Showing papers by "Raytheon published in 1997"

Miniature aperture-coupled microstrip antenna of very high permittivity

Abstract: A miniature aperture-coupled microstrip antenna of very high permittivity designed at 1.66 GHz is described. Superstrates of appropriate thickness are added on the substrate for gain enhancement. Its size is dramatically reduced and the electrical performance remains almost the same as compared with the conventional microstrip antenna of low dielectric constant. Experimental data for the return loss, radiation pattern and measured antenna gain are presented to validate the design.

Integrated IR, visible and NIR sensor and methods of fabricating same

Abstract: An imaging device (10) has a plurality of unit cells that contribute to forming an image of a scene The imaging device includes a layer of semiconductor material (16), for example silicon, that has low noise photogate charge-mode readout circuitry (20, 21, 26, 28) (eg, CCD or CMOS readout circuitry and structures) that is disposed upon a first surface (18) of the layer A second, opposing surface of the layer is a radiation admitting surface of the layer The layer has a bandgap selected for absorbing electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths shorter than about one micrometer and for generating charge carriers from the absorbed radiation The generated charge carriers are collected by the photogate charge-mode readout circuitry A thermal sensing element (22) is disposed above and is thermally isolated from the first surface of the layer The thermal sensing element may be, by example, one of a bolometer element, a pyroelectric element, or a thermopile element A layer (12) of narrower bandgap semiconductor material can also be employed with this invention, wherein the layer of narrower bandgap semiconductor material (such as InGaAs or HgCdTe) is atomically bonded to the second surface along a heterojunction interface that is continuous or apertured across the second surface The bonded layer is used to absorb NIR and visible light

Biometric personnel identification system

Abstract: A distributed biometric identification system and architecture for rapidly identifying individuals using fingerprint and photographic data. The present architecture includes a centralized server coupled to a plurality of distributed client workstations by way of a wide area telecommunications network. The server and client workstations each contain subsystems that cooperate to provide personnel identification services to users of the system. The distributed biometric identification system is designed to rapidly identify personnel based on the use of biometric (i.e., fingerprint or photograph) or other unique identification data. The system is an integrated, front-end automated fingerprint and photographic identification tool that supports comprehensive application processing and administrative systems, such as those of the INS and other government agencies.

Method and apparatus for manufacturing composite structures

Abstract: Composite structures having a single continuous skin may be formed using automated fiber placement methods. These composite structures include frameless aircraft fuselage components offering an increased interior cabin width over conventional fuselage components. The composite structures may be constructed of multiple layers of fibers and other materials placed on a fiber placement tool that includes a mandrel body surrounded by a bladder or an integral bladder/caul sheet having expansion spaces created within the caul sheet section. Uncured composite structures may be created by placing fibers around the fiber placement tool in a plurality of discontinuous segments that are capable of moving or sliding in relation to each other so that the uncured composite structure is expandable from within. Fluid openings may be provided in the outer surface of the mandrel body for the application of vacuum and/or fluid pressure to secure the bladder to the mandrel body and to assist in the removal of the bladder from the mandrel body, respectively. Uncured composite structures may be sealed between the bladder and is clam shell molds. The uncured structures may be expanded against the inner surface of the molds by creating a vacuum between the bladder and molds.

Applied Probability for Engineers and Scientists

Abstract: Random events discrete random variables continuous random variables systems of random variables functions of random variables entropy and information random processes - correlation theory random processes - spectral theory extreme value distributions reliability Markovian processes random fatigue geometric tolerance random loads and responses in some engineering systems processing of experimental data.

Millimeter-wave radar sensor for automotive intelligent cruise control (ICC)

Abstract: If automotive intelligent cruise-control (ICC) systems are to be successful in the marketplace, they must provide robust performance in a complex roadway environment. Inconveniences caused by reduced performance during inclement weather, interrupted performance due to dropped tracks, and annoying nuisance alarms will not be tolerated by the consumer, and would likely result in the rejection of this technology in the marketplace. An all-weather automotive millimeter-wave (MMW) radar sensor is described that uses a frequency-modulation coplanar-wave (FMCW) radar design capable of acquiring and tracking all obstacles in its field of view. Design tradeoffs are discussed and radar-sensor test results are presented along with the applicability of the radar to collision-warning systems.

