Abstract: A process for receiving a GMSK-modulated signal which, for simultaneously transmitting two services, has an in-phase signal with a pseudo-random code that differs from the quadrature signal. By means of a decomposition filter in a reference signal branch detects one service independently of the other during the correlating with the received signal.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 16, 2010
Publication date:
February 17, 2011
Applicants:
Astrium GmbH, IFEN GmbH
Inventors:
Oliver Balbach, Jean-Jacques Floch, Andreas Schmitz-Peiffer
Abstract: For amending navigation data of a global navigation system, navigation signals are received from a space vehicle, and a predicted clock phase offset of the clock signal sent from the space vehicle is estimated and stored in a memory. The clock phase offset difference between the current estimated clock phase offset and a previously estimated clock phase offset times (T1) is then computed and stored. An earlier computed phase offset difference between a previously estimated clock phase offset and a further previous estimation for said clock phase offset is obtained, wherein the time interval between the current measurement epoch and second earlier epoch is at least T1. The difference between the computed clock phase offset differences is derived, and compared with a given threshold value. If the latter difference is greater than the given threshold value, an integrity risk signal is generated and transmitted to other devices for position determination.
Abstract: In a system for determining the position of a spacecraft based on vector determinations, a direction vector is measured in a body-fixed coordinate system; a reference direction vector is determined within a reference coordinate system based on the path position of the spacecraft and an orbit model; the overall spin vector of the spacecraft is determined within the body-fixed coordinate system; and a reference overall spin vector of the spacecraft is determined within a reference coordinate system by time propagation of known initial values of the overall spin of the spacecraft or by time tracking of a reference model. The position of the spacecraft is determined based on the four vectors.
Abstract: In a vehicle, a vehicle system is provided that includes a position determination module for determining the position of the vehicle using an estimation of the error of satellite signals which are received by an earth-based receiver system, and an integrity module for determining an integrity risk for the position data for a vehicle, the risk being derived using time determinations performed by a satellite navigation system. When a threshold value for the integrity risk for the position data is exceeded, the vehicle system generates a warning signal which, by means of modules that are connected to the vehicle system, is designed to prevent the use of the position data for the vehicle. The integrity risk is determined using an estimated value for the error in the received satellite signal, and the receiver system functionally interacts with a plurality of satellites to determine and transmit data to a vehicle system containing a position determination module for determining the position of the vehicle.
Abstract: Methods and apparatus of determining an integrity risk of a satellite reference system are provided. Galileo parameters according to the Galileo integrity concept are detected. The Galileo parameters are imaged onto satellite based augmentation system (SBAS) parameters used in the SBAS. The integrity risk of the satellite reference system is determined according to the SBAS integrity concept using the SBAS parameters.
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 injection head for the combustion chamber of a rock propulsion unit has a base area with a plurality of injection elements distributed on it. Propellant constituents can be injected from each outlet of the injection elements into the combustion chamber, generating hot gases by a mixing and combustion of the propellant constituents in the combustion chamber, which hot gas can be accelerated to a high velocity for generating thrust. The base area of the injection head had a contoured shape which prevents or reduces the formation of zones of a reduced pressure, particularly between directly adjacent outlets.
Abstract: A heat shield for mounting on a heat-radiating object, particularly on a rocket engine comprises a first planar element having a front side and a back side. In its mounted state, the first planar element extending from the heat-radiating object toward the outside, with its front side being exposed to the heat radiation at least of a section of the heat-radiating object. A second insulating element having a front side and a back side is arranged on the back side of the first planar element in such a manner that a gap is formed between the back side of the first planar element and the front side of the second element. In the mounted state of the heat shield, the gap widens in the direction from the heat-radiating object toward the outside.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 21, 2006
Date of Patent:
December 7, 2010
Assignee:
Astrium GmbH
Inventors:
Andreas Goetz, Gerhard Hartmann, Herbert Linner, Thomas Mattstedt, Stefan Menne
Abstract: An apparatus for heat shielding and deceleration of a spacecraft comprises an unfoldable shield of individual panels made of a high temperature resistant fiber reinforced ceramic and pivotally mounted on the outer structure of the spacecraft. An unfolding ring slides axially along the body of the spacecraft. The panels are pivotally connected to the unfolding ring by compression struts acting as toggle levers. Tension springs pull the unfolding ring axially along the spacecraft body to toggle out the compression struts so as to outwardly pivotally deploy the panels. The unfoldable shield can be arranged on the forward end or the rear end of the spacecraft relative to its flight direction upon entry into the atmosphere.
Abstract: A method for estimating an integrity risk in a satellite navigation system includes receiving a plurality of navigation signals at a user system from at least one satellite, the plurality of navigation signals including data relative to the integrity of the satellite navigation system; and estimating the integrity risk using the data in the at least one user system. The estimating further includes forming a plurality of intervals of an integration variable of an integral function, estimating a maximum of the integrity risk for each interval, comparing the maximum of each interval to find an overall maximum of all the intervals; and using the overall maximum as an estimate of the integrity risk.
