Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a carbon nanotube array plasma limiter having a subnanosecond response time is disclosed. A transmission line assembly having a signal line is provided. A carbon nanotube device is coupled to the transmission line assembly across a gap, wherein the carbon nanotube device is configured for enhancement of an electric field, to initiate a streamer breakdown process within the gap to cause a short circuit of the transmission line assembly in response to a predetermined energy pulse.

Abstract: A plasma limiter is a transient suppression device that combines fast rise time response similar to that of a solid state diode and the high power handling capability similar to that of a traditional gas discharge tube. The limiter is ideally suited to provide front-end protection of radar equipment from electronic warfare systems such as High Power Ultra Wideband (HPUWB) and High Power Microwaves (HPM) as well as protection from lightning and static discharges. It achieves this high order of protection by having a turn-on time of less than 1 nanosecond, a power handling capability of greater than 10 kW, and an insertion loss of less than 0.1 dB.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to record and process operations information from aircraft for the purpose of improving maintenance processes, improving security, and accident investigation is described. Information recorded from aircraft operations includes equipment operational data, images of people and equipment, and sound information. This digital information that is recorded is a result of, in some cases, sampling an analog signal. In other cases, the digital information is a result of many information processing steps to improve the usefulness of the information while using a minimum quantity of data. This invention includes steps to compress the quantity of data while producing the most useful information. The digital information may be recorded aboard the aircraft in any of several data storage media, or the information may be transmitted from the aircraft, or a combination of storage aboard the aircraft and transmission may be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to verify the authenticity of the recording is provided. An authentication code is calculated based on the contents of the recording and information describing the context of the recording. The authentication code provides assurance to a user of the recording that no elements of the recording have been altered. Recordings that are made for legal evidence purposes may include, but are not limited to audio and visual (image) information including motion pictures. Context information includes, but is not limited to date, time, longitude, latitude, camera or recorder serial number, camera orientation, camera optical parameters, and information about the recorder operator. When using such recordings for legal evidence, the authenticity of the recorded information is crucial, and also the authenticity of the parameters surrounding the recording is crucial.