Abstract: A six degree-of-freedom optical tracker system includes LEDs that are mounted on a structure, and are each configured to emit light. An LED controller is coupled to the LEDs and supplies drive current to each of the LEDs in a manner that causes the LEDs to sequentially and individually emit light. A single position sensing device that is spaced apart from each of the LEDs receives the light emitted from each of the LEDs and supplies position data for each LED. A processor receives the position data and determines the position and orientation of the structure relative to the single position sensing device.

Abstract: A six degree-of-freedom optical tracker system includes LEDs that are mounted on a structure, and are each configured to emit light. An LED controller is coupled to the LEDs and supplies drive current to each of the LEDs in a manner that causes the LEDs to sequentially and individually emit light. A single position sensing device that is spaced apart from each of the LEDs receives the light emitted from each of the LEDs and supplies position data for each LED. A processor receives the position data and determines the position and orientation of the structure relative to the single position sensing device.

Abstract: Environmental samples are collected and analyzed using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In some examples, the sample is drawn into engagement with a sensor onboard a UAV by the existing fluid flow generated by a rotor fan through a duct of a ducted fan of the UAV. The quality characteristics of the fluid sample may be physically or wirelessly delivered to a remote location. In some examples, samples are drawn into engagement with the sensor by a flexible tube that is attached to an outer surface of the UAV. The flexible tube may allow the UAV to precisely target and collect samples of dust and moisture and other materials from the ground over which the UAV operates.

Abstract: An amount of fuel in a fuel bladder of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is determined based on a deformation of the bladder. In some examples, a fuel system for a UAV includes a bladder, a proximity sensor, a fuel gauge, and a controller. The bladder is deformable based on the amount of fuel in the bladder. The proximity sensor may output a signal that varies as a function of the deformation of the bladder. The controller may determine the amount of fuel in the bladder based on the signal output by the proximity sensor and control the fuel gauge to indicate the determined amount of fuel.

Abstract: Environmental samples are collected and analyzed using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In some examples, the sample is drawn into engagement with a sensor onboard a UAV by the existing fluid flow generated by a rotor fan through a duct of a ducted fan of the UAV. The quality characteristics of the fluid sample may be physically or wirelessly delivered to a remote location. In some examples, samples are drawn into engagement with the sensor by a flexible tube that is attached to an outer surface of the UAV. The flexible tube may allow the UAV to precisely target and collect samples of dust and moisture and other materials from the ground over which the UAV operates.

Abstract: An amount of fuel in a fuel bladder of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is determined based on a deformation of the bladder. In some examples, a fuel system for a UAV includes a bladder, a proximity sensor, a fuel gauge, and a controller. The bladder is deformable based on the amount of fuel in the bladder. The proximity sensor may output a signal that varies as a function of the deformation of the bladder. The controller may determine the amount of fuel in the bladder based on the signal output by the proximity sensor and control the fuel gauge to indicate the determined amount of fuel.

Abstract: A system and method for communication with an autonomous air vehicle are provided. The system comprises a steerable antenna array including a plurality of directional antenna elements each selectable to receive a video signal from the air vehicle. An antenna control unit is operatively coupled to the antenna elements and includes a magnetometer for determining an orientation for each of the antenna elements. A ground control station is in operative communication with the antenna array and comprises a ground data terminal in operative communication with the antenna control unit, and an operator control unit in operative communication with the data terminal and the antenna control unit. The operator control unit is configured to obtain positions of the air vehicle and the ground control station from the data terminal.

Abstract: An electric fueling system for a vehicle that requires a metered amount of fuel comprising: a control box comprising a plurality of switches, a battery, a controller circuit card assembly, and a plurality of light emitting diodes; a flow meter coupled to the control box and to a vehicle; a pump coupled to the flow meter, to the control box, and to a fuel canister; and a housing that contains the control box, flow meter, and pump. The controller circuit card assembly has control logic such that the controller circuit card assembly manages the functions of setting the fuel level, de-fueling the vehicle, fueling the vehicle, and changing the brightness of the light emitting diodes, wherein the control logic receives inputs from the plurality of switches, the flow meter, the battery, and the pump and provides outputs to the plurality of light emitting diodes and the pump.

Abstract: A system and method for communication with an autonomous air vehicle are provided. The system comprises a steerable antenna array including a plurality of directional antenna elements each selectable to receive a video signal from the air vehicle. An antenna control unit is operatively coupled to the antenna elements and includes a magnetometer for determining an orientation for each of the antenna elements. A ground control station is in operative communication with the antenna array and comprises a ground data terminal in operative communication with the antenna control unit, and an operator control unit in operative communication with the data terminal and the antenna control unit. The operator control unit is configured to obtain positions of the air vehicle and the ground control station from the data terminal.