Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal imagining are described. An apparatus includes a rotatable radial scanning antenna. The systems and methods provide advantages in that fires can be detected, and their positions determined, over substantial distances and through obscurants such as smoke and/or rain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for two dimensional millimeter wave imaging are described. A system includes a spindle assembly defining a rotation axis; a waveguide assembly connected to the spindle assembly, the waveguide assembly including a first dielectric waveguide defining a first axis; and a grating assembly connected to the spindle assembly, the grating assembly including a plurality of sectors, each of the plurality of sectors including a varying period conductive grating pattern. A varying period of the varying period conductive grating pattern is a function of an angle defined by a rotational position of the grating assembly with regard to the rotation axis. The systems and methods provide advantages in that an image can be scanned quickly using an inexpensive system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for guided wave antennas are described. Apparatus is disclosed comprising: a dielectric nonphotoconductive waveguide defining a principle axis; a grating carrier connected to the dielectric nonphotoconductive waveguide, the grating carrier i) including a photoconductive material and ii) defining a photoconductive axis that is substantially parallel to the principle axis; a spatial light modulator optically connected to the layer of photoconductive material; and a source of illumination optically connected to the spatial light modulator and the layer of photoconductive material.

Abstract: A scanning antenna is disclosed including: a rotatable cylinder having an outer surface; a continuously, or steppingly, varying period conductive grating pattern of separated strips on the outer surface, the varying conductive grating pattern of separated strips defining a grating axis; and a first elongated dielectric waveguide defining a first waveguide axis, the first elongated dielectric waveguide being located proximally adjacent and alongside the varying conductive grating pattern of separated strips so as to evanescently couple electromagnetic signals with the first elongated dielectric waveguide. The scanning antenna provides advantages in that the gain is high.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical control of radar antenna beam steering are described. An apparatus includes: a feeder waveguide; and a waveguide array electromagnetically coupled to said feeder waveguide, said waveguide array including: a plurality arms, each of said plurality of arms including: a plasma induced modulator having a transmission coefficient that is .ltoreq.1, said plasma induced modulator including: a rib waveguide electromagnetically coupled to said feeder waveguide. The systems and methods provide advatages in that optical beam steering is achieved with a lightweight inexpensive apparatus.

Abstract: A volumetric multi-layer screen including a plurality of electrically switchable layers that are stacked and coextensive, each of the plurality of electrically switchable layers including: a first transparent dielectric substrate having a first side and a second side; a first transparent electrode coated on the first side of the first transparent substrate; and an electrically switchable polymer dispersed liquid-crystal film coated on the first transparent electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optically controlled phase shifters are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for universal remote lighting systems are described. A high definition universal remote lighting system includes a light source that is coupled to a light pipe, a high efficiency nonimaging total internal reflection light transformer design and a high efficiency holographic diffuser for shaping the light. The present invention can also include an optical switch device for direct light output monitoring. The systems and methods provide advantages such as cost reduction, better monitoring and control, maintenance simplification, enhanced personnel safety, electromagnetic impulse (EMI) insensitivity, reduced radar and weight/size reduction.

Abstract: A scanning antenna is disclosed including: a rotatable cylinder having an outer surface; a varying period conductive grating pattern of separated strips on the outer surface, the varying conductive grating pattern of separated strips defining a grating axis; and a first elongated dielectric waveguide defining a first waveguide axis, the first elongated dielectric waveguide being located proximally adjacent and alongside the varying conductive grating pattern of separated strips so as to evanescently couple electromagnetic signals with the first elongated dielectric waveguide. The scanning antenna provides advantages in that the gain is high.

Abstract: A method of operating an image recognition system including providing a neural network including a plurality of input neurons, a plurality of output neurons and an interconnection weight matrix; providing a display including an indicator; initializing the indicator to an initialized state; obtaining an image of a structure; digitizing the image so as to obtain a plurality of input intensity cells and define an input object space; transforming the input object space to a feature vector including a set of n scale-, position- and rotation- invariant feature signals, where n is a positive integer not greater than the plurality of input neurons, by extracting the set of n scale-, position- and rotation-invariant feature signals from the input object space according to a set of relationships I.sub.k =.intg..sub..OMEGA. .intg.I(x,y)h[k,I(x,y)]dxdy, where I.sub.

Abstract: A 2D/3D optically controlled spatial and angular electromagnetic wave modulator is disclosed. The modulator of the present invention modulates the amplitude and direction of an electromagnetic wave such as millimeter microwaves or infrared waves by diffracting or scattering the electromagnetic wave from a semiconductor material upon which is incident a controlling lightwave. The lightwave incident upon the semiconductor is of varying intensity, and may be time varying, and changes the complex refractive permittivity of the semiconductor material. The electromagnetic wave is thus modulated in accordance with the controlling lightwave.