Abstract: A recirculating delay line that includes an optical delay circuit generates repetitions of an input signal waveform that is of limited time duration.

Abstract: An efficient digital wideband waveform generation and signal processing system for multi-beam electronically scanned antenna array (ESA) radar systems. The digital waveform generator (50) first produces a series of waveform phase angles corresponding to the phase angles of a common signal to be transmitted by the ESA. Then, for each antenna element, the waveform phase angles are adjusted to steer the beam by adding a time delay and a phase adjustment. A digital signal is then produced for each antenna element by applying a cosine function to the adjusted phase angles. In the illustrative embodiment, this is accomplished using a cosine look-up table (14). Each digital cosine wave is then stored in a serial memory buffer (16A to 16L) in preparation for conversion to digital. Each of digital signals is passed through a digital to analog converter (18A to 18L) and an RF filter (20A to 20L) at each antenna element.

Abstract: A system for locating the position of an emitter emitting a signal having time domain features is described. At least two platforms are used. Both have a receiver for detecting the emitter signal, an FFT channelizer to act as a bandpass filter for extracting the time domain features from the emitter signal, and a thresholder for thresholding the time domain signal. An FFT transform and a correlator using templates further extract frequency domain markers identifying the emitter.

Abstract: A method for exciting an antenna with a waveform having a burst width and pulse width scaled proportionately with a selected range scale and a temporal filter to address any ambiguities in range resulting from the transmission of a signal in accordance with the novel waveform. The inventive filtering method includes the step of scanning a beam including a plurality of pulses of electromagnetic energy. The step of scanning the beam includes the step of outputting a beam excited by a waveform having a burst width and pulse width scaled proportionately with a selected range scale. Reflections of these pulses are received as return signals. The returns are processed to extract range in range rate measurements. The range and range rate measurements are compressed to form a plurality of range bins. The pulses are selectively weighted to reduce sidelobes resulting from a subsequent Fast Fourier transform (FFT) operation.

Abstract: An imaging processing system and method. In accordance with the invention, the illustrative method includes the steps of providing a transfer function between scene excitations and voltage returns based on geometry, beam pattern and/or scan rate; ascertaining a set of scene excitations that minimize a penalty function of the transfer function; and ascertaining a set of scene intensities based on the scene excitations, and a set of optimal weights for the penalty function based on the scene reflectivities. The inventive method provides significantly enhanced image sharpening. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive method uses an iterative convergence technique which minimizes a penalty function of the sum of square errors between the scene excitations corrupted by the radar system (i.e. the antenna pattern and processing) and the radar voltage returns.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for a liquid filling system is herein disclosed incorporating means for generating greater overall production rate efficiencies (i.e. number of filled containers per minute per filling station) for automatic systems utilizing diverter valve and/or walking beam (i.e. continuous-motion) filling technologies with, for example, non-traditional ratios between the number of filling stations and the number of filling nozzles. The methods/apparatus disclosed herein also incorporate means to more efficiently changeover and clean up, in either a clean-in-place (CIP) or clean-out-of-place (COP) configuration, the product contact parts that become “dirty” when used in a production environment. Finally, an improved method and apparatus designed to provide a means for priming and air purging the product contact path of liquid filling machinery, a fill volume calibration procedure, and a fill weight verification cycle is also herein described.

Abstract: A substantially lossless transmissive link, such as an RF fiber optic link, that selectively employs a number of techniques to improve various link parameters. The link may be structured to comprise a high power light source, such as a laser, that provides light output having a high level of optical power. A feedback circuit may be disposed around the light source that reduces relative-intensity-noise levels produced by the light source at low frequencies. A modulator is provided that modulates the light output of the light source. Preferably, a dual output modulator may be used to provide two modulated optical signals whose respective RF modulation is “effectively” 180 degrees out of phase. An optical fiber that transmits the modulated optical signal(s). A photodetector without a load resistor directly on its output that is operable at the high level of optical power, receives the modulated light and recovers the RF signal.

Abstract: A method of bootstrapping executable code to a microprocessor controller from a personal computer (PC) via a bidirectional interface, e.g., a standard PC parallel port comprised of an external 25-pin D-shell connector. By bootstrapping its code from the PC, the microprocessor controller, which controls an adapter, e.g., a modem adapter, coupled to the PC is able to retrieve the most current version of the code stored in the PC.

Abstract: A processing method for use in providing improved SAR imagery at high duty factors that provides for enhanced radar sensitivity. Radar signals are transmitted that embody a high duty factor ultra-high resolution SAR waveform generated using a biphase code with a predetermined high pulse compression ratio. Received radar returns comprising a SAR map are Fourier transformed and multiplied by a stored set of complex weights. The resultant Fourier transformed complex weighted SAR map is then inverse Fourier transformed to obtain compressed range bins. The inverse Fourier transformed SAR map is then processed for display.

Abstract: A bistatic coherent unlocked radar system and processing method using an advanced waveform that permits bistatic unlocked coherent operation of an unlocked radar transmitter and receiver. The waveform implements intrapulse fine range resolution, pulse to pulse coherency and burst to burst frequency agility to provide for enhanced target detection and robust operation in electronic countermeasure environments. A continuous sequence of pulses at different frequencies is transmitted that may contain an acquisition frequency that is revisited) more times than the other frequencies. Energy reflected from a target is processed to detect energy at the acquisition frequency, for example, over a plurality of range bins and predetermined pulse repetition intervals. A range pattern is generated if the detected energy is above a predetermined threshold. The energy is centroided to indicate the relative angle to the target. The transmitted frequencies contained in the pattern of energy are identified.