Advanced maintenance system for aircraft and military weapons

Abstract: An equipment maintenance system (10) comprises a central data storage warehouse (16) for electronically storing technical information and for providing on-line technical assistance for repairing the equipment. A data transceiver (12) transmits data to and receives data from the central data storage warehouse (16). A communications link (22, 26, 28, 30) between the central data storage warehouse (16) and the wireless data transceiver (12) enables accessing of the technical information from the central data storage warehouse (16) by the data transceiver (12). The test means identifies failed system components and minimizes occurrences of false BIT flags, unnecessary system maintenance and removal of operational system components.

Split sense amplifier and staging buffer for wide memory architecture

Abstract: In an amplifier design for a wide memory architecture, a staging buffer can be integrated with the final stage of a multi-stage sense amplifier. The staging buffer includes a memory latch for storing at least one bit of data. The data is transferred into the staging buffer from memory upon strobing at least one read enable line, and transferred from the staging buffer to a data bus upon strobing at least one write enable line. The data signal is transferred from the memory to the staging buffer at a voltage level lower than the full swing voltage level. The memory architecture produced using this design technique allows for a much lower voltage swing on all of the data lines, thus lowering the power requirements of the circuit.

Background adaptive target detection and tracking with multiple observation and processing stages

Abstract: A computationally efficient missile detection and tracking system, operating on data samples from a focal plane assembly (FPA) of an electro-optical sensor which is observing the earth and space, detects missiles, aircraft, resident space objects or other objects in the presence of background clutter, determines missile types and estimates missile position and velocity components in an inertial reference frame. Digitized samples from an array of electro-optical detectors which are viewing the earth and/or space are processed to detect and track missiles, aircraft and resident space objects. Streak detection is used for this purpose, where the target is separated from a background scene by exploiting target motion relative to the background scene. This processing system provides superior performance and simplified implementation as compared to conventional methods. The weight and power of a computer which can implement the processing system is much reduced as compared to conventional implementation.

Heat spreader system for cooling heat generating components

Abstract: An isothermal equilibrium system takes point sources of heat generated by the operation of heat generating components and spreads the heat throughout the system where the heat may be dissipated. An atomizer for atomizing a liquid coolant, is positioned inside a sealed housing. The atomized liquid coolant is distributed as a thin film over the surface of the heat generating components and the wall of the sealed housing. Heat is transferred from the surface of the heat generating components by vaporization of at least a portion of the thin film of liquid coolant. The coolant vapor condenses on the housing and other cool surfaces and returns to the liquid state. The system heat is then removed from the outer surfaces of the housing using conventional heat transfer mechanisms including free or forced air convection and/or circulation of liquid coolant over the exterior of the housing. If additional cooling is desired, heat exchanger tubes may be included inside the sealed housing. An input liquid or gaseous coolant is circulated through the exchanger tubes. Heat is transferred to the coolant and then conducted away from the heat generating component housing.

Automated network of sensor units for real-time monitoring of compounds in a fluid over a distributed area

Abstract: A plurality of sensor units are distributed over an area and communicate via a network with a central monitoring unit. The sensor units include sensor arrays that provide them with raw data in response to the presence of selected compounds in the ambient fluid. The raw sensor data is then processed to compute a local profile, which (a) illustrates a change in the compounds in the fluid from their normal state (change detection) , (b) indicates the presence and total concentration of foreign compounds in the fluid (presence detection), or (c) details the composition and concentrations of defined classes or individual species of compounds in the fluid (composition detection). The local profiles from the individual sensor units are then used to compute a spatial and temporal map for the compounds in the fluid. This map can then be used for a variety of purposes including tracking and predicting the flow of compounds through the area, identifying the source of compounds in the area, monitoring abatement, and controlling industrial processes.

