Patents Assigned to Rockwell Collins, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11811440
    Abstract: Lossless digital cancelation of internally generated spurious products within a signal receiver system is provided. In embodiments, the receiver system generates reference frequencies corresponding to internal components within the receiver (e.g., mixers, oscillators, clocks, analog-digital converters (ADC)) that introduce spurious products into the digitization of a received RF signal. The receiver system precisely duplicates each introduced spurious product based on the reference frequencies and filters out each corresponding spurious product out of the digitized signal. Individualized canceler circuits for each introduced spurious product adjust the corresponding duplicate spurious products to cancel out the introduced spurious product from the digitized signal, resulting in an output signal free of self-generated interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Sorsby
  • Patent number: 11811141
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide an antenna array with separately fed subarrays. The systems and methods provide optimized or improved physical embodiments of each sub-banded subarray in terms of radiating element type and physical implementation, radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) technology choice, RFIC packaging and interconnect implementation, and/or intra-subarray feed typology choice and implementation. The antenna array can include first elements within a first distance range from a point in a surface associated with the antenna array and configured for first signals in a first frequency range, and second elements within a second distance range from the point and configured for second signals in a second frequency range. The antenna system also can include an interconnect system comprising a first multichip module and a second multichip module region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Jeremiah D. Wolf, Michael L. Hageman
  • Patent number: 11809176
    Abstract: A system for automated formation flight is disclosed. The system may include a formation commander sub-system including a task-based interface configured to receive a sequence of one or more task-based commands along with one or more sets of task-based options for each of the one or more task-based commands from an operator using one or more task-based selectable buttons of the task-based interface. The system may further include a formation manger sub-system communicatively coupled to the formation commander sub-system. Each vehicle of one or more vehicles within one or more teams may be configured to employ the formation manager sub-system. The formation manager sub-system may be configured to receive the one or more task-based commands along with the one or more sets of task-based options for each vehicle to perform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan M. Krawiec
  • Patent number: 11787558
    Abstract: A system, a device, and a method. The system may include a display configured to present images to a pilot and a processor communicatively coupled to the display. The processor may be configured to generate a speed performance monitor graphical user interface (GUI), the speed performance monitor GUI depicting flight deck interval management (FIM) information. The processor may be further configured to output graphical data associated with the speed performance monitor GUI to the display for presentation to the pilot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Barber, Felix B. Turcios
  • Patent number: 11783720
    Abstract: A system for rendering local aircraft traffic by defining boundaries of risk receives current aircraft locations for a plurality of aircraft, including altitudes, and determines multiple boundaries of risk for each aircraft. The multiple boundaries of risk are then consolidated according to risk level where such boundaries of multiple aircraft overlap or nearly overlap. Areas of risk are outlined according to common risk levels of multiple aircraft and the original diamond icons are unrendered. Ranges to the nearest aircraft in each direction are identified, and indicators of such direction and range to the nearest aircraft are rendered around the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob G. Teague, Christopher Crain
  • Patent number: 11777789
    Abstract: A system and method for managing node status in a MANET includes each node identifying node status data and clusterhead priority value data in data packets. Clusterhead priority values define which node dominates in the event of a clusterhead collision. Clusterhead priority values prevent clusterhead switching based solely on first to declare. Each node may define a specific set of redundancy factors when determining if the node should be characterized as a gateway node. The specific set of redundancy factors is based on node capabilities to promote stability in gateway selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Tj T. Kwon, James A. Stevens, Stephen M. Clark, Ryan M. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20230305093
    Abstract: A system includes a transmitter node and a receiver node. Each node of the transmitter node and the receiver node are time synchronized to apply Doppler corrections associated with said node's own motions relative to a stationary common inertial reference frame. The stationary common inertial reference frame is known to the transmitter node and the receiver node prior to the transmitter node transmitting a plurality of signals to the receiver node and prior to the receiver node receiving the plurality of signals from the transmitter node. The receiver node performs adaptive digitization of the signals to account for a speed of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Sorsby, Eric J. Loren, Tj T. Kwon, James A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 11768374
