P-STATIC - See PRECIPITATION STATIC.
PACK HUNTER - A munition, such as the SENSOR-FUZED WEAPON (SFW), which are comprised of submunitions - themselves containing SKEET warheads that scan the ground with an INFRARED sensors which search for targets upon which to fire a penetrating slug. The submunitions descend by parachute, then fire out the skeets, thus allowing each Sensor-Fused Weapon to cover about a 30-acre area. []
PACKET - A group of bits that includes both header information (for routing) and user (payload) data. [10:2632]
PACKET INTERNET GROPER (PING) - A computer software program designed to test and debug NETWORKS or simply to determine if a host in on-line. It sends an echo PACKET to the specified host(s) and awaits a response, reporting success or failure and providing statistics about its operation. [] See also FINGER. NOTE: For example, PING can be used to determine how long (round trip) it takes one's computer to connect to a given URL (Web site).
PACKET SNIFFER - A program that can record all network PACKETS traveling past a given network interface, on a given computer, on a network. It can be used to troubleshoot network problems as well as to extract sensitive information. [] See also SNIFFER.
PACKET SWITCHING - A data transmission process, utilizing addressed PACKETs, whereby a channel is occupied only for the duration of transmission of the packet. [3] NOTE: A packet may be a complete message, a group of messages, or a part of a message (the balance forming one or more separate packets). Individual packets are routed along the network independently along available paths, and are assembled again at the destination.
PAINT TAG IDENTIFICATION - A method for distinguishing between friendly and enemy platforms. The paint tag identification concept incorporates an undetectable microscopic transponder embedded in specialized, conductive paints. A low power signal emitted from the friendly source activates the transponder for discerning ID, or on the targeted enemy item - for destruction by a homing weapon. [10:2751]
PAINTABLE LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS - Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) capable of being "painted" on virtually any kind of surface, even flexible-plastic foil and clothing. [10:2954] See also NANOTECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED CLOTHING.
PANORAMIC ANNULAR LENS (PAL) - A sniper detection and location device consisting of a 360-degree imaging system based on a lens called panoramic annular lens. [10:2732]
PARACHUTE-VORTEX ENCOUNTER - A term given to denote a parachute interaction with a trailing wing-tip vortex of an aircraft. []
PARAFINDER - A precision navigation system for paratroopers. The system enables precise jumps from high altitude ( up to 35,000 feet ) and long distances ( up to 50 kilometers ) from the landing point, in all weather conditions, day or night. The system comprises a computer and a GPS receiver. Navigation data are displayed on the paratrooper's helmet-mounted display. [10:3021] NOTE: A number of these systems were ordered in 2003 for German DSO (special operations forces), KSK (Commando special forces), and SEKM (specialized forces of the German Navy).
PARALLEL PROCESSING - The simultaneous execution of two or more sequences of instructions or one sequence of instructions operating on two or more sets of data, by a computer having multiple arithmetic and/or logic units. [3] See also MULTIPROCESSING, PROCESSOR FARM.
PARALYSIS COMBAT - Striking at the "vital point" of the enemy's information and support systems in order to paralyze the enemy and collapse his morale. [10:2725] NOTE: Paralysis Combat is a concept under the PRC Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA).
PARITY - In computer codes, pertaining to a condition in which the number of items in a group is odd or even. [10:122]
PARTIAL BAND JAMMING -- A form of ELECTRONIC JAMMING intended for SPREAD-SPECTRUM devices that spreads the jamming power over the maximum frequency range that will allow the jamming power in the receiver to equal the desired signal power at each hop frequency. [10:3027]
PARTICLE BEAM - Beams of neutral particles such as deuterium or heavy hydrogen at very high particle energies and low currents. The atoms are accelerated through electric fields as negative ions with an extra electron attached; then the electron is stripped off in passage through a gas cell, leaving a beam of neutral atoms. [5:1] NOTE: The advantage of the beams as weapons is that their target penetration is so high that it is virtually impossible to shield against them. However, the beams must have very long dwell times on a target to produce lethal depositions of energy.
PASCAL - A high level, general purpose computer language that is often used for scientific and business programs. [10:45]
PASOTRON - Plasma-assisted slow-wave oscillator, a small-size, light weight source for high power, long pulse microwave energy. Considered (in 1992) to be a next-generation device for directed energy applications such as mine clearing, anti-missile defense, anti-aircraft defense, remote jamming, and other directed energy weapons. [10:2478] See also DIRECTED ENERGY DEVICE.
PASSIVE - In surveillance, an adjective applied to actions or equipment which emit no energy capable of being detected. [1.1]
PASSIVE AIR DEFENSE - All measures, other than active air defense, taken to minimize the effectiveness of hostile air action. These measures include deception, dispersion and the use of protective construction. [1.1] See also AIR DEFENSE. Contrast with ACTIVE AIR DEFENSE.
PASSIVE CANCELLATION - A basic technique for reducing RADAR CROSS SECTION by designing the target surface so that the reflected radar signal from a part of the target cancels the reflected radar signal from another part of the target. [10:37] Contrast with ACTIVE CANCELLATION. See also RADAR CROSS SECTION REDUCTION; RADAR CAMOUFLAGE.
PASSIVE COHERENT LOCATION (PCL) SYSTEM - An electronic system, developed by the People's Republic of China (PRC), that tracks civilian radio- and TV-broadcast signals, detecting aircraft by analyzing the slight disturbance in the commercial wavelengths caused by their flight. [10:2794] Also called PASSIVE COVERT RADAR (PCR). NOTE: The PCL system is probably capable of detecting stealth aircraft. COMMENT: Isn't this the same phenomenon discovered over the English Channel that led to the initial discovery of radar by the British?
