Abstract: A wideband simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR) subsystem for a radar or communications system including self-interference cancellation and external noise cancellation. The STAR subsystem includes a canceller circuit which digitally prepares a cancellation signal to cancel out leaked or reflected portions of the transmit signal and correlated noise in the receiver signal. The self-interference cancellation can be adaptively configured in a closed-loop mode, and operated open loop in real time to minimize bandwidth limitations and achieve wideband performance. The STAR subsystem also includes an external noise active canceller which greatly diminishes high-power external noise in the receiver signal. The external noise canceller digitally synthesizes a cancellation signal which dramatically improves the signal-to-noise ratio in the receiver. Together, the combined cancellation techniques prevent receiver saturation and preserve receiver sensitivity.

Abstract: A system includes a controller that includes a processor and a memory. The processor executes computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to operate the controller. The instructions cause the controller to determine at least two beam patterns for separate transmit beams that operate within the field of regard to be scanned by a Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR) beam generator. The instructions also cause the controller to generate beam pattern commands to the RADAR beam generator to generate the beam patterns. The beam pattern commands specify a pointing direction for each of the separate transmit beams that operate within each portion of the field of regard.

Abstract: A system includes a controller having a processor and a memory. The processor executes computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to operate the controller. The instructions cause the controller to determine at least two beam patterns for separate scanning receive beams that operate within a field of regard to be scanned by a Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR). The instructions cause the controller to generate beam pattern commands to form the separate scanning receive beams based on the determined beam patterns, the beam pattern commands specify an azimuth beamwidth and a pointing direction for each of the separate scanning receive beams that operate within each portion of the field of regard.

Abstract: A wideband simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR) subsystem for a radar or other two-way system. The STAR subsystem includes a canceller circuit which digitally prepares a cancellation signal to cancel out leaked or reflected portions of the transmit signal and correlated noise in the receiver signal. The STAR subsystem also performs a final cancellation of temperature-dependent or “thermal” transmit-signal noise in the receiver signal. Together, the combined cancellation techniques prevent receiver saturation and preserve receiver sensitivity. The digital cancellation can be adapted in a closed-loop mode to adjust time delays and amplitudes of cancellation signal components. The cancellation system is run open loop in real time to minimize bandwidth limitations and achieve wideband performance. The STAR subsystem can be implemented with discrete components, as a system-on-chip, or as any combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for sending messages through the atmosphere. The method includes sending the messages to an intended recipient, such as an aircraft, on a data link over an operating frequency at or near an atmospheric absorption band, where the operating frequency is selected to be closer to or farther from the absorption band to control the attenuation of the messages in the atmosphere so that the intended recipient is able to receive the messages, but unintended recipients are unable to receive the messages or jamming signals are unable to jam the messages.

Abstract: A manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fly on a mission as a team. The UAVs carry additional weapons and/or munitions that can be controlled by the manned aircraft. The pilot of the manned aircraft selects weapons or munitions carried by either the manned aircraft or one of the UAVs. A display in the manned aircraft illustrates weapons available on both the manned aircraft and UAVs. The pilot of the manned aircraft picks a weapon from the display and then targets and fires the weapon. The targeting and guidance of the weapon can be carried out using computers on the manned aircraft and/or computers on the UAV.

Abstract: A plasma power limiter fabricated using wafer-level fabrication techniques with other circuit elements. The plasma limiter includes a signal substrate and a trigger substrate defining a hermetically sealed cavity therebetween in which is encapsulated an ionizable gas. The signal substrate includes a signal line within the cavity and the trigger substrate includes at least one trigger probe extending from the trigger substrate towards the transmission line. If a signal propagating on the transmission line exceeds a power threshold, the gas within the cavity is ionized creating a conduction path between the transmission line and the trigger probe that draws off the high power current.

Abstract: A reconfigurable circuit and a related method for its use, the circuit including multiple microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches connected between selected points in the circuit. The MEMS switches are controlled to select a desired circuit condition, such as an impedance matching condition, and then the switch conditions may be fused permanently. In the context of an impedance matching circuit, the MEMS switches may be used to optimize matching after circuit fabrication or after packaging, thereby allowing optimization even after potentially performance changing events.

Abstract: A bi-directional amplifier (10) for a transceiver module for amplifying both transmit signals and receive signals propagating in opposite directions. The amplifier (10) includes first and second common gate FETs (22, 24) electrically coupled along a common transmission line (20). A first variable matching network (28) is electrically coupled to the transmission line (20) between a transmit signal input port (12) and the first FET (22), and a second variable matching network (30) is electrically coupled to the transmission line (20) between a receive signal input port (14) and the second FET (24). An interstage variable matching network (32) is electrically coupled to the transmission line (20) between the first and second FETs (22, 24). A DC voltage regulator (34) provides a DC bias signal to the matching networks (28, 30, 32) and the FETs (22, 24) so that different signal amplifications and different impedance matching characteristics can be provided for the transmit signal and the receive signal.

Abstract: A bi-directional amplifier (10) for a transceiver module for amplifying both transmit signals and receive signals propagating in opposite directions. The amplifier (10) includes first and second common gate FETs (22, 24) electrically coupled along a common transmission line (20). A first variable matching network (28) is electrically coupled to the transmission line (20) between a transmit signal input port (12) and the first FET (22), and a second variable matching network (30) is electrically coupled to the transmission line (20) between a receive signal input port (14) and the second FET (24). An interstage variable matching network (32) is electrically coupled to the transmission line (20) between the first and second FETs (22, 24). A DC voltage regulator (34) provides a DC bias signal to the matching networks (28, 30, 32) and the FETs (22, 24) so that different signal amplifications and different impedance matching characteristics can be provided for the transmit signal and the receive signal.