The Aerospace Corporation Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160101880 | KINETIC ENERGY STORAGE AND TRANSFER (KEST) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM - A Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle and target vehicle kinetic energy transfer method are provided. The KEST vehicle is configured to transfer kinetic energy to the target vehicle, propelling the target vehicle into a higher orbit or beyond the Earth. This is accomplished by a catching mechanism that contacts the target vehicle. The catching mechanism may also include a braking mechanism configured to accelerate the target vehicle, and thus slow the KEST vehicle, as the catching mechanism and target vehicle travel along one or more tethers of the KEST vehicle. Alternatively, the catching mechanism may be attached to an end of the one or more tethers and be configured to slow the target vehicle as the one or more tethers bend. | 04-14-2016 |
20160090197 | KINETIC ENERGY STORAGE AND TRANSFER (KEST) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM - A Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle and target vehicle kinetic energy transfer method are provided. The KEST vehicle is configured to transfer kinetic energy to the target vehicle, propelling the target vehicle into a higher orbit or beyond the Earth. This is accomplished by a catching mechanism that contacts the target vehicle. The catching mechanism may also include a braking mechanism configured to accelerate the target vehicle, and thus slow the KEST vehicle, as the catching mechanism and target vehicle travel along one or more tethers of the KEST vehicle. Alternatively, the catching mechanism may be attached to an end of the one or more tethers and be configured to slow the target vehicle as the one or more tethers bend. | 03-31-2016 |
20160036487 | Phase-Optimized Constant Envelope Transmission (POCET) Method, Apparatus And System - An apparatus and method for generating a composite signal includes electronics configured to modulate a carrier utilizing a finite set of composite signal phases to generate a composite signal, the finite set of composite signal phases being determined through an optimization process that minimizes a constant envelope for the phase modulated carrier, subject to constraints on desired signal power levels of the signals to be combined and either zero or one or more relative phase relationships between the signals. The apparatus and method can be extended to generating an optimized composite signal of different frequencies. | 02-04-2016 |
20160023783 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR ACTIVE DEBRIS REMOVAL - Systems, apparatuses, and methods for removal of orbital debris are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a spacecraft control unit configured to guide and navigate the apparatus to a target. The apparatus also includes a dynamic object characterization unit configured to characterize movement, and a capture feature, of the target. The apparatus further includes a capture and release unit configured to capture a target and deorbit or release the target. The collection of these apparatuses is then employed as multiple, independent and individually operated vehicles launched from a single launch vehicle for the purpose of disposing of multiple debris objects. | 01-28-2016 |
20150311999 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING A RELATIVELY HIGH POWER, APPROXIMATELY CONSTANT ENVELOPE INTERFERENCE SIGNAL THAT SPECTRALLY OVERLAPS A RELATIVELY LOW POWER DESIRED SIGNAL - Systems and methods are provided for processing time-domain samples of a digitized signal in rectangular coordinates. The digitized signal can include a low power desired signal and a high power, approximately constant envelope interference signal that spectrally overlaps the desired signal. A rectangular to polar converter can obtain magnitude and phase of each time-domain sample in polar coordinates. An interference estimator can estimate a magnitude of the interference signal based on magnitudes of a predetermined number of time-domain samples in polar coordinates. A subtractor can obtain a difference magnitude for each time-domain sample in polar coordinates based on the magnitude of that sample and the estimated magnitude of the interference signal in polar coordinates. A polar to rectangular converter can obtain time-domain samples in rectangular coordinates of the desired signal with reduced power of the interference signal based on the difference magnitude and phase of time-domain samples in polar coordinates. | 10-29-2015 |
20150219423 | INTERCEPTING VEHICLE AND METHOD - A simpler, smaller, less costly intercepting vehicle is provided. For example, a highly scalable intercepting vehicle may include a single axial rocket motor and a body-fixed, wide field of view (FOV) sensor unit to accommodate attitude changes required to steer the intercepting vehicle. This intercepting vehicle may be much smaller and less costly than conventional intercepting vehicles. | 08-06-2015 |
20150193369 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR MIL-STD-1553B COMMUNICATION ENFORCEMENT - A switch configured to enforce MIL-STD-1553B communication protocol is provided. The protocol is a request-response protocol allowing a bus controller to send a request and a remote terminal to send a response. In one embodiment, the switch is configured to isolate communication between a bus controller and each remote terminal by blocking non-compliant communications issued from any remote terminal. The switch may also isolate communication preventing a first remote terminal from receiving communication from a second remote terminal when the communication is not addressed to the first remote terminal. In another embodiment, a system provides isolation for bus controller to remote terminal communications by using one-to-one pairings of bus controller terminals to remote terminals. The switch may select a particular bus-controller-terminal-to-remote-terminal pairing from amongst a plurality of bus-controller-terminal-to-remote-terminal pairings. In certain embodiments, the switch records and reports information regarding communications from remote terminals not complying with the MIL-STD-1553B protocol. | 07-09-2015 |
20150145603 | SYSTEM LINEARIZATION ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR USE IN MODIFYING DISTORTION COMPONENTS - A system linearization assembly generally includes a delay device that receives an input signal from a signal source and delays the input signal by a predetermined delay function. An attenuation device receives a modified output signal from a signal modifying device, wherein the output signal is based on the input signal and includes a time varying parameter representing a plurality of frequency components including at least one component caused by non-linear intermodulation distortion. The attenuation device attenuates the output signal by a factor that is equal to at least one parameter of the modifying device. A computing device compares the attenuated output signal with the delayed input signal to obtain a resultant signal that includes the component caused by non-linear intermodulation distortion. A detection device detects at least one parameter of the resultant signal. Based on the detected parameter, a controller facilitates a modification of the component. | 05-28-2015 |
20150145595 | SYSTEM LINEARIZATION ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR USE IN MODIFYING DISTORTION COMPONENTS - A system linearization assembly generally includes a filter that is coupled to a measuring device. The filter is configured to receive a signal that includes a time varying parameter representing a plurality of frequency components including at least one component caused by non-linear intermodulation distortion, such as an odd-order intermodulation distortion component. The filter is also configured to isolate at least one harmonic of the frequency components with the same order as the component caused by non-linear intermodulation distortion. The measuring device is configured to measure at least one parameter of the isolated harmonic. The system linearization assembly also includes a controller coupled to the measuring device. The controller is configured to modify, for example by minimizing, the signal from the determined measurement to facilitate a modification, such as a reduction, of the component caused by non-linear intermodulation distortion. | 05-28-2015 |
20150089803 | Photostructured Chemical Devices and Methods For Making Same - A photostructurable ceramic is processed using photostructuring process steps for embedding devices within a photostructurable ceramic volume, the devices may include one or more of chemical, mechanical, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic devices, all made in part by creating device material within the ceramic or by disposing a device material through surface ports of the ceramic volume, with the devices being interconnected using internal connections and surface interfaces. | 04-02-2015 |
20150088475 | SPACE DEBRIS VISUALIZATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND VOLUME MODELING - Embodiments may include systems and methods for visualizing a positional probability of a plurality of objects in space. According to one embodiment, a method may be provided for visualizing a positional probability of a plurality of objects in space. The method may include receiving, by a computing system comprising one or more processors, an initial position for each of the plurality of objects at a given time. The method may further include determining a non-convex boundary around the plurality of objects. The method may additionally include generating a three-dimensional representation of the positional probability of the objects in space, based on the non-convex boundary. | 03-26-2015 |
20150063427 | Phase-Optimized Constant Envelope Transmission (POCET) Method, Apparatus And System - An apparatus and method for generating a composite signal includes electronics configured to modulate a carrier utilizing a finite set of composite signal phases to generate a composite signal, the finite set of composite signal phases being determined through an optimization process that minimizes a constant envelope for the phase modulated carrier, subject to constraints on desired signal power levels of the signals to be combined and either zero or one or more relative phase relationships between the signals. The apparatus and method can be extended to generating an optimized composite signal of different frequencies. | 03-05-2015 |
