Abstract:
A landing strobe is provided that comprises a vane extending from the landing strobe, and an actuator coupled to the vane. The actuator can be configured to move the vane from a first position to a second position upon impact of the landing strobe. The landing strobe can also comprise an optical emitter configured to emit an adjustable radiation pattern extending radially around a central axis that is substantially vertical when the van is moved to the second position. A landing strobe system is also provided and comprises a landing strobe configured to be released from an aircraft arranged over a landing zone. The vane is configured to extend at an upward angle outward from the landing strobe when released from the aircraft. The vane is further configured to extend at a downward angle outward from the landing strobe when the landing strobe contacts the landing zone.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a multi-layer image intensifier wafer includes fabricating first and second glass wafers, each having an array of cavities that extend between respective openings in first and second surfaces of the respective glass wafer; doping a semiconductor wafer to generate a plurality of electrons for each electron that impinges a first surface of the semiconductor wafer and to direct the plurality of electrons to a second surface of the semiconductor wafer, bonding a photo-cathode wafer to the first glass wafer; bonding the semiconductor wafer between the first and second glass wafers, and bonding the second glass wafer between the semiconductor wafer and an anode wafer (e.g., a phosphor screen or other electron detector). A section of the multi-layer image intensifier wafer may be sliced and evacuated to provide a multi-layer image intensifier.
Abstract:
A method of processing a double sided wafer of a microelectromechanical device includes spinning a resist onto a first side of a first wafer. The method further includes forming pathways within the resist to expose portions of the first side of the first wafer. The method also includes etching one or more depressions in the first side of the first wafer through the pathways, where each of the depressions have a planar surface and edges. Furthermore, the method includes depositing one or more adhesion metals over the resist such that the one or more adhesion metals are deposited within the depressions, and then removing the resist from the first wafer. The method finally includes depositing indium onto the adhesion metals deposited within the depressions and bonding a second wafer to the first wafer by compressing the indium between the second wafer and the first wafer.
Abstract:
A system. At least some embodiments are a system including a first processor and a non-volatile random access memory coupled to the first processor, the non-volatile random access memory storing program instructions for execution by the first processor in which the programming instructions are stored only in encrypted form. The system further includes an encryption engine coupled to the first processor and coupled to the non-volatile random access memory. A bridge logic device coupled is to the processor and configured to couple to an external peripheral network bus. The encryption engine is configured to decrypt software program instructions stored in the non-volatile random access memory for execution by the first processor.
Abstract:
A system includes a threat warning system and a countermeasure system. The threat warning system generates threat data that includes at least a threat coordinate value. The countermeasure system includes a wide-angle laser beam director and the infrared counter measure system that is configured to receive the threat data including the threat coordinate value from the threat warning system and causes the beam director to direct a divergent laser beam based on the threat coordinate value and cause the beam director to vary an angle of the cone based on an aircraft signature perceived by a threat.
Abstract:
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system comprises a projection system. The system further includes an image generator disposed in the projection system. The image generator is operable to generate a plurality of rays. The system further includes an objective lens disposed in the projection system. The objective lens is operable to refract the plurality of rays. The system further includes a component operable to reflect the refracted rays onto a target in order to form an image. The image is operable to be moved in relation to the target. The movement of the image is independent of any displacement of the projection system in relation to the target.
Abstract:
In a method embodiment, a method for correcting astigmatism caused by an aircraft canopy comprises receiving at a compensator module a plurality of light rays that have been refracted by an aircraft canopy. At least two of the refracted light rays have respective foci different from one another and propagate in respective planes that are substantially perpendicular to one another, such that astigmatism occurs. The method further includes using the compensator module to substantially compensate for the astigmatism by providing astigmatic power to the received plurality of light rays. The method also includes providing the plurality of light rays having the astigmatic power compensation to an imaging module. The imaging module is configured to generate imagery using the plurality of light rays having the astigmatic power compensation.
Abstract:
A night vision system along with an image intensifier tube and method for forming the tube are provided. The night vision system incorporates the image intensifier tube in both an analog channel as well as a digital channel, with an addressable display within the analog image intensifier tube analog channel configured to create an electronically addressable output. An analog image intensifier tube is included in the digital imager for presenting binary digital signals representative of an image, or of symbol indicia, and registering those digital representation from the digital imager onto one or more electron multipliers of the analog image intensifier tube within the analog channel. The provided night vision system also utilizes a cathodoluminescent screen, which is a highly efficient light source that reduces system power.
Abstract:
A night vision system along with an image intensifier tube and method for shuttering the continued draw of electrons from an electron multiplier are provided. The night vision system includes the electron multiplier, or possibly two electron multipliers, each comprising a silicon membrane. A shutter voltage is applied between a first surface and a substantially parallel, opposed second surface of the silicon membrane to discontinue draw of electrons through the electron multiplier and for substantially discontinuing display of an image from the image intensifier tube under certain bright light conditions. Utilizing a global shutter control on the electron multiplier, and the significantly lower voltage for such control mitigates power consumption within the image intensifier, as well as electromagnetic interference and delay response time. A relatively low voltage negative bias shutter voltage on only the electron multiplier selectively provides global shutter to the image intensifier device.
Abstract:
A method of controlling the performance of a night vision device includes supplying, by a power supply, to a microchannel plate of a light intensifier tube, a control voltage that controls a gain of the microchannel plate, determining an amount of compensation to apply to the control voltage based on a change to the control voltage attributed to a change in temperature of an operating environment of the night vision device, adjusting the control voltage in accordance with the amount of compensation to obtain a compensated control voltage, and supplying, by the power supply, the compensated control voltage to the microchannel plate of the light intensifier tube. The method may further include determining whether the night vision device has been used for a predetermined amount of time, and only after that predetermined amount of time, is the method configured to supply the compensated control voltage.