Abstract: Vehicle systems and methods are provided for visually alerting a vehicle operator to a potential obstacle in the vicinity of a vehicle using an external lighting system associated with the vehicle. An exemplary method involves identifying an analysis portion of image data captured for a region external to the vehicle based at least in part on current status information associated with the vehicle, identifying an obstacle within the analysis portion of the image data based at least in part on ranging data for the analysis portion, and in response to identifying the obstacle, automatically adjusting an illumination axis associated with a lighting system to illuminate the obstacle, determining a current value for a contrast ratio associated with the obstacle relative to the analysis portion of the image data, and automatically adjusting one or more characteristics of the lighting system based at least in part on the current value.

Abstract: A method and system to integrate information in a coordinated mission of a group of user vehicles is provided. The method comprises storing a call sign in a database for each user vehicle, among the group of user vehicles, in the coordinated mission; and identifying a speaker vehicle among the user vehicles by comparing a call sign from parts of speech (POS) with the stored call signs. The method further comprises highlighting the identified speaker vehicle in a common display of each user vehicle; and determining whether the POS from the speaker vehicle contains a reference to a point of interest (POI). The method generates a graphical symbol for the POI when the POS from the speaker vehicle contains a reference to the POI, and tags the graphical symbol at a location of the POI in the common display of each user vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic base station functional split configuration management are provided. In one embodiment, a system for base station functional split management for uplink fronthaul traffic comprises: a baseband controller coupled to a plurality of radio units via a fronthaul network, wherein the plurality of radio units comprise a signal zone from which uplink signals are combined by the base station: a split controller configured to dynamically select and control a functional split of a respective uplink receive chain between the baseband controller and each of the plurality of radio units: wherein the functional split defines a demarcation point on the receive chain prior to which processing operations are executed by a radio unit and after which processing operations are executed by the baseband controller: wherein the split controller selects between a plurality of functional split options to dynamically control the functional split and the demarcation point.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for promoting communication between mobile platforms. The systems include a database storing voice profiles, a communication system configured to receive audio data from each of the mobile platforms that include speech from operators of the mobile platforms, a display system configured to provide a common display in each of the mobile platforms that includes a terrain environment and mobile platform icons for each of the mobile platforms on the terrain environment indicating the locations thereof, a controller configured to, by a processor: analyze the speech of the audio data to identify in real-time a first of the operators that is currently speaking by correlating the speech with one of the voice profiles, identify a first of the mobile platforms associated with the first operator, and indicate, on the common display, in real-time that the audio data is associated with the first mobile platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a mobile platform. The systems include an assembly comprising a device, wherein the assembly is configured to controllably articulate to direct the device toward positions on the ground, a human-to-machine input (HMI) device configured to allow a user to manually operate the assembly to execute a slew operation wherein the device is redirected from a first position on the ground to a second position along a desired path, a sensor system configured to sense an attitude of the mobile platform, and a controller configured to, by a processor: receive the attitude from the sensor system, receive a slew command from the HMI device, and modify operation of the assembly, based on the sensor data, during the slew operation to compensate for attitude disturbances such that an actual path along which the device is directed matches the desired path.

Abstract: Mobile apparatus and methods for ultraviolet (UV) light sanitization of an aircraft. The mobile apparatus generally comprises a mobile platform, such as a trolley, that has integrated therewith circuitry and devices that control and actuate ultra-violet C-spectrum (UV-C) light sources that are mechanically coupled to the trolley. The proposed mobile apparatus includes a controller that receives input from an operator and, optionally, from dosimeters mounted on the proposed system and/or within the aircraft. Based on the inputs received, the controller provides guidance to the operator in the form of alerts and messages, as well as automatically adjusting components of the mobile apparatus to adapt itself to a specific aircraft type.

