Abstract: A backlit flat panel display includes a fluorescent tube positioned for illuminating the display, and a plurality of display illuminating LEDs on the periphery of the display. The fluorescent tube illuminates the display through a first range of brightness above a predetermined transition level and the LEDs illuminate the display through a second range of brightness below the transition level. When the illumination of the display is adjusted through the transition level to account for changes in ambient light, the LEDs and the fluorescent tube are operated together, so that the combined brightness of the illumination provided by the LEDs and the fluorescent tube will provide the desired display brightness; this advantageously compensates for delayed illumination of the fluorescent tube at start up and for persistence in the tube after shutdown.

Abstract: A flat panel display system for an aircraft display includes a graphics rendering computer for rendering of anti-aliased graphical imaging data derived from aircraft sensors for full-field imaging on a cockpit display screen. A comparator processor independently generates, from the same sensor data, a selected subset or “points of light” of the display screen image and compares the points of light data to the data generated by the rendering computer for the same display screen pixel locations. The minimized processing requirements and simplified design of the comparator processor enable ready FAA certification of the comparator processor, whereas the extreme complexity and processing operations required of the rendering computer make FAA certification thereof unusually time consuming and expensive.

Abstract: An image display generator for use in a head-up display includes an array of light emitting devices such as LEDs or VCSELs formed on a semiconductor layer deposited on one surface of a glass like, e.g. Sapphire, sheet in which a plurality of lenses are formed on the opposite surface with each lens aligned with a respective one of the LEDs or VCSELs. A layer of transparent insulating material is disposed over the semiconductor layer and is coated with a reflecting material. Light emitted by the LEDs is directly incident onto respective over the lenses and is indirectly reflected onto the lenses by the reflecting material.

Abstract: An improved flat panel display provides reduced reflection of incident light on the display to improve display visibility. The display includes a transparent top cover panel such as glass which is bonded or laminated to the display polarizer. The outer viewing surface of the top cover panel carries a plurality of integral surface features defined in the surface, which may comprise etched bumps or micro-machined tetrahedron-shaped protuberances that may be truncated, smoothed, and/or variously oriented and sized to further reduce incident light reflectivity. A multi-layer HEA coating on the featured surface defines a graduated transition layer with an index of refraction that gradually, and preferably smoothly, varies from layer to layer of the HEA coating from the index of refraction of the top cover panel to the index of refraction of the ambient air or other material which the outermost viewable surface of the display presents an image to an observer or viewer.

Abstract: An altimeter which contains within it means for storing the Static Source Error Correction (SSEC) for the aircraft. The altimeter includes means for downloading the SSEC and for transferring it to a new altimeter which may then be used in place of the original altimeter without losing the information built up over time or having to re-calibrate the new altimeter based on new tests. The altimeter also includes means for uploading a known SSEC thereto.

Abstract: A flat panel display system for an aircraft display includes a graphics rendering computer for rendering of anti-aliased graphical imaging data derived from aircraft sensors for full-field imaging on a cockpit display screen. A comparator processor independently generates, from the same sensor data, a selected subset or “points of light” of the display screen image and compares the points of light data to the data generated by the rendering computer for the same display screen pixel locations. The minimized processing requirements and simplified design of the comparator processor enable ready FAA certification of the comparator processor, whereas the extreme complexity and processing operations required of the rendering computer make FAA certification thereof unusually time consuming and expensive.

Abstract: An image display generator for use in a head-up display includes an array of light emitting devices such as LEDs or VCSELs formed on a semiconductor layer deposited on one surface of a glass like, e.g. Sapphire, sheet in which a plurality of lenses are formed on the opposite surface with each lens aligned with a respective one of the LEDs or VCSELs. A layer of transparent insulating material is disposed over the semiconductor layer and is coated with a reflecting material. Light emitted by the LEDs is directly incident onto respective over the lenses and is indirectly reflected onto the lenses by the reflecting material.

Abstract: A system and method for providing highly accurate measurements of the altitude above ground level (AGL) of an aircraft flying over local terrain. A current AGL altitude of the aircraft over local terrain is obtained by activating a radar altimeter on the aircraft for a single short duration or pulse. A mean sea level (MSL) elevation of the local terrain is determined by identifying the terrain from the then-current aircraft geographical position coordinates and utilizing known terrain topography data. The actual MSL altitude of the aircraft can then be determined. An uncorrected MSL altitude of the aircraft is then determined from conventional static air pressure measurements and the difference between the actual MSL altitude and the uncorrected MSL altitude of the aircraft yields a local barometric correction factor for use in determining MSL altitude measurements of the aircraft as the aircraft flies over and continues its flight away from the local terrain.

Abstract: A system and method for providing highly accurate measurements of the altitude above ground level (AGL) of an aircraft flying over local terrain. A current AGL altitude of the aircraft over local terrain is obtained by activating a radar altimeter on the aircraft for a single short duration or pulse. A mean sea level (MSL) elevation of the local terrain is determined by identifying the terrain from the then-current aircraft geographical position coordinates and utilizing known terrain topography data. The actual MSL altitude of the aircraft can then be determined. An uncorrected MSL altitude of the aircraft is then determined from conventional static air pressure measurements and the difference between the actual MSL altitude and the uncorrected MSL altitude of the aircraft yields a local barometric correction factor for use in determining MSL altitude measurements of the aircraft as the aircraft flies over and continues its flight away from the local terrain.

Abstract: An air data measurement system includes a device for sensing air pressure outside an aircraft, a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the air pressure sensing device and having a piezoresistive bridge attached on a flexible diaphragm. The piezoresistive bridge has an electrical resistance which varies in response to the sensed air pressure applied to the diaphragm and whose sensitivity varies with the magnitude of the excitation current passing therethrough. The system also includes a current supply operatively connected to the pressure transducer for supplying and varying the magnitude of the excitation current to the piezoresistive bridge. Further included is an output device connected to the pressure transducer for sensing a change in the electrical resistance of the piezoresistive bridge and outputting a signal from the piezoresistive bridge corresponding to the sensed air pressure.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a pressure-sensing altitude sensor of an aircraft while the aircraft is in flight. The method includes the steps of obtaining a set of reference atmospheric pressures as a function of height above a base station by affixing a reference pressure sensor to a balloon. As the balloon is released into the atmosphere, the reference sensor continuously measures the atmospheric pressures and transmits the data back to the base station while a ground-based radar disposed adjacent the base station measures the height of the balloon. An aircraft flying in a vicinity of the base station can calibrate its pressure-sensing altitude sensors by measuring the atmospheric pressure outside the aircraft and its geometric height relative to the base station and then comparing the pressure measurements with corresponding reference pressure values at a geometric height that is substantially that same as the geometric height of the aircraft.

Abstract: An internal electrostatic field-generating, beam-controlling element in a cathode ray tube is formed by depositing an initially continous layer of resistive material on a substrate and applying a voltage differential across the coating to generate a field-generating current therethrough during operation of the tube. After completion of tube assembly and sealing of the tube envelope, the element is custom fine-tuned by projecting an externally-originating laser beam through the envelope wall to selectively remove portions or areas of the resistive material, thereby predeterminately distorting the electrostatic field and selectively changing the effect of the field on the imaging electron beam. This procedure readily enables both correction of perceived deficiencies in and intentional modifications to one or more characteristics of the electron beam.