Harris Corporation

John Warner Shipley

Gayle Patrick Martin

Emile Ganthier

Sean Kevin Freeman

Stephen T Hogue

Gregory Medlin

Edward Ray Beadle

Douglas J Phillips

Dave Hyland

Douglas E Heckaman

Walter M Whybrew

Alan William Mast

Warren H Miller

Thomas Harvey Otten

Willie T Burton, Jr

Bibb B Allen

Russell A Johnson

Gerry Edward Riveros

Jeffery R Anderson

S Greeley

S Richter

Keith E Kessler

Bibb Allen

Robert F Monks

Gary L Corey

A method for detecting an oil mass covered by ice includes collecting polarimetric radar data at different depths into the ice using at least one airborne platform moved about a search area above the ice so that the polarimetric radar data defines polarimetric volumetric radar data. The polarimetric volumetric radar data is processed based upon at least one polarimetric feature to thereby detect an oil mass covered by the ice.

Method and system using a polarimetric feature for detecting oil covered by ice

A method for detecting an oil mass covered by ice includes collecting alert data at a first probability of detection using an airborne platform moved about a search area above the ice. An alert area having a likelihood of an oil mass covered by the ice is determined based upon the alert data. Confirmation data is collected at a second probability of detection higher than the first probability of detection using a ground platform moved over the alert area. An oil mass covered by the ice is detected based upon the confirmation data.

Method and system using coordinated airborne and ground platforms for detecting oil covered by ice

A method for detecting an oil mass covered by ice includes collecting radiometric data different frequencies, corresponding to respective different depths into the ice, using at least one airborne platform moved about a search area above the ice so that the radiometric data defines radiometric volumetric data. The radiometric volumetric data is processed to thereby detect an oil mass covered by the ice.

Method and system using radiometric volumetric data for detecting oil covered by ice

An imaging system uses 'RF daylight' created by an RF illumination source, such as a television broadcast tower, to passively generate RF scattering coefficients for multiple points within a prescribed three-dimensional volume being illuminated by the RF transmitter. The scattering coefficients provide a complex interference pattern having amplitude and phase components that contain all information necessary to recreate a three-dimensional monochromatic image of the illuminated scene. Coherent complex correlation provides scene information content that is only a function of scene scattering and collector geometry. The scene information may be coupled to an image utility subsystem, such as a virtual reality simulator, for generation of a three-dimensional image of the illuminated scene.

Image formation by passive collection and processing of radio frequency signals illuminating and scattered by cultural features of terrestrial region

An imaging system uses wideband 'RF daylight' created by plural narrowband RF illumination sources, to passively generate spectrally different sets of RF scattering coefficients for multiple points within a prescribed three-dimensional volume being illuminated by the narrowband RF transmitters. To correct for the lack of mutual coherence among different RF illumination sources, the respective sets of scattering coefficient data are applied to a cultural feature extraction operator, to locate one or more strong cultural features spatially common to multiple images. For spatial points along the extracted cultural feature theoretical scattering coefficients are calculated. Differences between phase values of these calculated scattering coefficients and those of the collected and processed scattering energy are used to modify the measured scattering coefficient values for all spatial points in the illuminated region. This allows the scattering coefficients of that narrowband frequency set to be coherently combined with those of another spectrally different narrowband set of scattering coefficients whose phase components have been similarly corrected, based upon the same extracted cultural feature.

Coherent two-dimensional image formation by passive synthetic aperture collection and processing of multi-frequency radio signals scattered by cultural features of terrestrial region

A collapsible conductive material includes a generally mesh-configured, collapsible surface, that defines the intended reflective geometry of an antenna. A distribution of tensionable cords and ties form radial truss elements with a plurality of inflatable radially extending ribs and posts of a support structure. The antenna is fully deployed once the support structure is inflated to at least a minimum pressure necessary to place the ties and cords in tension so that the reflective surface acquires a prescribed (e.g., parabolic) geometry, which is stably maintained by the radial truss elements.

Tensioned cord/tie-attachment of antenna reflector to inflatable radial truss support structure

Identity transform filters, such as sin(x)/x filters, are used to coherently fragment the frequency continuum of a wideband waveform, such as an ultra wideband radar signal, into a plurality of spectral segments that are capable of fitting into unoccupied spectral regions of a partially occupied electromagnetic spectrum. The wideband waveform has a bandwidth that falls within the partially occupied portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and exceeds that of any unoccupied spectral region. The total useable bandwidth of the unoccupied regions is at least equal to that of the wideband waveform.

