Abstract: A physically unclonable function (PUF) device is provided, comprising an excitation source providing light for exciting quantum dots (QDs); a first layer of a material having contained therein a first random distribution of first QDs of a first type that are configured to generate a first color in response to being excited by the excitation source; a second layer of a second material having contained therein a second random distribution of second QDs of a second type that are configured to generate a second color, different from the first color, in response to being excited by the first excitation source, and a detector fixedly attached to one of the first and second layers and configured for detecting a pattern of light emitted by at least one of the first QDs and the second QDs and for providing an output indicative of the detected pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of a coaxial-to-waveguide power combiner/divider. The apparatus includes a single-fin coaxial-to-waveguide power combiner/divider, including a waveguide having one open end, one closed end, and two sides that are broader than two other sides; two fins in a plane within the waveguide, wherein the plane is configured to be parallel to the broader sides of the waveguide; and at least one coaxial input joined to each of the two fins. Signals may be applied to the at least one coaxial input joined to each of the two fins are in phase with each other, and a number of the at least one coaxial input joined to each of the two fins may include one of a same number and a different number.

Abstract: A method includes generating output code based on input code using a compiler or translator and providing the output code to one or more platforms for execution. The method also includes receiving feedback associated with the execution of the output code, where the feedback identifies at least one of: one or more failures during the execution of the output code and one or more performance characteristics of the execution of the output code. The method further includes modifying the compiler or translator based on the feedback and generating additional output code using the modified compiler or translator.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a photonic integrated circuit having multiple cells. Each cell includes first and second antenna elements, where the first antenna element is configured to receive a portion of optical energy and the second antenna element is configured to transmit the portion of the optical energy. Each cell also includes a signal pathway configured to transport the portion of the optical energy between the first and second antenna elements. Each cell further includes a phase modulator configured to adjust a phase of the portion of the optical energy transported over the signal pathway. The apparatus also includes multiple wavefront sensors configured to measure wavefront errors in the portions of the optical energy. The apparatus further includes multiple phase controllers configured to adjust operation of the phase modulators in order to at least partially reduce the wavefront errors.

Abstract: A LADOR circuit is in signal communication with a pixel array. The LADOR circuit is configured to generate an integrator reset voltage based on a resistance of the at least one heated bolometer pixel, and to detect laser energy incident on the at least one heated bolometer pixel based on a comparison between the integrator reset voltage and an input threshold voltage (Vthreshold).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for modeling non-resolved object detection performance of sensor systems. An exemplary method includes: receiving a first data from or associated with a plurality of sensors; creating, using the first data, a plurality of models for each of the sensors; calculating, using the models and the first data, signal-to-ratio (SNR) values for the sensors against a target; creating, using the SNR values, a plurality of probability of detection models for each of the sensors, wherein one of the probability of detection models is a quantum illumination probability of detection model; and determining, using the detection models, non-resolved target detection performance of each of the sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method of operating the same locates and tracks a target in four dimensions across a FPA using GMAPD data. The apparatus includes a receiver and a processor arranged to generate a video filter array, the video filter array including a set of estimated velocity pixel coordinate components arranged in a linear data set. The processor generates detected photo events based on received scattered laser pulses, filters the detected photo events by linearly indexing each of the plurality of detected photo events based on, for each detected photo event, a vertical position in the focal plane array, a horizontal position in the focal plane array, a frame number, and the dimensions of the focal-plane array. The processor maps each detected photo event to the set of estimated velocity pixel coordinate components, and generates a motion-compensated image associated with the mapped detected photo events in a filtered two-dimensional array.

Abstract: An interactive orbital trajectory prediction system including a processor arranged to simultaneously display: i) a surface of the first primary body including the relative predicted trajectory of the object, ii) a surface of the second primary body including the relative predicted trajectory of the object, and iii) the barycenter of the two primary bodies, and the trajectory of the object with respect to the barycentric reference frame. The system includes an input device arranged to receive a user selection of a first sensor module of a plurality of sensor modules used to predict the trajectory of the object orbiting the primary body. The processor, in response to the user selection of the first sensor module, predicts the flight path of the object based on the first sensor module.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method of operating the same processes of LADAR data including iterating back and forth between target detection in a 2-D array having range and range rate dimension, and a 4-D array having azimuth, azimuthal velocity, elevation, & elevation velocity dimensions. The apparatus includes a receiver and a processor arranged to generate photo events including target signal photo events and background photo events, transform the photo events into the 2-D target tracking array including range and range-rate parameters and tag photo events determined to be 2-D target signal photo events. The processor transforms tagged photo events into the 4-D target and tags photo events determined to be 4-D target signal photo events.

Abstract: A nanocomposite optical ceramic (NCOC) material includes a plurality of coated (core-shell) nanoparticles having nanoparticles of a first material coated with a coating of a second material. The first material and the second material are mutually insoluble and each have a transmissivity of at least 80% for an intended wavelength. The first material and the second material have a difference in index of refraction of less than 25%. The first material and second material have grins with a diameter of less than 1/20th the intended wavelength. The coating of the second material on the nanoparticles of the first material is up to 50 nm thick. The NCOC contains no more than 0.01% voids per unit volume.

