Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for a wireless fuze setter interface, comprising an electronics subsystem comprising a plurality of ports and a plurality of output interfaces having a common interface with the plurality of ports on the electronics subsystem. The plurality of output interfaces comprises an electrical energy transfer zone configured to provide electrical energy to the fuze, and a high speed data communications zone configured to transfer fuze setting data to the fuze. The wireless fuze setter interface provides fuze setting capability without the need for rotational or other physical alignment between the fuze and the fuze setter.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for a system that includes a fuze at a leading end of a projectile body and a fuze setter configured to engage the fuze and to program the same prior to launch. The system, in one example, includes a plurality of electrical contact pads on an exterior surface of a fuze radome housing and a plurality of electrical contact pins on the fuze setter. The electrical contact pads are arranged in a rotationally symmetric pattern that enables an electrical interface to be formed with the electrical contact pins, regardless of the rotational orientation of the fuze. Commutation is performed to rotate signals to the electrical contact pins instead of requiring that the fuze be physically rotated to bring the electrical contact pads into alignment with the electrical contact pins.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for a fuze setter adapter that operationally engages an incompatible fuze and fuze setter with each other so that fuze setting may be undertaken. The fuze and fuze setter each include at least one wireless or direct connect interface for electrical power transfer and/or data communications. The fuze setter adapter provides complementary interfaces configured to couple with the interfaces of the fuze and fuze setter. A processor control in the fuze setter adapter links the fuze setter adapter interfaces. The processor control is programmed to receive data communications from the fuze setter, convert those signals to fuze-compatible signals, and transfer the fuze-compatible signals to the fuze, and vice versa. The processor control is further programmed to receive electrical power from the fuze setter, convert that electrical power to fuze-compatible power, and transfer the fuze-compatible power to the fuze.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for a system that includes a fuze at a leading end of a projectile body and a fuze setter configured to engage the fuze and to program the same prior to launch. The system, in one example, includes a plurality of electrical contact pads on an exterior surface of a fuze radome housing and a plurality of electrical contact pins on the fuze setter. The electrical contact pads are arranged in a rotationally symmetric pattern that enables an electrical interface to be formed with the electrical contact pins, regardless of the rotational orientation of the fuze. Commutation is performed to rotate signals to the electrical contact pins instead of requiring that the fuze be physically rotated to bring the electrical contact pads into alignment with the electrical contact pins.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for a system that includes a fuze at a leading end of a projectile body and a fuze setter configured to engage the fuze and to program the same prior to launch. The system, in one example, includes a plurality of electrical contact pads on an exterior surface of a fuze radome housing and a plurality of electrical contact pins on the fuze setter. The electrical contact pads are arranged in a rotationally symmetric pattern that enables an electrical interface to be formed with the electrical contact pins, regardless of the rotational orientation of the fuze. Commutation is performed to rotate signals to the electrical contact pins instead of requiring that the fuze be physically rotated to bring the electrical contact pads into alignment with the electrical contact pins.

Abstract: A system for eliminating backlash associated with a precision guided projectile is provided. The system includes a canard assembly including at least one canard that is moveable, a rotation assembly operably engaged with the at least one canard, an input shaft of the rotation assembly, an output shaft of the rotation assembly operably engaged with the input shaft and operably engaged with the at least one canard of the canard assembly, a mechanical ground, an anti-backlash mechanism operably engaged with the output shaft and operably engaged with the mechanical ground, and a bias torque of the anti-backlash mechanism applied to the output shaft. The anti-backlash mechanism eliminates the backlash between the input shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for a system that includes a fuze at a leading end of a projectile body and a fuze setter configured to engage the fuze and to program the same prior to launch. The system, in one example, includes a plurality of electrical contact pads on an exterior surface of a fuze radome housing and a plurality of electrical contact pins on the fuze setter. The electrical contact pads are arranged in a rotationally symmetric pattern that enables an electrical interface to be formed with the electrical contact pins, regardless of the rotational orientation of the fuze. Commutation is performed to rotate signals to the electrical contact pins instead of requiring that the fuze be physically rotated to bring the electrical contact pads into alignment with the electrical contact pins.

Abstract: A fuze setter interface for substantially simultaneously and wirelessly transferring power and data between a fuze setter and fuze. The fuze setter interface includes separate power and communications interfaces. In the power interface, an induction coil is provided in each of the fuze setter and fuze. Power is transferred by magnetic field coupling between the induction coils. In the communications interface, a communications member is provided in each of the fuze setter and fuze, along with appropriate functions to generate alternating-current (AC) waveforms, and condition, modulate or demodulate signals. In one example, both communications members are induction coils that transfer data by magnetic field coupling. In another example, both communications members are radio-frequency (RF) transceivers that transfer data by radio signal. The RF transceiver in the fuze may be a Height of Burst (HoB) sensor.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for a fuze setter adapter that operationally engages an incompatible fuze and fuze setter with each other so that fuze setting may be undertaken. The fuze and fuze setter each include at least one wireless or direct connect interface for electrical power transfer and/or data communications. The fuze setter adapter provides complementary interfaces configured to couple with the interfaces of the fuze and fuze setter. A processor control in the fuze setter adapter links the fuze setter adapter interfaces. The processor control is programmed to receive data communications from the fuze setter, convert those signals to fuze-compatible signals, and transfer the fuze-compatible signals to the fuze, and vice versa. The processor control is further programmed to receive electrical power from the fuze setter, convert that electrical power to fuze-compatible power, and transfer the fuze-compatible power to the fuze.

