Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a receiver for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) verification of a target aircraft including a first input for receiving flight tracking information from a target aircraft that indicates positional information of the target aircraft. The receiver further includes a second input for receiving positional and heading information indicating the location and orientation of a multi-element array antenna configured to be attached to the receiver, and a processing module that generates a measured bearing derived from angle of arrival data, and an expected bearing of the target aircraft derived from the indicated positional information of the target aircraft and the positional and heading information defining the receiver location and orientation. A comparator compares the expected bearing to the measured bearing and verifies the ADS-B flight tracking information of the target aircraft and outputs an indication of authenticity based on the verification.

Abstract: A method for predicting distortion and residual stress in a workpiece resulting from a peening process may include the steps of providing a coupon including residual stress induced in a coupon surface by the peening process, calculating a moment coefficient representative of residual stress induced in the coupon surface, calibrating a stress function to the moment coefficient, applying the stress function to a workpiece model of the workpiece, and computing at least one of predicted distortion and residual stress of the workpiece resulting from application of the calibrated stress function to the workpiece model.

Abstract: A method for applying an aerodynamically functional coating to an exterior surface is provided. The method includes preparing an uncoated substrate surface to obtain a prepared substrate surface; applying a primer on the prepared substrate surface to obtain a primed substrate surface with a primer layer; applying and curing a basecoat field color to obtain a basecoat field color layer; masking for a basecoat design color on the basecoat field color layer; applying and curing the basecoat design color to obtain a first basecoat design color layer; masking for, applying, and curing any subsequent basecoat design color layers on the basecoat field color layer; applying and curing a clearcoat to obtain a first clearcoat layer; mechanically aero-contouring a plurality of coating edges to obtain an aero-contoured surface; and, applying additional clearcoat to obtain one or more additional clearcoat layers.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method provides information regarding the vicinity of a vehicle. The method includes, in the vehicle, providing a sensor signal representative of an environmental condition in a vicinity of the vehicle, transmitting the sensor signal over a power line in the vehicle, receiving the sensor signal transmitted over the power line and transmitting a corresponding wireless sensor signal in the vehicle, receiving the wireless sensor signal and recovering the sensor signal, and presenting the recovered sensor signal in a human-perceivable form.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system, method, and apparatus for a protective finish for an airfoil. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves providing a sheath, and applying the sheath to the surface of the airfoil. In one or more embodiments, the sheath wraps around the surface of the airfoil from the leading edge of the airfoil towards the trailing edge of the airfoil. In at least one embodiment, the sheath covers approximately 50 percent to approximately 70 percent of the chord length of the airfoil. In some embodiments, the sheath is manufactured from at least one polymer, such as a polyurethane and/or a floropolymer. In one or more embodiments, the airfoil is a winglet, a raked wing tip, and/or a wing.

Abstract: A method includes receiving first vehicle log data related to modification of a first software part at a first vehicle. The method also includes receiving first ground log data of a first ground system. The first ground log data indicates first chain-of-custody information regarding the first software part. The method further includes analyzing the first vehicle log data and the first ground log data based on baseline data to detect an anomaly. The method also includes sending a notification in response to detecting the anomaly.

Abstract: Provided are methods for structurally bonding adhesives to aluminum components without using adhesive bond primers. Also provided are apparatuses that include these structural bonds. An aluminum component may be treated with a conversion coating creating a conversion layer on the surface of the aluminum component and then treated with a sol-gel material creating a sol-gel layer on the conversion layer. An adhesive layer is applied directly onto the sol-gel layer without any adhesive bond primers. After curing the adhesive layer, a structural bond is formed between the aluminum component and the adhesive layer. The sol-gel material may be specifically formulated for a specific adhesive type and may include functional groups providing covalent bonds to the adhesive layer. The sol-gel material may be cured within about 30 minutes at a room temperature in comparison to 90 minutes at 250 F needed to cure a typical adhesive bond primer.

