Abstract: An icing sensor utilizes a surface gap transmission line along which a radio frequency is transmitted. The phase delay of the radio frequency along the transmission line is dependent upon the dielectric constant presented at the surface in the gap between the transmission line electrodes. Accordingly, changes of dielectric constant affect phase delay of the transmitted frequency. This phase delay may be used to detect the difference between ice, water and snow as well as the presence of freezing point depressing fluids such as ethylene glycol. When the sensor is mounted on an aircraft control surface, the presence and likelihood of icing conditions may be predicted. Through the use of one or more temperature, freezing point depressing fluids/water mixture determined from dielectric constant, and rate of change of the dielectric constant, it is possible to predict the time delay until icing begins. Thus, the sensor of the present application may safely reduce the effort and expense in aircraft deicing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Mode S uplink or interrogation signal demodulation system which can quickly recognize the Mode S signal and also filter out of noise present in the Mode S uplink or interrogation signal, thereby reducing the bit error rate. To realize this goal the present invention includes a digital differential phase-shift keyed demodulator to demodulate the differential phase-shift keyed data, thereby reducing the time needed to acquire the Mode S uplink or interrogation signal. This digital demodulator also reduces the noise present in the Mode S uplink or interrogation signal and provides an integrated system which is small in structure that can be easily implemented in an aircraft. This Mode S system also includes a preamble and sync phase reversal detection circuit to recognize if the transmitted signal is a Mode S signal. This signal also utilizes Mode A and Mode C detection devices to make the system compatible with present communication systems.

Abstract: An airborne surveillance method and system allows an observer aircraft to determine the position and change of position of a multiplicity of target aircraft and thus allows analysis of collision threats from these aircraft. The system uses a phase comparison direction finding antenna to determine direction of nearby ground based SSRs and all target aircraft of interest. The system further makes use of all other available data including Mode C transponder generated altitude information of the target aircraft, the altitude of the observer aircraft, the received signal strength of both the SSR beam and the received transponder signal, the time difference of arrival between the SSR interrogation signal and the response from the target aircraft, and a variety of other factors to determine the position of the target aircraft.

Abstract: An airborne surveillance method and system allows an observer aircraft to determine the position and change of position of a multiplicity of target aircraft and thus allows analysis of collision threats from these aircraft. The system uses a phase comparison direction finding antenna to determine direction of nearby ground based SSRs and all target aircraft of interest. The system further makes use of all other available data including Mode C transponder generated altitude information of the target aircraft, the altitude of the observer aircraft, the received signal strength of both the SSR beam and the received transponder signal, the time difference of arrival between the SSR interrogation signal and the response from the target aircraft, and a variety of other factors to determine the position of the target aircraft.