Abstract: A satellite communication system includes a satellite, satellite base station (eNodeB or gNodeB) and a user equipment (UE). The satellite provides a number of satellite beams, and each satellite beam includes multiple cells. The base station communicates with the UE via a satellite using a narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) waveform and an enhanced protocol. In particular, the base station and UE perform carrier aggregation by adding and/or deleting carriers in a cell, and the base station and UE perform a higher-order modulation and coding scheme (MCS) processing to support high data rates for user data transport.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using an ultrasonic cutter in a ground detection system to prevent damage to a substrate. The method of detecting a substrate comprises attaching a workpiece clamp to the substrate. The method further comprises cutting a layer of coating disposed on the substrate with an ultrasonic cutter, wherein the ultrasonic cutter operates at a frequency of about 20 kHz to about 40 kHz, wherein the layer of coating is non-conductive. The method further comprises contacting the substrate with the ultrasonic cutter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an aerial vehicle to avoid obstacles are disclosed. A system can detect, based on a world model generated from sensor data captured by one or more sensors positioned on the aerial vehicle during flight, an obstacle for the aerial vehicle, and trigger an augmented manual control mode responsive to a speed of the aerial vehicle being less than a predetermined threshold and detecting the obstacle. The system can set, responsive to triggering the augmented manual control mode, a speed constraint for the aerial vehicle in a direction of the obstacle based on a distance between the aerial vehicle and the obstacle. The system can receive an instruction to navigate the aerial vehicle in the direction at a second speed, and adjust the instruction to replace the second speed with the speed constraint, causing the aerial vehicle to navigate at the speed constraint.

Abstract: Distributed gain equalization circuits for use with radio frequency (RF) devices are provided. The distributed gain equalization circuits include a substrate layer, multiple transverse electromagnetic (TEM) line circuits disposed on the substrate layer and multiple traces disposed on the substrate layer, each trace connected to one or more of the TEM line circuits. The traces and TEM line circuits are configured to provide resistances, inductances and capacitances to eliminate the need for lumped or packaged resistors, inductors and capacitors. The distributed gain equalization circuit operates at millimeter wave frequencies and provides a compensating gain slope to counteract a negative gain slope of the RF device. Methods of manufacturing distributed gain equalization circuits are also provided.

Abstract: A super-broadband waveguide feed network includes multiple receive (RX) full reject waveguide filters and multiple RX reject clone waveguide filters disposed in a clone carousel about an aperture port and configured to reject RX frequencies, and a branch line coupler configured to couple the multiple RX full reject waveguide filters and RX reject clone waveguide filters to other components of a waveguide feed network. The super-broadband waveguide feed includes an RX polarizer configured to couple to an end of the aperture port. The super-broadband waveguide feed is configured to be fabricated in one to three pieces composed of a single split plane on the zero-current region, and the super-broadband waveguide feed is circularly polarized.

Abstract: A cockpit switch device can include a pushbutton switch, a bi-stable relay and a toggle component. The pushbutton switch can be configured to be manually actuated by a user into a command state. The bi-stable relay can be controlled by input commands from the pushbutton switch and input commands from a processor, and can be configured to control operation of one or more systems of an a aircraft. The toggle component can be connected to the pushbutton switch, the processor and the bi-stable relay. The toggle component can receive an input command signal from at least one of the pushbutton switch or the processor, and cause a state of the bi-stable relay to be flipped responsive to the input command signal from the at least one of the pushbutton switch or the processor.

Abstract: A lightweight structure for a vehicle, in particular an aircraft, comprises a longitudinal member with a base web, which has a first busbar on a contact surface, and a cross member with a central web and a cross web extending transversely to the central web, the cross web being a first connecting conductor which extends in the area of a first end section of the cross member on a first surface and a second surface of the cross web oriented opposite to this, and a second connection conductor track which extends separately from the first connection conductor track at least on the first surface of the cross web. The cross member extends transversely to the longitudinal member and the cross member is connected at the first end section to the base member in such a way that the first connection conductor track is in contact with the first busbar of the base member.

Abstract: A coaxial split torque gearbox comprises a first pinion meshed with a first gear; a second pinion attached to the first gear and meshed with a first bull gear, the first bull gear operable for transferring torque to cause a first rotor to rotate; and a third pinion attached to a second gear and meshed with a second bull gear, the second bull gear operable for transferring torque to cause a second rotor to rotate, the second gear being meshed with the first gear, and a number of teeth of the first gear being different than a number of teeth of the second gear.

