Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide for the termination of shields within and around a cable at a connector in limited clearance environments. According to embodiments described herein, a shield termination fixture includes a base, at least one insert aperture, at least one retainer, and a mechanism for terminating cable shields. The base attaches to a connector and defines the insert aperture through which a cable will enter the fixture for connection to the connector. A signal wire of the cable is connected to the connector and a wire shield is positioned between a base wall adjacent to the insert aperture and a shield retainer. The shield retainer is secured to the base, compressing and terminating the wire shield. A cable shield may be terminated via compression between a cable shield retainer and the shield retainer, between the shield retainer and the base, or via fixed attachment to a retainer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide for the termination of shields within and around a cable at a connector in limited clearance environments. According to embodiments described herein, a shield termination fixture includes a base, at least one insert aperture, at least one retainer, and a mechanism for terminating cable shields. The base attaches to a connector and defines the insert aperture through which a cable will enter the fixture for connection to the connector. A signal wire of the cable is connected to the connector and a wire shield is positioned between a base wall adjacent to the insert aperture and a shield retainer. The shield retainer is secured to the base, compressing and terminating the wire shield. A cable shield may be terminated via compression between a cable shield retainer and the shield retainer, between the shield retainer and the base, or via fixed attachment to a retainer.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting for Doppler shift in transmitted and received electromagnetic wave, light wave, or acoustic wave signals between two platforms, where at least one of the platforms is moving relative to the other. The system involves determining a Doppler shift that affects the frequency of a signal being transmitted from a transmitting platform, as a result of motion of the transmitting platform, and adjusting the frequency of the transmitted signal to cancel out the determined degree of Doppler shift that will be experienced by the receiving platform. If the receiving platform is also moving, then a determination is made as to the Doppler shift that will be imparted to the signal being received because of motion of the receiving platform. A receiver on the receiving platform is controlled to account for this degree of Doppler shift. Therefore, the Doppler shift components attributable to the motion of each, or both, platforms is accounted for.

Abstract: An object deflection system includes at least one sensor for detecting an impending impact of a first object with a second object. The sensor communicates with a deflector deployment device to substantially instantaneously activate the deflector deployment device upon detecting the impending impact. When activated, the deflector deployment device substantially instantaneously deploys a deflector so that the first object impacts the deflector. The first object is therefore deflected by the deflector and prevented from impacting second object.

Abstract: A combined smoke detector and cooling control system for a mobile platform is operable to control multiple electronic units. A smoke detector is connected to the electronic unit and operates to identify a smoke event. A cooling system is connected to the electronic unit. A fan in the cooling system includes a switch which indicates if a cooling system fault occurs. A plurality of relays connect to the electronic unit, the smoke detector and the cooling system. If a cooling system fault occurs, a first relay immediately de-energizes the cooling system. After a fixed period of smoke persistence during a smoke event, a second relay de-energizes the cooling system.

Abstract: A connector for use with a mobile platform, such as an aircraft, which forms a part of the aircraft installation, and which can therefore not be readily removed from the aircraft once installed. In one preferred form the connector includes a standardized connector body that mechanically and electrically couples to an existing electronics module on the mobile platform. The connector body is attached to a backshell having a recess that houses an ID module component. The connector includes a lanyard that is secured to a portion of the mobile platform to prevent removal therefrom. The ID module component includes pre-programmed ID information pertinent to a specific mobile platform on which the connector is to be deployed. The ID module can be configured after it is installed in the system. Advantageously, the electrical connections between the ID module component and the connector itself are all contained within the recess in the backshell.

Abstract: An RF power control system including a watchdog circuit for monitoring the power level of an RF signal about to be transmitted by an antenna and for monitoring the antenna beam scan angle and for adjusting and/or interrupting the RF signal in the event that the power level of the RF signal or the scan angle of the antenna beam exceed predetermined thresholds. The use of the watchdog circuit eliminates the need for stringent safety certification of a number of other subcomponents of the system and therefore significantly reduces the cost and time associated with obtaining regulatory certification of the system. In preferred forms, the watchdog circuit includes an enable input for allowing the watchdog circuit to be completely deactivated, and therefore transparent to the RF signal being generated.

Abstract: A fixture for supporting an electronics module or like component in a generally inaccessible area within a structure. In one preferred form the fixture is adapted to be mounted within a fuselage of an aircraft or other mobile platform in an area that would not permit direct removal of an electronics module for maintenance or repair without first removing other aircraft subsystems, tubing or ducting. The fixture allows the electronics module to be slidably inserted and supported in an area in a manner that allows easy installation and removal of the electronics module without the need to remove other subcomponents disposed adjacent the fixture. The fixture includes provisions for coupling of an air supply thereto such that the electronics module can be cooled. The fixture is lightweight, compact and can be secured in a wide variety of orientations and locations within an aircraft or other structure to make most efficient use of the limited available space in commercial aircraft and other structures.

