Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a signal across multiple Nyquist bands. The systems include an analog to digital converter (ADC), a clock signal generator configured to output a sample clock signal to the ADC, and a processor configured to process sampled signals and control the clock signal generator. The processor is configured to iteratively identify a desired signal, determine whether a possible interfering signal exists at a next sampling rate, and instruct the clock signal generator to generate the next sampling rate if the processor determines that a possible interfering signal does not exist. The methods include sampling an input signal at a first sampling rate, processing the sampled signal to extract information from a desired signal, determining whether a possible interfering signal exists at a next sampling rate, and sampling at the next sampling rate if it is determined that a possible interfering signal does not exist.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing information pertaining to the orientation of a vehicle to which the apparatus is coupled includes a chassis having a first interior surface and an inertial-sensor assembly disposed within the chassis and having a first exterior surface. A first sensor element is mounted on the first interior surface, and a second sensor element is mounted on the first exterior surface. At least one of the first and second sensor elements is configured to generate a first signal corresponding to an angle of displacement of the second sensor element with respect to the first sensor element.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for redundant switched communications among end users in a network. The apparatus includes an interface for coupling to a corresponding end user, a first channel for processing a communication from the end user, a second channel for processing the communication, and a multiplexer coupled to the interface and the first and second channels. The multiplexer selects at least one of the first and second channels to transmit the communication. The method includes receiving a data communication via first and second switches, each of the first and second switches having first and second channels, and routing the data communication through at least one of the first and second channels of the first and second switches.

Abstract: A device of the invention includes a vibration isolator with an elastomeric damper and inner and outer connectors. The inner connector has external and internal threads, and the outer connector has internal threads. A method of the invention includes attaching the vibration isolator to a block by screwing external threads of an internal connector of the isolator into the block. The block with attached isolators is inserted into an enclosure, and each isolator is loosened as necessary to make a flush fit with the enclosure. A screw is then inserted into each isolator and fastens the isolator to the block at the flush position. Finally, a screw is inserted through the enclosure into each isolator to connect the isolators to the enclosure.

Abstract: A cable protection cover for an enclosure is disclosed. The cable protection cover includes a cover shroud, a pivot bracket for attaching to the enclosure, and a pivot pin for pivotally attaching the cover shroud to the pivot bracket. The pivot bracket and the cover shroud form a cable access aperture providing a through access to an interface of the enclosure for one or more cables. The cable protection cover forms a protective barrier with the cover shroud in a closed position preventing the one or more cables from being disconnected from the interface.

Abstract: A transmit/receive switching circuit is provided. The transmit/receive switching circuit comprises a first transformer to split a transmission signal into a first split transmission signal and a second split transmission signal. The first split transmission signal is out of phase with the second split transmission signal. The transmit/receive switching circuit also comprises a second transformer to split a received signal into a first split received signal and a second split received signal and to combine the first split transmission signal and the second split transmission signal. The first split received signal is out of phase with the second split received signal. The combined transmission signal is supplied to an antenna port and the received signal is received from the antenna port.

Abstract: A bipolar transient clamp including a RC circuit, a clamping circuit and a breakdown circuit. The RC circuit is configured to control the rate of change of clamp. Moreover, the RC circuit is coupled between a first rail and a second rail. The clamping circuit is configured to pass a current from the first rail to the second rail. In addition, the clamping circuit is coupled to be activated by the RC circuit. The breakdown circuit is coupled between the RC circuit and the clamping circuit. The breakdown circuit is configured to increase the transient trigger voltage of the clamping circuit.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatuses for receiving a desired signal at a signal receiver with an undersampling frequency. A signal converter with a local oscillator frequency, a bandpass filter, and an analog-to-digital converter are used to generate an aliased discrete-time spectrum from an input analog spectrum. In order to determine the presence of interfering signals in the aliased discrete-time spectrum and, if present, separate a desired signal from the interfering signal, the local oscillator frequency is shifted. The original discrete-time spectrum and the resulting shifted discrete-time spectrum are both analyzed to select a local oscillator frequency that does not cause interference with the desired signal when the discrete-time spectrum is generated. The selected local oscillator frequency is then utilized to process the desired signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining center of gravity for an aircraft. An example system includes one or more load measurement devices that generate one of nose gear or main gear weight information and a processing device that determines center of gravity of the aircraft based on previously received gross weight information and the generated nose or main gear weight information. The number of gear sets with load measurement devices is one less that the total number of gear sets having distinct longitudinal positions along a fuselage of the aircraft. The processing device further determines center of gravity based on temperature and/or pitch attitude information. The system includes a user interface that allows a user to enter the gross weight information that might be included in a flight manifest or a load and trim sheet and/or a communication component that receives the gross weight information from a ground-based system.

