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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A gravity-assisted tracking base assembly for an aircraft seat includes base rails mounted to floor tracks in an aircraft cabin by floor track fittings in fixed positions, the base rails connected by a tracking member for providing longitudinal tracking while minimizing added height. The base rails include tracking slots extending longitudinally, and the tracking member includes tracking elements translatable forward and backward along the tracking slots, allowing an aircraft seat mounted to the tracking member to translate forward and backward relative to the base. The tracking member includes a locking mechanism for locking the tracking member and seat in intermediate positions within the tracking slots. The tracking slots may be oriented slightly downward from the horizontal to allow for gravity-assisted tracking or to counteract the nose-up flight angles associated with cruising altitude, providing for easier seat tracking.

Abstract: A method of remotely initializing at least one device is disclosed. The method includes initializing at a local host a cryptographic authorization sequence after receiving a secure input value. The method further includes receiving at a local host cryptographic controller a first authorization request from a first remote device. After a challenge-response authentication protocol, the first remote device is authenticated and receives a public key infrastructure certificate. The method includes receiving at a first remote cryptographic controller a second request from a second remote device. After a challenge-response authentication protocol, the first remote device is authenticated, but does not receive a public key infrastructure certificate. A system for remotely initiating at least one device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A simulator environment is disclosed. In embodiments, the simulator environment includes graphics generation (GG) processors in communication with one or more display devices. Deep learning neural networks running on the GG processors are configured for run-time generation of photorealistic, geotypical content for display. The DL networks are trained on, and use as input, a combination of image-based input (e.g., imagery relevant to a particular geographical area) and a selection of geo-specific data sources that illustrate specific characteristics of the geographical area. Output images generated by the DL networks include additional data channels corresponding to these geo-specific data characteristics, so the generated images include geotypical representations of land use, elevation, vegetation, and other such characteristics.

Abstract: An aircraft-based runway overrun awareness alerting system (ROAAS) for an aircraft primary flight display (PFD) is disclosed. In embodiments, the ROAAS is embodied aboard an aircraft and tracks trends in the aircraft position and heading. Further, the ROAAS tracks the trending energy state of the aircraft on approach to a runway. Based on the current energy state, as well as the runway parameters, the ROAAS predicts a landing point for the aircraft along the runway as a trend based on the evolving energy state and position of the aircraft. Based on the landing point trend, as well as the energy state, the ROAAS determines the current likelihood of runway excursion as an evolving trend (e.g., that the aircraft will not have sufficient runway remaining to decelerate or stop) and displays this likelihood as a dynamic graphic element not integrated into any other instruments or components displayed by the PFD.

Abstract: A system that employs a third-party accessible application programming interface (API) to generate symbology for a three-dimensional view is disclosed. In embodiments, the third-party accessible API is running on or configured to communicate with at least one controller for an aircraft display system. The third-party accessible API is configured to receive a set of parameters for generating three-dimensional symbology. The controller is configured to receive the three-dimensional symbology from the third-party accessible API. The controller is further configured to generate a three-dimensional view that includes proprietary symbology and the three-dimensional symbology from the third-party accessible API at a display of the aircraft display system.

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.

Abstract: A system may include at least one display and at least one processor installed in an aircraft. The at least one processor may be communicatively coupled to the at least one display. The at least one processor may be configured to: obtain aircraft data associated with the aircraft; obtain an azimuth value associated with an azimuth; obtain radar data associated with at least one threat; generate a three-dimensional threat image based at least on the aircraft data, the azimuth value, and the radar data; and output the three-dimensional threat image as graphical data. The at least one display may be configured to display the three-dimensional threat image to a user. The three-dimensional threat image may depict a three-dimensional relationship between the aircraft and the at least one threat. The three-dimensional threat image may convey a range dimension, a lateral dimension extended perpendicularly from the azimuth, and a height dimension.

Abstract: A system of high-frequency (HF) antennas is disposed on various aircraft body panels. The antennas are configured for orthogonal polarization such that NVIS may be operable no matter the state of the ionosphere. The antennas are disposed on substantially perpendicular body panels so that, when operated in concert, the resulting signals have opposite polarization and at least one signal will bounce off the ionosphere.

Abstract: A multi-user (MU) multiple-input/multiple-output (MU MIMO) module for a fifth-generation (5G) software-defined radio (SDR) network environment is disclosed. In embodiments, the MU MIMO module of a transmitting SDR system of a 5G mobile ad hoc network (MANET) or other peer-to-peer directional network receives feedback from a receiving SDR system based on a prior or current frame and generates, based on the feedback, a compound transmission security (TRANSEC) encryption key for a subsequent frame. The compound TRANSEC encryption key encrypts the transmission of the subsequent frame through a combination of frequency-hopping encryption codes, orthogonality-hopping encryption codes, and dynamic pseudorandom distribution of transmitting power among antenna elements to simulate multipath hopping.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for design of a suite of multispectral (MS) sensors and processing of enhanced data streams produced by the sensors for autonomous aircraft flight. The onboard suite of MS sensors is specifically configured to sense and use a MS variety of sensor-tuned objects, either strategically placed objects and/or surveyed and sensor significant existing objects to determine a position and verify position accuracy. The received MS sensor data enables an autonomous aircraft object identification and positioning system to correlate MS sensor data output with a-priori information stored onboard to determine and verify position and trajectory of the autonomous aircraft. Once position and trajectory are known, the object identification and positioning system commands the autonomous aircraft flight management system and autopilot control of the autonomous aircraft.

Abstract: A helmet mounted display is embedded in a visor assembly. The visor assembly comprises two molded sections that define portions for receiving waveguides. The optical components are disposed in a portion of the visor assembly and the entire assembly is attached by a hinge to the helmet. The visor assembly includes lateral clips to secure the visor assembly to the helmet, and a night-vision goggle attachment point.

Abstract: An integrity monitoring system for a first image sensor includes an electronic processor configured to receive sensor data for the provision of image data associated with an environment of the avionic sensor. The electronic processor is configured to monitor the avionic sensor for integrity. The electronic processor is configured to perform at least one of: determining a presence of an optical feature associated with optics of the first image sensor, comparing overlap information derived from the sensor data and other sensor data, comparing characteristics of a digital output stream of the sensor data to expected characteristics, or comparing a first motion derived from the image data and a second motion derived from avionic position equipment.