Abstract: A plural-differential phase shift keying (PDPSK) communication system has a transmitter (22) for encoding digital data as plural differentials of phase between successive pairs of channel symbols of a carrier, and a receiver (24) with a plurality of phase differential detectors (32, 48) connected in cascade for determining the plural differentials of phase of the incoming signals to achieve a bit error rate independent of frequency offsets and thereby an improved rate of signal acquisition.

Abstract: An improved avionics fluorescent lamp including a fluorescent tube having a resistive element disposed on its exterior and a terminal block for receiving an inserted fluorescent tube, the terminal block having a semi-rigid electrical contact for contacting the resistive element when the tube is inserted inside the terminal block. A plurality of connectors are disposed on the exterior of the terminal block for providing easy connection between the lamp wiring harness and the filament pins of the fluorescent tube and the resistive element by the semi-rigid connector. And a display device having the fluorescent lamp of the present invention disposed therein where the resistive element is disposed on the reflector side of the tube.

Abstract: An avionics display device having a stowable rotatable locking handle disposed therein for facilitating quick and easy installation and/or removal of the display device.

Abstract: An improved dimmable dual filament fluorescent lamp including a first filament and a second filament with automatic current switching between the first element and the second element when the first element opens due to a failure and further having a separating cold cathode getter plate disposed between the first filament and the second filament.

Abstract: An improved circuit board having a variety of electronic components mounted thereon and having disposed to the autumn side of the circuit board a backing plate having a variety of thicknesses wherein a thicker portion of the backing plate is disposed near portions of the circuit board or components on the circuit board which are of a higher heat generating nature, the circuit board further having a slot extending through the circuit board and inserted in the slot is a metallic shielding cover which contacts the backing plate. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the circuit board.

Abstract: An improved TFEL matrix panel drive technique, for improving the brightness output, which utilizes a voltage wave form applied to the row which possesses a first initial peak voltage region, which when combined with a column voltage, exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage for the emission of luminescence, the first initial peak voltage region being relatively short in duration and higher in voltage, with respect to a secondary extended plateau region which when taken in combination with any column voltage is below the predetermined threshold for emission of luminescence. The technique accomplishes its result by allowing for the application of voltage signals to more than one row at a time however only one row is permitted to possess a first initial peak voltage region at any one given time.

Abstract: An advance in-flight windshear detection system which utilizes a scanning mirror to direct infrared energy located in a three dimensional space in front of the aircraft which is divided into a plurality of variable columns, onto a linear array of photoconductive infrared detectors, the detector emitting a signal representative of the radiant energy at various points in said variable located columns, and a computer for generating a displayable representation of the air temperature in front of the aircraft, the computer further capable of interpolating and extrapolating the air temperatures in the three dimensional space based upon the known and or calculated lapse rate; and a display device for graphically displaying the air temperature in front of the aircraft and above the flight path vector so as to provide a more accurate indication of windshear which is less affected by the uncertainties arising from measuring air temperature in a typically more turbulent region along the flight path vector as the aircraf

Abstract: A color matrix display including a color matrix reflective filter (10) having groups of reflective red, green and blue (R, G, B) color elements (12) arranged in subgroups (20). The elements (12) of each color group (R, B, G) in each subgroup (20) are aligned with pixel subgroups of a matrix control element or LCD (18). The color elements (12) of the reflective filter transmit light (26) of their associated color to an aligned pixel associated with that color and reflect back (30) light of other colors to a reflective light assembly (16) for reuse. The color matrix reflective filter (10) is made by selectively exposing selected areas of a holographic optical element, or HOE, with a light of colors other than the color desired to be transmitted by that element (12) of that selected area.

Abstract: A backlighting system for use in generating collimated light for illuminating LCD matrices. The system includes a plurality of lenses arranged in an array on one side of a planar substrate, a plurality of luminescent phosphor dots located on the opposite side of the substrate from the lenses at the focal points of the lens and a mechanism for stimulating the phosphor dots to emit light. The phosphor dots may be responsive to ultraviolet light in which case a fluorescent lamp adapted for emitting ultraviolet light may be used to stimulate the dots to emit visible light. The visible light is then collimated by the lenses and directed for backlighting a display matrix.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for drawing energy management circles on electronic flight instrument system displays which includes a microprocessor for making several initial inquiries regarding the orientation of the circle with respect to the display and issuing write or don't write commands for each point on the circle without the need for individually analyzing each point as to whether it is located on the display screen.

Abstract: An improved fly by wire or fly by light system which provides for a smooth manual override of the autopilot function by allowing the pilot to modify the autopilot command to the control surfaces by physically manipulating the yoke to a position different than that commanded by the autopilot.

Abstract: A combined angle-faceted, superluminescent diode and readout photodetector with an optical fiber coupled at one end of the superluminescent diode and the readout photodetector coupled at the other end wherein no fiber-optic couplers are used to couple the optical fiber with the readout photodetector.

Abstract: A luminaire including one or more fluorescent tubes and associated reflectors for use in backlighting a projection type liquid crystal display matrix. The reflectors have special arcuate shapes designed to forwardly project light to the display matrix and also to direct diffuse light outward from behind the fluorescent tubes so that all of the light generated by the tubes can be efficiently projected for use in illuminating the display matrix.

Abstract: A regulated current source is used to drive the cathodes of a hot cathode gas discharge lamp. In one embodiment, the regulated current source is time shared between the lamp cathodes and the lamp arc.

Abstract: An improved aircraft fiber optic data distribution system which includes an LRM coupled by a blind mateable electric pin connector in an avionics cabinet, to an optical data link which converts the electrical signals into optical signals which is then provided through a switch system to a distant display device which is coupled to second optical data link by a blind mateable electrical pin connector which provides for the ability of an LRM to communicate with a display device over a fiber optic system without the need for blind mateable optical connectors.

Abstract: A conditioning circuit for providing a reliable source of supply power has a source of interruptible power, a source of uninterruptible power, a first voltage limiting circuit supplied with power from the interruptible source, a normally off second voltage limiting circuit supplied with power from the uninterruptible source and a monitoring circuit for detecting interruptions in the power supplied by the interruptible source and triggering the second limiting circuit to an on condition. An adjustable timing circuit is associated with the monitoring circuit to control the on condition of the second limiting circuit to restrict its on condition to a predetermined desired period.

Abstract: A system for mounting avionics line replaceable modules in an avionics rack where electrical connections are made between the back end of the LRM and connectors disposed within the rack and where the latching assembly includes two rotating cams, one at the bottom of the LRM and the other at the top of engaging spring biased latch plates and thereby securely holding the LRM in the rack.

Abstract: An improved mounting and carrying assembly for avionics displays including a swing handle with edge mounted sliding spring latches thereon for cooperating with holding pins disposed on a side of the display bezel that is not the front or viewing side.

Abstract: An improved GPS receiver including a 5-level carrier injection function for digitally demodulating down-converted GPS signals, which utilizes dual 3-level single sideband mixers where one of the single sideband mixers is delayed by a predetermined interval, thereby allowing for the combination of the two 3-level single sideband mixers to be combined to provide an overall output signal which is representative of an output of a demodulator using a 5-level carrier injection signal.

Abstract: An improved three dimensional head-up display utilizing a holographic optic element diffraction grating to selectively reflect light emitted from a first CRT into a first of the pilot's eyes and reflecting light from a second CRT into the second of the pilot's eyes.