PASSIVE COVERT RADAR (PCR) - A passive radar system that detects and tracks air targets by processing echoes of commercial broadcast stations such as FM radio, TV and cell-phone base stations. Also called PASSIVE COHERENT LOCATION (PCL). [ Thanks to Paul Howland ]
PASSIVE ECCM - ECCM techniques that neither radiate nor reflect energy. []
PASSIVE ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES - That portion of ECM associated with receiving or reflecting of signals. [10:77] Contrast with ACTIVE ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES. See also PASSIVE EXPENDABLES. NOTE: Examples of passive ECM devices include radar warning receivers, missile warning receivers, laser detectors, pre-processing systems, and passive expendables.
PASSIVE EXPENDABLES - Air-launched expendables which maintain aircraft-like signatures. These include SMART CHAFF and aerodynamic devices which "fly along" with the aircraft. [10:77]
PASSIVE HOMING GUIDANCE - HOMING GUIDANCE in which the missile or vehicle employs radiation from the target as the guidance signal. [8] Contrast with ACTIVE HOMING GUIDANCE. See also SEMI-ACTIVE HOMING GUIDANCE.
PASSIVE INFRARED (PIR) SENSOR - An INFRARED sensor which receives radiation. The sensor may be a COHERENT INFRARED SENSOR or an INCOHERENT INFRARED SENSOR. [4:6] Contrast with ACTIVE INFRARED SENSOR. NOTE: An example of a PASSIVE INFRARED (PIR) SENSOR is the portable Hornet sensor system (U.K., 1999). It reportedly has a range of 100 meters. Any heat source entering the detector's surveillance arc activates a microwave DOPPLER RADAR, which is part of the system. The radar, when activated, emits a 3-second burst of signals. The radar return data are then analyzed against the Hornet's built-in classification library, and the information (target type and bearing) is transmitted to a soldier equipped with a pager. [10:2799]
PASSIVE MILLIMETER WAVE (PMW) IMAGING SYSTEM - A passive imaging system which can distinguish differences between objects and background temperatures. [10:2826] NOTES: (1) PMMW imaging systems have the ability to produce images of objects obscured in fog, dust or smoke, which render visual and INFRARED (IR) sensors unusable. (2) PMMW is used in imaging systems designed to detect contraband and stowaways in trucks and other containers.
PASSIVE MISSILE APPROACH WARNING SYSTEM (PMAWS) - An ULTRAVIOLET (UV) -based detector system with a low FALSE ALARM rate having full 360 degree coverage and the ability to compute ANGLE OF ARRIVAL to an accuracy of one degree. Said to be effective against all IR threat missiles, it is intended to perform against all threat missiles. PMAWS has the ability to detect and distinguish threat missiles from surrounding clutter and non-lethal missiles. [10:2531] See also MISSILE WARNING DEVICE.
PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK (PON) - A tree-like network in which one fiber leaving a central office and is split to branch to individual customers. [10:2770] NOTE: A PON can serve, say, 32 customers by passively splitting the light by a factor of four, and then splitting each each of these lines again by a factor of eight as they branch out to the individual customers.
PASSIVE REPEATER - A device used to alter the propagation direction (and/or wave front polarization) of radio frequency (RF) signals, such as microwave transmissions. Types of passive repeaters include paired flat - or "billboard" - reflectors and back-to-back antennas. [] See also SPACE LATTICE PASSIVE REPEATER (SLPR).
PASSIVE SENSOR FOR AIRCRAFT DETECTION (PSAD) - A passive sensor designed to detect, identify, and determine the azimuth of aircraft from their radar emissions. [10:2731]
PASSIVE SURVEILLANCE - Surveillance solely by receive-only techniques, to determine location, direction, range, identification, and transmission parameters (frequency, bandwidth, signal modulation) of possible threats or targets. [10:29] See also ELECTRONIC WARFARE SUPPORT MEASURES, FERRET RECEIVER.
PATTERN RECOGNITION - The identification of shapes, forms, or configurations by automatic means. [3]
PEACE ENFORCEMENT - Military operations including the use of force to separate belligerents, at a time and with whatever means deemed appropriate by the legal authorities. [United Nations] Contrast with PEACEKEEPING.
PEACEFUL PENETRATION - A military strategy based on the idea that heavy artillery, tanks, machine-guns and aircraft should be used to devastate a limited area of enemy territory. The infantry would then be brought up to occupy and secure the area. The success of peaceful penetration depended on carefully planned co-operation between the various units involved. [ Web site: Spartacus Schoolnet (U.K.) ] NOTE: The Peaceful Penetration" strategy was developed by John Monash and the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on the Western Front during World War I. It was tried out in a series of successful raids across No Man's Land during the summer of 1918 and on a larger scale at the Battle of Le Hamel in July. The strategy was subsequently adopted by other Allied commanders during the autumn of 1918.
PEACEKEEPING - An operation involving military personnel but without enforcement powers, established by the United Nations to help maintain or restore peace in areas of conflict. [United Nations] Contrast with PEACE ENFORCEMENT.
PEAKING GENERATOR - An electrical power generator designed to run during peak energy periods when demand for electricity is high or when other power plant units are off line during outages or for repairs. [] NOTE: Peak generators can be put into full operation in less than a minute, making them a valuable backup system during outages or emergency situations.
PELTIER DEVICE - a solid-state
device that functions as a heat pump. A typical unit is a few millimeters thick
by a few millimeters to a few centimeters square. It is a sandwich formed by an
array of small Bismuth Telluride cubes ( "couples" ) between two
ceramic plates. When a DC current is applied, heat moves from one plate to the
other. If the current is reversed then heat moves in the opposite direction.
