Abstract: Provided systems and methods for an aircraft lighting system (ALS) include a centralized blue generator that supplies blue light to a plurality (N) of passive light-heads distributed at various locations on the aircraft. A load profile for use of the N passive light-heads during all flight phases and operational phases is developed and uploaded into the system. Each of the passive light-heads is operationally coupled to the blue light generator via a respective light transmission element that is gated with a respective one of N light switches. A light generating control unit (LGCU) is coupled to the blue light generator, and controls the generation and actuation of blue light, in addition to controlling light switch positions, as a function of navigation data and the load profile. Each of the N passive light-heads comprises a respective light conversion element to convert the blue light into red, green, or white light.

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: Provided systems and methods for an aircraft lighting system (ALS) include a centralized blue generator that supplies blue light to a plurality (N) of passive light-heads distributed at various locations on the aircraft. A load profile for use of the N passive light-heads during all flight phases and operational phases is developed and uploaded into the system. Each of the passive light-heads is operationally coupled to the blue light generator via a respective light transmission element that is gated with a respective one of N light switches. A light generating control unit (LGCU) is coupled to the blue light generator, and controls the generation and actuation of blue light, in addition to controlling light switch positions, as a function of navigation data and the load profile. Each of the N passive light-heads comprises a respective light conversion element to convert the blue light into red, green, or white light.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an auto-land system for a rotorcraft are provided. The system includes, a search light (SL) assembly configured to receive user input directing the SL to a point of interest (POI) and determine an actual SL orientation and an actual SL range to the POI; and, a searchlight controller operationally coupled to the search light assembly, and configured to: responsive to receiving a command to auto-land at the POI, begin (i) generating a desired trajectory from the rotorcraft actual orientation and rotorcraft actual range to the POI; (ii) generating guidance commands for navigating the rotorcraft in accordance with the desired trajectory; (iii) monitoring an actual SL range and an actual SL orientation; and (iv) generating controlling commands for the searchlight assembly in accordance with the coordinates of the POI.

Abstract: A spherical electromagnetic machine includes a spherical stator, a plurality of longitudinal slots, a plurality of latitudinal slots, a plurality of longitudinal coils, a plurality of latitudinal coils, a first hemispherical shell rotor, and a second hemispherical shell rotor. The longitudinal slots and latitudinal slots are formed in, and are spaced evenly around, the outer surface. The longitudinal coils are disposed within a different one of the longitudinal slots. The latitudinal coils are disposed within a different one of the latitudinal slots. The first and second hemispherical shell rotors are mounted for rotation relative to the spherical stator body and have magnets on their inner surfaces. A Lorentz force causes movement of the first and second hemispherical shell rotors when electrical current is supplied to one or more of the longitudinal coils or to one or more of the latitudinal coils.

Abstract: A system for transferring data between an on-board server and an off-board server of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises: a light mounted to an exterior of a vehicle; an external network comprising an external wireless access point comprising a first antenna positioned on the exterior of the vehicle at the location of the light, the external network configured to automatically connect to an off-board server, the off-board server located outside the vehicle; an internal network comprising internal wireless access point comprising a second antenna, the second antenna positioned on the interior of the vehicle at the location of the light, the internal network configured to automatically connect to an on-board server, the on-board server internal to the vehicle; and a circuit coupled to the external access point and to the internal access point, the circuit configured to transfer data bi-directionally between the off-board server and the on-board server.

Abstract: A lighting device including a plurality of light-emitting semiconductor devices. The light-emitting semiconductor devices are separated into at least two subgroups. The lighting device further includes a plurality of optics separated into at least two subgroups, which are arranged relative to the plurality of light-emitting semiconductor devices such that each one of the plurality of light-emitting semiconductor devices of a first subgroup is located at a focal point of a respective optic of a first subgroup of the plurality of optics, and such that each one of the plurality of light-emitting semiconductor devices of a second subgroup is located at a focal point of a respective optic of a second subgroup of the plurality of optics. The optical properties of the first subgroup and second subgroup of the plurality of optics are different.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a searchlight unit to obtain elevation information about a point of interest are disclosed herein. The searchlight unit comprises an illumination source, a distance measurement system and an actuator for positioning the illumination source and for positioning the distance measurement system toward the point of interest. The searchlight unit also includes a global navigation satellite system and an inertial measurement unit for obtaining position and orientation information about the searchlight unit.

Abstract: An aircraft lighting system (ALS) and apparatus which includes: a lighting generator control unit (LGCU) controlling a light source generator for generating a first, second and third type of light to each passive light head; a light bus coupled to the light source generator to receive the first, second, and third types of light and for converting the first type of light to a fourth type of light; a plurality of light transmission elements coupled to the light source generator; a plurality of light switches responsive to a switch command from the LGCU to optically not direct or direct light from the light bus to a light transmission element; a light conversion element connected for converting the first type to the fourth type of light; and the LGCU configured to command the light source generator to generate light in accordance with a load profile.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for detecting and confirming objects using a radar system and an electro-optical and imaging system of a vehicle. For instance, the method may include obtaining volumetric radar data, the volumetric radar data being produced by the radar system of the vehicle for zones of a scanned area; analyzing the volumetric radar data to detect objects in a subset of zones from among the zones of the scanned area; controlling the electro-optical and imaging system of the vehicle to examine the subset of zones to identify and confirm the presence of the detected objects in one or more zones of the subset of zones; receiving a confirmation that a detected object of the detected objects is present in the one or more zones of the subset of zones; and performing an action to update a vehicle system in response to receiving the confirmation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an auto-land system for a rotorcraft are provided. The system includes, a search light (SL) assembly configured to receive user input directing the SL to a point of interest (POI) and determine an actual SL orientation and an actual SL range to the POI; and, a searchlight controller operationally coupled to the search light assembly, and configured to: responsive to receiving a command to auto-land at the POI, begin (i) generating a desired trajectory from the rotorcraft actual orientation and rotorcraft actual range to the POI; (ii) generating guidance commands for navigating the rotorcraft in accordance with the desired trajectory; (iii) monitoring an actual SL range and an actual SL orientation; and (iv) generating controlling commands for the searchlight assembly in accordance with the coordinates of the POI.

