Abstract: An audio/video network system for distributing satellite broadcast services includes an antenna unit for receiving audio/video broadcast services. The antenna unit is in communication with a master receiver, which receives the audio/video broadcast services and displays them on a first television associated with the master receiver. The master receiver is in communication with a plurality of slave clients, which receive audio/video broadcast services from the master receiver and display them on a respective television associated with each of the slave clients.

Abstract: A radar system including a base unit and a radar sensor. The sensor steers a beam in a scanning or tracking manner in both azimuth and elevation. Steering control in azimuth and elevation may be achieved based on configuration settings in the radar sensor processor. The pan-tilt setting may be configured remotely at the base unit. The sensor may include a camera to take panoramic images of the terrain surrounding the sensor, as well as objects-of-interest detected by the system. The sensor is able to transmit radar return information and camera images to the base unit. The base unit is able to display panoramic images and superimpose graphics illustrating a scan profile of the sensor in relationship to the surroundings. The beam steering profile can be controlled by graphically manipulating the profile on the display. This allows configuration of the scanning or tracking profile based on the sensor surroundings.

Abstract: A radar system including a base unit and one or more radar sensors. The radar sensor is capable of steering a beam in a scanning or tracking manner in both azimuth and elevation. Automated and independent control in azimuth and elevation may be achieved based on configuration settings in the radar sensor processor. The pan-tilt setting may be configured remotely by an operator at a base unit. The radar sensor may include a camera to take panoramic images of the terrain surrounding the radar sensor, as well as object-of-interest detected by the radar system. The radar sensor is able to transmit radar return information and camera images to the base unit. The base unit is able to display 360 degree panoramic images and superimpose lines indicating a scan profile of the radar sensor in relationship to the image. A user may graphically change the beam steering profile by drawing on the base unit display.

Abstract: A system for detecting whether a bus used to connect units in an in-flight entertainment system is properly terminated. A detection circuit generates a bus termination signal when a terminating cap properly terminates the bus. Prior to installation of the terminating cap, a bus coupling contact of the detection circuit is maintained in a logic high or asserted state. A detection loop in the terminating cap grounds or deasserts the bus coupling contact when the terminating cap is properly installed. A microcontroller determines whether the bus coupling contact is grounded and signals a managing unit of the condition. The managing unit may display an appropriate error message to notify service personnel of the improper termination.

Abstract: In an In-Flight Entertainment System (IFES), an audio distribution system transmits and synchronizes an audio data stream from multiple audio channels using the Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (ADPCM) technique for efficient transmission and preventing loss of synchronization. An encoder digitizes the analog audio signals, compresses the digital data, generates the synchronization parameters, including synchronization data for a selected channel, and creates a data frame to be transmitted to a number of decoders. Each decoder detects the synchronization header, extracts the compressed data patterns from the passenger selections, updates the ADPCM synchronization parameters, decompresses the compressed data patterns, and converts the digital audio data to analog audio signals to be delivered to the passenger seats.

Abstract: A system and method for multiple processors operating independently from one another to share memory as a boot device. The system includes a plurality of computing systems each including a processor and a local memory element. In response to a boot condition for a selected computing system, its processor begins a boot sequence in which it uses operational code contained within a non-volatile memory element that is shared by each of the computing systems. Arbitration for ownership of a memory bus interconnecting the non-volatile memory element to the processors and organization of a direct memory access transfer between the non-volatile memory element and local memory associated with the processor of the selected computing system is controlled by a memory access coordination circuit coupled between the computing systems and the memory bus.