Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for testing aircraft countermeasure dispenser systems (CMDS) by wirelessly monitoring and controlling wireless countermeasure dispenser testing system units (WCDTs). The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented in one example to allow functions of multiple WCDT units to be simultaneously monitored and controlled in real time via a wireless connection or wireless network connection such as wireless local area network (WLAN) or other short or long range wireless network.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for use in a tile architecture antenna system. The antenna assembly comprises: i) a first substrate layer having a first surface; ii) a first antenna disposed in an X-Y plane on the first surface of the first substrate layer; iii) a second substrate layer having a first surface, the second substrate layer displaced in the Z-direction with respect to the X-Y plane on the first surface of the first substrate layer; and iv) a first tuning balun disposed on the first surface of the second substrate layer and coupled to the first antenna by means of a first feed via. The antenna assembly further comprises a first transmission line disposed on the first surface of the second substrate layer. The first transmission line is coupled to the first antenna by means of a second feed via.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for use in a tile architecture antenna system. The antenna assembly comprises: i) a first substrate layer having a first surface and a second surface; ii) a plurality of electromagnetic band gap (EBG) patches disposed on a first surface of the first substrate layer; iii) a second substrate layer having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface of the second substrate layer is disposed on the first surface of the first substrate layer and on the plurality of EBG patches; iv) an antenna disposed on the first surface of the second substrate layer; and v) a transceiver circuit disposed proximate the second surface of the first substrate layer, wherein the transceiver circuit provides an output signal to be transmitted by the antenna.

Abstract: The status of a device is continually monitored by a processor or programmable circuitry that has a powered on mode and a powered off mode. The device includes a short range wireless transceiver which allows the status data to be communicated via a wireless connection to an external wireless communication device, whether the processor or programmable circuitry is in the powered on mode or the powered off mode. The wireless communication device, in turn, transmits the status data to a maintenance/repair/monitoring facility via a communication network. This facilitates monitoring of the device in a non-intrusive manner and streamlines maintenance of the device. The wireless communication device also receives information from the external communication device, including information relevant to the operation of the device, and updates the status data based on the received information. This facilitates updates to the device, as needed.

Abstract: A permanent magnet excited electric machine includes a stator and a moving part movable relative to the stator. One of the stator and moving part has an electric winding system in the form of a single or multiple 3-phase system. The other one of the stator and moving part has permanent magnets. The winding system, in the form of a delta connection, has an inductance such that the related total reactance xB during rated operation according to xB=?B·LY·PB/(Z3P·Ui,B2) is at least 0.8, wherein ?B is the electric angular frequency of the winding system during rated operation, LY is the phase inductance of the winding system in star connection, PB is the power of the machine during rated operation, Z3P is the number of 3-phase systems of the machine, and Ui,B is the amount of the induced conductor voltage during rated operation.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB), electronic assembly, and method are provided. A PCB adapted to receive a radio frequency (RF) chip includes one or more features that extend through at least a portion of the depth of the PCB. The features are filled with an RF absorber composite comprising a binder and an RF absorber material. The features are positioned in the PCB to reduce RF signal coupling between the RF chip and one or more metal surfaces of the PCB.

Abstract: Digital video signals are transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver via a digital video interface including shielded twisted pair cables that are surrounded by an over-braid shield. The over-braid shield is connected to a chassis ground at a transmitting end and the receiving end. An interface conveys the received signals to receiver processing circuitry. The interface is connected to an isolated ground, isolating the receiver processing circuitry. The twisted pairs are also connected to the isolated ground, such that a return current is forced back through the twisted pair cable shields rather than the over-braid shield. This reduces electromagnetic emissions and confines transients primarily to the over-braid shield.

Abstract: Self-centering electromagnetic transducers, such as linear motors and generators, are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic transducer includes an outer yoke made of a ferromagnetic material, and a coil assembly including a plurality of loops of electrically conductive wire, wherein the coil assembly is substantially surrounded by the outer yoke. The electromagnetic transducer further includes a magnet, and an inner yoke made of ferromagnetic material. The magnet is disposed within the outer yoke such that the coil assembly surrounds the magnet. The inner yoke is disposed within the magnet, and the magnet is free to translate. The electromagnetic transducer further includes at least one high-reluctance zone positioned within the outer yoke and/or the inner yoke. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic transducer includes one or more actuators that vary a width of one or more high-reluctance zones to change a spring rate of the electromagnetic transducer.

Abstract: A system and method for training a student employ a simulation station that displays output to the student and receives input. The computer system has a rules engine operating on it and computer accessible data storage storing (i) learning object data including learning objects configured to provide interaction with the student at the simulation system and (ii) rule data defining a plurality of rules accessed by the rules engine. The rules data includes, for each rule, respective (a) if-portion data defining a condition of data and (b) then-portion data defining an action to be performed at the simulation station. The rules engine causes the computer system to perform the action when the condition of data is present in the data storage. For at least some of the rules, the action comprises output of one of the learning objects so as to interact with the student. The system may be networked with middleware and adapters that map data received over the network to rules engine memory.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for temperature regulation of an electronic component. A nozzle produces a jet of coolant that impinges on the electronic component. The jet and the electronic component are submerged in a volume of the coolant. The system further includes a heat exchanger and a pump. The pump moves a flow of coolant from the volume of coolant, through the heat exchanger, and into the nozzle, thereby forming the jet of coolant. The system may also include a heater that heats the coolant as it passes from the pump to the nozzle. The system may include a plurality of jets and a corresponding plurality of electronic components submerged in the volume of coolant.

