Abstract: A composite structure includes a first surface and a second surface sandwiched together with a field array of individual and discrete pillars extending therebetween. The plurality of discrete pillars each have a tailored coefficient of thermal expansion and are designed to expand and contract over varying temperatures. The discrete pillars are specifically arranged within the composite structure to compensate for the shrinkage and expansion of different components of a microelectronic hybrid device, to reduce thermal expansion induced deformations imparted on facets of the microelectronic hybrid device under varying temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a photonic integrated circuit having an optical phased array, where the optical phased array includes multiple unit cells. Each unit cell includes an antenna element configured to transmit or receive optical signals having a linear polarization of light. Each unit cell also includes a modulator configured to phase-shift the optical signals transmitted or received by the antenna element. Each unit cell further includes a quarter waveplate configured to convert between the linear polarization of light and a circular polarization of light.

Abstract: Radar systems and methods detecting and tracking an unmanned aerial system (UAS) are provided. The radar system and methods can include determining whether or not a UAS is included in the plurality of electromagnetic signals received by the radar system based on one or more expected frequencies that one or more UAS devices use to transmit signals to remote controls. The radar systems and method can also involve switching the radar system into a track mode upon detecting a UAS.

Abstract: An edge launch radio frequency (RF) signal connector includes ground contact tabs that have radially extending arms. The arms cover a gap between a substrate, such as a circuit board, and the connector to reduce the RF ground path between the RF reference ground and a signal pin supported by the connector. The arms extend radially inwardly from the protruding ground contact tabs toward a central support aperture that supports the signal pin. The arms and the ground contact tabs are formed integrally with the main connector body as one piece. The arms and the ground contact tabs may be planar in shape such that the arms and the ground contact tabs lie flush on the substrate when the connector is arranged over the edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking a hypersonic object over a flightpath includes at least one observer having at least one sensor. The sensor is configured to provide measurements of the hypersonic object that are geometrically diverse such that each observer may independently measure any combination of range, angles, Doppler, and angle rates. The observers transmit measurements to a processing unit as the hypersonic object undergoes three phases including a boost phase, a ballistic phase, and a hypersonic glide phase. The hypersonic object is tracked over many time steps by first selecting a dynamics model representative of expected object kinematics during said phase. Then, an unscented Kalman filter is used to predict a future state and a covariance using the dynamics model that was selected. Finally, the unscented Kalman filter updates the future state and covariance that were predicted based on the geometrically diverse measurements of the sensors.

Abstract: A technology for remote object imaging processing. An example of the technology can include calculating geographic coordinates for an object using in part a line-of-sight distance to the object from a camera coupled to a vehicle, calculating an angle of the sun relative to the object using sun position data that corresponds to a time and date and the geographic coordinates for the object, determining a white balance setting based in part on the angle of the sun relative to the object, and applying the white balance setting as a parameter used to process an image of the object captured using the camera coupled to the vehicle.

Abstract: A process for building a high-performance liquid flow-through plate is provided and includes providing a substrate formed of metal matrix composite (MMC) material, metallizing a surface of the substrate to reform the surface into a metallized surface, placing a braze foil on the metallized surface and executing a high-temperature and high-pressure bake whereby material of the braze foil diffuses into the metallized surface.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for removing non-linearities in an inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) image are provided. A method includes estimating pitch and roll about range and doppler axes of a time series of ISAR images including the ISAR image, interpolating ISAR image data based on the estimated pitch and roll resulting in interpolated ISAR image data, and resampling based on the interpolated ISAR image data and the time series of TSAR images resulting in an enhanced image.

Abstract: An eccentric bushing assembly comprises an outer eccentric bushing configured to be disposed in an opening of a panel comprising a central axis. The outer eccentric bushing is operable to float axially, rotate circumferentially, and to move radially with respect to the central axis. The eccentric bushing assembly further comprises an inner eccentric bushing disposed radially inward from the outer eccentric bushing and interfacing with the outer eccentric bushing, the inner eccentric bushing is operable to rotate relative to the outer eccentric bushing. The eccentric bushing assembly further comprises a spherical bushing comprising a through hole operable to receive a connecting pin therein and to rotate in at least one degree of freedom. The rotation of the spherical bushing can facilitate alignment of an axis of the pin with the through hole.

Abstract: A directed energy system is provided and includes a housing defining an unobscured aperture for emitted electromagnetic (EM) radiation and a stiffening strut assembly installed at an outlet of the housing and through which the emitted EM radiation passes. The directed energy system and various elements such as the telescope and optical trains described herein are well suited for, but not limited to, high-energy (HE) laser applications.

