Abstract: A vehicle and method of control comprising generating a geometric control envelope in a geometric space of operation points defined by a number of control aspects, the envelope having vertices representing maximum values of the control aspects, and determining a desired operation point in the geometric space representing a control input. Further, the method includes if the desired operation point is outside the envelope, scaling up a first one of the control aspects by a first factor, determining an effective operation point in the envelope geometrically closest to the desired operation point, scaling down all of the control aspects by a second factor inverse of the first factor, and instructing the propulsion mechanisms to propel the vehicle according to the effective operation point.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling movement of a vehicle. Movement, orientation, and position data of the vehicle is collected. A model of kinematics of the vehicle and its environment is created and a Theory of World model is produced and updated. The model includes geometric algebra multivectors. Errors and noise are stored as geometrically meaningful first-class objects within the multivectors. Geometric algebra operations are used to manipulate the model during operation. Error and noise data are propagated and manipulated using geometric algebra operations to reflect measurement and processing errors or noise. The models are used in generation of control data with a primary intent of ensuring stability. Operations such as intersections are used to compare position, orientation, and movement of the vehicle against position, orientation, and movement of objects in its environment. System tasks include, but are not limited to, kinematics, inverse kinematics, collision avoidance, and dynamics.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling movement of a vehicle. Movement, orientation, and position data of the vehicle is collected. A model of kinematics of the vehicle and its environment is created and a Theory of World model is produced and updated. The model includes geometric algebra multivectors. Errors and noise are stored as geometrically meaningful first-class objects within the multivectors. Geometric algebra operations are used to manipulate the model during operation. Error and noise data are propagated and manipulated using geometric algebra operations to reflect measurement and processing errors or noise. The models are used in generation of control data with a primary intent of ensuring stability. Operations such as intersections are used to compare position, orientation, and movement of the vehicle against position, orientation, and movement of objects in its environment. System tasks include, but are not limited to, kinematics, inverse kinematics, collision avoidance, and dynamics.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling movement of a vehicle. Movement, orientation, and position data of the vehicle is collected. A model of kinematics of the vehicle and its environment is created and a Theory of World model is produced and updated. The model includes geometric algebra multivectors. Errors and noise are stored as geometrically meaningful first-class objects within the multivectors. Geometric algebra operations are used to manipulate the model during operation. Error and noise data are propagated and manipulated using geometric algebra operations to reflect measurement and processing errors or noise. The models are used in generation of control data with a primary intent of ensuring stability. Operations such as intersections are used to compare position, orientation, and movement of the vehicle against position, orientation, and movement of objects in its environment. System tasks include, but are not limited to, kinematics, inverse kinematics, collision avoidance, and dynamics.

Abstract: A vehicle and method of control comprising generating a geometric control envelope in a geometric space of operation points defined by a number of control aspects, the envelope having vertices representing maximum values of the control aspects, and determining a desired operation point in the geometric space representing a control input. Further, the method includes if the desired operation point is outside the envelope, scaling up a first one of the control aspects by a first factor, determining an effective operation point in the envelope geometrically closest to the desired operation point, scaling down all of the control aspects by a second factor inverse of the first factor, and instructing the propulsion mechanisms to propel the vehicle according to the effective operation point.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling movement of a vehicle. Movement, orientation, and position data of the vehicle is collected. A model of kinematics of the vehicle and its environment is created and a Theory of World model is produced and updated. The model includes geometric algebra multivectors. Errors and noise are stored as geometrically meaningful first-class objects within the multivectors. Geometric algebra operations are used to manipulate the model during operation. Error and noise data are propagated and manipulated using geometric algebra operations to reflect measurement and processing errors or noise. The models are used in generation of control data with a primary intent of ensuring stability. Operations such as intersections are used to compare position, orientation, and movement of the vehicle against position, orientation, and movement of objects in its environment. System tasks include, but are not limited to, kinematics, inverse kinematics, collision avoidance, and dynamics.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling movement of a vehicle. Movement, orientation, and position data of the vehicle is collected. A model of kinematics of the vehicle and its environment is created and a Theory of World model is produced and updated. The model includes geometric algebra multivectors. Errors and noise are stored as geometrically meaningful first-class objects within the multivectors. Geometric algebra operations are used to manipulate the model during operation. Error and noise data are propagated and manipulated using geometric algebra operations to reflect measurement and processing errors or noise. The models are used in generation of control data with a primary intent of ensuring stability. Operations such as intersections are used to compare position, orientation, and movement of the vehicle against position, orientation, and movement of objects in its environment. System tasks include, but are not limited to, kinematics, inverse kinematics, collision avoidance, and dynamics.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling movement of a vehicle. Movement, orientation, and position data of the vehicle is collected. A model of kinematics of the vehicle and its environment is created and a Theory of World model is produced and updated. The model includes geometric algebra multivectors. Errors and noise are stored as geometrically meaningful first-class objects within the multivectors. Geometric algebra operations are used to manipulate the model during operation. Error and noise data are propagated and manipulated using geometric algebra operations to reflect measurement and processing errors or noise. The models are used in generation of control data with a primary intent of ensuring stability. Operations such as intersections are used to compare position, orientation, and movement of the vehicle against position, orientation, and movement of objects in its environment. System tasks include, but are not limited to, kinematics, inverse kinematics, collision avoidance, and dynamics.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for estimating bearing of a target based on RF signals received by an array of antenna elements. The system comprises first and second input channels that are configured to receive analog signals that correspond to first and second antenna elements. The system also includes an analog to digital converter module for converting each of the analog signals to digital data samples and outputting separate streams of digital data samples corresponding to each of the first and second antenna elements as first and second data streams. An in-phase and quadrature detector module includes a phase shift module for shifting each of the first and second data streams by a predetermined amount of time to form first and second phase shifted data streams. A surveillance module determines a bearing of the target based on in-phase and quadrature data.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for calibrating an aircraft surveillance system for a protected aircraft. The system has a phased antenna array comprising antenna elements. The method comprises transmitting a first signal from a first antenna element in the array, and receiving the first signal at a third antenna element. The first signal may represent an interrogation signal transmitted in connection with a surveillance transmit sequence to locate potential intruding aircraft into a range of the protected aircraft. The method further includes transmitting a second signal from a second antenna element and receiving the second signal at the third antenna element. The method also includes calculating calibration information for the antenna array based on the first and second signals received at the third antenna element. During each transmit operation only a single antenna element transmits at one point in time.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for calibrating an aircraft surveillance system for a protected aircraft. The system has a phased antenna array comprising antenna elements. The method comprises transmitting a first signal from a first antenna element in the array, and receiving the first signal at a third antenna element. The first signal may represent an interrogation signal transmitted in connection with a surveillance transmit sequence to locate potential intruding aircraft into a range of the protected aircraft. The method further includes transmitting a second signal from a second antenna element and receiving the second signal at the third antenna element. The method also includes calculating calibration information for the antenna array based on the first and second signals received at the third antenna element. During each transmit operation only a single antenna element transmits at one point in time.