20150041594 | KINETIC ENERGY STORAGE AND TRANSFER (KEST) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM - A Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle and target vehicle kinetic energy transfer method are provided. The KEST vehicle is configured to transfer kinetic energy to the target vehicle, propelling the target vehicle into a higher orbit or beyond the Earth. This is accomplished by a catching mechanism that contacts the target vehicle. The catching mechanism may also include a braking mechanism configured to accelerate the target vehicle, and thus slow the KEST vehicle, as the catching mechanism and target vehicle travel along one or more tethers of the KEST vehicle. Alternatively, the catching mechanism may be attached to an end of the one or more tethers and be configured to slow the target vehicle as the one or more tethers bend. | 02-12-2015 |
20140319918 | MAXIMUM POWER TRACKING AMONG DISTRIBUTED POWER SOURCES - Optimum power tracking for distributed power sources may be provided by a family of power system architectures having distributed-input series-output (DISO) converters. The DISO converters may be controlled to achieve uniform input voltages across their respective distributed power sources while also tracking an optimum power point of the power system. Each DISO converter may be operably connected to a corresponding power source to form a power-processing channel. A controller may be operably connected to the plurality of DISO converters to control the operation thereof. | 10-30-2014 |
20140279766 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VECTOR SCALABILITY OF EVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHMS - Systems and methods are provided to enable vector scalability in evolutionary algorithms to enable execution of optimization problems having a relatively large number of variables. A subset of the total number of variables of a chromosome data structure may be considered relative to a baseline known solution for the purpose of evaluating one or more objective functions of the evolutionary algorithm. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278695 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRIORITIZING FUNDING OF PROJECTS - Systems and methods for providing a prioritization of the focus and allocation of available resources and/or funding for due diligence analyses of a variety of candidate projects competing for limited funding are disclosed. Various methods may also determine a confidence level metrics associated with the information and/or estimates associated with the candidate projects. Evolutionary algorithms may be applied to perform multi-objective optimization of objectives based, at least in part, on currently available information and/or estimates associated with the candidate projects. A priority score, for the purpose of allocating due diligence attention and resources to increase confidence levels in assumptions associated with candidate projects, may be determined for a particular project based, at least in part, on the current confidence level associated with that particular project and the percentage of non-dominated projects within which the particular project is included. The optimization may be performed multiple times, such as once for every stakeholder that may have provided information and/or estimates associated with the candidate projects, to identify a plurality of non-dominated solutions to the optimization problem. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270617 | STABLE LITHIUM NIOBATE WAVEGUIDE DEVICES, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME - Embodiments of the present invention provide stable lithium niobate waveguide devices, and methods of making and using the same. A lithium niobate-based waveguide device may include a Z-cut lithium niobate substrate having upper and lower surfaces, an optical waveguide embedded within the lithium niobate substrate, a signal electrode disposed on the upper surface of lithium niobate substrate and parallel to the optical waveguide, guard electrodes disposed on the upper surface of the lithium niobate substrate and flanking but spaced apart from the signal electrode, and a conductive layer on the lower surface of the lithium niobate substrate, wherein the conductive layer serves as a common ground reference for the signal and guard electrodes. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268335 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INHIBITING CONTAMINATION ENHANCED LASER INDUCED DAMAGE (CELID) BASED ON FLUORINATED SELF-ASSEMBLED MONOLAYERS DISPOSED ON OPTICS - Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for inhibiting contamination enhanced laser induced damage (CELID) based on fluorinated self-assembled monolayers (F-SAMs) disposed on optics. For example, a coating for inhibiting CELID to an optic disposed in a sealed gas environment or vacuum may include an F-SAM that includes a fluorinated hydrocarbon tail group covalently bound to the optic by a head group. The coating may be formed by heating the optic and a liquid-phase precursor of the F-SAM to generate a gas-phase precursor, and exposing the heated optic to the gas-phase precursor for a period of time sufficient for the gas-phase precursor to coalesce at and covalently bond to the optic and form the F-SAM. The optic may include silica, and the F-SAM may include a siloxane group covalently bound to the silica. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266826 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONVERTING WIDEBAND SIGNALS INTO THE DIGITAL DOMAIN USING ELECTRONICS OR GUIDED-WAVE OPTICS - Systems and methods for converting wideband signals into the digital domain are provided herein. The system may include an electronic or guided-wave optic based replicator configured to obtain at least M replicas of a signal applied thereto, and an electronic or guided-wave optic based segmenter configured to segment a signal applied thereto into at least N segments based on time or wavelength. Together, the replicator and the segmenter obtain M×N segment replicas of the received signal. An electronic or guided-wave optic based mixer is configured to multiply the M×N segment replicas by a mixing matrix having dimension M×N and then to form M integrations each of N segment replicas so as to obtain a measurement vector of length M. A signal recovery processor is configured to obtain a digital representation of the received signal based on the measurement vector and the mixing matrix. | 09-18-2014 |
20140264757 | METAL STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR TRANSPORTING OR GETTERING MATERIALS DISPOSED WITHIN SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATES - Embodiments of the present invention provide metal structures for transporting or gettering materials disposed on or within a semiconductor substrate. A structure for transporting a material disposed on or within a semiconductor substrate may include a metal structure disposed within the semiconductor substrate and at a spaced distance from the material. The metal structure is configured to transport the material through the semiconductor substrate and to concentrate the material at the metal structure. The material may include a contaminant disposed within the semiconductor substrate, e.g., that originates from electronic circuitry on the substrate. | 09-18-2014 |
20140264700 | MONOLITHIC SUN SENSORS, ASSEMBLIES THEREOF, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME - Under one aspect of the present invention, a monolithic sun sensor includes a photosensor; a spacer material disposed over the photosensor; and a patterned mask disposed over the spacer material and defining an aperture over the photosensor. The spacer material has a thickness selected such that the patterned mask casts a shadow onto the photosensor that varies as a function of the monolithic sun sensor's angle relative to the sun. The sun sensor may further include a substrate in which the photosensor is embedded or on which the photosensor is disposed. The spacer material may be transparent, and may include a layer of inorganic oxide, or a plurality of layers of inorganic oxide. The patterned mask may include a conductive material, such as a metal. The aperture may be lithographically defined, and may be square. The sun sensor may further include a transparent overlayer disposed over the patterned mask. | 09-18-2014 |
20140240023 | SUPER DELTA MONOPULSE BEAMFORMER - An improved approach to direction finding using a super delta monopulse beamformer is disclosed. A super delta channel signal that includes direction finding information from two circular delta channels is formed and output by the super delta monopulse beamformer. This super delta channel signal uses only two channels, but is able to realize the accuracy of conventional three channel systems. | 08-28-2014 |
20140199550 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING MOBILITY OF ATOMIC OR MOLECULAR SPECIES ON A SUBSTRATE AT REDUCED BULK TEMPERATURE USING ACOUSTIC WAVES, AND STRUCTURES FORMED USING SAME - Under one aspect of the present invention, a method for enhancing mobility of an atomic or molecular species on a substrate may include exposing a first region of a substrate to an atomic or molecular species that forms a molecular bond with the substrate in the first region; directing a laser pulse to a second region of the substrate so as to generate an acoustic wave in the second region, the acoustic wave having spatial and temporal characteristics selected to alter the molecular bond; and transmitting the acoustic wave from the second region to the first region, the acoustic wave altering the molecular bond between the substrate and the atomic or molecular species to enhance mobility of the atomic or molecular species on the substrate in the first region. | 07-17-2014 |
20140168772 | COMPLETE-STOKES FOURIER-DOMAIN IMAGING POLARIMETER - An apparatus for simultaneously measuring linear and circular polarization components of light is provided, and contains no moving parts. The apparatus may include a prism assembly configured to receive collimated light and splits the light into different directions according to its polarization state. The apparatus may also include lenses configured to collimate light from an image plane to be analyzed by the prism assembly, or direct the light that is split by the prism assembly to different detectors or locations on an image plane. | 06-19-2014 |
20140141604 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREPARING FILMS USING SEQUENTIAL ION IMPLANTATION, AND FILMS FORMED USING SAME - Systems and methods for preparing films using sequential ion implantation, and films formed using same, are provided herein. A structure prepared using ion implantation may include a substrate; an embedded structure having pre-selected characteristics; and a film within or adjacent to the embedded structure and including ions having a perturbed arrangement arising from the presence of the embedded structure. The perturbed arrangement may include the ions being covalently bonded to each other, to the embedded structure, or to the substrate, whereas the ions instead may be free to diffuse through the substrate in the absence of the embedded structure. The embedded structure may inhibit or impede the ions from diffusing through the substrate, such that the ions instead covalently bond to each other, to the embedded structure, or to the substrate. The film may include, for example, diamond-like carbon, graphene, or SiC having a pre-selected phase. | 05-22-2014 |
