Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting and identifying timing information from wireless signals can include a signal receiver configured to receive a communications signal; a finite impulse response (FIR) filter coupled to the signal receiver and configured to identify a set of transitions in the communications signal; an absolute value operation module coupled to the FIR filter and configured to detect energy in each of the set of transitions within the communications signal; and a comb filter coupled to the absolute value operation module and configured to combine the detected energy in each of the set of transitions within the communications signal. Exemplary systems can also include a cyclic accumulator coupled to the comb filter and a signal processor.

Abstract: A dynamic flex circuit includes a plurality of hole sets arranged along the dynamic flexible circuit. The dynamic flex circuit also includes a plurality of actuator wires coupled to the dynamic flexible circuit by way of intertwining each of the plurality of actuator wires through each hole set in the plurality of hole sets arrange along the dynamic flexible circuit. Each of the plurality of actuator wires are configured to impart a motion onto the dynamic flexible circuit depending on the amount of heat applied to each of the plurality of actuator wires.

Abstract: A system and related methodology for inflicting structural impact damage to an article are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the system include: a main support body; a guide tube having a lower end region couplable to the main support body, and having a hollow interior passageway; an adjustable weight assembly receivable and moveable within the hollow interior passageway; an impact tip receivable within an opening formed in a lower end section of the main support body, the impact tip movable within the opening such that an exposed length of the impact tip protrudes outside of the main support body; and a travel-limiting assembly associated with the impact tip. The travel-limiting assembly is adjustable to define a variable maximum penetration depth of the impact tip relative to the article.

Abstract: A sidewall assembly includes a window and a sidewall portion having an inner-facing side and at least partially surrounding the window. The sidewall assembly further includes a transparent display panel coupled to the sidewall portion covering the inner-facing side of the sidewall portion and the window. The sidewall assembly further includes a display controller operatively coupled with the transparent display panel. The sidewall assembly further includes a window shade movable between an open position to allow light to pass between the window and the transparent display panel and a closed position to obstruct light from passing between the window and the transparent display panel. The sidewall assembly further includes a blackout feature disposed between the window and the transparent display panel and a blackout control device configured to control the blackout feature to selectively obstruct light from passing between the window and the transparent display panel.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments describe cover detection systems, controllers, and aircraft. The aircraft includes the controller and parts of the cover detection systems. A cover detection system includes an engine, a first sensor, a second sensor, an engine cover, and a controller. The engine has moving parts and defines a fluid opening. The fluid opening exposes the moving parts to an ambient environment. The first sensor component is located proximate to the engine and the second sensor component is configured to interact with the first sensor component. The engine cover assembly includes an engine cover and a second sensor. The engine cover is configured to cover the fluid opening. The controller is configured to determine whether the engine cover is installed on the engine based on an interaction between the first sensor component and the second sensor component.

Abstract: A method of checking accuracy of an air data probe system onboard a vehicle is disclosed. An embodiment of the method involves: calculating airspeed measurements from air data provided by the probe system; calculating vehicle speed measurements based on sensor data collected from at least one sensor system onboard the vehicle, wherein the vehicle speed measurements are distinct and independent of the airspeed measurements, and the vehicle speed measurements are calculated without using the air data; comparing a calculated airspeed measurement against a calculated vehicle speed measurement to obtain a speed difference, wherein the calculated airspeed measurement and the calculated vehicle speed measurement correspond to a measurement time during which the vehicle is moving forward; and initiating at least one corrective action onboard the vehicle when magnitude of the speed difference exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: Evaluating structural capability of materials under axisymmetric thermomechanical loading includes placing a test material between an upper fixture and a lower fixture. A plurality of bolts arranged around the upper fixture and the lower fixture. The plurality of bolts are configured to apply a preload around the circumference of the upper fixture and the lower fixture. The upper fixture and the lower fixture includes an opening facilitating a heat load to be applied to the test material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing distributed fleet communications between aircraft including decentralized location tracking, weather data, and fleet health is used to determine actual aircraft position, better weather data from multiple sources, and health data to help with logistical calculations and increase efficiencies. The communication is a distributed communication network using blockchains wherein the block includes a data, a hash and a prior hash, determining, by a processor, a validity of the block in response to a blockchain register stored on a memory, the hash and the prior hash, determining, by the processor. The processor is configured to generate a record to be added to the local copy of the blockchain ledger stored in the memory, then send an update to the fleet blockchain to be added as a valid record to be stored and used by the fleet or other trusted individual operators.

Abstract: An engine inlet cover and a method for covering an engine inlet are provided. A method for covering an engine inlet includes providing a collapsible cover comprising a connection pin defining an axis; a frame including interconnected arms; and a web. Further, the method includes storing the collapsible cover in a stowed configuration in which the arms are aligned. Also, the method includes rotating the arms from the stowed configuration to an operating configuration in which the arms are radially spaced about the axis, enclosing the frame in the operating configuration with the web to define an interior volume, and placing the cover over the engine inlet.

Abstract: A patterned dark mirror coating is developed and fabricated for a custom spectrometer. By combining the photolithography process with a custom double-sided dark mirror coating integrated with a commercial infrared (IR) filter substrate, a multifunctional optical device is fabricated. The lithographic patterning of a dark mirror allows a single device to transmit light in a desired direction and absorb light everywhere else.

