Abstract: A system and method for estimating a distance between an aircraft and an object is disclosed. An exterior light of the aircraft transmit a test light signal and a parameter the transmitted test light signal is measured. A sensor receives a reflection of the test light signal from the object and the parameter is measured for the reflection test signal. The distance between the aircraft and the object is estimated using the parameter of the reflection and the parameter of the test light signal. The exterior light is generally a light that is built into the aircraft during aircraft construction while the sensor is retrofitted onto the aircraft.

Abstract: A dual-mode aviation formation-light system has an array of paired visible-light and infrared-light elements. Each pair can be commonly orientated such that, in a non-covert mode, a hemispherical light pattern is emitted by each visible-light element, while in a covert mode, a body of each visible-light element obstructs a solid-angle portion of infrared-light emitted from its paired infrared-light element and prevents transmission therethrough. In some embodiments, the body is substantially opaque to the infrared light. When affixed to a lateral-facing side of an aircraft body, the infrared-light obstruction can be directional. Directional obstruction can prevent an observer on a ground surface from detecting infrared-light emission from an aircraft in the sky above. An exemplary dual-mode aviation-formation lighting system can provide both covert and non-covert lighting signals to adjacent aircraft, while advantageously obscuring ground directed infrared-light emission in a covert mode.

Abstract: In a lighting system that emits light of a color within a color specification, the color is controlled by adding light from a single color-correcting light emitting device (light-emitting device) to a primary light-emitting device. In an illustrative embodiment, a color-detecting module can sense the color of the combined light emitted from both the primary and the color-correcting light-emitting devices. The color-control system can generate an amplitude control signal based on a signal indicative of the color sensed by the color-detecting module. A color range of the combined light of the primary and the color-correcting light-emitting devices can intersect a domain of the predetermined color specification, as the generated amplitude control signal spans the domain. Using a single color-correcting light-emitting device to maintain a lighting system's emitted color within a predetermined color specification can advantageously reduce system complexity.

Abstract: A dual-color aviation Anti Collision Light (ACL) has a first set of LEDs that emit a substantially white beam of light and a second set of LEDs that emit a substantially red beam of light. The ACL can be operated in a first mode in which the red LEDs are excited by themselves so that the ACL produces a red beam of light In a second mode, the white LEDs and the red LEDs are excited simultaneously to produce a white beam of light having a chromaticity within the definition of Aviation White. Operating the red LEDs in the white mode has two synergistic effects. First, the red LEDs augment the luminous output of the white LEDs so that fewer white LEDs are required, thus saving cost and space. Second, the red LEDs shift the chromaticity of total light output toward the red region. This has the effect of compensating for the tendency of the white LEDs to become greener with age.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for anti-collision lights. An anti-collision light (“ACL”) may include a light source, a primary reflector, and a secondary reflector. The primary reflector may have a concave side facing the light source and the secondary reflector. The secondary reflector may include a reflective cone and a reflective base. The ACL may be configured to efficiently distribute light from the light source according to Federal Aviation Administration ACL requirements.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for anti-collision lights. An anti-collision light (“ACL”) may include a light source, a primary reflector, and a secondary reflector. The primary reflector may have a concave side facing the light source and the secondary reflector. The secondary reflector may include a reflective cone and a reflective base. The ACL may be configured to efficiently distribute light from the light source according to Federal Aviation Administration ACL requirements.

Abstract: A dual-color aviation Anti Collision Light (ACL) has a first set of LEDs that emit a substantially white beam of light and a second set of LEDs that emit a substantially red beam of light. The ACL can be operated in a first mode in which the red LEDs are excited by themselves so that the ACL produces a red beam of light In a second mode, the white LEDs and the red LEDs are excited simultaneously to produce a white beam of light having a chromaticity within the definition of Aviation White. Operating the red LEDs in the white mode has two synergistic effects. First, the red LEDs augment the luminous output of the white LEDs so that fewer white LEDs are required, thus saving cost and space. Second, the red LEDs shift the chromaticity of total light output toward the red region. This has the effect of compensating for the tendency of the white LEDs to become greener with age.

Abstract: A dual-color aviation Anti Collision Light (ACL) has a first set of LEDs that emit a substantially white beam of light and a second set of LEDs that emit a substantially red beam of light. The ACL can be operated in a first mode in which the red LEDs are excited by themselves so that the ACL produces a red beam of light In a second mode, the white LEDs and the red LEDs are excited simultaneously to produce a white beam of light having a chromaticity within the definition of Aviation White. Operating the red LEDs in the white mode has two synergistic effects. First, the red LEDs augment the luminous output of the white LEDs so that fewer white LEDs are required, thus saving cost and space. Second, the red LEDs shift the chromaticity of total light output toward the red region. This has the effect of compensating for the tendency of the white LEDs to become greener with age.