Methods of fabricating an HDMI decal chip scale package

Abstract: Methods of producing a chip scale package that enables any chip with peripheral bond pads to be converted to an area array chip scale package suitable for chip on board assembly. The present invention produces the equivalent of a flip chip die when a chip supplier does not provide one. Processing is performed that provides thin film metal interconnections between the chip bond pads and area array bond pads on the bottom of the package. High reliability thin film metal interconnections are thus provided that connect the bond pads of the chip to the area array bond pads to permit external connection to the chip.

Digital direction finding receiver

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a digital direction finding receiver having N frequency channels (50a, 50e) spanning a frequency band of the receiver and capable of receiving signals simultaneously from a plurality of antennas (30a, 30e) spaced from one another, one of the antennas including a reference location antenna. The receiver of the invention includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (32a, 32e) having their analog inputs connected to respective ones of the antennas, a reference source (58) capable of outputting a reference digital signal containing at least a local frequency component within a selected one of the N frequency channels, a plurality of digital down converter modules (50a, 50e), each one of the digital down converter modules having a reference input connected to the reference source and a signal input connected to the digital output of a respective one of the analog-to-digital converters, each the digital down converter modules including a multiplier (56a, 56e) for producing at an output of the digital down converter a product of the reference signal and the signal from the respective one of the antennas, and a digital phase detector (35) having plural phase detector signals inputs connected to the outputs of remaining ones of the digital down converters, the phase detector detecting phase angles of the signals on each of the phase detector signal inputs relative to a corresponding signal received at the reference antenna.

Multi-mode, multi-channel communication bus

Abstract: A dynamically reconfigurable, multi-mode, multi-channel communication bus. The bus may be dynamically reconfigured into a plurality fo segments, or slices, to provide a relatively wide unified bus, or smaller versions of the bus. This allows multiple bus masters to coexist at the same time that control the bus. The protocol is adaptive in that bus widths dynamically change to allow addition or removal of bus masters at any time. Bus acquisition delays caused by bus arbitration latency using a packetized protocol regime are drastically reduced or eliminated in some systems by using the present bus. The bus demonstrates relatively high efficiency.

System and method for multimodal interactive speech and language training

Abstract: A system and method for multimodal interactive speech training include selecting a modality (10) corresponding to various sensory stimuli to present non-native vocabulary elements (12) to an individual to train the individual to immediately respond (16) to a presented word, situation, or data without performing a time-consuming literal translation or other complex cognitive process. The system and method include speech synthesis, speech recognition, and visual representations of non-native vocabulary elements to promote rapid comprehension through neuro-linguistic programming of the individual.

Comparative study of high-performance GPS receiving antenna designs

Abstract: The FAA decision allowing the use of the global positioning system (GPS) as a radio navigation and landing help system in the United States commercial airports boosts the need for a high-performance GPS receiver which provides the demanded precision. The design of the receiving antenna is one of the most important parts in the design process, as it has to face significant challenges including uniform coverage of all satellites and the rejection of the multipath signals. The rejection of the multipath signals is accomplished by specifying restrictive criteria to the GPS antenna. This includes a high rejection of the cross-polarized signals and a radiation pattern with a sharp slope for low-elevation angles; that is, near the horizon. The feasibility of using different types of antennas to satisfy restrictive criteria such as dual-frequency coverage (L1 and L2 frequencies), -15 dB cross-polarization rejection, and a beamwidth of more than 130/spl deg/ is discussed. The antenna designs examined in this study include patch antennas, helical antennas, and conical spiral antennas. Two different receiver designs were also examined including a single-antenna system with a hemispherical coverage and an antenna array which may provide independent sectoral coverage or the desired beamwidth. It is shown that a design based on a conical spiral antenna backed with absorbing material may be used to satisfy all the desired specifications. This result was confirmed experimentally.

