Abstract: A method and system for managing communication resources between nodes in a network, and more particularly to a dynamic distributed multi-channel time division multiple access (TDMA) slot assignment method is presented. The method and apparatus include a set of higher level heuristics that enable the wireless channel access scheme to address predetermined characteristics of the wireless channel access system. These predetermined heuristics include using bootstrap slots, adaptive broadcast cycles, channelized neighborhoods, standby slots, speculation slots, neighbor segregation, hard circuits, and soft circuits.

Abstract: A method for increasing signal acquisition in global positioning system receivers is described. An algorithm for a banked filter of the invention provides low attenuation between frequency bins in which all of the frequency bins produce useful results and no multiplications are required to implement the algorithm. A shortened sampling interval is provided and a banked filter process is implemented. The multiple outputs of the banked filter are detected and summed in post detection filters.

Abstract: A system and method of distributing telephone and passenger service signals from a zone interface unit to a plurality of seat electronic units in an in-flight entertainment system is described. The method uses a master/slave arrangement in which multiplexed telephone and passenger service signals are transmitted over a bus to the receiving seat electronic units.

Abstract: An optical system including an LCD rubbed for a 6 o'clock director orientation, one or more positively uniaxial retarders (A-plates) adjacent to the LCD, and a pair of positive retardance oblique waveplates (O-plates) on TAC substrates adjacent to one another and the input polarizer, all encompassed by a polarizer on each side of the optical stack, aligned for a normally white display.

Abstract: A serpentine avionics fluorescent tube with enhanced uniformity of luminance and chromaticity where the serpentine tube has a phosphor coating deposited therein after the fluorescent tube has been bent into a serpentine shape by pulling a spay nozzle emitting phosphor through the previously bent fluorescent tube.

Abstract: An inertial measurement system for determining the attitude and rate of change of attitude of a vehicle such as an aircraft is disclosed. Redundancy of the inertial measurement system may be accomplished by utilizing a global positioning system having three receivers and a set of antennas strategically disposed on the vehicle. The global positioning system having receivers may be utilized for accomplished failure detection and isolation of the inertial measurement system rather than providing a redundant inertial measurement system. Failure detection of the IMUs may be accomplished with only dual antenna/receiver configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are an integer cycle ambiguity resolution method, and attitude determining systems and apparatus using the same. In the method of determining a solution to an integer cycle ambiguity, four primary satellites out of a GPS satellite constellation are selected such that a number of false solutions for the integer cycle ambiguity is optimized. Next, a search space is defined such that the probability of rejecting a correct solution for the integer cycle ambiguity is guaranteed-to be below a predetermined value. Next, intervals in the defined search space are searched to determine a solution to the integer cycle ambiguity. Then, attitude is determined as a function of the determined solution to the integer cycle ambiguity.

Abstract: Disclosed are microstrip resonators and bandpass filters using the same. The bandpass filters of the present invention include an input, an output and multiple resonators coupled between the input and the output. A first resonator coupled in series between the input and the output includes a first line conductor having first and second ends and a second line conductor having first and second ends. The first and second line conductors are positioned relative to one another such that the second end of the first line conductor is connected to the second end of the second line conductor, forming a first angle of the first resonator between the first and second line conductors. The first angle of the first resonator is substantially less than 180 degrees so that a physical length of the resonator, taken in a direction from the input to the output, is less than an electrical length of the first resonator.

Abstract: A tunable bandpass sigma-delta modulator analog-to-digital converter (A/D converter or ADC) utilized in conjunction with a digital signal processor (DSP) to eliminate the analog frequency synthesizer in a radio design is disclosed. The sigma-delta ADC greatly reduces the analog circuitry requirements and ensures that the circuitry is suitable for very large scale integration (VLSI). The all-digital DSP ensures the highest level of VLSI and provides for high performance frequency synthesis and translation completely in the digital domain.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing and processing audio and video images for optimized transmission over a lower bandwidth communications channel are disclosed. A digital processing system receives video and audio signals from a media source such that the video and audio signals are representative of captured images and sounds as a multimedia signal. An optical processing system is coupled to the digital processing system and performs signal processing algorithms on the multimedia signal. A transceiver transmits the multimedia signal over a lower bandwidth communications channel wherein the multimedia signal is optimized for transmission over the lower bandwidth communications channel by the signal processing algorithms performed by the optical processing system.

Abstract: An improved traffic alert and collision avoidance method and device wherein TCAS data is augmented by higher resolution radar data. By using radar to search out targets, altitude information can be developed for those aircraft not equipped with altitude reporting transponders. The improved accuracy also allows angle/angle perspective display of air traffic and thus provides enhanced situational awareness.