20140133328 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING NARROW BANDWIDTH INTERFERENCE CONTAINED IN BROAD BANDWIDTH SIGNALS - Under one aspect of the present invention, a system for processing a group of signals and interference includes (a) an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for digitizing the group of signals and the interference; (b) a Fourier transform circuit for obtaining a Fourier transform of the digitized group of signals and the interference and to provide as output spectral bins, at least one of which contains the interference; (c) a power analysis circuit for comparing the collective power level of the spectral bins to a predetermined threshold, and if the collective power level exceeds the predetermined threshold, and for excising at least one bin that contains the interference; and (d) an inverse Fourier transform circuit for obtaining an inverse Fourier transform of the remaining spectral bins and outputting a digitized group of signals less the interference in any excised spectral bin. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132455 | ANTENNA ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF ASSEMBLING SAME - An antenna assembly is provided. The antenna assembly includes at least one foam member that is fabricated from a homogenous material, wherein the foam member includes a first surface and a second surface. At least one conductive plate including a first conductive plate is coupled to the foam member first surface. The foam member second surface is configured to couple to a second conductive plate or receive a conductive coating thereon to facilitate at least one electromagnetic wave to be channeled through the antenna assembly in a substantially single direction. | 05-15-2014 |
20140118561 | OPTIMIZED ILLUMINATION FOR IMAGING - Various embodiments are directed to imaging systems and methods for generating an image of a sub-surface feature of an object through a surface of the object. An illumination array may comprise a plurality of illumination sources positioned around the sub-surface feature of the object. An imaging device may comprise an objective. A computer system may be in communication with the illumination array. The computer system may be programmed to calculate an optimized illumination pattern of the plurality of illumination sources for imaging the sub-surface feature; activate the optimized illumination pattern; and instruct the imaging device to capture an image of the sub-surface feature with the imaging device based on reflected illumination from the optimized illumination pattern. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118008 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE IN DETERMINING HAZARDOUS CHARGING CONDITIONS - A charge detection device includes a dielectric member, a base plate coupled to the dielectric member, and a processing unit coupled to the plate. The dielectric member is representative of at least one material on a location of a vessel and the dielectric member induces an electrostatic potential energy when charged. The plate channels the induced energy through at least a portion of the device. The plate further receives at least one signal that is representative of an electrostatic discharge from a different location of the vessel. The processing unit generates at least one first output of a measurement for the induced energy. The processing unit further generates at least one second output of the presence of the electrostatic discharge to facilitate a correlation between the first and second outputs such that a user is enabled to determine the presence of at least one hazardous charging condition on the vessel. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117600 | HIGH STIFFNESS VIBRATION DAMPING APPARATUS, METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Vibration damping apparatus, systems, objects including such apparatus and systems, and vibration damping methods. The vibration damping involves amplifying a vibration-induced displacement and damping the amplified displacement. | 05-01-2014 |
20140115689 | EXECUTION STACK SECURING PROCESS - An approach to securing an execution stack (or cloud architecture) is provided. For example, an image is separated into a plurality of layers to form a trusted execution stack. Each of the plurality of layers is hardened to secure key cloud components of the trusted execution stack. | 04-24-2014 |
20140107865 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR ACTIVE DEBRIS REMOVAL - Systems, apparatuses, and methods for removal of orbital debris are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a spacecraft control unit configured to guide and navigate the apparatus to a target. The apparatus also includes a dynamic object characterization unit configured to characterize movement, and a capture feature, of the target. The apparatus further includes a capture and release unit configured to capture a target and deorbit or release the target. The collection of these apparatuses is then employed as multiple, independent and individually operated vehicles launched from a single launch vehicle for the purpose of disposing of multiple debris objects. | 04-17-2014 |
20140102116 | MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE FOR INDUCING SEPARATIONS BY FREEZING AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A microfluidic device is provided for inducing the separation of constituent elements from a microfluidic sample by introducing phase changes in the microfluidic sample while contained in a microfluidic channel in the device. At least a portion of the microfluidic sample is frozen to cause fractional exclusion of the constituent element from the frozen portion of the microfluidic sample. Different portions of the microfluidic sample may be frozen in different sectors and at different times in order to cause movement in a desired direction of the separated constituent element. Portions of the microfluidic sample may be frozen in a sequential order of adjacent sectors within the microfluidic channel in order to cause sequential movement of the excluded constituent element toward one portion of the microfluidic channel. The frozen portion of the microfluidic sample is then thawed, wherein the separated constituent element remains substantially separated from the thawed, purified microfluidic sample. | 04-17-2014 |
20140098743 | RESOLVING CO-CHANNEL INTERFERENCE BETWEEN OVERLAPPING USERS USING RANK SELECTION - An improved method for resolving interference between co-channel users is disclosed. A peak in a spectrum generated by a MUSIC algorithm is determined for a signal of interest (“SOI”) using a noise subspace. Also, an estimated carrier frequency offset (“CFO”) is determined for the SOI based on the determined peak in the spectrum. | 04-10-2014 |
20140070907 | GALVANIC ISOLATION INTERFACE FOR HIGH-SPEED DATA LINK FOR SPACECRAFT ELECTRONICS, AND METHOD OF USING SAME - Under one aspect of the present invention, a structure for providing galvanically isolated communication between first and second spacecraft electronic components includes a semi-insulating substrate; an input port disposed on the substrate and configured to receive a signal from the first spacecraft electronic component; a coupling structure disposed on the substrate, coupled to the input port so as to receive the signal, and configured to provide an isolated replica of the received signal as an output; a signal conditioner disposed on the substrate, coupled to the coupling structure so as to receive the isolated replica of the received signal, and configured to condition the isolated replica; and an output port disposed on the substrate, coupled to the signal conditioner so as to receive the conditioned isolated replica, and configured to provide the conditioned isolated replica to the second spacecraft electronic component. | 03-13-2014 |
20140028494 | Virtual Aperture Radar - A VAR system is disclosed. The VAR system may steer a beam to create an illusion of a moving aperture. As a result, a target may be illuminated at different angles to form an image. For example, the VAR system may include a transmission and receiving unit configured to steer a beam, such that a plurality of virtual aperture radars are created behind a reflector. The reflector may be configured to direct the beam to a target, and redirect a plurality of reflected beams from the target to the transmission and receiving unit. | 01-30-2014 |
20130322584 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FAST AND PRECISE FREQUENCY ESTIMATION - Systems and methods are provided for fast and precise estimation of frequency with relatively minimal sampling and relatively high tolerance to noise. | 12-05-2013 |
20130322580 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FAST AND PRECISE FREQUENCY ESTIMATION - Systems and methods are provided for fast and precise estimation of frequency with relatively minimal sampling and relatively high tolerance to noise. | 12-05-2013 |
20130322579 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FAST AND PRECISE FREQUENCY ESTIMATION - Systems and methods are provided for fast and precise estimation of frequency with relatively minimal sampling and relatively high tolerance to noise. | 12-05-2013 |
20130293022 | OPTIMUM POWER TRACKING FOR DISTRIBUTED POWER SOURCES - Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for optimum power tracking for distributed power sources. The apparatus includes a plurality of distributed-input parallel-output converters. Each converter is operably connected to a corresponding power source to form a power-processing channel. The apparatus also includes a controller operably connected to the plurality of converters, and is configured to provide uniform input voltages across each power source while tracking an optimum power point. The controller provides tolerance for multiple faults up to N−1 power source failures for the apparatus comprising an N-channel converter power system with N distributed power sources. | 11-07-2013 |
20130276875 | BONDING OF PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE TO COVERING MATERIAL - A solar energy collection system includes a solar cell, a transparent covering, and a eutectic interlayer binding the solar cell and the transparent covering together. At least some of a compound of the eutectic interlayer bonds with the transparent covering, raising the melting temperature of the eutectic interlayer above the melting temperature with the full amount of the compound present. | 10-24-2013 |