Abstract: Methods that compensate for phase errors caused by path length variations in a radar system, and that compensate for relative phase errors in upconvertor and downconverter references employed in the radar system. One method samples a signal reflected from a duplexer through a receiver during the time the radar pulse is transmitted. The signal reflected from the duplexer is compared to a radar echo pulse on a single pulse basis. The phase of the sampled signal is subtracted from the phase of the received radar echo pulse reflected to determine the phase error. In a second method, multiple samples are collected during the time each radar pulse is transmitted. Samples of the signal reflected from the duplexer and the radar echo pulse are compared on a pulse to pulse basis. The phase differences are averaged across the pulse duration. The averaged phase differences are integrated on a pulse to pulse basis to determine the phase error.

Abstract: Fiber optic delay lines in the form of a modified corporate feed having progressive phase delays and a corporate feed having equal phase delays are used to couple RF modulated light signals to detecting, mixing, amplifying and radiating devices of an active array radar. Different RF signals may be sent over the same fiber delay lines using different light colors (or wavelengths) so that the RF modulated signals in the fiber delay lines do not interact with each other. The RF signals can be put on and taken out of the fiber lines using wavelength division multiplexers, for example. This provides an array with a single optical manifold that allows simultaneous full aperture operation at multiple frequencies and/or beams over a wide operating frequency range.

Abstract: A method of bootstrapping executable code to a microprocessor controller from a personal computer (PC) via a bidirectional interface, e.g., a standard PC parallel port comprised of an external 25-pin D-shell connector. By bootstrapping its code from the PC, the microprocessor controller, which controls an adapter, e.g., a modem adapter, coupled to the PC is able to retrieve the most current version of code stored in the PC.

Abstract: A data processing method for use in processing synthetic array radar data to more accurately steer its antenna toward a target. A radar signal is transmitted, and sum and difference channel synthetic array radar maps derived from the transmitted radar signal are formed. A target cell within the synthetic array radar maps is designated, and a window surrounding the target cell is defined. Discriminant values for each of the cells within the window are computed that comprise the difference channel value divided by the sum channel value for each cell. A best fit line through the computed discriminant values is then computed. A null cell where the discriminant value defined by the best fit line is equal to zero is determined. Then, the radar signal is steered so that the null cell coincides with the designated target cell.

Abstract: A coherent radar receiver that has pulse-to-pulse coherence using an unlocked voltage controlled oscillator, such as a Gunn voltage controlled oscillator. The present invention is a W-band, for example, bistatic receiver that uses a scanning sum channel antenna to scan the target, a downconverter for downconverting received alternating sum and difference pulse echoes from the bistatic illuminator to provide video signals, and processing circuits for processing the downconverted the video signals to precisely locate the null position on the target. A Fourier transform circuit, magnitude detector and a peak detection and centroid circuit are used to generate a voltage frequency control output signal that is applied to the voltage controlled oscillator or local oscillator that controls its frequency. An angle estimation algorithm is used that processes the video signals to locate the null offset from the center of a scan pattern generated by the antenna.

Abstract: An agitator ball mill for processing free-flowing products features a horizontally split housing (2a, 2b) as a grinding bin in which a disc-shaped agitator (1) is arranged to rotate. The product enters the grinding product inlet (17) and flows through an upper disc-shaped grinding chamber (8a), an outside deflection zone (10), and a lower disc-shaped grinding chamber (8b). At the lower grinding chamber (8b), a deflection zone (11) arranged radially to the inside is connected in which the product containing the grinding pearls is deflected to the upper grinding chamber (8a). In the area between the deflection zone (11) and the upper grinding chamber (8a), a branch channel (13) branches off radially to the inside to the separation zone (14), along which a partial stream of product flows to this separation zone (14) whereas a second partial product stream together with the grinding pearls enters the upper grinding chamber (8a).

Abstract: A processing method that processes interferometer data to provide for rejection of multipath signal returns from an emitter and computes an improved estimate of the relative angle between the emitter and an interferometer. The present processing method comprises the following steps. Interferometric data is gathered that comprises complex signal amplitudes derived from the emitter at a plurality of emitter angles relative to the interferometer. The complex signal amplitudes derived at each of the plurality of emitter angles are processed by maximizing a predetermined log likelihood function corresponding to a natural logarithm of a predetermined probability density function at each of the plurality of emitter angles to produce a plurality of maximized log likelihood functions. The improved estimate of relative angle between the emitter and the interferometer is made by selecting the emitter angle corresponding to an optimally maximized log likelihood function.

Abstract: Methods are described for targeting the release of an active pharmacological agent in an animal by administering that agent encapsulated in proteinoid microspheres which are stable to the environment encountered from the point of introduction until they migrate to the targeted body organs, fluids or cells and are there unstable. Orally administered delivery systems for insulin, heparin and physostigmine utilize encapsulating microspheres which are predominantly of less than about 10 microns in diameter and pass readily through the gastrointestinal mucosa and which are made of an acidic proteinoid that is stable and unaffected by stomach enzymes and acid, but which releases the microencapsulated agent in pharmacologically active form in the near neutral blood stream. Basic proteinoid microspheres encapsulating a dopamine redox carrier system are administered in the weakly basic, where they are stable, and then enter the blood stream, where the encapsulated agent is similarly released.