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle cockpit and a processor. The vehicle cockpit includes imperceptible cockpit reference fiducials and a head wearable display (HWD) device. The imperceptible cockpit reference fiducials are imperceptible to a naked eye of a user in the vehicle cockpit. The HWD device includes a display and an optical sensor configured to: capture images of the imperceptible cockpit reference fiducials; and output optical sensor image data. The processor is configured to: receive the optical sensor image data; and based at least on the optical sensor image data, determine a position and orientation of the head wearable display device. The display is configured to display the images aligned with the field of view of the user based at least on the determined position and the determined orientation of the head wearable display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Stratton, Christopher A. Keith, Brandon E. Wilson, Weston J. Lahr, Carlo L. Tiana
  • Patent number: 11770190
    Abstract: A system and related method for multiple-sensitivity optical phase modulation splits an optical carrier generated by a photonic source into at least two copies and directs the copies through an electro-optical (EO) phase modulator wherein the optical field associated with the optical carrier overlaps with a radio frequency (RF) electrical field associated with a radio frequency (RF) input signal, such that the EO modulator phase-modulates each optical copy according to the RF input signal of interest based on characteristics distinct to each optical copy (e.g., relative strength of, or proximity of the optical carrier to, the overlapping electrical field) that provide for phase modulation of each optical copy at a different sensitivity voltage. The variably modified optical copies are directed to a photonic processor for further signal processing in the optical domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Esman, Ronald D. Esman, Oliver S. King
  • Patent number: 11762367
    Abstract: A visual prototyping and assembly system includes a work surface configured to hold one or more work-in-progress units during an assembly operation. The visual prototyping and assembly system may receive the one or more images of the work-in-progress units; determine a current assembly state of the work-in-progress units based on the one or more images of the work-in-progress units; generate a current digital twin model of the -in-progress units corresponding to the current assembly state of the work-in-progress units and display the current digital twin model a user interface; determine a subsequent assembly state of the work-in-progress units; and generate a subsequent digital twin model of the work-in-progress units corresponding to the subsequent assembly state of the work-in-progress units and display the subsequent digital twin model on the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Wheeler
  • Patent number: 11762205
    Abstract: An augmented reality system is disclosed that includes an image source configured to generate an image, and a display element configured to display the image. The system further includes an optical relay configured to project the image onto the display element. The system further includes a light sensor configured to quantify an amount of ambient light passing through, the display element. The system further includes a tracker processing unit operatively coupled to the light sensor, the image source, and the optical relay. The tracker processing unit includes a processor, and a memory configured to store instructions executable by the processors. The processors are instructed to receive sensor data from the light sensor, receive the image from the image source, update a pixel characteristic for one or more pixels of the image based on the sensor data, and transmit an updated image to the optical relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy D. Driscoll, Brandon E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 11758119
    Abstract: A system for displaying a stereo image is disclosed. The system includes a stereoscopic head up display (HUD) that includes a combiner and a display configured to display a stereo image. The system further includes either a head tracking sensor or an eye tracking sensor configured to generate a tracking dataset. The system further includes a processor and a memory with instructions that cause the processor to receive the tracking dataset, generate a distortion map based on the tracking dataset and a distortion function, receive a media stereo image, generate a stereo signal based on the distortion map and the media stereo image, and transmit the stereo signal to the display. The system is capable of conveying an image to an operator in the absence of a relay lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Ian J. Bull, Tracy J. Barnidge, Daniel J. Henry
  • Patent number: 11754444
    Abstract: An analog pulse capture circuit is disclosed. The circuit may include one or more input sources configured to receive one or more optical signals and generate one or more electrical input signals. The circuit may include one or more distributed capacitors configured to store a target charge, the one or more distributed capacitors including one or more top plates and one or more bottom plates. The circuit may include one or more amplifiers coupled to the one or more distributed capacitors, the one or more amplifiers configured to generate one or more electrical output signals. The circuit may include one or more dump switches coupled to the one or more input sources, the one or more dump switches configured to release the stored target charge of the one or more distributed capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Han Chi Hsieh, Wenlu Chen
  • Patent number: 11754706
