Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.

Pts Corporation

Network Photonics, Inc.

Altera Corporation

Bae Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.

Bevan D Staple

Lilac Muller Muller

Cynthia Wallace

Robert L Anderson

Richard S Roth

Jennifer H Lee

Matthew L Gross

David Miller

Jillian Buriak

David Paul Anderson

Carl S Weimer

Kevin Weed

Beth H Kelsic

Jeremy Harvey

Zachary Schmidt

Christian J Grund

Robert M Pierce

Ronald P Earhart

Robert W Kaliski

Victor Buzzetta

Reuben R Rohrschneider

Sara C Tucker

Robert G Marshalek

Jarett Levi Bartholomew

John C Fleming

Lyle Ruppert

Emil Tchilian

William D Tandy

Rex M Craig

John R Troeltzsch

Mats D Bennett

Colin H Wilson

Jason Monnin

Holden Chase

David Marinelli

Brian Primeau

Jerold L Cole

Sandra R Collins

Jason Monin

James H Eraker

A multiple functional instrument is provided. The instrument includes an optical autocovariance function interferometer that can feature multiple fields of view to detect winds in the atmosphere. The instrument can include an infrared camera to detect atmospheric temperatures and the presence of clouds, and a detector assembly that detects the polarization of light returned to the interferometer. Data collected by the instrument can be provided to a deep and reinforcement learning algorithm for real-time prediction of clear air turbulence and other wind-based aviation safety phenomena. Moreover, predicted and actual conditions can be correlated and used to train a deep learning algorithm to enable more accurate predictions. The instrument can be carried by an aircraft or other platform and operated to detect clear air turbulence or other atmospheric phenomena, and to provide instructions regarding flight parameters including wind-aided navigation in order to minimize the effect of predicted turbulence.

Optical wind lidar-based multifunctional instrument for enhanced measurements and prediction of clear air turbulence and other wind-based aviation related phenomena

Star tracker systems and methods are provided. The star tracker incorporates deep learning processes in combination with relatively low cost hardware components to provide moderate (e.g. ˜1 arc second attitude uncertainty) accuracy. The neural network implementing the deep learning processes can include a Hinton's capsule network or a coordinate convolution layer to maintain spatial relationships between features in images encompassing a plurality of features. The hardware components can be configured to collect a blurred or defocused image in which point sources of light appear as blurs, and in which the blurs create points of intersection. Alternatively or in addition, a blurred or defocused image can be created using processes implemented as part of application programming. The processing of collected images by a neural network to provide an attitude determination can include analyzing a plurality of blurs and blur intersections across an entire frame of image data.

Star tracker using vector-based deep learning for enhanced performance

An antenna system with integrated electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielded heat sink is disclosed. The system includes an antenna circuit board with a plurality of antenna or radiating elements formed on a common plane comprising a first surface. Circuit elements are placed on a second surface of the antenna circuit board. In addition, the second surface of the antenna circuits board is connected to a pocketed EMI shielding cover with individual shield pockets serving as an EMI shield and a heat sink containing a cooling fluid. At least some adjacent pockets can be in fluid communication with one another.

Antenna system with integrated electromagnetic interference shielded heat sink

Systems and methods for forming radio frequency beams in communication systems are provided. Signals from one or more devices are received at a base station and are processed using a vector based deep learning (VBDL) model or network. The VBDL model can receive and process vector and/or spatial information related to or part of the received signals. An optimal beamforming vector for a received signal is determined by the VBDL model, without reference to a codebook. The VBDL model can incorporate parameters that are pruned during training to provide efficient operation of the model.

Systems and methods for enhancing communication network performance using vector based deep learning

Heat transfer systems and methods are provided. The heat transfer system includes an evaporator section integrated with or thermally joined to a heat dissipating system. The evaporator section is connected to a condenser section by a conduit. Together, portions of the evaporator section, the condenser section, and the conduit form a closed volume containing a heat transfer fluid. A superhydrophobic surface is present on at least a portion of the condenser section forming a part of the closed volume. The superhydrophobic surface can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes can be provided as a forest of carbon nanotubes extending from a rough surface.

Carbon nanotube heat pipe or thermosiphon

Imaging systems and methods that implement a deep learning network are disclosed. The deep learning network utilizes pose information associated with at least some identified objects. The network is pruned, to reduce the amount of information processed and to optimize runtime processing when the network is deployed. In operation, the network identifies objects, and propagates pose information for at least some of the objects or components of identified objects. The network can be deployed as part of a processing system of an imaging system included as part of a remote platform.

