Patents Assigned to Astrium GmbH
  • Publication number: 20140093891
    Abstract: A device for performing a biochemical analysis, especially in outer space, more particularly an immunoassay, in which analysis at least one analyte in a sample is determined selectively, having at least one reaction container which has at least one work volume which is intended for taking in a liquid volume and for performing at least one substep of an analysis reaction, and having at least one interface which is intended for connecting at least one work volume to a further media container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Peter KERN, Jessica JANSON, Crispin SZYDZIK
  • Patent number: 8674874
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an array antenna having a plurality of branches includes generating a test signal using a pseudo-random sequence assigned to one of the plurality of branches for each of the plurality of branches; adding the test signals to a useful signal of the antenna so as to form a summed signal emitted via the array antenna; receiving the summed signal with a receiver antenna; correlating the received summed signal with a replica of the pseudo-random sequence so as to produce a correlation result; estimating a characteristic of one of the plurality of branches by processing the correlation result; and calibrating the antenna based on the estimated characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Francis Soualle, Helmut Wolf
  • Publication number: 20140061517
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas MAIER
  • Publication number: 20140054314
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container, particularly in syringe form, for an at least substantially separate storage and release of substances, in particular for storage and release in outer space, with an outflow opening, a storage chamber for the storage of the substances, with at least one slideable separator element which divides the storage chamber into sub-chambers, and with at least one shaped overflow channel which is provided for transporting substances from a sub-chamber into a sub-chamber which is arranged forward as seen in the direction of the outflow opening, and/or into the outflow opening. It is proposed that the overflow channel and the separator element are designed for an at least substantially sequential release of substances and/or for washing-out a stored solid by a liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Peter KERN, Jessica JANSON, Crispin SZYDZIK
  • Publication number: 20140056332
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a CDMA signal s(t) comprising N components involves assigning to each of the N components one unique spreading sequence an selected from a set of M spreading sequences with M?N, modulating the symbols dn of each component on the assigned unique spreading sequence an, and combining the N symbols dn each being spread with its own unique spreading sequence an to a CDMA signal s(t). The assigned spreading sequences an are selected such that all selected pairs within the set of N spreading sequences are orthogonal or very close to be orthogonal so that cross-correlation components between all spreading sequences an are close to zero or zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicants: Astrium GmbH, STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Ltd.
    Inventors: Francis Soualle, Jean-Jacques Floch, Philip Mattos
  • Publication number: 20140057290
    Abstract: The invention is based on a method for performing a biochemical analysis, especially in outer space, wherein at least one analyte in a sample is determined qualitatively and/or quantitatively by means of selective binding of an analyte-specific pair composed of a binding substance and a detection substance to the analyte and by labeling by a labeling substance, and wherein the sample, the binding substance, the detection substance and the labeling substance are mixed in a reaction vessel in one method step. It is proposed that the mixing be brought about by means of mixing bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Peter KERN, Herbert BACKES, Ulrich KUBLER
  • Publication number: 20140053724
    Abstract: A method for separating off carbon dioxide in biogas plants includes an adsorption phase and a regeneration phase. Crude biogas that is treated in the adsorption phase is passed at ambient pressure through an adsorber suitable for adsorption of carbon dioxide, and in the regeneration phase the adsorber is regenerated with a purge gas at the temperature between 20 and 100° C., and also ambient pressure. The crude biogas is treated upstream of the carbon dioxide separation method, and is desulphurized and dried and minor components can be removed. For avoiding impurities in the biogas, at the start of the adsorption phase a purge process is carried out on the adsorber with treated crude biogas, wherein the purge process is controlled with respect to time via a number of valves and a sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: ASTRIUM GMBH
    Inventor: Manuela Brodt
  • Patent number: 8660166
    Abstract: Method and receiver synchronizing receiver with received ambiguous signal having at least two peaks. Method includes providing information about known transmitted signal having a number of at least two peaks, the information including number of peaks and distances between at least two peaks, determining ratios between peaks of known transmitted signal and assigning determined ratio value to each peak, and deducing theoretical auto-correlation function from known transmitted signal. Auto-correlation function has number of correlations corresponding to number of peaks in known transmitted signal and correlators of the auto-correlation function are provided in same distance and have the same relative ratio as peaks in known transmitted signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Floch, Francis Soualle
  • Publication number: 20140044402
