Abstract: A countermeasure device for the in-band frequency agile laser threat posed to the eyes of operator(s) comprises a rotating shutter operating at a predetermined speed and with alternating clear and nearly opaque sectors. The shutter is designed to spin in front of the operator's field of vision at a rate sufficient to avid a flickering image. The device significantly increases operator protection from an initial laser pulse over existing devices while allowing sufficient ambient light to reach the retina for clear vision. This device will eliminate dazzling which interferes with operator's ability to pinpoint the location of the laser source for neutralization. The device also eliminates the occurrence of damage to both eyes simultaneously.

Abstract: An automatic-shutter system functions as a counter-measure to the in-band frequency agile laser threat posed to the eyes of pilot(s)/operator(s). Ideally it is desirable to protect the operator from every laser pulse including the first. However, the lack of fast shutters or optical gates (faster than a micro-second) suitable for visible usage has prevented the protection from a first pulse threat. The automatic-shutter system detects the first pulse and provides protection against any subsequent pulses. This is achieved by a multi-directional detector system for actuating shutters on the aircraft/vehicle. The detector, after detecting a pulse of laser light, further comprises processing means in electrical communication with the multi-directional detector for processing a detected pulse of laser light and to generate a signal responsive thereto. A plurality of shutters can be individually or group dropped in response to shutter actuating means to provide protection against subsequent pulses of laser light.

Abstract: A hostile laser source location technique employs a television camera in conjunction with a rotating shutter to pinpoint the location of a hostile laser source without placing the pilot/operator at risk for eye damage. For an attack scenario the pilot/operator could then make changes in his tactics to negate the source or to continue his attack run. The shutter made of high optical density material (e.g., OD-4), except for an open aperture, provides optics protection for the camera system from both damage and dazzle. A detector is used to detect the laser pulse (flash) which immediately signals the proper frame to be frozen on a monitor. The laser source appears as a bright spot and is easily pinpointed.

Abstract: A subsystem addition to the Imaging Simplified Laser Pointing System (ISL). The subsystem in itself is a laser system to be operated off-axis within the field of view of the ISLAPS. This subsystem laser is to be used to interrogate the target. Operation of the ISLAPS at night or with low light conditions is made possible by this addition. The interrogator beam is bounced off the target. In the OA mode the receiver is looking for a retro-reflection or optical augmentation to signal the firing of the negation laser. This mode can be used at any light level. In the illuminator mode the interrogator is "opened up" to effectively spotlight the target during low light conditions. This allows for imaging, aimpoint selection and video correlation in the same manner as was done with ambient light in the original system. The use of the interrogator also makes it possible to range gate. This reduces background creating clearer images and increases sensitivity because it allows for a reduction in threshold levels.

Abstract: An Identification-Friend-or-Foe System Using Variable Codes (IFF System) lizes variable codes and pre-selected encryption/decryption technology to querry potential targets as to their battlefield affiliation and also to identify itself as a friend to a potential attacker. The IFF System performs a querry by sending a narrow laser beam to the potential target which is accompanied or closely followed by a radio frequency (RF) wave modulated with encrypted identification information. If the potential target is also equipped with the IFF System and in possession of the valid code, then the received RF wave can be decrypted to reveal the potential attacker as a friend. The potential target, then, encrypts its own identification information using the same code and transmits it via RF wave to the potential attacker. Thus fratricides may be avoided.

Abstract: An expansion module for use in a computer system is disclosed. The expansion module holds a first card, which has a data processing unit and associated memory coupled together via a high speed internal local bus and an external coupler for an external peripheral device. An expansion coupler is also provided for coupling a second expansion card to the first card. The expansion module has a system connector for connecting the expansion module to a lower speed input-output bus of a computer system. The module can also accommodate additional SIMM modules as its associated memory. The module uses sidewalls or book covers made of a shielding material to provide electrical shielding and protection from external conditions. The expansion module improves the upgradeability and expandability of a data processing system.

Abstract: A transmitting device for transmitting a plurality of spatially separate laser beams over a single fiberoptic glass monofilament, for conveying a plurality of signals without multiplexing. Means are provided for generating a plurality of laser beams, each of which are directed into the core of the fiberoptic monofilament of glass at a different angle to the longitudinal axis of the monofilament. Each of the beams also exits from the exiting end of the monofilament at different angles. Those inserted at an angle of the longitudinal axis exit in a conical annulus having the same angle as the angle in which the beam was originally inserted into the monofilament. Means are provided for intercepting each of said signals as they exit from the exiting end of the monofilament and converting them into electrical energy or extracting data therefrom.

Abstract: An electronic package which includes at least two flexible circuitized substrates (e.g., thin film elements) connected at one location to a common first circuitized substrate (e.g., printed circuit board) and at another location to a semiconductor device, these subassemblies being located within a base member of the package. In one embodiment, a singular heat sink member is thermally coupled to a respective one of the semiconductor devices, and a common, second heat sink member is thermally coupled to all of the first heat sink members. This common heat sink member also uniquely serves as a stiffener for the package. In another embodiment, a common heat sink member is securedly positioned on the opposite side of a first circuitized substrate from the plurality of flexible circuitized substrates and semiconductor devices. A base member is also used as part of this package. As in the aforementioned other embodiment, the common heat sink member also serves as a stiffener.

