Award Data

This project develops low-cost optical beamscanners using fast binary amplitude modulators. The modulators are solder-bumped to silicon drive circuits which have a programmable architecture for rapid, flexible array addressing. The multiple quantum well (MQW) based modulators operate at 850-860 nm with a random access speed over 100 MHz---faster than any known scanner. Preliminary simulation an ...

Microwave resonators of linear dielectrics for wireless applications have been fabricated in bulk form using conventional ceramic processing in the current commercial market. Machining and fine polishing are frequently required for dimension control and surface finish in addition to the inherent unfeasibility to fabricate miniaturized electronic circuits. It is vital to develop a suitable thin f ...

DFC, along with TSC and AIG, propose a Phase I effort to study the feasibility of subspace based signal processing algorithms for exploiting multi-spectral, multi-sensor data to detect targets concealed by foliage and/or man-made obstruction. Registration of dissimilar images is accomplished using geometric invariance.

One approach to wider use of mixed mode technology requires polymer-based packaging materials, which place greater demands on the thermomechanical performance of the package design. Electronic Packaging Services (EPS) proposes to develop a commercial instrument for the experimental measurement of out-of-plane thermal displacements in populated mixed mode electronic assemblies. The system will be ...

Electronic Packaging Services (EPS) proposes to develop a commercial instrument for the experimental measurement of out-of-plane thermal displacements for large area electronic substrates. The system will be based on shadow moire, a full-field non-contact optical technique. Phase stepping analysis, which convolutes multiple moire fringe images with fixed phase differences between them, extends t ...

This program is directed towards developing catalytic membrane reactors for promoting the spontaneous conversion of logistic fuels to a gaseous feedstock compatible for subsequent introduction into the anode compartment of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). These membranes behave as short circuited electrochemical cells with both ionic and electronic transport proceeding through the membrane bulk. ...

A new approach to implementing self-routing switch for wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) fiber-optic network applications is proposed. This switch is based on an innovative wavelength router that divides the incident optical signal into separated spectral bands at two output ports. The wavelength router is insensitive to the polarization state of light signals, and has a low side-lobe cross ...

This proposal introduces an innovative robotic mechanism and control system designed to localize, track, and attach itself to a moving ground vehicle. Our proposed design is presented in detail, however the Phase I effort will evaluated a range of alternatives for all major components using a Kepner Tregoe analysis. This vehicle has many applications such as tracking and targeting enemy vehicles ...

This Phase I Small Business Innovation Research proposal describes a means to develop extremely-affordable and high-performing multi-wavelength laser arrays for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) applications. The WDM transmitter module is based on vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers emitting in the 1530-1565nm region of flat gain in Er-doped fibers. Methods are described to produce preci ...

Q-Dot proposes to develop a wideband digital radar receiver outputting multiple simultaneous channels with 10 MHz bandwidth and 80 dB of spurious free dynamic range each. Q-Dot is teaming with Raytheon Electronics Systems to ensure the successful design of the Delta-Sigma Radar Receiver which meets the advanced specifications of Naval Research Labs' Future Surveillance Radar (FSR). The Delta-Sig ...