    Abstract: Hollow waveguide termination device utilizing a housing and a cup shaped inner attenuation element arranged therein and made of a material which absorbs electromagnetic oscillations. The attenuation element has a tubular section and a front wall section closing the tubular section on one side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: ASTRIUM GMBH
    Inventors: Un Pyo HONG, Ernst SOMMER, Michael SCHNEIDER
  • Patent number: 8643542
    Abstract: A method for self-calibration of frequency offsets in a measurement equipment of an interference monitoring system is provided. The method involves sampling I/Q data using the interference monitoring system measurement equipment and acquiring satellite navigation signals from the I/Q data. A carrier frequency of the satellite navigation signal is estimated and an expected carrier frequency of the satellite navigation signal is calculated. The expected carrier frequency of the satellite navigation signal is compared with the estimated carrier frequency of the satellite navigation signal and a frequency offset value is calculated as the difference between the expected and estimated carrier frequencies of the satellite navigation signal. The frequency offset value is stored in a memory and used to compensate the frequency offset of at least one subsequent measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Wendel
  • Publication number: 20140009327
    Abstract: Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system and method of processing signals in a SAR system. The SAR system includes includes a radar antenna having at least one partial antenna, of which each at least one partial antenna includes a plurality of phase centers with assigned transmit/receive modules and a signal processor for coherent processing of signals of the phase centers. The signal processors include a hybrid beam forming module structured and arranged to digitize and process analog receive signals received by the transmit/receive modules of the phase centers, and to convert the digitally processed receive signals into analog signals. Further, an analog receive network is structured and arranged to combine the analog signals of respective transmit/receive modules with one another to form an output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: ASTRIUM GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph SCHAEFER
  • Patent number: 8610623
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) algorithm are provided. The RAIM algorithm is for determining an integrity risk in a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) by processing several ranging signals received from satellites of the GNSS. The algorithm involves determining several integrity risks at an alert limit for different fault conditions of the ranging signals, and determining an overall integrity risk at the alert limit from the determined several integrity risks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Hans L. Trautenberg
  • Publication number: 20130322505
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques FLOCH
  • Publication number: 20130313126
    Abstract: An electrolysis method for electrolytic cells having an electrode-membrane-electrode assembly includes two porous electrode having a porous membrane located therebetween and filled with electrolyte or having an ion exchange membrane located therebetween, one or more liquids being led directly into the membrane of the electrode-membrane-electrode assembly. The one or more liquids are guided in a channel structure arranged in the membrane. An electrolytic cell includes porous electrode, between which a porous membrane is arranged. A liquid electrolyte is fixed in the pore of electrodes and membrane, a product gas chamber adjoining the cathode, a further product gas chamber adjoining the anode, and an arrangement for feeding a liquid to the electrode. A channel structure, in which distribution of the liquid is provided, is arranged in the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: ASTRIUM GMBH
    Inventors: Willigert Raatschen, Joachim Lucas, Walter Jehle, Helmut Funke
  • Publication number: 20130299642
    Abstract: A multifunctional controller includes 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Jens EICKHOFF
  • Patent number: 8570217
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Veit Oehler
  • Patent number: 8570209
    Abstract: A process for optimizing the operation of an active lateral-view sensor when the height above the surface to be detected is variable, includes the following steps: i) continuously determining the height of the lateral-view sensor above the surface to be detected, and ii) adjusting the scanning beams emitted by the lateral-view sensor for scanning the surface to be detected by roll rotation as a function of the determined height of the lateral-view sensor such that variation of the surface to be detected is reduced during the orbit of the lateral-view sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Voelker
  • Publication number: 20130271316
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Trautenberg, Johann Vilzmann
  • Publication number: 20130273955
    Abstract: In a satellite-based augmentation system a data stream is generated that includes user messages having different message types. A plurality of predetermined unique sequences of message types are formed and each formed sequence is allocated to one of a plurality of data sources that are used for generating user messages in the satellite-based augmentation system. A data source is selected for generating a data stream that includes user messages. The selected data source generates the data stream including user messages by using the predetermined unique sequence of message types that is allocated to the selected data source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Hans TRAUTENBERG
  • Publication number: 20130271315
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: ASTRIUM GMBH
    Inventor: Hans Trautenberg