Abstract: A control system in a UVC-based aircraft sanitization system for controlling the UVC-based aircraft sanitization system to maintain a desired UVC (ultraviolet C) radiation level at a target surface in an aircraft under varying operating conditions is disclosed. The control system includes a controller configured to: receive measured radiation feedback from a radiation measurement device (e.g., dosimeter) on the target surface that identifies a radiation level that is applied at the target surface by the UVC-based aircraft sanitization system; and generate a UVC source control command for UVC sources in the UVC-based aircraft sanitization system. based on the received measured radiation feedback, to control the UVC sources to increase or decrease radiation level output (e.g., identify the amount of increase or decrease from the UVC sources) to generate sufficient radiation to achieve the desired radiation level at the target surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a searchlight mounted to an aerial vehicle. The systems and methods receive angular data representing a directional angle of a beam of the searchlight and location data representing a global location of the aerial vehicle from a sensor system of the aerial vehicle. The systems and methods determine coverage of the beam of the searchlight on ground based on the angular data and the location data. Based on the coverage of the beam, the aerial vehicle is controlled to change the global location, the display is controlled to depict the coverage of the beam on a map including historical coverage of the beam, and/or the searchlight actuator is controlled to adjust the direction of the beam.

Abstract: Modular apparatus and methods for ultraviolet (UV) light sanitization of an aircraft. The modular apparatus generally comprises a base frame that is universal, and multiple interchangeable modular kits to adapt the base frame to different aircraft cabin geometries. The base frame has integrated therewith circuitry and devices that control ultra-violet C-spectrum (UVC) light sources that are located on a frame of the modular kit. Various embodiments of the modular kits have five parts, and assemble the same way, for different aircraft cabin geometries.

Abstract: An aircraft search and rescue mission effectiveness system includes a display device, a searchlight assembly, and a searchlight processing system. The searchlight assembly emits a light beam toward, and thus illuminates, a point of interest, and supplies beam data that includes at least light beam orientation and distance from the searchlight assembly to the point of interest. The searchlight processing system receives aircraft data and is configured to: process the aircraft data and the beam data to generate and supply geographic coordinate data for the point of interest, command the display device to render an image that includes at least a graphical representation of the point of interest and the geographic coordinate data for the point of interest, receive a user input command, and in response to receiving the user input command, to transmit the geographic coordinate data to one or more aircraft avionics systems.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for autonomously operating a retractable lighting arrangement. One method involves obtaining a current speed of the vehicle when the lighting arrangement is in an extended state, and when the current speed is greater than a threshold when the lighting arrangement is in the extended state, verifying one or more illumination elements associated with the lighting arrangement are in a deactivated state and thereafter automatically signaling an actuation arrangement associated with the lighting arrangement to transition the lighting arrangement from the extended state to a retracted state.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for slewing a light beam axis directly between points on the ground. One method involves determining a first position associated with a beam axis of a lighting arrangement in a Cartesian reference frame based on an initial orientation of the lighting arrangement in a spherical reference frame, determining an adjustment for the lighting arrangement in the Cartesian reference frame in response to a user input, determining an updated position for the beam axis in the Cartesian reference frame based on the first position and the adjustment in the Cartesian reference frame, transforming the updated position for the beam axis in the Cartesian reference frame to an updated orientation of the lighting arrangement in the spherical reference frame, and concurrently commanding actuators associated with the lighting arrangement to slew the lighting arrangement from the initial orientation to the updated orientation in the spherical reference frame.

