Abstract: A method of allocating communication resources among nodes in a network is provided. Communication among the nodes uses a time division multiple access protocol that includes a plurality of time slots. After identifying and synchronizing with a first communication node, a search algorithm is executed. The search algorithm allocates one or more time slot of the plurality of time slots to communicate control information with the identified first communication node and allocates the remaining time slots of the plurality of time slots to identification of a second communication node. Upon identification of and synchronization with the second communication node, a merged network is formed. Execution of the search algorithm continues until a desired confidence level is achieved. The confidence level estimates the likelihood that another communication node capable of communication with the network has not been identified.

Abstract: A universal power amplifier for amplifying and filtering transmit and receive signals has an input switch for switching transmit and receive signals. Transmit paths in the universal power amplifier are connected to the input switch. The transmit paths comprise filters for filtering the transmit signals and amplifiers for amplifying the transmit signals. Receive paths are connected to the input switch. The receive paths filter and amplify the receive signals. A first receive path shares one of the filters a first transmit path to filter a receive signal. A power output stage is connected to the transmit paths for amplifying the transmit signals into high-power transmit signals. A transmit/receive switch is connected to the power output stage and the receive paths for switching the high-power transmit signals and receive signals to an antenna.

Abstract: A system and method using a multi-element digital beamformer for detection and mitigation of spoofer and repeater threats to GPS that would not be addressed by baseline signal-to-noise (SNR) maximization algorithms is disclosed. GPS correlators and processing are applied to multiple beam outputs to detect and locate spoofer and repeater threats. In the beamformer processing, detected threats can be spatially nulled, even in the presence of traditional high power jamming, by modifying the normal sample covariance matrix to introduce synthetic nulls. A digital complex weighting system multiples each input channel by a complex (gain/phase) weight and adds the weighted channels together to form beams that the GPS receiver can use to reacquire the satellites in use without knowledge of platform attitude or the antenna manifold.

Abstract: A directed sequential hazard assessment weather radar system detects weather and hazards with low latency and high confidence in a hazard detection mode to detect a region of reflectivity and changes to an assessment mode after detecting the region of reflectivity. The weather radar system scans a volume in front of an aircraft to detect the region of reflectivity in the hazard detection mode using a multiscan process and a reflectivity pulse pattern. The weather radar system determines presence of a hazard in the region of reflectivity after detecting the region. The weather radar system changes to a turbulence pulse pattern in the assessment mode and scans the region of reflectivity with an auxiliary sweep to determine turbulence. The directed sequential hazard assessment weather radar system performs a qualification process by scheduling an additional radar scanning auxiliary sweep to determine if the turbulence is real.

Abstract: A method of demodulating a frequency hopped waveform is disclosed. The method comprises receiving an analog radio frequency signal, converting the analog signal to a digital pulse signal, and determining the I and Q bits in the digital pulse signal. The method also comprises derotating the Q bits by a ninety (90) degree phase shift. The method further comprises deriving an approximate phase angle for the pulse from the I and derotated Q bits.

Abstract: A method of performing data detection for a global positioning system (GPS) receiver is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first in-phase (I) reference signal during a first time interval and receiving a first quadrature (Q) reference signal during a first time interval. The method also includes receiving a second in-phase (I) reference signal during a second time interval and receiving a second quadrature (Q) reference signal during a second time interval. The method further includes computing a first sum of the first I reference signal and the second I reference signal, computing a second sum of the first Q reference signal and the second Q reference signal, computing the difference of the first I reference signal and the second I reference signal; and computing the difference of the first Q reference signal and the second Q reference signal.

Abstract: A visual display includes a dimming mode. The dimming mode is provided via analog and digital dimming mode signals. The dimming mode signals can be provided via a digital-to-analog converter. The display can be an OLED or LCD display used in avionic and projection applications.

Abstract: A new Fault Detection and Exclusion (FDE) approach for tightly integrated GPS/inertial sensors that combines a normalized solution separation for fault detection and a residual monitoring scheme for fault exclusion is described. The computation of the detection threshold, the horizontal protection level and the horizontal uncertainty level are also presented. This new FDE algorithm is designed to enable the tightly integrated GPS/inertial sensor to be used as a primary means of navigation sensor for civil aviation.

Abstract: A vertical deviation indicator and predictor includes a vertical deviation scale having a plurality of vertically spaced markers, one of the markers indicating the vehicle's present vertical position. Current vertical flight path segment symbols are selectively superimposable over the vertical deviation scale in accordance with the vehicle's current vertical flight path segment. Next vertical flight path segment symbols are selectively superimposable over the vertical deviation scale in accordance with the vehicle's next vertical flight path segment, the position thereof being determined by backward extrapolation of the next vertical flight path segment. Thus, the type and position of the current and next vertical flight path segment symbols on the vertical deviation scale provide situational awareness of the present vertical flight path deviation and an indication of an efficient and timely manner for intercepting the desired flight path.

