Abstract: A method of detecting a direction of arrival of at least one interference signal interfering a wanted signal in a plurality of received signals involves receiving, by a number of antennas of an antenna array, a number of signals, identifying an interference signal in the received signals, applying a beam forming signal processing technique to the identified interference signal, and detecting the direction of arrival from the results of the beam forming signal processing.

Abstract: Method, arrangement and system for improving a combined use of a plurality of different satellite navigation systems, in which each of the plurality of different satellite navigation systems includes a constellation of at least one satellite. The method includes broadcasting from each satellite of the constellation of a first satellite navigation system the clock models for all satellites of the constellation of a second satellite navigation system.

Abstract: A method for determining an indicator of an amount of noise comprised within a received signal within a satellite communication network or a GNSS involves extracting a received modulating signal from the received signal. An estimate of the transmission delay is determined based on the in-phase component of the modulating signal. A prompt replica of the modulating signal is generated using the estimate of the transmission delay. A prompt quadrature correlation of the quadrature component of the received modulating signal and of the quadrature component of the prompt replica is determined, and the indicator of the amount of noise comprised within the received signal is determined based on the prompt quadrature correlation.

Abstract: A device for opening or closing a seal seat of a valve arranged in a pipe for liquid or gaseous media includes a one-time only activation of the valve using a shape memory actuator. The shape memory actuator changes its external shape abruptly when a transformation temperature is reached that is dependent upon its alloy composition. The transformation temperature can be generated by a controllable electrical heating device of the device.

Abstract: A multifunctional controller merges certain functions of an onboard computer (OBC) and a power supply unit (PCDU) of a satellite. The controller includes reconfiguration functions for monitoring the correct functioning of components of an onboard computer of the satellite and for switching over between redundant components and/or turning off electrical loads of the satellite in the event of a malfunction. The controller also includes control functions for controlling and distributing energy to satellite components, which is designed for turning on and off the power supply to satellite components together with the reconfiguration unit.

Abstract: A joint for unfolding and locking a solar generator or a reflector, or other aerospace components that can be unfolded, includes two half joints, a joint axis, and a drive. A drive spring of the drive has a progressive characteristic curve over the unfolding angle of the two half joints, which increases over the unfolding, to compensate for a frictional torque that varies over the unfolding angle.

Abstract: A device for detection of falsified signals in a satellite navigation system includes at least two antennas having one or more receivers for receiving navigation signals, a phase difference measuring unit for determining phase differences of the received navigation signals for each antenna, and a detection unit for detecting falsified navigation signals among the received navigation signals on the basis of the phase differences determined.

Abstract: A device for regulating pressure and/or mass flow of a gaseous or liquid fluid conveyed through a line in a space propulsion system includes a first, piezoelectrically actuatable regulating valve and at least two second, magnetically actuatable regulating valves. The regulating valves are connected to each other and to a line input in such a way that in a nominal mode the pressure and the mass flow of the fluid can be set by the first regulating valve, and a connection or isolation of the first regulating valve with or from the line input can be produced by the second regulating valves. In an emergency mode the pressure and the mass flow of the fluid can be set by the second regulating valves.

Abstract: A method for platform relative navigation using range measurements involves four or more transmitters of positioning signals located on and/or near a platform of a first object and a second object approaching the platform that includes three or more receivers for receiving the positioning signals. For each received positioning signal, a range measurement between the transmitter of the positioning signal and the receiver of the positioning signal is performed. The relative position and relative attitude of a body frame of the second object is estimated with regard to the first object by processing the range measurements with a state space estimation algorithm implementing a model of the system of the first and second object.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the position of an aerial vehicle involves receiving a radio signal from the aerial vehicle with an antenna array, determining the direction of arrival of the received radio signal, forming a reception beam of the antenna array depending on the determined direction of arrival for receiving one or more further radio signals from the aerial vehicle, calculating the ranging between the aerial vehicle and the antenna array based on a radio signal provided for ranging and received from the aerial vehicle, and evaluating the position of the aerial vehicle based on the calculated ranging, the determined direction of arrival, and the known position of the antenna array.

Abstract: A valve for one-time opening a fluid line for venting a technical system includes an inlet for connecting to the fluid line, an outlet, and a controllable closure arranged between the inlet and the outlet. In the non-activated state the controllable closure closes a passage between the inlet and the outlet. The closure includes a material that changes its phase state in dependence on a control parameter, whereby the passage is irreversibly opened in the activated state.

