Abstract: An attenuator circuit (10) having two or more branch circuits (12a to 12e) has inputs (14a to 14e) for the branch circuits (12a to 12e) being connected essentially in parallel arrangement to an input port (20) for the attenuator circuit (10). Each branch circuit (12a to 12e) includes one or more bipolar transistors (32a to 32e) having a collector element receiving a signal from a power supply (24) through at least one RF positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) diode (50a-50d) that a control circuit (24) is controlling. At least one resistive element (16a) couples an input (14b) of a second (12b) of the plurality of branch circuits (12a to 12e) from the input port (20) to the branch circuits (12a to 12e). Thus, each branch (12a to 12e) of the attenuator circuit (10) draws current from a low voltage power supply (24) while still providing for sequential biasing of successive branches and linearization of overall control characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring mail between containers in an orderly and secure manner. The system and method utilize ejection rods to lift mail from an input tray into a transfer box assembly that deposits the mail into an output tray in an orderly, stable and secure manner, ensuring that mail is not shuffled or lost during the transfer process.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (S) includes an antenna member (10) that is adapted to be resonantly responsive to a desired frequency of electromagnetic radiation (12). An inductance changing body formed from a compressible dielectric material (14) is positioned in proximity to the antenna member (10). A housing member (16) houses the antenna member (10) in a desired proximity to the compressible dielectric material (14). The compression of the dielectric material (14) changes the effective dielectric constant of the antenna (10).

Abstract: A method for calibrating a sensor mounted on an aircraft includes the steps of: using an optical device to create reference points which define a reference line that is parallel to both horizontal and vertical planes of the sensor, and using the reference line to calibrate the sensor with respect to a reference coordinate system.

Abstract: Hybrid microantennas and improved sensor structures incorporating hybrid microantenna embodiments are described herein. A hybrid long-wave infrared (LWIR) microantenna includes four inner pie-shaped arms in which the four inner pie-shaped arms are in a double bow-tie configuration and a plurality of outer pie-shaped arms in which a subset of the outer pie-shaped arms is connected to the four inner pie-shaped arms and the pie-shaped arms are sensitive to electric fields and absorb radiation.

Abstract: A method of locating a terrestrial emitter of electromagnetic radiation in the midst of a plurality of emitters in a satellite in orbit about the earth which utilizes a location estimation and location probability determination process with respect to each possible emitter site and its corresponding error region and then using both feedback and feed forward interaction between location and phase ambiguity resolution processes to generate resolved phase from emitter location, update emitter location or some or all of the emitters, and subsequently utilizing the probabilities thus determined to produce a single estimate of the desired emitter's location.

Abstract: Methods of producing polycrystalline and single crystal dielectrics are disclosed, including dielectrics comprising CaCu3Ti4O12 or La3Ga5SiO4. Superior single crystals are manufactured with improved crystallinity by atomic lattice constant adjustments to the dielectric and to the substrate on which it is grown. Dielectric materials made according to the disclosed methods are useful for manufacture of energy storage devices, e.g. capacitors.

Abstract: A steering system for a vessel is provided. The steering system includes an electric motor assembly and a steering linkage for transmitting the rotational output of the electric motor assembly to the vessel's rudder. The steering system may include at least three linkage members. The steering system may provide a variable output torque that corresponds at least partially with the variable required torque of the rudder at different rudder angles. The steering system may partially decouple the electric motor assembly from vertical movements in the rudder. Embodiments may include additional motor assemblies and steering linkages. The additional motor assemblies and steering linkages may provide an opposing force to reduce flutter within the system and/or be used to reduce the load of any one electric motor assembly.

Abstract: A signal channelizer (10) includes an input waveguide (14) carrying an inputted signal (20) having a plurality of wavelengths. The input waveguide (14) has an input port (22) for receiving the inputted signal (20). A plurality of ring resonators (12) for wavelength selection are arranged in parallel and coupled along the input waveguide (14) for receiving the inputted signal (20) from the input waveguide (14). The plurality of ring resonators (12) passes a selected wavelength signal to their respective output end (56). An output waveguide (16) passes a desired signal from one or more ring resonators (12). The output waveguide (16) is tapped with couplers (46) for providing a desired signal to feed the output end (56). A detector (32) associated with the output end (56) of each ring resonators (12) produces the desired RF output signal (34) representative of the desired RF band.