Abstract: A system for transferring data between an on-board server and an off-board server of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises: a light mounted to an exterior of a vehicle; an external network comprising an external wireless access point comprising a first antenna positioned on the exterior of the vehicle at the location of the light, the external network configured to automatically connect to an off-board server, the off-board server located outside the vehicle; an internal network comprising internal wireless access point comprising a second antenna, the second antenna positioned on the interior of the vehicle at the location of the light, the internal network configured to automatically connect to an on-board server, the on-board server internal to the vehicle; and a circuit coupled to the external access point and to the internal access point, the circuit configured to transfer data bi-directionally between the off-board server and the on-board server.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lamp assembly includes a base including an electrical connector adapted to electrically engage a socket. A thermally conductive enclosure is coupled to the base, and a printed circuit board is disposed within the thermally conductive enclosure. The printed circuit board is operably electrically connected with the base and the electrical connector and thermally coupled to the enclosure. An LED is disposed on an exterior surface of the housing and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The thermally conductive enclosure is adapted to mechanically and thermally engage the socket to sink heat generated by the printed circuit board and the light source from the lamp assembly into the socket and an associated reflector.

Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle. The lighting device has a PAR form fit, and includes a housing with a circumferential wall. The circumferential wall has an inner surface, an outer surface and an opening for light emission. The device includes a plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices. The plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices are mounted on a surface of a substrate such that the peak emitted light intensity direction of each one of the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices is directed toward the central axis. A second surface of the substrate is in thermal contact with the inner surface of the circumferential wall. The device also includes a plurality of curved reflecting surfaces arranged between the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices and the central axis, arranged to reflect light emitted by the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices through the opening.

Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle. The lighting device has a PAR form fit, and includes a housing with a circumferential wall. The circumferential wall has an inner surface, an outer surface and an opening for light emission. The device includes a plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices. The plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices are mounted on a surface of a substrate such that the peak emitted light intensity direction of each one of the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices is directed toward the central axis. A second surface of the substrate is in thermal contact with the inner surface of the circumferential wall. The device also includes a plurality of curved reflecting surfaces arranged between the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices and the central axis, arranged to reflect light emitted by the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices through the opening.

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: A light emitting diode (LED) lamp assembly includes a base including an electrical connector adapted to electrically engage a socket. A thermally conductive enclosure is coupled to the base, and a printed circuit board is disposed within the thermally conductive enclosure. The printed circuit board is operably electrically connected with the base and the electrical connector and thermally coupled to the enclosure. An LED is disposed on an exterior surface of the housing and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The thermally conductive enclosure is adapted to mechanically and thermally engage the socket to sink heat generated by the printed circuit board and the light source from the lamp assembly into the socket and an associated reflector.

Abstract: A single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC) circuit has at least a circuit input node and a circuit common node, and includes an inductor, a first coupling capacitor, an isolation transformer, a controllable switch, a second coupling capacitor, and a clamp diode. The inductor is electrically connected in series between the circuit input node and the first coupling capacitor. The first coupling capacitor is connected in series between the inductor and the first primary input terminal. The controllable switch is electrically connected in series between an internal circuit node and the circuit common node, and the internal circuit node is located between the inductor and the first coupling capacitor. The second coupling capacitor is electrically connected in series between the second primary input terminal and the circuit common node. The clamp diode is electrically connected in series between the internal circuit node and the second primary input terminal.

Abstract: A single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC) circuit has at least a circuit input node and a circuit common node, and includes an inductor, a first coupling capacitor, an isolation transformer, a controllable switch, a second coupling capacitor, and a clamp diode. The inductor is electrically connected in series between the circuit input node and the first coupling capacitor. The first coupling capacitor is connected in series between the inductor and the first primary input terminal. The controllable switch is electrically connected in series between an internal circuit node and the circuit common node, and the internal circuit node is located between the inductor and the first coupling capacitor. The second coupling capacitor is electrically connected in series between the second primary input terminal and the circuit common node. The clamp diode is electrically connected in series between the internal circuit node and the second primary input terminal.

Abstract: A single-stage power factor corrected light emitting diode (LED) driver circuit having a circuit input node, a circuit output node, and a circuit common node includes a first inductor, a second inductor, a coupling capacitor, a controllable switch, and an LED string. The first inductor is electrically connected in series between the circuit input node and the coupling capacitor, the second inductor is electrically connected in series between the circuit output node and the circuit common node, the coupling capacitor is electrically connected in series between the first inductor and the circuit output node, the controllable switch is electrically connected in series between a first internal circuit node and the circuit common node, the first internal circuit node located between the first inductor and the coupling capacitor, and the LED string is electrically connected in parallel with only the second inductor.