Abstract: A surveillance system for monitoring activity within at least the cabin portion of the aircraft in order to alert the flight crew within the cockpit of any emergency activity including, but not limited to, highjacking or terrorist activity. A video controller assembly is interconnected between a viewing assembly and a display assembly so as to distribute image data there between. The viewing assembly includes one or more cameras disposed to selectively capture images throughout the aircraft cabin interior and deliver the captured image data to the display assembly observable by the flight crew. Activation of the system is accomplished by controlled operation of one or more portable, wireless transmitters and at least one receiver which is operationally connected to the viewing assembly and the display assembly.

Abstract: The application discloses a system and methods for remote access and analysis of data collected about items under inspection. The system includes a data collection station, that may include an X-ray scanner, that scans the items under inspection to obtain data about the items. The data is transmitted to one or more remote expert stations, where a remote expert analyzes the data to determine whether the item contains a potential threat, such as, for example, explosives or other contraband.

Abstract: A reduced size CT scanner for baggage inspection has a wide angle x-ray source and multiple sets of detectors at different distances from the x-ray source. The detectors in each set are sized and positioned to maintain consistent pitch and flux levels among all detectors. Conventional reconstruction processes can be used to process the data from the CT scanner. The scanner may also be incorporated into a check-in desk in a network of scanners.

Abstract: A method of advance baggage screening includes steps of transmitting a threat file corresponding to an item under inspection to a processing center, analyzing the threat file according to a detection algorithm at the processing center to determine a screening result for the item under inspection, and transmitting the screening result to a remotely located operator interface for access by an operator.

Abstract: A system displays video to a user and has a display device with a field of pixels. It displays video to the user in the form of a series of discrete sequential frame images each made up of a first predetermined number of bit planes in which the pixels of the display are either off or have a color and intensity that is uniform over the field of pixels. The apparatus detects when a movement condition is present, such as rapid head movement or an object in the video crossing the display rapidly, in which condition the user's eye may tend to track across the display device at a rate at which perception of the video displayed may be reduced in quality, and it generates a condition-present signal when such a movement condition is detected. Responsive to generation of said condition-present signal, the apparatus causes the display device to display the frame images using fewer bit planes for each frame image than when said movement condition is not detected.

Abstract: A communications system comprising a central node, at least one remote node and a communications link. The remote node is adapted to receive information transmitted from the central node over a broadcast link and the communications link is adapted to convey information from the remote node to the central node. The central node is adapted to dynamically tailor a remote node transmit power control and a bandwidth as requested by the remote node for conveying information over the communications link.

Abstract: A method and system for open-loop acquisition of a pseudo-noise (PN) encoded QPSK burst signal is provided. The method includes the steps of determining a PN correlation accumulation (PNCA) threshold and a sync threshold. Searching for a burst signal synchronization by searching a burst preamble for a sync word exceeding the sync threshold. In response to detecting the sync word, performing a PNCA of at least 256 bits following the detected sync word and comparing the PNCA of the at least 256 bits with the PNCA threshold. The comparison further includes the step of verifying that the PNCA of the 256 bits following the detected sync word exceeds the PNCA threshold and then verifying sync word detection. Next, using the burst preamble an estimate of carrier signal frequency is determined; and using a subsequent burst preamble carrier signal frequency and carrier signal phase is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for Time Division Duplex (TDD) synchronization of Access Points (APEs) uses the 1 pulse-per-second timing pulses of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and synchronization state machines for its Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) structure. As a result, the present invention obviates the need for expensive voltage-controlled oscillators used by the prior art, and achieves stable timing accuracy within approximately 7.5 minutes, as opposed to the 12 to 24-hour period needed by prior art methods.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining communication of data in a communication link between a transmission site and a reception site during a momentary disruption of the communication link includes storage of data during the disruption, and optionally both prior to and subsequent to the disruption, to enable communication subsequently to the disruption. In one embodiment, data is stored over an interval of time longer than the disruption and centered on the disruption, and is scrambled prior to communication between the transmission site and the reception site. Unscrambling of the data in a received sequence and application of error-correction code to the received sequence regains information which would have been lost in the disruption. Use may also be made of buffers at both of the sites for saving data which was to be transmitted during the disruption, and communicating the data to the end-user buffer subsequent to the disruption.

Abstract: A method and device for frame sync detection using signal combining and correlation. The method comprises the steps of despreading PN coded signals to provide in-phase I1–In, and quadrature phase Q1–Qn signals, wherein each I1–In and each Q1–Qn signal contains at least one sync bit and n?2. The at least one sync bit from each I1–In, and quadrature phase Q1–Qn signals are summed to form sums Is1 and Qs1, respectively. The next step provides a reference sync having at least one bit and compares each sum Is1 and Qs1 with the at least one reference bit. The results of each Is1 and Qs1 comparison are accumulated so as to form two accumulates, IA and QA, respectively. Each accumulate IA and QA, is squared to form IA2 and QA2 from which the sum IA2 and QA2 is formed. The sum IA2+QA2 is compared with a predetermined threshold and as a result of the comparison a determination of whether frame sync has been achieved is made.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining a signal code. The method comprising steps of acquiring and correlating a signal with a first code sequence. In response to the correlation of the signal with a first code sequence a timing lock is achieved. Also in response to the signal correlation, an acknowledgement from a receiver of the signal to a transmitter of the signal is sent where upon the receiver and transmitter change to a second code sequence.