Abstract: A connector for use with a mobile platform, such as an aircraft, which forms a part of the aircraft installation, and which can therefore not be readily removed from the aircraft once installed. In one preferred form the connector includes a standardized connector body that mechanically and electrically couples to an existing electronics module on the mobile platform. The connector body is attached to a backshell having a recess that houses an ID module component. The connector includes a lanyard that is secured to a portion of the mobile platform to prevent removal therefrom. The ID module component includes pre-programmed ID information pertinent to a specific mobile platform on which the connector is to be deployed. The ID module can be configured after it is installed in the system. Advantageously, the electrical connections between the ID module component and the connector itself are all contained within the recess in the backshell.

Abstract: A fixture for supporting an electronics module or like component in a generally inaccessible area within a structure. In one preferred form the fixture is adapted to be mounted within a fuselage of an aircraft or other mobile platform in an area that would not permit direct removal of an electronics module for maintenance or repair without first removing other aircraft subsystems, tubing or ducting. The fixture allows the electronics module to be slidably inserted and supported in an area in a manner that allows easy installation and removal of the electronics module without the need to remove other subcomponents disposed adjacent the fixture. The fixture includes provisions for coupling of an air supply thereto such that the electronics module can be cooled. The fixture is lightweight, compact and can be secured in a wide variety of orientations and locations within an aircraft or other structure to make most efficient use of the limited available space in commercial aircraft and other structures.

Abstract: An RF power control system including a watchdog circuit for monitoring the power level of an RF signal about to be transmitted by an antenna and for monitoring the antenna beam scan angle and for adjusting and/or interrupting the RF signal in the event that the power level of the RF signal or the scan angle of the antenna beam exceed predetermined thresholds. The use of the watchdog circuit eliminates the need for stringent safety certification of a number of other subcomponents of the system and therefore significantly reduces the cost and time associated with obtaining regulatory certification of the system. In preferred forms, the watchdog circuit includes an enable input for allowing the watchdog circuit to be completely deactivated, and therefore transparent to the RF signal being generated.

Abstract: A timing reference system is provided for correcting inaccuracies in an output of a crystal oscillator experienced by the crystal oscillator during use in a mobile platform. The system utilizes a three-axis accelerometer mounted adjacent to the crystal oscillator on a substrate for sensing the acceleration experienced by the crystal oscillator. An offset generator converts the acceleration measurements generated by the accelerometer to error correction signals. These error correction signals represent the offset values needed to compensate for crystal timing drift due to the acceleration acting on the crystal oscillator thereby allowing the system to produce a corrected timing reference signal.

Abstract: An identification (ID) module for use with a mobile platform, such as an aircraft, which forms a part of the aircraft installation, and which can therefore not be readily removed from the aircraft once installed. In one preferred form the ID module is mechanically and electrically coupled to an ARINC 600 connector. The ARINC 600 connector is then used to interface the ID module with an electronics unit carried on the aircraft. While the electronics unit may be removed as needed for service and/or maintenance, the ID module, advantageously, forms a permanent part of the aircraft installation. This eliminates the possibility of the important identification information associated with a given aircraft being inadvertently lost or transferred to a different aircraft if the ID module was removable.

Abstract: A timing reference system is provided for correcting inaccuracies in an output of a crystal oscillator experienced by the crystal oscillator during use in a mobile platform. The system utilizes a three-axis accelerometer mounted adjacent to the crystal oscillator on a substrate for sensing the acceleration experienced by the crystal oscillator. An offset generator converts the acceleration measurements generated by the accelerometer to error correction signals. These error correction signals represent the offset values needed to compensate for crystal timing drift due to the acceleration acting on the crystal oscillator thereby allowing the system to produce a corrected timing reference signal.

Abstract: A computer network that utilizes an Ethernet protocol. The computer network includes a first network device, a second network device, a first cable assembly coupling the first and second network devices to one another and facilitating data transmission from the first network device to the second network device, and a second cable assembly coupling the first and second network devices to one another and facilitating data transmission from the second network device to the first network device. Each of the first and second cable assemblies consists essentially of a cable, a first contact assembly and a second contact assembly. The cable is formed with a pair of wires that are twisted about one another and shielded by at least one shield conductor.