Abstract: A wideband power amplifier is presented. The wideband power amplifier configured to be coupled to a load having an impedance ZL, where the wideband power amplifier comprises: a quadrature coupler; a carrier amplifier coupled to the quadrature coupler; a peak amplifier coupled to the quadrature coupler; wherein the carrier amplifier saturates at an input power level lower than the input power level at which the peak amplifier saturates; wherein each of the carrier amplifier and the peak amplifier has a termination impedance of approximately Ropt, where Ropt is the optimum impedance at which the carrier amplifier and the peak amplifier will deliver rated max powers; a impedance transformer, coupled to the carrier amplifier having a characteristic impedance of 2*Ropt; an impedance transformer, coupled to the peak amplifier and the impedance transformer; wherein the impedance transformer is configured transform a load impedance ZL to 2*Ropt.

Abstract: A wideband power amplifier is presented. The wideband power amplifier configured to be coupled to a load having an impedance ZL, where the wideband power amplifier comprises: a quadrature coupler; a carrier amplifier coupled to the quadrature coupler; a peak amplifier coupled to the quadrature coupler; wherein the carrier amplifier saturates at an input power level lower than the input power level at which the peak amplifier saturates; wherein each of the carrier amplifier and the peak amplifier has a termination impedance of approximately Ropt, where Ropt is the optimum impedance at which the carrier amplifier and the peak amplifier will deliver rated max powers; a impedance transformer, coupled to the carrier amplifier having a characteristic impedance of 2*Ropt; an impedance transformer, coupled to the peak amplifier and the impedance transformer; wherein the impedance transformer is configured transform a load impedance ZL to 2*Ropt.

Abstract: A communications system is provided. The communications system comprises: at least one wideband remote radio system each of which is configured to be coupled to at least one antenna; a baseband system coupled to each of the at least one wideband remote radio system; wherein at least one wideband remote radio system and the baseband system are in different locations of a vehicle; wherein the baseband system comprises a datalink communications management system and an audio processing system; and wherein the at least one wideband radio baseband system is coupled to the audio processing system and the datalink communications management system.

Abstract: A communications system is provided. The communications system comprises: at least one wideband remote radio system each of which is configured to be coupled to at least one antenna; a baseband system coupled to each of the at least one wideband remote radio system; wherein at least one wideband remote radio system and the baseband system are in different locations of a vehicle; wherein the baseband system comprises a datalink communications management system and an audio processing system; and wherein the at least one wideband radio baseband system is coupled to the audio processing system and the datalink communications management system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises: selecting, with a communications management system configured to be installed on a vehicle, at least one primary channel on a multichannel transceiver; transmitting and/or receiving data over the at least one primary channel; searching, with the multichannel transceiver for other viable communications links; and selecting a new at least one primary channel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises: selecting, with a communications management system configured to be installed on a vehicle, at least one primary channel on a multichannel transceiver; transmitting and/or receiving data over the at least one primary channel; searching, with the multichannel transceiver for other viable communications links; and selecting a new at least one primary channel.

Abstract: A radio signal processing system includes a first antenna; a second antenna; a first receiver communicatively coupled to the first antenna; a second receiver communicatively coupled to the second antenna; a first processing unit communicatively coupled to the first receiver and configured to receive a first signal from at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna when the system is operating in a first mode; a second processing unit communicatively coupled to the second receiver and configured to receive a second signal from the second antenna when the system is operating in a first mode; and wherein the first processing unit is further configured to receive a third signal from both the first antenna and the second antenna when the system is operating in a second mode.

Abstract: An antenna receiver system is provided. The antenna receiver system includes an E-field antenna, a first H-field antenna, a second H-field antenna; three antenna radio frequency paths to amplify, filter, and convert three respective outputs from the three antennas to respective first, second, and third signals. Filters in the antenna paths simultaneously receive at least two of: eLORAN radio navigation signals from eLORAN ground stations; an EM pulse from lightning; and one of: CW unmodulated signals-ON/OFF modulated signals from a NDB radio navigation ground station; or an AM CW signal received from an AM radio broadcast station. A processor processes the first, second, and third signals and outputs information indicative of two or more of: a geographical latitude and longitude position of the vehicle derived from the eLORAN radio navigation signals; a lightning bearing and a lightning range; and a bearing of the vehicle.