20130255223 | HYPERGOLIC HYBRID MOTOR IGNITER - An apparatus for igniting a larger rocket motor is provided. The apparatus may be a smaller rocket motor that can be ignited hypergolically, when a pressurized oxidizer contacts hypergolic fuel grains of the smaller rocket motor. The hypergolic ignition causes the larger rocket motor to be ignited. The hypergolic ignition of the smaller rocket motor may be stopped after the larger rocket motor is ignited, and the remaining hypergolic fuel grains and the pressurized oxidizer can be reserved for reigniting the larger rocket motor at a later time. | 10-03-2013 |
20130247995 | Systems and Methods for a Control Valve - Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for a control valve. In one embodiment, a valve can be provided. The valve can include a flow restrictor portion operable to generate a pressure drop in a fluid flow by viscous dissipation; a throttle portion operable to change a flow rate of the fluid; and a guard portion operable to separate the flow restrictor portion from the throttle portion. | 09-26-2013 |
20130235443 | TIME-DOMAIN GATED FILTER FOR RF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - A time domain filter receives a double sideband (DSB) input in the frequency domain and compresses this input into a time domain signal filtered by a time gate for providing a time filtered signal that is then expanded back into the frequency domain as a single sideband (SSB) output with one sideband being filtered by the time gate for translating DSB signals into SSB signals well suited for communicating chirped modulated signals as SSB signals along an electrical line or optical fiber without dispersive nulling of the communicated signal. | 09-12-2013 |
20130191027 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Doppler LIDAR - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for Doppler light detection and ranging (LIDAR). According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for measuring atmospheric wind speed. The method includes tuning, in sequence, light output of a laser to a first wavelength and a second wavelength, wherein the first wavelength and the second wavelength are symmetric about a maximum transmission wavelength peak associated with a Fabry-Perot etalon; directing the light output to one or more portions of the atmosphere; receiving backscattered light from the one or more portions of the atmosphere; directing the received backscatter light through the Fabry-Perot etalon; detecting a transmission signal corresponding to light transmitted through the Fabry-Perot etalon; and determining, by at least the transmission signal, atmospheric wind speed at one or more portions of the atmosphere. | 07-25-2013 |
20130176570 | System, Apparatus, and Method for Tracking Atmospheric Differential Absorption - A system, apparatus, and method is provided to remotely measure atmospheric species using a long path differential absorption technique. In one embodiment, a source and a detector are collocated and at the far end of the absorption path a retro-reflector is mounted on a vehicle. The source generates an outgoing laser beam that is transmitted to the retro-reflector and reflected towards the detector as an incoming laser beam, and the detector receives the incoming laser beam that was reflected by the retro-reflector. | 07-11-2013 |
20130168901 | METHODS FOR MAKING PHOTOSTRUCTURED ACOUSTIC DEVICES - A photostructurable ceramic is processed using photostructuring process steps for embedding devices within a photostructurable ceramic volume, the devices may include one or more of chemical, mechanical, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic devices, all made in part by creating device material within the ceramic or by disposing a device material through surface ports of the ceramic volume, with the devices being interconnected using internal connections and surface interfaces. | 07-04-2013 |
20130128271 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING CONCENTRATION OF GREENHOUSE GAS - One or more embodiments of the present invention pertain to a system, method, and apparatus that accurately measures concentration of a greenhouse gas in narrow atmospheric columns above multiple sites utilizing a network of autonomous low-cost beacons that turn on for short unannounced time intervals and point to a receiving satellite. For example, each beacon can activate for short time intervals and transmit a laser beam at eye-safe low transmission power levels to a receiving satellite. The receiving satellite includes a sensor configured to receive the laser beam from one or more activated beacon and generate raw greenhouse gas concentration data based on measurement of the received laser beam intensity at selected wavelengths. | 05-23-2013 |
20130125676 | RADIO FREQUENCY TRANSPARENT THERMAL WINDOW - A radio-frequency transparent window having internal conduits for the passage of cooling fluid is configured for simulating a highly uniform thermal environment for testing a device intended for use in space. The device to be tested is placed within a chamber in which a vacuum condition is maintained by a radio-frequency transparent pressure window under a pressure seal. Within the chamber, the thermal window is positioned adjacent, but not in contact with, the pressure window. A radio frequency signal is capable of passing directly through both the thermal window and the pressure window to permit communication with the device being tested within the housing. The thermal window is not in contact with the device so there in no conduction of heat from the device. Radiant heat transfer may occur from the device to the thermal window. | 05-23-2013 |
20130099170 | CARBONACEOUS NANO-SCALED MATERIALS HAVING HIGHLY FUNCTIONALIZED SURFACE - A method and composition wherein carbonaceous nano-scaled filler material is subjected to atmospheric plasma treatment using carbon monoxide as the active gas. The treatment with carbon monoxide plasma has been found to significantly increase the incorporation of oxygen groups on the surface of the filler material without degrading the surface and thus serves to increase wettability and dispersion throughout the matrix. The composite that incorporates the treated filler material has enhanced mechanical and electrical properties. | 04-25-2013 |
20130043924 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for High-Speed Signal Buffer Circuitry - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing an integrated high-speed signal buffer circuit. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for driving a clock signal. The method includes configuring a clock driver circuit with a differential clock buffer output connected to one or more clock lines; matching an operational output resistance of the differential clock buffer output approximately with an input impedance associated with the one or more clock lines; receiving a clock reference signal; applying the clock reference signal to inputs associated with the differential clock driver circuit; and driving the one or more clock lines with the differential clock buffer output. | 02-21-2013 |
20130043486 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PREPARING FREESTANDING FILMS USING LASER-ASSISTED CHEMICAL ETCH, AND FREESTANDING FILMS FORMED USING SAME - Systems and methods for preparing freestanding films using laser-assisted chemical etch (LACE), and freestanding films formed using same, are provided. In accordance with one aspect a substrate has a surface and a portion defining an isotropically defined cavity; and a substantially continuous film is disposed at the substrate surface and spans the isotropically defined cavity. In accordance with another aspect, a substrate has a surface and a portion defining an isotropically defined cavity; and a film is disposed at the substrate surface and spans the isotropically defined cavity, the film including at least one of hafnium oxide (HfO | 02-21-2013 |
20130042951 | Systems and Methods for Casting Hybrid Rocket Motor Fuel Grains - Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for casting hybrid rocket motor fuel grains. In one embodiment, a method for casting a rocket motor fuel grain can be provided. The method can include providing a positive image of a port made from at least one material. The method can further include disposing at least one fuel material around at least a portion of the positive image of the port. Further, the method can include removing the at least one material, wherein a negative image of the port is formed in the at least one fuel material. | 02-21-2013 |
20130042596 | Systems and Methods for Fabricating Hybrid Rocket Fuel Motor Fuel Grains - Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for fabricating hybrid rocket motor fuel grains. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a rocket motor fuel grain can be provided. The method can include providing a platform operable to support a rocket motor fuel grain during fabrication. The method can also include disposing at least one fuel material onto the platform to form a material layer. Further, the method can include successively disposing additional fuel material onto the material layer in small amounts, wherein the rocket motor fuel grain is formed on the platform. | 02-21-2013 |
20130035803 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROPAGATING THE ATTITUDE OF A VEHICLE - Apparatus and method is provided for propagating the attitude of a vehicle. A slew rate is computed based on angular rotation increments associated with a time interval. An incremental update is computed for the associated time interval based on an angular rate and the slew rate. An attitude of the vehicle is propagated based on the computed attitude increment and an initial attitude at the start of propagation. | 02-07-2013 |
20130032667 | Systems and Methods for a Self-Deploying Vehicle Drag Device - Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for a self-deploying vehicle drag device. In one embodiment, a drag device for a vehicle can be provided. The drag device can include a chute body, wherein the chute body is connected to the vehicle. The drag device can also include at least one collapsible member mounted to the chute body, wherein the at least one collapsible member and chute body are maintained in respective compressed configurations until deployed. Furthermore, the drag device can include at least one device adapted to release the chute body from the vehicle, wherein the chute body and the at least one collapsible member are deployed in expanded configurations with respect to the vehicle. | 02-07-2013 |
