Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical communication. A plurality of optical signals having a plurality of different frequencies is received at a receiver. The plurality of optical signals received at the receiver is sent through a non-linear optical element in the receiver such that a resulting optical signal is generated that has a frequency based on at least one of the plurality of different frequencies. Information is identified in the resulting optical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting signals. An apparatus comprises a tube comprising a number of layers of carbon forming a wall of the tube. The number of layers of carbon has a number of optical properties configured to propagate an optical signal and a number of electrical properties configured to conduct an electrical signal.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of displays which may be used in high pressure environments, e.g., in underwater environments, and systems which utilize such displays. In some embodiments, a system comprises at least one electronic device comprising an optical output, a first optical interface to couple the optical output to an optical transmission medium, a second optical interface coupled to the optical transmission medium, and a display coupled to the second optical interface. In some embodiments the second optical interface comprises a material having a graded index of refraction, and the display comprises an optically transmissive material coupled to the second optical interface to transmit an image from the second optical interface to a reflective surface.

Abstract: A system for pointing, acquisition, and tracking in a networked communications system is disclosed. A first communications device of the networked communications system may include a PAT module for establishing PAT links with other communications elements in the networked communications system. A second communications device may also include a PAT module for establishing PAT links with other communications elements in the networked communications system. A communications node may also include a PAT module for establishing PAT links with other communications elements in the networked communications system. A first PAT link is formable between the first communications device and the communications node. A second PAT link is formable between the second communications device and the communications node, and a third PAT link is formable between the first communications device and the second communications device through the communications node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a signal generator and a wire. The signal generator is configured to generate an electrical signal having an amplitude. The wire is connected to the signal generator. The wire is configured to emit photons in response to receiving the electrical signal. The photons have a frequency based on the amplitude of the electrical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a signal generator and wires. The signal generator is configured to generate electrical signals. The electrical signals have amplitudes and first phases. The wires are connected to the signal generator. The wires are configured to emit photons having phases in response to receiving the electrical signals. The photons have frequencies based on the amplitudes of the electrical signals and second phases based on the first phases of the electrical signals. The first phases of the electrical signals are selected such that the photons have a desired radiation pattern.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a frequency selective communications system for sensing a sequence of multi-wavelength photons. The frequency selective communications system includes at least one intensity control device, at least one polarization control device, at least one focusing element, at least one frequency selective electromagnetic detector, and at least one processor. The frequency selective electromagnetic detector detects the sequence of photons. When the frequency selective electromagnetic detector senses a photon, the frequency selective electromagnetic detector emits an electrical pulse that has a voltage that is proportional to the energy level of the sensed photon. The processor processes the emitted electrical pulses, and de-multiplexes the sequence of emitted electrical pulses based on the voltage of the electrical pulses.

Abstract: A composite structure having an embedded sensing system is provided, along with corresponding systems and methods for monitoring the health of a composite structure. The composite structure includes composite material and an optical fiber disposed within the composite material. The optical fiber includes a plurality of quantum dots for enhancing its non-linear optical properties. The quantum dots may be disposed in the core, in the cladding and/or on the surface of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is configured to support propagation of the signals and to be sensitive to a defect within the composite material. The quantum dots create a non-linear effect, such as a second order effect, in response to the defect in the composite material. Based upon the detection and analysis of the signals including the non-linear effect created by the quantum dots, a defect within the composite material may be detected.

Abstract: A composite structure having an embedded sensing system is provided, along with corresponding systems and methods for monitoring the health of a composite structure. The composite structure includes composite material and an optical fiber disposed within the composite material. The optical fiber includes a plurality of quantum dots for enhancing its non-linear optical properties. The quantum dots may be disposed in the core, in the cladding and/or on the surface of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is configured to support propagation of the signals and to be sensitive to a defect within the composite material. The quantum dots create a non-linear effect, such as a second order effect, in response to the defect in the composite material. Based upon the detection and analysis of the signals including the non-linear effect created by the quantum dots, a defect within the composite material may be detected.

Abstract: A method for storing and transmitting data within a network is described. The method includes receiving raw data at a first processing device and determining a first priority ranking of the raw data. The first priority ranking includes one of a high priority and a low priority. The method also includes storing low priority raw data in a first memory device and transmitting high priority raw data to a second processing device.

