Abstract: A display system for a vehicle is provided. The display system includes a display configured to render a representation of an intended vehicle path. At least one relative speed indicator is rendered upon the display. The at least one relative speed indicator is configured to move along the representation of the intended vehicle path, in an area of the display that is peripheral to a focus area of the display, in response to a difference between an actual value of a speed-based parameter and a preferred value of a speed-based parameter of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system server is used to manage communication over a network between the system server and a plurality of physical devices of a passenger entertainment system. The system is configured and operated using software to provide passenger entertainment. The system server comprises software for instantiating a dispatch object to open a framework network addressable unit objects, for instantiating one or more virtual line replaceable unit objects to manage communication between a network address unit and physical devices, and for communicating network messages through the dispatch object to the physical devices. The dispatch object tracks messages to the physical devices utilizing a queue and tracks messages from the physical devices utilizing a queue. The dispatch object maintains the status of related devices. The dispatch object also adds and removes one or more of the virtual line replaceable units. The network addressable unit objects move data from one storage location to another.

Abstract: A direct conversion quadrature receiver and method are provided according to the invention. The receiver according to one embodiment includes a primary local oscillator (LO) that down-converts a received RF signal to a quadrature intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The receiver further includes a dithering controller responsive to the quadrature IF signal generated by the primary LO. The dithering controller communicates a feedback signal back to the primary LO. The feedback signal controls the primary LO in order to offset down-conversion of the RF signal by the quadrature IF signal. The dithering controller offsets the primary LO from a zero-IF signal in order to reduce a phase and gain error of the quadrature IF signal.

Abstract: A digital power amplifier with variable output power control is disclosed. An amplifying stage includes a first attenuator that applies one of n attenuation steps to an RF signal in response to a desired output power level of the digital power amplifier. A feedback loop provides a gain control signal to the amplifying stage based upon an output of the amplifying stage. The feedback loop includes a second attenuator that applies another of the n attenuation steps to a sample of the output of the amplifying stage. The second attenuator applies the kth highest of the n attenuation steps when the first attenuator applies the kth lowest of the n attenuation steps, where 1?k?n.

Abstract: A system for compressing text using variable length codes includes a memory device and an encoder. The memory device is configured to store a set of variable length codes for a plurality of languages for compression of a text, where the set of variable length codes includes variable code lengths based on language features. The encoder is coupled to the memory device and is configured to receive text in at least one of the plurality of languages, to generate a compressed text by assigning a code to each word in the text based on codes from the set of variable length codes that are associated with the at least one language to the text and to generate at least one header to be inserted in the compressed text. The header includes information regarding the location in the compressed text of a subsequent change in code length.

Abstract: A phase locked loop with fast tune time and low phase noise contains a fast filter and a slow filter connected to a phase detector. The slow filter filters an error signal with a narrow bandwidth and provides a slow filter tune voltage. An integrator is connected to the slow filter for integrating the slow filter tune voltage and providing a tune voltage to a VCO. The integrator has a capacitor and operational amplifier. The fast filter filters and amplifies the error signal with a wide bandwidth and high gain to provide a fast filter tune voltage. A diode is connected to the fast filter output and to a non-inverting input of the operational amplifier. The diode is forward biased when the fast filter tune voltage is sufficient thereby causing an inverting input of the operational amplifier to change to the same level to rapidly change capacitor charge.

Abstract: In-flight entertainment systems provide entertainment for passengers on commercial airline flights. Presently, usually on longer flights, video entertainment is commonly available on in-flight passenger entertainment systems. In-flight entertainment systems can display video on a variety of display monitors ranging from a conventional CRT display to a more modern Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). Generally most displays are connected to the aircraft electronic system via a ARINC 722 connector. The ARINC 722 connector commonly provides an electrical interface between the aircraft and the video system, whether the video system is a CRT or LCD type monitor. With the increasing use of LCD monitors there is a greater need for the ability of the display monitor to be able to report its status. The need for status reporting is increased because the LCD monitors are often greater in number than the prior art CRT monitors and because malfunctions are less obvious.

Abstract: A variably controlled LCD backlight is disclosed. The backlight includes a first light source that emits light within a first spectral power distribution and has a first radiant power output. A second light source emits light within a second spectral power distribution and has a second radiant power output. A detector detects the first and second radiant power outputs. A processor is connected to the detector and calculates chromaticity and luminance values of the emitted light based on the first and second radiant power outputs. The processor compares the calculated chromaticity and luminance values with desired chromaticity and luminance values, respectively. A controller is operationally connected to the processor and adjusts one or more of the first radiant power output and the second radiant power output in response to a difference between the calculated chromaticity and luminance values and the desired chromaticity and luminance values.

