Abstract: Circuitry for adjusting the resonant frequency of an Yttrium-Iron-Garnet (YIG) filter in the first local oscillator of a receiver carried on a guided missile is shown to include the combination of a crystal oscillator which produces a pilot signal for tuning the YIG filter to a corresponding resonant frequency and a frequency adjusting arrangement for offsetting the resonant frequency of the YIG filter by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A planar, low-profile, very wide frequency bandwidth, wide-scan, dual-linear or circular-polarized phased array antenna using integrated stacked-disc radiator tiles. The stacked-disc radiator configuration comprises a lower active radiator fed by a pair of probes for each polarization state, and a parasitic radiator separated from the active radiator by dielectric material. The stacked-disc radiator is integrated with its multi-layer feed circuits in a very compact package. The feed circuits include 90.degree. hybrid coupler circuits and 180.degree. hybrid coupler circuits that couple dual linear or dual circular polarized energy to and from the disk radiators.

Abstract: A FLIR system having a refractive FLIR optical configuration including a substantially spherical housing and an optical window disposed in and extending to the outer housing surface. The window aperture diameter exceeds the housing radius and is a near dome-shaped, relatively high dispersive negative lens forming a part of the FLIR optical system and is disposed adjacent a positive relatively low dispersive lens. A first optical system extends to a first housing window for receiving light and is within a hemispherical housing portion comprises an afocal lens system of a first pair of lenses, one lens disposed at a housing wall, a first mirror disposed within the hemisphere and reflecting light passing through the first pair of lenses, a second mirror for receiving the light reflected from the first mirror and reflecting the light along a path parallel to the light impinging upon the first mirror and a further plurality of lenses for transmission of the light reflected from the second mirror.

Abstract: A configurable interface module particularly suited for processing of digital and analog information includes at least one field programmable gate array (44, 46, 48) mounted on a mezzanine board (30) to provide functional flexibility and not requiring an additional slot in a computer chassis. In a preferred embodiment, the module is utilized to process weather information and performs the functions of demodulation, bit and frame synchronization, and FIFO buffer control. The gate arrays may be reprogrammed to implement either AM demodulation or BPSK demodulation or adapted to process other types of information, such as telemetry information.

Abstract: A device for creating a panoramic field of view comprises a first light passing incident surface which is a cylinder surface and a second incident surface which is a mirror surface onto which light passing through the first surface impinges. A third incident surface onto which light from the second incident surface impinges is provided and the third incident surface being an aspherical transmission surface. A recollimating element for presenting a pupil plane depiction of a panoramic field of view is also provided. Various embodiments may include single or double lens devices with a second lens provided for the purpose of recollimating light.

Abstract: A flight launched fiber optic dual payout system (10) for a command guided missile (12) is disclosed which combines a missile (12) with two fiber optic cable dispensers (18, 20) into a single unit that can mount to a single launch station of a launch platform (14). The dual payout system (10) of the present invention includes a missile (12) having a missile dispenser (18) for dispensing a first fiber optic cable (22) connected to the missile (12) and a launch platform dispenser (20) for dispensing a second fiber optic cable (24) detachably connected to the missile dispenser (20). The first and second fiber optic cables (22, 24) are connected by a length of reinforced cable splice or leader line (26) which is housed in a protective retainer (28) on a launch platform interface unit (16) that operates to mount the missile (12) to the launch platform (14) and complete a fiber optic data link between the missile (12) and the launch platform (14).

Abstract: An amplifier having an uncompensated gain which decreases with increasing temperature. The amplifier includes an integrated circuit chip having formed thereon a plurality of serially coupled amplifier stages. Each one of a portion of such stages has temperature compensation circuitry. Such circuitry includes a plurality of selectable gains, such gain being selected in accordance with temperature of the chip. The stage has a higher gain at a temperature above a predetermined threshold level associated with such stage and a lower gain at temperature below such predetermined threshold level associated with such stage. Each one of such stages is associated with a different predetermined threshold level. Each one of the stages includes a gain stage having a switchable feedback element, such stage providing a first gain when such element is switched into one state and a second gain when such element is switched into a second state.

Abstract: A test station for testing the performance of an automotive Forward Looking Sensor (FLS) in detecting one or more targets in a predetermined scene within the field of view of the FLS. The test station includes a chamber having a first end at which the FLS is disposed and a second end at which a Transmit/Receive Test (TRT) system is disposed. The TRT system includes an antenna array responsive to an RF signal transmitted by the FLS and a Transmit/Receive (TR) processor for processing the received signal in order to simulate the predetermined scene and for transmitting the processed signal back to the FLS. The TR processor includes at least one Transmit/Receive Radio Frequency (TR RF) processor module for processing the received RF signal by selectively shifting the frequency and/or adjusting the amplitude of the signal.

Abstract: Conductive apparatus having minimized AC resistance. The conductive apparatus comprises a planar rectangular conductor having top and bottom surfaces, and opposed end surfaces that are smaller in dimension than the top and bottom surfaces. Magnetic material is disposed adjacent to each of the end surfaces of the rectangular conductor that is formed in a "C" shape to provide end caps that are symmetrical and enclose the end surfaces and portions of the top and bottom surfaces to overlap the conductor in its corners. A method of fabricating the conductive apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A Forward Looking Sensor (FLS) alignment system includes a transmit antenna adapted to provide multiple beams, a receive antenna adapted to provide multiple beams, a transmitter coupled to said transmit antenna and adapted to radiate an electromagnetic signal through selected ones of the multiple antenna beams of said transmit antenna and a receiver coupled to said receive antenna and adapted to receive through selected ones of the multiple antenna beams of predetermined antenna beams of a receive antenna having multiple antenna beams reflections from the radiated electromagnetic signal and processing the received electromagnetic signal reflections to generate an alignment offset signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for propagating electromagnetic waves at a predetermined reduced guide wavelength. A waveguide (27b) is provided for receiving and guiding the electromagnetic waves. A dielectric (28) is disposed in the waveguide (27b) to decrease the guide wavelength of the received electromagnetic waves. The dielectric (28) allows the width of the waveguide (27b) to be reduced without significantly compromising its power-carrying capability.