Abstract: The system contains a plurality of sensors outputting sensor data. A processor is in communication with the sensors to receive the sensor data. A logic system is in communication with the processor. The logic system evaluates a likelihood of a plurality of hypotheses, generates a representation of the likelihood of the plurality of hypotheses in a coordinate system, and connects trajectories between a plurality of discrete hypothesis aspects of the plurality of hypotheses. An output of the processor provides at least one likely outcome and a confidence level for each of the likely outcomes. At least one likely outcome is selected based on contours of the representation of the likelihood to of the plurality of hypotheses in the coordinate system.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for nonlinear optical surface sensing with a single thermo-electric detector. In particular, the system includes at least two signal sources that are co-aligned to propagate photons to the same location on a surface. The system also includes at least one focusing element that focuses a sequence of photons that is reflected from the location on the surface. In addition, the system includes at least one frequency selective electromagnetic detector that detects the sequence of photons that are focused from the focusing element(s). When the frequency selective electromagnetic detector senses a photon, the frequency selective electromagnetic detector emits an electrical pulse that has a voltage that is proportional to the energy level of the photon. Additionally, the system includes a processor that processes the electrical pulses, and de-multiplexes the sequence of emitted electrical pulses based on the electrical pulse voltage of the electrical pulses.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a frequency selective communications system for sensing a sequence of multi-wavelength photons. The frequency selective communications system includes at least one intensity control device, at least one polarization control device, at least one focusing element, at least one frequency selective electromagnetic detector, and at least one processor. The frequency selective electromagnetic detector detects the sequence of photons. When the frequency selective electromagnetic detector senses a photon, the frequency selective electromagnetic detector emits an electrical pulse that has a voltage that is proportional to the energy level of the sensed photon. The processor processes the emitted electrical pulses, and de-multiplexes the sequence of emitted electrical pulses based on the voltage of the electrical pulses.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a frequency selective electromagnetic detector. In particular, the frequency selective electromagnetic detector includes a nanowire array constructed from a plurality of nanowires of different compositions. At least one nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction is formed between the nanowires of different compositions. When a nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction senses a photon, the nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction emits an electrical pulse voltage that is proportional to an energy level of the sensed photon. In one or more embodiments, the frequency selective electromagnetic detector is a frequency selective optical detector that is used to sense photons having optical frequencies. In at least one embodiment, at least one of the nanowires in the nanowire array is manufactured from a compound material including Bismuth (Bi) and Tellurium (Te).

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a frequency selective imager. In particular, the frequency selective imager includes an array of pixels arranged in a focal plane array. Each pixel includes at least one nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction that is formed between nanowires of different compositions. When a nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction senses a photon, the nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction emits an electrical pulse voltage that is proportional to an energy level of the sensed photon. In one or more embodiments, the frequency selective imager is a frequency selective optical imager that is used to sense photons having optical frequencies. In at least one embodiment, at least one of the nanowires in the frequency selective imager is manufactured from a compound material including Bismuth (Bi) and Tellurium (Te).

Abstract: A free-space optical communications network for allowing a plurality of geographically-distributed users to communicate may include free-space multi-channel relay converters for tracking a plurality of users, and a connection system in communication with each of the plurality of multi-channel relay converters. The connection system may include an internal alignment reference and steering mirrors. Each free-space multi-channel relay converter may be adapted to align with the internal alignment reference. The connection system may be adapted to align the plurality of free-space multi-channel relay converters with one another to allow the plurality of geographically-distributed users to communicate.

Abstract: A pulse detonation wave engine (PDWE) detonation system provides for optical ignition. The detonation system has a plurality of detonation banks, where each detonation bank has a plurality of detonation chambers for receiving a fuel/oxidizer mixture from a propellant source. An optical ignition subsystem generates a plurality of optical pulses. The detonation system also has an optical transport subsystem for transporting the optical pulses from the ignition subsystem to the chambers, where the optical pulses ignite each fuel/oxidizer mixture such that the chambers detonate in a desired order. This allows the banks to be sequentially detonated and the chambers within each bank to be simultaneously detonated, without the increased tankage and toxic ignition associated with conventional approaches.

Abstract: A free-space network may include: at least one free-space sensor for sensing at least one uncooperative target; at least one free-space communications network for allowing a plurality of cooperative users to communicate, at least one free-space processor for processing information from the at least one free-space sensor and information from the at least one free-space communications network; and at least one free-space communications link connecting in free-space the at least one free-space sensor, the at least one free-space communications network, and the at least one free-space processor. The at least one free-space communications network may include a plurality of free-space multi-channel relay converters for tracking a plurality of cooperative users, and a connection system for aligning the plurality of free-space multi-channel relay converters with one another to allow a plurality of cooperative users to communicate.

Abstract: A free-space network may include: a plurality of geographically distributed free-space sensors for sensing at least one target; a networking apparatus for combining sensed information regarding at least one target from the geographically distributed free-space sensors; a target information device for communicating to at least one user combined sensed information regarding at least one target, from the geographically distributed free-space sensors, as provided by the networking apparatus; and at least one communication link connecting in free-space the geographically distributed sensors, the networking apparatus, and the target information device.

Abstract: A system is provided where the system comprises a plurality of optical sources, each optical source configured to generate an optical beam and direct the optical beam from each of the plurality of optical sources towards a target; a beam discriminator module configured to monitor a parameter for each optical beam generated from each of the optical source; and a position sensor configured to receive a feedback from the beam discriminator module based on the monitored parameter; wherein based on the feedback, the position sensor determines if any optical beam at the target is off-target.