Abstract: Systems and methods relating to foreign object detection with respect to passenger-accessible stowage compartments are provided. According to one example, sensor data is captured via a sensor subsystem that includes a sensor associated with each of a plurality of stowage compartments. For each of the stowage compartments, a baseline condition is identified in which foreign objects are absent from the stowage compartment. A foreign object is detected within a stowage compartment based on the sensor data received for the stowage compartment and the baseline condition identified for the stowage compartment. An audit of the stowage compartments is conducted, and based on the audit, an indication that the foreign object is detected within the stowage compartment is output. This indication may identify the stowage compartment containing the foreign object among the plurality of stowage compartments.

Abstract: A system for detecting airborne objects within a shared field of view includes a first transceiver and a second transceiver. The first transceiver is positioned in a first discrete location and has a first field of view that represents a detection area of the first transceiver and the second transceiver is positioned in a second discrete location and has a second field of view that represents the detection area of the second field of view. The first field of view and the second field of view intersect one another to create the shared field of view. Both the first transceiver and the second transceiver are configured to emit an array of signals towards the shared field of view. Each signal of the array of signals includes a unique signature including information for determining an actual distance between either the first transceiver or the second transceiver and the airborne object.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for determining a flight plan for an aircraft, including: determining one or more regions that intersect an initial flight path and comprise at least one terrain feature having an elevation greater than an elevation threshold; for each respective region: determining a flight area based on the initial flight path and an elevation threshold line; determining one or more segments of the initial flight path that comprise one or more terrain features having an elevation greater than the elevation threshold; and determining a modified flight path for each respective segment by: determining a plurality of descent gradients along the respective segment; and moving the respective segment of the initial flight path in the safe descent direction if any of the plurality of descent gradients would collide with any of the one or more terrain features.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method that includes: collecting seat sensor data associated with a plurality of seats in a vehicle; selecting a first subset of data from the collected seat sensor data; providing the first subset of data to a fault detection model; receiving, from the fault detection model, one or more detected seat component faults; and generating, based on the one or more detected seat component faults, a seat condition map associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to foreign object detection with respect to stowage compartments or other regions of a vehicle are provided. According to one example, sensor data is captured via a sensor subsystem that includes a sensor associated with each of a plurality of stowage compartments. For each of the stowage compartments, a baseline condition is identified in which foreign objects are absent from the stowage compartment. A foreign object is detected within a stowage compartment based on the sensor data received for the stowage compartment and the baseline condition identified for the stowage compartment. An indication that the foreign object is detected within the stowage compartment is output. This indication may identify the stowage compartment containing the foreign object among the plurality of stowage compartments.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for determining a flight plan for an aircraft, including: determining one or more regions that intersect an initial flight path and comprise at least one terrain feature having an elevation greater than an elevation threshold; for each respective region: determining a flight area based on the initial flight path and an elevation threshold line; determining one or more segments of the initial flight path that comprise one or more terrain features having an elevation greater than the elevation threshold; and determining a modified flight path for each respective segment by: determining a plurality of descent gradients along the respective segment; and moving the respective segment of the initial flight path in the safe descent direction if any of the plurality of descent gradients would collide with any of the one or more terrain features.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to foreign object detection with respect to passenger-accessible stowage compartments are provided. According to one example, sensor data is captured via a sensor subsystem that includes a sensor associated with each of a plurality of stowage compartments. For each of the stowage compartments, a baseline condition is identified in which foreign objects are absent from the stowage compartment. A foreign object is detected within a stowage compartment based on the sensor data received for the stowage compartment and the baseline condition identified for the stowage compartment. An audit of the stowage compartments is conducted, and based on the audit, an indication that the foreign object is detected within the stowage compartment is output. This indication may identify the stowage compartment containing the foreign object among the plurality of stowage compartments.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to foreign object detection with respect to passenger-accessible stowage compartments are provided. According to one example, sensor data is captured via a sensor subsystem that includes a sensor associated with each of a plurality of stowage compartments. For each of the stowage compartments, a baseline condition is identified in which foreign objects are absent from the stowage compartment. A foreign object is detected within a stowage compartment based on the sensor data received for the stowage compartment and the baseline condition identified for the stowage compartment. An audit of the stowage compartments is conducted, and based on the audit, an indication that the foreign object is detected within the stowage compartment is output. This indication may identify the stowage compartment containing the foreign object among the plurality of stowage compartments.

