Abstract: Embodiments of a guided munition system are provided, as are embodiments of a combustive dome cover and methods for equipping a guided munition with a combustive dome cover. In one embodiment, the guided munition system includes a guided munition, which has a munition body and a seeker dome coupled thereto, and a combustive dome cover disposed over the seeker dome. The combustive dome cover is configured to uncover the seeker dome at a predetermined time of deployment and to combust when so deployed to minimize the production of debris.

Abstract: Blur-calibration of art imaging sensor includes moving a known target pattern across the field-of view (FONT) of the imaging sensor to present the target pattern across different frames at different pixel phases. The known target pattern comprises a plurality of point-like objects with fixed relative positions in which at least one point-like object has a different focus position. Frames of images of the moving target pattern as seen in the FOV of the imaging sensor are captured to sample point-like objects at different focus positions and generate a multi-focal image data output, which may be subsequently processed to generate data products at different focus positions from a high-resolution composite image generated from the captured frames.

Abstract: Systems and devices for processing image or other data using non-linear methods to compensate for localized slopes are described. In one implementation, the slope of the sample values in an image or other dataset is estimated in one or more directions using a non-linear filter, such as a median filter. The values of at least some of the samples of interest are compensated using the estimated slope values to remove the effects of the slope. The compensated values may then be processed to determine if the target is present in the samples of interest, or for any other purpose.

Abstract: Printing of color imagery onto a rewritable color surface (e.g. electronic paper or human skin tattooed with electrophoretic ink) is accomplished by providing an applicator with an alignment subsystem capable of sensing an alignment marker (e.g. color response, non-visible response or secondary emission) of one or more colors dots from multiple local color dot patterns as the applicator scans the surface to align the applicator's print head to the local color dot patterns. The alignment subsystem uses the sensed alignment markers to align the state values for the corresponding portion of the color image to the individual color dots in the local color dot patterns on said surface. Alignment may be achieved by mapping the state values for a particular color dot in the color image to an individual head that is aligned to a particular color dot or by micro-actuating a pattern of print heads with pre-assigned state values to align with the local color dot patterns.

Abstract: The spectral diversity of the iris can be used as a unique biometric identifier. By careful selection of a number of spectral bands, four or more, the hyper-spectral signature derived from data contained in those bands can distinguish color signatures that are not visually distinguishable in RGB color space to uniquely identify a person. Classification of hyper-spectral signatures requires less spatial resolution than the classification of texture signatures, maybe an order of magnitude or more. This reduces the size of the sensor aperture required at a given range.

Abstract: Embodiments of a guided munition are provided, as are embodiments of a method for equipping a guided munition with a self-deploying dome cover. In one embodiment, the guided munition includes a munition body, a seeker dome coupled to the munition body, and a self-deploying dome cover disposed over the seeker dome. The self-deploying dome cover is configured to deploy and expose the seeker dome during munition flight in response to aerodynamic forces acting on the self-deploying dome cover.

Abstract: Embodiments of a guided munition system are provided, as are embodiments of a combustive dome cover and methods for equipping a guided munition with a combustive dome cover. In one embodiment, the guided munition system includes a guided munition, which has a munition body and a seeker dome coupled thereto, and a combustive dome cover disposed over the seeker dome. The combustive dome cover is configured to uncover the seeker dome at a predetermined time of deployment and to combust when so deployed to minimize the production of debris.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and method for measuring the attitude of an object in outer space includes an optical system having an aperture to receive optical radiation and a focal plane to image the optical radiation and an aperture-sharing element attached to the optical element and at least partially surrounding an optical path into the aperture. The aperture-sharing element directs optical radiation from a field of view of the aperture-sharing element to a corresponding first portion of the focal plane to provide multi-axis stellar attitude measurements, and the aperture receives optical radiation along the optical path into the aperture and directs the optical radiation to a second portion of the focal plane.

Abstract: The value of a median or other rank of interest in a dataset is efficiently determined. Each active bit of the dataset is serially processed to compute one bit of the output value from each bit of the input dataset. If any sample in the dataset has an active bit that differs from the determined output value for that bit, then that sample can be marked as no longer in consideration. After an active bit has been processed, the data for that bit may be discarded or subsequently ignored. These techniques allow the rank value to be efficiently determined using pipelined logic in a configurable gate array (CGA) or the like. Further implementations may be enhanced to compute clipped means, to identify “next highest” or “next lowest” values, to reduce quantization errors through less-significant bit interpolation, to simultaneously process multiple values in a common pipeline, or for any other purpose.

Abstract: By sharing tasks between the CV and the KVs, the MKV interceptor provides a cost-effective missile defense system capable of intercepting and killing multiple targets. The placement of the acquisition and discrimination sensor and control sensor on the CV to provide target acquisition and discrimination and mid-course guidance for all the KVs avoids the weight and complexity issues associated with trying to “miniaturize” unitary interceptors. The placement of either a short-band imaging sensor and headlamp or a MWIR sensor on each KV overcomes the latency, resolution and bandwidth problems associated with command guidance systems and allows each KV to precisely select a desirable aimpoint and maintain track on that aimpoint to impact.

Abstract: By sharing tasks between the CV and the KVs, the MKV interceptor provides a cost-effective missile defense system capable of intercepting and killing multiple targets. The placement of the acquisition and discrimination sensor and control sensor on the CV to provide target acquisition and discrimination and mid-course guidance for all the KVs avoids the weight and complexity issues associated with trying to “miniaturize” unitary interceptors. The placement of either a short-band imaging sensor and headlamp or a MWIR sensor on each KV overcomes the latency, resolution and bandwidth problems associated with command guidance systems and allows each KV to precisely select a desirable aimpoint and maintain track on that aimpoint to impact. An implicit divert and attitude control system (DACS) using tow or more divert thrusters performs KV divert and attitude maneuvers to respond to the command guidance pre-handover and to maintain track on the aimpoint to terminal intercept post-handover.

