Abstract: In one example, a method includes receiving, by a controller device from a master device operably connected to the controller device, a memory access request configured to request access to computer-readable memory of the controller device. The method further includes sampling, by the controller device, time-varying data received from a controlled device operably connected to the controller device, and generating, by the controller device in response to receiving the memory access request, an access key using the sampled time-varying data received from the controlled device. The method further includes transmitting, by the controller device, the generated access key to the master device, and enabling, by the controller device, access to the computer-readable memory of the controller device in response to data write commands received from the master device that include an access code based on the access key.

Abstract: Multiple positions within a mechanical system are measured with a plurality of sensors including at least one 4-wire and at least one 5-wire sensor. The 5-wire sensor has two output voltage signals sent to a signal conversion processor, and the 4-wire sensor also sends a signal. A sum is created of the two voltage signals from the 5-wire sensor. An excitation voltage supply supplies a common excitation voltage to both sensors. Feedback of the excitation voltage is measured by the signal conversion processor. The excitation voltage feedback is utilized to ratio-metrically correct a position feedback signal from the 4-wire sensor at the signal conversion processor. The signal conversion processor is able to synthesize a signal indicative of the excitation voltage from the two voltage signals sent from the 5-wire sensor in the event the excitation voltage feedback is not received at the signal conversion processor.

Abstract: An excitation circuit includes an operational amplifier, a transistor circuit, a switch, and a pull-down resistor. The operational amplifier receives an excitation input voltage at a non-inverting input and provides an operational amplifier output. The transistor circuit receives the operational amplifier output and provides a transistor circuit output. The transistor circuit output is connected to an inverting input of the operational amplifier. The switch is connected between the operational amplifier output and the transistor circuit. The switch is opened to disconnect the operational amplifier output from the transistor circuit. The pull-down resistor is connected between an output of the switch and ground, wherein the pull-down resistor turns off the transistor circuit when the switch is opened.

Abstract: An excitation circuit includes an operational amplifier, a transistor circuit, a switch, and a pull-down resistor. The operational amplifier receives an excitation input voltage at a non-inverting input and provides an operational amplifier output. The transistor circuit receives the operational amplifier output and provides a transistor circuit output. The transistor circuit output is connected to an inverting input of the operational amplifier. The switch is connected between the operational amplifier output and the transistor circuit. The switch is opened to disconnect the operational amplifier output from the transistor circuit. The pull-down resistor is connected between an output of the switch and ground, wherein the pull-down resistor turns off the transistor circuit when the analog switch is opened.

Abstract: A fault detection circuit is utilized to automatically detect faults in hold-up power storage devices. The fault detection circuit includes a hold-up monitoring circuit and a memory device. The hold-up monitoring circuit is connected to monitor output of the hold-up power storage device, wherein the hold-up monitoring circuit measures a duration of time that the hold-up power storage device provides sufficient power following a loss of normal power and detects faults based on the measured duration of time. The memory device is connected to store the duration of time measured by the hold-up power storage device following a loss of normal power.

Abstract: A Human Machine Interface includes a flight control system operable to communicate display data directly to a cockpit display system.

Abstract: An aircraft control system includes an effector module connected to a control input and a primary control module connected to the effector module. A microprocessor in the effector module provides a backup control path bypassing the primary control module when the primary control module is in a failed state.

Abstract: A fault detection circuit is utilized to automatically detect faults in hold-up power storage devices. The fault detection circuit includes a hold-up monitoring circuit and a memory device. The hold-up monitoring circuit is connected to monitor output of the hold-up power storage device, wherein the hold-up monitoring circuit measures a duration of time that the hold-up power storage device provides sufficient power following a loss of normal power and detects faults based on the measured duration of time.

Abstract: A shunt regulated permanent magnet alternator voltage source includes a permanent magnet alternator, a shunt regulator, and a pulse width modulation controller. Also included is a load controller capable of detecting a PMA margin.