Abstract: The present invention is a detection device, system and method for detecting an external electromagnetic event such as lightning or a high intensity radiated field. In an exemplary embodiment, the detection device includes a free space capacitive sensor and a protected amplifier circuit coupled with the free space capacitive sensor. The free space capacitive sensor and the protected amplifier circuit are configured to respond to a voltage waveform produced by an external electromagnetic event. The free space capacitive sensor serves as a single input capable of detecting the external electromagnetic event and the coupling of the free space capacitive sensor to the protected amplifier circuit allows subsystems in communication with the sensor and amplifier circuit to generate a coordinated response to the detected external electromagnetic event.

Abstract: User interface devices, such as displays and keyboards, are automatically deployed using pulse-width-modulated controlled force in a first safety period. Once safe, force and speed are increased to full deployment. At full deployment, electrical braking dissipates mechanical energy and power is throttled down to hold device against deployment stop.

Abstract: Cable modem terminator comprising new head-end of passenger in-flight entertainment system forms an extended intranet through cable modems disposed at one or more passengers seats. Cable modems form secondary digital networks that deliver data and entertainment content to aircraft integral devices or personal electronic devices belonging to individual passengers.

Abstract: In a wireless network having a plurality of nodes configured to send and receive messages between each other, a method is disclosed for determining whether a message sent from a sending node to a receiving node has been successfully transmitted. The sending node transmits an identifying command to the receiving node that describes the sent message. The receiving node compares the description of the sent message with a received message that the receiving node has received. The receiving node responds to the sending node, said response indicating to the sending node the results of the comparison between the description of the sent message and the received message. The sending node transmits a portion of the sent message if the comparison between the received message and the description of the sent message indicates that the receiving node has not yet received the portion of the sent message.

Abstract: An information processing system is disclosed. The information processing system includes a first processor that receives input data and creates a pixel data stream provided over a first channel and a second channel. The first channel provides a signal to affect the output of a pixelated display. The second channel includes location information and symbol information. The information processing system also includes a second processor coupled to the first processor. The second processor receives the location information and the symbol information from the first processor. The second processor receives the input data. The second processor computes a derived version of the inputs based on the location information and the symbol information.

Abstract: The communication system utilizes transmitters that provide communication transmissions having deterministic data. Receivers of the system have the digital processing capability for correlating received transmission reflections of the deterministic data amongst the receivers, the reflections of the deterministic data being from objects within the transmission range of a respective transmitter. The correlating includes utilizing relatively weak multipath signals of the transmission reflections and the superimposition of external data therewith to provide a resulting data base of range reflections. The range reflections are provided to others of said plurality of receivers for processing to derive the environment and the locations and movements of objects without the use of a specific interrogation signal, thereby providing situational awareness.

Abstract: A modular radio includes a chassis holding a network infosec unit module; a power amplifier module; and at least one transceiver module. Each of the modules include a separate housing and is removable and replaceable. The modules communicate via a bus and are reconfigurable along the bus. The transceivers support a channel that may be reprogrammable by the network interface.

Abstract: An enhanced vision system for an aircraft is disclosed. The system includes an imaging sensor mounted on the aircraft. The imaging sensor detects a range of radiation emanating from a scene. A display-generating processor is operationally connected to the imaging sensor and generates symbology representing information useful to operation of the aircraft. The display-generating processor combines the generated symbology with the detected range of radiation from the imaging to create a representation of the scene. The representation of the scene is created such that the generated symbology is scaled to conformally overlay the detected range of radiation. A display is operationally connected to the processor. The display is configured to display the representation of the scene such that the representation of the scene is non-conformal with a pilot's view out of a windshield of the aircraft.

Abstract: A positioning system receiver is disclosed. The positioning system receiver includes an antenna for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. The positioning system receiver also includes a radio frequency front end system configured to convert the received RF signals into intermediate frequency signals. The positioning system receiver further includes a digital processing and correlation system, receiving the intermediate frequency signals and including a plurality of taps on the autocorrelation function main lobe and a plurality of taps on at least one of the autocorrelation function side lobes. The digital processing and correlation system uses the signals received from the taps in a dot product detector algorithm to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the receiver system.

Abstract: An avionics system having displays with display configurations pilot selected for a phase of flight of an aircraft and reconfigurable for each phase of flight. A multifunction flight display stores and displays the stored phase of flight display configurations for each phase of flight of the aircraft. A cursor control panel connected to the multifunction display for changes from one stored phase of flight display configuration to another stored phase of flight display configuration when the aircraft changes phase of flight. The cursor control panel also is used for reconfiguring the display configuration for each phase of flight. The cursor control panel has phase of flight quick access pushbuttons for selecting a stored phase of flight configuration and for reconfiguring a stored phase of flight configuration into a new phase of flight configuration by selecting the new configuration and pressing a phase of flight quick access pushbutton for a predetermined time to store the new configuration.

Abstract: A global airborne cell phone system is used for cell phone calls by using a pico cell. A switch connected to the pico cell switches the cell phone call between a first radio that transmits to a first satellite system and a second radio that transmits to a second satellite system. A navigation system provides aircraft position data. A processor switches the call to the first radio and to the second radio according to coverage of the first satellite and the second satellite for a current aircraft position. A cell phone of a second type makes calls to a pico cell of the second type. A second switch connected to the pico cell of the second type switches the cell phone call between the first radio and the second radio according to coverage of the first satellite and the second satellite for the current aircraft position.