Abstract: A smart sensor can include a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) configured to receive analog signals from a sensor module, and a plurality of channel modules. Each channel module can be connected to a respective ADC and each channel module can include a limited data processing module configured to provide initial processing. The sensor can include a data control module operatively connected to each of the plurality of channel modules and configured to select a selected channel of the plurality of channels to receive initially processed data from the limited data processing module of the selected channel. The data control module can be configured to interface with external memory to store data to the external memory and/or to read data from the external memory.

Abstract: A non-uniformity correction (NUC) calibration method comprises obtaining image data for a plurality of images with an image sensor, wherein each image in the plurality of images is obtained at a different respective global pixel gain setting and global expose in the image sensor; and using the image data for non-uniformity correction calibration to compute pixel NUC values for the pixels in the image sensor. The method can further include storing the pixel NUC values and obtaining further image data corrected by the stored pixel NUC values. In embodiments, the method can include moving a platform based on the further image data. In certain embodiments, the platform can be a guided munition.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing structural heath data includes a structural body, structural health sensors, and first and second computer systems. The structural health sensors are configured to sense data regarding structures of the structural body. The first computer system is configured to collect the sensed data as the structural health data. The second computer system that includes a user interface and display, and is configured to receive the structural health data and provide interactive transformational analysis of the structural health data. The interactive transformational analysis provides, on the display of the second computer system, a visual representation of the structural health data over time.

Abstract: A method is provided for sensing proximity of a target. The method includes sensing inductance associated with a magnetic field, wherein the inductance is affected by the target when the target is proximate the magnetic field. The method further includes providing the sensed inductance for processing. The processing includes determining an inductance value from at least the sensed inductance and estimating a parameter of a gap between a location of sensing the inductance and the target as a function of the inductance value and application of a nonlinear model of a relationship between the gap and inductance.

Abstract: A reconfigurable edge computing node of a complex system is provided, the edge computing node including a core module executing selectable core software, and selectable input module(s) and/or output module(s) which can be installed in corresponding input/output ports, wherein each of the input module(s) or output module(s) provides a conduit for moving data to or from the complex system, with selections being chosen from catalogs of available input modules, available output modules, and available core software. The edge computing node provides reconfiguration upon attachment of any input or output module(s), or upon installation of any core software, automatically reconfiguring the edge computing node to enable communication between the core module and the input module(s) and output module(s) using compatible protocols.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an imaging system includes an enclosure with an objective aperture opening into an interior space of the enclosure, an optical assembly optically coupling the objective aperture to an imaging sensor within the enclosure, a spatial light modulator (SLM) mounted to the objective aperture for selectively blocking and admitting illumination through the objective aperture into the interior space, and an illuminator mounted to illuminate the interior space of the enclosure.

Abstract: A power and data communication system including an inboard computer system that includes a resistor network, an outboard computer system that includes at least one current limiter and voltage limiter that receives power from the inboard computer in order to power electronics of the outboard computer, and first and second wires connecting the resistor network of the at least one current limiter.

Abstract: A reconfigurable edge computing node of a complex system is provided, the edge computing node including a core module executing selectable core software, and selectable input module(s) and/or output module(s) which can be installed in corresponding input/output ports, wherein each of the input module(s) or output module(s) provides a conduit for moving data to or from the complex system, with selections being chosen from catalogs of available input modules, available output modules, and available core software. The edge computing node provides reconfiguration upon attachment of any input or output module(s), or upon installation of any core software, automatically reconfiguring the edge computing node to enable communication between the core module and the input module(s) and output module(s) using compatible protocols.

Abstract: A method for validating a capacitance measurement device including, sending a first drive signal from a capacitance measurement device to a capacitor emulator, modifying the first drive signal by an four quadrant analog multiplier, directing the modified signal across a capacitor to produce a return signal, sending the return signal to the capacitance measurement device to validate the capacitor, and validating the return signal against an expected return signal by the capacitance measurement device.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first image of a scene through a static coded aperture onto a sensor with the static coded aperture in a first position relative to the sensor, shifting the coded aperture to a second position relative to the sensor, and forming a second image of the scene through the static coded aperture onto the sensor with the static coded aperture in the second position. Two or more images can be formed in this way. The method includes forming a combined image by deconvolving the two or more images and combining data from the two or more images into the combined image. The combined image can be a more accurate representation of the scene than either of the first and second images.