Also called THERMOELECTRIC (TE) MODULE. [ Thanks to Steve J. Noll. For
more information visit www.peltier-info.com
] NOTES: (1) Heat generated by the device must be removed
with a heat sink.; (2) Peltier devices are best suited for small cooling
applications. The "cold" side is commonly used to cool an electronic
device, such as a microprocessor or a photodetector. (3) A disadvantage of
Peltier devices is that they are not yet (2003) efficient and consume relatively
large amounts of power. Advantages include: no moving parts, no gas refrigerant,
no noise, no vibration, very small size, long life, and a capability for
precision temperature control. Click
for a photo of Peltier Devices.
PENTIUM - A trademarked name for a P5 or
"585" chip. The Pentium consists of more than 3 million transistors that, at 66
MHz, can deliver more than 100 million instructions per second. [] NOTE: Pentiums
with speeds of more than 400 MHz were developed in the late 1990s.
PENTODE - A VACUUM TUBE characterized by five elements: cathode, three grids, and a plate (ANODE). [] See also DIODE, TETRODE, TRIODE.
| Schematic symbol for a PENTODE |
 |
| Source: allaboutcircuits.com |
PERFORMANCE PARAMETER - (As applied to TLWRs) A quantitative statement giving ranges of values or specified figures accompanied by confidence intervals for a desired attribute, functional capability, or level of performance to satisfy the related TLWR. []
PERIMETR - See DEAD HAND
PERIPHERAL DEVICE - Any computer equipment connected to the central process unit (CPU). [] NOTE: Disk drives, CRT screen and keyboard all may be built into the same box as the CPU, but technically speaking, they are peripherals.
PERIPHERAL VERTICAL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PVLS) - A Vertical Launch System (VLS) for TOMAHAWK, Sea Sparrow, point defense missiles, etc..., installed in small blocks, say of four, along the side of a ship. PVLS is designed in such a way that if the ship were to be damaged by a round - even with sympathetic detonation - the blast would tend to blow out away from the hull, mitigating damage to the ship. [] Click for the PVLS concept. NOTES: (1) In present-day (circa 2000) ships, VLS magazines may contain 48 or 64 cells with the risk of losing all of the missiles (and the ship) if a single round were to detonate in its cell. (2) In addition to anti-air weapons such as the Evolves SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) and SM-2, the PVLS will house the land attack missiles necessary to reach targets beyond gun range and satisfy Operational Requirement Document (ORD) requirements for deep strike.
PERISCOPE ANTENNA - An antenna configuration in which the transmitting antenna is oriented to produce a vertical radiation pattern, and a flat or off-axis parabolic reflector, mounted above the transmitting antenna, is used to direct the beam in a horizontal path toward the receiving antenna. [Federal communications standard] NOTES: (1) Periscope antennas facilitate increased terrain clearance without long transmission lines, while permitting the active equipment to be located at or near ground level for ease of maintenance. (2) Periscope antennas are employed in a number of military platforms.
PERMANENT ECHO - Any dense and fixed radar return caused by reflection of energy from the earth's surface. Distinguished from ground clutter by being from definable locations rather than large areas. [1.1] See also CLUTTER, RADAR CLUTTER, WAVE CLUTTER, RADAR ECHO.
PERMISSIVE ACTION LINK (PAL) - A device used to prevent unauthorized use of nuclear weapons. []
PERSISTENCE IN COMBAT (PIC) - A DARPA program (2002) to achieve accelerated self-healing and wound repair of acute minor to moderate tissue trauma, provision of novel fluid resuscitation compunds, and overall pain management to achieve the goal of a "self-healing" warfighter. [10:2955] See also CONTINUOUS ASSISTED PERFORMANCE (CAP), ENERGY HARVESTING, WATER HARVESTING.
PERSISTENT AREA DOMINANCE (PAD) - The ability to maintain around-the-clock intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) or combat capability over a target. [10:3030]
PERSISTENT COOKIE - a COOKIE that is configured to remain on a system for a specified time, even decades. Persistent cookies may contain information that identifies the user, such as after a user registers on a web site, lists of previous purchases used by "shopping cart" web sites to keep track of an order in progress, or simply information that speeds up the process when the generating web site is visited again. [] Contrast with SESSION COOKIE.
PERSONAL AREA NETWORK (PAN) - A wireless network composed of devices such as hand-held terminals, headsets and other wearable devices, and peripherals, typically within 30 feet or less. [10:2793] See also BLUETOOTH.
PERSONAL COMPUTER DEBRIEFING SYSTEM (PCDS) - A stand-alone, multimedia flight debriefing system for Air Combat Training System (ACTS) and Tactical Aircrew Combat Training System (TACTS) data used by active and reserve duty pilots. [NAWCAD News Release http://www.nawcad.navy.mil/view_release.cfm?article_id=2 ] NOTE: PCDS is a time-saving system that takes mission information previously only available at an Advanced Display and Debriefing System (ADDS) facility and puts it into the hands of the combat pilot wherever the location.
PERSONALITY MODULE - A special interface circuit, usually a plug-in module, to provide connection between dissimilar systems. [] NOTES: (1) A PERSONALITY MODULE might be used to provide interface between a software package and a non-compatible database. (2) The term apparently arises from the concept of changing a computers personality for different uses by employing different boot read-only memories (ROMs). (3) The above definition was gleaned out of context from many web sites which used - but did not define - the term. If anyone can provide a formal definition, please contact me at Echoplex@ieee.org.
