Abstract: An all-metal antenna element with integrated common mode rejection realized with an all-metal fabrication and a balanced feed. Further, the present disclosure may provide an all-metal antenna element which may extend the bandwidth of the aperture, allow for simple linear frequency and platform scalability, and may improve the compatibility of arrays to modern digital phased array chains.

Abstract: The system and method for position, navigation, and timing and more particularly to a system that is time and/or position independent and capable of autonomous transition from GPS to non-GPS navigation. The integrated position, navigation, and timing system uses primary and secondary navigation sensors and primary and secondary navigation measurement sources with a common time reference architecture, an integrated “dual-grid” navigation module, an integrated “dual-grid” navigation Kalman filter, and an integrated “dual-grid” navigation source selection module to provide both geodetic and relative grid timing and/or location among members of a network of platforms, particularly in GPS denied or degraded environments.

Abstract: The system and method of a dual mode semi active laser seeker and imaging system using pulse detection and angle determination as applied to quad detectors to properly identify a correct designator spot. The angle performance is driven by the field of view of the imaging system. The imaging system resolution provides the required angle accuracy for guidance as cued by pulse detection apertures. The imaging system eliminates the need to designate until impact thus eliminating exposure to counter fire against the designator. The elimination of designation until impact also opens up the opportunity rapid engagement of multiple targets from a single designator.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing laser contrast on a remote target utilizing an image processor and a laser power controller is provided. An image processor in an imaging device manipulates a laser power controller in a laser system so that a laser beam emitted from a laser system is ultimately synchronized with the imaging device. Firstly, the original laser signal is shifted one time frame relative to the plurality of time frames to create a shifted laser signal. Secondly, the shifted laser signal is subtracted from the original laser signal. Thirdly, the subtracted laser signal is magnified by a frequency band pass filter. The filtered laser signal is added to the original signal to become the finalized laser signal which has better contrast than the original signal.

Abstract: A data clustering device includes an input configured to receive a plurality of data points encoded in at least one signal and a hardware logic circuit configured to extract one or more features of the one or more data points from the at least one signal, create or update, based on the one or more features, one or more data clusters representing one or more of the data points, and encode at least one of the one or more data clusters in at least one output signal. The device further includes an output configured to provide the at least one output signal, for instance, to a processor, such as a processor for controlling a controlled system. The device can be further configured to split or merge the data cluster(s) based on a statistical distribution of the one or more data points in the respective data cluster.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a chaff dispensing system that is provided on an aircraft. The chaff dispensing system includes a container, a dispensing assembly, a controller, and a volume of chaff material. The container has a first end, a second end, and a chamber that extends between the first and second ends, and the second end defines an ejection port. The dispensing assembly is provided on the aircraft, and the dispensing assembly is operably engaged to the container. The controller is electrically connected to the dispensing assembly. The volume of chaff material is disposed inside the chamber of the container. The volume of chaff material is dispensed by the dispensing assembly operably through the controller in metered volumes of chaff material. In addition, a first volume of chaff material may be metered at a first time and a second volume chaff material may be metered at a second time in which the second volume of chaff material is different than the first volume of chaff material.

Abstract: An infrared imaging system is provided. The system includes a sensor configured to receive light emitted by a scene and at least a portion of scenic flux to generate image data, a light source configured to provide calibrating light to offset at least a portion of the scene flux, the light source positioned such that an output of the light source is at a pupil of the infrared imaging system, and at least one image processing device. The image processing device is configured to receive the image data generated by the infrared sensor, determine at least one change in the scenic flux as received by the infrared sensor, determine if the at least one change in the scenic flux results in a change in pixel response of the infrared sensor that exceeds a response threshold, and if the change in pixel response exceeds a threshold, generate an updated calibration table.

Abstract: Systems for detecting a presence of a microbolometer are provided. The systems may also discriminate a type of the microbolometer. The systems may comprise analog filtering and processing or digital filtering and processing. In some examples, both analog and digital filtering may be used. For example, a system may comprises a photodiode, an analog to digital converter (ADC) having a frequency sampling rate of at least two times an expected frequency range of known microbolometers and a processor. The ADC may receive an amplified output from the photodiode and produce a sampled sequence using the frequency sampling rate. The processor converts the sampled sequence into a frequency profile, examines the frequency profile to identity at least a fundamental frequency and determines whether a microbolometer is detected in a line of sight of the photodiode based on the fundamental frequency.

Abstract: A method for launching a round from an airborne platform, receiving a plurality of RF signals at the round, determining an amount of time between a first and second received RF signal, where the second signal is a multi-path signal and the first signal is a direct path signal. An altitude of the round is determined based on the delay between the first and second received signal and aligning the round's flight path with an initial velocity vector of the aircraft platform to reduce dispersion. The round can include a plurality of sensors for detecting the RF signals. The second received RF signal may be a multi-path signal having been reflected off of the earth's surface or another object on the earth's surface. The altitude of the round can be determined using the known altitude of the airborne platform, the delay of time between the first and second received signals, and the speed of light.

Abstract: A process for securely processing a search query for homomorphically encrypted search results is provided. The process includes receiving a search query from a requesting device, the search query including a request for encrypted data stored in a data store operably coupled to the one or more processors. The process further includes executing a search function to access a set of search results from the data store, the search results including homomorphically encrypted information, and determining, based upon the search query, a transmission encryption technique for secure transmission of the search results to the requesting device. The search results can be additionally encrypted using the transmission encryption technique to generate an additionally encrypted search response that includes the homomorphically encrypted information. The process can further include causing transmission of the additionally encrypted search response to the requesting device.