Abstract: A synthetic rendering of the terrain within a selected field of view is created from raw terrain elevation data, and the resolution of the rendering is proportioned to the altitude above ground level (altitude AGL) of the aircraft. All the data points are subdivided into tiles. Only data from tiles within a prescribed field of view are considered for processing; all others are ignored. Within the selected tiles, only some of the terrain elevation data points are passed to the graphics processor for rendering. At maximum resolution, when the aircraft is on the ground or at a low altitude, there are relatively fewer tiles within the field of view and the fraction of the data points from each tile within the field of view passed for rendering is relatively large. As the aircraft's altitude AGL level increases, the field of view also increases in area increasing the number of tiles within the field of view.

Abstract: Collecting samples to adjust a signal includes providing a shutter in an opened position to allow a detector of an infrared camera to detect infrared radiation and generate a signal corresponding to the infrared radiation. A first touchup iteration is initiated by moving the shutter to a closed position, and samples of a reference frame are collected according to a collection instruction. The shutter is then moved to the opened position. If there is a change in a state of the infrared camera, the collection instruction is adjusted in response to the change. A second touchup iteration is initiated by moving the shutter to the closed position, and samples are collected according to the adjusted collection instruction. A modification of the signal is determined in accordance with at least some of the samples.

Abstract: A reduced size CT scanner for baggage inspection has a wide angle x-ray source and multiple sets of detectors at different distances from the x-ray source. The detectors in each set are sized and positioned to maintain consistent pitch and flux levels among all detectors. Conventional reconstruction processes can be used to process the data from the CT scanner. The scanner may also be incorporated into a check-in desk in a network of scanners.

Abstract: An in-car video system and method is provided where a wireless microphone is configured with bi-directional communications capability. In response to a received RF activation signal, the wireless microphone is automatically switched on to capture (and transmit back to the in-car video system) an audio soundtrack that accompanies the images captured by the car-mounted video camera. A wireless microphone controller mounted in the car transmits the RF activation signal to the wireless microphone. The wireless microphone controller is arranged to transmit the RF activation signal when the video recording device starts recording. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the wireless microphone receives information, including a confirmation that the video recording device is recording, from an RF information signal received from the wireless microphone controller mounted in the car. The wireless microphone displays the information to the officer on a display screen.

Abstract: A rugged, miniature, waterproof and lightweight magnetic latching indicator with an auxiliary switch. The indicator includes a solenoid, an elongated plunger mounted in the solenoid, the plunger supporting a first permanent magnet with the magnet being surrounded by specially dimensioned non-magnetic spacers. The plunger and solenoid are packaged in a non-magnetic housing with a solenoid locator, a top cap and a bottom cap maintaining the indicator in a compact waterproof package. An indicator button is mounted to the plunger and a reed switch biasing spring and second permanent magnet are located between the bottom cap and the solenoid. The plunger moves from a retracted latching position to an extended position. In the retracted position, the indicator button is retracted and not readily visible and the second permanent magnet maintains the reed switch in a closed position.

Abstract: A radial power divider-combiner is disclosed. The divider-combiner includes a divider and a combiner. An input signal is provided to a transmission antenna that radiates the input signal inside the divider. Within the divider, the input signal is divided into a plurality of individual signals. The individual signals are received by receiving antennas and provided to respective amplifiers. The amplifiers amplify the respective individual signals by a desired amplification factor. The amplified individual signals are provided to a plurality of transmitting antennas within the combiner. Inside the combiner, the amplified individual signals are combined to form an output signal that is received by a receiving antenna in the combiner.

Abstract: A frequency-stepped radar may be used to detect buried landmines by sequentially inducing vibrations of different frequencies in the landmine. A sensor detects signals associated with the vibrations, and a processor processes the signals to detect the landmine.

Abstract: A chopper for an imaging system includes a frame and a sheet that have different coefficients of thermal expansion. The frame has a space within it, and has at least one opening that allows radiation to pass through the space. The sheet has structure which influences radiation passing through the sheet, and the sheet is movably disposed within the space in the frame, in a manner so that the sheet can expand and contract relative to the frame in a direction approximately parallel to the sheet. The frame prevents any significant movement of the sheet in a direction transverse to the sheet.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining a spreading code set for a code division multiple access (CDMA) communications system. The method includes (a) generating a P?×P? spreading code set where P?=P/N, where P is the spreading gain in chips/symbol and where N is an integer multiple of 2; and (b) replicating chips in each spreading code by N to produce a P?×P spreading code set. The step of generating may include randomizing the spreading code set by performing at least one or row or column permutation. The P?×P spreading code set is subsequently loaded into system hardware for operating the system hardware with a bandwidth that is less than the bandwidth that would be required to operate with the P?×P? Hadamard spreading code set. The CDMA system may be a synchronous, direct sequence code division multiple access communications system.