Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to phased array antennas. The invention allows for the realization of a low-cost, ferroelectric material loaded feed manifold for phase shifting an antenna. This type of architecture can take many forms, with the preferred embodiment being waveguide. In an embodiment of the present invention, the Ferroelectric/Paralectric/Composite material loaded feed manifold described herein may solve the space/weight problem by integrating the material into the traditional waveguide feed manifold. A feed structure suitable for receiving and routing electromagnetic energy may include a subassembly including material suitable for shifting phase of electromagnetic radiation when an electrical field is applied. Material having a dielectric constant at least one of equal to and greater than the phase shifting material may also be included.

Abstract: A high-isolation broadband polarization diverse circular waveguide feed apparatus capable of supporting any arbitrary linear, right-hand circular, left-hand circular or elliptically polarized electromagnetic wave with desirable performance over a broad range of frequencies and small size is disclosed. The waveguide feed employs the combination of a symmetrical shaped conical frustrum waveguide and circular waveguide segments together with a novel arrangement of orthogonal and nonplanar electric field probes and radio frequency impedance posts to achieve broad bandwidth, low cross-polarization when operating in arbitrary linear mode, and high-isolation for rejection of undesired cross-polarization components when operating in circular or elliptical polarization mode. Details of a 10.95-12.7 gigahertz embodiment of the waveguide feed including dimensions are provided.

Abstract: Line or shop replaceable units (LRUs or SRUs) of a vehicle entertainment system are programmed as microservers to receive and carry out requests for testing the LRUs/SRUs from a browser connected to the LRUs/SRUs over a communications network of the vehicle entertainment system. Test results are transmitted back to the browser for display. The browser may be part of the vehicle entertainment system or remotely connected to the communications network of the vehicle entertainment system. Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is used as the protocol for transporting the requests and the execution results over the communications network, and so, the programming of the LRUs and the SRUs may be achieved with a standard HTTP server program and the browser may be any HTTP-compliant browser such as Netscape Navigator™ and Internet Explorer™.

Abstract: A method and system of measuring availability of an in-flight entertainment system (“IFE”) on an aircraft. The method comprises designating a subsystem weight factor to each subsystem of said IFE, with the sum of all subsystem weight factors being equal to a predetermined number, selecting at least one element of the subsystem to measure its availability, designating a zonal weight factor for the at least one element based on a predetermined class to be serviced by the at least one element, assigning an element loss factor based on a level of service for at least one element, collecting performance information regarding the at least one element during a predetermined period of time, and measure the element's availability based on the subsystem weight factor, the zonal weight factor, the element loss factor and the level of service.

Abstract: An avionics LRU which is coupled to an avionics rack and/or mounting tray on an aircraft or a test station through a floating connector. The floating connection allows for reduced stress and strain on the pins and sockets in the connector during blind mating of the LRU to the rack or mounting tray or test station.

Abstract: A conditional TAWS algorithm system and method for providing advanced warnings of potential CFIT situation which could result from predictable errant course changes.

Abstract: A bus system including a bus user apparatus and a method for communicating via the bus system are disclosed. The bus user apparatus includes means for means for selectively coupling a transmitter to the transmission line according to a protocol of the bus system. The bus system provides bi-directional communication over a single transmission line. The transmitter of the transmitting device is coupled to the transmission line during transmission. Upon completion of transmission, the transmitting device sends a permission to transmit signal to the next transmitting device according to the protocol, and decouples its transmitter from the transmission line. The next transmitting device couples its transmitter to the transmission line and begins transmission of data. Multiple bus users, both transmitters and receivers, are accommodated by the bus system, and bi-directional communication is supported.

Abstract: Each element of the display includes a first electrode disposed on a transparent, insulating substrate. A second electrode is disposed over the first electrode. An interconnect bump of photoresist is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode within one or more elements of the display to extend the second electrode away from the insulating substrate so the second electrode may be operably coupled to an interconnect substrate.

Abstract: A system for detecting an obstruction in the deploy path of a retractable LCD monitor includes a disc that rotates with the monitor as the monitor is deployed, an optical switch operatively coupled to the disc to generate pulses indicating the speed at which the monitor is deploying, and a retriggerable one-shot circuit that receives the pulses from the optical switch. When the pulses fail to arrive at the retriggerable one-shot circuit fast enough, i.e., below a threshold rate, the retriggerable one-shot circuit times out and its output state transitions from a high level to a low level. The high-to-low state transition causes the monitor to retract and re-attempt deployment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for measuring and tuning circularly polarized antennas to simultaneously optimize axial ratio, resonant frequency, and impedance match. The antenna under test is mounted within the test apparatus. Located in the zenith and far field of the antenna are two rigidly mounted, orthogonal, and planar probes. The amplitude and phase developed by the antenna is measured at each probe. The computer calculates the zenith axial ratio from the measured amplitude and phase difference between the probes. The method further includes the steps to determine sense-of-rotation of the circular polarized wave, impedance match, and resonant frequency. This apparatus and method is an elegant, simple, and cost effective design that is applicable to any isolated circular polarized radiating element.