Abstract: A narrow band antenna is configured to guide a munition toward a target location during a flight of the munition from a launch location toward the target location. The antenna has a first mode of operation operable during a first portion of the flight at a first bandwidth, and a second mode of operation operable during a second portion of the flight at a second bandwidth, the second bandwidth being a harmonic of the first bandwidth, and may be a third harmonic of the first bandwidth. The method includes transmitting a target location information to the munition in the first bandwidth during the first portion of the flight and then transmitting the target location information to the munition in the second bandwidth during the second portion of the flight. The first band may be X-band and the second band may be Ka-band.

Abstract: A multiport splitter with a circuit that is less costly, smaller, impedance matched on all ports, provides 9.54 dB isolation between neighboring ports, and is balanced as compared to the current typical implementations. The present disclosure may further provide a single multiport splitter that may be increased to any suitable number of output ports without the need for cascading multiple splitters and/or couplers together in a single device.

Abstract: A digital or smart array antenna has at least one radio and a processor coupled to each antenna element. The processor is coupled with programmable logic that demodulates a plurality of signals received at one antenna element to obtain demodulation symbols. After obtaining the demodulation symbols, the programmable logic applies a weighting function. In this order or sequence, the digital array antenna is able to reduce the processing requirements associating within the signal information. The reduced processing requirements enable the signal information to be shared with adjacent antenna elements that may be timing adjusted between adjacent elements. Then, the sharing continues across all elements the array until the signal reaches an edge of the array. At the edge of the array, a signal beam may be generated that is steer in response to the processed signal information shared between all the elements in the array.

Abstract: A V-band clamp includes first and second clamp sections each having an arcuate shape with a first end, a second end, and inside surface defining a recessed channel. A hinge pivotably connects the second end of the first clamp section to the first end of the second clamp section. At least one fastener is configured to releasably connect the first end of the first clamp section to the second end of the second clamp section in a closed position. When the V-band clamp is in the closed position, each fastener extends through an opening in an end face on the first end of the first clamp section and into a bore in an end face on the second end of the second clamp section.

Abstract: The system and method for cooling a laser using a split liquid cooled heat exchanger. The temperature of coolant entering the system is applied to a portion of the system most in need of lower temperatures and a second heat exchanger uses the outflow from the first heat exchanger to cool a remaining portion of the system that has a tolerance for higher temperatures. The laser cooling system is compact, e.g., less than 45 cubic inches and can handle thermal loads of about 800 W.

Abstract: An antenna positioner provided on a deployable vehicle. The antenna positioner includes a base and a frame having a plurality of plates oriented at an angle relative to one another. Each plate may include a low band antenna and a high band antenna. The base is located inside a chamber of the deployable vehicle. The frame is movable relative to the base between a collapsed position, where the entire frame is positioned within the chamber, and an extended position wherein at least a portion of the frame extends outwardly through an opening in the deployable vehicle's exterior wall. The frame is pivotally engaged with the base and a gearing mechanism pivots the frame between the collapsed position and the extended position to arrange the antennas at a desired orientation relative to the deployable vehicle's exterior wall so as to maximize the antenna's near-vertical Field of View (FoV).

Abstract: A ground imaging system for use on a guided aerobody includes one or more lenses designed to receive EM radiation from a ground level, a filter substrate having a plurality of filters, a sensor array designed to receive the EM radiation from the filter substrate, and a processing device coupled to the sensor array. The filter substrate is located at a focal plane of the one or more lenses such that the filter substrate receives the EM radiation from the one or more lenses. The plurality of filters includes at least polarization filters and multispectral filters. The processing device is designed to analyze multispectral and polarization signatures of the electromagnetic radiation from identified objects at the ground level and determine that one or more of the objects is not a desired target based at least on the hyperspectral and polarization signatures of the one or more objects.

Abstract: The system and method for cooling a card cage using a compact combination vacuum/dip brazed card cage with integral liquid cooling passages, wherein all surfaces of the card cage are used for cooling. The card cage cooling 3U circuit cards internally and non-standard boards mounted externally by heat sinking the non-standard boards to the external walls. Finned, internal liquid cooling passages being orificed to maintain a total pressure drop from a single system inlet to a single system outlet of no more than 5 psi.

Abstract: A modular electronic warfare (EW) framework that is implemented into a first preexisting EW system with associated hardware and firmware to leverage the capabilities of the first preexisting EW system into a second, different preexisting EW system with associated hardware and firmware. The modular EW framework includes a tracking framework and a logic framework. The tracking framework is configured to receive a first set of objects from a preexisting EW system and augments the first set of objects with at least one parameter and outputs the second set of objects. The logic framework is configured to receive the set of second objects from the tracking framework and implements at least one process onto the second set of objects and outputs a third set of objects. A multi-core processor is used to operate the modular EW framework.

Abstract: The system and method of removing burn-in from full motion video (FMV) imagery. In some cases, the technique is a pre-processing step in a forensic or military application. The system and method identify one or more burn-in overlay areas in a full motion video image and creates a mask of the one or more burn-in overlay areas. Matched intensities are created for a plurality of pixels in a mask. In some cases, in-painting is used in a center portion of the full motion video image and order-filtering in used on a periphery of the full motion video image to create the matched intensities.