Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for generating altitude data and/or height data are disclosed. A processor receives navigation data from an external source such as a global positioning system (“GPS”); receives navigation data from multiple internal sources; receives object data representative of terrain or surface feature elevation; determines an instant measurement of aircraft altitude as a function of these inputs; and generates aircraft altitude data responsive to such determination. In an additional embodiment, the processor receives reference point data representative of the elevation of the stationary reference point (e.g., a landing threshold point); determines an instant measurement of aircraft height as a function of this input and the instant measurement of aircraft altitude; and generates aircraft height data responsive to such determination.

Abstract: A spin rate tracking system comprising a guidance system suitable for adjusting a flight path of a vehicle based on a spin rate of the vehicle, a signal reception system configured for receiving signal information from a global navigation system wherein a spin rate of the vehicle is derived from a substantially harmonic pattern produced amongst a global navigation signal.

Abstract: The present invention is a device which includes an antenna and circuitry. The antenna may receive a circularly-polarized signal as first and second linearly-polarized signals. The circuitry is connected to the antenna and is configured for combining the first and second linearly-polarized signals to produce at least two reception patterns. The reception patterns are created by summing the first and second linearly-polarized signals via phase shifting. The reception patterns are optimized for at least two substantially different directional orientations. Further, the antenna may simultaneously allow/provide spec-compliant Global Positioning System operation and spec compliant Height of Burst operation.

Abstract: An interference-aided signal acquisition and tracking system includes a vehicle, an interference detector, a noise canceller, and a signal processor. The vehicle has at least two receivers configured to detect external signals and the at least two receivers have an output dependent on attitude of the vehicle. The interference detector measures the output of at least one of the at least two receivers. The noise canceller combines the output of the at least two receivers. The signal processor extracts a desired signal from the output of the noise canceller. The output of the interference detector is used to control the noise canceller as to reject unwanted signals and enhance performance of the signal processor in extracting the desired signal.

Abstract: An interference-aided navigation system for a rotating vehicle provides rotation angle estimates using interference or jamming signals. An antenna receives interference signals and desired navigation signals. A RF processing function connected to the antenna processes the received interference signals and the desired navigation signals into IF signals. An A/D converter connected to the RF processing function digitizes the interference signals and desired navigation signals and to provide a digitized IF signal. A tracking filter tracks amplitude variations of the interference signals and provides the rotation angle estimate signal of the rotating vehicle.

Abstract: An interference-aided signal acquisition and tracking system with temporal beam forming for a rotating vehicle enhances signal to noise ratio using interference or jamming signals. An antenna receives interference signals and desired navigation signals. A RF processing function connected to the antenna processes the received interference signals and the desired navigation signals into IF signals. An A/D converter connected to the RF processing function digitizes the interference signals and desired navigation signals and provides a digitized IF signal. A tracking filter tracks amplitude variations of the interference signals and provides a rotation angle estimate signal of the rotating vehicle. A signal modulation function connected to the tracking filter and the A/D converter varies gain of the IF signal to enhance the signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: Attitude of a spinning vehicle is determined by observing at least one of the apparent amplitude modulation and the apparent phase modulation of a navigation signal received from a navigation source. Vectors describing the direction from the vehicle to the navigation source are computed and used to determine attitude relative to the navigation source. Inertial sensors are demodulated to remove rotation artifacts and used to anticipate rapid maneuvers.

Abstract: An inertial reference system for determining the attitude and rate of change of attitude of a vehicle such as an aircraft is disclosed. Redundancy of the inertial reference system may be accomplished by replacement of one of the fiber optic gyroscopes of an otherwise dual fiber optic gyros installation with a low-cost reference IMU. Failure detection and isolation of a fiber optic gyroscope system may be accomplished with a low-cost reference IMU rather than with an additional fiber optic gyroscope. The information provided by the eliminated fiber optic gyroscope is synthesized from the output of the remaining fiber optic gyroscope and the output of the low-cost reference IMU.

Abstract: A FOG design is disclosed that eliminates the need for spatially averaging the output of a readout optical fiber by using a short coherence length light source and decorrelating the orthogonal fiber modes in the birefringent readout optical fiber prior to them being received by the photodetector. The orientation of the optical output of the readout optical fiber with respect to the photodetector is at an angle other than normal incidence, which is designed to reduce the reflections from the photodetector back into the readout optical fiber. The coherence length of the source and the length and birefringence of the readout optical fiber are selected so that there is a complete decorrelation of the polarization states of the light as they pass through the readout optical fiber.

Abstract: Video luminance data from a video signal is selectably compressed and expanded in a first signal path including a first line memory. A second line memory in a parallel signal path processes video chrominance data from the video signal. A control circuit generates respective timing signals for writing data into each of the first and second memories and for reading data from each of first and second the line memories. A timing delay circuit for the control circuit, has video compression and expansion modes of operation. During the compression mode, reading of the second line memory is delayed relative to writing of the second line memory. During the expansion mode, writing of the first line memory is delayed relative to writing of the second line memory or reading of the second line memory is delayed relative to writing of the second line memory. The duration of the timing delays can be selected from a range of values.

Abstract: A combined angle-faceted, superluminescent diode and readout photodetector with an optical fiber coupled at one end of the superluminescent diode and the readout photodetector coupled at the other end wherein no fiber-optic couplers are used to couple the optical fiber with the readout photodetector.