PERSONNEL RECOVERY (PR) - An umbrella term for military, civil and political actions used to recover captured, missing or isolated personnel from danger. It includes such missions as theater search and rescue (SAR); combat SAR; survival, evasion, resistance and escape (SERE); and evasion and recovery (E&R). [10:2807]
PERSONAL RECOVERY EXTRACTION SURVIVABILITY/SMART-SENSORS (PRESS) - REAL TIME, automated, precision evader location, tracking SITUATIONAL AWARENESS (SA), mission management, and resupply devices and systems. [10:2881]
PETABYTE (PB) - (1) 1015 BYTES. (2) 250 or 2 to the 50th power ( 1,125,899,906,802,624 ) bytes. ALSO CALLED "pebibyte." NOTE: In 1999, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) introduced the "base 2" prefixes kibi-, mebi-, gibi-, tebi-, pebi-, exbi-, to describe numbers, such as those for indicating computer disc capacities.. The names come from the first two letters of the original SI (International System of Units) prefixes to which is appended bi ( "binary" ). (3) 1,024 TERABYTES. [] NOTE: A typewritten page is often described as having about 2,000 bytes of data per side. Thus a megabyte would represent 500 text pages (single side), and a petabyte 500 billion pages.
PHASE CONJUGATE MIRROR - With respect to a LASER light wave front, a phase conjugate mirror reverses the phase of any incoming distortion, automatically canceling aberrations when reflected through the same medium. [10:2684]
PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA - An ARRAY ANTENNA whose beam direction or radiation pattern is controlled primarily by the relative phases of the excitation currents and voltages of the radiating elements. [3]
PHASE MODULATION (PM) - ANGLE MODULATION in which the angle of a CARRIER is caused to depart from its reference value by an amount proportional to the instantaneous value of the modulating function. [3] See also AMPLITUDE MODULATION (AM), FREQUENCY MODULATION (FM).
PHONETIC SEARCH ENGINE (PSE) - A SEARCH ENGINE used to search recorded speech to locate specified terms. [10:2945] NOTE: One use of the PSE is to search recorded telephone messages for specific terms, regardless of who is speaking or how a word is spelled.
PHOTOMETRIC LIGHT - The energy to which the human eye is sensitive. [4:25]
PHOTOMETRY - The measurement of quantities associated with light. [3] NOTE: There are two branches of photometry: (1) Measurement of the physical effect of light on the eye; and (2) Measurement of the physical effect on physical receptors.
PHOTON - A quantum of electromagnetic energy. [3]
PHOTON TRANSISTOR - A transistor that uses photons of light instead of electricity. NOTE: An all-optical computer could potentially do much faster calculations than even some present day ( ca 2007 ) supercomputers. [10:3094]
PHOTONIC BAND GAP (PBG) - An optical effect of nanochannel glass materials, used in compact optoelectronic devices, that relates to spectral regions which prohibit photons from traveling through structured materials. [10:2726]
PHOTONIC DEVICE - A device which uses photons (instead of electrons) in an otherwise electronic device. []
PHOTONIC MAST - A periscope-like device used by submarines for visual search without breaking the water's surface. []
PHOTONICS - The control and use of photons or light waves. [10:56] See also OPTOELECTRONICS.
PHOTORESIST - A chemical used in printed circuit manufacture that, when exposed to an appropriate spectrum of light, reacts in such a way that subsequent developing or etching processes can remove only regions which have been exposed (or, in some cases, only regions which have not been exposed). [10:2814]
PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT - The conversion of sunlight directly into electrical power. []
PHYSIOLOGICAL BIOMETRICS - BIOMETRICS which include face, eye (retina or iris), finger (fingertip, thumb, finger length or pattern), palm (print or topography), hand geometry, wrist vein or thermal images. [10:2622]
PICO - See PICOSATELLITE
PICOSATELLITE - A small satellite (about 1 kg) which can be launched directly into space, or launched from a larger satellite. [10:2894] Also called PICO, PICOSAT, or 1-KG-CLASS SATELLITE.
PICOSECOND - One trillionth of a second. []
PICOSECOND PULSE RADAR - See IMPULSE RADAR.
PICTURE ELEMENT - See PIXEL
PIEZOELECTRIC EFFECT - (1) The physical property demonstrated by certain natural and synthetic crystals by which they are mechanically deformed under the influence of an electric field, usually increased in length in the direction of the applied field. (2) The effect of producing a voltage when the stress, either compression, expansion, or twisting (torsional) is undergoing change on certain crystals, and conversely, producing a stress in certain crystals by applying a voltage to it. The voltage is produced only while the applied stress is changing. [10:14] See also BRAGG CELL, SMART STRUCTURES.
PILAR - A portable passive acoustic sensing system which detects, locates, classifies and reports in real time the origin of small caliber fire. The system detects both subsonic and supersonic projectiles fired from weapons of 5.56 to 20 mm (with or without silencer) and permits rapid counter-fire. [10:2753]
PINETREE LINE - A system of 44 radar sites used during the Cold War (1950s and 1960s) to counter the Soviet air threat against North America. [10:2715] Click Pinetree Line for more information. Note: The Pinetree Line was gradually replaced by Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system in the 1960s.
PING - See PACKET INTERNET GROPER.
PING SWEEPER - A computer program that randomly identifies potential targets on the INTERNET. []
PINK NOISE - In acoustics, noise in which there is equal power per octave ( e.g., frequencies at ratio of 2 to 1, such as 10 Hz and 20 Hz). [Federal Standard (FS) 1037C)]. NOTE: WHITE NOISE has a uniform distribution of power ( i.e., average power or energy contained in a signal over a long period of time ) for all frequencies, e.g., there is the same amount of power between 0 and 500 Hz, 500 and 1,000 Hz or 20,000 and 20,500 Hz.
PIP EMMA - World War I telephone procedure term for "P.M." Used to avoid the possibility of misunderstanding. [from Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable] See also ACK EMMA.