Abstract: A fuze setter interface for substantially simultaneously and wirelessly transferring power and data between a fuze setter and fuze. The fuze setter interface includes separate power and communications interfaces. In the power interface, an induction coil is provided in each of the fuze setter and fuze. Power is transferred by magnetic field coupling between the induction coils. In the communications interface, a communications member is provided in each of the fuze setter and fuze, along with appropriate functions to generate alternating-current (AC) waveforms, and condition, modulate or demodulate signals. In one example, both communications members are induction coils that transfer data by magnetic field coupling. In another example, both communications members are radio-frequency (RF) transceivers that transfer data by radio signal. The RF transceiver in the fuze may be a Height of Burst (HoB) sensor.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for operating a weapon targeting system comprising the steps of using a laser to fire a single pulse at a target to obtain a reflected laser pulse; detecting the reflected laser pulse as a signal by a SWIR focal plane; detecting background illumination by using the SWIR focal plane; scene clutter filter and using optical filtering if it is necessary to suppress background illumination.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for operating a weapon targeting system comprising the steps of using a laser to fire a single pulse at a target to obtain a reflected laser pulse; detecting the reflected laser pulse as a signal by a SWIR focal plane; detecting background illumination by using the SWIR focal plane; scene clutter filter and using optical filtering if it is necessary to suppress background illumination.

Abstract: A method and system for color enabled local area contrast enhancement, are provided by generating a first copy of an image; processing the first copy to locally enhance visual contrast in the image; generating a second copy of the image; processing the second copy of the image to provide at least one visual cue to radiant flux within the image incident on the focal plane pixels; displaying a combined image formed from the combination of the locally enhanced first copy and flux mapped the second copy.

Abstract: A system for the vergence of images from a plurality of cameras, the system provides a first camera; a second camera disposed at some distance from that first camera; a focus adjustment whereby the focus of the first camera can be adjusted by a user; the focus adjustment being configured with a range finder whereby the distance from the first camera to a target is ascertained; a look up chart wherein divergence distance of images generated from the first camera from images of the second camera are provided for pre-calculated ranges; and a processor whereby the images generated by the first camera are superimposed on the images generated by the second camera by the divergence distance determined from the lookup.

Abstract: A method and system for color enabled local area contrast enhancement, are provided by generating a first copy of an image; processing the first copy to locally enhance visual contrast in the image; generating a second copy of the image; processing the second copy of the image to provide at least one visual cue to radiant flux within the image incident on the focal plane pixels; displaying a combined image formed from the combination of the locally enhanced first copy and flux mapped the second copy.

Abstract: A non-uniformity correction (NUC) process for imaging engines is augmented with real-time pixel substitution capability. This feature checks for pixels that have significantly degraded from their factory performance. Degraded pixels found are then substituted in real time. This process eliminates distractions to the camera system operator and prevents these degraded pixels from degrading the subjective image quality.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the vergence of images from a plurality of cameras, the system having: an first camera; a second camera disposed at some distance from that first camera; a focus adjustment whereby the focus of the first camera can be adjusted by a user; the focus adjustment being configured with a range finder whereby the distance from the first camera to a target is ascertained; a look up chart wherein divergence distance of images generated from the first camera from images of the second camera are provided for pre-calculated ranges; a processor whereby said images generated by the first camera are superimposed on the images generated by the second camera by the divergence distance determined from the lookup.

Abstract: A non-uniformity correction (NUC) process for imaging engines is augmented with real-time pixel substitution capability. This feature checks for pixels that have significantly degraded from their factory performance. Degraded pixels found are then substituted in real time. This process eliminates distractions to the camera system operator and prevents these degraded pixels from degrading the subjective image quality.

Abstract: Described is a self-contained, small, lightweight, power-efficient and radiation-shielded module that includes a miniature vacuum X-ray tube emitting X-rays of a controlled intensity and defined spectrum. Feedback control circuits are used to monitor and maintain the beam current and voltage. The X-ray tube, high-voltage power supply, and the resonant converter are encapsulated in a solid high-voltage insulating material. The module can be configured into complex geometries and can be powered by commercially available small, compact, low-voltage batteries.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward an X-ray treatment kit to be used in an X-ray treatment apparatus. The X-ray treatment kit includes at least one of an improved biocompatible sheath or an improved probe, wherein an airflow path is maintained between the sheath and probe to allow air present within a void region of the sheath to escape as the probe is inserted therein. In various embodiments, the sheath includes a securing assembly which removably secures the sheath to the probe and provides an airflow path, e.g. an internally disposed annular ring with air shunts. Such a sheath may be used with a typical smooth probe to form an X-ray treatment kit. In other embodiments, an improved probe includes an air channel formed substantially along its length. In such a case, the improved probe may be used with a typical sheath, i.e., a sheath having a solid annular ring at its open end, to form an X-ray treatment kit.