Abstract: A structural grid is provided with continuous and discontinuous beam members coupled by splices, a front structure coupled to the structural grid, the front structure including a walkway and cables, a radome coupled to the front structure. The structural grid is coupled to a plurality of antenna subassemblies. The antenna subassemblies have a forward housing including an RF manifold coupled to a circulator, an aft housing coupled to the forward housing, containing a line replaceable unit that is serviceable or maintainable through the aft housing.

Abstract: A method of detecting objects in water, comprises the steps of capturing a plurality of images of a region of interest, extracting voxel data from the images, and processing the voxel data to detect items of interest in the region of interest. An apparatus that performs the method is also included.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radome for an endfire antenna array that includes a honeycomb core, an inner skin attached to the honeycomb core, a first set of conductive slats disposed on the inner skin of the honeycomb core and a second set of conductive slats that are disposed within the honeycomb core. The two sets of conductive slats are capacitively-coupled to one another.

Abstract: A system includes an input for receiving an input signal, a filter having a changeable time constant, and a control circuit for changing the filter time constant in response to a property of the input signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for forming a semiconductor power device by depositing a first layer of TiW on a gate region and a source region, depositing a second layer of refractory metal over the first layer of TiW at the gate region, depositing a dielectric stack over the second layer of refractory metal and a portion of the first layer of TiW, depositing an etch stop layer over a portion of the dielectric stack, depositing an interconnect layer over the etch stop layer and the dielectric stack and depositing an etch mask over the interconnect layer.

Abstract: A system for differentiating between a signal from a physical source and a nonlinear signal effect includes an array, a delay control element and a signal processing element. The array is configured to detect a signal at a particular location using an initial time delay. The delay control element is configured to modify the initial time delay by a selected value and to apply a phase delay in an amount equal to the selected value and at a frequency of the signal. The signal processing element is configured to determine whether the signal corresponds to one of a physical source or a nonlinear signal effect based on whether a shift in a perceived location of the signal occurs.

Abstract: Rapid detection of biomolecules in samples involving biochemical amplification of the target biomolecule is achieved by collecting or separating aliquots of the amplification reaction mixture prior to completion of amplification and assaying these samples as they are collected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a wide angle multi-color infrared (IR) optical system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system is provided that comprises a negative lens configured to receive an incoming light beam scene over a wide FOV and a beam splitter configured to receive incoming light beam associated with the incoming light beam scene from the negative lens and to provide light beams of a first color to a first channel and to provide light beams of a second color to a second channel. The system further comprises a first positive lens assembly arranged to focus light beams of the first color received from the beam splitter on a first image detector, and a second positive lens assembly arranged to focus light beams of the second color received from the beam splitter on a second image detector.

Abstract: An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) (V) includes a steering unit (10) for directional control of the UUV (V) with an exterior surface (12) and at least one interchangeable module component (14) for housing a desired operational unit (16) appropriate for a chosen mission profile. The interchangeable module (14) has an exterior surface (18) preferably impervious to the intrusion of water (20). A frontal portion (22) may be adapted for fluid flow. The exterior surfaces (10, 18, and 24) of the steering unit (10), the interchangeable module component (14) and the frontal portion (22) form a substantially smooth surface envelope (26).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of using a multi-input sorting machine for sorting mail in delivery point order.

Abstract: An encapsulated module (14) for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) (V) is formed with an operational component (16) and encapsulating material (60). The encapsulant (60) forms a rigid capsule surrounding the operational component (16). The capsule (14) has a least one exterior surface (18) that assists in forming the exterior surface (26) of the UUV (V) when the capsule (14) is combined into the UUV (V).