Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying an engine performance parameter are provided wherein the scale for reading the value of the engine performance parameter is rotated as required in order that a pointer showing the value of the engine performance parameter appears at a desired clock position on a display when the value of the engine performance parameter is equal to a predetermined value, such as a takeoff thrust value.

Abstract: An aircraft indicating system for displaying a resolution advisory signal from a Traffic Advisory and Collision Avoidance System provides an indicating pitch attitude symbol to the pilot engendering an instinctive response to avoid a collision. A driving circuit converts a TCAS signal in the form of a vertical speed command to a pitch command for energizing the indicating symbol by effecting a vertical displacement thereof in accordance with the guidance resolution advisory. The display signal is generated in accordance with the relationship: ##EQU1## where: .PHI.=aircraft roll attitude, limited to + or - 30.degree..THETA..sub.CMD =commanded pitch attitude defining the upper and lower pitch limits of the resolution advisory symbology.THETA..sub.EXIST =current pitch angleV.sub.ZTCAS =TCAS vertical speed commandV.sub.ZEXIST =current vertical speedV.sub.T =true airspeedK=conversion constant.

Abstract: A media access protocol provides a fixed frame length and limited arbitration among certain predetermined users by providing limited arbitration during certain fixed time slots of a table driven proportional access system. For the remaining fixed time slots, only one user per fixed time slot is allowed.

Abstract: A multi-coplanar, multi-layer capacitor array for use as an RFI filter associated with an electrical connector module having a pattern of pin and socket connections includes a multi-layer board structure of super imposed layers including ground plane layers and capacitor layers interleaved with one another. An array of apertures extend vertically through each of the layers forming a grid having a center-to-center spacing and pattern congruent with the apertures in the desired connector module and are configured to receive the conductor pins. The ground plane layers include a continuous conductive layer on top of a dielectric layer with clearance holes surrounding the apertures so as to be electrically insulated from the connector pins and the capacitors.

Abstract: A three axis attitude orientation system for a spacecraft in orbit which employs a single UV sensor. The single sensor provides roll and pitch information by locating the centroid of the earth and using this as a reference point. The system determines yaw by tracking the position of stars which appear in the field of view around the earth. Three axis attitude is determined through ultraviolet imaging of the earth's limb and adjacent stars. A non-conventional wide angle optics assembly and intensified CCD array are utilized for this purpose.

Abstract: A connector has been designed that incorporates a ground EMI/RFI shield spacer in conjunction with an attached grounded multi-coplanar capacitor board to achieve an EMI/RFI tight grounded connection. The shield spacer may be provided with further RF suppression core members which surrounds all of the signal lines and power connections connected via the plug.

Abstract: An electrical connector receptacle for allowing connection of electronic apparatus contained within a shielded enclosure to a multi-conductor wiring harness using a plug having a plurality of male pins arranged in a grid pattern is shown in which the connector receptacle includes a conductive connector receptacle shell defining a housing cavity having open front and rear faces dimensioned to receive the plug when inserted through the open front face. A multi-coplanar capacitor (MCC) layered structure having a front and a rear surface is connected with its front surface facing the rear surface of the connector receptacle and having a plurality of socket contacts arranged to receive the connector pins of the male plug. Separate individual pin planes define the MCC system each associated with a pair of ground planes connected to a common chassis ground.

Abstract: In order to provide a high contrast, wide angle, color, liquid crystal display, the pixel elements each have subpixel color cells fabricated with a thickness of liquid crystal material through which light perpendicular to the display panel is transmitted that is less than the liquid crystal thickness for minimizing optical transmission when the subpixel cell is in an off-state. Using a thickness less than the thickness of liquid crystal material for minimizing off-state optical transmission on the axis perpendicular to the plane of the display panel (and component subpixel color cells) results in the minimum optical transmission at an off-axis viewing angle. By permitting a small amount of off-state optical transmission along the axis of the display (as a result of using a liquid crystal thickness less than the thickness required for minimizing undesired transmittance), a relatively small undesired transmittance of light for the liquid crystal cell display can be achieved over wide viewing angle.

Abstract: A directional antenna suitable for use with the transmission and reception of information related to the traffic alert and collision avoidance systems (TCAS) of a monitoring aircraft is disclosed. The directional antenna includes four monopole antennas positioned and electrically coupled in a manner to produce a radiation pattern having unique directional characteristics. The disclosed antenna can transmit radiation in a directional pattern. The antenna can also receive radiation from a transponder equipped intruder aircraft (i.e., an aircraft within a predetermined range of the monitoring aircraft). By comparing the amplitudes of the signals induced in the plurality of antenna elements by the received radiation, the bearing (direction) of the intruder aircraft relative to the monitoring aircraft can be determined. The antenna is fabricated to provide a reduced cross-sectional profile, for example by providing a folded monopole antenna structure, thereby reducing the antenna profile in aircraft applications.

Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method are described for an aircraft for providing an auto-changeover procedure from a calibrated airspeed control parameter to a Mach number control parameter when the aircraft is ascending; and, from a Mach number control parameter to a calibrated airspeed parameter when the aircraft is descending. The auto-changeover procedure is responsive to application of preselected calibrated airspeed and Mach number parameters. The data processing unit of the aircraft provides a continually updated prediction of the target parameter that would result should the aircraft execute the auto-changeover under the currently existing conditions. When the predicted value and the preselected value are equal, the changeover procedure is invoked, reducing the transients resulting from overshoot of the target parameter value. Provision is made for the circumstance wherein the changeover is determined by an altitude rather than a target parameter.

Abstract: Control apparatus for an aircraft area navigation system provides transitioning from an inbound leg to an outbound leg of a lateral navigation waypoint with a fixed curved transition path with or along the outer limit of the protected airspace width or PAW. The present invention determines in conjunction with the aircraft altitude and the angle of the course change a maximum distance that the aircraft will deviate from either the inbound or outbound leg. This distance is sometimes called the maximum cross track error or MXTK. The maximum cross track error information in conjunction with the course change angle is used to generate a turn radius for a fixed curved transition path to be followed by the aircraft independent of ground speed. The turn radius information together with the aircraft ground speed information is used to generate a bank angle bias command signal.

Abstract: A programmable signal generator and method for generating frequencies that are subharmonics of a rectified 60 hertz input signal. Opto-coupled triacs systematically switch and rectify the input signal frequency to provide, for example, a ringing signal for a telephone system.