Abstract: A power transmission device for transmitting electric power optically to ote locations. The device includes a laser for generating a laser light beam and a optical glass monofilament having a glass core and a outer cladding layer designed to convey the light beams directed into one end of said monofilament to the other end thereof. Means are provided for directing the laser beam into the receiving end of the monofilament at a predetermined angle which causes the light beam to exit from the other end of the monofilament at the base predetermined angle in a conical annulus of light. A conical reflector is disposed within the conical annulus of light exiting from the exit end of the fiber optical monofilament and has a surface that intercepts the light beams within the conical annulus and reflects them along a different path. Disposed around the conical reflector is a plurality of photovoltaic cells in a position to intercept the reflected light beams and to convert the light beams to electric current.

Abstract: A wire resistor is mounted so that its position may be rotated continuously. The resistance of the wire (when subjected to the high energy laser beam) is measured as a function of position by use of a bridge circuit for determining the resistance and a potentiometer for determining the position. This device may also be used to analyze moderate power (greater than 1 watt) cw laser beams but here it is necessary to chop the beam in order to obtain the data.

Abstract: The meter consists of wire resistors arranged so as to sample the energy in a laser beam at different locations in the beam. Each resistor is part of a bridge which includes three other resistors, a power source, a detector (volt meter) and a display unit which may be a recorder. One of the three additional resistors may be an additional set of wires which are made nearly identical to the set being used to sense the laser beam's position or to determine its intensity distribution. When the wire resistors are exposed to the laser beam the wires are heated, their resistance changes, and the various bridges become unbalanced. The magnitude of the voltage produced in each bridge is proportional to the energy in the laser pulse at the location of each wire.

Abstract: The pulsed gas supply consists of a cylindrical gas reservoir which conta a multiplicity of small release ports in a helical pattern and an inner cylindrical rotary valve which also contains a multiplicity of small release ports in the same helical pattern. The reservoir and valve constitute an integral unit which has the advantage of totally balanced forces on a single moving part. This allows for motion free of friction caused by the high pressures of the gas supply.

Abstract: A laser effects simulator having inner and outer cylinders which serve as parate plenums for two gases--a fuel and an oxidizer. Each plenum contains a multiplicity of small release ports or holes. An inner cylinder serves as a combustion chamber. The inner cylinder contains two sets of small release ports or holes arranged to simultaneously match or line up with the multiplicity of ports in the two plenums. Thus, allowing both fuel and oxidizer to be admitted to the combustion chamber and become mixed. On one end of the inner cylinder is an igniter that starts the combustion process. The reaction creates a high temperature mixture which expands to a low density hot gas that simulates the results that are produced when a high energy laser beam interacts with a solid surface.

Abstract: A missile guidance system in which a projectile or missile is fired toward predetermined target with the missile being tracked on its flight toward the target by radar, processing the radar information in a computer apparatus and finally computing a new trajectory from the missile to the target and transmitting correction signals to a correction device on the missile including thrusters on the missile to cause the trajectory of the missile to be changed to the newly computed trajectory for the missile. This system corrects the trajectory of the missile while in flight by recomputing a trajectory from the missile to the predetermined target and making appropriate corrections each time. Thisenables the missile to only contain radar reflecting means, and correction detection and control means on the missile rather than having gyro and other type devices on board the missile which take up a considerable amount of space and weight.

Abstract: A laser missile guidance system in which a projectile or missile is fired ward a predetermined target with the missile being tracked on its flight toward the target by laser radar, processing the laser radar information in a computer apparatus and finally computing a new trajectory from the missile to the target and transmitting correction signals to a correction device on the missile including thrusters on the missile to cause the trajectory of the missile to be changed to the newly computed trajectory for the missile. This system corrects the trajectory of the missile while in flight by recomputing a trajectory from the missile to the predetermined target and making appropriate corrections each time. This enables the missile to only contain laser radar reflecting means, and correction detection and control means on the missile rather than having gyro and laser type devices on board the missile which take up a considerable amount of space and weight.

Abstract: Optical energy is conveyed through a region and is subsequently converted to electrical energy when it reaches the area of its intended use. Spatially multiplexed laser light is transmitted through an optical fiber to convey the energy through the area. Several light beams or several light beam paths may be used to convey a plurality of beams of light energy into an area either simultaneously or sequentially. Typically, two light beams enter the fiber at different angles of incidence, resulting in a first annulus of laser light that impinges on a first photocell and a second annulus of laser light that impinges on second photocell. This sequence continues alternately with the electrical outputs of the two photocells being coupled to a step-up transformer to provide electrical power for a system of interest, and or the energy being directed to a communication circuit for removing intelligence signals therefrom.

Abstract: Optical power is supplied to a remote location and switched between conveon circuits for converting the optical power to electrical power to remotely power a system or device. Laser light is guided by a fiber optic to illuminate photovoltaic cells to produce the electrical power. The electrical current from the cells is made to alternate by switching the light between the cells and using a transformer to step up the voltage. This allows power to be supplied to a remote area without disrupting the existing electromagnetic fields in the area and where space and voltage requirements are limited such that the use of many photovoltaic cells is prohibitive.