20130031888 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Providing a Multi-Fuel Hybrid Rocket Motor - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a multi-fuel hybrid rocket motor. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for producing a multi-fuel hybrid motor. The method can include forming a body, where the body includes one or more intake ports; one or more exit nozzles; one or more channels connecting the one or more intake ports with the one or more exit nozzles; and a plurality of cavities comprising segment walls in communication with the one or more channels. The method also includes depositing a propellant fuel within the plurality of cavities, wherein at least a portion of the propellant fuel is exposed to the one or more channels and wherein the propellant fuel has a higher burn consumption rate than the segment walls. | 02-07-2013 |
20130031140 | Systems and Methods for Auto-Adaptive Control Over Converged Results for Multi-Dimensional Optimization - Systems and methods may include identifying an input population of parent epsilon chromosome data structures; combining genes of each selected pair of parent epsilon chromosome data structures according to at least one evolutionary operator to generate a plurality of child epsilon chromosome data structures, each child epsilon chromosome data structure providing one or more genes each having a respective candidate epsilon value representing a respective step size or spacing for the respective problem objective; and evaluating each of the plurality of child epsilon chromosome data structures according to one or more epsilon objective functions to generate respective epsilon objective function values for each child epsilon chromosome data structure, where each epsilon objective function is associated with a respective goal associated with at least one a priori criterion, where each respective epsilon objective function value indicates an extent to which each respective goal can be achieved. | 01-31-2013 |
20120298889 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Generating Terahertz Electromagnetic Radiation - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for generating terahertz electromagnetic radiation. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for generating terahertz electromagnetic radiation. The method includes: coupling a terahertz resonator with an optical resonator, wherein the optical resonator comprises non-linear optical material; directing laser light through the optical resonator to generate terahertz radiation by parametric interaction of the laser light with the optical resonator and the terahertz resonator; and directing the terahertz radiation from the terahertz resonator to an output. | 11-29-2012 |
20120280749 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MITIGATING SPECTRAL REGROWTH FROM NON-LINEAR SYSTEMS - Various embodiments are directed to a non-linear amplifier system comprising a reference output generator, an adaptive filter, a amplitude distortion (AM-AM) compensator, a phase distortion (AM-PM) compensator, an adaptive spectrum controller and a non-linear system. The reference output generator may receive an input signal and generating a reference output. The adaptive filter may generate a modified input signal based on the input signal and the reference output. The AM-AM compensator may act on the modified input signal to compensate for AM-AM distortion. The phase distortion (AM-PM) compensator may act on the modified input signal to compensate for AM-PM distortion. The adaptive spectrum controller may provide parameters to the adaptive filter to minimize the power spectral density (PSD) of an output of the non-linear amplifier system in a stop-band and maximize the PSD of the output of the non-linear amplifier system in a pass-band. | 11-08-2012 |
20120269717 | METHOD FOR GROWTH OF HIGH QUALITY GRAPHENE FILMS - The present application relates generally to methods for growth of high quality graphene films. In particular, a method is provided for forming a graphene film using a modified chemical vapor deposition process using an oxygen-containing hydrocarbon liquid precursor. Desirably, the graphene films are a single-layer and have a single grain continuity of at least 1 μm | 10-25-2012 |
20120234526 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SOLID STATE HEAT TRANSFER - Various embodiments are directed to a thermoelectric device comprising a thermoelectric element, a first heat switch and a second heat switch. The thermoelectric element may comprise a first component in electrical contact with a second component at an interface. The first component may comprise a first material and the second component may comprise a second material different from the first material. The first heat switch may comprise a first terminal in thermal contact with the interface and a second terminal in thermal contact with a thermal reservoir. The second heat switch may comprise a first terminal in thermal contact with the interface and a second terminal in thermal contact with a thermal load. | 09-20-2012 |
20120230493 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for a Quantum Key Distribution Telescope - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods and apparatus for a quantum key distribution (QKD) telescope. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for receiving a quantum key distribution (QKD) signal. The method can include collecting one or more QKD signals and one or more primary signals with a single telescope. | 09-13-2012 |
20120224859 | PHOTONIC IMPULSE GENERATOR - Various embodiments are directed to a photonic impulse generator comprising a periodically chirped photonic source a single-frequency photonic source, a photodetector, an optical coupler, and a filter. The optical coupler may be positioned to couple an output of the single-frequency photonic source to an output of the periodically chirped photonic source, resulting in a combined photonic signal. The photodetector may be positioned to receive the combined photonic signal and generate a combined electrical signal. The filter may be in electrical communication with an output of the photodetector to receive the combined electrical signal. | 09-06-2012 |
20120224658 | GENERALIZED FREQUENCY MODULATION - A receiver may comprise a complex mixer for converting the modulated signal to a complex modulated signal comprising a first in-phase component and a first quadrature component. The receiver may further comprise a digital demodulator. The digital demodulator may comprise at least one processor circuit programmed for applying a phase differencer for generating an output function in terms of a phase difference of the complex modulated signal. Applying the phase differencer may comprise converting the first in-phase component to a function of a phase difference of the first in-phase component expressed in digital time, and converting the first quadrature component to a function of the phase difference of the first quadrature component expressed in digital time. The at least one processor circuit of the digital demodulator may also be programmed for applying a four quadrant inverse tangent to the output function to generate the information signal. | 09-06-2012 |
20120217876 | Systems and Methods for Cylindrical Hall Thrusters with Independently Controllable Ionization and Acceleration Stages - Systems and methods may be provided for cylindrical Hall thrusters with independently controllable ionization and acceleration stages. The systems and methods may include a cylindrical channel having a center axial direction, a gas inlet for directing ionizable gas to an ionization section of the cylindrical channel, an ionization device that ionizes at least a portion of the ionizable gas within the ionization section to generate ionized gas, and an acceleration device distinct from the ionization device. The acceleration device may provide an axial electric field for an acceleration section of the cylindrical channel to accelerate the ionized gas through the acceleration section, where the axial electric field has an axial direction in relation to the center axial direction. The ionization section and the acceleration section of the cylindrical channel may be substantially non-overlapping. | 08-30-2012 |
20120193063 | THERMODYNAMIC REGENERATOR - Various embodiments are directed to a regenerator for use with a regenerative engine. The regenerator may comprise a plurality of regenerator disks. Each of the plurality of regenerator disks may comprises a plurality of concentric ribs defining a plurality of concentric gaps therebetween. Further, the plurality regenerator disks may be arranged within the regenerator longitudinally, such that the plurality of concentric gaps defined by adjacent regenerator disks are substantially aligned. | 08-02-2012 |
20120135550 | REFRACTION ASSISTED ILLUMINATION FOR IMAGING - Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods of imaging subsurface features of objects. An illumination source may be directed towards a surface of an object comprising subsurface features at a first angle relative to the normal of the surface. The object may have a portion between the subsurface features and the surface that has an index of refraction that is greater than the index of refraction of a surrounding medium. An imaging device may be placed with an objective lens oriented substantially normal to the surface. The first angle may be larger than an acceptance angle of the objective lens. | 05-31-2012 |
20120109425 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR SENSING FLIGHT DIRECTION OF A SPACECRAFT - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for sensing flight direction of a spacecraft. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for determining flight direction of a spacecraft. The method includes providing at least one imaging detector associated with a spacecraft; imaging at least a portion of a celestial body onto the at least one imaging detector; acquiring, by the at least one imaging detector, sequential images of at least a portion of the celestial body; and determining the spacecraft flight direction relative to the celestial body based at least in part on processing the sequential images, wherein the processing is performed by one or more computer processors. | 05-03-2012 |
20120084314 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUPPORTING RESTRICTED SEARCH IN HIGH-DIMENSIONAL SPACES - Embodiments of the invention may provide systems and methods for supporting restricted search capabilities in high-dimensional spaces. These example restricted search capabilities may allow for an unbiased search that is simply restricted to those regions of interest to a decision maker. It will be appreciated that a restricted search does not mean that additional constraints, such as preference or biasing information, are utilized to reduce the search space into some feasible sub-space of the original optimization problem. Instead, the example restricted search may limit the search to a certain sub-space of the full multi-dimensional tradeoff space. | 04-05-2012 |