PIXEL - (1) A display element that can be used to construct an image, or picture, on the display face of a display device. For example, the single separate piece of the mosaic that forms the screen of a CATHODE RAY TUBE (CRT) and whose output can be independently controlled by an electron beam. [10:14] (2) One of the infrared detector elements of an infrared focal planar array (IRFPA) {There are about 10,000 of these elements in the area of a postage stamp}. Also, the corresponding projection of the element in object space. [10:86] Synonymous with PICTURE ELEMENT.
PLANE WAVE - A wave whose equi-phase surfaces form a family of parallel planes. [3] INTUITIVE ANALOGY: A plane wave is a wall of energy.
PLASMA - A macroscopically neutral assembly of charged and possibly also uncharged particles. [3]
PLASMA DISPLAY - A gas discharge display. The name "plasma display" is derived from the physical fact that when emitting light, matter is in its fourth state, made up of free ions and electrons ( a plasma ). [4:14]
PLASMA MIRROR - An inertia-less (electronically steerable) planar reflector created by driving a glow discharge between a CATHODE and an ANODE, all immersed in a strong electromagnetic field. Potential areas of application include ship self-defense, high-resolution RADAR IMAGERY, target identification, ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES (ECM), high-data-rate communications, SPREAD SPECTRUM links and remote sensing. [10:2825]
PLASMA STEALTH SYSTEM - A system capable of creating a plasma field around an aircraft to absorb radar energy. [10:2942] NOTE: The aircraft Radar Cross Section (RCS) would be reduced significantly, thereby making it virtually invisible to radar.
PLATFORM - A device or contrivance for supporting, carrying, or conveying persons or objects. The device may be a stationary fixture, such as a tower or pedestal, or it may be a vehicle, such as a land conveyance, vessel, aircraft, or spacecraft. []
PLUMBING LOSSES - The total of the following radar system losses: power transmission efficiency; waveguide; and antenna losses. Synonymous with TRANSMITTING LOSSES. [10:37]
PLUME SUPPRESSION - Action taken to reduce the detectability of exhaust plumes of smoke and hot gases from rockets and jet engines. []
Persistent Littoral Undersea Surveillance NetworK (PLUSNet) - A system ( expected to be operational around 2015 ) which will employ multiple underwater vehicles to keep an electronic eye on the ocean environment through semi-autonomous sensors able to communicate with one another and make basic decisions in the absence of human direction. Among these systems will be SEAHORSE, a platform that can easily drift while maintaining a sensing mode using a high frequency billboard sensor array on both its port and starboard sides; BLUEFIN-21, using a buoyancy engine for drifting and bottoming; SEAGLIDER, an energy-efficient underwater glider to receive urgent acoustic messages from the other components, then surface and relay the information to shore stations; SLOCUM GLIDER, a long range deep ocean glider designed to cruise in a vertical saw-tooth plane, employing an acoustic towed array; and X-RAY GLIDER, "the world's largest underwater glider," offering a higher speed and load-carrying capacity and boasting acoustics and electric field sensors and acoustic and satellite communications capabilities. [10:3081]
PODDED PROPULSOR - A steerable pod housing an electric motor which drives an external propeller. [] NOTE: Podded propulsors can be mounted at various points on a ship's hull to facilitate maneuvering.
POINT DEFENSE (PD) - Actions taken against missile SEEKERs in the terminal phase. []
POINT DEFENSE SYSTEM (PDS) - An ANTI-AIR WARFARE (AAW) system designed to protect only the platform on which it is located. []
POINT OF PRESENCE (POP) - A telephone connection (phone number) used by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for dial-up INTERNET access. [] NOTE: Most ISPs employ multiple POPs to speed up customer Internet access.
POLARIZATION (POL) - For an electromagnetic wave, polarization is the direction in which the electric field vector is oriented; for an antenna, it is the direction in which the electromagnetic field that would be radiated by the antenna is oriented. [10:2] For additional discussion, click . [11.2]
POLARIZATION CANCELING - An ECCM technique used against single- main-lobe types of jammers. It exploits the fact that polarization components of a single jamming signal can be correlated because they originate from a single source and antenna system, while polarization components from a radar return signal are generally not well correlated. [8]
POLARIZATION MATCH - The condition that exists when a plane wave, incident upon an antenna from a given direction, has a polarization which is the same as the receiving polarization of the antenna in that direction. [3]
POLARIZATION SCREEN - A radar ECCM technique for use against cross-polarization jammers. [8]
POLARIZATION SIGNATURE - The scattering properties of a target. The polarization signature of a target is proportional to the radar scattering cross section of the target as a function of the angles of polarization of the illuminating and reflected radiation. [10:107]
PORPHYRIN NANOTUBE - A NANOMETER-scale device that can self-assemble when exposed to light. When so exposed, these BUCKY TUBES can grow metal structures onto their surfaces or form a wire inside the tube to become functional nanodevices. [10:3061] See also BUCKMINSTERFULLERENES, DENDRIMERS, FULLERENE, MOLECULAR ELECTRONICS, NANOWIRE, QUANTUM DOTS.
PORT - With respect to computers and the Internet: 1. (Computers) A place of access to a device or network where energy may be supplied or withdrawn or where the device or network variables may be observed or measured. [3] NOTE: Examples of these ports are serial port (e.g., for computer mouse and keyboard), parallel port (e.g., for printers), Universal Serial Bus (USB) port for various computer peripheral devices). 2. (Internet) A number used to identify a service (a computer program designed to respond to certain commands) on an Internet host. [] Also called TCP/IP (transfer control protocol/Internet protocol) ports, to distinguish them from other ports described in (1) above. NOTES: (1) Each host computer connected to the Internet is identified by an Internet Protocol (IP) address such as "signature.money.com." A host may have many services running; each service uses a different port. (2) Port numbers are divided into three ranges: the Well Known Ports ( 0 through 1023 ), the Registered Ports ( 1024 through 49151 ), and the Dynamic and/or Private Ports ( 49152 through 65535 ). The Well Known Ports are assigned and managed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) (Dept. of Commerce) [Source for this note is the IANA].
