Patents Assigned to Rockwell Collins
  • Patent number: 11605302
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying a safe path in a partially unknown environment in a time critical fashion includes identifying long range paths that avoid known obstacles. Short range paths within a receding horizon are identified corresponding to the long range paths, the short range paths avoiding known obstacles and unknown regions. Each short range path is broken into segments based on subsequent control operations or timing, and abort procedures are identified corresponding to each segment to enforce time critical availability of a safe action. Short range paths are excluded unless abort procedures can be identified for subsequent segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Boggs, Ramachandra J Sattigeri, Arjun Passi, Paxton Alsgaard
  • Patent number: 11605570
    Abstract: A system and method. The system may include an integrated circuit (IC) die. The IC die may have two faces and sides. The system may further include mold material. The mold material may surround at least the sides of the IC die. The IC die may be mechanically interlocked with the mold material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Korneisel, Nathaniel P. Wyckoff, Brandon C. Hamilton, Bret W. Simon, Jacob R. Mauermann
  • Patent number: 11606451
    Abstract: A smartphone case includes an integrated pager processor and pager antenna. The pager processor interfaces with the smartphone via physical connection such as USB or a wireless connection such as Bluetooth. A battery embedded in the smartphone case powers the pager processor and may be shared with the smartphone via a physical connection. The pager processor may display messages via the smartphone or independently via a speaker embedded in the smartphone case. The smartphone may communicate with a paging source via a cellular network to confirm receipt of one or both of a pager signal or a cellular network signal so that the paging source may produce maps of where various communication methods are useable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Box
  • Patent number: 11601277
    Abstract: A first cryptographic communication system is disclosed. The first cryptographic communication system includes a common hardware module configured to receive local cryptographic signals and coalition cryptographic signals that includes a transmitter, a receiver, a common router, a trusted router, and a data loader. The first cryptographic communication system further includes a local cryptographic assembly and a coalition cryptographic assembly each including and end cryptographic unit communicatively coupled to the trusted router, a cross domain guard communicatively coupled to the end cryptographic unit and the trusted router, and a general purpose security module communicatively coupled to the cross domain guard. The first cryptographic communication system further includes a data recoding module communicatively coupled to the data loader that includes local and coalition data recording devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Reginald D. Bean, James A. Marek, Edward C. Tubbs
  • Patent number: 11598867
    Abstract: A radar antenna includes a plurality of horns in the annular space of a munition nose cone. The horns are disposed near the exterior surface of the nose cone. In a further aspect, the nose cone may be injection molded or additively manufactured so that the horns are embedded a known distance from the exterior surface. In a further aspect, the horns placed in either a transmit mode or a receive mode so as to maintain a minimum special separation between transmitting horns and receiving horns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. West, Keagan Peters
  • Patent number: 11599799
    Abstract: A computerized neural network training and testing environment trains and validates a neural network to produce outputs corresponding to a digital signal processing (DSP) algorithm. After validation and testing, the neural network is replicable in any processing environment, independent of device architecture. Such devices may also include a neural network having a reversed process flow to produce a digital signal corresponding to an inverse of the DSP algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan M. Murphy, Benjamin C. Barnett
  • Patent number: 11599323
    Abstract: A boom pod with an adaptable user interface automatically reconfigures based on operation phase. Elements of the user interface may also be manually reconfigured based on operator preference. Operator reconfigurations may be recorded for use during similar phases in subsequent operations. A controller automatically records system status during a refueling operation and prepares a digital log entry. Portions of the use interface are dedicated to augmented displays to assist the operator at any given operational phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheyenne Matthews, Caleb Owenby
  • Patent number: 11600429
    Abstract: A system of modular components each include pin ports that may be connected in different configurations to enact alternative planar designs. Each modular component has asymmetries that are utilized to facilitate alternative wiring. Such asymmetries could include protrusions in the wafer to align edge connections. Alternatively, or in addition, the asymmetries include differences in copper disposition to certain edge connections. Each modular component has a non-conductive coating on each side of the wafer to insulate the underlaying copper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Gerdes, Jeffrey J. Deloy, James B. Mayfield, Tristan J. Kendall, Steven Stowe