20120019707 | REFRACTION ASSISTED ILLUMINATION FOR IMAGING - Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for imaging subsurface features of a semiconductor object comprising a first region having a first doping property and a second region having a second doping property. The semiconductor object may comprise subsurface features and material between a surface of the semiconductor object and the subsurface features. The material may have an index of refraction that is greater than an index of refraction of a surrounding medium in contact with the surface of the semiconductor object. For example, a system may comprise an imaging device comprising an objective. The imaging device may be sensitive to a first wavelength. The system may also comprise an illumination source to emit illumination substantially at the first wavelength. The illumination may be directed towards the surface of the semiconductor object at a first angle relative to a normal of the surface. The first angle is greater than an acceptance angle of the objective of the imaging device. Also, the first wavelength may have a photonic energy substantially equal to a bandgap of the first region. | 01-26-2012 |
20110316423 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING THE VISIBILITY AND IDENTIFICATION OF SATELLITES USING LIGHT EMITTING DIODES - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the visibility and identification of satellites using light emitting diodes. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for improving the visibility of satellites. The method can include attaching one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) to a satellite, supplying one or more signals to the one or more LEDs, and producing light emission having a unique identifier from the one or more LEDs based at least in part on the one or more signals. | 12-29-2011 |
20110313753 | Multicast emulation - Systems and methods for emulating the reception of a multicast message considering simulated host channel characteristics. Methods, according to various embodiments, may comprise executing a plurality of host applications subscribing to a first multicast group address. The methods may also comprise executing a plurality of sockets. The methods may also comprise receiving a data packet indicating the first multicast group address. The data packet may be modified according to a first channel impairment condition to generate a first impaired data packet, which may be directed to a first host application selected from the plurality of host applications via a first socket selected from the plurality of sockets. The first socket may correspond to the first host. The data packet may be modified according to a second channel impairment condition to generate a second impaired data packet directed to a second host application via a second socket. | 12-22-2011 |
20110308296 | High-frequency, hexapod six degree-of-freedom shaker - A shaker for enabling the testing of gyros and/or other devices for performance under realistic 6DOF motions. The shaker may be implemented as a hexapod, comprising a plate and six individually, simultaneously, and real-time controllable strut assemblies that are capable of extending and contracting linearly. The strut assemblies may comprise high-precision, linear electromagnetic actuators. The strut assemblies may also comprise high-precision non-contact sensors to sense the extension/contraction of the strut assemblies along their stroke length. In addition, the strut assemblies may comprise, at each end thereof, stiff, bendable flexures to attain the repeatable and linear motion required. The controller preferably has a control bandwidth of 1000 Hz or more, so that the motion of the plate can be precisely controlled to realize realistic 6DOF motions. | 12-22-2011 |
20110270573 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN ADVANCED PEDOMETER - Systems and methods are provided for an advanced pedometer, which may include: a first accelerometer for providing first acceleration information for a first direction; a second accelerometer for providing second acceleration information for a second direction; a third accelerometer for providing third acceleration for a third direction; a clock for providing time information associated with the first acceleration information, the second acceleration information, and the third acceleration information; and a processing module comprising one or more processors. The processing module may be to execute computer-executable instructions to: determine fourth level acceleration information for a plane using the first acceleration information for the first direction, and the second acceleration information for the second direction, where the plane is defined by the first direction and the second direction; and estimate a distance traveled using the fourth level acceleration information, the third acceleration information, and at least a portion of the time information. | 11-03-2011 |
20110268168 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INCREASED COMMUNICATION THROUGHPUT - Systems and methods for increasing communication throughput by superimposing multiple signal components in the same bandwidth are disclosed. Cochannel interference is reduced by using signal separation algorithms. The signal separation algorithms may use both a priori information about the superimposed signals and measured channel parameters. In addition, error correction encoding and interleaving may be used to reduce signal power and obviate the need for ideal signal separation. | 11-03-2011 |
20110234314 | Adaptive compensation systems for mitigating distortion due to nonlinear power amplifiers - A method for pre-processing a signal prior to receipt of the signal by a non-linear device (NLD) to compensate for AM-AM distortion and AM-PM distortion of the signal by the NLD. The method includes generating a modified amplitude r | 09-29-2011 |
20110221751 | SPACE DEBRIS VISUALIZATION - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods visualizing space debris events. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for visualizing positional probability of objects in space. The method includes receiving initial conditions of the objects, determining projected positions of the objects based, at least in part, on the initial conditions, determining a plurality of 2-dimensional (2D) boundaries around the projected positions; and assembling the plurality of 2D boundaries into a 3-dimensional (3D) representation of the positional probability of objects in space. | 09-15-2011 |
20110216856 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRE-AVERAGED STAGGERED CONVOLUTION DECIMATING FILTERS - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for implementing a multirate digital decimating filter for filtering received symbol data. The method may include sampling the received symbol data at a selected sample rate, pre-averaging the sampled received data to provide two samples per symbol; convolving the pre-averaged samples with decimated finite impulse response (FIR) aperture impulse response coefficients to produce detected output samples, convolving the pre-averaged samples with shifted decimated FIR aperture impulse response coefficients to produce zero-crossing transition samples, and adjusting the sample rate based at least in part on averaging the zero-crossing transition samples. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216853 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SLIDING CONVOLUTION INTERPOLATING FILTERS - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for implementing a multirate digital interpolating filter. According to an example embodiment of the invention, the method includes sampling symbol data from one sample per symbol to N samples per symbol, wherein sampling includes: convolving the symbol data with a decimated finite impulse response (FIR) aperture impulse response coefficient set, convolving the symbol data with one or more shifted decimated FIR aperture impulse response coefficient sets, and summing the convolution results to produce interpolated bandlimited data. | 09-08-2011 |
20110208504 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONCURRENTLY EMULATING MULTIPLE CHANNEL IMPAIRMENTS - Systems and methods are provided for concurrently emulating multiple channel impairments. The systems and methods may include storing a plurality of channel impairment profiles, where each channel impairment profile corresponds to a respective channel impairment type; receiving a selection of two or more of the plurality of channel profiles; generating a composite impairment profile by combining the selected two or more channel profiles, the composite profile specifying time-variant impairments, the composite profile reflecting a combination of the respective impairment types of the selected channel profiles; and applying the time-variant impairments specified by the composite profile to an input real-time data stream to generate an impaired real-time data stream, where a timing of the application of the time-variant impairments is based at least in part upon timing data from a real-time clock. | 08-25-2011 |
20110171068 | Photostructured Chemical Devices and Methods for Making Same - A photostructurable ceramic is processed using photostructuring process steps for embedding devices within a photostructurable ceramic volume, the devices may include one or more of chemical, mechanical, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic devices, all made in part by creating device material within the ceramic or by disposing a device material through surface ports of the ceramic volume, with the devices being interconnected using internal connections and surface interfaces. | 07-14-2011 |
20110170273 | Photostructured Magnetic Devices and Methods for Making Same - A photostructurable ceramic is processed using photostructuring process steps for embedding devices within a photostructurable ceramic volume, the devices may include one or more of chemical, mechanical, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic devices, all made in part by creating device material within the ceramic or by disposing a device material through surface ports of the ceramic volume, with the devices being interconnected using internal connections and surface interfaces. | 07-14-2011 |
20110170241 | Photostructured Electronic Devices and Methods for Making Same - A photostructurable ceramic is processed using photostructuring process steps for embedding devices within a photostructurable ceramic volume, the devices may include one or more of chemical, mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic devices, all made in part by creating device material within the ceramic or by disposing a device material through surface ports of the ceramic volume, with the devices being interconnected using internal connections and surface interfaces. | 07-14-2011 |
