Abstract: A traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) for use in a first aircraft is disclosed. The TCAS includes TCAS circuitry providing output data as a function of a location of an intruder aircraft relative to a location of the first aircraft. A display device coupled to the TCAS circuitry receives the output data. The display device is adapted to provide a graphical representation of the altitude of the intruder aircraft.

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 system for monitoring guiding and controlling an unmanned, unteathered flight vehicle, generally assumed to be moving through the atmosphere of the earth at a high rate of speed. The system comprised an 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 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.

Abstract: Unexpected frequency shifts in GPS receivers are compensated by utilizing a shock detector or temperature transient detector. The detector can be utilized with a GPS receiver and provides a signal to adjust the signal-search algorithm. The signal-search algorithm is able to acquire or reacquire a satellite signal more quickly when adjusted by the shock detector. The receiver can be utilized in guided munitions and other vehicles which are susceptible to temperature transients and mechanical shocks.

Abstract: A kneeboard interface device for use by a pilot of an aircraft in communicating with an avionics suite controller is disclosed. The kneeboard interface device includes a kneeboard controller adapted to control the kneeboard interface device. A wireless I/O device is coupled to the kneeboard controller and adapted to facilitate wireless communication between the kneeboard interface device and the avionics suite controller. A display device is coupled to the kneeboard controller and adapted to display to the pilot avionics suite controller information received from the avionics suite controller. An input device coupled to the kneeboard controller is adapted to receive a pilot response to displayed avionics suite controller information. The pilot response is transmitted to the avionics suite controller by the wireless I/O device to control the avionics suite.

Abstract: An enhanced precision forward observation system and method employs a satellite positioning system receiver, range finder, and a compass/inclinometer. The satellite positioning system receiver is used to calculate an observer's position and target position estimation software employs data from multiple measurements for improved target position estimation.

Abstract: A sigma-delta-sigma modulator for analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters is described. The sigma-delta-sigma modulator is amenable to fabrication of high speed LSI and VLSI digital components for fixed and programmable processes for minimizing and eliminating required analog circuitry in a digital radio. The sigma-delta-sigma modulator is utilized in a direct sampling receiver in which the received RF is converted by high resolution analog-to-digital processing and subsequently translated to baseband, filtered and demodulated completely in the digital domain. The modulator is also utilized in a direct digital transmitter in which the baseband modulation is formed, translated to RF, and converted to analog by high resolution digital-to-analog processing completely in the digital domain.

Abstract: Disclosed is an avionics display device adapted for insertion into an avionics panel of an aircraft. The avionics display device includes a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal display element and a bezel surrounding the liquid crystal display element. The avionics display device also includes a low profile rotary switch mounted on the bezel of the liquid crystal display to save avionics panel space in the aircraft. The low profile rotary switch includes a printed circuit board positioned beneath the bezel and having a plurality of electrical pads formed thereon. The switch also includes a contact member positioned adjacent the printed circuit board and having a first contact formed thereon. Rotation of the contact member causes the first contact to be electrically coupled to one of the plurality of electrical pads formed on the printed circuit board. A knob is coupled to the contact member such that rotation of the knob causes rotation of the contact member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and analyzing soil chemistry information from a tract of land is described. An information management system receives reference signals from a global positioning system from which soil sample collection coordinate location information may be calculated and utilized to generate a soil sampling plan for the tract of land. The information management system guides the collection of soil samples according to the soil sampling plan and records geo-referenced soil sample collection information which may be merged with the results of laboratory analysis performed on the soil samples to generate accurate geo-referenced soil chemistry information.

Abstract: Disclosed are a backlight and avionics display using the same to provide light to a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. In the backlight, a day mode light source positioned on a first side of the LCD device and adapted to provide a first source of light for use by the LCD device during day mode operations. A night mode light source positioned on the first side of the LCD device is adapted to provide a second source of light for use by the LCD device during night mode operations. A sculptured transflector positioned between the day mode light source and the night mode light source has, at a first side adjacent the day mode light source, a transflective material and a plurality of arcuate or parabolic surfaces in order to maximize a percentage of light from the day mode light source which is reflected toward the LCD device.

Abstract: A communications, navigation and identification (CNI) avionics system is disclosed. The CNI system includes a first integrated sensor performing a first CNI function and a second integrated sensor performing a second CNI function of a lower priority than the first CNI function. A first communication path is assigned to the first integrated sensor such that it carries signals between the first integrated sensor and a first system asset. A second communication path is assigned to the second integrated sensor such that it carries signals between the second integrated sensor and a second system asset. Each of the first and second communication paths includes a common first interconnect coupled to both of the first and second integrated sensors, a common second interconnect coupled to each of the first and second system assets, and a separate cryptographic processor.