Detection regions for transponder tracking

Abstract: Data transmissions between a transponder and a reader of a toll collection system are minimized while the transponder moves through a communication zone of the system. A plurality of dimensionally programmable detection regions, are defined within the communication zone. Detection criteria are also defined that indicate whether the transponder transitions into, out of, or both into and out of one of a plurality of "in" detection regions. Then it is determined if the current geolocation of the transponder is within any of the detection regions. The current location of the transponder is compared to the previous location of the transponder. If a change in the location of the transponder occurs and one of the detection criteria has been met, a detection region report message is generated. The detection region report message is sent to an application processor for processing, and if the transponder moves out of any of the "in" detection regions, the application processor drops the communications link to that transponder. This minimizes the amount of processing and data transfer between the transponders and the reader and processor.

Open road cashless toll collection system and method using transponders and cameras to track vehicles

Abstract: A cashless toll collection system and method that detects vehicles using transponders for prepaid customers and cameras for casual or non-transponder equipped vehicles. The system has a plurality of roadside toll collectors, one or more toll transaction processors, and a revenue management system. Each roadside toll collector has a vehicle to roadside communications system that communicates with transponders disposed in transponder equipped vehicles and generates entry and exit transaction reports indicating the entry and exit locations and times of the transponder equipped vehicles. Each roadside toll collector has a plurality of license plate cameras that selectively provide video images of license plates of vehicles that are not equipped with a transponder. Each roadside toll collector has a vehicle detector and classification system that detects the presence of vehicles, controls the cameras to capture the video images of the license plates, and generates entry and exit transaction reports indicating the entry and exit locations and times, and the license plate images of each detected vehicle that is not equipped with a transponder. The toll transaction processor processes the transaction reports to generate tolling transactions for each vehicle. The revenue management system processes the tolling transactions to generate tolls for each vehicle and generate bills for use of the toll road.

Integrated, reconfigurable man-portable modular system

Abstract: There is described an integrated reconfigurable man-portable communication system (100), adapted particularly for use in military or law enforcement tactical situations, including a modular compact computer (201a) with mission oriented hardware and software which provides the focal point for integration of various peripheral systems. The reconfigurable man-portable system (100) provides a ballistic helmet (402) with an integrated audio headset assembly (450). The helmet (402) also includes a modular heads-up display assembly (432) for providing remote viewing via a helmet mounted laser detection system (408,410), weapon mounted thermal weapons site (525), remote video system (535), and laser range finder/digital compass assembly (530). The heads-up display assembly (432) and the audio headset assembly (450) provides the user with tactical information such as; 360 degree laser detection from helmet mounted detectors (408, 410), target location for direct and indirect target engagement from the weapon mounted laser range finder/digital compass assembly (530), and navigational positioning from a global positioning system (245) and individual radio module (243) integrated within a modular load carrying device (601). The integration and modularity of the man-portable system (100) provides a flexible, mission oriented system capable of providing the user with enhanced awareness and communications ability.

Obstacle avoidance processing method for vehicles using an automated highway system

Abstract: A method for use in vehicles using lanes of an automated highway to avoid collisions with obstacles. A set of decision rules are embodied in a processor that are used in each vehicle to determine whether affected vehicles should change lanes or brake to minimize the expected impact with an obstacle. The presence of an obstacle in one of the lanes is detected by a lead vehicle or by sensors on the highway. The processor in the lead vehicle, or at a traffic management facility, probabilistically estimates the position of the obstacle at each of a plurality of times subsequent to detection. At each of the times, a course of action for all affected vehicles is determined by the processor in the lead vehicle based upon the best current estimate of position of the obstacle, knowledge of any previous action that has been taken, positions and velocities of the affected vehicles, and the geometry of the highway. At each of the times, each of the affected vehicles is commanded to perform an avoidance maneuver that is coordinated with the other affected vehicles, wherein affected vehicles brake and change lanes to avoid collision with the obstacle and with other vehicles. At each of the times, commands are sent to each affected vehicle that cause them to perform hard braking, light braking, maintain speed, resume previous speed, perform a lane change, abort a lane change or create a gap, so as to minimize the impact of the vehicles with the obstacle.

