Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting volcanic eruption and predicting plume hazards are described. The system comprises a processor and a database having the location of a plurality of volcanoes communicating with the processor. The system also comprises a lightning detector communicating with the processor. The system further comprises a weather radar communicating with the processor. Further still, the weather radar comprises program logic running on the processor. The program logic is configured to correlate the location of a volcano from the database with the presence of lightning from the lightning detector and a volcanic ash plume from the weather radar.

Abstract: A method of compressing data in a weather radar system utilizes a compression system. Weather radar data associated with graphical images provided on a weather radar display is compressed for downloads or downlinks from the airplane or storage on the airplane. The weather radar data can be compressed from any part of the process. In one embodiment, spatial resolution of the data is decreased while data resolution is increased.

Abstract: A head-up display (HUD) is disclosed. The HUD is provided on board an aircraft. The HUD comprises a projector and a combiner. The combiner enables viewing of the world outside of the combiner and also allows viewing of information provided from the projector. A computer is coupled to the projector and provides airport runway and taxiway symbols conformally mapped onto the combiner. Also provided on the combiner is a mapping of automatic dependent surveillance broadcast advisory information and traffic onto the combiner.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for transmitting data between two objects via a free space optical data link. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, the method may start with a step in which a laser beam modulated with data is transmitted to the vicinity of an optical collector. The laser beam may be transmitted by a modulated laser transmitter. The laser beam may cause atmospheric nitrogen in the vicinity of the optical collector to fluoresce and emit a set of characteristic line spectra. The set of characteristic line spectra may be received by the optical collector, and at least one characteristic spectral line may be obtained with an optical filter. Preferably, a wavelength of the at least one characteristic spectral line is selected from a group consisting of 3995.00 angstroms, 4630.54 angstroms, 5005.15 angstroms, and 5679.56 angstroms, which have high relative amplitude.

Abstract: The speed dependent variable display system for a computer-implemented moving-map vehicle display system includes a data conversion module for converting a vehicle speed input signal to a distance range value; and, an application module for utilizing the distance range value, vehicle position information, vehicle direction of movement information, and input geographical information to provide scaled output geographical information. The scaled output geographical information is utilized to provide a situational awareness display which is optimized in accordance with the vehicle's position, direction of movement and speed. A display apparatus receives the scaled output geographical information to provide an optimized situational awareness display for a moving-map vehicle display system.

Abstract: An aircraft weather radar system is disclosed. The system comprises a radar antenna, aircraft sensors, and a database. The system also comprises a processing device receiving information from the radar antenna and from the aircraft sensors and able to retrieve information from the database. Further, the system comprises a cockpit display coupled to the processing device. The processing device is programmed to determine storm system hazards and to display the storm system hazards on the display using an iconal representation or textual representation.

Abstract: A method of determining absolute positions of devices in a network. Relative distances between the devices are determined. For each of at least one of the devices, a range is calculated from a number of distant ranging sources that is less than an amount required to obtain a precise location of the device. The calculated ranges are combined with the determined relative distances to determine a unique absolute position of the devices in the network.

Abstract: A light engine for an LCD projector is disclosed. More particularly, a liquid crystal display projector including a light source emitting a light beam, a light engine, and a projection lens is disclosed. The light engine includes a polarizing beam splitter for receiving the light beam from the light source. The polarizing beam splitter orthogonally reflects a light beam containing multiple colors and passes a first light beam containing a single color. The light engine also includes a dichroic prism that receives the light beam containing multiple colors, reflects a second light beam containing a single color, and passes a third light beam containing a single color. Further, the light engine includes reflective liquid crystal displays associated with each of the first, second, and third light beams containing a single color for receiving, modulating, and reflecting modulated first, second, and third light beams containing a single color for recombination and projection through the projection lens.

Abstract: A computer is used to manage communication over a network between one or more network addressable units and a plurality of physical devices of a passenger entertainment system. The system is configured and operated using software to provide passenger entertainment services including audio and video on-demand, information dissemination, product and service order processing, video teleconferencing and data communication services. The system includes a system server and a network supporting multiple computer processors. The processors and the server comprise application software that control telephony applications and network services. The server is coupled by way of the network to physical devices of the system.

Abstract: Methods of measuring phase angle and decoding a pseudo-random noise (PRN) code by applying High Resolution Correlators, having three or more correlators signals, where at least two signals, or multiples of two, are equally distanced advanced or delayed signals from the PRN signal with the option of one signal substantially in sync with the PRN signal. A phase tracking error is computed when measuring phase angle or adjusting the relative timing difference by adjusting the phase of the locally generated PRN signals when the error signal has a non-zero magnitude, in a manner to drive said error signal to zero when decoding the PRN code.