Abstract: A detonation thrust-producing device includes an explosive located in a recess in an external surface of a body. Detonation of the explosive expels material out of the recess, providing thrust to the body in an opposite direction. A mass, such as a metal disk, may be placed blocking or covering the external opening. The body may be a part of a vehicle, such as an airborne projectile. The thrust-producing device may include multiple detonation motors arrayed around the body, capable of being individually or multiply detonated. Such thrust-producing devices may be used for attitude adjustment, steering, or other control of the flight of the projectile or other air vehicle. The detonation thrust-producing devices have the advantage of a faster-response time than propellant-based devices, and do not need the nozzles that are used with many propellant-based devices.

Abstract: A method for estimating a target direction of a wideband signal received on an electronically steered array includes: applying convolutional or stretch processing to spatial frequency data of the wideband signal; initializing a stabilization direction to a beam pointing direction; stabilizing the spatial frequency data to the stabilization direction; compressing the spatial frequency data to a plurality of frequency range or time bins; selecting range or time bins and forming a covariance matrix; calculating an estimated target direction using the covariance matrix; determining if a stabilization direction accuracy condition is met; recalculating the stabilization direction based on the estimated target direction if the stabilization direction accuracy condition is not met; and iteratively repeating until the stabilization direction accuracy condition is met.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a coil assembly, a core, and at least one cooling channel. The coil assembly includes at least one winding configured to receive a varying electrical current. The core includes multiple segments, and the at least one winding is wound around portions of the segments and is configured to generate a magnetic flux. The at least one cooling channel is configured to transport coolant through the coil assembly or core in order to cool the coil assembly or core. Portions of the segments of the core can be separated from one another to form multiple cooling channels through the core, and the multiple cooling channels can be configured to transport coolant through the core. The coil assembly may include at least one insulative spacer having multiple cooling channels, and the multiple cooling channels may be configured to transport coolant through the coil assembly.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a circuit comprises a Capacitive Trans-Impedance Amplifier (CTIA) configured to receive a current pulse at an input and convert the current pulse to a voltage step. The voltage step is directed to a first signal path and a second signal path. When the voltage step exceeds a first threshold, the first signal path directs an enable pulse to the second signal path. The second signal path generates an output pulse when the voltage step exceeds a second threshold and the enable pulse is enabled. The second signal path comprises a first, a second, and a third amplifier to increase detection of the voltage step by the second signal path.

Abstract: A method of generating an image comprises accessing a dataset gathered from a sensor system and generating, from the dataset, a first image including a plurality of image elements. The method further includes generating a training image by combining the dataset with known sensor responses and generating a weighting factor by correcting the training image in view of the known sensor responses. The method further includes applying the weighting factor to one of the plurality of image elements to form a weighted image element.

Abstract: An air vehicle wing includes foldable ribs coupled to a leading-edge spar. The ribs each have multiple rib segments which are foldable (hinged) relative to each other. Extension linkages, each with multiple extension linkage segments, pass through openings in the rib segments, and may be coupled to the rib segments with pin couplings, able to change relative angle between the individual rib segments and the extension linkage segments to which they are coupled. A skin may cover the ribs, to provide an outer surface of the wing that may be unfolded as the wing is expanded from a stowed, small-chord condition, to a deployed, large-chord condition.

Abstract: A portable MEMS-based scanning laser ophthalmoscope (MSLO). In one example the MSLO includes a laser illumination sub-assembly that generates a laser illumination beam, a two-dimensional MEMS scan mirror configured to receive and scan the laser illumination beam over at least a portion of the retina of an eye to be imaged, an optical system configured to direct the laser illumination beam from the scan mirror into the eye to illuminate the retina, and a detector sub-assembly configured to intercept optical radiation reflected from the eye to generate an image of the retina. The optical system includes a polarized beamsplitter positioned between the scan minor and the eye and configured to direct the laser illumination beam to into the eye and to direct the optical radiation reflected from the eye to the detector sub-assembly.

Abstract: Provided is an assembly and process for isolating internal regions of an electromagnetic cavity from interfering electromagnetic radiation. The assembly includes a first portion defining a first electrically conducting broad wall and an elongated, electrically conducting isolating wall, coupled to and extending away from the first broad wall. The assembly also includes a second portion defining a second electrically conducting broad wall and an elongated, electrically conducting trough defined therein. The trough is sized to accept at least a portion of the isolating wall. The first and second portions are adapted for assembly in a facing arrangement in which the isolating wall is aligned with the trough. When assembled, a tip portion of the isolating wall extends to a uniform depth within the trough, such that the isolating wall-trough combination substantially rejects a transfer of electromagnetic energy across the isolating wall over at least a predetermined range of wavelengths.

Abstract: Devices and techniques are described for selectively driving an electronically controllable switching device between on and off states. A first signal driver provides a respective output selectively switchable between “on” and “off” states responsive to an input signal. A second signal driver likewise provides a respective output selectively switchable between “on” and “off” states responsive to the input signal. Each of the respective outputs is switchable to an overriding isolated state responsive to an enable signal. The outputs are combined at a driving node, such that only one of the outputs drives the node at any given time. Additionally, one of the outputs is coupled to the output node through a current limiting resistor. Accordingly for each switching cycle, the switching device can be pre-charged by a high-current output, then held on for a predetermined period by a controlled-current output, and held off during other periods.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method removes gold plating on an electronic component. The method includes forming a gold and solder mixture on the electronic component via a first incrementally controlled heating procedure; incrementally cooling the electronic component via a first cooling procedure; wicking part or all of the gold and solder mixture from the electronic component to a metallic screen via a second incrementally controlled heating procedure; and incrementally cooling the electronic component via a second cooling procedure.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) based cyber security education system is provided. A training component, a knowledge component, and a collaborative component are interfaced to a distance learning component to form a STEM-based cyber security education system interface on an educational content server. The educational content server is coupled to a content database configured to access STEM-based cyber security educational content associated with one or more of: the training component, the knowledge component, and the collaborative component. Asynchronous delivery of the STEM-based cyber security educational content is provided to an end user computer in response to a user request. An interactive session is established between one or more experts and the end user computer to provide synchronous delivery of STEM-based cyber security materials.