Abstract: An insulated blast tube includes an insulating layer of a burn resistant material such as phenolic resin formed on an interior surface of the blast tube to provide the necessary erosion and thermal insulation properties to protect the blast tube and a heavy inert gas insulated layer formed in the walls of the blast tube itself to provide the additional thermal insulation properties to protect any non-propulsive sub-systems positioned in the void space around the blast tube. A void space in the walls of the blast tube contains an inert gas such as Argon, Krypton, Xenon or a synthetic inert gas having a density of at least 1.5 kg/m3 and a thermal conductivity Tcond_gas of no greater than two-thirds the thermal conductivity of air Tcond_air to form the heavy inert gas insulation layer.

Abstract: A multichannel transistor is provided. In the transistor, a plurality of gate fingers overlie a substrate and extend laterally across the substrate from a gate manifold. The gate manifold has a curved edge, and each of the gate fingers projects radially from the curved manifold edge.

Abstract: A multi slope output impedance controller is configured to vary the effective impedance Zeff_n of a power converter to reduce a current imbalance between power supplies in a masterless configuration of N parallel-connected power supplies while maintaining load regulation during start-up and steady-state operation. Generally speaking, the controller commands a high value of Zeff_n when Iout_n is low to facilitate current sharing and reduce current imbalance Ib between the power supplies and commands a low value of Zeff_n when Iout_n is high to improve load regulation.

Abstract: A sabot including a first casing petal having at least one coupling feature and at least one disengagement feature; a second casing petal having at least one coupling feature and at least one disengagement feature; and a cap insertable within a forward receiver formed by coupling the first casing petal with the second casing petal, wherein the first casing petal and the second casing petal and the cap are configured to cooperatively attach to a forward assembly of a missile and cooperatively detach from the forward assembly of the missile responsive to a missile launch.

Abstract: Optical systems and methods for object detection and location. One example of an optical system includes a laser radar optical source positioned to emit a pulsed laser beam, a MEMS MMA positioned to scan the beam in a linear scan over a first area of a scene, a laser radar detector positioned to receive and integrate a reflection of the beam, a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) configured to provide a first read-out signal based on the integrated reflection, and a controller configured to receive the first read-out signal, determine a range to the first area based on a time of flight of the pulsed laser beam, and identify a presence of an object within the scene based on a signal level of the first read-out signal, the first signal level corresponding to a reflectivity of a portion of the object within the first area of the scene.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a mirrored apparatus includes a substrate with a non-metal inorganic material that is non-diamond turnable. The mirrored apparatus further includes a finish layer arranged on the surface of the substrate. The finish layer has a polished surface opposite the substrate. The mirrored apparatus also includes a reflective layer arranged on the polished surface of the finish layer.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor and capacitive sensing method including a driver device having a first input configured to receive a clock signal, a second input configured to receive a charging voltage, a third input configured to receive a common-mode voltage, and an output; a first capacitor configured to be sensed, having a first terminal connected to the output of the driver device and a second terminal; and a receiver device having a first input configured to receive the clock signal, a second input connected to the second terminal of the first capacitor, and a third input configured to receive the common mode voltage.

Abstract: An optical scanning system includes one or more Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) Micro-Mirror Arrays (MMAs) used to scan a field-of-view (FOV) over a field-of-regard (FOR). The MEMS MMA is configured such that optical radiation from each point in the FOV does not land on or originate from out-of-phase mirror segments and a diffraction limited resolution of the optical system is limited by the size of the entrance pupil and not by the size of individual mirrors.

Abstract: A machine tool chip removal device including a coupling interface to couple with a rotatable spindle of a machine tool to facilitate rotation of the machine tool chip removal device about an axis at a rotational speed. The chip removal device can also include a main fluid channel with an opening to receive pressurized fluid from the machine tool. The chip removal device can further include a first fluid delivery channel and a second fluid delivery channel to direct fluid in different directions. Each fluid delivery channel can be in fluid communication with the main fluid channel. In addition, the chip removal device can include one or more valves associated with the first and second fluid delivery channels to selectively allow fluid passage from the main fluid channel to the fluid delivery channels. The one or more valves can be actuated by varying fluid pressure and/or rotational speed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a radar system having an array including a series of concentric rings of array elements, wherein the concentric rings that have a shape defined by respective ellipses that increase in size from a center that is common to the respective ellipses. The series of concentric rings can include multiple groups of the concentric rings, wherein the concentric rings in each successive group are larger in size than the concentric rings in the first group.