Abstract: A self-organizing network and method of operation includes a plurality of kindred nodes and, in some applications, a hub node communicating data packets from source nodes to destination nodes remote from the source nodes. Each data packet includes information (e.g. priority, number of hops, etc.) and packet handling commands. A source node receives data packets with the information and packet handling commands and adjusts its operation (e.g. transmitting power, frequency, bandwidth, etc.) in a way that allows the network to be self-organizing, self-configuring, and self-healing so that data packets are retransmitted from source nodes to destination nodes with a minimum of hops and delay.

Abstract: A satellite ground station (500) mitigates potential interference from a fixed service installation (130, 150) by scanning a field of view and logging potentially interfering transmitters in a data structure (400). The data structure includes fields for azimuth, elevation, and frequency channel, and when complete, forms a map of potentially interfering transmitters within the field of view of the ground station. When a satellite traverses the field of view such that the ground station may interfere with, or be interfered with by, a known potentially interfering transmitter as identified in the map, the ground station takes mitigation measures such as changing frequency channels or handing-off to a different satellite.

Abstract: A secure, portable position locating radio has a geolocation receiver providing local position and timing information from geolocation means (e.g. GPS satellites) and a local transceiver for sending local position information to a communication system (e.g., an airborne or orbiting transceiver). A crypto unit is provided between the receiver and local transceiver for encrypting the local position information prior to transmission. A data processor coupled to the local transceiver, receiver and crypto unit controls operation of the device, including storing local position information and separating signals broadcast by the communication system into those intended or not intended for the device. An external interface and display and a real-time clock (e.g., slaved to the GPS receiver) are also coupled to the data processor. Encryption keys and message abbreviation codes are conveniently loaded into the device from a demountable accessory unit at the interface, and stored therein.

Abstract: A secure, portable position locating radio has a geolocation receiver providing local position and timing information from geolocation means (e.g. GPS satellites) and a local transceiver for sending local position information to a communication system (e.g., an airborne or orbiting transceiver). A crypto unit is provided between the receiver and local transceiver for encrypting the local position information prior to transmission. A data processor coupled to the local transceiver, receiver and crypto unit controls operation of the device, including storing local position information and separating signals broadcast by the communication system into those intended or not intended for the device. An external interface and display and a real-time clock (e.g., slaved to the GPS receiver) are also coupled to the data processor. Encryption keys and message abbreviation codes are conveniently loaded into the device from a demountable accessory unit at the interface, and stored therein.

Abstract: An optical retroreflector apparatus and method detects (20) incident light radiation (12). A processor (30) periodically enables the detector (20, 60-64) to receive a signal included in the incident light radiation (12). A reflector (40) is triggered by receipt of a particular signal included in the incident light radiation to reflect a coded signal toward the source of the incident light radiation.

Abstract: A coded pulse Doppler radar having apparatus for determining the separation between the frequency spectrum returned from clutter and the frequency spectrum returned from a desired target, and circuitry responsive to the apparatus for adjusting the code to maintain the separation at least at a predetermined minimum value.

Abstract: For aircraft equipped with ATCRBS, an interrogation system including an interrogator and an auxiliary transponder located adjacent the runway and on opposite sides thereof, respectively. The interrogator is enabled through a signal cable from a remote location, such as a control tower, to produce the first of the discretely spaced pulse pair required to interrogate the ATCRBS equipment. The second interrogation pulse of the pair is generated by the transponder, which is activated by the radiated first pulse from the interrogator and includes an internal delay, such that this delay plus the transit time from the transponder serves to generate the second pulse of the pair if the aircraft to be interrogated is in the vicinity and on the pathway centerline or within a specified lateral tolerance therefrom. The ATCRBS reply may be received directly at the control tower or may be transmitted by cable from receiving equipment within the interrogator.

Abstract: A thermometer arrangement in which the active element is a block of birefringent material between two optical planar polarizers. Light energy from a source is conducted through a fiber optic light conductor through the input polarizer, the birefringent element, the output polarizer, and via a second fiber optic light conductor, into a light-to-electrical transducer. Polarization plane rotation effected by the birefringent element in combination with the fixed polarizers effectively modulates the light intensity from an arbitrary level (such as substantially zero at some selected temperature) so that the transducer output signal is a function of temperature. A reference accounting for light source variations, etc. is provided by a separate fiber optic conductor, a second transducer, and a differential detector. Linearizing means are also shown.

Abstract: A retro-reflecting laser responser for applications such as IFF and other secure data link applications. A remote (airborne for example) responser, either manually directed or with automatic search and tracking functions, orients its relatively narrow aperture toward the source (a ground laser beacon, for example) of coded interrogation laser beam signals. The remote equipment includes a telescope, preferably of the Cassegrainian type, two-coordinate tracking features, means for recognizing the received beacon coding and for enabling the telescope to reflect the ground transmission. An electro-optic modulation is provided so that the reflected laser energy may be modulated to provide a communication data link back to the source of the laser pulse transmissions.

Abstract: An optical processing system for a synthetic aperture radar moving target indicator or otherwise in which a graduated light filter provides minimum to a maximum transmission over a laser beam width. The laser beam then shines through the filter, an exposed film containing a phase history and through one or more field stop slits or a spatial filter to an unexposed film. The filter compensates for the lack of an infinitely long laser beam required for a Fourier transform of the phase history into what is not but is mostly indistinguishable from a photographic image of stationary and/or moving targets. The filter suppresses false images sometimes called side-lobes.