20110170210 | Photostructured Optical Devices and Methods for Making Same - A photostructurable ceramic is processed using photostructuring process steps for embedding devices within a photostructurable ceramic volume, the devices including chemical, mechanical, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic devices, all made in part by creating device material within the ceramic or by disposing a device material through surface ports of the ceramic volume, with the devices being interconnected using internal connections and surface interfaces. | 07-14-2011 |
20110169375 | Photostructured Acoustic Devices and Methods for Making Same - A photostructurable ceramic is processed using photostructuring process steps for embedding devices within a photostructurable ceramic volume, the devices may include one or more of chemical, mechanical, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic devices, all made in part by creating device material within the ceramic or by disposing a device material through surface ports of the ceramic volume, with the devices being interconnected using internal connections and surface interfaces. | 07-14-2011 |
20110167941 | Photostructured Mechanical Devices and Methods for Making Same - A photostructurable ceramic is processed using photostructuring process steps for embedding devices within a photostructurable ceramic volume, the devices may include one or more of chemical, mechanical, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic devices, all made in part by creating device material within the ceramic or by disposing a device material through surface ports of the ceramic volume, with the devices being interconnected using internal connections and surface interfaces. | 07-14-2011 |
20110161005 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR END-TO-END LOCATION AND MEDIA CONTENT TRACKING - Systems and methods may provide location and media content tracking. The systems and methods may include receiving, from a personal communications device, location information and at least one media content, the location information indicating one or more historical physical locations of the personal communications device, the at least one media content associated with at least one of the one or more physical locations of the personal communications device; storing an association among an identification of the personal communications device, the at least one media content, and the location information corresponding to the one or more physical locations associated with the at least one media content; receiving, from a client computer, a request to track the personal communications device; and responsive to the request, providing the at least one media content and the corresponding location information to the client computer. | 06-30-2011 |
20110133863 | High Power Waveguide Polarizer With Broad Bandwidth and Low Loss, and Methods of Making and Using Same - Embodiments of the invention provide high power waveguide polarizers with broad bandwidth and low loss, and methods of making and using the same. Under one aspect of the present invention, a waveguide polarizer includes a hollow waveguide body having an interior surface; a first ridge disposed on the interior surface of the hollow waveguide body and having an inward-facing surface; and a first plurality of projections disposed on the inward-facing surface of the first ridge. The projections may have a width that is narrower than that of the ridge, and a length that is tunable. The length of the projections may be selected to induce about a 90-degree phase delay in a first mode propagating in a plane parallel to the first ridge relative to a second mode propagating in a plane perpendicular to the first ridge. | 06-09-2011 |
20110128178 | COGNITIVE ANTI-JAM RECEIVER SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Cognitive anti-jam receiver systems and associated methods are provided. The systems and methods may include a signal analysis module that processes a baseband signal to determine one or more signal characteristics of the baseband signal, the baseband signal comprising at least a desired signal; a cognitive decision unit that receives the one or more signal characteristics from the signal analysis module, and generates at least one first adaptive parameter; and at least one anti-jam processing module that processes the baseband signal to generate a modified signal that reduces an impact of at least one jammer signal on a quality of reception of the desired signal from the baseband signal, where processing by the at least one anti-jam processing module may be based at least in part on the received at least one first adaptive parameter from the cognitive decision unit. | 06-02-2011 |
20110102770 | Refraction assisted illumination for imaging - Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods of imaging subsurface features of objects. An illumination source may be directed towards a surface of an object comprising subsurface features at a first angle relative to the normal of the surface. The object may have a portion between the subsurface features and the surface that has an index of refraction that is greater than the index of refraction of a surrounding medium. An imaging device may be placed with an objective lens oriented substantially normal to the surface. The first angle may be larger than an acceptance angle of the objective lens. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102615 | Refraction assisted illumination for imaging - An illumination source may be directed towards a surface of an object comprising subsurface features, wherein the illumination from the source is directed at a first angle relative to the normal of the surface. The object may have a portion between the subsurface features and the surface, the portion having an index of refraction that is greater than the index of refraction of a surrounding medium that surrounds the object. An imaging device may be placed with an objective lens. The first angle may be larger than an acceptance angle of the objective lens. In some embodiments, multiple illumination beams may be generated by one or more illumination sources. The beams may be rotated relative to one another about the normal of the surface. Also, in some embodiments, multiple images may be taken with the objective of the imaging device at different positions rotated off of the normal. The multiple images may be combined to generate a composite image. | 05-05-2011 |
20110100024 | MULTISTAGE PULSE TUBE COOLERS - Various embodiments are directed to multistage pulse tube coolers. In some embodiments, one or more stages of the pulse tube cooler may comprise a control valve positioned between the hot end of the pulse tube and the reservoir. Also, in various embodiments, one or more inter-stage control valves may be positioned between the pulse tubes of consecutive stages. | 05-05-2011 |
20110100023 | VARIABLE PHASE SHIFT DEVICES FOR PULSE TUBE COOLERS - Various embodiments are directed to pulse tube coolers having flow resistance devices that are variable within the thermodynamic cycle of the pulse tube. An example pulse tube may comprise a compressor, a regenerator, a reservoir and a pulse tube. A working fluid may be positioned within the regenerator, pulse tube and reservoir. Further, a variable phase control device may be positioned in a fluid path between the pulse tube and the reservoir. The pulse tube cooler may also comprise a control circuit. The control circuit may be programmed to vary a characteristic of the variable phase control device based on the position of the pulse tube cooler in its thermodynamic cycle. | 05-05-2011 |
20110100022 | PHASE SHIFT DEVICES FOR PULSE TUBE COOLERS - Various embodiments are directed to pulse tube coolers and components thereof. A pulse tube cooler may comprise a compressor, a regenerator, a pulse tube and a reservoir. A network of phase control devices may be placed in a fluid path between a hot end of the pulse tube and the reservoir. The network of phase control devices may have at least one flow resistance device and at least one inertance device. | 05-05-2011 |
20110094572 | THERMO-PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATOR FOR EFFICIENTLY CONVERTING THERMAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRIC ENERGY - A thermo-photovoltaic power generator for efficiently converting thermal energy into electric energy including a selective thermal emitter having micropatterned structures for receiving thermal energy and emitting thermal radiation with black body emissivity over a range of wavelengths, low-bandgap photocells responsive to thermal radiation at wavelengths within a particular band of said range of wavelengths and operative to convert such thermal radiation to electric energy, and a band pass filter disposed between the thermal emitter and the photocells for transmitting thermal radiation from the emitter at wavelengths within the particular band to the photocells, and for reflecting thermal radiation at wavelengths outside the particular band back to the emitter. | 04-28-2011 |
20110033014 | RECEIVER FOR DETECTING SIGNALS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIGH POWER INTERFERENCE - A RF receiver that comprises: (i) a complex mixer for converting a version of the RF signal to a complex baseband signal comprising an in-phase component and a quadrature component; (ii) one or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) connected to the complex mixer for digitizing the in-phase component and the quadrature component of the complex baseband signal; and (iii) a digital signal processor (DSP) connected the one or more ADCs. The DSP is programmed to mitigate interference in the complex baseband signal by a process that comprises the steps of: (i) performing at least one cross correlation operation involving L-length segments of the digitized in-phase and quadrature components of the complex baseband signal; and (ii) concatenating the cross-correlated L-length segments of the digitized in-phase and quadrature components of the complex baseband signal to produce digitized interference mitigated in-phase and quadrature components of the complex baseband signal. | 02-10-2011 |
20110033003 | GENERALIZED FREQUENCY MODULATION - A receiver may comprise a complex mixer for converting the modulated signal to a complex modulated signal comprising a first in-phase component and a first quadrature component. The receiver may further comprise a digital demodulator. The digital demodulator may comprise at least one processor circuit programmed for applying a phase differencer for generating an output function in terms of a phase difference of the complex modulated signal. Applying the phase differencer may comprise converting the first in-phase component to a function of a phase difference of the first in-phase component expressed in digital time, and converting the first quadrature component to a function of the phase difference of the first quadrature component expressed in digital time. The at least one processor circuit of the digital demodulator may also be programmed for applying a four quadrant inverse tangent to the output function to generate the information signal. | 02-10-2011 |