Abstract: A structure (20) is formed of a first article (22) such as a cold finger (82), a second article (24) such as an electronic component (78) to be affixed to and cooled by the cold finger (82), and a bonding element (26) disposed between and bonding together the first article (22) and the second article (24). The bonding element (26) includes a porous metallic body (28), such as a screen, a mesh, a felt, or a foam, and a mass of resin adhesive (36) impregnated into the metallic body (28). The mass of adhesive (36) contacts and bonds to the first article (22) and to the second article (24), and the porous metallic body (28) forms a substantially continuous, high-conductivity path between the first article (22) and the second article (24).

Abstract: Methods of fabricating air-dielectric true-time-delay, continuous transverse stub array antenna. The first method uses conventional machining or molding techniques to fabricate layers of plastic with desired microwave circuit features. The plastic layers are then metalized, assembled (aligned) and joined together, such as by using ultrasonic welding techniques. Readily available metalization and ultrasonic welding techniques exist that may be used. The second method uses sheets of metal, into which microwave circuit features are fabricated, such as by machining. The layers are then assembled (aligned) and joined together, using one of several available processes, such as an inert gas, furnace brazing technique, for example.

Abstract: A method of operating a radar system, including the steps of digitally sampling a received signal at a predetermined sampling rate, to periodically provide a set of selected samples, the set of selected samples including positive going ramp samples, negative going ramp samples and CW burst samples and performing a first fast Fourier transform (FFT) on the positive going ramp samples, performing a second fast Fourier transform on the negative going ramp samples and performing a third fast Fourier transform on the CW burst samples is described.

Abstract: Amine adducts comprising a reactive amine curing agent containing an aromatic silane epoxy along with improved coatings made by combining the amine adduct with additional epoxy material. The amine adducts, when formulated and cured with an epoxy material, cures in several hours and gives a protective coating material that cures without blush or CO.sub.2 incorporation. Specific embodiments of the amine adduct contain a bisepoxy compound, such as 2,11-bis(3-glycidylphenyl)-2,11dimethyl-2,11-disiladodocane (n=4), for example, while the amine functionalized compound may be ethylenediamine (90.degree. C., 120.2 g, 20 mol) or aminoethylpiperazine, respectively. A number of chemical compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tracking system (200) adapted to receive input imagery and provide standard television format video input signals in response thereto. The video input signals are processed (228) to provide intermediate analog and digital signals. The intermediate analog signals are further processed (239) to provide centroid tracking of a target. The intermediate digital signals are processed (236) to provide correlation tracking of the target. In a specific implementation, the standard television format video input signals are provided by a charge coupled device (214), a Vidicon camera, an infrared focal plane array, a Newvicon camera or other device which generates standard television format video signals. A video rotation circuit may be used to provide proper image orientation regardless of the mounting orientation of the system.

Abstract: A crawler vehicle for inspection of the floor of a tank partially filled with a liquid includes telemetry carried by a tether between the vehicle and the remote station for communication of data and control signals between the vehicle and personnel within the station. The vehicle carries a Hall-effect sensor to sense anomalies in a magnetic flux outside the plate resulting from pitting within the plate. An array of ultrasonic transducer probes provides a detailed picture of the defect. A proximity sensor determines the presence of a step abutment between contiguous plates to command for a retraction of the magnet to prevent collision with the step abutment. A pressure sensor measures the depth between the vehicle and a planar surface of the liquid, used as a reference plane, to determine a degree of flatness of the floor and the presence of any settling of the floor.

Abstract: An array antenna system for forming multiple independently steered beams is described. The antenna system includes series or parallel feed circuits and phase shifters which are not disclosed directly in the signal path between the feed circuits and antenna elements included in the array antenna system.

Abstract: A scanned antenna array and the ferrite scanning source controlling the array which includes a ferrite scanning line source (21) comprising a ferrite element (23) having an RF input (25), a current source (31) extending through the ferrite element and a plurality of RF outputs (27) spaced apart along the ferrite element and an antenna element (33) coupled to each of the RF outputs. Each of the RF outputs is equally spaced apart from adjacent RF outputs. The ferrite element has an input end portion and an output end portion and an axis therebetween, the RF outputs being disposed along the axis. The ferrite element comprises a pair of ferrite toroids (43, 45) spaced apart by a layer of dielectric material (47), the RF outputs (49) being disposed in the dielectric material.

Abstract: A connector which provides an interconnect between a pin and a flat conductor. The connector employs two bundles fabricated of densely packed gold plated wire for the electrical connection to the devices. The bundles are both housed in a dielectric sleeve structure and are themselves connected by a solid conductor. A portion of one wire bundle protrudes from one end of the sleeve structure to make electrical contact with a flat conductor in a mating assembly. The second wire bundle is recessed within the sleeve structure adjacent a second end of the sleeve structure. The pin is inserted into the second end in an installation, making electrical contact with the second wire bundle. The outside body of the connector is threaded, allowing an operator to twist the connector into the mating assembly, not requiring tight tolerances to ensure proper contact.