Abstract: The embodiments relate to a conformal, sometimes referred to as aerodynamic, nose cone, and in particular to a hollow conformal nose cone that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength, or wavelengths, and that comprises a variable thickness such that the electromagnetic radiation received on an outer surface of the nose cone forms a predetermined beam pattern within the nose cone. Also disclosed are mechanisms for generating such hollow conformal nose cones.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to a conformal, sometimes referred to as aerodynamic, nose cone, and in particular to a hollow conformal nose cone that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength, or wavelengths, and that comprises a variable thickness such that the electromagnetic radiation received on an outer surface of the nose cone forms a predetermined beam pattern within the nose cone. Also disclosed are mechanisms for generating such hollow conformal nose cones.

Abstract: In a first aspect, an automated method for engaging a target comprises: slewing a weapon to an estimated target state; and aligning the weapon's boresight with the actual target state. Aligning the weapon's boresight with the actual target state includes designating the target to obtain the actual target state; and zeroing an offset between the actual target state and the estimated target state. In a second aspect, an apparatus, comprises: means for slewing a weapon to an estimated target state; and means aligning the weapon's boresight with the actual target state. The aligning means includes designating the target to obtain the actual target state; and zeroing an offset between the actual target state and the estimated target state. In a third aspect, a weapon system comprises: a targeting sensor capable of designating a target; a weapon; and an alignment sensor associated with the weapon, and capable of receiving the designation and aligning the weapon's boresight with the designated target.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the performance of digital filters. The data bandwidth and spectral control are improved by adaptively selecting ramp-up and ramp-down symbols based on the actual filtered data. Thus, the energy in the truncated tail of the filter is minimized for a given filter design. The invention is of particular utility in systems that filters intermittent data streams, thus requiring the filter to energize and deenergize repeatedly.

Abstract: A method of apparatus for achieving and maintaining alignment of a data receiver to data frames in the presence of noise is taught. A statistical weighting process is employed to sample synchronization symbols that reoccur in data frames. The information is used to maintain alignment to the data frames by tolerating a greater number of data errors. A plurality of synchronization symbols are decoded with a weighted probability of error in decoding determined for each. The weighted probabilities are combined and the resultant value is compared to a threshold value. If the threshold is met, then alignment is achieved or maintained based upon the statistical process. Improved performance in lower SNR environments is achieved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that differentially encodes and decodes data symbols in dual domains is taught. Data packets are encoded, transmitted, and decoded during a plurality of symbol intervals on a plurality of sub-carriers. Encoding and decoding are accomplished across both the time and frequency domains such that the minimum number of carrier states are employed as reference only states that do not encode a symbol of data in and of themselves. A rule of adjacency is followed, both across time and frequency, so that decorrelation is minimized. Any modulation scheme that is applicable to differential encoding and decoding can be utilized. Communication systems that couple via radio waves, through metallic conductors, or over fiber optic paths can be employed.

Abstract: In a communication system in which an incoming signal is pulse shaped prior to detecting the information bearing point of the signal, processing overhead can be significantly reduced by only processing the sample points corresponding to the information bearing point and two points bounding the information bearing point. During signal acquisition, the signal is over sampled and the pulse shaping filter processes every sample point, or every Nth sample point in the case of down sampling. Once the sample point corresponding to the information bearing point is determined, the pulse shaping filter can be instructed to only process the sampling corresponding to the information bearing point and two neighboring samples. The system and method is adaptive, in that the samples that are processed can shift as the information bearing point shifts relative to the sample points. This is accomplished by re-synchronizing the timing of the received slot.

Abstract: In a communication system in which an incoming signal is pulse shaped prior to detecting the information bearing point of the signal, processing overhead can be significantly reduced by only processing the sample points corresponding to the information bearing point and two points bounding the information bearing point. During signal acquisition, the signal is over sampled and the pulse shaping filter processes every sample point, or every Nth sample point in the case of down sampling. Once the sample point corresponding to the information bearing point is determined, the pulse shaping filter can be instructed to only process the sampling corresponding to the information bearing point and two neighboring samples. The system and method is adaptive, in that the samples that are processed can shift as the information bearing point shifts relative to the sample points. This is accomplished by re-synchronizing the timing of the received slot.