    Abstract: A system and method for applying an adaptive adjustment or taper to an electronically scanned array (ESA) weather radar based on feedback from the weather radar. To minimize ground clutter and enable the ESA to display hazardous weather phenomena, the system adaptively adjusts amplitude and phase of ESA elements to adjust the far field pattern shape and sidelobes to maintain a desirable signal to clutter ratio. The system identifies ground clutter as a strong ground return over several azimuths depending on the radar beamwidth. Once the system IDs the ground clutter, it adaptively adjusts on receive for for the upcoming azimuths. The system selectively suppresses sidelobe echoes while maintaining the signal to noise (SNR) for weather targets. The system adaptively adjusts in real time as well as adjusting using precomputed historically accurate tapers stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkata A. Sishtla, James B. West, Jiwon L Moran
  • Publication number: 20230280437
    Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system may include a receiver or transmitter node. The receiver or transmitter node may include a communications interface with an antenna element. A controller may include one or more processors and have information of own node velocity and own node orientation relative to a common reference frame. The receiver or transmitter node may be time synchronized to apply Doppler corrections to signals, the Doppler corrections associated with the receiver or transmitter node's own motions relative to the common reference frame, the Doppler corrections applied using Doppler null steering along Null directions. The system may be configured to, via the Doppler null steering, flood a communication data packet to a destination node based on a spatial awareness. The system may limit the flooding to only be towards the destination node and/or for a maximum number of hops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Tj T. Kwon, William B. Sorsby, Eric J. Loren, James A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 11750277
    Abstract: A system for satellite communication is disclosed. The system includes a base terminal and a mobile terminal configured to communicate via a communication satellite relay. The base terminal and the mobile terminal include a receiver and a transmitter. At least one of the base terminal or the mobile terminal further includes an artificial intelligence engine configured to receive status or instruction data based on a received signal, determine an instruction or command based on the received data, prepare instruction data or updated status data, and send an instruction signal or status signal based on the instruction data or updated status data. The artificial intelligence engine utilizes a machine learning model and may generate the machine learning model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. A. Tollefson
  • Patent number: 11748923
    Abstract: A system and method for flight chart font character scaling is disclosed. A host computing device is configured to: detect a font character size of a font character in a flight chart file, associate a threshold zoom level with the font character based on the respective font character size, and convert the flight chart file to aircraft display hardware directives. An aircraft display is configured to display a flight chart using the aircraft display hardware directives. An aircraft computing device is configured to detect a current zoom level of the aircraft display, compare the current zoom level to the threshold zoom level, set a drawing mode of a font character reference as a stroked mode or a filled mode, and present a referenced character as a filled character or a stroked character based on the drawing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff M. Henry
  • Patent number: 11749539
    Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively etching features in an electronic substrate via a precision dispense apparatus and precision etchant dispense tool are disclosed. The method includes creating a toolpath instruction for etching at least one feature in the substrate, programming the precision dispense apparatus to execute the created toolpath instruction, and causing the precision dispense tool to deposit etchant material onto the surface of the substrate to etch the substrate surface to produce the at least one feature according to the created toolpath instruction. The capabilities of the systems and methods disclosed herein extend to 3D substrates and post-build processing, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Korneisel, Nathaniel P. Wyckoff, Brandon C. Hamilton, Kyle B. Snyder, Jenny Calubayan
  • Patent number: 11741374
    Abstract: An artificial intelligence engine is trained via a historical data set derived from communication events to and from mobile platforms under various environmental conditions. The artificial intelligence engine makes dynamic predictions about optimum available communications assets and settings over the entire available frequency spectrum. The artificial intelligence engine may determine and store a quality metric associated with each prediction. Such stored data is used to refine the artificial intelligence engine’s predictive algorithms. The artificial intelligence engine is trained via analysis of linear and / or nonlinear equations, including partial differential equations, associating various factors to potential communication channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian P. Difranco
  • Patent number: 11742881
    Abstract: A transmitter apparatus and method are disclosed. An RF terminal provides an RF signal. A first antenna transmits a first portion of the RF signal and a second antenna transmits a second portion of the RF signal. Directional couplers generate a first monitoring signal and a second monitoring signal. A power comparison operational amplifier receives the first monitoring signal and the second monitoring signal and generates a power difference signal. A phase control operational amplifier receives the power difference signal and a reference input signal and generates a phase control signal. A phase shifter receives the phase control signal, and based on the phase control signal, phase-shifts the RF signal to direct the RF signal to the first antenna, or phase-shifts the RF signal to direct the RF signal to the second antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Seiler, Andrew J. Wiebold