Abstract:
In the subject three-axis pointing system, the elevation and tip mirror axes are permanently mounted with their rotation axes orthogonal to each other to eliminate gimbal lock over the hemisphere, to avoid high accelerations as the zenith or nadir pointing directions are approached, and to provide optimal two-axis beam pointing control.
Abstract:
A Moving Transmitter Correlation Interferometer Geo-Location (MT-CIGL) system is disclosed that permits locating both moving and stationary transmitters from moving DF equipment. A conjugate gradient based search routine is utilized which solves for the location of moving and stationary transmitters at the start of each measurement sequence and then solves for the velocity and direction of motion of the moving transmitter. This information is used to track the moving transmitter. Received signals are sampled, digitized and stored in covariance matrices. They are then summed and normalized using an equation that has velocity terms that are set to zero to minimize extraneous correlation peaks, and a maximum correlation peak is developed. A conjugate gradient search routine is used to find the correlation peak of the summed data. The value of the peak is then analyzed to see if it is above or below a predetermined value. If the peak value is above the predetermined value the transmitter is stationary and the located correlation peak is the location of the transmitter. If the peak value is below the predetermined value the transmitter is moving and the peak does not indicate the correct location of the transmitter. Another conjugate gradient search routine is performed using the previous erroneous peak as the starting point for the search to identify the actual location of the moving transmitter at the beginning of a search sequence. That location is then processed through the same equation, but without the velocity terms set to zero, to calculate the velocity and direction of motion of the transmitter. This information can then be used to plot a track for the moving transmitter.
Abstract:
A broadband transmission line impedance transformer performs impedance transformation with improved frequency response and efficiency across a wide operational bandwidth. In particular, the bandwidth of a transmission line 2: 1 impedance transformer may be significantly increased by adding an additional compensating capacitor as an internal component between interconnected transmission lines. This capacitor effectively improves low frequency response for a given length of transmission lines and decreases mismatch in an entire frequency range. The overall bandwidth ratio increases at least twice and mismatch decreases.
Abstract:
A method is presented utilizing a holographic approach for linear phase conjugation to compensate for atmosphere-induce aberrations that severely limit laser performance. In an effort to improve beam quality, fine aim point control, and laser energy delivered to the target, aberration compensation is accomplished using holographic adaptive tracking that utilizes a spatial light modulator as a dynamic wavefront-reversing element to undo aberrations induced by the atmosphere, platform motion, or both. This aberration compensation technique results in a high fidelity, near-diffraction limited laser beam delivered to the target.
Abstract:
A night vision device includes an emitter having a surface band gap material integral with the surface of the emitter. A structure of uniformly spaced apertures formed by the photon band gap material. A heat source for heating the emitter is provided proximate to the emitter. When the emitter is heated, the emitter causes the photon band gap material to emit photons in the infrared bands of radiation, which have a wavelength between one hundred nanometers and one micrometer. An infrared viewing system is provided for viewing infrared bands of radiation emitted by the emitter and band gap material.
Abstract:
An apparatus for 3-axis aerodynamic control of multi-caliber munition bodies comprising three shafts each having at least one canard attached thereto. In one embodiment, a set of three miniature stepper motors, each driving a zero backlash spur assembly is attached to the canard drive shafts by bevel gears. In a second embodiment, the stepper motors are connected to the canard drive shafts by a gear mechanism comprising a planetary gear, worm gear and pitch gear. The stepper motors are high torque two phase, 18 degree motors. Aero-mechanical guidance equipment is integrated into an optical seeker assembly located in the nose of the munition body and is used to provide steering signals to the stepper motors to steer the body toward the target thereby improving the Circular Error Probability (CEP) of the munition. A first shaft has a canard mounted on opposed ends of the shaft to provide roll control of the launched munition body and two additional shafts, each has an attached canard, one of which controls the yaw (left/right steering) and the other controls the pitch (up/down steering) of the munition body.
Abstract:
A method and system for guiding and controlling an ordinance body having a trajectory and a bore sight angle including making corrections to the trajectory based on bore sight angle vs. time history. The system is incorporated with existing fuse components in a replacement kit for existing munitions. The method determines nominal time values of the ballistic trajectory of the munition in relation to launch time and determines deviation from the nominal time values by an algorithm by analyzing signals received from a source of radiation located at the target. A processor determines lateral (left/right) and range errors and provides steering commands to a plurality of flight control surfaces mounted on the munition.
Abstract:
A semi-covert emergency transmission device and methodology for soldiers and other such personnel requiring pick-up or rescue is disclosed. The device has a flashlight mode and a transmit mode. In flashlight mode, an LED is turned on to provide an illumination source that can be used in numerous applications. In transmit mode, the device uses the same LED to transmit a coded message that includes information relevant to the user. The coded message can be preprogrammed and stored in the device, or translated in real-time. The transmit mode is further configured so as to confirm that the intended user is the one requesting the transmission of the coded message. The light emitted from the LED can be seen for up to a mile or so away by friendly forces or other potential rescuers.
Abstract:
An imaging system configured with readout circuit redundancy is disclosed. Pixel data from a particular column can be steered around a defective readout circuit to an operational readout circuit. Thus, larger imaging arrays which are generally more prone to common column circuitry defects are enabled. In addition, imaging systems configured with significant on-chip signal processing, which are also more prone to common column circuitry defects, are enabled. The occurrence of lost pixel data from an entire column is eliminated or otherwise reduced, thereby increasing overall operability and yield of the imaging system. The system can be implemented on a single chip or a chip set.
Abstract:
A number of identical non-uniformly distributed ultra-wideband power amplifier string building blocks are coupled together to form an ultra-wide bandwidth high-power amplifier. The non-uniform distribution results in an amplifier utilizing modular string building blocks that have input and output impedances with only real values. This permits the strings to be replicated and connected together with simple impedance matching. The internal impedance matching associated with the non-linear distribution also absorbs parasitic capacitance to permit the ultra-broadband operation. In one embodiment identical transistors are used for each cell so that the strings may be identically replicated. This permits modular re-use without reconfiguration. In one embodiment a non-uniform distributed power amplifier built using the subject building blocks provides an ultra-wideband multi-octave device suitable for electronic warfare and communications applications, especially to replace traveling wave tubes.