Patents Assigned to Rockwell Collins
  • Patent number: 11575211
    Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) module may include a PCB with at least one internal PCB element and at least one external PCB element, a shielding layer fabricated from a tunable metamaterial absorber, and a structure housing the PCB. The at least one internal PCB element may be embedded between adjacent layers of the PCB. The at least one external PCB element may be coupled to an exterior surface of the PCB. The shielding layer may be tuned in response to the at least one measurement of the EMI emission and a determination of a frequency of the EMI emission from the at least one measurement. The tuning of the shielding layer may include adjusting a plurality of fins within a plurality of elements of the metamaterial absorber to absorb at least a portion of the EMI emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean D. Howard, Julie M. Byrd, Eric Stewart, Raymond Y. Zheng
  • Patent number: 11573331
    Abstract: A receiver device includes an acquisition engine and a reconfiguration engine. The acquisition engine uses a first circuit size. The acquisition engine is configured to receive a first signal including a plurality of first satellite vehicle signals, and identify a first satellite vehicle based on the first signal. The reconfiguration engine is configured to receive an indication that the acquisition engine identified the first satellite vehicle, and responsive to receiving the indication, generate a reconfiguration file defining a second circuit size less than the first circuit size. The reconfiguration engine is configured to cause the acquisition engine to be reconfigured based on the reconfiguration file to use the second circuit size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Reginald D. Bean
  • Patent number: 11573318
    Abstract: A situational awareness system for aerial refueling is disclosed. In embodiments, the situational awareness system may include one or more millimeter wave devices of a tanker aircraft configured to transmit one or more emitter signals toward an aircraft to be refueled, and receive one or more reflected signals reflected from the aircraft to be refueled. In embodiments, the situational awareness system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more millimeter wave devices and the display device, the controller configured to determine a distance between a refueling assembly of the tanker aircraft and the aircraft to be refueled based on the one or more reflected signals, and generate one or more control signals configured to cause a display substrate of a display device to display at least one of a metric or image indicative of the determined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Henry
  • Patent number: 11565819
    Abstract: A dynamic electro-mechanical ottoman may include a rail assembly with one or more actuatable tracks coupled to one or more rails. The dynamic electro-mechanical ottoman may include a cushion assembly translatable via the one or more actuatable tracks between a first translation position and a second translation position. The cushion assembly may include one or more cross plates coupled to a pivot shaft and the one or more actuatable tracks, and a cushion sub-assembly. The cushion sub-assembly may include one or more support plates coupled to a cushion and the pivot shaft, and may be rotatable about an axis through the pivot shaft between a first rotation position and a second rotation position. A top surface of the cushion may at least partially face an aircraft seat when the cushion sub-assembly is in the second rotation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayne, Daniel Flashman, Aaron D. LaPrade
  • Patent number: 11570894
    Abstract: A system of circuit card components each include through-holes for soldering having recessed copper layers for thermal insulation. Thermal insulation prevents heat conduction away from flowing solder, allowing the solder to flow freely through the through-hole. Even high-temperature, lead-free solders may maintain the necessary temperature to flow. Different circuit layers include specialized features based on distance from a top or bottom surface. Vias surrounding the through-hole maintain the necessary cross-sectional area for electrical connectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Mayfield, Robert P. Campbell, Jeffrey J. Deloy, John A. Bauer
  • Patent number: 11563642
    Abstract: A high availability aircraft network architecture incorporating smart points of presence (SPoP) is disclosed. In embodiments, the network architecture divides the aircraft into districts, or physical subdivisions. Each district includes one or more mission systems (MS) smart network access point (SNAP) devices for connecting MS components and devices located within its district to the MS network. Similarly, each district includes one or more air vehicle systems (AVS) SNAP devices for connecting AVS components and devices within the district to the AVS network. The AVS network may remain in a star or hub-and-spoke topology, while the MS network may be configured in a ring or mesh topology. Selected MS and AVS SNAP devices may be connected to each other via guarded network bridges to securely interconnect the MS and AVS networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Gomez, Abdul A. Khan, Brian S. Rach, Charles Adams, Mitchell A. Riley, Max G. Taylor
  • Patent number: 11562654