Abstract: A radio signal processing system includes a first antenna; a second antenna; a first receiver communicatively coupled to the first antenna; a second receiver communicatively coupled to the second antenna; a first processing unit communicatively coupled to the first receiver and configured to receive a first signal from at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna when the system is operating in a first mode; a second processing unit communicatively coupled to the second receiver and configured to receive a second signal from the second antenna when the system is operating in a first mode; and wherein the first processing unit is further configured to receive a third signal from both the first antenna and the second antenna when the system is operating in a second mode.

Abstract: The radio system comprises a radio unit and an antenna unit coupled to the radio unit. The antenna unit is physically separate and located remote from the radio unit. The antenna unit further comprises a digital pre-distortion engine configured to pre-distort a modulated digital data signal; a digital to analog converter configured to convert the pre-distorted digital data signal to a pre-distorted analog data signal; and a power amplifier configured to amplify the pre-distorted analog data signal which distorts the pre-distorted analog data signal. The distortion introduced by the power amplifier is opposite to the pre-distortion introduced by the digital pre-distortion engine such that the pre-distortion introduced by the digital pre-distortion engine approximately cancels the distortion introduced by the power amplifier.

Abstract: A radio system, comprising an antenna; a baseband module, a power amplifier; and a variable power supply. The baseband module is configured to output a first signal to the antenna, pre-distort the first signal based on computed coefficients, and output a second signal. The second signal is determined based on one or more characteristics of the first signal, and the second signal is output if there is a change in the one or more characteristics of the first signal. The power amplifier is communicatively coupled to the baseband module and the antenna, and is configured to amplify the pre-distorted signal. The variable power supply is communicatively coupled to the power amplifier and the baseband module. The variable power supply is configured to receive the second signal and generate a variable drain supply voltage corresponding to the second signal. The drain supply voltage is output to the power amplifier.

Abstract: A radio signal processing system includes a first antenna; a second antenna; a first receiver communicatively coupled to the first antenna; a second receiver communicatively coupled to the second antenna; a first processing unit communicatively coupled to the first receiver and configured to receive a first signal from at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna when the system is operating in a first mode; a second processing unit communicatively coupled to the second receiver and configured to receive a second signal from the second antenna when the system is operating in a first mode; and wherein the first processing unit is further configured to receive a third signal from both the first antenna and the second antenna when the system is operating in a second mode.

Abstract: The radio system comprises a radio unit and an antenna unit coupled to the radio unit. The antenna unit is physically separate and located remote from the radio unit. The antenna unit further comprises a digital (pre-distortion engine configured to pre-distort a modulated digital data signal; a digital to analog converter configured to convert the pre distorted digital data signal to a pre-distorted analog data signal; and a power amplifier configured to amplify the pre-distorted analog data signal which distorts the pre-distorted analog data signal. The distortion introduced by the power amplifier is opposite to the pre-distortion introduced by the digital pre-distortion engine such that the pre-distortion introduced by the digital pre-distortion engine approximately cancels the distortion introduced by the power amplifier.

Abstract: An integrated transceiver system for an avionics radio comprises a first transceiver comprising a first duplexer coupled with a first antenna, a first transmitter that sends an RF signal to the first duplexer, a first receiver that receives an RF signal from the first antenna through the first duplexer, and a first processor in communication with the first transmitter. The first transceiver is reconfigurable for ATG communications or DME navigation. A second transceiver comprises a second duplexer coupled with a second antenna, a second transmitter that sends an RF signal to the second duplexer, a second receiver that receives an RF signal from the second antenna through the second duplexer, and a second processor in communication with the second receiver. The second transceiver is reconfigurable for ATG communications, DME navigation, transponder signal communications, or satellite communications. The first and second transceivers are integrated into a line-replaceable unit of the radio.