20110010027 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ATTITUDE PROPAGATION FOR A SLEWING ANGULAR RATE VECTOR - Computer-based systems and methods for determining attitude of a moveable object. Attitude is determined by a transformation matrix {right arrow over (U)} from a body coordinate frame of the moveable object to an inertial reference frame. The transformation matrix is determined by: (i) determining a slew rate vector, {right arrow over (α)}, for time t | 01-13-2011 |
20100293313 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A CORE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR PARALLEL PROCESSING OF AN EVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHM - Systems and methods are provided for a core management system for parallel processing of an evolutionary algorithm. The systems and methods may include identifying, for a processing environment, a plurality of arriving processors available for utilization; configuring a first number of the plurality of arriving processors as master processors for the processing environment; configuring a respective second number of the plurality of arriving processors as slave processors, where each master processor is assigned one or more of the slave processors for the processing environment, where each master processor maintains timing data associated with available processing resources at the respective master processor, where each master processor is operative to calculate a respective target number of slaves based upon the respective timing data; and reconfiguring a current number of slave processors assigned to one or more respective master processors based upon the respective timing data calculated for the one or more respective master processors. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293122 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN APPLICATION PROGRAM INTERFACE TO AN EVOLUTIONARY SOFTWARE PROGRAM - Systems and methods may include an application program interface that enables a user to: specify parameters associated with an evolutionary algorithm, where an execution of the evolutionary algorithm is in accordance with the specified parameters; define a chromosome data structure that includes a plurality of variables that are permitted to evolve in value in accordance with the execution of the evolutionary algorithm in order to generate one or more child chromosome data structures; identify one or more objective functions for evaluating chromosome data structures, including the generated one or more child chromosome data structures; and define an output format for providing one or more optimal chromosome data structures of the evaluated generated child chromosome data structures as designs to the identified objective functions. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293121 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PARALLEL PROCESSING WITH INFEASIBILITY CHECKING MECHANISM - Systems and methods may include obtaining an input population of parent chromosome data structures, where each parent chromosome data structure provides having a plurality of genes representative of variables in which associated values are permitted to evolve; selecting pairs of parent chromosome data structures from the input population; allocating the selected pairs of parent chromosome data structures to respective ones of a plurality of slave processors, where each slave processor applies an evolutionary process to genes of the allocated pair to generate a plurality of child chromosome data structures; receiving a portion of the plurality of child chromosome data structures generated by the plurality of slave processors; merging the parent chromosome data structures with at least the received portion of the child chromosome data structures to generate a merged set of chromosome data structures; and identifying a portion of the merged set of chromosome data structures as an elite set of chromosome data structures. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293120 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BOX FITNESS TERMINATION OF A JOB OF AN EVOLUTIONARY SOFTWARE PROGRAM - Systems and methods may include receiving a respective plurality of objective function values for each chromosome data structure of a population, where the respective plurality of objective function values are obtained based upon an evaluation of each chromosome data structure; mapping the respective objective function values to respective epsilon values, where the respective epsilon values define a respective address associated with the plurality of objective functions; and performing non-domination sorting of the population to generate a reduced population of chromosome data structures; and performing epsilon non-dominated sorting to identify an elite set of addresses, where the prior steps are performed for a current generation, where the elite set of addresses are compared to a prior elite set of addresses for a predetermined number of prior generations to determine one or more variance values, where the one or more variance values are utilized to determine whether a current job of an evolutionary algorithm is to be halted. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293119 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PARALLEL PROCESSING OPTIMIZATION FOR AN EVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHM - The systems and methods may include receiving an initial population of parent chromosome data structures, where each parent chromosome data structure provides a plurality of genes; selecting pairs of parent chromosome data structures; applying at least one evolutionary operator to the genes of the selected pairs to generate a plurality of child chromosome data structures; allocating, the generated plurality of child chromosome structures to a plurality slave processors, where each slave processor evaluates one or more of the plurality of child chromosome data structures and generates respective objective function values; receiving objective function values for a portion of the plurality of allocated child chromosome data structures; merging the parent chromosome data structures with the received portion of the child chromosome data structures for which objective function values have been received; and identifying a portion of the merged set of chromosome data structures as an elite set of chromosome data structures. | 11-18-2010 |
20100292929 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING FEASIBLE SOLUTIONS FROM TWO PARENTS FOR AN EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS - Systems and methods may include receiving a pair of parent chromosome data structures, where each parent chromosome data structure provides a plurality of genes representative of variables that are permitted to evolve; combining genes of the two parent chromosome data structures to generate at least one first child chromosome data structure; evaluating the at least one first child chromosome data structures according to a plurality of constraint functions to generate a respective plurality of constraint function values for each of the at least one first child chromosome data structure, where the constraint functions define constraints on a feasible solution set; determining whether any of the at least one first child chromosome data structure is within the feasible solution set. | 11-18-2010 |
20100292928 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING RANDOM FEASIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR AN EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS - Systems and methods may include identifying an input population of parent chromosome data structures, where each parent chromosome data structure provides a plurality of genes representative of variables in which associated values are permitted to evolve; selecting pairs of parent chromosome data structures from the input population of parent chromosome data structures; combining genes of each selected pair of parent chromosome data structures according to at least one evolutionary operator to generate a plurality of child chromosome data structures; evaluating the plurality of child chromosome data structures according to a plurality of constraint functions to generate a respective plurality of constraint function values for each child chromosome data structure, where the constraint functions define constraints on a feasible solution set; determining whether any of the plurality of child chromosome data structures are within the feasible solution set based upon the respective plurality of constraint violation function values. | 11-18-2010 |
20100046589 | GPS M-CODE RECEIVER TRACKING SYSTEM - An m-code GPS receiver receives m-code GPS communication signals having a multimodal autocorrelation, using an m-code mode identifier unambiguously determining a mode value of one of the m-code modal peaks coherently aligned to a coherent unimodal detected envelope, based on sequential probability estimation in an m-code envelope tracking filter using filter residual estimation or with a coherent m-code and c/a-code tracking filter also based on filter residual estimation, for generating m-code phase errors, for unambiguous and precise m-code code phase tracking in closed feedback loops, for preferred use in navigation systems. | 02-25-2010 |
20090174601 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANTENNA TRACKING - A method includes determining if a dynamics requirement for an antenna positioner is exceeded, and employing a combination of mechanical and electronic beam steering techniques to steer a single antenna beam if the dynamics requirement is exceeded. | 07-09-2009 |
20090133405 | Combustible outgassing material lined altitude compensating rocket nozzle - A fixed sized bell rocket nozzle is lined with a layer of combustible material that is ignited during launch ignition and burns to outgas into the rocket exhaust for spatially variably confining the exhaust and perfecting an effective variably sized altitude compensating exhaust nozzle that maximizes lift during the launch of a spacecraft into orbit. | 05-28-2009 |
20090033575 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANTENNA TRACKING - A method includes determining if a dynamics requirement for an antenna positioner is exceeded, and employing a combination of mechanical and electronic beam steering techniques to steer a single antenna beam if the dynamics requirement is exceeded. | 02-05-2009 |