PORT SCAN - The process of sending data PACKETS to potential target computers to determine what network services each one offers. [10:2853] See also ANOMALY DETECTION, HOST-BASED INTRUSION DETECTION, NETWORK-BASED INTRUSION DETECTION, INTRUSION DETECTION SYSTEMS, SIGNATURE DETECTION.
PORTABLE HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGER FOR LOW LIGHT SPECTROSCOPY (PHILLS) - A multisensor system designed for ultra broadband high resolution spectroscopy. [10:2590] See also HYPERSPECTRAL SENSOR.
PORTABLE ROADBLOCK - A NONLETHAL WEAPON consisting of a carrying case housing a quickly-deployable (by one person) roadblock extending to more than 20 feet; it is equipped with spikes which deflate tires. [10:2745]
PORTABLE VEHICLE ARRESTING BARRIER (PVAB) - See PORTABLE VEHICLE IMMOBILIZATION SYSTEM (PVIS).
PORTABLE VEHICLE IMMOBILIZATION SYSTEM (PVIS) - A NONLETHAL WEAPON consisting of A pre-emplaced capture system designed to stop a 7,500 pound vehicle traveling at speeds up to 45 miles per hour without causing permanent injury to the occupants. [10:2857] Also called PORTABLE VEHICLE ARRESTING BARRIER (PVAB).
POSTDETECTION RECEIVER - A receiver in which the RF signal is processed by RF analog circuits, converted into a video signal by a crystal video detector, then digitized for digital processing. [10:55] Contrast with PREDETECTION RECEIVER.
POST OFFICE PROTOCOL (POP) - A PROTOCOL designed to allow single user hosts to read ELECTRONIC MAIL (E-mail) from a server. [10:2736]
POWER-BY-WIRE (PBW) - Aviation technology involving the elimination of hydraulics, variable engine bleed air, and the constant speed drive for power generation. Advantages of PBW include reduced aircraft weight, and improved thrust specific fuel consumption obtained by eliminating engine bleed air. [10:2673] See also FLY-BY-LIGHT (FBL). NOTE: The use of FBL/PBW technologies is expected to (a) result in lightweight, highly reliable, highly electromagnetically immune FIBER-OPTIC control systems and all-electric secondary power systems for subsonic aircraft; and (b) lower initial acquisition and direct operating costs, reduce weight, and increase aircraft performance and reliability.
POWER CENTROID - [ANTI-RADIATION MISSILE term] The radiation power source as perceived by the missile's homing system. [] See also CENTROID HOMING. NOTE: The object of counter-ARM tactics is to produce a power centroid located, say, between two radiating platforms. The desired result is failure of the missile to hit either platform.
POWER ELECTRONIC BUILDING BLOCK (PEBB) - A converter ( ac/ac, ac/dc, and dc/dc ) that performs multiple power system functions such as power flow control, voltage transformation and network protection, as well as serving as interface and controller between distribution zones, to energy storage system and to pulse loads, e.g., ELECTROMAGNETIC LAUNCHING SYSTEMS (EMALS) and DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS (DEW), for the ALL ELECTRIC SHIP (AES) [Baldwin, Thomas, Dr,. Center for Advanced Power Systems, FSU presentation ca 2002]
POWER MANAGEMENT - A low-probability-of-intercept technique that uses only so much transmitted power as needed to achieve the radar or communication objectives. [4:12]
POWER SHARING - The condition whereby the power amplifier of a JAMMER is called upon to amplify two or more input signals simultaneously. [4:8]
PRECIPITATION STATIC (P-STATIC) - Interference that is experienced in a receiver during the times the precipitation, such as dust, rain, snow, hail, sleet, or fog, occurs between the receiver and a transmitter antenna. [10:14] NOTE: P-static is most often caused by charged particles in the precipitation impacting against the receiver antenna.
PRECISE FREQUENCY - A frequency requirement accurate to within one part in 10 EXP 9 (one part in a billion). [1.1]
PRECISION ENGAGEMENT - A system of systems that enables our forces to locate the objective or target, provide responsive command and control, generate the desired effect, assess our level of success, and retain the flexibility to reengage with precision when required. [10:2941]
PRECISION FIRE - The neutralizing of selected targets efficiently and effectively in order to achieve the desired effects that contribute to, and can be linked directly to, the commander's operational intent and schemes of maneuver, while limiting collateral damage. [10:2980]
PRECISION LOCATION AND IDENTIFICATION (PLAID) SYSTEM - A system based on the Advanced Digital Receiver (ADR) and Doppler techniques which allows a tactical platform to accurately sort out signals, identify friendly units and targets and provide real-time SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. [10:2631*] [10:2687] NOTE: PLAID can be integrated with any type of radar warning receiver. [10:2637]
PREDETECTION RECEIVER - A receiver in which the input signal is down-converted into an IF (intermediate frequency) and digitized directly using an analog-to-digital converter. [10:55] Contrast with POSTDETECTION RECEIVER.
PRE-EMPTIVE INFRARED COUNTERMEASURES - An aircraft INFRARED COUNTERMEASURES (IRCM) technique whereby INFRARED (IR) jammers are turned and/or DECOY FLARES are ejected whenever there is a possibility of encountering an IR missile. [10:2800] Also called PRE-EMPTIVE IRCM. Contrast with REACTIVE INFRARED COUNTERMEASURES. NOTE: Pre-Emptive IR Countermeasures are generally employed when the aircraft is not equipped with a MISSILE WARNING DEVICE.
