Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for complementary navigation devices with various integrated positioning functionality. The navigation method includes providing a first navigation device. The first navigation device includes a triangulation positioning functionality. The method includes providing a second navigation device adapted to communicate with the first navigation device. The second navigation device includes one or more dead reckoning positioning components. The method further includes resolving a position of the first and the second navigation devices. Resolving the position includes using the one or more dead reckoning positioning components in complement to the triangulation positioning functionality to determine the position when the triangulation positioning functionality is degraded.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided improving the accuracy, availability and integrity of GPS service. Specifically, the present invention provides a GPS device with the correction messages which are from the most accurate and desirable source while at the same time conserving processor and memory resources of the device. The method includes receiving GPS data. An SBAS signal from a first correction source is received. Ionospheric mask messages, for a number of grid points, in the received SBAS signal are analyzed. An abbreviated bounding region around a group of similar type grid points is constructed. The method further includes determining whether the position of the GPS device is within the abbreviated bounding region.

Abstract: Several synchronization circuits, a computer, a method of adjusting the operation of an oscillator, and method of operating a power converter are disclosed. The circuits and computer include a switch coupled to a current path. The switch receives a synchronization signal, and is turned on by an active state of the synchronizing signal, and turned off by an inactive state of the synchronizing signal. The current path is configured to pass a current when the switch is off, and the switch is configured to pass the current when turned on. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that allow any reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A portable, handheld GPS unit (10) is operable to generate a track log corresponding a track traversed by a user and display a track display representative of the track traversed. The track display includes at least one track characteristic indicative of a feature sensed by at least one sensor (26) coupled with the GPS unit (10). The track characteristic of the track display varies in response to a change in the feature sensed by the sensor. For example, the track display may display a track of varying width, such that an increase in the track's width corresponds to an increase in the feature, and a decrease in the track's width corresponds to a decrease in the feature. Alternatively, the characteristic may be a track color change or a symbol indicating a predetermined amount change in the feature. The sensed feature may include altitude, distance, heart rate, temperature, light intensity, and oxygen content.

Abstract: An improved system and methods for correlating an interrogation-based air traffic surveillance intruder, such as an Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) intruder, and a GPS-based air traffic surveillance target, such as an Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) target to minimize or eliminate the display of two symbols for the same intruder/target on the CDTI of an aircraft. The method comprises the steps of receiving ADS-B data at a processing unit and calculating select component deltas for the ADS-B data versus an entry in a TCAS intruder file. Progressive weights are assigned to the deltas and the progressive weights are summed, resulting in a total confidence score. Total confidence scores of ADS-B target and TCAS intruder pairs are compared to determine correlation between the ADS-B target and the TCAS intruders.

Abstract: Devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for packing n-dimensional data. The navigational device with n-dimensional data packing capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. Packing n-dimensional data within one or more coordinate data. Each coordinate data includes n-dimensional data and a control data. The control data are operable to determine which n-dimensional data are active within the coordinate data. Furthermore, each coordinate data are compressed or packed.

Abstract: A multi-function, portable, electronic device includes a housing, a processor located within the housing and a memory in communication with the processor. The electronic device includes a display in communication with the processor and positioned on a surface of the housing. The electronic device includes an apparatus for performing a first function, and an apparatus for performing a second function. One of the functions includes a navigational component. The navigational component includes an antenna attached to the housing and movable between a stowed position and a signal acquisition position. A deployment indicator indicates the antenna is in the signal acquisition position. An operational component of the navigational component is activated in response to the deployment indicator indicating the antenna is in the signal acquisition position.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling transponder replies to Mode-S interrogation signals. The method includes receiving Mode-S signals containing P5 and P6 pulses each having certain amplitudes. Each P6 pulse contains a sync phase reversal (SPR) signal followed by a data segment containing Mode-S data. The P5 pulse is asynchronous with respect to the P6 pulse and is timed to overlay the SPR signal. The method includes, analyzing each P5 and corresponding P6 pulse, identifying the SPR signal correctly in the received Mode-S signals in which the amplitude of the P6 pulse is at least 12 dB greater than the amplitude of the P5 pulse and in no more than 2% of the received Mode-S signals in which the amplitude of the P6 pulse is at least 3 dB less than the amplitude of the P5 pulse, and replying to the Mode-S signals where the SPR signal is correctly identified.

Abstract: PDA devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for an improved route generation. A PDA with route generation capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. The memory includes a current location of the PDA, one or more available locations, and a destination of the PDA. A display communicates with the processor and is capable of communicating at least a portion of a generated route for the PDA. Available locations are repetitively inspected and locations adjacent to a last selected location are inserted into a first data structure such that the first location of the first data structure is always a least cost location associated with all adjacent locations comprising the first data structure. The first location is then optionally inserted into a second data structure. The generated route includes the current location, one or more first locations, and the destination.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to compress data, and in particular to code and decode data in a PDA. One aspect of the present subject matter is a data structure. The data structure includes a field representing a decoding structure to decode canonical Huffman encoded data, and a field representing a symbol table. The decoding structure includes a field representing an accelerator table to provide a 2N-deep direct-index lookup to provide high-frequency symbols for high-frequency data and to provide bracketing indices for low-frequency data. The decoding structure also includes a field for a binary search table to provide a low-frequency symbol index using a binary search bounded by the bracketing indices provided by the accelerator table. The symbol table is adapted to provide a symbol associated with the low-frequency index.

