Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a motorized system. The methods comprise by a circuit: receiving a first position signal generated by a gimbal resolver coupled to a load, a second position signal generated by a first motor encoder coupled to a shaft of a first motor, and a third position signal generated by a second motor encoder coupled to a shaft of a second motor; converting the second and third position signals into a velocity signal specifying a scaled velocity of the load; converting the velocity signal into a fourth position signal specifying a position of the load; combining the first position signal and the fourth position signal to generate a fifth position signal representing a stable position of the load; and using the fifth position signal to control operations of the first and second motors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a motorized system. The methods comprise by a circuit: receiving a first position signal generated by a gimbal resolver coupled to a load, a second position signal generated by a first motor encoder coupled to a shaft of a first motor, and a third position signal generated by a second motor encoder coupled to a shaft of a second motor; converting the second and third position signals into a velocity signal specifying a scaled velocity of the load; converting the velocity signal into a fourth position signal specifying a position of the load; combining the first position signal and the fourth position signal to generate a fifth position signal representing a stable position of the load; and using the fifth position signal to control operations of the first and second motors.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle platform, an antenna, and an antenna positioner configured to position the antenna relative to the vehicle platform. An inertial navigation system (INS) is associated with the vehicle platform and configured to generate INS output data. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is associated with the antenna positioner and configured to generate IMU output data having a timing latency difference relative to the INS output data. A controller may be configured to control the antenna positioner based upon the INS output data and the IMU output data adjusted for the timing latency therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle platform, an antenna, and an antenna positioner configured to position the antenna relative to the vehicle platform. An inertial navigation system (INS) is associated with the vehicle platform and configured to generate INS output data. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is associated with the antenna positioner and configured to generate IMU output data having a timing latency difference relative to the INS output data. A controller may be configured to control the antenna positioner based upon the INS output data and the IMU output data adjusted for the timing latency therebetween.

Abstract: Systems and method for detecting and removing an arbitrary phase difference between a sum channel signal and a difference channel signal in a monopulse system. A sum channel signal is received from a sum channel signal source and a difference channel signal is received from a difference channel signal source. The difference channel signal is shifted according to various potential arbitrary phase differences ?i and ?i+? (where ?i is from 0 to ? radians, i=0, 1, . . . , n; ?i+? going from ? to 2? radians) between the sum and difference channel signals to thereby generate difference channel signals each having a different phase. The difference channels having a different phase are combined with the sum channel signal to generate a plurality of sum+difference signals and sum?difference signals. Based on the plurality of sum+difference signals and sum?difference signals, maximum in-phase and out-of-phase correlations are determined from the ?i and ?i+? pairs.

Abstract: A method for acquiring and tracking an in-flight or airborne target using an antenna is provided. In the acquisition process, the antenna is rotated to collect RF power data. The location of peak RF power is determined and the antenna is pointed to that location. The antenna may then undergo a search pattern on either side of that location to detect a specified drop in RF power and a modem on which to lock. In the tracking process, an algorithm allows the antenna to track the target in a pure RF mode, a GPS-based open loop pointing mode or a hybrid mode. The tracking may automatically switch between the pure RF mode and the hybrid mode, depending upon whether GPS data is available from the target.

Abstract: A horn-reflector antenna for tracking the location of in-flight aircraft is provided. The antenna includes an upwardly-opening horn having a reflector attached thereto. The horn may have an asymmetric rectangular cross-section and comprise at least one upwardly and outwardly extending side wall. The reflector includes a reflecting surface that may have a generally hyperbolic paraboloid shape or saddle shape. The horn and reflector may be constructed from a polymer material in an injection molding process. The reflecting surface of the reflector and the inner surfaces of the horn may be coated with a reflective or conductive material, for example, a paint comprising sliver-plated copper particles. In use, the horn-reflector antenna may be adapted to rotate around the longitudinal axis of a stationary waveguide feed. As such, the antenna of the present invention can be adapted for operation without the use of a rotary joint or a slip ring.

Abstract: Processes for determining imperfection offsets between an antenna and the platform to which the antenna is coupled, where the imperfection offsets are unknown offsets due to imperfections such as manufacturing imperfections. The platform can include an orientation mechanism that provides the orientation of the platform, and the imperfection offsets can be between the antenna and the orientation mechanism. The processes can include determining two different relative pointing vectors that correspond to a detected peak strength of a test signal transmitted between one or more targets and the antenna. The processes can further include utilizing an optimization process to determine the heading, pitch, and roll of the imperfection offsets from the two different relative pointing vectors.

Abstract: A cluster of communications platforms can comprise a master platform and support platforms. The master platform can partition a data block into data partitions and transmit the data partitions via a short range transmitter to the support platforms. Each support platform can include a high power storage device for powering long range burst transmissions of a subset of the data partitions to a distant receiver. Burst transmissions of data partitions by the same support platform can be separated by a charging time period that allows a high power storage device in the support platform to charge from a relatively low average power Pa a relatively high power burst PB that is sufficient to transmit one of the data partitions to a distant receiver.

Abstract: A cluster of communications platforms can comprise a master platform and support platforms. The master platform can partition a data block into data partitions and transmit the data partitions via a short range transmitter to the support platforms. Each support platform can include a high power storage device for powering long range burst transmissions of a subset of the data partitions to a distant receiver. Burst transmissions of data partitions by the same support platform can be separated by a charging time period that allows a high power storage device in the support platform to charge from a relatively low average power Pa a relatively high power burst PB that is sufficient to transmit one of the data partitions to a distant receiver.

Abstract: Stepped radio frequency (RF) reflector antennas are disclosed in which an inner RF reflector is disposed in a central opening of at one or more annular RF reflectors. The RF reflecting surface of the inner RF reflector and the RF reflecting surface(s) of the one or more annular RF reflectors can be shaped and positioned relative to each other to have different focal lengths but nevertheless reflect an RF signal to the same focal plane. The depth of the inventive reflector antenna system can be less than the depth of prior art reflector antennas with a comparable RF aperture.