Optimized focal-plane electronics using vector-enhanced deep learning

Methods and systems for remotely detecting gases and emissions of gases are provided. Data is collected from a scene using a sensor system. The data is initially optionally processed as 1D data to remove noise, and is then assigned a confidence value by processing the 1D data using a neural network. The confidence value is related to a likelihood that an emission has been detected at a particular location. The processed 1D data, including the confidence value, is gridded into 2D space. The 2D data is then processed using a neural network to assign a 2D confidence value. The 2D data can be fused with RGB data to produce a map of emission source locations. The data identifying emissions can also be processed using a neural network to determine and output emission rate data.

Method and systems for remote emission detection and rate determination

Free-space communication systems and methods are provided. The systems include a transmitter that combines multiple sets of radio-frequency-modulated optical carrier frequencies for transmission across free space using multiple transmission apertures. Different sets of signals are filtered to form single sideband signals. The different sets of single sideband signals are then combined to form dense wavelength division multiplexed signals. In addition, combined sets of signals of different polarizations can be combined. A receiver can include a single receive aperture.

Systems and methods for multiplexing and demodulation at high frequencies and increased communication bandwidth

A calibration system for sensors is provided. The calibration system includes an array of blackbody elements. Each blackbody element includes a high emissivity surface. The high emissivity surface can be formed using carbon nanotubes. In addition, each blackbody element includes a heating element and a temperature sensor. The heating element is operated to bring the blackbody element to a set point temperature, as determined by the temperature sensor. As an example, the calibration system can be used in connection with sensors sensitive to infrared wavelengths that is carried by a satellite or other platform.

Calibration system and method

Systems and methods for providing a hybrid integrated nanostructure and nanotube substrate system are disclosed. The system includes a substrate having a plurality of nanostructures formed thereon. Interconnected to the substrate, directly or through nanostructures, are nanotubes. The nanostructures can extend for a greater distance from the surface of the substrate than the nanotubes, providing a robust structure. In addition, the structure can be highly emissive and absorptive hybrid surface.

Hybrid integrated nanotube and nanostructure substrate systems and methods

The present invention pertains to systems and methods for the capture of information regarding scenes using single or multiple three-dimensional LADAR systems. Where multiple systems are included, those systems can be placed in different positions about the imaged scene such that each LADAR system provides different viewing perspectives and/or angles. In accordance with further embodiments, the single or multiple LADAR systems can include two-dimensional focal plane arrays, in addition to three-dimensional focal plane arrays, and associated light sources for obtaining three-dimensional information about a scene, including information regarding the contours of the objects within the scene. Processing of captured image information can be performed in real time, and processed scene information can include data frames that comprise three-dimensional and two-dimensional image data.

Systems and methods of scene and action capture using imaging system incorporating 3D LIDAR

A microelectromechanical structure is formed by depositing sacrificial and structural material over a substrate to form a structural layer on a component electrically attached with the substrate. The galvanic potential of the structural layer is greater than the galvanic potential of the component. At least a portion of the structural material is covered with a protective material that has a galvanic potential less than or equal to the galvanic potential of the component. The sacrificial material is removed with a release solution. At least one of the protective material and release solution is surfactanated, the surfactant functionalizing a surface of the component.

Surfactant-enhanced protection of micromechanical components from galvanic degradation

A microstructure for steering light that mitigates stiction problems is provided. A first tiltable assembly that includes a reflective coating is connected with a substrate. A second tiltable assembly is also connected with the substrate. First hand second electrodes are connected with the substrate and are configured to tilt the two tiltable assemblies such that they are interdigitated. In various embodiments, the tiltable assemblies are configured as cantilever arrangements and/or torsion-beam arrangements.

Movable MEMS-based noncontacting device

A configuration is provided by which it may be determined whether a MEMS device is in a select state. The select state is defined by a position of a moveable element, which is moved with electrostatic forces upon activation of an electrode. The select state is detected with a sensing configuration that has first and second regions. The regions are generally separated such that they are electrically uncoupled unless the moveable element is in the position that defines the select state. A detector may be provided to indicate whether the first and second regions are coupled electrically.

Methods for affirming switched status of MEMS-based devices

Growing community of inventors

Longmont, CO, United States of America

Bevan D Staple