Abstract: A device and method for enclosing electronics in a waterproof environment and transferring the heat generated by the electronics to an external environment is provided. The device includes a housing and a heat sink. The housing includes top and bottom pieces that are sealed to one another forming an interior portion. The interior portion houses electronic components. A face plate is coupled to the front of the housing and includes an opening that is sealed with a hinged door. A fastening mechanism securely fastens the heat sink to the housing so that a substantial portion of the heat sink is in contact with the back side of housing. Heat sink includes a base and a plurality of fins that are adapted to transfer heat generated by the electronic components within the interior of the housing to an external environment.

Abstract: A GPS enabled personal digital assistant (PDA) is provided. A housing of the PDA includes a processor and a memory operably coupled to the processor. The memory has provided thereto cartographic data including any number of locations and data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types connecting certain ones of the locations. A display is operably coupled to the processor, the display viewable at a front face of the housing. And, a GPS patch antenna is operably coupled to the processor and is located above the display within the housing to receive GPS signals.

Abstract: A portable, handheld electronic navigation device includes an altimeter and a GPS unit. An internal memory stores cartographic data, for displaying the cartographic data on a display of the navigation device. Accordingly, the device is capable of displaying cartographic data surrounding a location of the unit as determined by GPS and altitude information as determined by the barometric altimeter and GPS. The device provides an enhancement of the calibration and hence the accuracy of barometric altimeter measurements with the aid of derived altitudes from a GPS. The device is able to determine the need for calibration and perform the subsequent computations necessary to facilitate the calibration. Furthermore, the device is able to determine a correction quantity that should be applied to barometric altitude readings, thereby allowing the device to be calibrated while in motion. Both of these features ultimately result in a more accurate determination of altitude.

Abstract: A Mode-S transponder is provided for detecting synchronization phase reversal (SPR) signal. The transponder includes a receiver for receiving a Mode-S signal that contains a P6 pulse having a Mode-S data segment and an SPR signal therein. The transponder also includes a phrase detector that detects a phase change between first and second states in the received Mode-S signal. The phase detector includes an SPR qualifier that determine whether, following a state change, the Mode-S signal remains at one of the first and second states for at least a predetermined minimum time sufficient to qualify as a detector enable signal.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly linking a GPS device (12) with a portable electronic device (14) to provide the portable electronic device (14) with GPS functions. The GPS device (12) includes a GPS receiver or sensor (16) operable for receiving GPS satellite signals from a plurality of GPS satellites and a transmitter (18) coupled with the GPS receiver for wirelessly transmitting information corresponding to the GPS satellite signals. The portable electronic device (14) includes a receiver for wirelessly receiving the information transmitted by the GPS device (12) and a display for displaying data corresponding to the GPS satellite signals. The transmitter (18) of the GPS device (12) and the receiver of the portable electronic device (14) preferably wirelessly transmit and receive information via a short range wireless local area network (LAN) using infrared, unlicensed radio, or optical transmission methods.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided which include a rugged, waterproof, navigation device having a touch panel. The device includes a portable, and/or handheld navigation device. The navigation device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The memory is adapted to store navigation related data, the navigation related data including cartographic data including a number of locations and data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types connecting certain ones of the locations. The device includes a housing having an opening. A touch panel is mounted in the opening of the housing. The touch panel and housing forming a substantially waterproof enclosure. A navigation component is located within the substantially waterproof enclosure.

Abstract: A spatial data search method, system and apparatus for identifying particular data of significance around a reference vector through the spatial data. The method involves determining a reference vector within a spatial region for which spatial data exists, loading a portion of the spatial data including the data around the reference vector into a memory buffer, and searching the spatial data in a prioritized order. The method, system and apparatus have particular utility in searching geographic data for a terrain awareness and warning system (“TAWS”) and display in an aircraft. Embodiments of the present invention provide advantages over existing sequential and radial search methods, significantly reducing the processing and calculations required and providing faster alerts to pilots.

Abstract: A navigation device and a method of calibrating the same are provided. The device includes a barometric pressure sensor and a GPS receiver. A processor calculates barometric and GPS derived altitudes and, based on a difference therebetween, corrects barometer altitude readings that would otherwise include drift errors. The processor uses a filter, such as a state feedback loop, to determine correction factors. The state feedback loop is adjustable to operate with different time constants. An error drift model is empirically determined and used to set the time constant. The time constant may be adjusted during operation based on a relation between the barometer correction quantity and an uncertainty in the vertical component of the GPS derived altitude. The method includes updating and recalibrating an atmospheric pressure model used to derive altitudes from the output of the barometric pressure sensor.