PRE-PLANNED PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT (P3I) - Planned future evolutionary improvement of developmental systems for which design considerations are effected during development to enhance future application of projected technology. Includes improvements planned for ongoing systems that go beyond the current performance envelope to achieve a needed operational capability. [9]
PRF - See PULSE REPETITION FREQUENCY.
PRF DIVERSITY - The use of more than one pulse repetition frequency simultaneously. [8]
PRF SHIFTING - A change in the time interval between pulses. [8]
PRF SLIDING - A continuous change in the interval between radar pulses. [8]
PRF STAGGERING - The switching of the pulse repetition frequency to differing values on a pulse-to-pulse basis so that the intervals follow a regular pattern. [8] NOTE: PRF STAGGERING is used in pulse Doppler radars to reduce range ambiguities.
PRIMARY RADAR - A radar in which the return signals are the echoes obtained by reflection from the target. [3] Contrast with SECONDARY RADAR.
PROCESSOR FARM - A parallel processor consisting of multiple processors, where tasks are distributed (or "farmed out") by one farmer to several worker processors which send results back to the farmer. [10:2756] See also LOADSHARING, MULTIPROCESSING. NOTE: Processor farms are suited for applications that can be partitioned into several independent tasks.
PRODUCT DATA MANAGEMENT (PDM) - The management of all the data that affects a product from its inception, through design, manufacturing, and customer sales, and eventually to its retirement. [] NOTE: PDM requires networks and databases - usually Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) - to function, and it provides developers and management unprecedented power for product management through integration.
PROFILER - An airborne downward-looking ground-penetrating RADAR capable of ground penetration from 1 to 10 meters. It can be used to detect underground pipes and military targets such as underground cables, unexploded ordnance, and mines. [10:2613]
PROGRAM ARCHITECTURE - See SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE.
PROJECTED THREAT - A best estimate based on historical trends data, evidence of continuing research & development (R&D), postulated military requirements, technological capabilities, and the best intelligence available. This THREAT consists of the weapon systems and characteristics that an adversary can be expected to develop and deploy during the specified period. [] See also TECHNOLOGICALLY FEASIBLE THREAT.
PROMISCUOUS MODE - A computer operating in a mode which receives all PACKETS, thereby allowing outsiders to eavesdrop on account names, passwords, e-mail, etc.... [] Synonymous with MONITOR MODE and EAVESDROPPING. NOTE: A computer may be put into promiscuous mode by a HACKER employing a PACKET SNIFFER tool.
PROPHET - A set of three Army programs (2001) aimed at providing ground troops with networked signals-intelligence (SIGINT) and ELECTRONIC WARFARE (EW) capabilities, including intelligence gathering, precision targeting and coordinated jamming. It includes a ground-based command center (Prophet Control), a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)-based COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE (COMINT)/jamming system (Prophet Ground) and Prophet Air, including four helicopters and two Shadow-200 UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAVs) serving as extensions of the helicopters. [10:2866]
PROPULSIVE SMALL EXPENDABLE DEPLOYER SYSTEM (ProSEDS) - An ELECTRODYNAMIC TETHER system having the mission to clean up orbital debris by exerting a drag on the tethered system (e.g., an orbiting rocket booster), causing it to de-orbit and burn up in the atmosphere. [10:2835]
PROTECTIVE INTELLIGENCE (PI) - The process used to identify and assess threats. In includes countersurveillance, investigations, analysis and use of "red teams" to help identify vulnerabilities. [10:3097]
PROTOCOL - (1) A formal set of conventions governing the format and relative timing of message exchange between two communications terminals. [3] (2) A formal set of conventions that set the relative timing and the exact sequence of bits, characters and control codes used in the transfer of data between microcomputers and peripherals. [10:45] See also HANDSHAKING, ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS, SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS. NOTE: A protocol is simply a formal agreement about how computers should communicate.
PSEUDONYMOUS REMAILER - An INTERNET computer service that launders the true identity of an e-mail sender by replacing the sender's e-mail address with a false one (i.e., pseudonymous address) and forwarding the message to the intended recipient. A recepient's reply is sent to the sender's pseudonymous address, which, in turn, forwards the response to the sender's true address. [10:2815] Compare with ANONYMOUS REMAILER.
PSEUDORANDOM NUMBER SEQUENCE - A sequence of numbers, determined by some defined arithmetic process, that is satisfactorily random for a given purpose, such as by satisfying one or more of the standard statistical tests for randomness. [1.1] NOTE: A pseudorandom number generator usually is based on a known "seed" number from with the random sequence is based. This provides the feature of replicability. That is, all random number sequences generated from a given seed will be identical, even though statistical tests for "randomness" may be satisfied. A truly random number generator (i.e., one for which any given sequence cannot be replicated might be based on (random) noise.
PSEUDORANDOM NOISE JAMMING - A controlled, noise-like, pulse pattern repeated in synchronism with the victim radar pulse repetition frequency. Synonymous with QUASI-NOISE JAMMING. [8]
PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS (PSYOP) - Planned operations to convey selected information and indicators to foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of foreign governments, organizations, groups, and individuals. The purpose of PSYOP is to induce or reinforce foreign attitudes and behavior favorable to the originator's objectives. [7:CJCS MOP 30, APPENDIX A] NOTE: PSYOP is a part of offensive information operations.
PULSE - A WAVE which departs from a first nominal state, attains a second nominal state, and ultimately returns to the first nominal state. [3]
PULSE BANDWIDTH - The smallest continuous frequency interval outside of which the amplitude (of the spectrum) does not exceed a prescribed fraction of the amplitude at a specified frequency. [3] NOTES: (1) The specified frequency is generally that at which the pulse has its maximum amplitude. (2) The term should really be "pulse spectrum bandwidth" because it is the spectrum and not the pulse itself that has the bandwidth. However, usage has caused the term "pulse bandwidth" to be accepted.