Abstract: A flight control system includes a dual stage actuator for moving a control surface. Each stage includes several control valves that are controlled independently to provide a desired redundancy. A flight controller generates a position command that is indicative of the position desired for the control surface. A first communication link is provided between several flight controllers to share information. Each of the flight controllers forwards the position command to actuator remote processing unit. The actuator remote processing unit receives position commands and generates a command signal that controls movement of the actuator using the control valves. Each of the actuator remote processing units is linked through a second communication link. Feedback and balancing of the different control valves is provided by the visibility accorded each actuator remote processing unit by the second communication link.

Abstract: A shunt regulated permanent magnet alternator voltage source includes a permanent magnet alternator, a shunt regulator, and a pulse width modulation controller. Also included is a load controller capable of detecting a PMA margin.

Abstract: A method (300) for fault detection in a system under control includes monitoring a command value and a wraparound signal (301) by a fault detection module (203); determining a standard deviation of the command value (302) by the fault detection module; determining a standard deviation of the wraparound signal (303) by the fault detection module; determining a ratio of the standard deviation of the command value to the standard deviation of the wraparound signal (304) by the fault detection module; and determining the presence or absence of a fault in the system under control by the fault detection module based on the ratio (305) by the fault detection module. A fault detection module (203) and a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium containing computer code that, when executed by a computer, implements a method (300) for fault detection are also provided.

Abstract: A Human Machine Interface includes a flight control system operable to communicate display data directly to a cockpit display system.

Abstract: A flight control system includes a dual stage actuator for moving a control surface. Each stage includes several control valves that are controlled independently to provide a desired redundancy. A flight controller generates a position command that is indicative of the position desired for the control surface. A first communication link is provided between several flight controllers to share information. Each of the flight controllers forwards the position command to actuator remote processing unit. The actuator remote processing unit receives position commands and generates a command signal that controls movement of the actuator using the control valves. Each of the actuator remote processing units is linked through a second communication link. Feedback and balancing of the different control valves is provided by the visibility accorded each actuator remote processing unit by the second communication link.

Abstract: A method (300) for fault detection in a system under control includes monitoring a command value and a wraparound signal (301) by a fault detection module (203); determining a standard deviation of the command value (302) by the fault detection module; determining a standard deviation of the wraparound signal (303) by the fault detection module; determining a ratio of the standard deviation of the command value to the standard deviation of the wraparound signal (304) by the fault detection module; and determining the presence or absence of a fault in the system under control by the fault detection module based on the ratio (305) by the fault detection module. A fault detection module (203) and a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium containing computer code that, when executed by a computer, implements a method (300) for fault detection are also provided.

Abstract: A system automatically detects singular faults in diode or'd power bus circuit comprised of a plurality of diodes. The system includes a diode test circuit that selectively applies a voltage pulse to one of the plurality of diodes and detects the presence of singular faults based on the monitored response to the voltage pulse.

Abstract: A system automatically detects singular faults in diode or'd power bus circuit comprised of a plurality of diodes. The system includes a diode test circuit that selectively applies a voltage pulse to one of the plurality of diodes and detects the presence of singular faults based on the monitored response to the voltage pulse.

Abstract: A reconfigurable interface provides device-specific processing through software rather than hardware. The reconfigurable interface that samples an output from at least one device and converts it to a digital signal. The digital signal can then be processed in any desired manner, such as to extract intelligence or condition the signal. The conversion and the processing are controlled by data in a configuration table, which are easily modified and reconfigured to accommodate different systems and devices. The same reconfigurable interface can be used for any type of device and the devices do not require customized hardware interfaces to communicate with a signal processor.

Abstract: Interface apparatus is adapted for interconnection between a host computer and a Commercial Standard Digital Bus (CSDB) for translating the CSDB signal protocol of the data frames provided over the bus by different signal sources into a signal format which is compatible with the host computer.

Abstract: An interface between a host and a bus includes label generator and a memory. The label generator responds to bus label signals from the bus, for providing label signals. The memory responds to bus signals from the bus, for providing memory host signals to the bus. The memory further reponds to the label signals from the label generator for storing the label signals as label memory signals. The memory further responds to host signals from the host, either for providing memory bus signals to the host when the host reads memory bus information from the memory, or for providing said label memory signals to the host when the host reads label memory information from the memory.