Abstract: A fault detection system is provided for a display system including an AMLCD. A video processor embeds encoded fault detection data within the digital video stream that is sent directly to the AMLCD. The fault detection data is embedded in such a manner that it is not displayed by the AMLCD. The fault detection data in the digital video stream received by the AMLCD is detected by the AMLCD and is then sent back to the video processor. The video processor compares what was sent with what is received to determine whether there is a difference which may be indicative of a fault in the AMLCD or the path of the digital video stream. As an additional check, the AMLCD may send timing error data to the video processor indicating whether the AMLCD is working properly. The video processor generates and outputs a fault flag to initiate a corrective action if a fault is detected in the AMLCD and/or the path of the digital video stream.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an extendable wand, and a sensor head coupled to the wand. The sensor head includes a continuous wave metal detector (CWMD) and a radar. When the wand is collapsed, the wand and the sensor head collapse to fill a volume that is smaller than a volume filled by the sensor head and the wand when the wand is extended. Frequency-domain data from a sensor configured to sense a region is accessed, the frequency-domain data is transformed to generate a time-domain representation of the region, a first model is determined based on the accessed frequency-domain data, a second model is determined based on the generated time-domain representation, the second model being associated with a particular region within the sensed region, and a background model that represents a background of the region is determined based on the first model and the second model.

Abstract: A transparent display provides eye protection from lasers and other high intensity light sources. The transparent display allows users to view objects clearly through the display while also presenting text, graphics or video on the display surface. Simultaneously, the display assembly comprises a component that provides eye protection against high power radiation sources. The transparent display with eye protection provides both protection from high power light sources and an additional cockpit display surface for presentation of information including graphical images, symbology, video, text, and other data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for characterizing an obscurant and imaging a target are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of imaging a target includes characterizing at least one obscurant present in an environment, and determining, based on the at least one characterized obscurant, one or more of the following: one or more wavelengths corresponding to the at least one obscurant, a polarization state corresponding to the at least one obscurant, and a sensor exposure time corresponding to the at least one obscurant. The method further includes adjusting one or more parameters of an imagining system based at least in part on a characterization of the at least one obscurant.

Abstract: A method of controlling a DC/AC converter (2) comprises the steps of (a) providing a desired AC side reference value (VAmp); (b) setting a reference correction value (VAmp,corr,1); (c) calculating an AC side reference signal (VAC,set,1) as a function of the desired AC side reference value (VAmp) and the reference correction value (VAmp,corr,1); (d) obtaining an actual AC side signal (VAC,Act,1); and (e) calculating a converter control signal (MAC,1) as a function of the AC side reference signal (VAC,Set,1) and the actual AC side signal (VAC,Act,1); wherein the setting of the reference correction value (VAmp,corr,1) is based on a relation of the desired AC side reference value (VAmp) and the actual AC side signal (VAC,Act,1).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting objects includes a transceiver configured to generate a radar signal, a radar having a transmit antenna configured to transmit the radar signal, and a receive antenna configured to sense a return signal in response to a transmission of the radar signal. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to detect an object based on the return signal. One or more of the transmit antenna or the receive antenna include offset spiral feed antennas.

Abstract: A hyperspectral optical element for monolithic detectors is provided. In one embodiment, for example a hyperspectral optical element includes a faceplate layer adapted to be mounted on top of a monolithic detector. The faceplate layer comprises a reflective inner surface. A notched layer includes a plurality of notched surfaces and is mounted to the faceplate layer. The notched surfaces oppose the reflective inner surface of the faceplate and define a plurality of variable depth cavities between the reflective inner surface of the faceplate layer and the plurality of notched surfaces of the notched layer. The faceplate layer and the notched layer are substantially transparent to a received signal and the plurality of variable depth cavities provides resonant cavities for one or more wavelengths of the received signal.

Abstract: Self-centering electromagnetic transducers, such as linear motors and generators, are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic transducer includes an outer yoke made of a ferromagnetic material, and a coil assembly including a plurality of loops of electrically conductive wire, wherein the coil assembly is substantially surrounded by the outer yoke. The electromagnetic transducer further includes a magnet, and an inner yoke made of ferromagnetic material. The magnet is disposed within the outer yoke such that the coil assembly surrounds the magnet. The inner yoke is disposed within the magnet, and the magnet is free to translate. The electromagnetic transducer further includes at least one high-reluctance zone positioned within the outer yoke and/or the inner yoke. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic transducer includes one or more actuators that vary a width of one or more high-reluctance zones to change a spring rate of the electromagnetic transducer.

Abstract: Wheel drive unit for attachment to an aircraft running gear, said wheel drive unit including a drive motor or a drive motor with subsequent transmission and comprising the following features: (a) a mounting component adapted to be mounted to a supporting component of the aircraft running gear; (b) a coupling component releasably anchored to the mounting component in non-rotatable fashion; (c) the drive motor being supported by means of the coupling component such that the coupling component provides for torque support of the drive motor; (d) and a pluggable connection for connecting at least one pair of electric line sections and/or at least one pair of fluid line sections; (e) the torque output of the drive motor or of the subsequent transmission being adapted to establish a torque-transmitting connection to a wheel of the aircraft running gear when the wheel drive unit is attached to the aircraft running gear; (f) and the wheel drive unit—without the mounting component—, when the anchoring to the mounting c