Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in which the most important communications that occur onboard the air vehicle and between the air vehicle and other locations continually have sufficient communication bandwidth and are not impeded by less important communications to ensure that the flight crew and flight control personnel on the ground have the most complete and accurate information. Other aspects of the method and system further assist in maintaining a safe flight by permitting the air vehicle to be both flown and landed while in an auto-pilot mode engaged in the air vehicle or from the ground and disengaged from the ground or by entering a code in the air vehicle, displaying target settings of respective parameters provided by the ground control center, providing detailed flight data to the air vehicle from the ground control center, and examining data in the ground control center captured onboard the air vehicle to identify individuals that may pose a security risk.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in which the most important communications that occur onboard the air vehicle and between the air vehicle and other locations continually have sufficient communication bandwidth and are not impeded by less important communications to ensure that the flight crew and flight control personnel on the ground have the most complete and accurate information. Other aspects of the method and system further assist in maintaining a safe flight by permitting the air vehicle to be both flown and landed while in an auto-pilot mode engaged in the air vehicle or from the ground and disengaged from the ground or by entering a code in the air vehicle, displaying target settings of respective parameters provided by the ground control center, providing detailed flight data to the air vehicle from the ground control center, and examining data in the ground control center captured onboard the air vehicle to identify individuals that may pose a security risk.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in which the most important communications that occur onboard the air vehicle and between the air vehicle and other locations continually have sufficient communication bandwidth and are not impeded by less important communications to ensure that the flight crew and flight control personnel on the ground have the most complete and accurate information. Other aspects of the method and system further assist in maintaining a safe flight by permitting the air vehicle to be both flown and landed while in an auto-pilot mode engaged in the air vehicle or from the ground and disengaged from the ground or by entering a code in the air vehicle, displaying target settings of respective parameters provided by the ground control center, providing detailed flight data to the air vehicle from the ground control center, and examining data in the ground control center captured onboard the air vehicle to identify individuals that may pose a security risk.

Abstract: A charging system has an input terminal, coupled to a power source, and an output terminal coupled to the load or battery under charge. The charging system includes an adjustable regulator having an input coupled to the input terminal and an output coupled to the output terminal with its control terminal under control of controller circuitry. The controller circuitry senses the state of charge of the load and provides a controlled, tapered charge thereto until such time that the load is fully charged. At the fully charged state, the controller changes the voltage at the control terminal of the regulator to cease all charging. Charging does not continue until the sensed level of charge of the battery drops to a predetermined recharge state at which point charger activity continues. The disclosed charger can be housed in a small, light weight enclosure and mounted at a location close to the battery with permanent connections thereto.

Abstract: The bias level of an amplifier is controlled by an active bias circuit. The active bias circuit establishes a predetermined amplifier bias level (such as class A mode) as a function of input signal level and load impedance. The load impedance value may be manually entered or determined automatically by a disclosed impedance measuring system. Power supply circuitry is responsive to the value of load impedance to vary the bias voltage applied to the amplifier's output devices.

Abstract: The input stage to an audio amplifier comprises a complementary-symmetry, differential amplifier pair which drives an intermediate voltage gain stage comprised of a complementary-symmetry, cascode differential amplifier pair. The intermediate stage provides signal drive and bias to the output power amplifier stage, which is preferably a bridged configuration. Control circuitry produces a composite bias signal which is the summation of a static bias signal and a dynamic bias signal. The bias control signal is coupled to the bias control circuit through an optical coupler, and a dynamic class A bias is achieved. Negative feedback for the amplifier is provided by a differential amplifier which has its differential inputs connected to the load terminals, thereby placing any connecting cable between the amplifier and load within the corrective feedback path.

Abstract: A pulse transformer produces sufficient energy at its secondary winding to initiate arcing of a spark gap in response to the interruption of current flow to its primary winding. Upon initial arcing of the spark gap, a charged capacitor is coupled across the gap thereby extending arcing duration beyond that produced by the coil. The total spark energy is determined by the value of the capacitor and the voltage to which it is charged.The invention is adaptable to provide spark energy to each cyclinder of a multicylinder engine without the need for a distributor.