PULSE CONTROL - ECCM techniques which modify the transmitted pulse characteristics to make it difficult for an ECM operator to receive, determine the lethality of, and/or effectively jam the radar. []
PULSE DETONATION ENGINE (PDE) - A type of engine that uses periodic detonation waves to generate thrust more efficiently than normal combustion engines, such as a gas turbine. []
PULSE DURATION (PD) - (1) In radar, measurement of pulse transmission time in microseconds, that is, the time the radar's transmitter is energized during each cycle. [1.1] (2) The time interval between the first and last instants at which the instantaneous amplitude reaches a stated fraction of the peak pulse amplitude. [3] Synonymous with PULSE LENGTH, PULSE WIDTH.
PULSE JAMMING - Jamming techniques that use pulsed waveforms. [8]
PULSE LENGTH - See PULSE DURATION.
PULSE NOISE JAMMING - An ECM jamming technique that uses pulses of NOISE. []
PULSE REPETITION FREQUENCY (PRF) - (1) In radar, the number of pulses that occur each second. Not to be confused with transmission frequency which is determined by the rate at which cycles are repeated within the transmitted pulse. [1.1] (2) The number of pulses per unit of time, usually seconds. [3] Synonymous with PULSE REPETITION RATE (PRR).
PULSE REPETITION RATE - See PULSE REPETITION FREQUENCY.
PULSE-WAVE® MYOTRON® - A NONLETHAL WEAPON consisting of a small box about the size of a pack of cigarettes. Contact with this device by the target individual (TI) will scramble that person's signals from the part of the brain that controls voluntary activity. The result is that the person falls to the ground in intense pain, unable to move, while vital functions such as heartbeat and breathing remain unaffected. Recovery takes several minutes. [10:2730] NOTE: E-mail communications from Mr. Wes Thomas point out that tests of the pulse wave myotron do not support the manufacturer's claims. For example, it was claimed that the device can deliver up to 10,000 test bursts, but testing indicates that 4,000 bursts are more likely. Also, Sandia National Laboratories tests (1998) indicate that there is no evidence to support the claim that the device "intercepts and neutralizes brain waves from the motor cortex (voluntary muscle control) and hypothalamic (aggression) regions of the brain." [11.5]
PULSE WIDTH - See PULSE DURATION.
PULSE WIDTH JITTERING - The changing of the width of a radar pulse in a random or periodic manner. [8]
PULSED CHEMICAL LASER - A laser that projects a hot, high pressure plasma in the air in front of a target surface, creating a blast wave that will result in variable, but controlled, effects on material and personnel. [10:2341]
PULSED DOPPLER RADAR - A DOPPLER RADAR that uses pulsed transmission. [3]
PULSED LASER - A LASER that delivers its energy in the form of a single pulse or a train of pulses. The duration of a pulse is less than or equal to 0.25 seconds. [3]
PULSED RADAR - A radar which transmits pulses of energy. During the period between pulses, a receiver detects reflections of the pulsed energy (echoes) from the target. []
PULSE-UP-ON-NOISE - A jamming technique that uses a NOISE FLOOR to conceal target SKIN PAINT. This technique usually accompanies the RANGE GATE STEALING (RGS) jamming technique. []
PUNCH GUN - A NONLETHAL WEAPON which fires a spherical 322-grain rubber ball at about 110 meters per second. []
PURPLE FORCES - The forces used to oppose both BLUE and ORANGE forces in NATO exercises. This is most usually applicable to submarines and aircraft. [1.1] See also BLUE FORCES, ORANGE FORCES, RED FORCES.
PUSH-AHEAD COUNTERMEASURES - See FORWARD-BIAS COUNTERMEASURES.
PUSH-TO-TALK - A service that allows users, say cell phone subscribers or warriors on a tactical network, to just push a button and be connected immediately with another subscriber in a predefined group. [] NOTE: In effect, PUSH-TO-TALK allows the cell phone to be used like a "walkie-talkie" or an intercom system between individuals in the field and headquarters.
PUSHBROOM IMAGING - Imaging using a pushbroom spectrometer, which includes a rectangular photodetector array with pixels arranged in rows (parallel to a spatial axis defined by a straight slit) and columns (parallel to the spectral axis). Light enters the spectrometer through the slit. Each point or pixel along the slit corresponds to a point or pixel along one spatial axis in the scene under observation. Thus, each column of pixels gives a readout of the spectrum for one point, or pixel, on a line that crosses the scene. The term "pushbroom" arises because in an action reminiscent of a pushbroom sweeping a floor, the field of view is swept through the scene, along a line perpendicular to the slit, to acquire spectral readouts from all pixels in the scene. [ NASA Tech Briefs March 1999 ]
PYROPHORIC FLARE - A PYROTECHNIC which reacts spontaneously with oxygen, and can produce a controlled two-band INFRARED (IR) aircraft-sized SIGNATURE. [10:2867]
PYROPHORIC MATERIAL - Any material that ignites spontaneously in air below about 45 deg.C. [] Also called SPECIAL MATERIAL. NOTE: Pyrophoric materials may be gas, liquid, or metal, such as phosphorus, zirconium, and depleted uranium (DU)
PYROTECHNIC - A mixture of chemicals which when ignited is capable of reacting exothermically to produce light, heat, smoke, sound or gas, and may also be used to introduce a delay into an explosive train because of its known burning time. The term excludes propellants and explosives. [1.1] See also FLARE, IGNITION SPIKE.
PYROTECHNIC FLARE - See PYROTECHNIC.
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