Abstract: A passive ring resonator gyroscope comprising a single piece body having an integral first and second resonator cavity. The first resonator cavity contains a single frequency laser that provides a sharply tuned single frequency light source to the second resonator cavity. The single frequency light source is split to form first and second sources. The second resonator cavity is a passive high Q cavity with a closed second optical path. The two light sources are fed into the second resonator and propagate as CW and CCW beams within the second resonator. A first servo channel develops a first control signal to tune the frequency of the CW beam to a resonance peak. A second servo channel develops a second control signal to tune the CCW beam to its resonance peak. By converting both servo error outputs into frequency, the relative frequency difference between the CW and CCW beams are recorded as the frequency shift in response to the body rate rotation about the sensitive axis.

Abstract: Clock phase shifting circuitry includes a cascade connection of inverting amplifiers for generating a plurality of relatively delayed clock signals. Buffer amplifiers couple alternate ones of the inverting amplifiers to a clock phase selection circuit for providing a desired one of said plurality of delayed clock signals. A capacitor is coupled between the output of each inverting amplifier and a point of constant potential. Respective circuits, having an input impedance which emulates the input impedance of the buffer amplifiers, are coupled to the output connections of the inverting amplifiers located between said alternate inverting amplifiers.

Abstract: A transmission having an inner rotationally mounted shaft (42) with first and second parts (44and 46) and an outer concentric rotationally mounted shaft (49) in accordance with the invention includes a clutch (48) connected to the first and second parts of the inner shaft, which is movable between a first engaged position in which torque may be transmitted through the clutch between the first and second parts and a second position in which torque is not transmitted through the clutch; a transmission, coupling one of the parts of the inner shaft to the outer shaft to transmit torque from the inner shaft to the outer shaft when the inner shaft is rotating; an axially movable mechanism (61-80) disposed outside of and concentric with the outer shaft and projecting through the outer shaft for engaging one of the parts of the inner shaft to move the one part between first and second positions, the axially movable mechanism being movable between first and second positions to cause the one of the parts of the inner s

Abstract: A passive ring resonator gyroscope comprising a single piece body having an integral first and second resonator cavity. The first resonator cavity contains a single frequency laser means to provide a sharply tuned single frequency light source to the second resonator cavity. The single frequency light source is sharply tuned and is split to form first and second sources. The second resonator cavity is a passive high Q cavity having a closed second optical path. The two light sources are fed to the second resonator and propagate as CW and CCW beams within the second resonator. A first servo channel tunes the frequency of the CW beam to a resonance peak. A second servo channel tunes the CCW beam to its resonance peak. By converting both servo error outputs into frequency, the relative frequency difference between the CW and CCW beams are recorded as the frequency shift in response to the body rate rotation about the sensitive axis.

Abstract: A phase-lock-loop circuit of a deflection apparatus generates a first signal at the horizontal frequency during normal operation. The first signal is coupled to a phase-control-loop circuit that maintains the deflection current timing in phase with the first signal. A fault protection circuit disables the generation of signal transitions in the first signal when a fault condition occurs. A circuit that detects the presence of transition edges in the first signal prevents the operation of the deflection output stage when the transition edges in the first signal are missing.

Abstract: An amplifier applies turn-on bias to the gate electrode of an output field-effect transistor in response to a first level of an input signal applied to the amplifier. A switched power source supplies operating current to the amplifier for developing the turn-on bias when the amplifier input signal is at the first level. A feedback-controlled bypass circuit diverts a portion of the operating current from the amplifier during an initial turn-on period and gradually reduces the magnitude of the diverted operating current as the output transistor turns on thereby producing a "soft" turn-on of the output transistor so as to minimize a potential for creating radio frequency interference in nearby RFI sensitive devices such as the tuner in a television or radio receiver. Complementary circuits include dual current supply and diversion circuits providing controlled rise and fall times for complementary field-effect output transistors.

Abstract: An amplifier having a resonator coupled between input and output terminals thereof supplies a dot clock signal to a character generator in a television receiver. A feedback control circuit supplies DC bias to the resonator during blanking intervals that preceed lines of characters to be displayed to ensure a consistent starting phase for oscillations, removes the DC bias and supplies operating power to the amplifier during a portion of the active video period of each displayed line for sustaining the oscillations and automatically inhibits the supply of amplifier power at the end of each active line of characters to thereby provide three oscillator operating modes of PRIMED, RUNNING and OFF so as to minimize overall power consumption for the oscillator for each field of displayed characters.

Abstract: A sensing circuit for determining the amplitude of an unknown impedance by comparing the voltage levels generated in a succession of current mirror circuits. In one form, the present circuit is connected to a ROM array comprised of FET devices having the potential of 2.sup.n different channel structures, impedances, to represent n different bits of data. When addressed, the selected ROM FET is coupled to a current mirror reference FET, whose commonly connected gate and drain electrodes are further coupled to a succession of 2.sup.n -1 current mirror FETs. Each of the current mirror FETs is connected in conductive series with an incrementally different impedance, the value of each impedance lying substantially midway between the 2.sup.n potential impedances possible in the ROM cell FET. The voltages on the current mirror FETs are individually compared to the voltage on the current mirror reference FET to generate a digital format representation of the relative magnitudes.