Abstract: A switchable biasing device for an analog CMOS differential amplifier provides a supply bias current and a corresponding input bias voltage to achieve reliable performance with various power supply voltages. The bias device may include a control element having states corresponding to power supply voltages. The control element controls a supply bias circuit for supplying bias current to a differential amplifier at a level corresponding to the power supply voltage represented by a control signal from the control element. The bias current is made lower for a low power supply voltage to ensure that current source stage elements of the differential amplifier operate within their saturation region, and higher for a high power supply voltage to ensure sufficient current to maintain slew rates. The control element further controls an input bias circuit for providing a dc bias voltage at inputs of the differential amplifier at levels corresponding to the power supply voltage represented by the control signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a GPS pseudolite transmitter, receiver and navigation system. The GPS pseudolite transmitter is adapted to transmit a first phase modulated L-band signal at a first signal pulse repetition rate having an associated first period time duration. The first phase modulated L-band signal is modulated with a short period code having a code epoch of at least about one millisecond. For each consecutive transmission pulse having the first period time duration, the pseudolite transmitter transmits the first phase modulated L-band signal during less than one half of the first period time duration, and for at least about 1 millisecond so that the first pseudolite transmitter transmits an epoch of the short period code during each transmission pulse.

Abstract: An open loop fiber optic gyroscope having improved linearity and scale factor accuracy in the rate signal output and improved modulation index control is disclosed. A digital phase tracker is utilized to derive the Sagnac phase shift from signals proportional to cosine and sine values of the Sagnac phase shift. The rate output is independent of the amplitude of the optical power in the gyroscope and is linear for very large input rates. A modulation servo utilizes the second and fourth harmonic signals from the output of the fiber optic gyroscope to control modulation.

Abstract: A method for calculating the phase reception pattern of an antenna system utilized in attitude determination is disclosed. The antenna system is disposed on a platform (or rate table) that rotates about a single, fixed axis at a constant rate as incoming signals from one or more satellites are received, thereby revolving the antennas about the axis. Information collected from the satellite signals is utilized to calculate a differential phase map (phase measurement error correction map) for the antenna system. The rate of rotation of the table is approximately known, and small variations in the rotation rate may be compensated. The baseline vector connecting two or more antennas is preferably approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the platform. Phase measurement data is collected and may be processed off-line to compute a phase measurement correction map. Attitude calculations may be compensated with the determined differential phase measurement correction map.

Abstract: An antenna for utilization in a fuse of an artillery shell is disclosed. The antenna comprises a radiator, a capacitance hat disposed at a first end of the radiator for capacitively loading the radiator and a ground plane disposed at a second end of the radiator such that the antenna is a monopole antenna. The antenna also includes a dielectric having a top surface, a bottom surface and a central longitudinal axis wherein the capacitance hat is disposed on the top surface of the dielectric and the ground plane is disposed on the bottom surface of the dielectric. A fuse utilized for detonating the explosive charge of an artillery shell is further disclosed. The fuse includes a fuse casing with the antenna of the present invention disposed within the interior cavity of the fuse casing.

Abstract: A mixer for use in a direct conversion receiver includes a compensating differential amplifier which injects equal amplitude opposite phase currents with respect to even order distortion currents. The compensating differential amplifier utilizes an ideal current source. The mixer is an active mixer which utilizes four switching transistors. The even order distortion is introduced by non-linear components which demonstrate strong off-channel signals.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for minimizing the security boundary of PPS GPS receivers. The primary disclosure is a lump sum SA correction method. This method can be used to limit the security boundary to the portion of the GPS receiver that generates the lump sum SA correction, allowing all PPS measurement processing (within the receiver or across a PPS measurement interface) to reside outside the security boundary. In addition, two methods are disclosed (passive residual method and active residual method) by which the data content of the PPS measurement interface is entirely unclassified when keyed, thereby limiting the security boundary to the GPS receiver itself.

Abstract: Disclosed are dual frequency GPS receivers using single frequency sequencing and methods of using the same to track both first global positioning signals at a first frequency and second global positioning signals at a second frequency. Both of the first global positioning signals and the second global positioning signals are received with a multi-frequency antenna or multiple antennas of different frequencies. The first global positioning signals and the second global positioning signals are separated and converted into first and second translated global positioning signals, respectively, having an intermediate frequency or frequencies. Frequency sequencing is controlled to selectively alternately couple the first and second translated global positioning signals one at a time to the channels of the digital signal processor for use in navigation solution determination.