    Abstract: A system and method for automated vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft emergency landing is disclosed. The system receives a plurality of inputs from onboard modules including aircraft state, vehicle health, acceptable landing zone (LZ), emergency landing path, and 3D world model to prepare an emergency landing procedure when necessary. If functional onboard an unmanned VTOL aircraft, the vehicle health module determines an emergency landing requirement, the system commands a damage tolerant autopilot to perform the emergency procedure and automatically control the VTOL aircraft. If functional onboard a manned VTOL aircraft, an operator or the vehicle health module initiates the emergency landing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Krawiec, Jack Jordan
  • Patent number: 11562183
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting, localizing, and classifying RF signals via probability analysis in the decision space include receiving a wideband IQ sample stream and performing a probability analysis to isolate noise from the magnitude spectrum. Derived probability information is used for RF detection and localization. The probability analysis is a Bayesian probability analysis and the detection and localization algorithm is a modified “you only look once” (YOLO) algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan M. Murphy
  • Patent number: 11562716
    Abstract: A voice-activated system for interactive heads-up display (HUD) and control of traffic targets is disclosed. In embodiments, the HUD receives and decodes traffic information from onboard surveillance systems to identify proximate aircraft within a threshold range and the positions of each aircraft. The HUD arranges proximate aircraft into an ordered sequence based on distance from ownship or other priority criteria. When the HUD is active, interactive symbols are displayed at the positions of the proximate aircraft. A heads-up controller includes a microphone and switch operable by the pilot to signal incoming spoken instructions. The pilot can use voice commands to activate or deactivate the traffic overlay system or set parameters. Voice commands allow the pilot to highlight, select, and designate traffic targets for visual separation or other traffic applications based on the locations of traffic targets or by verbally identifying specific traffic targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley R. Thompson, Sarah Barber, Felix B. Turcios
  • Patent number: 11561327
    Abstract: An aircraft-based synthetic vision system (SVS) is disclosed. In embodiments, the SVS includes avionics processors in communication with onboard lightning detection sensors, which provide the SVS with real-time lightning data (e.g., bearing to, and distance from, the aircraft) about proximate lightning strikes. Based on the real-time lightning data, the avionics processors generate flight deck effects (FDE) corresponding to identified areas of lightning activity (e.g., a sufficient quantity of strikes, exceeding a strike threshold, within a particular airspace during a time window), each FDE having a particular bearing to and distance from the aircraft. The FDE data is processed by a display system aboard the aircraft (e.g., a cockpit-based primary flight display (PFD) or head-worn/heads-up display (HWD/HUD)) which incorporates the generated FDEs into the SVS status display provided to the flight crew or pilot at the appropriate bearing and distance relative to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Darin M. Underwood
  • Patent number: 11563410
    Abstract: A power amplification circuit can include an input impedance matching circuit associated with one or more frequency bands of a plurality of frequency bands. The power amplification circuit can include a transistor with respective input coupled to an output of the input impedance matching circuit. The power amplification circuit can include a plurality of output impedance matching circuits. Each output impedance matching circuit can be associated with a respective frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands. The power amplification circuit can include a single pole multi-throw (SPMT) switch having an input terminal connected to an output of the transistor and a plurality of output terminals. Each output terminal of the SPMT switch can be connected to a corresponding output impedance matching circuit of the plurality of output impedance matching circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Chenggang Xie
  • Patent number: 11564185
    Abstract: A control station for a fourth-generation (4G) automatic link establishment (ALE) network is disclosed. In embodiments, the control station is GPS-enabled or has a comparable precise timing source for generating timing information including the minute, second, and millisecond a protocol data unit (PDU) is to begin. The control station has a transceiver assembly for encoding the millisecond data and embedding the encoded millisecond data (as well as the minute and second data) within a Time-of-Day (TOD) Response or comparable time broadcast PDU. The PDU is transmitted to unsynchronized nodes of the 4G ALE network allowing for more precise time synchronization to the control station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Ho Ting Cheng
  • Patent number: 11558973
    Abstract: Harsh environment key panel and bezel structures for a user interface device are disclosed. In embodiments, a user interface device includes a printed board, a switch mounted to the printed board, and a key panel disposed upon the printed board. The key panel includes a plurality of printed device layers forming a bezel, a button configured to actuate the switch, and a deformable interface between the bezel and the button. The plurality of printed device layers can include at least one continuous printed device layer that forms portions of the bezel, the button, and the deformable interface. The continuous printed device layer may include at least one rigid device material that forms a portion of the bezel and a portion of the button and a deformable device material that forms a portion of the deformable interface between the bezel and the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Clint L. Gosch, Matthew W. Ahrens, Brandon J. Cormier