Abstract: A method of distributing audio channels to passengers of an aircraft includes digitally encoding a multiplicity of audio channels into a corresponding multiplicity of digital audio channels. Different groups of the digital audio channels are combined into sub-channels having a data rate higher than a data rate of the digital audio channels. The sub-channels are combined into a composite data stream having a data rate higher than the data rate of the sub-channels. A first radio frequency (RF) carrier signal is modulated with the composite data stream to generate a modulated RF signal audio output. The modulated RF signal output containing a large number of audio channels is transmitted over a data network, such as a coaxial cable network, along with a multiplicity of video channel modulated RF carrier signals.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data over a single-channel wireless network having a plurality of nodes is disclosed. According to the method, a first link is established between two of the nodes and data is transmitted therebetween. A break in transmission between the two nodes is listened for, and a first predetermined time interval is waited if a break in transmission between two nodes occurs. A second predetermined time interval is established if the first predetermined time interval lapses with no detected transmission over the channel. The second predetermined time interval is divided into a plurality of slots, and each node randomly selects one of the slots. One of the nodes establishes a second link if that node has selected a slot earlier in time than slots selected by the remainder of the nodes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method of estimating phase error in a waveform sent from an analog transmitter. In a first technique, the ratio of the minimum to maximum envelope may be fit into a curve to determine the phase error of the waveform. In a second technique utilizing the maximum abscissa, the phase error estimate may be obtained utilizing an arctangent of an angle formed by a line from an origin through a point on the waveform at the index where the angle is equal to the phase error. A third technique for estimating phase error may involve determining an angle subtended by a line from an origin to an intersection and the closest axis, where the phase error estimate is twice the angle formed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a clutch assembly having a housing, rotational arm and torque spring, in combination with a position sensor, such that excessive movement or obstruction within the path of the display assembly during deployment, as predefined by the system designer, results in stowage of a deployed on-board entertainment system display assembly.

Abstract: An adaptive interference cancellation receiving system uses synthesizer phase accumulation. A coupler coupled to a transmitter samples an undesired transmit signal. An adaptive interference canceller (AIC) module varies phase and amplitude of the sampled undesired transmit signal to provide a cancellation output signal. The AIC module has a frequency synthesizer with phase accumulation for varying the phase of the sampled undesired transmit signal. An antenna receives receive signals and the undesired transmit signal. A summing circuit connected to the receive antenna and the adaptive interference module sums the receive signals, the received undesired transmit signal, and the cancellation signal to cancel the received undesired transmit signal. An AIC controller module is coupled to the summing circuit output to detect a null in the undesired transmit signal, to generate a cancellation feedback signal, and to provide the cancellation feedback signal to the AIC module.

Abstract: A self-calibrating synthesizer phase lock loop which uses a microcontroller with an analog-to-digital converter to automatically measure, compute, select and store the appropriate gain to achieve the desired bandwidth of the phase lock loop.

Abstract: Delays associated with anti-jamming systems utilized in GPS systems can be determined to reduce pseudo range errors. The pseudo range errors are corrected so that proper ionospheric corrections can be made. An extrapolation method can be utilized to improve ionospheric corrections.

Abstract: A surveillance system for an aircraft includes a first antenna comprising a four radiating element antenna. The first antenna is configured for electrical coupling to a first air traffic control transponder and a first traffic alert and collision avoidance system, and a second antenna comprises a single element antenna configured for electrical coupling to a second air traffic control transponder. The surveillance system also comprises a second antenna comprising a single radiating element antenna configured for electrical coupling to a second air traffic control transponder. The surveillance system also comprises a first mounting interface configured for coupling the first antenna to the aircraft. The surveillance system also comprises a second mounting interface configured for coupling a second antenna to the aircraft. The mounting interface of the first antenna has a size and a shape corresponding to a size and shape of the mounting interface of the second antenna.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a light source and a display element illuminated by the light source. The display system also includes a first liquid crystal polymer compensation film layer that is disposed adjacent to the first side of the display element. The display also includes a second liquid crystal polymer compensation film layer disposed adjacent a second side of the display element. Further, the display system includes a third liquid crystal polymer compensation film layer that is disposed adjacent the second liquid crystal polymer compensation film layer.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a multiple input diversity decoding apparatus and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, two or more diversity decoders work together to iteratively decode information. Each diversity decoder can include two or more partial decoders. In another embodiment, a plurality of partial decoders work together to iteratively decode information received in a diversity application.

Abstract: A phased array antenna is made up of linear arrays. Each of the linear arrays has a printed circuit board spine. Split waveguides are formed from two symmetrical portions conductively joined to ground on opposite sides of the printed circuit board spine. Planar transmission line-to-waveguide transitions are mounted on the printed circuit board spine within the split waveguides. Phase shifter/TTD devices are mounted on the circuit board spine within the split waveguides for steering the phased array antenna beam. Bias and control circuitry is etched on the circuit board spine for biasing and controlling the phase shifter/TTD devices. The phased array antenna may be made up of the linear arrays combined into a two-dimensional array and fed with a waveguide feed or a printed feed manifold attached to the printed wiring board spine.

Abstract: The LED brightness control system for a wide range of luminance control includes a brightness control module that provides a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal and a peak current control signal. A pulse width modulation (PWM) converter circuit receives the PWM control signal and converts it to a PWM signal. A multiplier receives the PWM signal and the peak current control signal from the brightness control module and multiplies the same to provide a light emitting diode (LED) current control signal with a variable “on” time as well as variable “on” level. A voltage-controlled current source utilizes the LED current control signal and an LED current feedback signal for providing an LED current. An LED illuminator array receives the LED current. A current sensing element connected to the LED illuminator array for providing an LED current feedback signal representing LED peak current. The voltage-controlled current source controls a drive voltage to the LED illuminator array at a commanded level.