Abstract: An electronic system with real-time fault detection is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes analog circuitry, having a first input coupled to receive an input signal and a second input coupled to receive a test signal. The test signal is at an edge of a selected band that contains the input signal. The test signal is used to identify faults in the electronic system during operation of the electronic system. The electronic system further includes an analog to digital (A/D) converter coupled to an output of the analog circuitry. The A/D converter generates digitized spectrum. Digital circuitry is coupled to the output of the A/D converter. The digital circuitry processes the input signal from the band to provide an output for the system and processes the test signal to detect faults in the analog circuitry, the digital circuitry and the A/D converter.

Abstract: A multichannel two antenna radio unit device comprising a left very high frequency (VHF) radio and a right VHF radio is provided. The left VHF radio unit comprises a left VHF radio transceiver, the left VHF radio transceiver comprising a left wideband multi-channel receiver configured to receive voice channels and data channels in an aeronautical VHF communication band, the left VHF radio configured to communicate on at least two voice channels and at least one data channel. The right VHF radio comprises a right VHF radio transceiver, the right VHF radio transceiver comprising a right wideband multi-channel receiver configured to receive voice channels and data channels in an aeronautical VHF communication band, the right VHF radio configured to communicate on the at least two voice channels and the at least one data channel, and communicatively coupled to the left VHF radio unit via a bi-directional serial bus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the selection of antennas in aircraft navigation systems are provided. In one embodiment, a navigation receiver system for an aircraft comprises: a first aircraft antenna that receives transmitter signals from fixed-location ground transmitters and a second aircraft antenna that receives transmitter signals from the fixed-location ground transmitters, wherein the first aircraft antenna has a first gain pattern that is different from a second gain pattern of the second aircraft antenna; a switch coupled to a first receiver and the first and second aircraft antenna; and a switch controller coupled to the switch. The switch controller operates the switch to electrically couple the first receiver to either the first or second aircraft antenna based on a determination of whether the first gain pattern or the second gain pattern provides higher gain in a direction of a first fixed-location ground transmitter of the fixed-location ground transmitters.

Abstract: A wideband multi-channel receiver comprises an antenna configured to receive a radio frequency band. A band-pass filter is in signal communication with the antenna, and a low-noise amplifier is in signal communication with the band-pass filter. A mixer is in signal communication with the low-noise amplifier and is configured to translate a radio frequency band to an intermediate frequency (IF) band. A tunable local oscillator is in signal communication with the mixer. At least one fixed-frequency notch filter is in signal communication with the mixer, with the notch filter configured to reject at least one interference signal in the IF band while passing remaining signals in the IF band. An analog-to-digital converter is in signal communication with the notch filter and is configured to convert the remaining signals in the IF band to digital signals.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to an aircraft position report system. The system comprises a satellite, an aircraft position reporting receiver mounted on the satellite, an antenna element mounted on the satellite, and an antenna interface mounted on the satellite. The aircraft position reporting receiver receives aircraft position reports through the antenna element by associating a spot beam with a narrow coverage area. The aircraft position reports are derived from a signal produced by the antenna element. The antenna interface changes the narrow coverage area associated with the spot beam to receive aircraft position reports from a wide coverage region within a reporting period. In one exemplary embodiment, the antenna interface mechanically steers the spot beam for each receiver to one of the narrow coverage areas. In another exemplary embodiment, the antenna interface electronically steers the spot beam for each receiver to one of the narrow coverage areas.

Abstract: A multichannel two antenna radio unit device comprising a left very high frequency (VHF) radio and a right VHF radio is provided. The left VHF radio unit comprises a left VHF radio transceiver, the left VHF radio transceiver comprising a left wideband multi-channel receiver configured to receive voice channels and data channels in an aeronautical VHF communication band, the left VHF radio configured to communicate on at least two voice channels and at least one data channel. The right VHF radio comprises a right VHF radio transceiver, the right VHF radio transceiver comprising a right wideband multi-channel receiver configured to receive voice channels and data channels in an aeronautical VHF communication band, the right VHF radio configured to communicate on the at least two voice channels and the at least one data channel, and communicatively coupled to the left VHF radio unit via a bi-directional serial bus.