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 beam generating device management. A method can include producing a directed electromagnetic beam, receiving a first message from a second beam generating device, and implementing a first machine learning (ML) model that operates on the received first message to determine a next objective to be completed by the beam generating circuitry.

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 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 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: 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: 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 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.

Abstract: A cartridge (20) has a cartridge case (22) extending along an axis (500) from a base (104) to a mouth (102) and having an interior. A projectile (24) is mounted in the case. A propellant (26) is contained within the case. The propellant has an annular grain encircling the axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a standalone anti jamming (AJ) nuller-beamformer. Signals from an antenna array include a sum of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals and jamming signals from a plurality of spatial sources. A front end is configured to amplify, filter, down-convert, and sample the input signals which are then filtered, down-converted, and decimated prior to frequency-domain and time-domain partitioning. Weights are computed and applied for spatial nulling of jamming signals in each frequency bin for the partitioned signals. Frequency and time-domain reconstruction generates a reconstructed signal with suppressed jamming.

Abstract: A stored energy power source uses a wound-rotor induction machine (WRIM) to receive energy from an external source, store the energy in N energy storage elements (ESEs) via tertiary windings, and discharge the ESEs to deliver energy via a secondary winding to a load producing output. Each discharging ESE contributes to a total flux at the secondary winding to sum the individual ESEs voltages. These voltages can be stepped up or down by a transformation ratio between the secondary winding and each of the tertiary windings. A flywheel may be coupled to the secondary to store and delivery energy. Load factor power control can be used to stabilize the output voltage. The source may be configured to allow for the bi-directional flow of energy between an external power source, the ESEs, the flywheel and the load. The WRIM provides a safe, reliable and efficient system to provide high-level AC and DC output voltages.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining an in-phase (I) input signal and a quadrature (Q) input signal at a quadrature modulator. The method also includes performing constant envelope bi-phase shift keying (CE-BPSK) modulation using the quadrature modulator to generate a modulated output signal. The modulated output signal includes a CE-BPSK modulated waveform containing phase reversals, and the CE-BPSK modulated waveform has a substantially-constant amplitude during the phase reversals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing image processing. An exemplary method includes: receiving neuromorphic camera data from at least one neuromorphic camera; producing, using the neuromorphic camera data, a plurality of unaligned event data, where the unaligned event data are unaligned in time; aligning the unaligned event data in time producing aligned event data; generating, using a model and the aligned event data, a plurality of aligned event volumes; and aggregating the aligned event volumes to produce an image.

Abstract: A shock testing apparatus includes a tower extending upward from a base. The tower includes a guide extending down the tower. A strike plate assembly includes a strike plate positioned below the guide for receiving mechanical shock from a striker striking out from the guide. A tri-axial accelerometer is mounted to the strike plate for data acquisition of three-dimensional shock wave acceleration data. A method of mechanical shock testing components includes dropping a striker onto a strike plate on which is mounted a unit under test (UUT) to generate three-dimensional shock waves through the strike plate. The method includes acquiring data indicative of acceleration in three orthogonal directions in at least one of the strike plate or UUT for a single drop of the striker.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for machine learning model generation. A method can include generating image chips of an image. The image chips can each provide a view of a different extent of an object in the image. Based on an object definition that indicates respective features of the object and a location of the respective features along a length of the object, it can be determined whether any of the image chips include any of the respective features. Each image chip of the image chips can be labeled to include an indication of any of the features included in the image chip resulting in labelled image chips. The method can include training an ensemble classifier based on the labelled image chips resulting in a trained ensemble classifier.

Abstract: A multiple FOV optical sensor includes a primary mirror having first and second rings of differing curvature to collect light from an object within different FOV. A secondary mirror includes a MEMS MMA in which the mirrors tip and tilt in 2 DOF or add piston in 3 DOF to (I) reflect light from the first ring within the first FOV that is focused at an imaging plane coincident with an imaging detector to form a focused image of the object at the imaging detector or (II) reflect light from the second ring within the second FOV onto the imaging detector (either focused to form a focused image or defocused to form a blurred spot). The MEMS MMA may be configured to alternate between (I) and (II) or to perform both (I) and (II) at the same time with the different FOV either overlapped or spatially separated on the detector. The sensor may be configured as an all-passive sensor, a dual-mode sensor or a hybrid of the two.

Abstract: A nanocomposite optical ceramic (NCOC) material. The material having a first solid phase, a second solid phase, and a third solid phase. The first solid phase has first solid phase grains no larger than 5 ?m, and each first solid phase grain has a first solid phase grain boundary. The second solid phase has second solid phase grains no larger than 5 ?m, and each second solid phase grain has a second solid phase grain boundary. The third solid phase has a doping agent. The doping agent is less than 5 atomic % soluble in the first solid phase and the second solid phase. At least part of the third solid phase is situated at the second solid phase grain boundary.

Abstract: A trigger sense circuit includes a pseudo-differential comparator circuit in signal communication with a pixel array. The pseudo-differential comparator circuit includes a first input in signal communication with a reference pixel group included in the pixel array to receive a pixel reference voltage, and a second input in signal communication with a target pixel group included in the pixel array to receive a pixel target voltage. The pseudo-differential comparator circuit is configured to selectively operate in a calibration mode to remove false trigger events and a comparison mode to detect at least one overheated pixel included in the target pixel group.

Abstract: A collaborative robot line management system comprises a first bracket and a second bracket. The collaborative robot line management system is operable to manage the positioning and routing of a plurality of flexible lines relative to a collaborative robot. The first bracket comprises a support portion having a plurality of apertures formed therein, and a collaborative robot mounting portion configured to interface with a first mount of a collaborative robot. The second bracket comprises a support portion having a plurality of apertures formed therein, and a collaborative robot mounting portion configured to interface with a second mount of a collaborative robot. The collaborative robot mounting portions of the first and second brackets facilitate mounting of the first and second brackets to the collaborative robot at first and second mounting locations, respectively.

Abstract: A sensor data processing apparatus can be coupled to multiple image sensors of different types. The apparatus adjusts frame transmission rates based on the number of sensors and type of image data sourced by the sensors to optimize utilization of bandwidth on a number of transport channels. The apparatus can be configured to transport selected frames in the image data that are identified as critical frames at a higher rate than non-selected frames in the image data.