Adaptive fragmentation and frequency translation of continuous spectrum waveform to make use of discontinuous unoccupied segments of communication bandwidth

Tensioned cord/tie attachment of antenna reflector to inflatable radial truss support structure

A multi-tile configured, two-dimensional phased array antenna architecture is configured of an gridwork of sub-array `tiles`, each of which contains a mechanically integrated and RF-integrated antenna elements and RF interface components therefor. Each tile is formed of a multilayer printed wiring board and supports a sub-array of antenna elements and their associated RF circuits, so that the tile itself is effectively an operative phased-array antenna. The gridwork supports the sub-array tiles in sealed engagement with the framework, whereby associated RF networks components at rear sides of the tiles are protected against the free space environment to which the antenna elements on front faces of the tiles are exposed. Each RF interface network contains signal processing circuitry for controlling the operation of a respective one or a set of the antenna elements on the front side of the tile.

Multi title-configured phased array antenna architecture

An active isolation device and method reduces the transmission of vibrations from interconnected elements. The device maintains a high stiffness between interconnected elements while actively reducing the transmission of relative movements, such as vibration. In one embodiment, the device uses accelerometers to measure the vibrations experienced by each of the interconnected elements and selectively operates an actuator between the two elements to maintain the position of one of the elements. In another embodiment, plural of the devices are used cooperatively to reduce the vibrations that would otherwise be transmitted from one element to a platform, permitting simultaneous control of multiple degrees of freedom of movement.

Vibration isolation system using plural signals for control

A high precision linear actuator for compensating short stroke, high frequency vibrations in a space deployed structure comprises a set of cylindrical magnetic pole pieces affixed to respective ones of a pair of graphite flexures, that are mounted to a thermally conductive cylindrical housing, which is to be affixed to the space deployed structure. Reaction against the 'proof mass' pole pieces is achieved by a magnetic field produced by set of stationary magnetic coils that surround the pole pieces and are energized by a vibration compensation reaction current supplied from a sense/control processor. Coaxial with and mounted integrally with the cylindrical pole pieces of the proof mass is an internal accelerater, which generates an output signal representative of the force to which the proof mass is subjected. This output signal is monitored by the sense/control processor to close a force feedback loop and effectively reduce both the inherent resonance imparted by the spiral support flexures and non-linearities in the magnetic field, against which the 'proof mass' cylindrical pole pieces react in the course of operation of the actuator. The vibration compensation drive signal that is supplied by the sense/control processor may be based upon the output of a second accelerometer that is mounted integrally with the cylindrical housing, but external to the flexures, by way of which the 'proof mass' pole pieces, associated drive coils and internal accelerometer are supported.

Linear precision actuator with accelerometer feedback

A carbon-carbon mirror for high thermal input space applications is comprised of a plurality of thermally conductive, metallic layers formed as a laminate structure atop a carbon-carbon substrate. Within the laminate structure, a first thin adhesion layer of chromium is formed directly on the surface of a carbon-carbon substrate. Atop the adhesion layer, a plating base layer of gold or copper is deposited, followed by a thick working/smnoothing layer of nickel, which serves as the optically reflective surface of the mirror. The nickel layer is polished to a precision flatness or smoothness. Because the underlying gold and chromium layers possess high thermal conductivity, they enhance the transmission of heat from the cladding layer to the underlying carbon-carbon substrate, thereby preventing the laminate from absorbing heat, which would lead to delamination of the structure. In order to minimize thermally induced distortion of the mirror structure, the metal laminate build-up is preferably formed on opposite sides of the carbon-carbon substrate, thereby affording a thermal balancing of the substrate. However, the nickel layer on the non-reflective side of the mirror is not polished.

Carbon-carbon mirror for space applications

A linear force actuator system for stabilizing a support structure employs a linear dc motor whose primary winding is driven by a pulse width modulation control signal representative of a force input, through which the secondary member of the motor which acts as an inertial mass, is to be controllably translated. For improved control accuracy, the actuator system of the invention employs a pair of feedback loops, one of which monitors the current in the motor's primary winding to maintain a constant force output to the secondary member and a secondary of which monitors long term deviations from the center of the secondary member and corrects for centering offsets. An opto-electronic position sensing arrangement monitors the movement of the secondary member whereby precise control of commutation of the coils of the primary winding and a smooth translation of the secondary member are obtained.

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Sebastian, FL, United States of America

John Warner Shipley