Abstract: A method for controlling an orientation of a searchlight on a vehicle is provided. The method comprises: obtaining a target range to a point of interest (POI) at a target; determining a searchlight position and attitude; calculating a three dimensional position at the POI using searchlight azimuth and tilt actuator angles, the target range, and the searchlight position and attitude, while a searchlight light head continues to point at the 3D target position despite changes in movement or orientation of the vehicle; calculating a desired searchlight orientation including azimuth angle and tilt angle to point the light head at the target through inverting a kinematic relationship between the vehicle and the searchlight; calculating compensatory actuator angles for a plurality of searchlight actuators to achieve the desired searchlight orientation based on error measurements calculated from a current orientation; and commanding the plurality of searchlight actuators to the compensatory actuator angles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an aircraft lighting system (ALS) are provided. The method includes co-locating a central light source subsystem including a blue light generator, red light generator, and green light generator, and a light generating control unit (LGCU) comprising a processor, and distributing a plurality of passive light-heads around an external surface of the aircraft. Each passive light-head of the plurality of passive light-heads is operationally coupled to a first side of a respective light switch of a respective plurality of light switches, the light switch being coupled on a second side to a light emitting output of the central light source subsystem. Controlling and actuating the light generators and the light switches in accordance with a load profile is performed by a light generating control unit (LGCU).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for autonomously operating a retractable lighting arrangement. One method involves obtaining a current speed of the vehicle when the lighting arrangement is in an extended state, and when the current speed is greater than a threshold when the lighting arrangement is in the extended state, verifying one or more illumination elements associated with the lighting arrangement are in a deactivated state and thereafter automatically signaling an actuation arrangement associated with the lighting arrangement to transition the lighting arrangement from the extended state to a retracted state.

Abstract: An aircraft collision avoidance system includes a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, a plurality of sensor processors, a plurality of transmitters, and a display device. Each 3D LIDAR sensor is enclosed in an aircraft exterior lighting fixture that is configured for mounting on an aircraft, and is configured to sense objects within its field-of-view and supply sensor data. Each sensor processor receives sensor data and processes the received sensor data to determine locations and physical dimensions of the sensed objects. Each transmitter receives the object data, and is configured to transmit the received object data. The display device receives and fuses the object data transmitted from each transmitter, fuses the object data and selectively generates one or more potential obstacle alerts based on the fused object data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for moving an illumination spot of a searchlight beam at a constant groundspeed. The method includes receiving state data comprising an attitude for the mobile platform. The method computes an elevation angle, theta, of the beam as a function of the attitude, an elevation actuator angle and a known mounting orientation for the searchlight. Responsive to receiving a searchlight control command from a user input device, the method determines a respective rate of change of theta, dtheta/dt, and rate of change of Psi, dPsi/dt, required to maintain the constant groundspeed of the illumination spot, as a function of the state data. The method updates theta responsive to the determined dtheta/dt and generates actuator control commands for an elevation actuator based thereon. The method updates Psi responsive to the determined dPsi/dt, and generates actuator control commands for an azimuth actuator based thereon.

Abstract: Systems and methods for moving an illumination spot of a searchlight beam at a constant groundspeed. The method includes receiving state data comprising an attitude for the mobile platform. The method computes an elevation angle, theta, of the beam as a function of the attitude, an elevation actuator angle and a known mounting orientation for the searchlight. Responsive to receiving a searchlight control command from a user input device, the method determines a respective rate of change of theta, dtheta/dt, and rate of change of Psi, dPsi/dt, required to maintain the constant groundspeed of the illumination spot, as a function of the state data. The method updates theta responsive to the determined dtheta/dt and generates actuator control commands for an elevation actuator based thereon. The method updates Psi responsive to the determined dPsi/dt, and generates actuator control commands for an azimuth actuator based thereon.

Abstract: A distributed radio access network (RAN) includes a new radio unit (RU) being connected to a front-haul network. The new RU determines its own Internet Protocol (IP) address based on its MAC address; and send a discovery message to all radio controllers in the front-haul network via a multicast address. The distributed RAN also includes a plurality of radio controllers communicatively coupled to the new RU via the front-haul network. Each of the plurality of radio controllers are configured to receive the discovery message and determine whether the new RU is assigned to the respective radio controller. Each of at least one radio controller, to which the new RU is assigned, establishes at least one configuration session with the new RU.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a searchlight mounted to an aerial vehicle. The systems and methods receive angular data representing a directional angle of a beam of the searchlight and location data representing a global location of the aerial vehicle from a sensor system of the aerial vehicle. The systems and methods determine coverage of the beam of the searchlight on ground based on the angular data and the location data. Based on the coverage of the beam, the aerial vehicle is controlled to change the global location, the display is controlled to depict the coverage of the beam on a map including historical coverage of the beam, and/or the searchlight actuator is controlled to adjust the direction of the beam.