Abstract: A method of integrating ground-based radar information into an existing on-board aircraft radar system, where a radar indicator displays on-board radar images as a function of data words received from a receiver/transmitter of the on-board aircraft radar system, includes receiving ground-based radar data indicative of a ground-based radar image. A data word from an output stream of the receiver/transmitter of the on-board aircraft radar system is captured, with the captured data word being encoded in a first data word format. A position and heading of the aircraft is determined, and the ground-based radar data is sampled to obtain sampled ground-based radar data corresponding to the position and heading of the aircraft and to a radial scan angle for the captured data word. The sampled ground-based radar data and the captured data word are combined into a composite data word, with the composite data word being encoded in the first data word format.

Abstract: A phase detector with a linear gain characteristic includes two exclusive-OR gates with inputs connected to an input signal and an inverted input signal and a reference signal in a phase locked loop. The outputs of the exclusive-OR gates are connected to a plurality of switches. The switches are connected to a plurality of resistors and the resistors are connected together to form an output signal. Switches and resistors are selected in complementary pairs by a gain select function to provide a linear gain characteristic for the output signal.

Abstract: A navigation system such as a flight management system allows operator-defined waypoints to be selected. A pilot waypoint can be selected via an interface which provides a place-bearing-distance label when the waypoint is not on a flight plan. The label is in an along-track-distance format when the waypoint is on the flight plan. The labels provide information in a fashion consistent with Air Traffic Control (ATC) phraseology.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which includes a frame, a video monitor display mounted to the frame, a torque shaft coupled to the frame such that rotation of the torque shaft causes the frame to pivot along a predetermined arc. The apparatus further involves engaging to the torque shaft to impart rotational motion to the torque shaft, a releasable cam follower slidably disposed on the cam shaft and a spring mounted on the cam shaft exerting a spring bias force directed toward the cam so as to cause rotational motion of the cam.

Abstract: A radar displaying system and method for use in displaying weather radar information on a cockpit display of an aircraft receives on-board weather radar information from an on-board weather radar system and ground-based weather radar information up-linked to the aircraft from a ground-based weather radar system. The information from the on-board weather radar system and the information from the ground-based weather radar system are combined to generate composite weather radar information. In response to the composite information, the cockpit display simultaneously displays both on-board weather radar imagery and ground-based weather radar imagery.

Abstract: A status phase processor for a data pattern recognizer or correlator provides an optimized synchronization signal. The synchronization signal can be utilized to adjust the data sampling clock. The data pattern correlator utilizes two or more samples per symbol of the signal which is expected to be received. The system provides high accuracy correlation without significant hardware and software overhead. The status phase processor relies on a counter circuit and a logic circuit for generating the synchronization signal.

Abstract: A method to reduce latency in an n'th order differentiator and in a frequency synthesizer having a MASH structure of sigma-delta modulators includes characterizing the differentiator according to its z-transform transfer function. The transfer function polynomial is expanded using Horner's Rule. Realizing the expanded polynomial in hardware reduces latency in both the differentiator and the frequency synthesizer. An n'th order differentiator utilizes parallel inputs in adders and latches and implicit multiplication at adder inputs to realize the z-transform transfer function using Horner's Rule. An n'th order MASH structure of sigma-delta modulators has n'th differentiators, each differentiator implementing a z-transform polynomial transfer function expanded using Horner's Rule.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manipulating a computer cursor in harsh environments which uses a movable grip device disposed about a stationary member where movement of the movable grip is limited by controllable resistance as a function of force applied to said movable grip.

Abstract: A single antenna FM radio altimeter operates in continuous wave (CW) and interrupted continuous wave (ICW) modes to provide an altitude indication. An altimeter transmitter generates a constant FM period CW signal below a critical altitude and a variable FM period ICW signal above the critical altitude. The single antenna, connected to the transmitter and receiver, radiates and receives the CW and the ICW signals. The receiver provides a beat frequency signal. A processor compares the beat frequency signal and the variable FM period signal to critical altitude reference signals and switches the altimeter between the modes accordingly. The processing function provides the transmitter a constant period modulation signal below the critical altitude and a variable FM period signal above the critical altitude. The processing function provides the altitude indication from the beat frequency signal below the critical altitude and from the variable FM period signal above the critical altitude.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting, processing, and displaying weather radar information which uses multiple scans, at differing antenna tilt angles, to generate a single displayed image. This can be used to reduce displaying of ground clutter returns and to simultaneously increase the range of weather information displayed on a single image.