Abstract: A method of routing packets in an ad-hoc network is provided. The method determines a hop count for a route. Then, a redundancy value is calculated based on the hop count. A plurality of packets containing identical payload information is then sent down a number of routes equal to the redundancy value.

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading heat over a plurality of fins is provided. The apparatus includes a heat dissipating member composed of metal and having a plurality of fins on a first side of the heat dissipating member. The apparatus also includes a plurality of strips of thermal material having a thermal conductivity in a direction parallel to the heat dissipating member higher than a thermal conductivity of the heat dissipating member, the plurality of strips disposed on a side of the heat dissipating member opposite of the first side and configured to spread heat along the heat dissipating member.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing information pertaining to the orientation of a vehicle to which the apparatus is coupled includes a chassis having a first interior surface and an inertial-sensor assembly disposed within the chassis and having a first exterior surface. A first sensor element is mounted on the first interior surface, and a second sensor element is mounted on the first exterior surface. At least one of the first and second sensor elements is configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a distance of displacement of the second sensor element with respect to the first sensor element.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating passive alignment of an optical component in an optical bench. A groove is etched into the optical bench. The groove has two sections. The first section is configured to act as an optical guide. The second section is configured to receive the optical component. An optical component is inserted into the first section and moved into the second section. The optical component may be bonded to the optical bench.

Abstract: A method of scheduling time division duplex frames at a base station in a time division duplex system is provided. The method includes determining if the round-trip propagation delay between the base station and a communicatively coupled subscriber station is greater than the difference between the base station turn-around time and the minimum allowed subscriber station turn-around time, and modifying time slots in a time division duplex frame being sent to the subscriber station over a communication link to extend the range of signals sent from the base station.

Abstract: A method of compensating for component errors within a radar altimeter is described. The method includes periodically switching transmit pulses from a transmit antenna to a programmable delay device, calculating an altitude based on a transmit pulse received from the programmable delay device, comparing the calculated altitude to an expected altitude, the expected altitude based on a pre-set delay through the programmable delay device, and compensating an altitude measured by the radar altimeter, based on transmit pulses output through the transmit antenna, by an error correction amount based on a difference between the calculated altitude and expected altitudes.

Abstract: A method of maintaining datalink network throughput in a communications channel by delaying lower priority messages is provided. The method comprises receiving periodic channel occupancy data from a radio, and updating channel occupancy status from the channel occupancy data. A determination is then made whether the channel occupancy has reached a first predetermined occupancy threshold. If the first predetermined occupancy threshold has been reached, high priority messages are transmitted, and medium and low priority messages are stored. If the first predetermined occupancy threshold has not been reached, a determination is made whether the channel occupancy has reached a second predetermined occupancy threshold that is less than the first predetermined occupancy threshold. If the second predetermined occupancy threshold has been reached, high and medium priority messages are transmitted, and low priority messages are stored.

Abstract: A pressure-sensing module includes a housing having a process-fluid port configured to be coupled to a process-fluid-flow circuit. The housing defines a first chamber into which the process fluid can flow through the process-fluid port. An isolator assembly is disposed within the housing and includes a fill port. The isolator assembly is configured to define a second chamber into which pressure-coupling fluid may be injected through the fill port. An electronic circuit is disposed within the second chamber and is configured to be pressure coupled by the coupling fluid and isolator assembly to the flow circuit. A plug having first and second ends occupies the fill port thereby sealing the second chamber. The first end is exposed to the process fluid in the first chamber, and the second end is exposed to the coupling fluid in the second chamber.

Abstract: Parametric amplification of the output of a MEMS gyroscope is achieved by modulating the sense capacitance, or an auxiliary capacitance having an applied DC voltage. The capacitance modulation is produced by the driven motion of the gyroscope mechanism, so the pump signal of the parametric amplifier is not subject to phase errors in the electronics. The capacitance modulation affects the mechanical gain of the sensor (transfer function from input force to sensor mechanism displacement), as well as the electrical gain of the sensor (transfer function from sensor mechanism displacement to output electrical signal). The mechanical and electrical gains of the sensor become phase-dependent, so the Coriolis rate signal can be amplified while the unwanted quadrature-phase signal is attenuated.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter has an output voltage and sources an output current to a load. The DC/DC converter includes an error amplifier with a reference input and a summing input. The reference input is electrically connected to a reference voltage. The summing input is electrically connected to the output voltage and the output current. The summing input is configured for adding together the output voltage and the output current. The error amplifier issues an error signal and adjusts the error signal dependent at least in part upon the output voltage and the output current. A comparator receives the error signal. The comparator has a ramp input electrically connected to a voltage ramp signal. The comparator issues an output signal that is based at least in part upon said error input. A power switch has an on condition and an off condition, and supplies dc current to the load when in the on condition. The power switch has a control input electrically connected to the comparator output signal.