Hierarchical information fusion object recognition system and method

Abstract: A hierarchical object recognition method for aggregation, interpretation and classification of information from multiple sensor sources on the detection feature attribute level. The system extracts information derived from each sensor source to obtain detections and their feature attributes. At least two processing streams, one for each sensor source, are provided for converting the detections and their feature attributes into hypotheses on identity and class of detected objects. The detections are shared and combined between the two processing streams using hierarchical information fusion algorithms to determine which ones of the hypotheses on identity and class of detected objects have sufficient probabilities for classifying the information.

Personal messaging system and method

Abstract: A pager device received paging messages. The user reads a paging message, selects one of a set of stored, predetermine reply messages, and transmits the selected reply message from the pager. The reply signal is received by one of a set of local cellular receivers, which sends the received signal to a computer for interpretation. The computer initiates an action based on interpretation of the received reply signal. The communication system communicates with large numbers of pagers in a time and energy efficient manner. The pagers are associated with items located in a communication region that is interrogated by an interrogator on a one-to-many basis using broadcast commands, on a one-to-one basis using directed commands or on a combination basis using both methods. Messaging occurs through organized transmission and reception of signals between the pagers and the interrogator. A batch collection protocol uses a combined one-to-many and one-to-one communication system that effectively resolves communication contentions. The batch collection protocol employs a plurality of collection periods which communicate with large or unknown numbers of portable pagers.

Distributed mobile biometric identification system with a centralized server and mobile workstations

Abstract: A distributed biometric identification system incorporates highly mobile workstations. The system generally includes a plurality of mobile workstations and a file server remotely located from the workstations. The workstations receive input biometric data, such as fingerprint and photographic data, and couples that biometric data to the remote file server. The file server compares the input biometric data with stored biometric data to determine whether any of the stored biometric data matches the input biometric data. The results of the comparison are provided to the workstation that requested the comparison. Workstation mobility is enhanced by providing a wireless and/or PSTN communications link between the workstation and the remotely located file server. Workstation mobility is further improved by housing the workstation in a self-contained, compartmentalized carrying case. Workstation mobility may be even further enhanced by housing the workstation in a so-called lunchbox configuration having a main body, a front panel hinged to the main body, and a back panel hinged to the main body. The front and back panels each have a stowed position adjacent the main body, and a deployed position away from the main body. When the panels are in their stowed positions, the workstation (i.e., main body, front panel, and back panel) is a compact, portable unit.

9-/spl mu/m cutoff 256/spl times/256 GaAs/Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As quantum well infrared photodetector hand-held camera

Abstract: A 9-/spl mu/m cutoff 256/spl times/256 hand-held quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) camera has been demonstrated. Excellent imagery, with a noise equivalent differential temperature (NE/spl Delta/T) of 26 mK has been achieved. In this paper, we discuss the development of this very sensitive long wavelength infrared (LWIR) camera based on a GaAs/AlGaAs QWIP focal plane array and its performance in quantum efficiency, NE/spl Delta/T, minimum resolvable temperature (MRTD), uniformity, and operability.

12 GHz clocked operation of ultralow power interband resonant tunneling diode pipelined logic gates

Abstract: We report on the successful demonstration of a functionally complete set of logic gates based on resonant interband tunneling diodes (RITDs) with a maximum operating frequency in excess of 12 GHz. At this high frequency of operation, the power dissipation is remarkably low-on the order of 0.5 mW per gate. The circuits for all gates, AND, OR, XOR, and INV, shared the same layout geometry, consisting of two Schottky diodes and three RITDs. Logical functionality was determined solely by varying the relative areas of the devices.

