Abstract: A method for screening of multi-junction solar cells to be operated in a high sun intensity and high temperature (HIHT) environment. An electroluminescence image of a homogeneous pn-junction at a predefined bias current is acquired for each of the solar cells. The spatial intensity distribution in the electroluminescence image is analyzed to determine whether there are local intensity variations that possibly dissipate power in a HIHT environment. The solar cells are sorted such that solar cells having no local intensity variations in their electroluminescence image are put into a first group and solar cells having at least one local intensity variation in their electroluminescence image are put into a second group cells for further screening. The solar cells of the first group are suitable for a HIHT environment and solar cells of the second group are assumed to be potentially critical in a HIHT environment.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for lossless data compression including the step of generating characteristic tables for predicted intensities as a function of radius values f(i,j)) on at least one type of preferred axes. Intensity signals of a detector matrix (I(i,j)) are used to implement the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining protection levels in a satellite navigation system includes the following steps: (1) determining an integrity risk at the alert limit for a plurality of application situations—for example, starting from approaches in category I (Category I precision approach) up to the operation “oceanic enroute;” (2) determining an interval of the alert limits between the largest set of alert limits which produces too high an integrity risk, and the smallest set of alert limits which produces an acceptable integrity risk; and (3) carrying out an interval nesting for the interval of the alert limits that was determined in the previous step, the integrity risk between the horizontal and the vertical being divided in the same way as it is obtained from the relationship between these integrity risks in the largest set of alert limits.

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.

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: 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 device for detecting and tracking vehicles includes a position-determining device for determining a current vehicle position, a transmitting device for transmitting the current vehicle position to a receiver via a communication channel, and a device for detecting an activated interfering transmitter and for triggering an action depending on the detection of an activated interfering transmitter.

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: Method and system for determining, via sensor network, position of GNSS receiver arranged in a motor vehicle intentionally is impaired in a targeted manner by interference source. Sensor network includes traffic route points having at least one sensor to detect a presence of interference source. Method includes detecting, as motor vehicle passes one of traffic route points, an interference signal emitted by interference source and/or a received signal of GNSS receiver impaired by interference source by the at least one sensor of the one traffic route point; processing the detected signals to establish whether interference source is present in passing motor vehicle; and when the presence of interference source established, generating information that signals at least a location of the one traffic route point and the interference source in the motor vehicle. A position of the motor vehicle is determined from the location of the traffic route point.

Abstract: An arrangement for force-free retention of a bearing system having an axis of rotation comprises a cylindrical hollow axle for concentrically receiving and holding the bearing system. By way of a hold-down and release mechanism, a bearing shell can be fastened to the hollow axle in such a manner that, when the bearing system is not acted upon by a load, all lateral and axial forces applied to the arrangement can be transmitted via the cylindrical hollow axle into axle receiving devices.

Abstract: A device for trapping space debris with at least one rope-like trap for space debris is provided. The trap includes an end piece configured for being wound around space debris or parts thereof. The rope-like trap is further configured in such a manner that upon contact with the space debris, it can generate a friction that is sufficient for towing the space debris.

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: A process detects defects in a semiconductor device, particularly a solar cell or solar cell arrangement, having at least one pn junction in a semiconductor layer of a semiconductor material with an indirect band junction. A voltage is applied to the at least one pn junction to operate it in the transmitting direction; and the radiation behavior of the semiconductor layer generated by the applied voltage, at least for partial ranges of the semiconductor layer, is optically detected and automatically examined for essentially one-dimensional intensity changes in order to detect mechanical defects.

Abstract: A multi-axis spring damping element includes two spring damping cushion members received between caps on a bolt shaft, and an axial adjustment mechanism at a free end of the bolt shaft. The other end of the bolt shaft is connected to a support structure, and a load to be supported in a vibration-damped manner is carried by intermediate caps between the two spring damping cushion members. A plurality of such spring damping elements forms a spring damping system, for example for supporting a payload-carrying pallet on a load platform of a spacecraft.

Abstract: A radio signal-based positioning device includes a receiver that receives a plurality of radio-transmitted positioning signals, a frequency determiner that determines a frequency of each of the plurality of positioning signals, a send time determiner that determines a send time of each of the plurality of positioning signals, and an evaluation unit that determines a position location from the determined frequencies and send times of the plurality of positioning signals.

Abstract: A device for coupling ionization energy into an ion or electron source, which is excited inductively or inductively-capacitively is provided. The device includes: a discharge vessel for a gas, which is to be ionized; a coupling coil, which is wound around the discharge vessel and feeds in a high frequency energy, which is required for plasma excitation; a coupling capacitor, which is electrically coupled to the coupling coil; a high frequency generator, which is electrically coupled to the coupling coil. The high frequency generator forms, together with the at least one coupling capacitor, a resonant circuit. The high frequency generator includes a PLL controller for automatic impedance matching of the resonant circuit, so that the resonant circuit can be driven at a resonant frequency.

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: The invention relates to an apparatus for a regional or global navigation satellite system that includes an arrangement for receiving additional data or navigation messages from the navigation satellite system, and an arrangement for informing or alarming the user that critical atmospheric conditions occur, whereby the additional data or the navigation messages include atmospheric information.

Abstract: Control and/or drive device for a flying body for ejecting hot gas streams of a combusted fuel combination of at least a first and second component. Device includes a first hollow chamber body structured and arranged to contain first component, a second hollow chamber body structured and arranged to contain second component, a controllable fuel valve arranged between first hollow chamber body and second hollow chamber body to control feed of first component to second hollow chamber body, and a plurality of outlets structured and arranged to eject respective hot gas streams for influencing a flight path of flying body. Second hollow chamber body is formed as a combustion chamber for combusting the at least first and second components within second hollow chamber body to generate respective hot gas streams, and plurality of outlets are connected to the second hollow chamber body.

Abstract: A position indicating process includes the steps of receiving at least four radio signals emitted by different transmitter stations; determining a channel pulse response of the transmission channel for each of the received radio signals; estimating the direct signal path for each of the received radio signals based on the respectively determined channel pulse response; and determining the receiving position of the radio signals by evaluating the estimated direct signal paths of the received radio signals.