Abstract: A directional receiver is provided for an aircraft collision avoidance system. The receiver may include input channels that are configured to receive uncompressed linear analog signals from antenna elements that are arranged within a predetermined antenna element geometry. The receiver may further include Analog to Digital (A/D) converter modules, a quadrature converter module and a combiner module. The A/D converter modules can convert each of the analog signals to uncompressed linear digital data and output separate digital data streams that correspond to each of the input channels. The quadrature converter module can mix the digital data streams with corresponding digital reference signals to produce digital In-phase (I) and Quadrature (Q) streams.

Abstract: An active antenna is provided that includes an antenna element for transmitting RF transmit signals at a predetermined effective radiated power (ERP). An antenna module is configured to be mounted to an aircraft, with the antenna element being mounted to the antenna module. A connector module is provided at the antenna module and is configured to be coupled to a communications link and receive electrical transmit signals from the communications link. A transmit path is provided within the antenna module and extends between the antenna element and the connector module. A power amplifier is provided on the antenna module along the transmit path. The power amplifier increases a power level of the electrical transmit signals, received from the communications link, by a predetermined amount sufficient to drive the antenna element to transmit the RF transmit signals at the predetermined ERP.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for estimating bearing of a target based on RF signals received by an array of antenna elements. The system comprises first and second input channels that are configured to receive analog signals that correspond to first and second antenna elements. The system also includes an analog to digital converter module for converting each of the analog signals to digital data samples and outputting separate streams of digital data samples corresponding to each of the first and second antenna elements as first and second data streams. An in-phase and quadrature detector module includes a phase shift module for shifting each of the first and second data streams by a predetermined amount of time to form first and second phase shifted data streams. A surveillance module determines a bearing of the target based on in-phase and quadrature data.

Abstract: An active antenna is provided that includes an antenna element for transmitting RF transmit signals at a predetermined effective radiated power (ERP). An antenna module is configured to be mounted to an aircraft, with the antenna element being mounted to the antenna module. A connector module is provided at the antenna module and is configured to be coupled to a communications link and receive electrical transmit signals from the communications link. A transmit path is provided within the antenna module and extends between the antenna element and the connector module. A power amplifier is provided on the antenna module along the transmit path. The power amplifier increases a power level of the electrical transmit signals, received from the communications link, by a predetermined amount sufficient to drive the antenna element to transmit the RF transmit signals at the predetermined ERP.

Abstract: A container for containing an experimental test animal includes a body portion. A neck extends from a first end of the container for connecting the container to a source of gaseous material. An inner surface defines an opening at a second end of the container. An insert is removably retained within the neck, and has passage for fluid communication between the source of gaseous material and the container. A retainer is mounted within the opening of the container, and includes a retainer body and a retainer neck extending from the outer edge of the retainer body. A camming member is pivotally mounted to the retainer neck and is shaped to releasably engaging an outer surface of the container. A mounting ridge is formed in an outer surface of the body portion. The mounting ridge includes a retaining surface for mounting the container with respect to the source of gaseous material.