  • Publication number: 20230009944
    Abstract: A system for merging a plurality of image sources into a single image stream defines a predistortion image mask for each source. Each mask defines a distorted image space to account for distortion in the display optics, and indicates a region or regions in the desired output image where one merge method should be used versus another (e.g., overlay vs. replace). Each source mask may have a separate level of granularity according to the requirements of the included image and corresponding distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Hansen, Michael A. Ropers
  • Patent number: 11552395
    Abstract: A system and method for ESA quadrant mechanical reconfiguration functions to shift some of the complexity from algorithmic manipulation of received radar data to mechanical transformation of a simple panel structure to achieve desired performance in a desired ESA boresight. The system receives a rotation trigger based on an external event such as altitude and mission and causes two or more simple ESA panels to rotate from a first azimuthal position to a second common azimuthal position without stopping at an intermediate azimuth. Once positioned, each individual rotational ESA panel is combined to function as a single aggregate ESA enabling desired performance in field of view, resolution, and range along a common boresight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob G. Teague, James B. West, Eric A. Casto, Richard Elliott
  • Patent number: 11548656
    Abstract: A system and method for actuating a critical aircraft system via a virtual guarded switch includes a touchscreen-based Virtual Guarded Switch (VGS) used to replace physical guarded switches. Aircraft systems display the VGS on traditional touch screen displays either via pilot selection or automatically as a result of an abnormal condition. The VGS maintains protection against inadvertent touchscreen activation while remaining familiar, quick, and easy to understand and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Barber, Felix B. Turcios
  • Patent number: 11552662
    Abstract: A system for receiving multipath signals is disclosed. The system includes an equalizer that includes an input for a received data signal, wherein the received data comprises a first multipath component and a second multipath component. The equalizer further includes a channel impulse response estimator coupled to the input configured to determine one or more channel impulse response (CIR) estimates for the first multipath component and the second multipath component. The equalizer further includes a statistical estimation module coupled to the channel impulse response estimator configured to estimate a state of the first multipath component and the second multipath component based on the one or more channel impulse response estimates. The equalizer further includes a detector coupled to the statistical estimation module configured to detect data from the received data signal based on an estimated future state of the first multipath component and the second multipath component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Jorgenson, Robert W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11548415
    Abstract: An adjustable swiveling passenger seat assembly is disclosed. The adjustable swiveling passenger seat assembly includes a set of base rails coupled to a floor. The adjustable swiveling passenger seat assembly further includes a plurality of pitch clevises coupled on a top surface of each of the set of base rails. The adjustable swiveling passenger seat assembly includes a swivel outer plate aligned in parallel relative to the floor. The swivel outer plate of the adjustable swiveling passenger seat assembly further includes a plurality of slots located on corners of the swivel outer plate and a plurality of spacers disposed within the plurality of slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Sreekanth Chintapudi, Hau Phuc Ho, John Iossifidis
  • Patent number: 11552747
    Abstract: A system and method for transmitting and relaying data packets within an ARQ 3G HDL framework includes populating unused packet positions with unacknowledged packets during retransmission. The unused packet positions are populated according to lowest unacknowledged sequence numbers. Unused packet positions may be populated with multiple copies of the lowest unacknowledged sequence number or some set of the lowest unacknowledged sequence numbers. A set of lowest sequence unacknowledged sequence numbers may be weighted toward the lowest unacknowledged sequence number to increase the probability of the lowest unacknowledged sequence number being received so that the send window can be slid forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Ho Ting Cheng
  • Patent number: 11545040
    Abstract: A computer apparatus includes a touchscreen display. The computer apparatus generates a graphical user interface on the touchscreen display and receive user inputs via the touchscreen display. The graphical user interface includes symbology representing a flight path of multiple unmanned teamed assets from a current position to a current objective. The graphical user interface also includes symbology representing a card associated with each of the unmanned teamed assets. By the touchscreen display, an operator selects one of the unmanned teamed assets, for emphasis of the flight path. The flight paths of the non-selected unmanned teamed assets remain displayed when the selected flight path is emphasized. The operator may select the unmanned teamed asset by the flight path or by the unmanned teamed asset card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James Kleveland, Korey Breger