Abstract: A system for detecting airborne objects within a shared field of view is disclosed. The system includes a first transceiver and a second transceiver. The first transceiver is positioned in a first discrete location and has a first field of view that represents a detection area of the first transceiver and the second transceiver is positioned in a second discrete location and has a second field of view that represents the detection area of the second field of view. The first field of view and the second field of view intersect one another to create the shared field of view. Both the first transceiver and the second transceiver are both configured to emit an array of signals towards the shared field of view.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to foreign object detection with respect to passenger-accessible stowage compartments are provided. According to one example, sensor data is captured via a sensor subsystem that includes a sensor associated with each of a plurality of stowage compartments. For each of the stowage compartments, a baseline condition is identified in which foreign objects are absent from the stowage compartment. A foreign object is detected within a stowage compartment based on the sensor data received for the stowage compartment and the baseline condition identified for the stowage compartment. An audit of the stowage compartments is conducted, and based on the audit, an indication that the foreign object is detected within the stowage compartment is output. This indication may identify the stowage compartment containing the foreign object among the plurality of stowage compartments.

Abstract: A system for taking into account micro wind conditions in a region. The system comprises a plurality of aerial vehicles within the region and a wind speed calculator. Each of the plurality of aerial vehicles has an altitude sensor and a GPS receiver. The wind speed calculator is configured to determine wind vectors within the region using measurements from the plurality of aerial vehicles.

Abstract: A system for redirecting light to a mobile platform includes a satellite and a mobile platform including a first RF antenna that transmits a trajectory data for the mobile platform, and a photovoltaic cell that converts light into electrical energy. The satellite includes a second RF antenna that receives the trajectory data, and a processor coupled to the second RF antenna. The processor computes a target position of the mobile platform based on the trajectory data, and instructs a diffuser system to generate the beam of light and direct the beam to the target position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus receives information that describes a current state of the aircraft. The current state affects range of the aircraft from a current position of the aircraft. The apparatus predicts a current range of the aircraft from the information. The current range indicates range of the aircraft in any direction from the current position. The apparatus also determines candidate airports within the current range of the aircraft, and predicts remaining fuel on board after landing at respective ones of the candidate airports. The apparatus further selects an airport from those of the candidate airports at which the aircraft is predicted to have a positive amount of the remaining fuel on board as predicted, and presents the current range and the airport to a user for landing the aircraft at the airport.

Abstract: A method includes determining a first speed value based on a first signal from a first data source. The method also includes determining a second speed value based on a second signal from a second data source. The method further includes determining a first likelihood of icing value based on a third signal from a third data source. The method also includes determining a second likelihood of icing value based on a fourth signal from a fourth data source. The method further includes performing a first comparison between the first speed value and the second speed value and performing a second comparison between the first likelihood of icing value and the second likelihood of icing value. The method also includes generating sensor reliability data based on the first comparison and the second comparison and displaying situational awareness data based on the sensor reliability data.

Abstract: A system for redirecting light to a mobile platform includes a satellite and a mobile platform including a first RF antenna that transmits a trajectory data for the mobile platform, and a photovoltaic cell that converts light into electrical energy. The satellite includes a second RF antenna that receives the trajectory data, and a processor coupled to the second RF antenna. The processor computes a target position of the mobile platform based on the trajectory data, and instructs a diffuser system to generate the beam of light and direct the beam to the target position.

Abstract: A restricted airspace monitoring system and method include a restricted airspace monitoring control unit that is configured to determine if a restricted airspace is active through monitored positions of a plurality of aircraft within an airspace that includes the restricted airspace and/or restriction notice information.

Abstract: Aircraft taxi cost determination systems and methods include a taxi cost determination control unit that determines a total cost of one or more available taxi scenarios for an aircraft at an airport based on fuel cost, engine cost, crew cost, and maintenance cost for the available taxi scenario(s).

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method that includes: collecting seat sensor data associated with a plurality of seats in a vehicle; selecting a first subset of data from the collected seat sensor data; providing the first subset of data to a fault detection model; receiving, from the fault detection model, one or more detected seat component faults; and generating, based on the one or more detected seat component faults, a seat condition map associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: A wind forecast prediction apparatus includes an historical forecast patterns module configured to generate at least one historical wind forecast pattern and determine a deviation magnitude and a probability of occurrence of the at least one historical wind forecast pattern based on at least one actual wind value; a current wind forecast module; and a wind forecast prediction controller connected to the historical forecast patterns module and current wind forecast module, the wind forecast prediction controller is configured to generate a current wind forecast pattern based on current wind data from the current wind forecast module; and determine a matching historical wind forecast pattern from the at least one historical wind forecast pattern that matches the current wind forecast pattern, where the deviation magnitude and the probability of occurrence of the matching historical wind forecast pattern are combined with the current wind forecast pattern to generate a predicted wind forecast.

Abstract: A method, vehicle, and system for calculating the location of a center of mass of the vehicle and transferring fuel to move the location of the center of mass are provided. The location of the center of mass of the vehicle is determined by measuring or calculating forces acting on the vehicle that counteract the gravitational forces on the vehicle. The location of the center of mass is calculated by determining on a moment arm of the gravitational force that counteracts the moment arms of the other forces acting on the vehicle. Fuel can be transferred among differently-located fuel tanks in the vehicle to move the location of the center of mass to a position in which at least some of the other forces acting on the vehicle are reduced, which may increase the speed and/or efficiency of the vehicle.