  • Patent number: 11592550
    Abstract: A low range altimeter (LRA) may include a transmitter, a receiver, at least one antenna, an active leakage cancellation circuit, and a microcontroller unit (MCU). The transmitter may be configured to transmit a first signal (or transmitted signal) via the at least one antenna. The receiver may be configured to receive a second signal (or received signal) via the at least one antenna. The active leakage cancellation circuit may be configured to receive a portion of the transmitted signal from the transmitter, and may be configured to inject the portion of the transmitted signal into the receiver after an adjustment of the portion of the transmitted signal to reduce leakage observed in the received signal. The MCU may be coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, and may be configured to adjust the portion of the portion of the transmitted signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Billsberry, Shawn M. Mason, David Wright
  • Patent number: 11595141
    Abstract: A system and method for communications link status analysis is disclosed. In embodiments, the system includes a radio systems interface (RSI) for listening to communications assets of a ground-based or mobile host platform. Radio data on communications traffic and their originating platforms is stored and analyzed to determine the link status of current communications links to other platforms. A link record is updated with the current links and associated platform information. A propagation analyzer forecasts future link statuses for identified current links based on the available platform data and forwards the propagation forecasts to operators of the host platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian P. Difranco
  • Patent number: 11595314
    Abstract: A system includes a first and at least one second processing circuit, a configuration engine, and a switch. The configuration engine stores a virtual link configuration for a plurality of virtual links, which indicates a priority and a predetermined network pathway for communicating data packets from the first processing circuit to the at least one second processing circuit. The configuration engine automatically assigns priority to a first virtual link of the plurality of virtual links based on at least one of latency or jitter. The switch receives a first data packet from the first processing circuit. A first virtual link identifier is extracted from the first data packet. A first priority and a first predetermined network pathway corresponding to the first virtual link identifier from the virtual link configuration are retrieved. The first data packet is transmitted along the first predetermined network pathway based on the first priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent J. Nelson, David A. Miller, James M. Zaehring
  • Patent number: 11588515
    Abstract: A spread-spectrum transmitter is disclosed. The transmitter includes a modulator configured to produce an intermediate frequency signal, a frequency shifter configured to shift the intermediate frequency factor by a first factor, and a local oscillator (LO) configured to generate a LO signal. The transmitter further includes a ramp signal generator configured to determine the value of the first factor and a second factor, is configured to transmit the value of the factor to the frequency shifter, is configured to transmit the value of the second factor to the LO, where the frequency of the intermediate frequency signal shifted by the first factor is shifted synchronously with the frequency of the LO signal shifted by the second factor. The transmitter includes a mixer configured to mix the shifted intermediate frequency with the shifted LO signal that has been shifted by the second factor, producing a spread leaked LO signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos J. Chavez, Sasha Oster, Vadim Olen
  • Patent number: 11585951
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in navigating aircraft are provided. The systems can use Geometry Redundant Almost Fixed Solutions (GRAFS) or Geometry Extra Redundant Almost Fixed Solutions (GERAFS) to compute high confidence error bounds for a heading angle estimate or pitch angle derived using signals received on at least two antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladislav Gavrilets, Huan T. Phan, James H. Doty
  • Patent number: 11586307
    Abstract: A touchscreen fuel panel. In embodiments, the fuel panel includes a touchscreen display and a controller coupled to the touchscreen display. The controller is configured to generate a graphical user interface at the touchscreen display and receive user inputs via the touchscreen display. In embodiments, the graphical user interface includes a pump menu, valve control icons, pump status indications, fuel quantity indications, and fuel calculations. The controller may be configured to present requested information and/or generate a control signal for at least one fuel system component in response to receiving a user input representing a user interaction with the graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Angela N. Dunlay, Steven L. Kamada, Phillip J Hamm
  • Patent number: 11577859