Abstract: A shock isolator is arranged between two automated coupler parts in a vibration testing unit. When the coupler parts are engaged and coupled during vibration testing of a component, the shock isolator is disabled, and when the coupler parts are disengaged and decoupled after vibration testing, the shock isolator is activated to absorb excess shock energy and prevent shock transfer between the coupler parts that would damage the test component. The shock isolator includes a bushing that is inserted in a lower part of the two automated coupler parts and a compressive fit rod that is press-fit into the bushing. The bushing has a chamfered volume and the compressive fit rod has a corresponding compressible volume that is displaced into the chamfered volume to disable the shock isolator. After vibration testing, the compressive fit rod is expandable to a regular shape to activate the shock isolator.

Abstract: Interconnects and methods of fabricating a plurality of interconnects. The method includes depositing a conformal layer of a plating base in each of a plurality of vias, and depositing a photoresist on two portions of a surface of the plating base outside and above the plurality of vias. The method also includes depositing a plating metal over the plating base in each of the plurality of vias, the depositing resulting in each of the plurality of vias being completely filled or incompletely filled, performing a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP), and performing metrology to determine if any of the plurality of vias is incompletely filled following the depositing the plating metal. A second iteration of the depositing the plating metal over the plating base is performed in each of the plurality of vias based on determining that at least one of the plurality of vias is incompletely filled.

Abstract: A linear actuation system includes a pin pivotably coupled to an output rod of a linear motion actuator and a rotatable output shaft that includes a bushing therein. The pin can be configured to slide in and out of the bushing in response to movement of the linear motion actuator. The linear motion actuator and the output shaft can be arranged such that travel of the pin in the bushing causes rotation of the output shaft.

Abstract: A heavy inert gas insulation layer is wrapped around the length of a warhead to thermally insulate the warhead from fire or aerodynamic heating. The insulation layer may be integrally formed into the warhead casing or provided as a sleeve that may be permanently or removably positioned about the warhead casing. The insulation layer contains an inert gas such as Argon, Krypton, Xenon or a synthetic gas having a density of at least 1.5 kg/m3 and a thermal conductivity Tcond_gas no greater than two-thirds of the thermal conductivity of air Tcond_air.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an absorbing material configured to absorb electromagnetic energy. The apparatus also includes a thermochromic material in or on the absorbing material, where the thermochromic material is configured to change one or more visible characteristics based on the absorbing material being heated above a specified temperature threshold. The absorbing material may be configured to absorb radio frequency signals or microwave signals. The one or more visible characteristics may include at least one of: color and opacity.

Abstract: A conduit is placed between a vacuum system and the open air or other gaseous environment. A laser or other excitation source is used to ionize the air on the air-side of the conduit. An axial applied electric field is used to repel positive ions from traversing the tube and reaching the region of the vacuum. Electrons are collected in the vacuum region and disposed of using a Faraday cup. The repelled ions assist in creating a counter pressure to sweep neutral atoms out of the tube and back into the ambient air. As a result, a hollow tube can connect an evacuated volume to the open air without compromising the vacuum. This is a “windowless window.” An array of such tubes can be assembled together to increase the area of the aperture.

Abstract: A physically unclonable function (PUF) device is provided, comprising an excitation source providing light for exciting quantum dots (QDs); a first layer of a material having contained therein a first random distribution of first QDs of a first type that are configured to generate a first color in response to being excited by the excitation source; a second layer of a second material having contained therein a second random distribution of second QDs of a second type that are configured to generate a second color, different from the first color, in response to being excited by the first excitation source, and a detector fixedly attached to one of the first and second layers and configured for detecting a pattern of light emitted by at least one of the first QDs and the second QDs and for providing an output indicative of the detected pattern.

Abstract: Discussed herein are devices, systems, and methods for classification using a clustering autoencoder. A method can include obtaining content to be classified by the DNN classifier, and operating the DNN classifier to determine a classification of the received content, the DNN classifier including a clustering classification layer that clusters based on a latent feature vector representation of the content, the classification corresponding to one or more clusters that are closest to the latent feature vector providing the classification and a corresponding confidence.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, using a graphical user interface, an identification of at least one bill of materials (BOM). The method also includes identifying multiple materials contained in the at least one BOM. The method further includes determining a BOM characterization that identifies multiple bid groups associated with different groups of materials from the at least one BOM to be potentially sourced from different groups of suppliers. The method also includes presenting at least one visualization to one or more users. The at least one visualization is based on how the different groups of materials are to be potentially sourced from the different groups of suppliers according to the determined BOM characterization. The method further includes receiving user input via the at least one visualization. The user input modifies at least one bid group. In addition, the method includes updating the at least one visualization based on the user input.

Abstract: A method of controlling access to a network includes receiving, from a node, a request to access the network. A challenge is sent to the node, the challenge configured to elicit a node fingerprint from the node. The node fingerprint is based on the challenge and on unique characteristic data of a physically unclonable function (PUF), at the node. An expected fingerprint is generated for the node based on the challenge and on characteristic data information associated with the unique characteristic data of the PUF. The characteristic data information is accessed from a location that is independent of and separate from the node. The node is authenticated to the network, to allow the node to access to the network, if the received node fingerprint matches the expected fingerprint. The first node is denied any access to the network if the received node fingerprint does not match the expected fingerprint.