Abstract: A system is provided for access to system-related resources for complex-system parts. The system includes a barcode reader and front-end engine coupled thereto. The barcode reader is configured to scan a barcode located on a complex-system part. The barcode encodes links to respective system-related resources for the complex-system part, including software-based systems and/or electronic documents. The barcode reader, then, is configured to decode the links from the barcode. The front-end engine is in turn configured to generate a portal that identifies the complex-system part, and that includes the links decoded from the barcode. The front-end engine is also configured to cause display of the portal in a graphical user interface through which the links are navigable to access the respective system-related resources for the complex-system part.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a shape of an outer surface of a control surface. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a control surface and a shaping system associated with the control surface. The control surface is associated with a portion of an aft edge of a wing. The control surface comprises a plurality of segments in which each of the plurality of segments comprises a number of sections. The shaping system is configured to move each segment in the plurality of segments independently of other segments in the plurality of segments to control a shape of an outer surface of the control surface.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes locating a barcode applied to a part of a complex system. The barcode may encode links to respective system-related resources for the part, which may include software-based systems and/or electronic documents. At one or more instances during a lifecycle of the part, then, the method may include scanning the barcode, and decoding the links from the barcode. The method may include displaying the links in a graphical user interface, and affecting navigation of at least one of the links through the graphical user interface to access a respective at least one of the system-related resources for the respective part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an aircraft. A current performance of the aircraft is identified during operation of the aircraft using a model of the aircraft and flight state data. A current capability of the aircraft is identified from the current performance of the aircraft. An operation is performed based on the current capability of the aircraft.

Abstract: Corrosion inhibition systems, including coated substrates, coating materials and corrosion inhibition compounds, and methods of making the same are disclosed. These systems and methods include corrosion inhibition compounds that are responsive to corrosion at a surface, releasing active inhibitor groups upon a corrosion stimulus. The active inhibitor groups are selected to block corrosion at the surface by inhibiting oxidation reactions, reduction reactions and/or by forming a passivation layer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and an integrated Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module cover assembly for communicating data between an aircraft and a ground-based network are provided. The assembly includes a power receptacle cover plate and a BPL module coupled to said power receptacle cover plate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating data between an aircraft and a ground-based unit are provided. The method includes integrating a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module and inductive coupler into the ground-based unit, communicatively coupling the aircraft to the ground-based unit, initiating a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) link between the aircraft and the ground-based unit when power is supplied to the aircraft, and updating data stored in the aircraft with data received from the ground-based unit.

Abstract: In one aspect, semiconductor structures are described herein. A semiconductor structure, in some implementations, comprises a first semiconductor layer having a first bandgap and a first lattice constant and a second semiconductor layer having a second bandgap and a second lattice constant. The second lattice constant is lower than the first lattice constant. Additionally, a transparent metamorphic buffer layer is disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The buffer layer has a constant or substantially constant bandgap and a varying lattice constant. The varying lattice constant is matched to the first lattice constant adjacent the first semiconductor layer and matched to the second lattice constant adjacent the second semiconductor layer. The buffer layer comprises a first portion comprising AlyGazIn(1-y-z)As and a second portion comprising GaxIn(1-x)P.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for comparing aircraft parts. A first model is identified for a first aircraft for assembly. A second model is identified for a second aircraft that has been assembled. First parts for the aircraft in the first model are compared with second parts for the second aircraft in the second model. Graphical representations of the first parts and the second parts are displayed illustrating a difference between the first parts and the second parts from a comparison of the first parts and the second parts.

Abstract: A model-management system includes a cycles map generator, object registry generator and runtime code generator. The cycles map generator is configured to create a cycles map that, for a cycle in an information model having a plurality of objects, identifies a non-dominant association of a second or later object to a first object. The object registry generator is configured to create an object registry map. And the runtime code generator is configured to generate an instantiable information model and object registry based on the information model and maps. Generation of the instantiable information model includes generation of a plurality of instantiable objects including a second/later instantiable object that, for the non-dominant association, includes an object qualifier that identifies a referenced object for the first object to be instantiated through the object registry, instead of a contained first instantiable object to be instantiated from within the second/later instantiable object.

Abstract: A system including an associative memory and an input device configured to receive a first query or comparison request. The associative memory is configured to: responsive to receiving the first query or comparison request, locate an entity value having an attribute value matching a term of the first query or comparison request; responsive to locating the entity value, return a first list of results including the entity value; add, as a required search term, at least one of first results from the first list to a second query or comparison request, the second query or comparison request further including all terms of the first query or comparison request; perform the second query or comparison request and, as a result, return a second list of resource references; use the second list to retrieve source data; combine the entity value with the source data to form a combination; and return the combination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented. A signal may be sent into a structure at an incidence angle from a transducer array. A response signal reflected from the structure in response to the signal sent into the structure may be detected at the transducer array to form a received response.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electric motor. A switching frequency meeting a desired operating condition is identified from information relating to operation of the electric motor. A switching of a current supplied to the electric motor with the switching frequency identified is controlled.