks in the hole. The basic design of the device has an elongated body having a forward end portion to extend through a hole to be reamed and cold worked, a reamer section formed on the circumference of the forward end portion to enlarge the hole, and a burnishing section formed on the circumference of the elongated body adjacent to the reamer. The burnishing section is operative to upset the material around the hole, so as to result in a residual stress beneficial to the hole. The reamer section is in the form of a plurality of cutting edges extending from a tip of the elongated body, while the burnishing section is also in the form of a plurality of cutting edges adjacent to the reamer section along the elongate body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for selectively attenuating narrowband high intensity bright sources from an incoming light source in an imaging system creating a focal plane array. The method comprises receiving and conditioning incoming light in a at least one group of optics; receiving the into a line attenuation tunable optical filter (LATOF) which creates a rejection band; tilting the LATOF at least one increment to selectively attenuate the bright sources from the receive conditioned light; receiving the conditioned light and selectively attenuated light into an opto-electronic detector; and converting the light into an output for an electronic image, wherein saturation of the focal plane array decreases and contrast is restored in the electronic image.

Abstract: Analysis of solid chemical and biological particles is achieved by a miniature mass spectrometer and apparatus attached thereto for vaporizing or ablating a stream of chemical and biological particles by a pulsed laser and/or pyrolysis heater sub-assembly at atmospheric pressure or, when desirable, in a vacuum. The mass spectrometer includes a collimation chamber, a repeller assembly, an internal ionization chamber, a mass filter and ion separation chamber, a drift space region, and a multi-channel ion detection array so as to permit the collection and analysis of ions formed over a wide mass range simultaneously. The apparatus for vaporizing or ablating includes an output port adjacent the input to the collimation and vaporization chamber so as to maximize the amount of vaporized material being fed into the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A technique for automatically obtaining a second certificate for a user using a first certificate includes accessing a server platform using a user's server and the first certificate of the user to create a connection that authenticates both the user's server identity via a server certificate of the user server and the user's identity via the user's first certificate. A secure data channel is then created between the server platform and the user platform. A request for the second certificate is forwarded by the user from the user server to the server platform and the sever platform then generates the second certificate. The first certificate may be a signature certificate and the second certificate may be an encryption certificate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting changes in a monitored environment. One aspect of the invention relates to a system that comprises a plurality of radio frequency (RF) sensors distributed about the monitored environment, such that each RF sensor configured to respond to an interrogation signal with a unique identifier and a radio frequency (RF) interrogator that transmits interrogation sequences of interrogations signals over a plurality of different frequency bands at one or more power levels. The system also includes a response pattern analyzer that determines response patterns for each of the plurality of RF sensors to the interrogation sequences and transmits a change detection indicator if at least one of the determined response patterns vary outside a predetermined background baseline.