Abstract: Receiver using antenna beam forming for tracking a transmitter signal and method for tracking the transmitter signal. The receiver includes a beam forming network comprising at least one beam forming channel for weighting each of N signals received from an N-element antenna array with an assigned weighting factor for forming a beam for tracking a transmitter signal of a certain transmitter, and a calibrator structured and arranged to calibrate the weighting factor (Wi) assigned to a signal (i) selected from the N signals by determining an average phase difference (??) between consecutive samples of the selected signal and consecutive samples of a reference signal and structured and arranged to adapt the weighting factor (Wi) of the selected signal depending on the determined average phase difference (??), where (i) is a number between 1 and N.

Abstract: Solar cell assembly that includes at least first and second solar cells arranged adjacent each other to form a row. First electric contact pad of first solar cell is positioned adjacent to second electric contact pad of second solar cell and second electric contact pad of first solar cell is positioned adjacent to first electric contact pad of second solar cell. Interconnectors connect each first electric contact pad of first solar cell with adjacent second electric contact pad of second solar cell and each second electric contact pad of first solar cell with adjacent first electric contact pad of second solar cell. Each interconnector is sized so that, between adjacent cells, interconnector is below first electric contact pad. Cover glass is provided on a front surface of each solar cell, and each interconnector is provided with a cover member covering a front surface of interconnector.

Abstract: Gear wheel and method for reducing vibrations transmitted by a rotating shaft. The gear wheel includes an inner part, which is connectable to a cause of vibration, a connection element and a ring gear. The connection element is structured and arranged to reduce vibrations.

Abstract: Solar cell including a substrate with first p-n-junction, separating the substrate into front portion having first doping and rear portion having second doping, being located close to front surface of substrate. A front layer having a p-n-junction, separating the front layer into front portion having first doping and rear portion having second doping. At least one first electric contact provided on front side of the solar cell electrically connected to front portion of the front layer, and second electric contact provided on rear side of solar cell electrically connected to a contact point provided on front side of the solar cell. Contact point is placed on a bottom surface of a groove open to front side of the cell and extending to rear portion of substrate, and an electrical connection between the second electric contact and the contact point is provided by the rear portion.

Abstract: A screw prestressing device having a piston and a draw pin structured and arranged to be disconnectably coupled to an element and movable, via the piston, to apply a defined prestressing force in the element.

Abstract: An orthomode coupler for an antenna system, particularly for a multi-feed antenna is provided. The orthomode coupler includes a first signal waveguide for a first RF signal that can propagate in the first signal waveguide, along a first axis, as well as a second signal waveguide for a second RF signal that can propagate in the second signal waveguide, along a second axis, where the second axis is disposed parallel to the first axis. Furthermore, the orthomode coupler includes a septum polarizer in which the first and second signal waveguide end, and a common signal waveguide having a third axis, along which a transmission and reception signal can propagate, where the third axis runs parallel to the first and the second axis, and where the common signal waveguide is coupled with the septum polarizer. The common signal waveguide includes a further polarizer.

Abstract: A method of automatically determining a landing runway for an aircraft includes the steps of i) determining control points assigned to a landing runway along a landing approach of an airplane; ii) determining the spatial deviation of the airplane from the determined control points; and iii) determining an appropriate landing runway while taking into account the determined spatial deviation.

Abstract: A method for determining the integrity risk at an alert limit of a position solution determined with a satellite navigation system involves calculating a first integrity risk at the alert limit assuming that one satellite j of the satellites is faulty. A first position solution is determined with the signals from all of the satellites and a second position solution is determined with the signals from all of the satellites except for the signal received from the satellite j. A difference between the first and the second position solution is identified and subtracted from the alert limit to create a reduced alert limit. A second integrity risk at the reduced alert limit is calculated with the signals received from all satellites except the signal received from the satellite j. The integrity risk at the alert limit is determined using the minimum of the first and second integrity risks.

Abstract: A near field navigation system is equipped with a base segment provided on a base structure. The base segment includes at least four transmitters. Each transmitter is provided with a base antenna and the base antennas are positioned relative to each other at known distances. A user segment is provided on a user structure, the user segment including at least one receiver, at least one user antenna connected to the receiver, and a processing unit connected to the receiver. The receiver and each of the transmitters together form distance measuring units and the processing unit is adapted to calculate the relative three-dimensional position data of the user structure with respect to the base structure on the basis of distance data obtained from the distance measuring units.