Thorium fuel for light water reactors—reducing proliferation potential of nuclear power fuel cycle

Abstract: The proliferation potential of the light water reactor fuel cycle may be significantly reduced by utilization of thorium as a fertile component of the nuclear fuel. The main challenge of thorium utilization is to design a core and a fuel cycle, which would be proliferation‐resistant and economically feasible. This challenge is met by the Radkowsky Thorium Reactor (RTR) concept presented in this paper. So far the concept has been applied to a Russian design of a 1,000 MWe pressurized water reactor, known as a WER‐1000, and designated as WERT. The following are the main results of the preliminary reference design: The amount of plutonium contained in the RTR spent fuel stockpile is reduced by 80 percent in comparison with a WER of a current design. The isotopic composition of the RTR‐Pu greatly increases the probability of preini‐tiation and yield degradation of a nuclear explosion. An extremely large Pu‐238 content causes correspondingly large heat emission, which would complicate the design of an explosiv...

Method and device for fire control of a high apogee trajectory weapon

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and device for aiming and firing a rifle-mounted grenade launcher without having to approximate the range of a target and then manually adjust the position of subsequently fired grenades. The grenadier initiates the process by pointing the grenade launcher at the target. The range and azimuth of the target are determined by a microprocessor controlled laser range finder/digital compass combination. A ballistic solution is calculated by the microprocessor and the superelevation required to place the grenade on target is displayed on one of several video displays. The grenadier then uses the vertical angle measurement capability of the laser range finder/digital compass assembly to rotate the grenade launcher to the proper angle while maintaining the proper azimuth. The grenade is then fired on target. The present method and associated hardware may be used as one component of a fully integrated, multi-functional, soldier-centered, computer-enhanced warfare system.

Convergent beam scanner linearizing method and apparatus

Abstract: A method of position encoding in convergent beam scanned imaging systems (10) is provided that reduces distortion. Distortion of a scanned image is introduced in convergent beam systems through the application of mirror "pullback" at the limits of the scanning sector, which is required to retain focus over the field of view or scanning sector. The rotational position of a scanner mirror (14) is not proportional to the spatial scanned angle or object space angle (δ) due to this pullback, and thus introduces distortion. Various components of the pullback motion are utilized to provide the compensation required to overcome this distortion. A process is provided that determines the position of a mirror position detector such that the pullback translation motion of the scanner mirror (14) is used to compensate for the nonlinear rotational motion of the scanner mirror (14). This is accomplished by locating the mirror position detector (16) at a predetermined radial distance and angular position with respect to the scanner mirror (14) point of rotation and sensing the rotation of the scanner mirror (14) and pullback. By appropriately selecting the angular position of the mirror position detector (16) with respect to the scanner mirror (14) center of rotation and the direction of pullback, the output of the mirror position detector becomes a substantially linearized representation of the object space angle (δ). Significant reductions in distortion can thus be obtained via optimizing the angular position of the mirror position detector (16) through an iterative mathematical approach performed by a computer.

Direct backside interconnect for multiple chip assemblies

Abstract: A plurality of integrated circuits, such as microwave monolithic integrated circuits (MMICs), is supported upon a common carrier substrate having transmission lines for interconnection of signals between terminals of any one of the MMICs and among terminals of the plurality of MMICs. Circuit terminals at the front sides of the respective MMICs are connected electrically by vias to the back sides of the respective MMICs to be adjacent conductive components of the transmission lines. Electrically conductive bumps of metal or epoxy serve to connect the vias to the conductive components of the transmission lines, and to connect also metallized regions of the MMICs to metallized regions of the substrate.

Electronic magnetic interference and radio frequency interference protection of airborne missile electronics using conductive plastics

Abstract: A detector assembly which includes an electrically conductive, two-piece, molded plastic housing including a relatively rigid bulkhead portion having a groove and a second dome portion having a sidewall extending over an adjacent bulkhead portion The dome portion has a plurality of relatively flexible tabs, a part of each tab extending into the groove and making mechanical contact with the bulkhead portion via the groove to provide a press fit therebetween An electrically conductive barrel is disposed within the housing and is electrically connected via an electrically conductive o-ring to the bulkhead to form an electrically shielded chamber within the housing in conjunction with the bulkhead and the dome portions Equipment to be shielded is disposed within the chamber and is secured to the barrel