Abstract: Method for the computer-assisted determination of an optimum-fuel control of nozzles according to a control instruction b=Ax. A defined matrix transformation of starting constraints for the mass flow of the nozzles and of the minimization criterion thereby takes place in a computer-assisted manner, a data processing representation of a geometric description of the matrix-transformed starting constraints, a computer-assisted determination of limiting point sets of the geometric description of the starting constraints through a computer-assisted geometric search procedure in the vector space and the application of the matrix-transformed minimization criterion to the points of the limiting point sets.
Abstract: A master clock generation unit for satellite navigation systems, comprises a plurality of frequency inputs for receiving a respective atomic clock signal, each having a first or a second reference frequency, and a number of frequency converters each having an input connected to one of the frequency inputs and an output. Each of the frequency converters receives an offset frequency (selected according to the first and second reference frequency at the assigned frequency input) from at least one frequency synthesizer, for providing the same intermediate frequency at each of the converter outputs. A switching matrix is connected to each of the converter outputs for selecting one of the intermediate frequencies as a primary clock provided at a first matrix output, and another of the intermediate frequencies as a secondary clock provided at a second matrix output.
Abstract: A method of measuring a directional graph of a test antenna includes disposing a plurality of measuring probes relative to the test antenna, each being disposed at a different first predetermined height above a reference plane; disposing the test antenna at a second predetermined height above the reference plane; measuring transmission characteristics relative to the test antenna between each of the plurality of measuring probes and the test antenna; determining prevailing scatter characteristics of the reference plane; and determining the directional graph of the test antenna using the prevailing scatter characteristics.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 28, 2010
Publication date:
October 28, 2010
Applicant:
ASTRIUM GMBH
Inventors:
Thomas EIBERT, Torsten FRITZEL, Carsten SCHMIDT, Hans-Juergen STEINER
Abstract: A method and system for automatically determining the position of transceivers of navigation signals using a utilization system for the navigation signals are provided. First, coarse calibration of the coordinates of the transceivers is performed. Next, a trajectory of the utilization system is estimated. Finally, fine calibration of the coordinates of the transceivers and the trajectory of the utilization system is performed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 23, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 26, 2010
Assignee:
Astrium GmbH
Inventors:
Sven Martin, Susanne Schloetzer, Michael Voith Von Voithenberg
Abstract: In a method for reducing the adverse effect of clock frequency jumps on a user-position determination device in a global navigation system, a plurality of space vehicles each having a clock, transmit position determination information to the position determining device. If a sufficient number of such navigation signals from a first group of space vehicles having clocks in which no jump occurs are available for this purpose, and if a calculated integrity risk is acceptable, position determination is performed using those navigation signals. If not, however, the position determination device receives navigation signals from space vehicles of a second group with clocks in which jumps can occur. The latter signals are combined with signals from the first group in a manner which takes into account possible jumps, and the process is repeated.
Abstract: A method for transmitting additional information in a satellite navigation system includes providing a navigation message including a continuous data stream having a prescribed bit rate and structuring the navigation message in a plurality of pages generated according to a prescribed page definition so as to transmit information, wherein each of the plurality of pages includes a checksum calculated as a function of information contained in the page. The method further includes generating at least one new page containing the additional information so as to form a changed, navigation message according to a further page definition that differs from the prescribed page definition such that the checksum calculated as a function of information contained on the page generated according to the prescribed page definition is false; and transmitting the at least one new page.
Abstract: A method for transmitting additional information in a satellite navigation system includes providing a navigation message having a plurality of parameters, selecting at least one parameter from the plurality of parameters for the transmitting of the additional information, replacing the at least one parameter, at least partially, by the additional information so as to form a changed navigation message, and sending the changed navigation message
Abstract: A device for precisely adjusting the space between two elements includes a connection member that mutually connects the first element and the second element, a first space adjusting member, and a second space adjusting member. The first space adjusting member has a first thread that interacts with an assigned counterthread of one of the elements, and the second space adjusting member has a second thread that interacts with an assigned counterthread of the first space adjusting member or of the other of the elements. The first thread and the second thread have different thread pitches.
Abstract: In a method for determining the position of a spacecraft based on vector determinations, a direction vector is measured in a body-fixed coordinate system; a reference direction vector is determined within a reference coordinate system based on the path position of the spacecraft and an orbit model; the overall spin vector of the spacecraft is determined within the body-fixed coordinate system; and a reference overall spin vector of the spacecraft is determined within a reference coordinate system by time propagation of known initial values of the overall spin of the spacecraft or by time tracking of a reference model. The position of the spacecraft is determined based on the four vectors.
Abstract: An apparatus for removing harmful gas components out of the earth's atmosphere is a free-flying autonomous lightweight aircraft with an onboard gas processing system including gas separation or extraction devices, and inlets and outlets connected to the devices. Solar cells and/or thermoelectric generators provided on the craft produce electrical energy to operate the individual devices. The system may include a cryogenic closed-loop circulation system that participates in liquefying the extracted gas components. The apparatus is preferably a lighter-than-air craft like a dirigible. A method of extracting harmful gas components from the atmosphere involves flying the apparatus at a prescribed altitude level and operating the gas processing system to remove the harmful gas component from the atmosphere, then returning the apparatus to earth to offload the liquefied stored harmful gas component.