Abstract: A circuit board may include a pump and a channel. The channel may include a liquid metal and a coating. The liquid metal may be pumped through the channel by the pump and the coating reduces diffusion and chemical reaction between the liquid metal and at least portions of the channel. The liquid metal may carry thermal energy to act as a heat transfer mechanism between two or more locations on the substrate. The substrate may include electrical interconnects to allow electrical components to be populated onto the substrate to form an electronics assembly. The pump may be driven by electric current that is utilized by one or more electronic components on the circuit board.

Abstract: A flight control system includes an output device, a first processor, and a second processor. The second processor is dissimilar to the first processor. The flight control system also includes a first arbitration device coupled to the first processor and a second arbitration device coupled to the second processor. The second arbitration device is configured to coordinate transaction synchronization with the first arbitration device and the first arbitration device is configured to coordinate transaction synchronization with the second arbitration device. A comparator processor is coupled to the first arbitration device and the second arbitration device. The comparator processor is configured to compare transaction synchronized outputs of the first and second processors and the comparator processor effectuates a command to the output device if the comparison is valid.

Abstract: A fiber bundle head up display includes a bundle of optical fibers. An image source projects a display image onto the fiber bundle. The fiber bundle transfers the display image from its input surface to its output surface and projects the display image onto a combiner, which superimposes the display image in the visual field of a viewer. The fiber bundle transforms the display image while performing three-dimensional relocation of picture elements of the display image to reduce aberration and distortion of the display image. The fiber bundle may be utilized for pre-transforming the display image to reduce or eliminate a variety of image aberration types.

Abstract: A device reconfigurable to support communication using different communication technologies is provided. The device includes, but is not limited to, a plurality of communication processing modules and a switching interface. The switching interface couples to the plurality of communication processing modules. An instruction set is written into the device to select one or more communication processing module of the plurality of communication processing modules to connect using the switching interface. One or more of the communication processing modules may be programmable. The instruction set may include programmable parameters and/or programming instructions for the one or more programmable communication processing modules. As a result, the device is reprogrammable and reconfigurable to process different communication signals while utilizing less power than conventional designs.

Abstract: A transmitter modulates a laser beam with data and projects the laser beam. A first and second optical detector indirectly receive a first and second signal (respectively) via light scattered from a first and second segment of the laser beam at a first and second time. The first segment at the first time and the second segment at the second time are modulated with the same data. The receiver phases the first signal and/or the second signal to match their phase and sums the signals. The transmitter and/or the receiver may include a terrain database and/or an order wire for sharing terrain and/or position information. Terrain information and/or position information may be utilized to align the laser beam with the optical detector(s) and/or adjust an aperture of the optical detector(s) to minimize intersymbol interference and maximize communication channel benefits associated with spatial and temporal diversity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to accurate GPS (global positioning system)-free relative navigation between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a tanker aircraft. The UAV transmits a signal which is received by an antenna array at the tanker aircraft. Horizontal relative position of the UAV is determined by calculating range and bearing based on time and phase differences in the received signal. Vertical relative position of the UAV is determined by comparing the altitude of the UAV with the altitude of the tanker aircraft. The tanker aircraft then transmits a navigation solution based on the relative position of the UAV which is received by the UAV. The UAV may utilize the navigation solution transmitted by the tanker aircraft as a backup to a GPS determined navigation solution, in a GPS denied scenario, or in combination with an INS (inertial navigation system) determined navigation solution.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved antenna system. In an embodiment of the invention, the antenna system of the present invention may be a high-gain, low-profile wide-band antenna. Advantageously, the antenna system of the present invention may include a plate with reflecting elements to form a reflectarray antenna suitable for mounting on an aircraft. The reflectarray antenna of the present invention may be formed from a planar array of waveguides which may operate as a low loss, wide-band reflecting elements. Individual waveguides may be designed to scatter an incident field while impressing appropriate phase shifts in order to form a plane wavefront at the array aperture to produce a desired output signal. Waveguides may include ridges to employ vertical and horizontal polarization across a wide bandwidth operable at a high frequency, such as 10 GHz to 30 GHz.

Abstract: A vehicle operator interface is disclosed. The vehicle operator interface comprises a visual display device. A first indicator which is representative of a vehicle energy target, a second indicator representative of a vehicle energy vector and a third indicator representative of a vehicle capability zone are on the display.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided which warn a pilot or flight crew to prevent navigation of an aircraft into an unapproved region of operation. A boundary of an approved region of operation for the aircraft is identified. A position of the aircraft relative to the boundary of the approved region of operation is determined. Then, a warning is generated if the determined position of the aircraft relative to the boundary of the approved region of operation satisfies a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a search and rescue communication may include one or more of the following features: (a) a rescue terminal, (b) a main terminal operably connected to said rescue terminal across a communication network, said main terminal sends an emergency notification message across said communication network to said rescue terminal, and (c) a survival terminal associated with an ejection seat, said survival terminal being in communication with said main terminal, wherein said emergency notification message is delivered by said main terminal when said ejection seat is ejected.