Abstract: A radio frequency combining system is disclosed that uses commercially available quadrature hybrid couplers configured in a unique manner to combine any radio frequency sources such as transmitters into a single load such as an antenna. The radio frequency combining system is bidirectional and can be used in the receive mode to combine the output of a receive antenna with outputs from an interference canceller to then supply received signals to a multiple receiver system.

Abstract: A method for designing an aircraft to ground communications system identifies a plurality of unique functions in the communications system. The components, hardware and software, necessary to implement each of the plurality of unique functions are isolated such that the components for implementing a specific function are partitioned to allow independent testing and certification of the hardware and software components for each unique function.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and correcting for cycle slip in a GPS attitude determination system is presented. The method employs several techniques for detecting and correcting for faults in high integrity carrier phase-related applications. A delta single difference is used as a primary measurement residual in detecting cycle slip. The delta single difference represents the difference in phase of a carrier signal of a GPS satellite at two receiving antennas over two points in time. This delta single difference is compared to a detection failure threshold computed based on certain high integrity needs. Satellites showing a failure are excluded. In addition, satellites that fail a detectability test, indicating the inability to detect a fault, are pre-excluded from attitude solution computation.

Abstract: An integrated vertical situation display (IVSD) for an aircraft, and method of displaying vertical situation information, are disclosed herein. The IVSD includes an electronic display for displaying the vertical situation of the aircraft, input interfaces for receiving vertical profile information signals, and a processing circuit for reading the information signals and generating display signals applied to the display therefrom. The display has a vertical profile view area to display the vertical situation in front of, above, and below the aircraft. The information sources may include a flight management system, traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) and a ground proximity warning system. Vertical situations are displayed by visual indicia representing, for example, aircraft position, path angle, flight path, waypoints, TCAS targets, altitude preselect, decision height, runway, ground contour, and vertical speed.

Abstract: A tool for laying out a pattern of a measured size and orienting the pattern with respect to an exterior point of reference is disclosed. A cord having a plurality of anchoring points spaced along its length is arrayed to form the pattern. A direction finding device orients the pattern formed by the cord to a point of reference exterior to the pattern. Anchoring devices anchor each anchoring point of the cord to a surface so that the cord is held to the surface in the shape of the pattern. The cord is attached to a spool which stows the cord, anchoring devices, and direction finding device when not deployed.

Abstract: A system for monitoring guiding and controlling an unmanned, unteathered flight vehicle, generally assumed to be moving through the earth's atmosphere at a high rate of speed. The system is comprised of on-board positional receiver and processing means coupled to a transceiver capable of combining such positional information with additional data relative to the health and status of the flight vehicle and transmitting the same to a ground station of compatible and simplified design. A preferred positional determination means is to utilize a form for GPS signal thereby affording one the opportunity to include appropriate processing software or additional componentry if necessary for base station purposes and thereby provide a relatively inexpensive system having a low probability of detection for intercept that simultaneously yields vastly improved operating performance characteristics over the mere translation of received GPS signals to down-link or to remote stations as known in the prior art.

Abstract: A method for increasing the accuracy of ranging measurements between data link systems is described. The method, actively aided ranging, increases ranging measurement accuracy by decreasing the dependence of the measurement on the relative clock bias between data links. The method is immune from error due to time bias between a position interrogator and a responder.

Abstract: An avionics display unit for use in a flight management system (FMS) of an aircraft, and a method of using the same to increase a pilot's awareness of scheduled changes in operational modes of the aircraft are disclosed. The display unit includes a display device adapted to receive FMS data and to provide a graphical representation of a flight plan for the aircraft relative to a representation of a current position of the aircraft. The display unit is also adapted to provide future mode annunciators, representative of future operational modes of the aircraft, adjacent to positions on the graphical representation of the flight plan at which the future operational modes are scheduled to occur.

Abstract: A speech processor for processing speech signals in a manner that minimizes the peak to average ratio of a vocal tract response waveform of the speech signal with minimal loss of intelligibility of speech reproduced from the processed waveform. This is accomplished, in general terms, by providing a speech processor for providing an approximately constant peak level within periods of a vocal tract response waveform. The speech processor may include a feedback-controlled signal compressor multiplier and an input signal delay means. The attack, hang and decay parameters of the speech processor are determined in accordance with typical vocal tract response characteristics to optimize the balance between compression of the vocal tract response waveform and introduction of harmonics into the resulting signal.