    Abstract: A fault resilient airborne network includes a plurality of aircraft system components installed within an aircraft and at least one agent in communication with the plurality of aircraft system components during in-flight operation of the aircraft. The at least one agent is configured to monitor an aircraft system component for a fault, observe a fault within the aircraft system component, and provide reconfiguration instructions to the aircraft system component in response to the observed fault. The at least one agent is further configured to predict a life expectancy of the aircraft system component using machine learning models while monitoring the aircraft system component for a fault, and provide reconfiguration instructions to the aircraft system component when the life expectancy of the aircraft system component meets a threshold. The reconfiguration instructions are configured to cause an adjustment in at least some of the plurality of aircraft system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean D. Howard, Raymond Y. Zheng
  • Patent number: 11579455
    Abstract: A near eye optical display includes a waveguide comprising a first surface and a second surface, an input coupler, a fold grating, and an output grating. The input coupler is configured to receive collimated light from a display source and to cause the light to travel within the waveguide via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface to the fold grating; the fold grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a first direction and to direct the light to the output grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface; and the output grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a second direction different than the first direction and to cause the light to exit the waveguide from the first surface or the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: Rockwell Collins, Inc., Digilens Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Stanley, Jonathan David Waldern, Milan Momcilo Popovich, Alastair John Grant, Steven J. Robbins
  • Patent number: 11579163
    Abstract: An angle of attack (AOA) sensor system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of pitot tube ports in a housing. The pitot tube ports include a set of positive angle pitot ports, a set of negative angle pitot ports, and a central pitot port. The central pitot port is aligned with a central chord line of a wing of the aircraft. A plurality of pitot tubes communicate with the plurality of pitot tube ports (at a first end), and with a plurality of pressure sensors (at a second end). A microcontroller is configured to generate a respective current AOA value for each pressure sensor based on a respective ram pressure measurement generated by each of the pressure sensors, and generate an AOA measurement of the aircraft by comparing each respective current AOA value to respective calibrated AOA values stored in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Ravikumar Donkihalli Rangappa
  • Patent number: 11582412
    Abstract: A camera agnostic core monitor for an enhanced flight vision system (EFVS) is disclosed. In embodiments, a structured light projector (SLP) generates and projects a precise geometric pattern or other like artifact, which is reflected by collimating elements into the EFVS optical path. Within the optical path, the EFVS focal plane array is illuminated by, and detects, the projected artifacts within the scene imagery captured for display by the EFVS. Image processors assess the presentation of the detected artifacts (e.g., position/orientation relative to the expected presentation of the detected artifact within the scene imagery) to verify that the displayed EFVS imagery is not misleading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Lajiness, David I. Han
  • Patent number: 11579234
    Abstract: A direction-finding antenna includes at least a first set of radiating elements configured to radiate at least a first wavelength (?1) and a second set of radiating elements configured to radiate at a second wavelength (?2) that is shorter than the first wavelength (?1). The first set of radiating elements defines a first circle having a first radius. The second set of radiating elements defines a second circle having a second radius that is smaller than the first radius of the first circle. The direction-finding antenna further includes a transmission line-based multiplexer configured to selectively couple the first set of radiating elements or the second set of radiating elements to a radio frequency (RF) feed line, or a plurality of switches configured to selectively couple selected radiating elements of the first set of radiating elements or the second set of radiating elements to the RF feed line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiwon L. Moran, James B. West
  • Patent number: 11575550
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a high entropy (HE) constant-envelope Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulated signal with suppressed cyclostationary features is disclosed. In embodiments, the system includes a primary GMSK modulator for generating an initial GMSK signal based on a received data stream for transmission. The system includes a sequence of secondary GMSK modulators for generating a sequence secondary GMSK signals based on pseudorandom number sequences based on distinct chip rates. The initial GMSK signal is multiplied by the first secondary GMSK signal to generate an initial composite GMSK signal, which is sequentially multiplied by each subsequent secondary GMSK signal until a final composite GMSK signal is achieved, the final composite GMSK signal being a HE-GMSK constant-envelope signal with suppression of cyclic and cyclostationary features that might otherwise cause detection or interception of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Sorsby