Abstract: An electroluminescent display includes a transparent electrode (4) and a metal assist structure (6) formed over a portion of the transparent electrode (6) such that the metal assist structure (6) is in electrical contact with the transparent electrode (4). The metal assist structure (6) includes a first refractory metal layer (10), a primary conductor layer (12) formed on the first refractory metal layer (10), and a second refractory metal layer (14) formed on the primary conductor layer (12). The first and second refractory metal layers (10, 14) are capable of protecting the primary conductor layer (12) from oxidation when the electroluminescent display is annealed to activate a phosphor layer (18). In an alternate embodiment, an electroluminescent display includes a substrate (2) and a metal electrode (22) formed on the substrate (2).

Abstract: A system for identifying the location of an aircraft on the surface of an airport includes a plurality of low power FM transmitters located along the boundaries of runway and taxiways. Each transmitter provides an FM signal having a common carrier frequency and each FM signal is encoded with unique information indicative of the position of the transmitter on the airport surface. Aircraft and other vehicles containing a conventional FM receiver "capture" only the strongest signal and process the "captured" signal to determine which transmitter was the source of the signal and hence where the aircraft is on the airport surface.

Abstract: An AC thin film electroluminescent display panel includes a metal assist structure formed on and in electrical contact over each transparent electrode, and light absorbing darkened rear electrodes which combine to provide a sunlight viewable display panel.

Abstract: An AC thin film electroluminescent display panel includes a metal assist structure formed on and in electrical contact over each transparent electrode, and a graded layer of light absorbing dark material which combine to provide a sunlight viewable display panel.

Abstract: An airport vehicle identification system for improving airport traffic management and collision avoidance, includes a ground surveillance radar and a plurality of low power frequency translators located in spaced relationship about the surface of the airport. The radar system transmits a conventional radar signal for target detection and a beacon interrogation signal for target detection. Each translator is designed to bandshift the interrogation signal to a frequency value compatible with the vehicle transponder, and transmit the bandshifted interrogation signal to the vehicle transponder. Each frequency translator is bi-directional and receives a transponder reply signal indicative of vehicle identity and bandshifts the reply signal to a frequency value compatible with the ground surveillance radar and transmits the bandshifted reply signal to the ground radar.

Abstract: An airport vehicle identification system includes a ground surveillance radar system which radiates both a conventional radar signal and a beacon interrogation signal. The radar receives i) a backscatter signal from the skin returns of a target and ii) an encoded ID signal indicative of the target identity. The encoded ID signal is transmitted by a vehicle (e.g., an aircraft) mounted transponder in response to receiving the beacon interrogation signal. The transponder can be located within an external vehicle light housing such as an aircraft collision avoidance light. This invention fills the critical void in airport traffic control of providing ground controllers with electronic airport surface surveillance data which includes both vehicle position and identity.