Abstract: A support mechanism for a support structure includes first and second chain assemblies, and support subcomponents coupled to the first chain assembly. Links in the first chain assembly have a first protrusion structure extending in an inward direction. Links in the second chain assembly have a second protrusion structure extending in an inward direction. The protrusion structures are configured to releasably couple together in response to concerted movement of the chain assemblies along a predefined deployment path, and are configured to separate and decouple from each other in response to concerted movement of the chain assemblies along a predefined stowage path. The support subcomponents cooperate to form a deployable support surface, and the protrusion structures interlock to be self-supporting when deployed such that the deployable support surface is load-bearing.

Abstract: A morphable support mechanism for a load-bearing support structure includes a first chain assembly, a second chain assembly, and working surface subcomponents coupled to the first chain assembly. Links in the first chain assembly have inward-facing structural features, and links in the second chain assembly have inward-facing structural features. The inward-facing structural features are configured to releasably couple together in response to concerted movement of the first and second chain assemblies along a predefined deployment path, and are configured to separate and decouple from each other in response to concerted movement of the first and second chain assemblies along a predefined stowage path. The working surface subcomponents cooperate to form a deployable working surface, and the inward-facing structural features interlock to be self-supporting when deployed such that the deployable working surface is load-bearing.

Abstract: Navigation systems and methods for a position, navigation, and timing (PNT) solution of one or more vehicles. Operations of the system and the method can include simulating, by a processor, a set of observables that a receiver of the one or more vehicles observes in a truth state; simulating, by the processor, addition of interference to the set of observables to generate a simulated set of corrupted observables; and simulating, by a processor, the PNT solution, comprising applying a receiver model to the simulated set of corrupted observables, the receiver model being configured to emulate how the receiver of the responds to the one or more vehicles simulated set of corrupted observables.

Abstract: An aircraft for generating torque. The aircraft includes a motor coupling a lifting rotor and a torque rotor, and is configured to spin the lifting rotor in a first direction to generate lift and spin the torque rotor in a second direction to generate drag-torque. The torque rotor and the lifting rotor are coupled or decoupled from one another during flight or on ground.

Abstract: A cushion assembly disclosed herein. The cushion assembly is configured for use with a support surface having a first restraint component and a second restraint component spaced apart from the first restraint component. The cushion assembly includes, but is not limited to, a cushion. The cushion assembly further includes, but is not limited to, a first engagement component that is coupled with the cushion. The first engagement component is configured to engage the first restraint component. The cushion assembly still further includes, but is not limited to, a second engagement component coupled with the cushion. The second engagement component is configured to engage the second restraint component.

Abstract: An isotope power source configured to act as a vehicle includes a plurality of radioisotope power sources encased around one or more elements therein to form a tile-shaped spacecraft

Abstract: A method for stiffening space stiffening material on a structure in space includes deploying a structure located in a payload of a vehicle, wherein the structure is composed of the space stiffening material. The method also includes orienting the space stiffening material towards the ultraviolet (UV) light emanating from the sun in order to increase the strength and rigidity of the space stiffening material.

Abstract: Provided herein are circuits and methods for processing samples of a received in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) domain signal that includes a desired signal and an interference signal that spectrally overlaps the desired signal. In the I/Q domain, a first contribution to the interference signal is removed from the samples using a first algorithm to generate first processed signal samples. Amplitudes and phases of the first processed signal samples are obtained. In an amplitude domain, a second contribution to the interference signal is removed from the amplitudes of the first processed signal samples using a second algorithm to generate second processed signal samples. A signal quality metric of the second processed signal samples is obtained. Based on the signal quality metric of the second processed signal samples, one or more parameters of the first or second algorithm are adjusted to improve the signal quality metric of the second processed signal samples.

Abstract: Flight control systems, flight control methods, and aircraft navigation systems and methods are provided. A method for estimating a sound level at a geographical location including determining, by an aircraft navigational processor, an initial navigational route, estimating, by the aircraft navigational processor, the sound level at the geographical location in response to a first sound pressure wave estimated to be generated by the aircraft at a first point along the initial navigational route and a second sound pressure wave generated by the aircraft at a second point along the initial navigational route, determining, by the aircraft navigational processor, an alternate navigational route in response to the sound level exceeding a noise limit at the geographical location, and displaying, by a user interface, the alternate navigational route and an alert indicative of the sound level exceeding the noise limit.

Abstract: Low stress and tailorable stress adhesives for bonding of sensitive components and a process for using the same are disclosed. The residual curing stress is tailorable based on adherends and with material properties that minimize environmentally induced thermal and hygroscopic distortions. Degraded performance of sensitive optical assemblies may be reduced or eliminated during bonding processes due to residual stress formation of adhesives. The adhesives are characterized by a second mechanism of stress formation other than the tensile stress from shrinkage during curing. Specifically, the adhesive is characterized by a cure gradient through its thickness, causing diffusion of uncured monomer into the more highly crosslinked region. This diffusion causes a compressive stress to form and offset the tensile cure shrinkage stress. The relative amounts of shrinkage and swelling that occur can be tailored to control residual stress formation, and ultimately, to generate a zero-stress bonding adhesive.