Abstract: A system for imaging a textured surface comprising includes a photoreceptor array having: at least a first photoreceptor and a second photoreceptor, each configured to receive electromagnetic radiation reflected from the textured surface and to generate a signal corresponding thereto; wherein the photoreceptor array is configured to detect an image of the textured surface based on the relative difference between the time of arrival of the signals from the first and second photoreceptors. Methods for imaging a textured surface and fabricating a photoreceptor array structure for imaging a textured surface are also provided.

Abstract: Optical distortion calibration for an Electro-Optical sensor in a chamber eliminates calibration of the mirror controller and allows for calibration while the target is in motion across the FOV thus providing a more efficient and accurate calibration. A target pattern is projected through sensor optics with line of sight motion across the sensor FOV to generate a sequence of frames. Knowing that the true distances between the same targets remain constant with line of sight motion across the sensor's FOV, coefficients of a function F representative of the non-linear distortion in the sensor optics are fit from observed target positions in a subset of frames to true line of sight so that distances between targets are preserved as the pattern moves across the FOV. The coefficients are stored as calibration terms with the sensor.

Abstract: Systems and devices for processing image or other data using non-linear methods to compensate for localized slopes are described. In one implementation, the slope of the sample values in an image or other dataset is estimated in one or more directions using a non-linear filter, such as a median filter. The values of at least some of the samples of interest are compensated using the estimated slope values to remove the effects of the slope. The compensated values may then be processed to determine if the target is present in the samples of interest, or for any other purpose.

Abstract: Optical distortion calibration for an Electro-Optical sensor in a chamber eliminates calibration of the mirror controller and allows for calibration while the target is in motion across the FOV thus providing a more efficient and accurate calibration. A target pattern is projected through sensor optics with line of sight motion across the sensor FOV to generate a sequence of frames. Knowing that the true distances between the same targets remain constant with line of sight motion across the sensor's FOV, coefficients of a function F representative of the non-linear distortion in the sensor optics are fit from observed target positions in a subset of frames to true line of sight so that distances between targets are preserved as the pattern moves across the FOV. The coefficients are stored as calibration terms with the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides for simple and streamlined boresight correlation of FLIR-to-missile video. Boresight correlation is performed with un-NUCed missile video, which allows boresight correlation and NUC to be performed simultaneously thereby reducing the time required to acquire a target and fire the missile. The current approach uses the motion of the missile seeker for NUCing to produce spatial gradient filtering in the missile image by differencing images as the seeker moves. This compensates DC non-uniformities in the image. A FLIR image is processed with a matching displace and subtract spatial filter constructed based on the tracked scene motion. The FLIR image is resampled to match the missile image resolution, and the two images are preprocessed and correlated using conventional methods. Improved NUC is provided by cross-referencing multiple measurements of each area of the scene as viewed by different pixels in the imager.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and method for measuring the attitude of an object in outer space includes an optical system having an aperture to receive optical radiation and a focal plane to image the optical radiation and an aperture-sharing element attached to the optical element and at least partially surrounding an optical path into the aperture. The aperture-sharing element directs optical radiation from a field of view of the aperture-sharing element to a corresponding first portion of the focal plane to provide multi-axis stellar attitude measurements, and the aperture receives optical radiation along the optical path into the aperture and directs the optical radiation to a second portion of the focal plane.

Abstract: A system and method for moving target based non-uniformity calibration for optical images. The described approach allows for the use of the same test chamber to perform non-uniformity calibration and moving target tests. The current approach works by scanning a test scene having a target and a background at different intensity levels in an overlapping pattern across the imager FOV and cross-referencing multiple measurements of each pixel of a test scene as viewed by different pixels in the imager; each fully-compensated image pixel sees multiple different scene pixels and each scene pixel is seen by multiple imager pixels. For each fully-compensated imager pixel, an Nth order correlation is performed on the measured and estimate pixel response data to calculate the NUC terms. This approach is based on the simple yet novel premise that every fully-compensated pixel in the array that looks at the same thing should see the same thing.

Abstract: The present invention provides for simple and streamlined boresight correlation of FLIR-to-missile video. Boresight correlation is performed with un-NUCed missile video, which allows boresight correlation and NUC to be performed simultaneously thereby reducing the time required to acquire a target and fire the missile. The current approach uses the motion of the missile seeker for NUCing to produce spatial gradient filtering in the missile image by differencing images as the seeker moves. This compensates DC non-uniformities in the image. A FLIR image is processed with a matching displace and subtract spatial filter constructed based on the tracked scene motion. The FLIR image is resampled to match the missile image resolution, and the two images are preprocessed and correlated using conventional methods. Improved NUC is provided by cross-referencing multiple measurements of each area of the scene as viewed by different pixels in the imager.

Abstract: The spectral diversity of the iris can be used as a unique biometric identifier. By careful selection of a number of spectral bands, four or more, the hyper-spectral signature derived from data contained in those bands can distinguish color signatures that are not visually distinguishable in RGB color space to uniquely identify a person. Classification of hyper-spectral signatures requires less spatial resolution than the classification of texture signatures, maybe an order of magnitude or more. This reduces the size of the sensor aperture required at a given range.