Abstract: An electrooptical scanning analog-to-digital converter for converting an analog voltage signal from a source to its corresponding digital equivalent in accordance with the invention includes a laser providing a beam having an initial position and multiple deflected positions. The voltage signal forms a deflection input to the laser. A first voltage of the voltage signal provides for the initial position of the beam and multiple other voltages of the voltage signal provide for the plurality of deflected positions of the beam. The invention also includes a phototarget array that has a first phototarget mapped to the first voltage of the voltage signal and multiple incremental phototargets each mapped to one of the multiple other voltages of the voltage signal. The first phototarget and the multiple incremental phototargets are arranged along an axis, which may be in one implementation substantially perpendicular to the initial position of the beam.

Abstract: A power supply with a shunt voltage regulator for controlling unwanted emissions of “red” information which includes a feedback loop to reduce input voltages so as to reduce unnecessary power dissipation, where the feedback loop includes a sensed power consumption signal and a low pass filter to remove any “red” information from the sensed power consumption signal.

Abstract: A system and method for changing an emission pattern of a concave phased array antenna where a ferroelectric material having voltage variable dielectric constant is used as a substrate for a concave radiation surface, and phase delays can be induced by changing voltages applied across the ferroelectric material.

Abstract: A selected hover altitude deviation display and method for displaying the difference between the current altitude of an aircraft and a selected hover altitude on a multi-functional display unit that includes a compass rose and an aircraft symbol. An altitude sensor generates current altitude data, which is transmitted to a computer processing unit together with a selected hover altitude. The selected hover altitude is determined by the pilot of the aircraft. The selected hover altitude is displayed as a static, analog symbolic representation on the multi-functional display unit. The hover altitude deviation is displayed as a dynamic, analog symbolic representation of the difference between the current altitude of the aircraft and the selected hover altitude. With the selected hover altitude deviation display, the pilot can readily see if his aircraft is above or below a selected hover altitude without relying on external visual reference cues.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating multi-layer optical compensators which includes a rigid or flexible planar guide member having reference lines thereon for aiding in alignment of successive layers and further having a vacuum producing capability which stabilizes the compensator when it is processed, along with the guide member, through a roller machine.

Abstract: An avionics system with a common sensor detector that includes analog sensors for sensing flight parameters of an aircraft and for providing sensor signals indicative of the flight parameters. Avionics computers compute flight parameter data associated with the sensor signals from the analog sensors. A primary flight display receives, processes, and displays the flight parameter data. The primary flight display includes inside limit data comparators to compare the flight parameter data from at least a same pair of flight computers to indicate a common sensor fault condition when the flight parameter data difference is zero or approximately zero for a predetermined period of time. Other safety critical systems may employ the common sensor detector.

Abstract: A TCAS receiver/transmitter which uses an improved calibration scheme for improving the ability of the device to transmit in a narrow directional field where the device uses the transmitter frequency source to generate signals for calibration purposes. The calibration uses a technique of simultaneously transmitting from two antennas and manipulating the phase of the signal through successive settings. The signals are monitored by the remaining two antennas and calibration adjustments are made in response thereto.

Abstract: An assembly for providing an adjustable optical train is disclosed. An adjustable optical train is comprised of a plate having a channel formed therein. A submount suitable for mounting an object such as an optical component (e.g., holographic medium, lens, prism, etc.) engages the channel so the submount is suitable for slidable movement along the channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the submount further comprises a fastener. The fastener may include an appendage for engaging the channel and a holder coupled to the appendage. The holder is suitable for anchoring the appendage thereby securing the appendage to the channel thereby securing the submount to the plate.

Abstract: A baro altitude and terrain warning system with an integrity monitoring function which uses a radar altimeter to generate instantaneous altitude signals used to confirm the validity of a baro altitude signal, generated by a baro altimeter and an expected terrain clearance signal, provided by the terrain warning system, and for generating an alert when insufficient correlation exists between such signals.

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: 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: 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: A method of smoothing a global navigational satellite system (GNSS) code pseudorange measurement included tracking first and second GNSS signals, at first and second respective frequencies, from a first satellite. A first pseudorange measurement is determined from the first GNSS signal. A smoothed pseudorange measurement is calculated from the determined first pseudorange measurement as a function of both the first and second GNSS signals. In some embodements, the smoothed pseudorange measurement is calculated from the determined first pseudorange measurement as a function of a generalized code pseudorange measurement and as a function of a generalized carrier phase measurement. At least one of the generalized code phase measurement. At least one of the generalized code pseudorange measurement and the generalized carrier phase measurement are dual frequence measurements determined as a function of both the first and second GNSS signals.

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: An RF translator is placed on an artillery shell. The RF translator receives a GPS signal, converts the GPS signal to an S band signal, and then transmits the S band signal. The S band signal is received by a ground antenna and it is converted back to an L1 GPS signal. The transmission of the S band signal to a ground antenna induces two effects which make fast direct P(Y) acquisitions difficult. First, since the artillery shell is moving, a carrier Doppler is induced on the S band signal. Second, the time delay caused by the transmission of the S band signal affects the nominal code phase for acquisition. Acquisition of GPS signals corrupted by second frequency data effects require special compensation if fast direct P(Y) code acquisition is desired. A carrier Doppler and a code phase compensation term allow the GPS ground receiver software to focus its search window for the carrier frequency (code rate) and the code phase (time delay).

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 bi-directional energy storage module and method of operation is disclosed. The converter includes an inductive component, an energy storage element, two diodes and two switches. One switch is positioned in a first sub-circuit between an input voltage source and the inductive component and the other switch is positioned in a second sub-circuit between the inductive component and the energy storage element. The inductive component can be an inductor or a transformer. The energy storage element can be a battery or a capacitor. A hysteretic control structure can be used to activate and control the charging and discharging modes of operation. Voltage across the energy storage element and current through the inductive component are monitored. The switches are controlled to keep the monitored parameters within established bounds. Inrush current problems are eliminated and simple gate drive mechanisms are facilitated. The invention can be used in battery charging and discharging applications.

Abstract: An assembly for providing microradian adjustment of the alignment of objects such as optical devices is disclosed. The microradian adjustment assembly is comprised of a mounting plate suitable for mounting an object and a torque adjustment assembly. A circular channel is formed in the plate so as to define a disk area surrounded by a deflection area. The torque adjustment assembly torsionally deforms the deflection area, rotating the disk area with respect to the mounting plate. This rotation is utilized to provide microradian adjustment of the alignment of the object.