Abstract: A septumless polarizer is an OMT polarizer which is formed without a traditional thin septum which bridges the gap from the first assembly half to the second assembly half when the polarizer is split in the zero-current region of the rectangular waveguides (RHCP and LHCP ports). The septumless polarizer utilizes a dual-axis-stepped feature, which is included in one half of the polarizer only, creates the illusion of a traditional thin septum and actually improves performance. A close-proximity fastener scheme is enabled along with a fully encompassing pressure lip and contact pressure risks are mitigated.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film optical apparatus includes providing a substrate and applying an alignment layer over the substrate. The alignment layer ranges from about 50 to 100 nm in thickness. The method includes imprinting a hologram with a desired optic pattern onto the alignment layer and applying at least one layer of mesogen material over the alignment layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using a pressure relief shipping adapter to reduce the internal pressure of a container. A pressure relief shipping adapter comprises a body comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprises a first bore and a set of protrusions. The second portion comprises a second bore, wherein the second bore comprises a radial gap, wherein the radial gap comprises a uniform arc length along the length of the radial gap. A first end and a second end of the radial gap comprise a greater arc length than the radial gap. A pressure relief shipping adapter further comprises a pressure relief valve disposed at a first end of the first bore and an interlocking component comprising a first tab and a second tab, wherein the interlocking component is at least partially contained within the second bore.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a panel to a structure is provided. In one embodiment, the fastener includes a fastener having a fastener head and a threaded tail, and the fastener may be disposed through a structure and an external panel. The apparatus also includes a retainer housing positioned on the fastener head, where the retainer housing is detached from the fastener. A spring engaging the fastener and the retainer housing is also included within the retainer housing.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of sensors along a surface of an airfoil operable to measure a first set of ice thickness values at a first time and a second set of ice thickness values at a second time. The system further includes a processor configured to determine a first plurality of lift calculation variables and a second plurality of lift calculation variables. The processor also generates a threshold angle of attack value and updates the threshold angle of attack value at the second time, based on one or more differences between the first and second sets of ice thickness values and the first and second plurality of lift calculation variables. The processor is further configured to send, to a display, based on the updated threshold angle of attack, one or more changes to flight data to adjust the actual angle of attack of the airfoil.

Abstract: A multisegment array-fed reflector antenna includes a feed array consisting of a number of subarrays and a multisegment reflector to reflect multiple beams of the feed array into a number of elevation angles. A support structure couples the multisegment reflector to the feed array. The multisegment reflector includes two or more ring-focus parabolic segments, and each ring-focus parabolic segment is a parabolic surface extending along a circle around the support structure.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a plurality of measured strain gauge values of interest from a plurality of measured strain gauge values. The plurality of measured strain gauge values of interest corresponds to a plurality of temperature values of interest. The method further includes comparing the plurality of measured strain gauge values of interest to a plurality of expected strain gauge values of interest to determine a plurality of strain gauge correction values. The plurality of strain gauge correction values corresponds to the plurality of temperature values of interest. The method further includes correlating the plurality of strain gauge correction values to the plurality of temperature values of interest to determine a correction value-temperature relationship. The method also includes determining a corrected real-time strain gauge value by applying the correction value-temperature relationship to a real-time strain gauge value and a corresponding real-time temperature.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly connectable to a rotor hub configured to rotate about a center axis includes a torsional pitch member coupled to the rotor hub, a torque tube coupled to the torsional pitch member, wherein the torsional pitch member extends away from the center axis through a portion of the torque tube, a blade coupled to the torque tube, and a pitch control member coupled to the torque tube and configured to control a pitch angle of the blade, wherein the torsional pitch member includes a first curvilinear channel and a second curvilinear channel each having a front side and a back side, wherein the first curvilinear channel and the second curvilinear channel are disposed adjacent to each other, such that the back side of the first curvilinear channel faces the back side of the second curvilinear channel.

Abstract: Provided herein are various improvements to launch vehicle payload systems, such as employed to launch and deploy secondary payloads into orbit. In one example, a system includes a fairing configured to encase a payload within an envelope of a primary fairing of a launch vehicle, and a mount system configured to adapt a mounting port for the payload to a mounting port associated with the launch vehicle. The system also includes a fairing door configured to be commanded open for deployment of the payload after the primary fairing has open.

Abstract: A plasma confinement system includes an enclosure, one or more internal magnetic coils suspended within the enclosure in a plasma region, and one or more supports configured to support the one or more internal magnetic coils suspended within the enclosure. Each support of the one or more supports includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is coupled to an interior portion of the enclosure and the second end is coupled to a component disposed within the plasma region. Each support further includes electrical conducting material disposed between the first end and the second end. The electrical conducting material is configured to, when supplied with one or more electrical currents, generate a magnetic field having a magnetic field gradient that varies along the support from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A method of capturing an aerial vehicle comprises rotating a first blade of the aerial vehicle, the first blade coupled to a hub of the aerial vehicle and having a contour configured to facilitate entanglement of a payload line of a winch system around the aerial vehicle. The method further comprises contacting, by a leading edge of the first blade, the payload line of the winch system and pulling the payload line towards the hub of the aerial vehicle, wherein the payload line is pulled towards the hub as the first blade continues to rotate and wherein continued rotation of the first blade causes the payload line to be tangled around the hub of the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a three-dimensional (3D) printer, a feedstock, and a laser. The three-dimensional printer includes a platen including an inert metal, and an enclosure including an inert atmosphere. The feedstock is configured to be deposited onto the platen. The feedstock includes a halogenated solution and a nanoparticle having negative electron affinity. The laser is configured to induce the nanoparticle to emit solvated electrons into the halogenated solution to form, by reduction, a ceramic and a diatomic halogen.