Abstract: A receiver for computationally efficient signal acquisition of spread-spectrum chips affected by Doppler shift in an advanced tactical data link. Received signals with a very low signal-to-noise ratio are parsed in a multi-stage signal acquisition circuit architecture, and compared to a known sequence to determine correlation over a subset of the known sequence. Chip-rate-coherent correlation is performed over an interval of time for which the effect of Doppler shift on the chip rate are negligible. A non-coherent block then integrates intermediate metrics to obtain final metrics for the entire known sequence. The parsing of the correlation into subsets and stages allows for a more computationally efficient solution to the Doppler shift chip rate error problem by reducing the number of intermediate metrics that must be computed at high speed.

Abstract: A weather data aggregation and display system for displaying weather radar information to a pilot of a member aircraft of an airborne network of member aircraft. The weather data aggregation and display system includes an airborne network system (ANS) positioned on the member aircraft adapted to receive incoming geo-referenced weather data regarding Significant Meteorological Systems (SMS) from associated airborne network systems positioned on other member aircraft. A data processing system (DPS) is coupled to the airborne network system for generating the member aircraft's perspective of the SMS, based on the incoming weather data and the member aircraft's navigation and attitude information. The DPS provides DPS output weather data. An airborne display system (ADS) is positioned on the member aircraft and coupled to the data processing system.

Abstract: A terrain awareness and warning system includes electronics for receiving radar returns and providing terrain and/or obstacle alerts or warnings in response to the radar returns. The electronics receives information from a database and the information is utilized to suppress false alerts or warnings.

Abstract: A method for determining an adjusted position of a component of an aerial vehicle in response to a situational parameter is provided. The system includes a component mounted on an aerial vehicle, a control system operably coupled to the component, and a processor operably coupled to the control system. The control system adjusts a position of the component based on commands received from the processor. The processor receives positional data and a situational datum relating to the vehicle. The positional data is determined as a function of a situational parameter of the vehicle and is stored in a memory accessible by the processor. The processor determines an adjustment to the position of the component using the situational datum and the positional data and sends the determined adjustment to the control system.

Abstract: The present invention is a high availability digital radio architecture which includes an analog interface subsystem and a baseband digital processing subsystem. The analog interface subsystem includes an antenna switching network and a digital antenna group translator. The translator includes a set of analog and digital building blocks for each communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) waveform. The set of blocks includes a receive signal processing chain and/or a transmit signal processing chain with digital interfaces to a multi-channel transceiver. The switching network provides connectivity between antennas and the translator. The baseband digital processing system includes a network switch and said multi-channel transceiver. The transceiver includes a digital modem and protocol processing components for implementing behavior of each CNS waveform.

Abstract: A tunable antenna comprises a conductor, a shunt inductance tuning element, a switch that controls the shunt inductance tuning element and the conductor, and a local ground connected to the shunt inductance tuning element. The switch is capable of activating the shunt inductance tuning element to change a frequency and bandwidth of the tunable antenna.

Abstract: The present invention is a detection device, system and method for detecting an external electromagnetic event such as lightning or a high intensity radiated field. In an exemplary embodiment, the detection device includes a free space capacitive sensor and a protected amplifier circuit coupled with the free space capacitive sensor. The free space capacitive sensor and the protected amplifier circuit are configured to respond to a voltage waveform produced by an external electromagnetic event. The free space capacitive sensor serves as a single input capable of detecting the external electromagnetic event and the coupling of the free space capacitive sensor to the protected amplifier circuit allows subsystems in communication with the sensor and amplifier circuit to generate a coordinated response to the detected external electromagnetic event.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for obtaining a localizer deviation and a glide slope deviation for an aircraft. The method may include directing electromagnetic signals from a weather radar system of an aircraft towards a runway. The method may further include receiving return signals in response to the directed signals. The method may further include, based on the received return signals, determining an azimuth angle for the aircraft relative to the runway, determining an elevation angle for the aircraft relative to the runway, and determining a range for the aircraft relative to the runway. The method may further include based on the azimuth angle, the elevation angle, and the range, calculating the localizer deviation and the glide slope deviation for the aircraft.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for obtaining a cryptographic key by dispatching a key request to a communications channel, receiving a response from one or more key sources, selecting a key source according to the received responses, preparing a requester credential, communicating the requester credential to the selected key source, receiving a source credential from the selected key source, receiving an encrypted key from the key source and decrypting the encrypted key source according to the received source credential, the requester credential and a pre-placed certificate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical display system and method for producing images and presenting the images for observation in combination with an observer's visual exterior view of an outside scene. The optical display system may include an image source for projecting an image, and a curved beam combination mirror (CBCM) or beam combination mirror (BCM) for reflecting the projected image toward an observer for observation. The image source may be a transmissive LCD, a reflective LCD, a digital micromirror device, a laser display, or the like. The CBCM or BCM may be positioned so that the observer, in a line of sight, may see a visual exterior view of an outside scene through the CBCM or BCM and the projected image in the CBCM or BCM.