Abstract: A method including identifying a plurality of maintenance schedules for a plurality of aircraft of a fleet of aircrafts each of which satisfy a minimum maintenance free operating period, monitoring and measuring a health of each of the aircrafts, utilizing the measured heath of the aircrafts within a degradation model in order to produce a plurality possible maintenance events for each of the aircrafts, each of the possible maintenance events associated with a different maintenance time, identifying at least one maintenance event for each aircraft in the fleet of aircraft using the set of possible maintenance events found for each aircraft from the plurality of maintenance schedules resulting in number of aircraft down for maintenance below a predetermined threshold, and executing the at least one maintenance event based on the at least one identified maintenance event.

Abstract: A method including identifying a plurality of maintenance schedules for a system each of which satisfy a minimum maintenance free operating period, monitoring and measuring a health of the system, utilizing the measured heath of the system within a degradation model in order to produce a plurality of system degradation sequences, identifying at least one maintenance event from the plurality of maintenance schedules, executing the at least one maintenance event based on the at least one identified maintenance event and utilizing the system until the next MFOP after the at least one maintenance event has been executed.

Abstract: A fluid measurement system includes a signal processor and a processing system. The signal processor is configured and adapted to produce a serial word that is indicative of a fluid characteristic that is configured to be communicated externally of the signal processor. The processing system is operatively connected to the signal processor to read the serial word and decode the serial word. A method for transmitting a fluid characteristic between a sensor system and a processing system includes producing a serial word that is indicative of a fluid characteristic value with a signal processor. The method includes transmitting the serial word externally of the signal processor. The method includes reading and decoding the serial word with a processing system to determine the fluid characteristic value.

Abstract: A distributed network system can include a master controller having a master clock configured to output a master time, and a master transmission delay time module configured to modify the master time to add a known master transmission delay to the master time to output an adjusted master time. The system can include a first device operatively connected to the master controller and configured to receive the adjusted master time from the master controller.

Abstract: A health monitoring system includes at least one sensor. A health monitoring unit (HMU) is operatively connected to the at least one sensor to receive data therefrom and to generate at least one status indicator (SI) based on the data from the at least one sensor. A computing device is operatively connected to the HMU to receive data therefrom and is configured to generate a health notification when a quantity of the SI that are greater than or equal to a pre-determined SI threshold exceed a pre-determined peak count threshold. A method for monitoring and determining the health of a component includes collecting data during a sample cycle from at least one sensor to generate a numerical SI for a given component with a computing device. The method includes identifying if the numerical SI qualifies as a peak SI, which is greater or equal to a pre-determined SI threshold.

Abstract: A system includes a guided munition having a housing. A first reservoir is defined within the housing holding a first chemical reactant. A second reservoir is defined within the housing, wherein the second reservoir holds a second chemical reactant configured to undergo an endothermic reaction with the first chemical reactant. A frangible barrier separates between the first and second reservoirs. The frangible barrier is configured to break under forces acting on the guided munition as the guided munition is fired from a weapon. An electronic device can be housed within the housing in thermal contact with at least one of the first reservoir and/or second reservoir for cooling the electronic device with an endothermic reaction upon mixing of the first and second chemical reactants.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an air cycle machine including driving a rotary shaft of an air cycle machine, disconnecting a driving source to allow the rotary shaft to slow the rotary shaft, and monitoring a shutdown cycle of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A switching device includes an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) or MOSFET having a gate, an emitter, and a collector configured to allow current to pass between the emitter and the collector based on voltage applied to the gate. A stack of alternating layers of photo-sensitive p-n junction layers and insulating layers stacked on the gate for optical switching control of voltage through the IGBT or MOSFET.

Abstract: A course correction system for a projectile can include a pre-steering trajectory determination module. The pre-steering trajectory determination module can be configured to receive a series of possible trajectories from an estimation module including a physical model defining trajectory as a function of gravitational pull and one or more launch variables, and receive a sensor data from one or more on-board sensors of the projectile. The pre-steering trajectory determination module can also be configured to reduce the possible trajectories from the estimation module to one or more refined trajectories using the sensor data, and output the one or more refined trajectories.

Abstract: A fluid quantity sensor system for sensing a fluid quantity in a fluid tank can include one or more strain sensors configured to be disposed in physical communication with the tank to sense a strain on one or more portions of the tank. The one or more strain sensors can include at least a first strain sensor disposed in physical communication with a first portion of the tank, and a second strain sensor disposed in physical communication with the second portion of the tank such that the first strain sensor is configured to sense a strain of the first portion of the tank and the second strain sensor is configured to sense a strain of the second portion of the tank. The first strain sensor and the second strain sensor can be positioned such that externally induced stress on a structure forming and/or supporting the tank can be cancelled out such that such that a strain caused by only the fluid in the tank can be determined to determine a weight of the fluid in the tank.