Abstract: A fused silica body comprising a layer of vitreous silica adjacent at least a portion of an inner surface is described in embodiments herein. In other embodiments, a method of making a fused silica body with a layer of vitreous silica adjacent at least a portion of an inner surface is described herein, comprising heating at least a portion of the inner surface to the point of vitrification. In certain embodiments, the method involves passing a linear local heat source over the inner surface in a particular manner, such as a helical fashion transverse to the linear shape, and may involve creating on the inner surface of the body overlapping swaths of temporarily melted silica material.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure having: a column IV material or column IV-IV material; a nucleation layer of AlN layer or a column HI nitride having more than 60% aluminum content on a surface of the column IV material or column INT-IV material and a layer of column III-V material over the nucleation layer, where the nucleation layer and the layer of column III-V material over the nucleation layer have different crystallographic structures. In one embodiment, the columnffl V nucleation layer is a nitride and the column III-V material of the over the nucleation layer is a non-nitride such as, for example, an arsenide (e.g., GaAs), a phosphide (e.g, InP) or an antimonide (e.g. InSb), or alloys thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an X-ray opaque coating containing an epoxy resin including an iodinated phenol covalently bonded to a glycidyl ether. Iodinated phenol covalently bonded to a glycidyl ether may include iodinated bisphenol A, such as tetraiodobisphenol A, a glycidyl ether of mono-iodophenol, bis-iodephenol, tri-iodophenol, or combinations thereof. The coating may include an X-ray opaque inorganic filler. The disclosure also relates to an electronic component including a substrate and at last one device coupled to the substrate with an obfuscation layer disposed over the substrate for obscuring the device from an X-ray source. The obfuscation layer may include an X-ray opaque coating. The disclosure additionally relates to- a method of obscuring at least a portion of an electronic component by depositing an obfuscation layer that may includes m X-ray opaque coating and a method of forming an X-ray opaque coating.

Abstract: Provided are assemblies and processes for efficiently coupling wideband differential signals between balanced and unbalanced circuits. The assemblies include a broadband balun having an unbalanced transmission line portion, a balanced transmission line portion, and a transition region disposed between the unbalanced and balanced transmission line portions. The unbalanced transmission line portion includes at least one ground and a pair of conductive signal traces, each isolated from ground. The balanced portion does not include an analog ground. The transition region effectively terminates the analog ground, while also smoothly transitioning or otherwise shaping transverse electric field distributions between the balanced and unbalanced portions. Beneficially, the balun is free from resonant features that would otherwise limit operating bandwidth, allowing it to operate over a wide bandwidth of 10:1 or greater.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit includes transforming at least a portion of a first substrate layer to form a conductive region within the first substrate layer. An integrated circuit device is provided proximate an outer surface of the first substrate layer. The integrated circuit device transmits or receives electrical signals through the conductive region. A second substrate layer is disposed proximate to the outer surface of the first substrate layer to enclose the integrated circuit device in a hermetic environment.

Abstract: A method of balancing a quadrature modulator includes exciting an in-phase input of the quadrature module and sweeping a phase of an injection signal through a range of degrees, and determining a plurality of in-phase DC components. The method further includes exciting a quadrature input of the quadrature module and sweeping a phase of the injection signal through the range of degrees, and determining a plurality of quadrature DC components. An in-phase sinusoidal equivalent of the plurality of in-phase DC components and a quadrature sinusoidal equivalent of the plurality of quadrature DC components may be determined. At least one correction factor that balances the quadrature modulator may be determined based on a comparison between the in-phase sinusoidal equivalent and the quadrature sinusoidal equivalent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing high-capacitive RF MEMS switches are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a micro-electro-mechanical switch assembly including a substrate, an electrode disposed on a portion of the substrate, a dielectric layer disposed on at least a portion of the electrode, a metal layer disposed on at least a portion of the dielectric layer, and a flexible membrane having first and second ends supported at spaced locations on the substrate base, where the flexible membrane is configured to move from a default position to an actuated position in response to a preselected switching voltage applied between the flexible membrane and the electrode, and where, in the actuated position, the flexible membrane is in electrical contact with the metal layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a forced airflow control device includes multiple one-way valves for a corresponding multiple fans. The fans are configured to provide an airflow to an enclosure of a housing. Each one-way valve is mounted over a port of its corresponding fan and configured to restrict the movement of the airflow to only one direction through the port of its respective fan.

Abstract: A system to establish a trustworthiness of an autonomous agent is provided. The system includes a plurality of computing devices disposed in signal communication with one another via a network, at least one of the plurality of the computing devices being configured to serve as a host server for an autonomous agent trustworthiness establishing (AATE) application. The AATE application is configured to define a micro-theory of trust elements, apply trust building patterns to the autonomous agent, provide a visualization of autonomous agent skill claims and constraints via the network and provide a recommendation tracking system for sharing and tracking a reputation of the autonomous agent during testing and deployment via the network.